Jim Daly

In my opinion, every believer has a role to play in foster care.

That’s a big statement, I know, but it’s true. We’re not all called to do the same thing or to carry the same load, of course, but we’re all capable of doing something. The ultimate goal, as I see it,is for every believer to feel empowered with a sense of direction for how God wishes to use us.

The Apostle Paul told us the body of Christ functions this way:

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.

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“For a good time, call HOME!”

That’s not a bumper sticker (although it could be). It’s actually pastor and author Ted Cunningham’s way of encouraging men and women to invest in their marriage because you get out of your relationship what you put into it. Enjoying marriage is a decision – a choice you make – not something you achieve by passively hoping for good things to come your way.

After the honeymoon ends, the relationship often goes by the wayside.

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Culture confuses young men about how to treat women – like, when does romance step over the line into something inappropriate?

Let me offer an example of one man’s behavior, and you decide whether or not it was acceptable.This man was interested in a female co-worker who had been giving him the cold shoulder for months. One day, when she was alone, he snuck up behind her, took hold of her hand, and caressed it without her permission.

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When I was a child, bullying took place almost exclusively at school. Nowadays, thanks to technology, bullying can happen anytime, anywhere.

• According to national surveys, bullying affects about 20% of kids aged 12-18.

• Pew Research reports that cyberbullying (name calling, threats, receiving inappropriate images, etc.) is experienced by almost 60% of kids.

• According to Barna, 39% of young people report that bullying has contributed to them feeling uncertain about the future and anxious when making important decisions.

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Many women have an identity problem. When they introduce themselves, they say, “I’m just a mom.”

Just a mom? The reason mothers often hold such a low view of themselves is misguided but understandable. At first blush, there’s nothing significant about chasing kids around the house, fixing meal after meal, and stepping on toys scattered down the hallway.

But that view grossly underestimates the importance of a mother’s role in the lives of their children. Moms are modern day superheroes.

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One of the greatest gifts you can give your child isn’t something you buy at the store. It’s the words you speak.

Encouraging statements such as, “I’m proud of you,” “You can do it,” and “Great job!” are powerful building blocks for your child’s identity. Even the smallest encouragement can tip your child’s heart toward confidence and hope instead of fear and despair.

Even better, children store positivity in their hearts like money in a savings account.

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Do you want to raise healthy, successful children? Then help them discover their potential.

Wilbur and Orville Wright’s father did that. When his boys were young, he amazed them with a toy helicopter made of thin Balsa wood and a rubber band. The fragile toy soared across the room and opened a door to their imaginations. Years later, Wilbur and Orville identified that moment as the primary influence that sparked their interest in flight.

When Thomas Edison was young, he developed a hearing problem that caused him trouble at school.

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It’s a bittersweet moment when children become old enough to move out. Not only do they no longer live at home, but their relationship with their parents changes forever.

For most of us, parenting is more than a responsibility, it’s an identity. Which is why it feels like a part of us goes with our child when they leave home. Some moms and dads cope with that sense of emptiness by continuing to actively parent their child, in some cases for years afterward.

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