Jim Daly

GUEST POST: Christmas Anticipation

We are in the Advent Season, and the word “anticipation” seems like an appropriate word to describe how I feel about the approach of Christmas. Saints of old, by faith, anticipated the coming of Christ on that first Christmas. Simeon, for example, rested on the promise God had made to him that he would not see death until he had gazed into the eyes of his savior (Luke 2:25-32).

As a child, my parents required that my older brother and I feed and water our horses before starting our celebration of Christmas.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family

The Beginning of the End of Abortion in America

The sun has set on the Supreme Court this December afternoon marking the end of a remarkable, historic and encouraging day for all of us who champion and support the sanctity of life.

It’s likely we won’t know for sure until later this spring, but a majority of the justices appeared sympathetic to Mississippi’s right to limit abortion to 15 weeks’ gestation.

In fact, after nearly 50 years of abortion on demand, we’re looking at the very real possibility that the High Court may well decide to get out of the abortion business entirely, leaving the issue up to the democratic process.

Several conservative justices strongly challenged the wrong-headed argument of the abortion industry that the court should follow “precedent” in this case, even if the justices think Roe was wrongly decided.

“If we think that the prior precedents are seriously wrong … why then doesn’t the history of this court’s practice with respect to those cases tell us that the right answer is to return to the position of neutrality?” asked Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

“Precedent” was a major theme and one that liberals and pro-abortion activists love to talk about – that is until they find a Supreme Court precedent they don’t like and want overturned.

Just because a case has been wrongly decided for many years is no reason to keep upholding bad law.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: pro-life

It is Time to Right an Historic and Evil Wrong

It is time.

In fact, it’s way past time.

For nearly a half-century, abortion on demand has been legal in all fifty states leading to the tragic holocaust of over 60 million innocent babies.

It is time to right an historically devastating and evil wrong and overturn the fatally flawed Roe decision from 1973.

I’m in Washington, D.C., and will be closely following today’s hearing of the Mississippi Dobbs case inside the Supreme Court. Due to the pandemic, the courtroom will be closed to spectators, but the audio of the proceedings will be available in real time.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: events, faith, pop culture, pro-life

Praying Scripture Over Your Child’s Life

Author Jodie Berndt has heard from hundreds, if not thousands, of parents through the years who struggle with praying for their children, as she did:

They feel inadequate.They believe prayer to be a natural part of the parenting process, but rarely feel like their prayers “pack a punch.”Jodie even worried that her proud or anxious prayers might elbow God out of the picture.

The more familiar Jodie became with the Bible, the more Scripture reshaped her perspective and her desires – and the more her prayers lined up with God’s will

The book of James says that “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16).

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, kids, parenting

The Post Pandemic State of Marriage and the Family

Coming out of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, you might have missed news last week of a significant study concerning the current state of the American Family.

“The Divided State of Our Unions: Family Formation in (Post) Covid America” confirms much of what we’ve been tracking here at Focus on the Family regarding the rapidly evolving dynamics surrounding attitudes toward marriage and children.

A crisis almost never leaves anyone the same, so a fair question to ask is just how has the global pandemic impacted our relationships?

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, marriage, parenting

Reigniting Your Passion for Jesus

I love meeting new believers in Christ. Their faith is so alive and vibrant that it bubbles over into every area of life. They are eager to serve and worship Him at every opportunity.

Do you remember feeling that way?

Unfortunately, many of us lose passion for our faith over time. We get busy with work, children, and household responsibilities, and the fire that once burned bright begins to fade.

If you’re wondering how to keep your passion alive – or to reignite it if it’s gone dull – tune in to our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Reigniting Your Passion for Jesus.” We’re speaking with Kim Meeder, author of the book Revival Rising: Embracing His Transforming Power.

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Government is our Servant – Not Our God

Friday’s passage in the House of Representatives of H.R. 5376, a.k.a. the “human infrastructure bill,” represents an unprecedented grasp of government overreach that threatens to undermine the institution of the family on a number of levels.

Deceptively titled “Build Back Better,” this $2 trillion piece of legislation will actually break the backs of future generations. The only thing it builds is a deepening dependence on Uncle Sam.

The “better” way is for the United States Senate to outright reject this bill.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: faith

Healing Parent and Adult Child Relationships

One of the top calls our counseling team receives is from parents who struggle with feelings of resentment, sadness, or anger because of a fractured relationship with their adult children. It’s heartbreaking.

It’s also common. A 2015 studyby Richard Conti of Kean University found that 43 percent of college students had been estranged from their parents at some point. Twenty-six percent reported extended estrangement.

When a parent/adult child relationship is fractured, the most effective solution is to redefine the boundaries.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids, parenting

Enjoying Mealtime as a Family

Over the past couple of decades, more studies than you can count have been done to pinpoint the most crucial factors in raising emotionally strong, well-balanced kids. Almost all of them have arrived at the same conclusion: Eating together as a family is one of the most significant influences in raising healthy, well-balanced kids.

The more families eat together, the less likely children will engage in drug use, suffer from depression, develop an eating disorder, or succumb to a host of other behavioral problems.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: family

Planting the Seeds of Success in Your Kids

Parents often dream about their children becoming doctors, astronauts, or business executives. They help their children along that path by helping them develop specific talents or academic excellence.

The trouble with that approach, according to parenting expert Dr. Kevin Leman, is that it focuses on what our children will become, rather than who they’ll become.

To correct course, Dr. Leman offers parents eight strategies for raising successful kids:

Start with the end goal in mind.Expect the best, get the best.