Family and Home Archives

Who is Smarter?

Who is smarter? Albert Einstein? Or your neighborhood auto mechanic?

A lot of people would answer Einstein. But if Einstein’s car broke down on the side of the road, his ability to untangle physics’ greatest mysteries would be useless. In that moment, what he’d need is an understanding of the inner workings of the combustion engine.

Intelligence is relative to our circumstances. So is athletic ability. J.J. Watt, the former pro football player and Defensive Player of the Year, was a stellar athlete.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family August 3, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Encouragement for Remarried Couples

“Here’s the story of a lovely lady, who was bringing up three very lovely girls…”

You could probably finish that theme song from memory. The Brady Bunch portrayed the quintessential television family of the early 1970s, largely through its wholesome, albeit simplistic, depiction of a blended family.

But while problems are easily resolved in 30 minutes in the world of television sitcoms, things are rarely that simple in real life. Rebuilding a family is closer to Gil and Brenda Stuart than to Mike and Carol Brady.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage August 2, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Sue for Entitlement

From the “strange but true” file comes this unusual story of selfish entitlement.

Twenty-seven-year-old Raphael Samuel filed a lawsuit against his parents because – get this – they didn’t seek his permission before giving birth to him. Because of that oversight, he said, his parents were obligated to pay his expenses for the rest of his life.

Talk about selfishness run amuck. Instead of feeling gratitude for everything his parents did to sacrifice and give him a good life, Raphael chose what has become a common attitude – entitlement.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting August 1, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Parenting Struggles and What They Teach

Now that my boys are grown, I’m looking back at that part of life as a wonderful time. I really loved being a dad. Sure, there were challenging moments, but the rewards of parenting have always far outweighed the difficulties. In fact, a lot of our memories were joyous. Many were centered around laughter.

It’s important for families to keep a sense of humor and laugh with each other.

In that spirit, I have some fun stories for you to hear on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Parenting Struggles and What They Teach.”

Our guest, author Ken Swarner, is throwing his family under the bus … with their permission, of course.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting July 31, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How Godly Moms Can Raise Godly Sons

Author Rhonda Stoppe thought she was prepared to be a great mom … until she gave birth to her second child, a son. Rhonda felt inadequate to be his mother. Raising a daughter felt easy. Raising a son felt intimidating.

Many moms can relate. They understand how their daughters think, feel, and see the world. Not so their sons. My wife, Jean, did an amazing job of adapting to our two boys and creating a meaningful connection with both, but she worked hard it.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting July 25, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Changing Your Mindset in Marriage

According to the National Science Foundation, people think an average of 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day.

Eighty percent of those thoughts are negative.

And 90% of those thoughts are repetitive.

That’s why author Ted Lowe – the founder and director of MarriedPeople.org, an organization dedicated to strengthening marriages – says one of the best things you can do for your marriage is learn how to change your mind.

Embracing a positive mindset boosts confidence, wards off depression and anxiety, and helps manage stress.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, marriage July 24, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Living as Salt and Light in Today’s Culture

At some point in our lives all of us ask those big questions.

“Why am I here?”

“Where am I going?”

“Does God exist?”

“What’s the meaning of life?”

We’re exploring these questions and others on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Living As Salt and Light in Today’s Culture” with our good friend and former colleague, Dr. Del Tackett.

Dr. Tackett is a speaker, author, professor, and founder of Soli Deo Gloria Ministries.

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

What Lies Beneath

As a boy, I spent time in foster care then lived with my dad for a while. He hadn’t been a part of my life for years, but for that short season he tried to be a real father to me. Since he didn’t know how to connect with me through conversation, he showed me affection the only way he could: he cooked.

One Saturday morning, he slid some bacon and eggs in front of me, and I noticed a yellow spreading across the plate.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family July 20, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Rejecting Divorce and Choosing to Stay

Fifteen years into their marriage, an otherwise normal lunch date between Carey and Toni Nieuwhof turned into a disastrous argument.

As they remember it now, Carey complained about something, which triggered Toni to shut down, which compelled Carey to persist in his argument, which escalated Toni’s emotions until she exploded in anger. By the end of the lunch, Toni was so frustrated that she threw her wedding ring at him and said, “I don’t want this anymore.”

It’s heartbreaking to see married couples reach a point of desperation and hopelessness.

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

A Legacy of Music and Trusting the Lord

Our guest on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “A Legacy of Music and Trusting the Lord” is Christian singer Larnelle Harris, whose music career has spanned five decades and earned him five Grammy Awards and 11 Dove Awards.

His life of faith and music all started with his piano teacher, Ms. Georgie, who encouraged him to believe in his voice and to use it for God’s glory. She once told Larnelle, “You can do this.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith July 17, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura