Daly Focus Blog
“My coach from my senior year could look at me and knight me with his eyes.”
That powerful comment illustrates the hunger of every boy to have a man, particularly a father, draw him into manhood. It comes from Dr. Robert Lewis, who has been associated with Focus on the Family for years. Back in the late 90s, he wrote a book with Focus called Raising a Modern-Day Knight.
It’s been one of our best sellers ever since.
On our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Keeping Your Family Healthy,” we’re talking with Dr. Scott James, author of the book, God Cares for Me: Helping Children Trust God When They’re Sick.
He’s a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital. He’s also a member of Focus on the Family’s Physicians Resource Council, a great team of physicians and medical professionals who volunteer their time to advise us about medical issues that are most relevant to families.
How would you react if your teenage daughter was sexually assaulted in a women’s high school restroom by a student who gained access by “identifying” as a female?
Loudoun County, V., father Scott Smith was faced with this very predicament this past year and attempted to confront school officials about it – only to be forcibly removed from a board meeting.
Reports now suggest that Loudoun County school officials not only silenced Mr. Smith – but also attempted to cover-up the alleged crime by transferring the suspect to another school – where he reportedly assaulted yet another young woman.
You don’t have to be a Christian or a social scientist to recognize the terrible consequences of mismanaged sexuality.
For 50 years, the sexual revolution has popularized casual sex, but it has also produced sexual casualties. Like Sy Rogers. He was 6 years old when he was repeatedly molested by an adult male. After his mom was killed in a drunk driving accident, his father sent him to live with female relatives. The feminine mannerisms he developed led to bullying from boys who told him that he was gay.
The first of the month will be here before you know it. That means the mortgage or rent is due. So is the water and electric bill. Maybe even the car payment and auto insurance. Oh, and don’t forget the car needs more gas soon. You can fuel up on your way to the grocery store.
That’s how it goes with money, doesn’t it? It comes in, and the money goes right back out. And, for a lot of us, there’s not much left over when it’s all said and done.
As followers of Christ, we believe that marriage is a symbol of something spiritual and sacred. In Ephesians 5:32, the apostle Paul calls marriage a “mystery” and compares it to Jesus’ relationship with the Church.
So why do so many of us allow ourselves to be distracted by the busyness of life instead of plumbing the depths of relational intimacy. There’s so much to do that we put our marriages and our children on autopilot while we tend to more “important” matters.
One of the most challenging issues Christian parents contact us about is discipleship of their own children. Many moms and dads don’t feel qualified to share their faith effectively.
Do you fear miscommunicating the Gospel and leading your kids astray? Was discipleship never modeled for you growing up? Do you believe that the Church and Sunday school should be enough to teach your kids about their faith?
On our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Helping Your Child Build a Lifelong Faith” we’re addressing those concerns and encouraging you to take up this responsibility.
I’ve needed God to give me a second chance a few times.
Just one example would be my high school football career. I was my team’s starting quarterback and spent long hours honing my abilities and pushing myself to be at the top of my game. Several colleges had offered me scholarships, and future opportunities seemed wide open for me. I was proud of my accomplishments and potential. Arrogantly so.
God humbled me. That journey started the night my big brother confronted me after one of my games.
What do you think a typical week is like for your pastor? A few hours of study and a sermon on Sunday? The occasional hospital- or home-visit?
I recently talked with two couples – Marshall and Merrie Eizenga and Sam and Pauline Doerksen – who say many pastors routinely experience stress at the level of first responders.
They would know. The Eizengas served as pastors for 35 years. The Doerksens were pastors for 22 years. Together, they now co-direct the Kerith Creek Retreat Center in Canada.
I’ve interviewed parenting experts who say, “Let go, and allow your kids to make mistakes.”
“That’s easier said than done!” is how most parents would answer back. Author Crystal Paine discovered just how hard parenting can be in the drop-off lane at school. The principal stopped her husband, Jesse, and asked for a meeting.
Their daughter had been exhibiting serious behavior problems and had become suicidal. Other students labelled her a bully, and she was dismissed from school.
Jim Daly is a husband, father and President of Focus on the Family and host of its National Radio Hall of Fame broadcast. His blog, Daly Focus, is full of timely commentary and wisdom designed to help you navigate and understand today’s culture. His latest book is Marriage Done Right.
