Family and Home Archives

Mothers and Sons: Being a Godly Influence

Jesus’ mother was Mary.

The prophet Samuel’s mother was Hannah.

King David’s mother?

The Bible doesn’t tell us. But she must have had tremendous insight into how to raise a boy to become man. Everyone remembers David for conquering Goliath. Yet, his strength and trust in the Lord were developed as a teenager in the field:

“But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: parenting, sons February 25, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Staying Together When You Feel Like Leaving

Vicki Rose was sitting on the beach when she realized her life was crashing down around her. Up and down the coastline families played together, built sandcastles, splashed in the waves, and created memories.

Vicki sat there alone, sobbing. Her kids were hundreds of miles away with a babysitter. Her husband, Bill, was back in their hotel room, sick, trying to survive withdrawals from his drug addiction.

Vicki had once believed that marriage would offer her the love and care she’d always wanted, heal her childhood hurts, and fill up her emptiness.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage February 23, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Sudden Cardiac Arrest: A Survivor’s Story

Give her an opportunity, and Pamela Christian will gladly tell you about the day she died.

It all began during an afternoon of tennis with girlfriends. She had been battling stomach problems all morning, a problem she dismissed as indigestion. But after a few practice swings, she started feeling short of breath and lightheaded, too much for the amount of exertion her warmup required.

In a matter of minutes, she began vomiting and collapsed to the ground.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith February 22, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Building a Lifelong Relationship with Your Child

Do you feel like a failure as a parent?

At Focus on the Family, we hear from thousands of parents who do.

Formulaic parenting is a common reason for this. It’s the go-to method for a lot of moms and dads. They believe that parenting ought to be predictable. The right input should guarantee the right outcome. When it doesn’t, they wonder, “What’s wrong with me? What’s wrong with my child?”

A better approach is something called “trust-based relational parenting,” an idea that many say has revolutionized their parenting.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: children, parenting February 19, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Fascinating Perspective on Racial Issues

Is racism the biggest problem facing the black community?

Dr. Shelby Steele doesn’t think so. Dr. Steele, himself an African American, is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, specializing in the study of race relations, multiculturalism, and affirmative action.

He believes “the single worst and most overwhelming problem, bar none” facing the black community is the breakdown of the black American family. Black women get married at half the rate and divorced at twice the rate of white women.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: Racism February 17, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Fresh Look at Dating

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

If you’re single, have you applied that verse to your dating relationships and search for a godly spouse?

Many Christian singles seek the same things in a mate as non-Christian singles. They focus on whether or not they’re physically attracted, share common interests, enjoy each other’s company, or share chemistry.

Each trait has its place in a marriage, but none provide a relationship with the stability a couple needs to build a life together.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: relationships February 15, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Unmasking the lies behind the so-called benefits of the “COVID Divorce”

The COVID-19 toll is often tallied and reported in terms of deaths, hospitalizations and overall cases of the virulent pathogen.

Yet, data is beginning to show that the tragic consequences of the year-long pandemic extend far beyond the physical and into the financial, emotional, mental and spiritual dimensions of our lives.

Here at Focus on the Family, our counselors report a steady uptick in calls from hurting individuals. In fact, it’s not just that we’re hearing from more people than usual – but that the challenges they’re sharing with us seem to be darker and more devastating than ever before.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage February 12, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Adding Some Spice to Your Marriage

I don’t cook dinner very often. I think Jean prefers it that way. Her degree is in biochemistry. Not only is she smart, but she naturally thinks in terms of precision. Recipes are to be followed. If the instructions call for one cup of flour, she’ll measure exactly one cup. She’ll even use a knife to scrape off the excess, so the amount is perfect. She’ll even add more if it’s not quite full.

As for me, well, let’s just say I’m a “free spirit.” Scraping away excess flour is a waste of time to me.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage February 12, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Walking Through Depression

The data is alarming.

According to the National Alliance of Mental Health, more than 17 million U.S. adults – over seven percent of the population – had at least one major depressive episode in the last year.Over 40 million adults in the U.S. – 19 percent of the population – have dealt with some form of anxiety.According to the CDC, 3,000 teenagers between the ages of 15 and 17 attempt suicide every day.

If depression is a struggle for you, you’re not alone.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: depression, mental health February 11, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Using Your Love Language to Grow Closer to God

What is God’s love language?

I’m sure your familiar with Dr. Gary Chapman’s take on the five love languages:

AffirmationActs of serviceQuality timeReceiving giftsPhysical touch

Understanding the concept helps us strengthen our relationship with our spouse and with our children by expressing love to them in the specific ways they feel that love. The five love languages are how we feel love from others as well.

Because we were created in God’s image, we each feel God’s love and presence primarily in one or two of these ways.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith February 9, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura