family Archives

The Casey Anthony Verdict

Lost amidst the media frenzy surrounding the Casey Anthony trial and her surprising acquittal of first-degree murder is the obvious fact we all know to be true:

Three-year-old Caylee was innocent, as is every child who falls victim to abuse. The death of a child is always tragic beyond words, and the particulars surrounding this case are almost too difficult and inconceivable to digest.

When you look into those eyes, what do you see? I see the sweetness of a little girl whose life has only just begun, who has hopes and dreams and wants but one thing: to be as loved as she is loving.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, family, parenting July 6, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Dad Difference

Golf fans will remember Rory McIlroy’s painful unraveling at the Masters in April, a colossal collapse where he lost a four-shot lead on the final day of the historic tournament. Charl Schwartzel’s win that day was dramatic and well-earned, but it left the 22-year-old McIlroy reeling. The Irishman’s subsequent tournament play in May and early June was lackluster – that is, until this past weekend when he won the U.S. Open.

Analysts and commentators were quick to seize on the turnaround.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, family, parenting June 23, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Practice Makes You Dirty

My friend and colleague, Gary Schneeberger, is Focus’ vice president of communications. His office is right down the hall from mine and includes, among other things, a 7-foot-tall statue of Superman (that’s a story for another time). But among the many things on his desk is this little glass vase holding a pair of golf balls.

Now, I’ve been in many offices that contain golf balls from courses all over the world – from the famed St.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, marriage June 22, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Focus on National TV Tonight

Just last Wednesday, in Tontitown, Arkansas, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar welcomed another baby into the family. This time it was their eldest son Josh’s and wife Anna’s second child. Michael James and mom are doing great.

Hale and hearty congratulations to the ever-expanding Duggar family!

Of course, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar are the proud parents of 19 children, 10 boys and 9 girls. You might already be familiar with them from their hit reality television show, 19 Kids and Counting, which airs on The Learning Channel (TLC).

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family June 21, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Opening the Day with Enthusiasm

The sun had barely risen yesterday when Trent and Troy burst into our bedroom.

“You gotta open it, Dad! You gotta open it!” eight-year-old Troy and ten-year-old Trent repeatedly hollered.

I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. One of the boys was holding a small wrapped box.

It was Father’s Day 2011, my 11th year as a dad.

Troy had picked out the gift and so he was particularly excited to have me open the package.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting June 20, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Would Your Friends Be Shocked?

The latest high profile sex-scandal surrounding the head of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss-Kahan, brings to mind comments from a previous guest on the Focus on the Family radio program.

Steve Farrar, author of Point Man: How a Man Can Lead His Family, once wrote:

“If you were accused of sexual indiscretion, would your family, friends and co-workers fall down on the floor laughing because the charge was so ridiculous?”

It’s always shocking and sad when a person of influence is accused of a violent crime, as Strauss-Kahan has been for allegedly raping a hotel maid in New York City.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, pop culture May 23, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Life is all About Interruptions

Several years ago an enterprising individual began marketing a line of t-shirts. Printed in large bold lettering across the front of the shirt was a variation of this message:

“(Fill in the blank) Is Life. The Rest Is Just Details.”

They sold millions of them.

Largely, I think, because we tend to see our passions (family, sports, music, art, etc.) as the center of our life – and everything on the periphery is just the small stuff.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family May 18, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Key to a Good Day

The late Dwight Eisenhower, a five-star general and the 34th president of the United States, was once asked who he believed to be the greatest man he’d ever met. He replied in a snap:

“It wasn’t a man. It was a woman – my mother. She had little schooling, but her educated mind, her wisdom, came from a lifelong study of the Bible. One night we were playing a card game, mother, my brothers and I.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family May 17, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

If You’re Angry or Irritated

It’s challenging to tell someone you love that you’re angry with them. Even with the best of intentions, hurt feelings come easily.
Our counselors here at Focus regularly help with questions of this nature. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal dealt with this very issue, and so I asked them to review the author’s suggestions. They affirmed much of what was written, but offered a few other thoughts. I’d like to share their response with you now:

Slow Down.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family May 13, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

She Escaped From Planned Parenthood

If the producers of Hallmark Hall of Fame were looking for a thoughtful script that both inspires and convicts, they needn’t look any further than the story of Abby Johnson.

But for now, you can watch her tale of conversion this coming Tuesday May 17th, by clicking here.

After years of working for Planned Parenthood in Bryan, Texas, Abby experienced a dramatic change of heart regarding the morality of abortion and her participation in the ongoing tragedy of it.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, pro-life May 12, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura