Family and Home Archives

Taking Steps to Live Out Your Dreams

The death of a dream can be painful and disorienting, but it can also open the door for even better ones to come along.

Over a decade ago, author Kathi Lipp went through a painful divorce and became a single mom. She felt disillusioned, believing that her dreams of someday becoming an author and a speaker could never happen. But God taught her that He could do more than she ever thought possible. Through what seemed like insignificant choices at the time, God opened doors and brought her dreams back to life.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith June 29, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Timeless Truth of Christ

God wants to help you become an overcomer.

Like Joni Eareckson Tada. At 17, she dove into shallow water and surfaced a paraplegic. For nearly 50 years now, Christ has worked through her story to encourage others with disabilities similar to hers.

Or like the late Louis Zamperini. As detailed in Unbroken, the book and Hollywood movie about his life, he was shot down in World War II and barely survived 40 days adrift at sea.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith June 24, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

What Fathers Need to Possess in Order to Man Up in an Increasingly Feminized World

In our current era of woke politics and a blurring and morphing of the differences between males and females, are we losing sight of distinctly manly qualities? We believe we are, and these are very different than mere male characteristics.

Being male is a function of distinct body parts and DNA. Being a man is wholly a question of character—about what a man chooses to do and how he does it. It’s incumbent on fathers of sons to exhibit and teach their boys what it takes to grow up and assume their unique role in society.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: father, parenting June 23, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Are Your Children Your Mission Field?

Are you a mom wanting to do something big for God, but you don’t have the energy or the time?

Maybe God has already given you your greater purpose.

Author and mom Shontell Brewer recalls feeling guilty every time her pastor talked about making a difference through mission work. She was the mother of five children and struggled with feeling like she couldn’t get to the real work of missions until she completed the childrearing phase of her life.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: mothers, parenting June 23, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Fighting for Your Marriage No Matter What

Matt Hammit was the lead singer of the Christian rock band Sanctus Real for 20 years. In the early years of the band, performing at a music festival, he noticed a beautiful girl in overalls dancing like no one was watching. The next day, at another worship event over three hours away, he saw her again.

Her name was Sarah. Raised in a Christian home, she became a “party girl” in college. When she saw Matt onstage at the music festival leading worship, she felt drawn to him and prayed, “God, I’ll quit drinking if you let me marry that guy.” They began dating and quickly fell in love.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage June 21, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Encouraging Dads to Be Heroes

You remember Clark Kent. He was a mild-mannered man … until he pulled open his shirt and revealed the superhero outfit underneath that announced his true identity. Then he was Superman, faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.

Dads don’t wear a superhero’s outfit under their clothes, but don’t let that fool you. They have true heroic power. Their mere presence has a dramatic influence in the lives of their children.

Topics: Family and Home June 17, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

GUEST POST: My Dad Just Died; These Five Fatherhood Lessons He Taught Me Live On

By: Gary Schneeberger

While I was in Boston on business a few weeks ago, I picked up a Father’s Day card for my Dad at a tony downtown stationery shop. I’ve long been both a card guy and a card snob, so the simple but elegant bifold printed on recycled paper drew me like catnip entices a tabby.

On its outside it simply says, “I love you, dad” – with the subtle flourish of the period at the end of the sentiment being a red heart.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: father, sons June 16, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Loving Your Spouse Through the Seasons of Marriage

What “season” is it for your marriage? Is it summer because things are warm and sizzling with your spouse? Or is it winter because things feel a little chilly?

I remember how it felt when Jean and I fell in love. Like many couples in a new relationship, we enjoyed being together every chance we could, and daydreamed about seeing each other when we couldn’t. It was easy to think, “We’ll always feel this way!”

But relationships are like the weather; they change.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage June 15, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Sharing Your Faith with Grace and Purpose

Focus on the Family serves the culture according to five foundational pillars. The first pillar is evangelism and discipleship.

Many Christians shy away from evangelism these days. Sharing one’s faith seems more difficult than ever. We don’t want to take an aggressive, “in your face” approach, so we swing the pendulum the other way and become silent, “undercover Christians.”

Is there a middle ground?

Greg Koukl is our guest on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Finding Peace in Your Everyday Life.” He is an apologist and the founder and president of Stand to Reason ministries.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith June 14, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

An Abortion Survivor’s Story of Forgiveness

Tonya was 13 when she became pregnant and aborted her baby.

She endeavored to move on with her life as if nothing had happened. Yet, in the weeks that followed, something still seemed to be happening inside of her. She soon discovered that she had been pregnant with twins, and one of the babies had survived the procedure. A few weeks later, Tonya gave birth to the child and put her up for adoption.

Twenty-one years later that child – now a grown adult named Claire – called the adoption agency from where she had been adopted.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: abortion, pro-life June 11, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura