Family and Home Archives

Does Twitter Feed Narcissism or People?

Saturday’s New York Times featured a fascinating story on the power of the social media service, Twitter, when it comes to spreading the Gospel.

Created in 2006, Twitter allows users to distribute messages of up to 140 characters in length to a predetermined network of friends and followers.

According to the report, Christian “tweets” are forwarded, on average, 30 times more often than their secular-themed counterparts.

Why?

The author attributes part of the reason to the pithy nature of the Christian message:

On average, verses in the King James Version are about 100 characters long, leaving room to slip in a #bible hashtag and still come in under the 140-character limit.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, technology June 5, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Three Reflections Every Dad Should Read

Today’s Focus on the Family radio program features some very moving reflections about fathers and fatherhood and the reminder to make the most of your fleeting years as a dad.

I hope you’ll click here to access the entire show. But in the meantime, I wanted to share three poignant quotes from three of our featured guests:

I wasn’t the dad I should’ve been when [the] kids were growing up … And I’ve tried to make up for lost time and lost ground…I’m a crusader on this, because I was so determined in the Marines.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: husband June 4, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Thoughts on Homosexual Comic Book Characters

When it comes to the latest comic book news, I’m reminded of what the late humorist Will Rogers used to say:
“All I know is what I read in the newspapers.”

So, what I’m about to tell you is a bit more than I know, but if you have teenagers who read Marvel and DC comic books, you’ll want to know about it, too.

Both comic book lines are attempting to capitalize on the culture’s increased acceptance of homosexuality and same-sex marriage.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, homosexuality May 31, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Marrying Yourself?

Straight from the files of It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World:

Writing in the American Prospect, Samhita Mukhopadhyay suggests that a growing number of people, especially women, are deciding to marry themselves. Here she quotes an individual named Sasha Cagan about such cases popping up around the country:

The choice to marry yourself takes the coming-of-age ritual to a new level. It’s not just about getting towels or diamond rings or attention. The common theme in most of the stories that I hear is a commitment to take care of oneself as one hopes or imagines that a lover would.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, husband, intimacy, sex, wife May 30, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Husband and Wife Apology Letters

I recently came across these two letters that were exchanged between a husband and a wife. I thought I’d share them with you:

Hi Sweetheart,

I’m sorry about getting into an argument about putting up the Christmas lights. I guess that sometimes I feel like you push me too hard when you want something. I realize that I was wrong, and I am apologizing for being such a hard-headed guy. All I want is for you to be happy and be able to enjoy the holiday season.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: husband, wife May 29, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Ten Books Every Christian Should Read

Settling into a comfortable chair with a good book is among life’s greatest pleasures. If you’re looking to pick one up, our online resource center is packed with exciting and entertaining titles.

Whatever your taste, I think you’ll find a title to your liking.

If you’re more inclined to invest in the classics (including some modern ones), the following list should be helpful to you. It was compiled by several of our senior members on the Focus team.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, faith, pop culture May 28, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Why Christians Seem to Focus on the Sin of Homosexuality

Dr. Al Mohler is a dear friend and member of the Focus on the Family Board of Directors. He has one of the sharpest minds of anyone I know and I deeply value his input and counsel concerning many matters, both personal and professional.

Al was recently invited to contribute to CNN’s Belief Blog and deftly answered a question that is being asked in many circles today:

If the Bible condemns many sins, why do Christians seem to focus on the sin of homosexuality?

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, family, homosexuality May 24, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Is It Possible To Love Your Spouse Too Much?

Would it surprise you if I suggested that one of the greatest risks to your marriage is loving your spouse too much?

It’s true – but with a twist.

Many of us will be attending weddings in the coming months. They’re beautiful affairs where we witness two individuals pledging their love and fidelity to each other. The happy couple leaves the ceremony and reception awash in advice and wise counsel, all centered on the challenge of fulfilling the marriage vows.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, husband, wife May 23, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Finding Pleasure in Getting Lost

Ten years ago, I was driving through Ladoga, Indiana, on my way home from Shades State Park. In the center of town, a road to the south curved temptingly out of sight. (Some men are attracted to the curves on a woman, but I prefer the curves on a road.) I turned south and five miles later entered the town of Roachdale, where I discovered the Roachdale Hardware Store and its proprietor, Charley Riggle.

I have returned to the hardware store once a week ever since and count Charley Riggle as one of my closest friends.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: friendship May 18, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Do You Let Your Children Play Video Games?

When it comes to video games, Jean and I have a pretty simple and straightforward rule:

No guns, no blood, no bad language and, obviously, nothing that’s sexually suggestive.

So I know what some of you are probably thinking:

It’s still possible to purchase and play Pong?

Our boys actually play a very limited amount of games on Wii, usually sports-themed and always very innocuous in nature.

But we know parents who feel strongly that any type of video game is just a bad idea and a poor use of a child’s time.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, kids, parenting, pop culture, technology May 16, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura