Family and Home Archives

Developing Your Leadership Skills as a Woman

Over the last few decades, our culture has seen a tremendous increase in the number of women leaders.

From the beginning, God instructed men and women to function as equal, interdependent partners. We can be fruitful only when we work together. Our differences are complementary, not conflicting.

Women’s leadership styles are often more transformative, participative, and inclusive than those of their male counterparts. Author Deborah Pegues shares the special innate qualities God has gifted women leaders:

On our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Developing Your Leadership Skills as a Woman,” Deborah Pegues is with us to examine the special innate qualities God has given women and how those characteristics can be honed to make you an effective leader and woman of influence.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: leadership, women May 21, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Rebuilding Trust in Your Marriage After Infidelity

Infidelity is a mirage.

It promises fulfillment. It delivers heartache and tragedy. Not only is the rush of excitement short-lived, but it is quickly replaced by long-lasting and devastating consequences.

When an affair is exposed, the betrayal is often so deep that couples rush to divorce. But ending your marriage in the wake of infidelity isn’t the simple solution people assume. It often replaces one set of problems with another.

Reconciliation can create long-term resolution. Research shows us that couples who are willing to work through betrayal and pain with godly forgiveness can eventually rebuild their relationship.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage May 19, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Understanding Your Teen’s Behavior

“What were you thinking?”

If you’re a parent of teenagers, you’ve probably asked that question a few times. I know I have. More than once, Jean and I have looked at each other and asked about one of our boys: “What is going on in that brain of his?”

According to Dr. Jeramy and Jerusha Clark, our guests on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Understanding Your Teen’s Behavior,” there’s an avalanche of change happening inside a teenager’s body.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: parenting, Teens May 17, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Cherishing Your Spouse Every Day

Author Gary Thomas thought he had a pretty good marriage. Then God reminded him of the pledge he’d made to his wife at their wedding, a pledge you probably made as well if you used traditional vows.

It’s this: “I promise to love and to cherish you until death do us part.” Gary now admits that the moment he said those words at the altar was the last time he considered the word “cherish” in terms of his marriage.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage May 14, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Understanding the Root of Your Child’s Misbehavior

Why do kids misbehave?

According to Dr. Kevin Leman, all misbehavior is a call for attention. If your children don’t get attention from you through positive actions, they’ll get it through negative actions.

He says the four goals of misbehavior are:

Once you understand the reasons behind your child’s misbehavior, the most important question still remains: what do you do about it?

Dr. Leman is our guest on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Understanding the Root of Your Child’s Misbehavior” to share how to uncover the root cause of whining, backtalking, and tantrums, and how to offer your children more love and acceptance without coddling them.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: parenting May 12, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Foster Care: How Everyone Can Help

What is the goal of foster care?

That’s a big question with a multi-faceted answer. We’re not all called to do the same thing, but we’re all capable of doing something. The ultimate goal is for every believer to feel empowered with a sense of calling and direction about their role.

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Cor.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: adoption, church, foster care May 10, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Finding New Strength as a Mom

Mom, are you suffering an identity crisis? When you introduce yourself, do you say, “I’m just a mom”? Do you see your own shortcomings and minimize the role you play in your kids’ lives?

I understand the temptation to think that way. On the surface, there’s nothing glamorous about chasing kids around the house, fixing meal after meal, and stepping on toys scattered down the hallway.

But motherhood is a unique calling. You’re not simply changing diapers; you’re molding character.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: mothers, parenting May 7, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Bringing Purpose and Power to Your Prayer Life

Today is the National Day of Prayer.

If you’re not familiar with it, this annual observance is held on the first Thursday of May and invites people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.

In honor of today, I hope you’ll tune in for a special edition of our Focus on the Family Broadcast we’re calling “Bringing Purpose and Power to Your Prayer Life.”

Our guest is Kathi Lipp, who will help listeners learn how to pray diligently for themselves and others.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, prayer May 6, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Joys and Challenges of Marrying Your Opposite

When Jean and I first entered premarital counseling, we knew that we were meant for each other. We enjoyed most of the same things and were alike in almost every way.When we finished our last session a week later, that had all changed. We were both thinking, “Wow, we are nothing alike!” And we were wondering, “Are we going to be okay?”

At some point, every couple recognizes their differences, and something strange happens when they do: The whole idea of “two becoming one” gets turned into, “My spouse should become more like me.”

When author and blogger Melanie Shankle realized how different she and her husband were, she had a revelation.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage May 3, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

What to Do When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed

Bodysurfing a huge wave is exhilarating. But you learn one thing really quick: Being on top of the wave is exciting. It’s not so fun when that wall of water crashes over you, and you’re sent tumbling out of control.

Feeling overwhelmed is a lot like that. Some days … well, you’re tumbling through an emotional ocean that’s crashing around you.

Many families feel overwhelmed. A phone call comes with bad news. You receive a text from someone with whom you have a strained relationship.

Topics: Family and Home April 29, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura