Jim Daly

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month – Here’s What You Can Do

Child abuse is a very real problem here in the United States.

When we talk about abuse, most states recognize (and report) four major types: neglect, physical abuse, psychological maltreatment, and sexual abuse. Sometimes a child suffers from only one type of abuse, other times a child suffers from a combination of maltreatment.

In 2014 alone, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services reported an estimated 702,000 children were victims of maltreatment. Of these, roughly 75 percent of victims suffered neglect; 17 percent were physically abused; and 8.3 percent were sexually abused.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: kids, parenting, pro-life

Six Traits to Look for in a Spouse

What should a woman look for in a husband? What should a man look for in a wife?

Marriage is one of the biggest decisions a person can make and, yet, a lot of men and women are unprepared to answer that basic question.

Physical attraction is probably the most common attribute people consider, and it’s not unimportant. But some people never rise beyond that initial connection point. They’re fueled primarily by emotion and sexual attraction.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, husband, marriage, wife

Three Things You Might Not Know About C.S. Lewis’ “The Screwtape Letters”

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the publication of one of C.S. Lewis’ most important books, “The Screwtape Letters.”

Have you read it?

In this classic, Lewis re-imagines Hell as a gruesome bureaucracy where a senior demon, Screwtape, corresponds with his nephew and apprentice, Wormwood. The younger spirit’s assignment is to corrupt a newly converted Christian young man living in London during the tumultuous days of World War II. Through the letters, Lewis examines Christian morality, temptation, and good and evil.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, faith

How to Connect with Your Grandchildren

One writer called grandparenting the greatest job on earth, handed to you wrapped in a blanket.

That description might have something to do with the grandparenting stereotypes we’re all familiar with. It’s all the fun with none of the responsibility. You get to spoil your grandchildren with questionable levels of fun and sugar, then send them home to their parents.

There may be some truth to that perception, but grandparents can do much more than just create fun memories.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family

Why Moms Need Friendships

A couple of weeks ago, I started my blog by saying, “Motherhood feels like the loneliest job on the planet for many women – especially for young moms who live far away from close family. They go through their days as a one-woman army, balancing work, children, and a never-ending list of responsibilities around the home.”

Moms need friendship, but many struggle to find it. Judging by a lot of moms I know, I’d guess one reason is that they struggle to find the personal time and space that would allow them to build relationships.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, friendship, parenting

Focus Resources Also Available En Español

Did you know there are 41 million native Spanish speakers living in the United States?

That means you probably know someone whose first language – the tongue they understand at a heart level – is Spanish.

It’s because of those 41 million people (and the other 429 million native Spanish speakers around the world) that we carry Spanish-language versions of many of our key marriage and family resources.

Our latest such offering is the six-session, DVD-based curriculum “Luchando por un mejor matrimonio,” based on the popular and effective book “Fight Your Way to a Better Marriage.”

It sounds counter-intuitive, but it’s true: there really can be a purpose to fighting in marriage – if you fight well.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: marriage, promos

Freeing Teen Girls from Their Secrets

There’s a saying that “you’re only as sick as your secrets.”

Some secrets are fun and are part of a healthy life – like staying quiet about a surprise party or that special gift you bought for a friend. Other secrets are like a virus. They attach to the deepest, most vulnerable parts of who we are, and they eat away at us, bringing nothing but unhappiness.

That dark reality is a struggle many teen girls face every day.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, parenting

A Lost Bear at Chick-fil-A?

My wife and I recently had one of “those” parenting experiences.

You know the type. It’s a bit exasperating while you’re living it, but later makes you chuckle when you retell the story?

It all started a few months ago, when Jean and I welcomed two children from Colorado’s foster care system into our home. They’re a sister-brother pair, “Chloe” and “Sam.” She’s 4, he’s 3, and they both are great kids. They’re adjusting well to life at the Daly home, and our sons enjoy being big brothers.

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

Darrell and Stevie Waltrip on God, Faith, and Marriage

This coming weekend in Richmond, Virginia, upwards of 200,000 NASCAR fans will gather at the Richmond International Raceway for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and millions more will watch on television.

Detailing the event’s “play by play” for FOX Sports will be Darrell Waltrip. I recently had the opportunity to spend some time with Darrell and his wife, Stevie, and I’m excited to welcome them to our program as our guests.

Darrell was one of the most successful drivers on the NASCAR circuit in the 1980s.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: broadcast, faith, marriage

From Manson-Follower to Christ-Follower

Over a period of two nights in 1969, seven people were murdered in their homes in the Los Angeles area.

Several of the victims were bound, and strange messages were written on the walls in their own blood. The most well-known victim was actress Sharon Tate, who was 8 ½ months pregnant. Her baby boy died in her womb.

The crimes became known as the Tate-Labianca murders and were carried out by members of the “Manson Family” at the instruction of their leader, Charles Manson, who is considered one of the most notorious murderers of the last century.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: broadcast, faith, pop culture