A New Day!
Today marks the first day at Focus on the Family without our founder, Dr. James Dobson, who has faithfully completed the task he set out to do more than seven years ago: step away from the ministry he started and has loved for 33 years. In so doing, Dr. Dobson has done a rare thing.
Few leaders willingly let go of the helm, few make room for a new generation of leaders to step up, few fully depart and allow the organization to grow in new and different ways. Dr. Dobson has done this, though, and we owe him our heartfelt thanks.
Those of us staying at Focus are so grateful for the heritage and legacy Dr. Dobson leaves. We’re also quite confident in the coming days — and that’s not a confidence in ourselves; rather, we’re confident in the God who formed this ministry and continues to have His hand on the work, touching lives worldwide through our humble efforts.
During the past year, I’ve reflected on the many lessons God has given us in the story of Joshua. Quickly summarizing, At the end of the Old Testament book of Exodus, Moses died Joshua stepped up to lead the millions of God’s people who were ready to cross the Jordan and enter the Promised Land. Turn the page, and you see in the opening verses of the book of Joshua a charge by God.
Joshua, be strong and courageous. Be strong and courageous, Joshua. Be strong and courageous. Joshua, be strong and courageous.
There’s no mistake in those verses. God repeated Himself to Joshua, the new leader, for a reason! There was much that could cause fear. There were unseen challenges and enemies. There would be difficulties with the people themselves, who would have doubt and whose hearts would stray. Yet, God had brought Joshua to this point, for “such a time as this” (to quote from the book of Esther). God knew all that had been done through Moses, He knew all that He had poured into Joshua, and He knew that the people were about to end 40 years of wandering to enter the Land He had promised their forefathers generations ago.
I don’t want to read too much into the parallels, but in many ways, Focus is now entering a new phase rather like that of the Israelites those centuries ago: without the faithful servant who brought us to this point. We’re entering a new season with a new leader and new challenges - and with many new opportunities ahead of us. There are sure to be hard and difficult things in store, but our God goes with us and in that we are convinced.
While we rejoice in the past miracles and wonders that God has accomplished through Focus on the Family to this point in time, we also look ahead, anxious to see how He will guide us in the coming years. We are confident because He assures us,
Be strong and courageous.
Our trust is in the Lord, we are confident of His charge to Jim Daly and to us as a staff, and we press ahead knowing God is in front, and He will accomplish His purposes through us if we will be humble, faithful and diligent.
This is not the end of the story for Focus on the Family. It may, in fact, be just the beginning! I hope you’ll stay with us as we charge ahead for the family.
Dr. Dobson’s Last Day
As I noted yesterday, today marks the last day that Dr. Dobson is at Focus on the Family (read more here). And today’s broadcast is the final time Dr. Dobson is in studio while still at the ministry. Of course, he will be back with us to share with listeners about his new book, Bringing Up Girls, which is slated to be released in mid-April. Today, though, we’ll go back through the years — and also look ahead.
Earlier this week our broadcast staff gathered in “Studio A” for a private time with the Founder, going back over the years and memories we’ve enjoyed as we’ve worked for and with Dr. Dobson. This team knows him as well as any other part of the ministry might, probably better than most. Our working relationship with Dr. Dobson has involved numerous urgent, important projects…situations in which we had to hammer out a creative, excellent broadcast on a tight deadline with no room for error. That kind of “fire” forges strong friendships and enables a group of people to draw near to each other in ways that forced “team development” cannot. The room was full, and we could have talked for hours. As it was, we did have about an hour to reflect, think through some of the highlights, and laugh about some of the really humorous moments we’ve shared. It was a rich time, and we concluded with prayer, surrounding the man who brought most of us to the ministry, directly or indirectly (several on the radio team have been at Focus for more than 20 years). The tears caught up with several of us, and it was a gracious gift from God to have that opportunity for closure to an era.
Your Favorite Focus Broadcasts
Looking back over the years…that’s what we’ve been doing this past week of programming. I’ve given some thought to a list of outstanding Focus on the Family broadcasts. Let me share a few of my favorite memories from the studio.
One is when we had the Barrett family sharing about the difficulties and challenges they experienced with a couple of their adopted children. Dr. Dobson was overcome with emotion as he described the awful pain and abuse those kids had seen prior to their adoptions. Then his eyes teared up, his voice cracked, and he simply had to stop the interview so he could compose himself.
That day confirmed what I already knew – that Dr. Dobson is a man with a big heart and great compassion, one who will stand up and fight for the neglected and abused. And that display of emotion made me appreciate and respect him all the more.
Then there was the day a former guest, Lindsey O’Conner, stopped by to give an update on her incredible story of giving birth to a daughter - while Lindsey was in a coma! Dr. Dobson spontaneously decided to record a program, and masterfully interviewed her, drawing out the way God worked in her family’s life. It was an outstanding conversation. He did that without any prep, and I was amazed at the ease with which he created that broadcast. It showed a wonderful instinct for stories and how to make compelling radio.
And one of the programs that spoke most powerfully to me was Dr. Dobson’s interview back in 2001 with Brandt Gustavson and Dr. Bill Bright. We called it, A Race To Heaven, and in that conversation he had me – and millions more – riveted to the radio for 30 minutes as he explored how those great men of God were approaching the end of their days here on earth. They shared so vividly about the God’s grace in their trials, their great joy in serving Christ, and their desire to see Him face to face. That inspiring exchange has – to this day – caused me to keep an eternal perspective on this life.
These are just a few of the standout programs I’ve enjoyed from the years that Dr. Dobson has hosted Focus on the Family.
What’s on your list of “must-listen” list of Focus broadcasts?
Dr. Dobson’s Final Days At Focus
It is hard to believe that we’re saying farewell to Dr. Dobson! Today and tomorrow are his last appearances on the daily radio broadcast which he began in 1977. While he will be back with us in April to talk about Bringing Up Girls, these two programs mark his last time in the studio while still at the ministry.
So, today Jim Daly, General Pat Caruana (FOF Board Chairman) and I interviewed Dr. Dobson (he was the guest!). There were tender moments, and also light-hearted reflections, during this fond look back — and look ahead. Good radio, and I hope you’ll listen in!
Final Programs With Dr. Dobson
We’re entering what will surely be an emotional week, as Dr. James Dobson enters his final days at Focus on the Family. I’ve had the privilege of working here at Focus since 1991, when I came to help research and produce the broadcast. There have been many wonderful memories as I’ve served in the broadcast area here.
Often I am asked, “What’s Dr. Dobson really like?” I usually respond that, he is who he seems to be. There is nothing pretentious, there’s a consistency in his on-air and off-air personalities, and that he is - for the listener - who he seems to be on the radio. He is genuine, passionate, principled, caring, thoughtful, fiery and tender. He is a straight-shooter, and also has great diplomacy and tact. He looks out fo the Family, r the underdog, he fights for what he believes is right, he does not quit, he does not shrink back. He faithfully serves his God, his family, his friends. He is warm and engaging, and has a great sense of humor. He teases those who are close to him, too.
This week, as we wrap up our time with this extraordinary man, we’re naturally nostalgic as we reflect on the past 33 years of ministry by Dr. Dobson and his wife, Shirley. We’re also celebrating all that God has accomplished during more than three decades - particularly through the Focus on the Family radio program.
One of the recent broadcasts that touched me deeply featured former Focus president Don Hodel and his precious wife, Barbara. This couple has a fantastic relationship, in spite of - or perhaps because of? - some traumatic seasons. They’ve endured much, and their conversation with Dr. Dobson illustrates the heart of this ministry.
Today we’re hearing from Dr. Dobson himself, as he talked to our staff a few years back about something he called, “The Four Passions” (of Focus). If you want to better understand this man, and the ministry legacy he leaves for us to continue on with, listen in.
In coming programs, we’ll hear from listeners about the impact of Dr. Dobson and this ministry on their lives. There are some wonderfully touching moments!
Power of Radio
Here’s a recent comment about the was God can significantly use a radio program to touch a life:
“Back in the mid-90s, I was in my home office working on the computer and listening to music when my one-year-old son crawled into the room. He went straight to the radio, spun the tuning knob several times, and then left. He ‘just so happened’ to tune in to a Christian station that was airing a program unfamiliar to me – the Focus on the Family daily broadcast. To make a long story short, I’ve been listening to your show for the past fifteen years and have supported your ministry during that time. Most importantly, though, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, due in large part to your programs! I’m still amazed that God used a toddler’s tiny hand to set into motion the events that would eventually lead to my salvation!”
I love being able to work on this broadcast, which goes around the world and can be a life-changer!
Healing From Sexual Abuse
We aired a two-part broadcast earlier this week featuring the Walt Larimore family. You’ll recall that “Dr. Walt” was on staff here at Focus for several years, and that he is a gifted communicator. He and Barb shared a story of great pain with us, one that was, for years, untold. Their children, Kate and Scott, showed tremendous courage in detailing the trauma and pain they experienced years ago after being sexually abused by a babysitter.
We had quite a significant number of responses from listeners, many of whom told us they needed to hear what the Larimores shared. Here’s just a sample:
~ When my son was 4 he was abused by a 10 year-old boy while at a daycare. Please tell the family that did the broadcast thanks for talking about such a sensitive issue.
~ I have NEVER heard anyone address this issue and not only is it so prevalent in our society; but I’ve been through it myself, starting at age 5. I didn’t tell anyone until I was 18, and then my parents had a very hard time believing me. They really did nothing about it. I don’t think either one could deal with it.
~ Thank you for airing a program on such a difficult topic. I have waited all my life for someone to address this so I could sort of feel understood and “stood up for”!
God bless everyone involved in the Focus ministry.~ Thank you for the broadcast today. It is timely, and very helpful for my family. Thank you for being there, and for being so gracious in serving my family.
We’re grateful that the broadcasts could touch hearts and be used in the healing process, and pray many more will hear the Larimore’s story and be helped. I’ll suggest that if you know someone who needs to hear this amazing family’s journey, send them a link, or get a CD for them. Or, call our 800 number and ask for someone on the counseling team.
Focus is here to help.
Week In Review, Jan 29
What a week we had on the Focus on the Family broadcast. Perhaps a personal highlight was when Jim Daly and I went to the studio to talk with Dr. Kevin Leman about his book, Have A New Husband By Friday. Instead, we were ambushed, and our wives shared insights about us - totally unrehearsed! Listen in and hear Jim and me squirm!
Two days of programing were devoted to the terrible suffering in Sudan. While the trauma in Haiti will continue to unfold in front of us over the next months, the years of incomprehensible and evil activity in Sudan have gone largely untold. Here’s a book showing photographs of that country’s pain - and fortitude. And here’s where you can listen to two colleagues sharing about their trip to Sudan, and this link will take you to the conversation we had with a family foundation doing a good work in Sudan.
Apart from the broadcast, there certainly was quite a bit of media coverage about the Super Bowl advertisement by Focus on the Family. The 30-second spot, featuring Pam Tebow and her son Tim, has created a lot of buzz. Jim Daly and several colleagues have been speaking to the media about the ad, which has not yet been released. What is so interesting to me: The criticisms by folks who talk authoritatively about the spot which they haven’t seen. Most of those objections tend to be attacks on Focus, not the ad — but of course, that’s what folks do these days when they can’t fault the message…they go after the messenger. Here’s a list of some of the thousands of stories about the ad. And here’s Jim’s recent blog post about the coverage.
Pray for us as the days are full, and we strive to follow God’s leading in all we do - including efforts to make that Super Bowl ad effective!
Tables Turned!
Jim Daly and I thought we were going to talk with Dr. Kevin Leman about his book, Have A New Husband By Friday. Instead, we learned that he had a secret plan to ambush us! Well, I think we handled the surprise - fairly well. What do you think? Listen in and tell me your reactions to this broadcast in which the tables were turned!
Tim Tebow and The Super Bowl Ad
What’s the big deal? Perhaps you’ve noticed that there’s quite a bit of media coverage about the Super Bowl advertisement by Focus on the Family. The 30-second spot, featuring Pam Tebow and her son Tim, has created a lot of buzz. Google “Tim Tebow” and you’ll find millions of mentions - many of those referencing his association with Focus on the Family and some showing his recent comments about the matter (one example is here). Focus President Jim Daly has been on several television networks and shows, and some colleagues have also been speaking to the media about the ad, which has not yet been released.
I’ve found it interesting that objections to the spot are based on conjecture - not one of our critics has seen the ad. Despite having all the facts, many “women’s groups” are decrying the decision by CBS to air the ad, and many are calling for it to be pulled. Their bias certainly reveals a strong dislike to the consistent pro-life message Focus on the Family has (for more than 30 years) stood for, as well as anything that might cause folks to rethink their position on abortion.
Kudos to CBS for standing firm against such misguided protests, and many thanks to the Tebows for joining us for this spot - which is really a wonderful call to celebrate family. And thanks, too, to a handful of Focus supporters who made special donation toward the significant costs of placing the ad.