Family and Home Archives

Restoring the Family in America

I once had lunch with author David Horowitz, a secular Jew who had written a book detailing cultural and political movements against Christianity. He asked me, “Jim, don’t you realize you’re in an alley fight, and the other side has switchblades?”

I nodded my understanding, then responded, “David, the problem is that the weapons of warfare our Lord has given us are joy, love, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, and faithfulness.”

That discourse raises an intriguing question for every Christian: How are believers to fight the good fight with the character of Christ when the other side doesn’t fight fair?

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family November 2, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Man Called Norman

Have you ever felt alone and unloved?

Have you ever felt rejected by friends? Coworkers? A family member?

All of us have felt that way at some point. But what if that isolation lasted for years and you saw no way out?

On our Focus on the Family Broadcast “A Man Called Norman,” we’re airing a timeless message about friendship, hope, and love, even in a hopelessly lonely situation.

If you’ve not heard it, or if you’re new to Focus on the Family, allow me to briefly introduce this program to you.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: hope October 29, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Teaching Boys to Respect Women

Consider this: according to The New York Times, 201 powerful men have been exposed for their mistreatment of women in recent years. Titans of the business world, of politics, and of the entertainment industry. Their behavior cost them their reputations and ended their careers. A few of the men wound up in jail. Or dead.

The question our culture must answer is, “Why did those 201 men believe that their power gave them the right to mistreat anybody?” How did these men become so bereft of a moral compass?

Topics: Family and Home Tags: children October 28, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Shouting the Worth of Every Person

As the saying goes, “Birds of a feather flock together.” It means that we naturally feel most comfortable around people who look like us and think like us.

That tendency can cause us to miss out on relationships with people who hold different perspectives than us and on the opportunity to learn from them.

God is more diverse than we often imagine Him to be. He created human beings in His image, so every person is God’s image-bearer.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: pro-life October 27, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Hope for the Anxious During Unsettling Times

Anxiety is rampant in our culture. It’s rampant among Christians as well. Anxiety is a pandemic all its own. We’re stressed relationally, emotionally, financially, and many of us physically.

That’s no accident. Relational, emotional, physical, and financial health are the four legs of a chair that give our lives a sense of security and peace. They’re also the four areas of our lives that are subject to intense stress and anxiety.

During these times, we can find comfort in the words of Jesus: “In the world you will have tribulation.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, hope, mental health October 23, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Reclaiming Hope and Safety in a Destructive Marriage

How do you know you’re in an emotionally abusive marriage?

You are regularly:

Dismissed.Deceived.Dominated.Degraded.Diminished.

A random careless comment from your spouse is one thing. But when you are regularly mistreated, it’s a pattern. A destructive pattern.

As a matter of course, you’re not free to be yourself. You’re not free to express your own opinion or your own ideas without being shot down, ridiculed, or labelled as ungodly, unspiritual, or stupid. You’re not encouraged to be the person that God has called you to be.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage October 21, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Hope and Help for Weary Moms

Mom, are you tired?

Research says that you are. Studies show that the average mom changes over 2,000 diapers a year, does almost 200 loads of laundry, and loses almost 900 hours of sleep! And many moms work outside of the home as well!

Motherhood can be exhausting. Moms give, give, and give some more. Especially when the boys were young, my wife Jean often felt like no one saw or appreciated everything she did each day.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, hope, mom, mother, parenting October 19, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Praying for Unsaved Loved Ones

Let me ask you this question: If Jesus said to you, “I will answer every single prayer that you pray this week,” how many people in your life would you pray for to receive Christ?

Are you praying for them now?

Have you grown weary of praying for someone – or given up entirely – because nothing seems to be happening within them?

What if, as we pray for others, God does something in us? Through prayer, God molds our character, grows our patience, and empowers us to persevere.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, love, prayer October 15, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Bringing Laughter to Your Marriage

Today, I’ve got a simple idea to help you build a great marriage. It’s fun, too.

Laugh together.

Studies show that couples who laugh are healthier, happier, and more connected. Even little giggles between you can create bonds that you’ll share forever.

Laughter is a powerful connecter. In fact, laughter is often more about connection than it is humor. Studies show that we laugh more when we’re with other people than when we’re alone.

Some of my greatest memories involve Jean and me laughing together in the car or around the dinner table.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, love, marriage October 13, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Developing a Love of Prayer in Your Kids

In our Welcome Center here at the Focus on the Family campus, children have the opportunity to leave their prayer requests with us.

One of my favorites is from a 9-year-old boy who wrote, “Please pray for my brother. He wets the bed. And pray for me. I share the bed with my brother.”

Some prayer requests are much more serious, like the 8-year-old boy who wanted us to ask God to help his dad stop drinking and be healthy again.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: children, prayer October 12, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura