family Archives

When Fire Forces You from Home

If you had only a few minutes to gather up a few select treasures of your life before fleeing a raging inferno, what would you take – and what would you leave behind?

Families in Colorado Springs were faced with this very question this past Tuesday. In just a matter of minutes, a wildfire that had been contained in canyons bordering the city swept down through the hillsides. The sky, which had been sunny, turned red.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, news June 28, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Six Tips for an Easier Family Getaway

In a post last week, I mentioned the many disasters that seemed to befall TV’s Brady family while on vacations. From losing Bobby in the Grand Canyon to getting locked in an old jailhouse, all on the same trip, one might be left with the impression that a family getaway is akin to playing with fire.

Why even bother going anywhere?

We go because trips can be a lot of fun. I have some great memories as a kid going from here to there in the car.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, family, parenting June 27, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Father’s Day Ads Through the Years

To see a vintage advertisement is to get a brief peek into the past:

Wrisley – Father’s Day, Wrisley Spruce for Dad (1945)

Recognized Hatter – Father’s Day, Straw Hat (1946)

Studebaker– Car Craftsmanship, Father/Son Photo (1946)

US Steel – Father/Son Gardening Theme (1946)

Inter Woven Socks – Father’s Day (1951)

Anaconda Copper – Father & Son Workshop Art (1951)

Thermos Products – Father’s Day (1959)

Shulton Old Spice – Fathers Day Sailboats (1960)

A very Happy Father’s Day to all the dads and grandpas!

Topics: Family and Home Tags: events, family June 14, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How Would You Spend One More Day with Your Dad?

Here’s the scenario:

If you could turn back the clock and spend one last day with your father, what would you do? If your dad is still living, what would be the ideal way to enjoy his company?

Father’s Day, which is this coming Sunday, doesn’t receive nearly the same degree of attention as Mother’s Day. Nevertheless, millions of dads will still be hailed as heroes, and rightly so.

Not everyone has a happy story or good memories of their upbringing.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family June 13, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Dying Father, a Grateful Son

John Strege is a friend and a talented author and writer for Golf Digest. He recently penned a moving story about a son’s last round of golf with his dying father at Pebble Beach.

John writes:

It began as a dream, a boy, 16, and his father, descending the steps behind The Lodge at Pebble Beach and gazing wistfully at Eden. Some day, the boy vowed on behalf of both of them, before life intervened, as inevitably it will.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family June 8, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

12 Ways to Love Your Wayward Child

I recently came across an excellent article from Abraham Piper, the son of author and pastor John Piper. For parents who are currently struggling with a child (of any age) who has either strayed from their Christian faith or never professed Jesus as Lord of their life, this will serve as practical guidance to help you manage what is a very difficult reality.

Do you resonate with the following sentiments? If you do, I’d like to know what you’re currently struggling with and how you’re managing.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, faith, family, homosexuality June 5, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Why Christians Seem to Focus on the Sin of Homosexuality

Dr. Al Mohler is a dear friend and member of the Focus on the Family Board of Directors. He has one of the sharpest minds of anyone I know and I deeply value his input and counsel concerning many matters, both personal and professional.

Al was recently invited to contribute to CNN’s Belief Blog and deftly answered a question that is being asked in many circles today:

If the Bible condemns many sins, why do Christians seem to focus on the sin of homosexuality?

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, family, homosexuality May 24, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Is It Possible To Love Your Spouse Too Much?

Would it surprise you if I suggested that one of the greatest risks to your marriage is loving your spouse too much?

It’s true – but with a twist.

Many of us will be attending weddings in the coming months. They’re beautiful affairs where we witness two individuals pledging their love and fidelity to each other. The happy couple leaves the ceremony and reception awash in advice and wise counsel, all centered on the challenge of fulfilling the marriage vows.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, husband, wife May 23, 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