Jim Daly

An Interview with Casting Crowns’ Mark Hall

Since the self-titled debut of Casting Crowns‘ first album was released in 2003, the band has enjoyed great popularity among Christian audiences – but not for reasons you’d might expect.

Instead of light-hearted songs that only scratch the surface of our faith, Casting Crowns specializes in delivering hard-hitting hits meant to challenge listeners – and the larger Christian community – in our walks. The band regularly explores themes of holiness, relationships, witness and vulnerability in a way that encourages self-reflection.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: adoption, entertainment, marriage, parenting, pop culture

Joan of Arc… Noah’s Wife?

The Bible may be the best selling book in America, but that doesn’t mean we read and retain its content.

Consider:

At least 12 percent of adults believe Joan of Arc was Noah’s wife.
A survey of graduating high school seniors revealed that more than 50 percent thought that Sodom and Gomorrah were husband and wife.
A considerable number of respondents to one poll indicated that the Sermon on the Mount was preached by Billy Graham.

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

The Best City for Love?

In a light-hearted article, the Wall St. Journal recently declared Colorado Springs, Colo., where Focus is headquartered, the top place in the U.S. to find love.

Seriously.

Here at Focus, we think that’s great. In fact, we’re even holding a gathering event that might help cement that title: this Aug. 7-9 Focus on the Family’s Boundless ministry is hosting Pursuit 2014, a special weekend for single 18-39 year olds.

If you’re not familiar with Boundless, here’s a quick overview.

Continue ReadingTopics: Focus Events Tags: events, marriage, news, relationships

A Tale of Two Countries

Two stories struck me yesterday. In one way, they’re unrelated and yet at the same time, very much connected.

LaChanze Sapp-Gooding is the widow of Calvin Joseph Gooding. Mr. Gooding was killed on September 11th as he worked inside the North Tower of the World Trade Center. At the time of the attack, LaChanze was 8-months pregnant with their second child.

Meriam Yehya Ibrahim is a Sudanese Christian who was sentenced to death yesterday for refusing to renounce her faith and embrace Islam.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: faith, news

Two Ways Dads Can Help Their Children Succeed

Success.

How to define it?

To many Americans, success means challenging yourself to reach your full potential. It can mean financial stability and the ability to provide for a family.

To many in the world, it means reaching a certain level of self-fulfillment. And while there are various ways the above goals can be reached, the fact is that a college diploma remains an important common denominator of the American definition of success in many cases.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting

We Need to Love Post-Abortive Women

The video Emily Letts recently made of her abortion was understandably met with shock, horror, sadness and disbelief. In it, the 25-year-old abortion counselor shares her story of facing an unexpected pregnancy, and includes footage of her undergoing the procedure during her first trimester.

It is a sobering and painful video to watch.

How should those of us who value human life respond?

Every abortion involves three people

The reality is abortion profoundly impacts at least three individuals: the child whose life is being terminated, the birthfather and the woman who must live with the reality of this decision.

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

There’s Something About Mom

Many of us celebrated Mother’s Day yesterday. Social media platforms were filled with smiling pictures as some of us remembered our moms who have since passed away. Other snapshots were of today’s young moms, surrounded by babies and toddlers and all the hope and promise they bring. Mothers of grown children as well as grandmothers and birthmothers were also celebrated.

The folks at FoxNews.com gave me the privilege of sharing a piece I wrote reflecting on Mother’s Day on their site.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting

Thank You, MVP Moms

No one can make a grown man cry with humble appreciation like a mom.

Take Kevin Durant, the 25-year-old winner of the 2014 NBA Most Valuable Player award. During his emotional speech that took place just in time for Mother’s Day, Durant reflected back on the uphill road his single mother, Wanda Pratt, walked with her two young sons.

From finding a way to make ends meet to cheering him on at his basketball games growing up, Durant’s tears are a testament to his mother’s powerful impact on his life.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: faith, news, parenting

Boy Praises His Way Out of Kidnapping

A 9-year-old Atlanta boy had a unique response to being kidnapped from his own driveway last month: he sang praises to God.

Willie Myrick, now 10, repeatedly sang Hezekiah Walker’s “Every Praise” during the three-hour ordeal. Eventually, his abductor – who had been cursing and telling the boy to shut up – pulled the car over and kicked him out.

One can’t learn of a story like this without thinking of Bible verses that promise God’s protection, like Psalm 46:1, which says, “God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble.”

The song itself references the theme of deliverance in its chorus:

God my Savior
God my Healer
God my Deliverer
Yes He is, yes He is

Thank God that those lyrics proved prophetic for Willie Myrick – and thank God for a family and church community that influenced his young faith.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: faith, kids, news

WATCH: Two Powerful Minutes of Must-See Video

Tomorrow Focus on the Family’s first movie, “Irreplaceable,” will debut in more than 700 cinemas across the country. Seats are filling up fast (with some theaters already sold out) – despite attempts to censor our documentary.

Just in time for tomorrow’s premiere, we’ve released a powerful new trailer for the film. Check it out below:

As you can see, “Irreplaceable” is far from just your average documentary. Yes, you will leave the theater empowered and equipped better to defend your Bible-based views.

Continue ReadingTopics: Focus Events Tags: events, family, marriage, pop culture