Jim Daly

Fighting For Dear Life: Part 2

Yesterday, I began to share with you the dramatic story of baby Ethan, the son of our niece Cassandra. From the moment Ethan was born, his life hung in the balance. As promised, here’s the rest of what happened.

Fifteen minutes outside of Vero, Florida, Cassandra and Shawn received much needed good news: Ethan survived the trip to Miami’s Children’s Hospital and was in the operating room. A fresh wave of tears hit them as they reflected on the goodness of God.

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Fighting For Dear Life: Part 1

Ever since Sarah Palin was picked as John McCain’s running mate, babies with “special needs” suddenly took center stage in the headlines. Much has been written about her decision not to abort a baby with Down syndrome. Some believe she shouldn’t have brought a special needs child into the world. Others believe she and husband Todd made the right choice. Regardless of your political leanings, I thought I’d add some perspective on the value of every human life.

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Fireproof is Red Hot in Theaters

In 2006, Alex Kendrick and his brother Stephen, both members of Sherwood Baptist church, wrote and produced Facing the Giants, their second family-friendly independent film. While the production values were on par for a low budget film, viewers were drawn to it’s message of faith and trusting God to do the impossible–both professionally and personally.

Last weekend Alex and Stephen, with the help of a few hundred volunteers from church, returned to the big screen with their third independent film, Fireproof.While Giants tackled winning on the football field, Fireproof addresses those who are struggling to win at their marriage.

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Pretzels Make a Dream Come True

In 1988, Jonas and Anne Beiler were living in Texas. Having suffered a number of personal tragedies, they decided it was time to pack their bags and return to the place they knew and the people they loved back home in Pennsylvania. They arrived with just $25 in their pockets. Anne’s first move was to land a job at a local farmers market selling pizza, pasta, and pretzels. Business was brisk, but they hungered to go out on their own.

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Walking the Talk

Last week I was in Washington, D.C. to participate in the Value Voters Summit hosted by the Family Research Council at the Washington Hilton. Whenever I’m in the nation’s capital, I cannot help but stand in awe over the rich history that drips from just about every place I turn. The Lincoln Memorial. The United States Capitol. The White House. The Washington Monument. And the National Museum of American History among other landmarks.

I’m also impressed with the thought that for more than 200 years, presidents and members of Congress have come and served in this city–for better or for worse.

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Don’t Back Down on Life

There’s a disturbing news story out of Philly last week regarding the behavior of three or four youth who, just for kicks, burned a pit bull to death. According to the Philadelphia Daily News, the youngsters walked the dog down near the Olney Train Station last Thursday evening placed a blanket on the pit bull and then saturated it with lighter fluid. With the strike of a match, these sadistic juveniles reduced the dog to ashes and then fled the scene.

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Pursue Your Passion

It’s September which means it’s back to school for millions of kids. Many other students are headed to college. True, college is a long way off for my boys. Still, every now and then I’ll plant in their minds the seeds of discovering their unique gifting. My hope is that they’ll have an idea of what to pursue when college rolls around. I’m sure the day when Jean and I ship them off will be here much sooner than I dare admit.

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Slouching Toward Labor Day

Labor Day traditionally marks the end of summer. I, for one, am not quite ready to say goodbye to the sights and sounds of the baseball games, backyard cookouts, and camping trips I’ve enjoyed under the watchful eye of the hot summer sun. I know, I know. The kids are settling back into the routine of school while the retailers around here are ramping up for Halloween. Still, a part of me is in no hurry to close the books on summer.

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Faith-based Barbie?

I’ve been working at Focus on the Family for some twenty years. I never cease to be amazed at how God has brought together some of the brightest and most talented people around under one roof. Whether they’re working in the correspondence department answering tough questions about family issues or are part of the warehouse team fulfilling request for resources with excellence, there’s a prevailing ministry-oriented heart reflected throughout.

It’s also been fun to follow the lives of “Focus Alumni” who, once their time with Focus ended, went on to develop exciting ministry opportunities of their own.

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A Living Nightmare

Those who knew Chandler Grafner described him as a sweet and thoughtful little guy. He was shy, yet tender in spirit. The kind of boy who would pick flowers for his babysitter.

Which is amazing considering how Chandler’s brief life was nothing short of a living hell. By the time he reached age seven, Chandler’s home life was nothing more than a revolving door of unconventional living situations. His mother, Christina, bounced around between a number of men, including a stint with boyfriend Jon Phillips with whom she bore another son, Dominick.

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