Family and Home Archives

“Submissive Wives” Need Not Endure Emotional Abuse

Some weeks ago I shared three thoughts about submission in marriage. Today I want to expand a bit on the third point, “A husband’s authority over his wife is not absolute.” It read:

Just like the husband ultimately submits to God, a wife must make her ultimate allegiance to God, too. This means that whatever leadership her husband extends over the home is limited to what is God-pleasing and good. In other words, if a husband wants his wife to do something that is clearly immoral or unethical, the wife can echo the words of Peter in Acts 5:29 when he said, “We must obey God rather than men.”

So with this, we have certain bases covered: “leadership” does not equal dictatorship, and God is the ultimate authority in the Christian home.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: husband, marriage, wife March 18, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How to Avoid This Leading Cause of Divorce

Mary Hunt was cheating on her husband. Her tryst, though, wasn’t with another man – but it had the power to destroy the marriage just the same.

The secret Mary hid from her husband was about her financial infidelity – to the tune of $100,000 in credit card debt.

Money problems are one of the leading causes of divorce in our nation. Granted, most couples don’t carry a credit burden as deep as Mary and her husband’s.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: divorce, finances, kids, marriage March 17, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

My New Book at Half Price

I spent part of this past weekend recording the audio version of my new book, The Good Dad: Becoming the Father You Were Meant to Be. It’s always fun to see a project come to fruition and this latest book is no exception.

The book will be officially released in late April. However, the publisher has informed us there’s a special running between now and April 21 on ePub pre-orders. Normally priced 9.99, the ePub price is currently $4.99 (available for Kindle, Nook and other eBook devices).

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting March 13, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Is Yelling the New Spanking for Parents? 5 Tips for Screaming-Prone Moms and Dads

Parenting children at any stage can be a real challenge. From the toddler who throws a lay-flat-on-the-floor-and-cry tantrum to the school-age brother and sister who won’t stop fighting, parents regularly navigate a wide array of situations that require dealing with unacceptable behavior.

The Today Show recently ran an interesting post exploring a growing trend among parents to manage these discipline issues through screaming rather than spanking. Maybe this tendency is due to a growing reluctance among some moms and dads to use spanking as a tool of discipline.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: discipline, kids, parenting March 12, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Compromise Not Always the Best Answer to Marriage Disagreements

Many people think that learning to compromise is one of the keys to a successful marriage.

Would it surprise you to learn that Focus marriage experts Dr. Greg Smalley and Erin Smalley disagree?

According to the husband-wife team, compromise – an agreement where each person makes concessions – may not be the best way to help ensure long-term satisfaction in a marriage.

“I hate the word ‘compromise,’” explains Greg. “I don’t want to settle. I want to reach for something better.”

That’s why, instead of compromising, the Smalleys have found that it’s best to find a solution that feels great to both of them.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, husband, marriage, wife March 10, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Man with One Ear

I’ve always been fascinated by the story of Peter cutting off the ear of the servant of the high priest. It’s by no means a major part of the Passion, but it communicates quite a bit in just a few short sentences.

According to John’s Gospel (18:10), the servant’s name was Malchus.

But that’s all we know about this man, except that Jesus stepped in and miraculously healed him.

We don’t know anything about his family, his background or what happened to him after that fateful Thursday night.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, faith March 5, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Focus on the Family Friend Has Gone Home

Speaker and author Ann Kiemel comforted others with the comfort she herself received from the Lord (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). Now this woman with the soft voice and strong faith is in heaven, receiving her eternal reward.

Ann passed away Saturday after a difficult battle with cancer – but most of you know her because she so openly and bravely shared about her battle with infertility.

Through her books (she sold more than 20 million of them) and her numerous times on our broadcast, she told her story of multiple miscarriages.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: adoption, broadcast, faith, news, parenting March 4, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Guest Post: Oscar Season Reminds Us That Entertainment Shapes Us

It was the late Ingmar Bergman, arguably one of the world’s most accomplished Hollywood directors in history, who once suggested that “No art passes our conscience in the way film does, and goes directly to our feelings, deep down into the dark rooms of our souls.”

He was right.

Film is an incredible medium that shapes us individually, and as such, shapes culture. This Sunday’s Academy Awards celebrated this power and, in doing so, highlighted priorities and passions of a world-famous industry for both good and bad.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, kids, parenting, pop culture March 3, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

VIDEO: The Best Social Media Product of the Year?

Coca-Cola is rolling out a new product sure to help those of us who might be dedicated enthusiasts of social media.

Well, not really. The giant soft drink company actually debuted a new tongue-in-cheek commercial that nevertheless sends all of us who have a smart phone always-at-the-ready a worthwhile message:

Put down the phone. Look up. Connect with your loved ones and share a “real” moment with them.

What a great reminder to take into the weekend.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting, technology February 28, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Loving the Prodigal Home

Chief Financial Officer.

The job title alone can be a little intimidating. It might conjure images of a serious, somewhat gruff individual who’s more interested in numbers than people.

I’m happy to say that Focus’ CFO, Dan Mellema, is nothing like the caricature would suggest.

Dan is a warm and friendly man with a real heart for our ministry and the people we help. He’s been with Focus since 1994 and has headed up our finances since 2011.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, kids, parenting February 26, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura