Jim Daly

Author Trisha Davis says you’re either a rule follower or a rule breaker.

Rule followers compare themselves to others, so much so that their moral compass becomes legalism, a strict adherence to rules.

• Negatively, this can result in a superficial, performance-based faith.

• Positively, rule followers are predictable and dependable, which fosters trust and security in their relationships.

Rule breakers are creative, push boundaries, and operate comfortably in the midst of chaos.

• Negatively, their disregard for structure often leads to reckless choices, which make relationships difficult.

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The data is disturbing: one in three girls in the U.S. are victims of physical, emotional, or verbal abuse in their dating relationships.

Author Dee Dee Said survived an abusive relationship in high school. She was a happy teenager – she got good grades, hung out with friends, and played tennis for her school – but she had a deep desire to have a boyfriend. So, Dee Dee got excited when a boy she calls “Brock” asked her on a date.

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School is well underway across the country, which brings up concerns and questions for many parents:

• What’s being taught?

• How do we help our kids think biblically?

• What do we do when the culture moves further and further away from God’s truth?

• How do I most effectively involve myself in my child’s education?

To answer those questions and others, I’ve invited Dr. Larry Taylor and Dr. Barry Corey to join me on Focus on the Family with Jim Daly.

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Is your marriage enjoying the warmth of summer? Or is it suffering the chill of winter?

Like nature, every marriage goes through seasons. Depending on which season you’re in, you and your spouse will feel more or less connected, more or less in love, or more or less happy.

When Jean and I first started dating, we enjoyed being together and daydreamed about seeing each other when we were apart. At the time, I lived in San Diego, and she lived in Orange County, and I was willing to inconvenience myself to show my interest.

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When you think about your teenager’s emotional demeanor, what comes to mind?

Confidence, joy, and peace?

Or confusion, stress, and depression?

Maybe it’s a little of everything.

We hear from parents across the country, and most say the same thing: their children are experiencing obstacles unlike any past generation in history. Technology dominates nearly every aspect of their daily lives: entertainment, education, self-image, even their sleep habits and their social interactions. Technology is so pervasive and unsettling that many teens are battling fear, shame, and self-doubt.

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To say Jim and Shanna Ramos struggled in their first year of marriage is to minimize the word “struggle.” Jim says he married an angel and woke up with the devil. Shanna says she married her dream and woke up to a nightmare.

Jim believed his marriage was a mistake but didn’t believe in divorce. The turning point came at a Promise Keepers event where he heard a message about being a man who out-loves and out-serves his wife.

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Prayer is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your marriage.

I’m sure you’ve heard that advice before, but you’ve probably discovered that prayer falls by the wayside when life gets busy and responsibilities demand your time and attention.

On Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, my guest, Jodie Berndt, is sharing how to incorporate prayer into your marriage in a way that not only helps you grow closer to your spouse but that deepens your own relationship with Christ.

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Grief is an unavoidable part of the human experience. The emotions associated with it are powerful, often overwhelming. It touches every family – including mine.

My sister-in-law Jane’s son, Bobby, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease when he was 17. At 29, he was healthy and active, his business was thriving, and he and his wife were purchasing their first home when Bobby started feeling pressure in his chest. X-rays and MRIs found nothing. Exploratory surgery revealed that Bobby had a rare and inoperable form of cancer.

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Legendary comedian Red Skelton once said: “All men make mistakes. Married men just find out about them sooner.”

While it’s tongue-in-cheek to say that pointing out shortcomings is just one of the benefits of a good wife, it’s fully true that they also bring the wisdom, grace, and steady partnership a man needs to grow and invest himself fully into his marriage.

A great relationship doesn’t happen by accident. It requires you and your spouse to sacrifice the time and effort necessary to achieve your shared goals.

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