Daly Focus Blog
Would you like a happier marriage? If so, then you have a choice to make.
In fact, you have seven choices to make.
According to studies, couples disagree almost 2,500 times per year, which averages out to seven times a day. That’s seven opportunities every day to drive your relationship further apart. Or to draw it closer together. Which one depends on you. Literally. You get to choose.
You see, a lot of couples fall prey to the myth that their conflict is the result of their differences.
Some in the culture say, “There’s no such thing as truth.”
Question: Is that statement true? If there’s really no such thing as truth, then the statement itself is self-refuting.
Arguments against Christianity like that usually fall flat when you peel back the layers and respond with a broad knowledge of relevant issues, wisdom rooted in God’s Word, and an ability to speak truth in a winsome way.
We’re talking about how to develop all three on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “How to Answer Challenges to Your Faith.” Our guest is Greg Koukl, a Christian apologist and founder and president of Stand to Reason Ministries.
My guess is you consider yourself an open minded person. You’re mostly right. I say mostly because we’re all biased. Each of us has filters through which we see the world.
We’re a lot like the people of Oz – as in The Wizard of Oz. In the original story, written by Frank Baum, the Emerald City is said to be made of green glass, emeralds, and other jewels. And yet, when Dorothy and her companions enter the city, the Wizard expects them to wear green-tinted spectacles.
According to the National Institutes of Health, one in five adolescents in the United States suffers severe impairment or distress from a mental disorder. Often, these teenagers and their families feel isolated and alone, not knowing where to turn for help.
In addition, mental illness is still stigmatized to a degree that hinders many people from seeking treatment or receiving the support they need.
Dr. Matthew Stanford understands this problem well. He’s the CEO of the Hope and Healing Center and Institute in Houston.
Life can be beautiful. It can also be really ugly. The difference often lies in your perspective.
Most people consider San Francisco Bay one of the most stunning views in California. The Golden Gate Bridge. Mountains. Bike trails. The sparkling bay waters. Everywhere you look, you’re surrounded by the beauty of nature.
Unless you’re a prisoner on Alcatraz Island just a mile off shore.
For three decades, Alcatraz was home to one of the most notorious penitentiaries in American history, housing infamous gangsters like Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly.
On our Focus on the Family Broadcast “My Search for a Father’s Love,” we’re sharing my conversation with Lynsi Snyder, the owner and president of the In-N-Out Burger chain of restaurants located in the western part of the United States.
Although her family’s wealth made life appear like a fairy tale to outsiders, Lynsi has had a difficult and, at times, heart breaking journey. Her father died when she was 17 years old, which led her into a downward spiral of drug and alcohol abuse and promiscuous relationships in search of love.
Believing the spirit of the Christian calls for us to assume the best intentions of fellow believers, I was intrigued when I first learned that North Point Community Church in Atlanta planned to host a conference late last month for parents of LGBT children and ministry leaders looking for more effective ways to serve those impacted by the heavy and increasingly controversial issue.
In fact, the outreach brought back memories of a similarly themed conference that my organization, Focus on the Family, hosted for several years well over a decade ago.
The middle school years can be tough. And not just for the kids. They can be challenging for parents as well.
As your child enters adolescence, your parenting approach will likely have to shift gears. There’s a lot going on, after all. Not only is a whirlwind of puberty at your child’s doorstep, but his or her priorities are changing. Family often becomes an afterthought, while friends and independence become most important.
What’s a parent to do?
What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken today?
If you didn’t try something that scared you to death – or at least pushed you beyond your comfort zone – maybe you didn’t risk enough.
That’s how Major Brian Shul approached life. The renowned American fighter pilot flew 212 combat missions in Vietnam and almost died in a catastrophic crash near the Cambodian border. After his rescue from the jungle, he spent a year in the hospital and was told he’d never fly again.
When moms and dads ask me for parenting advice, I encourage them to pray for their children. Because sometimes prayer is all you have.
I’ll never forget the struggle my son Troy went through while he was being born. He somehow got his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck and swallowed amniotic fluid. One moment everything was fine. The next moment we were facing one of the most dangerous birthing situations possible. And there was nothing Jean or I could do.
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.
