Marrying Young?

Posted on February 16, 2010 
Filed Under Marriage | 1 Comment

My wife and I married in our early 20s. We had both spent a few years in the work world, had lived on our own and had established our separate lives before deciding to go down life’s paths together. We weren’t particularly young, nor were we past our prime.

My oldest child is 21, and in no rush to get married. And if he follows current trends, he won’t tie the knot for another 7 years or so. Is there anything wrong with that? Well, not particularly. But here’s a rather provocative piece from someone who asks some hard questions about the penchant for delaying marriage.

Related, if you aren’t familiar with Boundless, the Focus online magazine what often tackles touch subjects like ‘why you should get married soon,” do check it out.

And let me know what you think - about that article, or about Boundless.

Barna Study About Super Bowl Ad

Posted on February 15, 2010 
Filed Under Focus on the Family, Life | Leave a Comment

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):

First Grader In Handcuffs?

Posted on February 12, 2010 
Filed Under Parenting | Leave a Comment

What do you think? I don’t know what to make of it all. I’ve followed this story with some real curiosity. A Florida first grade student had an angry outburst so disruptive that the local sheriff’s office actually handcuffed her and drove her away in a squad car. The next day, this same six year-old student was once again out of control, and was subsequently removed from the school and admitted to a mental health facility for evaluation. Her parents maintain she has no mental illness and only suffers from a “temper problem.”

It seems obvious that there’s something going on behind the scenes that we don’t yet know. This isn’t typical behavior for a first grader. As a parent of a special needs child, I wonder if little Haley might have an undiagnosed condition which leads to these outbursts. Thinking back, before we really knew what we were dealing with in our son’s erratic behavior (autism spectrum disorder) we had to deal with some pretty intense and physical tantrums, so I’d be curious if this girl might have an undiagnosed special need.

It is reported that she had a history of behavioral issues, and that the school was trying to work with the parents, so it is likely that things have escalated over time. I don’t want to take sides here, but it does seem rather extreme to take a six year-old child off the school premises in handcuffs, and also to commit the child to a facility - both actions apparently taken without parental involvement. Still, what is a school to do with such physical expressions of rage? What would you do if you were in the classroom witnessing this kind of outburst?

I’m sympathetic to everyone involved, and hope that the parents and school officials will be able to work together in correctly identifying the real issues - and that eventually they can help this young girl with what is, at the least, an “temper problem.” Haley obviously needs some sort of intervention.

If you have an angry child that you’re trying to deal with, here’s an article offering some common-sense ways to approach the situation and find solutions. And here’s a conversation with a psychologist offering insights about how you as a parent can cope with an angry child; his book has much more information for parents.

Valentine’s Day Stories?

Posted on February 11, 2010 
Filed Under Marriage | Leave a Comment

With the approach of February 14 looming, I’m thinking back over the years to special Valentine’s Day celebrations with my wife. One year I surprised her with a hotel getaway, where I had prepared the room with some special food and a Scrabble board with “I love you” spelled out. I recall the time when Dena sent the kids to a friend’s house and surprised me with a quiet romantic meal. On several occasions we’ve had a nice dinner out, complete with extended (and uninterrupted) conversation. We’ve often exchanged a small gift or two. Unfortunately, I’ve been away on business - conventions that I couldn’t miss - several times over the years.

I wonder if you’ve got a particularly fond memory of a special Valentine’s Day activity - or a memory you just can’t shake about a plan gone awry? If so, please share with us via the comments section.

Poll: Your Valentine’s Day Plans?

Posted on February 10, 2010 
Filed Under Marriage | Leave a Comment

With Valentine’s Day only a few days away, I’m starting to map out what my wife and I can do to celebrate our relationship. Of course, we try to that EVERY day, but February 14 always brings a special opportunity (obligation?) to express our devotion and love to each other. We are both budget-conscious and also quite practical, and that’s good since we have young children still in the home and few good babysitting options this year. So we’ll spend some time away from the house, doing something relatively inexpensive - and without the kids.

How about you? What - if any plans you have?

What Are Your Valentine's Day Plans? Select up to three answers.

  • I don't plan to do anything special. I have my reasons. Don't ask me again. (6%)
  • Flowers and chocolate is always a hit! (25%)
  • Celebrating at home with my love...and our kids. (31%)
  • Celebrating at home with my love. (25%)
  • A romantic getaway. (13%)
  • Lunch or dinner with my sweetheart. (38%)
  • Good question! I'll get back to you on that. (13%)
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Monday Poll: Super Bowl Ad

Posted on February 8, 2010 
Filed Under Focus on the Family | 2 Comments

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!

Power of Radio

Posted on February 7, 2010 
Filed Under Focus on the Family Broadcast, Humor, Spiritual Life | Leave a Comment

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!

Rebecca St. James Supports Super Bowl Ad

Posted on February 5, 2010 
Filed Under Fathering, Focus on the Family, Life, Physical Health, Social Concern | Leave a Comment

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.

Healing From Sexual Abuse

Posted on February 4, 2010 
Filed Under Focus on the Family Broadcast, Parenting, Social Concern, Spiritual Life | Leave a Comment

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.

Super Coverage!

Posted on February 3, 2010 
Filed Under Focus on the Family, Life, Social Concern | Leave a Comment

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!

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