Family and Home Archives

Conscientious Cooperator

Private First Class Desmond Doss was an inspiring example of living by your convictions.

Doss was a conscientious objector who served as a medic during World War II. He was so devout to his beliefs that he refused to carry a rifle – a decision that angered his fellow soldiers, who ostracized him, and his superiors, who sought to have him court-martialed. Despite it all, Doss insisted on going into battle without a weapon.

In Hacksaw Ridge, the movie about his life, Private Doss defended his actions by saying, “I have the passion to serve as a medic.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith August 29, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Board of Directors

As the president of Focus on the Family, a lot of people count on me to lead our organization into the future.

If you’re a parent, you know how heavy a responsibility like that can be. You, too, run a business – the family business – and your children are counting on you to lead them into the future.

From one executive to another, let me share with you one of my most important tips for success: you won’t accomplish anything alone.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, parenting August 24, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Walking with God Through Trials

We all think we have a strong faith. Then, our world gets rocked.

An adverse diagnosis.

A child who loses their way.

A spouse who walks away.

The storms of life leave us shaken and wondering if God is really there.

Psalm 34:18 assures us that He is: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”

What a comfort that is!

It’s a truth that has anchored author Michelle Cushatt’s life through many trials and difficulties.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith August 23, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Embracing God’s Purpose for Your Marriage

Is there a secret to a happy marriage?

That’s a tough question to answer.

Every couple wants there to be a secret. They walk down the aisle believing they’re committing themselves to a person who will fill their life with joy and fulfillment. And yet, many of these couples reach out to Focus on the Family, struggling because their marriage isn’t making them as happy as they expected. And they’re often surprised to learn that the secret to happiness isn’t luck or good chemistry.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage August 22, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

More Than Pretty Colors

In 1986, a crowd of over 100,000 people gathered in downtown Cleveland, Ohio for an event called Balloonfest ‘86. Organizers hoped to raise money for charity and to set a new world record by releasing 1.5 million balloons simultaneously.

But things went terribly wrong.

Balloon releases are typically harmless. Helium-filled balloons stay airborne until they fully deflate. Even in large numbers, they scatter to the wind and fall harmlessly back to Earth over a wide area.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family August 21, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Helping Your Loved One Find Freedom from Addiction

Victor Torres understands drug addiction. By the time he was a teenager, he was addicted to heroin as a gang member on the streets of New York City.

He’s not alone. Self-medication is common in our culture. Whether it’s compulsive shopping, gambling, an unhealthy desire for sweets, sex, or drugs and alcohol, the number of people who seek an artificial escape from reality is staggering.

Millions of people in the United States are diagnosed with Substance Use Disorder each year.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family August 18, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Love is Like Fire

Our culture loves to talk about love. It’s a central theme in music, movies, and books. Love is so important to the human experience that we spend most of our lives seeking the love we want or cultivating the love we have.

But what is love?

A lot of people talk about love in terms of good feelings. It’s the euphoria we feel when we’re dating or planning a wedding. It’s wholehearted approval of ideas within the culture even though they differ from what we believe.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage August 17, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Father’s Influence in His Daughter’s Life

Dad, don’t let your teenage daughter fool you.

She needs you.

I know her attitude may not always reflect that, but it’s true. She’s caught in a whirlwind of uncertainty, hormones, and confusing messages that skew her sense of identity and self-worth. On top of that, her social world is topsy-turvy, and she’s growing, changing, and feeling awkward. With you. With everybody.

Along the way, you’ll be tempted to disengage from her and keep her at arm’s length.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting August 16, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Get to the End

To enjoy victory in life, remember: it doesn’t matter how long you’re in the lead … you have to finish well.

The last day of the 2023 Atlantic Coast Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships featured an unusual outcome in the women’s 400 meter relay. Duke University held the lead from the start. They were fast. Their baton handoffs were smooth and on point. They were picture perfect, even as the University of Miami nearly pulled in front on the final stretch.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family August 15, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Making Positive Choices for a Stronger Marriage

The decision to marry someone “for better or for worse” isn’t just a choice that you make once on your wedding day – it’s a choice you make every day, several times a day.

Researchers say that the average person makes about 35,000 decisions a day. Just one of those choices is the choice to love your spouse. When you’re in the day-to-day grind of building your career and parenting your children, intentionality is key in expressing love to your spouse.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family August 14, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura