Parenthood and Autism

I just read a blog post about the new NBC television series, Parenthood. The writer deals specifically with one of the show’s story lines, about one couple who learn their child has Aspergers, a condition that is one of many Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD). While I’ve not seen the show, evidently its portrayal of the condition and its effects on a family is rather accurate and very compelling.

As the father of a boy with autism, I’m intrigued. I know firsthand about the difficulties and challenges of parenting such a child, and also about the stress that journey can have on a marriage. So I’d like to know more: I wonder if you saw the television program and have any reaction? Let me know.

And if you need some starting points to learn more about ASD, Focus on the Family has some links here, and I’d also (humbly) suggest this audio conversation I had with Bob West, founder of Need Project, about my family’s situation.

What Do You Recommend?

Sitting in a conversation with Rob Kirkpatrick, the Executive Producer for our daily Focus radio program, we talked about parenting. We touched on several key resources and perspectives about child-rearing that we naturally rely on, day in and day out. For me, those include Dr. Dobson’s classic, New Strong Willed Child. And Dr. Kevin Leman’s book about the role of birth order in how children behave. And then there’s Dr. Gary Chapman’s book, Five Love Languages. And if I took a few more minutes, I could probably list several more books and videos that have been essential for me to use and apply as a parent.

I’m wondering what resources YOU might suggest to people - over and over again - as you go through the parenting journey? Give me a list of your favorite items - and some links, too.

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 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!

Barna Study About Super Bowl Ad

Some pretty interesting research from the Barna Group about the Focus on the Family ad, featuring Pam and Tim Tebow, which ran during the Super Bowl, including the following data points:

Read the entire article and thoughtful analysis here.

I was glad to learn that Phil Cooke posted about the ad in his blog. I appreciated his insights and support for Focus in this endeavor.

And, in case you’d like to see some of the “hype” which helped make some 2.5 Billion (that’s with a B for Billion) consumer “impressions,” here’s a sampling of the media coverage generated by the spot, before and after the big game (not all of it entirely favorable):

Monday Poll: Super Bowl Ad

Now that the big game is over, and the Focus on the Family spot featuring Pam and Tim Tebow finally has been seen, we’d like to know your thoughts.

What did you think of the Focus on the Family Super Bowl ads?

  • I'm not sure what they accomplished. (28%)
  • They seemed alright. (28%)
  • They were great, and really made the point! (43%)
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Thanks to all who contributed to this special effort, including a small group of donors, a creative team of staff and contractors, the folks at CBS, the Tebow family, and everyone who joined us ion praying that the ad would be effective.

Maybe you have a comment to share? Feel free to do so, please!

Rebecca St. James Supports Super Bowl Ad

Rebecca St. James released a statement about the Focus on the Family Super Bowl ad, and it is encouraging to see her words of support:

“I think in spite of the protests this week from NOW, GloriaAllred, and ‘pro-choice’ organizations, this ad being aired is a matter of the First Amendments’ right of free speech.  I applaud Focus on the Family for creating the ad and bringing the story of Tim Tebow’s life to American viewers during the Super Bowl, and I applaud CBS for broadcasting it.  Here is the heart warming story of a young man whose mother-when faced with the option of abortion-chose ‘life’ and he is here to thank her, be a rising sports hero, and use that life to be a blessing to many! Unlike Tim Tebow–the more than 1 million babies that are aborted each year in the US have no voices-and no opportunity to tell us what they think of their mothers ultimate ‘choice’ for their lives.”

Thanks, Rebecca, for your on-going pro-life stance, and for your public support of this ad!

BTW, Rebecca St. James will be in New York next week—Tuesday, February 9th—to appear on “Hannity” on the Fox News Channel. She’ll no doubt be talking about her recent film, in which she plays the lead character, called, “Sarah’s Choice.” The film is a powerful exploration of the sanctity of life.

Super Coverage!

While the media appearances to discuss the upcoming Focus on the Family Super Bowl ad have slowed down (for now) for Focus President Jim Daly (and other FOF spokespersons), there remains a lot of coverage in the media about the 30-second spot featuring Pam Tebow and her son Tim. All in all, the comments are favorable to what we’re doing, although there is the expected criticism from some quarters.

I think in many ways Jim Daly’s stated goal, to “elevate the conversation about life,” is being achieved already - and the ad hasn’t even been seen (outside of a handful of staff and video production folks).

For instance, in the Washington Post, Sally Jenkins wrote that

I’m pro-choice, and Tebow clearly is not. But based on what I’ve heard in the past week, I’ll take his side against the group-think, elitism and condescension of the “National Organization of Fewer and Fewer Women All The Time.”

Yikes!

And according to a New York Times article,

Two companies, Alterian and Zeta Interactive, reported on Monday that their monitoring of online conversations about Super Bowl ads had found that the Focus on the Family spot had already been discussed more than any other planned to run in the game.

That’s quite remarkable, and something none of us at Focus imagined would happen!

To learn more, here’s one of the Focus press releases about the ad. And here’s a selected list of media stories about the most talked about Super Bowl ad.

Thursday our staff will gather for a special time of prayer asking God to use the ad and all the public discussion to touch hearts and to bring glory to His name. I hope you’ll join us in praying for this exciting commercial to reach people in powerful ways!

Enter Our Valentine’s Day Contest - Now!

If you have written some great love letters to your spouse, or you’ve always wanted to write something special to your love, here’s something just for you. Right now there are four winners a day for the Focus on the Family Valentine’s Day Contest, and you can enter your sentimental musings today for your chance to win.

If you’re an especially good wordsmith, maybe we’ll see you here in Colorado Springs at the end of the month?

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