Family and Home Archives

The Midnight Ride

How would you like to eavesdrop on the events leading up to the Revolutionary War?

Imagine witnessing the dumping of nearly 350 crates of tea into Boston Harbor. Or searching for lanterns in a church tower while riding a horse at full gallop to warn colonists about a British invasion.

You and your family can experience the drama of the American Revolution and Paul Revere’s midnight ride on a special edition of Focus on the Family with Jim Daly featuring an episode of Adventures in Odyssey called “The Midnight Ride.”

If you’re new to Focus on the Family, Adventures in Odyssey is a radio drama for children (click here for more information).

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family July 4, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Oceans of Intimacy

Are you a “Dead Sea” or a “babbling brook”? Those odd labels describe different communication styles that often exist between husbands and wives.

Dr. Gary Chapman says some spouses communicate like the Dead Sea in Israel. The Jordan River flows into it, but nothing flows out. A Dead Sea spouse takes in the world around them, but he or she is perfectly happy not to talk about any of it.

Babbling brooks, on the other hand, are a constant flow of water.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith July 3, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Search for a Godly Spouse

Many single men and women don’t know how to pursue marriage with purpose.

When asked what they’re looking for in a spouse, most will say something about good looks. While physical attraction is not unimportant, for a marriage that stands the test of time couples must rise beyond that initial connection point. They must keep character top of mind, understanding that marriage is a relationship with a whole person, not just a body.

A second idea for single men and women to consider is the length of their engagement period.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family July 3, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Strengthening Your Marriage Through Daily Choices

If your marriage is in trouble, I have one question: Do you believe God can work a miracle in your relationship?

Even if your answer is no, I encourage you to tune in to Focus on the Family with Jim Daly to hear the story of Ron and Jody Zappia. To say that they had a shaky start to their marriage is an understatement. Within the first six months, Jody was overcommitted in her career and Ron had an affair with a co-worker.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, marriage June 28, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Never Step in Quicksand

Never step in quicksand.

That bit of advice may seem obvious, but it’s not always easy to follow. In nature, quicksand is hard to spot. It looks like regular soil, but it behaves like a liquid. That’s why if you stand on it, you sink. And the further into it you go the harder it is to get out.

Quicksand is just as dangerous in modern society, only it takes the form of things like excessive gambling, drug and alcohol abuse, or pornography.

Topics: Family and Home June 25, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Retaining Your Identity in Motherhood

According to a recent Barna study, a lot of moms feel pressure:

95% of mothers said they want to do better in at least one area of their lives.

80% say they feel stressed.

62% say they are dissatisfied with their work/life balance.

56% say they are overcommitted.

Many moms feel riddled with guilt. Author Alli Worthington researched “mommy guilt” and found that the number one trigger was social media. Online influencers give tips on feeding children “properly,” keeping a home clean, being a fun mom, and fostering a thriving marriage and relationship with God.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith June 24, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Discovering God Is Enough

Humorist Erma Bombeck once said, “There is a thin line that separates laughter and pain.”

Chonda Pierce has been tip-toeing that line for a long time. She’s been doing stand-up comedy for 30 years and has received more Gold and Platinum awards than any female comic in history. She has a unique ability to describe life’s most challenging moments all while making you laugh out loud with her humor.

Focus on the Family was privileged to have Chonda as a guest speaker at a chapel service here at the ministry.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family June 21, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Bringing Your Kids Back to Christ

So many young people are wrestling with their faith that there’s a term for it in the culture: deconstruction. Deconstruction basically means you strip your faith to the bone and see what – if anything – survives.

That process can be scary to watch if it’s your adult child who’s questioning every value they’ve been taught. It can also lead to confusing questions. What are the boundaries with someone who’s deconstructing? How do you come alongside your child while allowing him or her to struggle?

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, kids June 20, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Beautiful Vow

Every couple hopes for a good marriage, but wishful thinking isn’t enough to sustain a relationship when life gets hard. For that, you need a vow.

One of the most beautiful examples I’ve witnessed of a couple who honored their marriage vows is my friends, Don and Barbara Hodel. Don spent his career in Washington, D.C. alongside some of the most powerful people in the world, even serving for a time under President Ronald Reagan. Don and Barbara seemed to have it all.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage June 18, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Understanding Your Spouse’s Emotions

For a stronger marriage, ask yourself, “What’s my EQ?”

Your IQ is a measure of your intelligence. Your EQ is a measure of your “emotional intelligence.”

The term “EQ” was coined in 1995 by Daniel Goleman, who first applied the concept to businessmen and businesswomen. As he defined it, emotional intelligence is the degree to which you are able to make healthy relational choices based on your understanding of your emotions and the emotions of those around you.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, marriage June 17, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura