family Archives

Update on Ethan

If you’re new to my blog, let me point you to the touching and inspiring story of my nephew, Ethan. I blogged about Ethan earlier this year (see A Picture of Perseverance).

In short, our sweet little relative has endured far more than most adults. He’s undergone three open heart surgeries, all to reconstruct his entire coronary system. Throughout the long ordeal he has maintained an amazing attitude.

Since many of my readers were so kind to pray for Ethan, I thought I’d give an update on his condition as well as share some exciting news from within his family.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, kids, staff May 27, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Talking Smack

Glenn Williams is my friend and colleague here at Focus on the Family. In addition to serving as our Chief Operating Officer, Glenn is a psychologist, writer and substance abuse expert who has worked with parents and teens for more than 20 years. He’s recently authored an excellent new book titled, Talking Smack, on the perils of drug addiction, and offers mothers and fathers practical advice in dealing with the subject. I was privileged to be invited to pen the foreword and would love to offer you a sneak peek of the project.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: discipline, family, parenting, pop culture May 24, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Predictors of Success

Wall Street Journal columnist and bestselling author Peggy Noonan penned an interesting column this past Friday. In it, she focused primarily on the forthcoming Supreme Court confirmation hearings of Solicitor General Elena Kagan. She predicts they will be bland, more “show over substance” and full of senators “who give long soliloquies and put forth extremely long and circuitous questions.” She also thinks they’ll be plenty of posturing along with “vanity and camera hogging.”

I think Peggy is right, but she also made a few intriguing comments that confirms and highlights the very mission of Focus on the Family.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, marriage May 19, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Celebrating Kids at the Old Ballgame

I’d like to tell you about a wonderful weekend that revolved around some of my favorite people and favorite things in life. I’m referring to my wife, Jean, and our boys, Trent and Troy. I’m also talking about children adopted from foster care, children in foster care, and the great and glorious game of baseball.

The story begins here in Colorado at the ballpark of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. They’re the Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: adoption, events, family May 17, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Emerging Adults and the Teaching of Truth

Dr. Christian Smith is a Professor of Sociology and Director of the Center for the Study of Religion and Society at the University of Notre Dame. Credentials of that caliber will usually place an academic’s scholarly work outside normal day-to-day banter.

Sometimes, but not always.

Such is the case with Dr. Smith’s new book entitled, Souls in Transition: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of Emerging Adults. This collaborative work with Patricia Snell contains some interesting and eyebrow-raising information Christians need to know.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family May 12, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Motherhood By The Numbers

As you know, yesterday was Mother’s Day. It was an emotional time for me. My heart melts at the thought of my own dear mom, a great woman now gone from earth for nearly 40 years. Though decades have passed since her untimely death when I was just 9 years old, her influence on me remains steady and sure. My mother was a strong but very gentle lady. If I close my eyes, I can still hear her voice and feel the softness of her hand in mine.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, news, wife May 10, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Father’s Field of Dreams

There’s a degree of mystery surrounding my father’s life that will forever remain unsolved. I remember listening to Dad as he shared stories about his younger days playing baseball. Of particular interest were the stories he told from the year he played with the Detroit Tigers.

I can’t prove that he actually did play pro-ball with that team for several reasons: he’s dead, which complicates asking any follow-up questions. And, as I described in my first book, Finding Home, there’s a lingering issue regarding our real last name.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting April 19, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Celebrate Family Tour

I’m thrilled to announce that next week, April 12th, Focus on the Family will be kicking off a 12-city “Celebrate Family Tour.” Starting with a gathering at the InterContinental Hotel in Dallas, we’ll be hosting live events around the country between now and the end of the year. At each stop along the way you’ll have the opportunity to experience a live radio show in the making, with co-host John Fuller and myself.

Next Monday in Dallas, where we’re expecting upwards of 1,500 attendees, our special guest for the program is best-selling author and marriage expert Dr.

Topics: Focus Events Tags: events, family, promos April 9, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Feeding My Time Capsule

Moms and dads know that some of the most enjoyable moments with kids will often come like lightning out of a clear blue sky. Secularists called it “serendipity”—chance encounters. But those of us who are Christians see them for what they are—gifts of insight and pleasure from our gracious and loving God.

I was reminded of this during a recent ski trip to Salida, Colorado. When Jean and Trent and Troy and I sat down to wait for a pizza at a local restaurant one evening, I decided to try something we hadn’t done before.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids, parenting April 5, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Picture of Perseverance

Please take a good look at this photo of our sweet little nephew. His name is Ethan. What do you see?

The scene is a familiar one, isn’t it? On the surface, a young child is drawing with chalk on a sidewalk in the warm sunshine. It’s a simple and carefree pleasure of childhood, a cheap one, too—and in this instance, a young boy’s chance to creatively express himself.

It’s also a picture of innocence; a sweet and happy outing.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, kids March 31, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura