Family and Home Archives

VIDEO: A 96-Year-Old Man, the Wife He Misses, and a Love Song

Today I want to share some sad news, and to remember a good man.

Fred Stobaugh, the elderly widower whose love song for his wife of 75 years went viral in 2013, passed away on Nov. 23.

“Oh Sweet Lorraine” eventually made Fred the oldest person to appear on the Billboard’s Hot 100 – and even helped save marriages in the process. Truly, the love he had for his wife was inspiring.

I want to honor Fred today, as well as his sweet Lorraine, by re-running the original post I first shared three years ago.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: husband, marriage, news, wife December 13, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How to Discover Your Child’s Unique Gifts

I’m not sure which is harder to believe: The fact that Christmas is right around the corner, or that the school year is nearly half over.

My boys, Trent and Troy, are ready for Christmas break. They’re hanging in there with school, but they’ll need some encouragement to get through the final stretch until summer.

Until then, there’s a lot of studying and homework to do, which can be stressful on students and parents alike. If you’re feeling the mid-year crunch, I think our radio program today and tomorrow will be a big help to you.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, parenting December 12, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

In Cooking and Marriage, a Little Spice Makes a Big Difference

I don’t cook dinner very often. I think Jean prefers it that way. Her degree is in bio-chemistry. 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. I’ve even seen her add more if it’s not quite full.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, marriage December 9, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Eric Metaxas Explains How God Uses Ordinary People to Change History

Our society needs heroes.

In fact, I think it’s how God has wired us.

The human spirit is nourished by witnessing men and women who answer the call of God upon their lives and overcome amazing obstacles with unwavering faith.

I think this is partly why Jesus took on human nature and lived among us. God didn’t abandon us to figure life out on our own or leave us the Bible as a sterile rule sheet to follow.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith December 8, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How to Put Your Kids on the Road to Character

A father who visited psychologist Michael Anderson’s counseling office illustrates the shift in thinking many moms and dads need to make in their parenting.

The father said, “You wouldn’t believe what my daughter has become. In the last 90 days, she’s changed completely. She’ll do anything her friends tell her to do. She’s smoking. She’s drinking. She’s shoplifting.”

Michael asked him, “What was she like 90 days ago?”

“She was an A-student. She was in the church youth group and would do anything we told her to do.”

That wording caught Michael’s ear.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, parenting December 5, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Finding New Life after the Death of a Spouse

No matter how strong your faith, the death of a spouse can rattle it. That’s how deeply a heart can be broken. The richer the love, the worse the suffering.

Tricia and Robb’s love was like that, thanks to God’s grace and a lot of hard work. Early on in their marriage, Tricia felt ungrateful for Robb. Over time, her ingratitude grew into openly criticizing him. His quirks and idiosyncrasies, once so charming, became irritating.

But Tricia and Robb got to work and built a strong and fulfilling marriage.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, marriage December 1, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

What to Do When Being a Mom Doesn’t Come Naturally

Before having children, women might think motherhood is the most natural role in the world. So what should a woman believe about herself when she feels like she doesn’t have what it takes to be a good mom?

The bar can seem impossibly high. Some moms have smooth pregnancies, and their babies might even take to breastfeeding easily. These mothers look completely content and patient with their children, never frustrated, never aspiring to goals or achievements outside of their family.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, parenting November 28, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How to Avoid Christmas Debt

Jean, the boys and I are having a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday together. I hope your family is too.

Although depending on when Black Friday sales began in your neighborhood, Thanksgiving was probably over well before your clocks struck midnight earlier this morning.

The race to Christmas has begun.

With every retailer fighting over your hard-earned dollar for the next four weeks, do you worry it’ll take until next Christmas to get this Christmas paid off?

Americans spent nearly $580 billion last year for Christmas.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, family, marriage November 25, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Story of Squanto You May Have Never Heard

“The story of Squanto is one of the freakiest miracles in history.”

With an introduction like that, I know you’ll want to tune in to our radio program today while you’re preparing Thanksgiving dinner and keeping an eye on the football game.

Our guest, author and radio host Eric Metaxas, will share the true story of Squanto most of you have never heard.

The very founding of our country might never have happened had Squanto not walked out of the woods and had his heart prepared by God like Joseph.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, family November 24, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

You Voted for Who? No Turkey for You!

Monday’s USA Today featured a story suggesting that families are disinviting friends and loved ones to their Thanksgiving celebration based on who they voted for in this year’s contentious presidential election.

Other news outlets like the New York Times and the Wall St. Journal are filing similar reports. Across the nation we’re hearing that people feel like they just can’t bridge the divide caused by political differences. In addition to being disinvited to holiday tables, many who are going somewhere are dreading the family get-together.

Topics: Family and Home November 23, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura