Family and Home Archives

You Don’t Often See a Headline Like This

The devastation spawned by the 74 tornadoes in 10 states over several days last week is nearly impossible to fathom.

It just doesn’t compute.

We read of the numbers killed (39) and wince and wonder why. We cringe at the images of destruction and want to cry, especially when we realize that behind every number lost is a name and an entire world forever changed for those left behind.

I’m especially thinking of the Babcock family.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, news March 5, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Best Things in Life

There are many kinds of success in life worth having. It is exceedingly interesting and attractive to be a successful business man, or railroad man, or farmer, or a successful lawyer or doctor; or a writer, or a President, or a ranchman, or the colonel of a fighting regiment, or to kill grizzly bears and lions.

But for unflagging interest and enjoyment, a household of children, if things go reasonably well, certainly makes all other forms of success and achievement lose their importance by comparison.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids March 2, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Ronald Reagan on Fatherhood

What does fatherhood mean today in America?

I guess the same as it always has.

Fatherhood can sometimes be walking the floor at midnight with a baby that can’t sleep. More likely, fatherhood is repairing a bicycle wheel for the umpteenth time, knowing that it won’t last the afternoon. Fatherhood is guiding a youth through the wilderness of adolescence toward adulthood.

Fatherhood is holding tight when all seems to be falling apart; and it’s letting go when it is time to part.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, husband March 1, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Does it Matter How You Dress for Church?

Does it matter what we wear to church?!

A colleague broached this question a few days ago and it reminded me of my early days as a Christian, back at Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California.

By the time I accepted Christ in high school the “hippie” movement was in full swing, as was the “Jesus movement” – a dynamic uprising of young Christians whose style and manner of worship was pretty unconventional, at least compared with that of the prior generation.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, husband, pop culture, wife February 29, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Five Things Every Great Leader Has in Common

It’s easy to find fault in others, to look out at the culture and identify individuals who, though in positions of great influence and responsibility, fail miserably as leaders. We see it in politicians who are more driven by popularity than by principle, who will seemingly do anything to remain in power. We see it in executives who preserve their own pensions at the expense of shareholders. We see it in the home, where mothers and fathers whittle away their precious few years of influence with their children.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: friendship, relationships February 28, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Wisdom of an Old Footballer

Franz Beckenbauer is one of the most decorated “footballers” (soccer players) in the history of the game. The sixty-year-old retired German star now serves the sport in an executive capacity and writes a regular column for a European tabloid. And although I’m not a fan of soccer, I recently came across a wire story that speaks beyond the mechanics of the sport itself.

Mr. Beckenbauer was asked the other day about a player named Arjen Robben, a highly touted Dutch winger.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, husband February 27, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Best Quote on the Internet?

“The trouble with quotes on the internet is that it’s difficult to discern whether or not they are genuine.”

– Abraham Lincoln

Happy Friday!

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment February 24, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

National Pray for Marriage Day

Brother Lawrence, a lay minister at a Carmelite Paris monastery in the mid 1600s, frequently extolled the power and benefits of prayer.

“There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful,” he wrote, “than that of a continual conversation with God.”

I agree with Brother Lawrence. Prayer is the answer to the challenges of our day. Of course we are to be people of action, but first we must be people of prayer.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage February 23, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Broadcast of the Year

I have some good news for you.

Our broadcast team is back in the office today after spending the last several days in Nashville, Tenn., for the annual National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) Convention. It’s always a fast-paced and fruitful time of seeing old friends and meeting new ones who share our passion for communicating timeless biblical truths through radio, television, the Internet and ever-growing world of mobile apps.

This year’s NRB was a little-extra special, though, as the Focus on the Family daily broadcast was named Radio Program of the Year in an awards ceremony yesterday.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, entertainment February 22, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

This Pastor Faces Execution

It’s really simple:

If he surrenders his faith, he’ll save his life.

Or will he?

Youcef Nadarkhani is an Iranian Christian pastor. He was arrested back in 2009 for protesting compulsory Islamic religious instruction in the public school system. Although initially charged with protesting, an illegal act, the charges were amended to apostasy and evangelizing Muslims.

When asked by a judge to “repent” of his behavior, Pastor Nadarkhani’s response was blunt:

“Repent means to return. What should I return to?” he asked.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, faith February 21, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura