Family and Home Archives

Controlling Your Tongue

The idea for Deborah Pegues’ book 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue came to her after she didn’t control her tongue.

Deborah thought she was helping a friend when she told her something that she shouldn’t have. When her “help” backfired, Deborah discovered firsthand what happens when words aren’t used wisely.

In response, Deborah went on a “tongue fast.” For 30 days, she refused to speak negatively about anything – not the traffic, not the weather, nothing that she couldn’t directly and positively influence.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith May 27, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Finding God’s Healing After a Suicide Loss

On our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Finding God’s Healing After a Suicide Loss,” we’re talking with Rita Schulte, a licensed counselor who specializes in the treatment of anxiety and depressive disorders as well as grief, loss, and trauma. She’s also a member of Focus on the Family’s Christian Counselors Network.

Rita experienced God’s healing after losing her husband to suicide. My wife, Jean, who is also on our program, overcame the loss of her brother to suicide.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith May 26, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Prayers for the Heartbroken Families in Texas

Our hearts break hearing the tragic news of yet another school massacre, this one claiming the lives of 19 children and two teachers in Texas.

As a citizen, I am sickened and saddened. As a father, I am enraged.

Please join us in praying for this horrific situation.

Lord, bring comfort to the grieving families. Please have mercy and bring peace to the chaos of our spiraling culture.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith May 25, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Setting Your Teen Free to Soar

If you have a teenager, then you already know that the day is soon coming when your son or daughter will leave home. That moment for you will be the culmination of years of dedication, focus, and sacrifice. It will also be accompanied by a whirlwind of emotion – part accomplishment and relief, part loss and grief.

Some parents react to the struggle of letting go of their children by not letting go. They cling to their need to feel needed.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: parenting May 23, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

From Prodigal to Pastor

It was Easter Sunday 1972. Raul Ries was in the middle of his living room with a rifle in his arms, waiting for his family to come home so he could kill them.

Raul was no stranger to violence. His alcoholic father abused him, contributing to Raul being in and out of trouble throughout his childhood. At eighteen, he was arrested and given a choice: prison or the military. He chose the Marines and Vietnam. After 11 months of destructive behavior, Raul was bound in shackles and a straitjacket and spent six months in a naval hospital.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith May 20, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Rediscovering Faith in a Culture of Chaos

American history is at a critical juncture. Critical Race Theory, cultural Marxism, and other troubling ideologies have gained a foothold. Our culture seems more unsettled than ever before.

A lot of people look for solutions in politics. Our civic duty to vote is an important part of influencing the culture for Christ, but our ultimate citizenship and allegiance is to God’s kingdom. We can take hope that God’s light often shines the brightest when circumstances are at their darkest and most bleak.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith May 19, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How to Talk About Abortion to Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime

According to a Department of Homeland Security memo leaked to the press on Wednesday, the United States government is bracing for a surge of violence following the anticipated release of the Dobbs’ abortion ruling. They’re predicting a “summer of rage.” While a decision could come down any day, most expect its release toward the end of June.

I can guarantee you any attacks will not come from those who support life. They will come from anarchists and abortion activists committed to preserving a culture of death.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: pro-life May 18, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Taking Courageous Steps to Save Your Marriage

If your marriage is in trouble and you’ve lost hope, I encourage you to tune in for our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Taking Courageous Steps to Save Your Marriage.”

I’m talking with Ann White – a speaker, teacher, and author – about how God helped her and her husband Mike restore their marriage by having the courage to work through their issues to reconciliation.

Ann is refreshingly honest about how their relationship got so bad.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage May 16, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Discovering Freedom in Your Faith

We Christians often give more time and energy to thinking about our summer vacations than our spiritual formation. Because our salvation is rooted in Christ’s righteousness, not our own, we tend to minimize the many scriptures that call for us to seek righteousness.

Deepening our faith isn’t about gaining heaven but about blessing the lives of the people around us.

Author Gary Thomas is with us on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Discovering Freedom in Your Faith” to describe the joy that we can find in practicing biblical virtues.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith May 13, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Improving Your Health to Strengthen Your Marriage

“In sickness and in health” is one of the most important vows a couple can make to one another. Even when we are at our weakest physically, our marriage can be at its strongest if we’ll lean on God and on each other.

Authors Dave and Ashley Willis experienced the beauty that can arise from a crisis after Dave’s father endured serious health challenges. The bonds of his parents’ marriage were tested like never before. Through it all, Dave’s mom acted with tenderness and grace.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, marriage May 12, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura