faith Archives

Unwrapping the Real Christmas

Christmas is all about Jesus. We celebrate the historic reality that the Creator of the universe cloaked Himself in flesh and blood and submitted Himself to the care of human parents as a vulnerable, dependent child – the ultimate expression of humility.

“Unto us a child is born, to us a Son is given” (Isaiah 9:6-7).

On Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, British evangelist Canon J.John has a challenge for you this Christmas: as you celebrate the birth of Jesus, allow your heart to consider the rest of His life as well.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, family November 29, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Thanksgiving is What You Do

Thanksgiving is one of our nation’s most cherished traditions. Before America was even founded, the Pilgrims expressed gratitude to God for His many blessings – even when life was hard.

And life was hard. The Pilgrims’ voyage across the Atlantic Ocean took 65 days in cold, miserable conditions. Many of them became ill, and one person died before the Mayflower reached Plymouth in November of 1620. Less than half of the Pilgrims survived that first winter.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family November 28, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Shared Vision for Marriage

When two people share the same vision, they can change the world.

Take Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak for example. Their vision for home computers revolutionized the tech industry and made Apple one of the most valuable companies in the world.

Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield did the same thing with ice cream. They turned Ben and Jerry’s into one of the most popular ice cream brands in the industry.

In the world of music, think of Lennon and McCartney, Mick and Keith, or Simon and Garfunkel.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family November 26, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Creating Sustainable Rhythms in Your Marriage

Is your marriage in a rhythm? Or in a rut?

Three ruts are common to most relationships:

Seasonal ruts are positive marital rhythms that served you in a past season of marriage but are no longer helpful, such as conversation habits or work schedules.

Inherited ruts are negative rhythms you inherited and brought with you into your marriage. This includes conflict resolution or relationship expectations.

Cultural ruts are societal norms that don’t fit your relationship.

To break out of those ruts and find something deeper, more rewarding, and more meaningful in your relationship as a married couple, find ways to share adventure together, to serve one another, and to speak life to your spouse.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, marriage November 25, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Finding God’s Beauty in Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Dementia is the general term for deterioration in memory and thinking, behavioral processing and the ability to perform everyday tasks for yourself. A dementia diagnosis is one of the most difficult issues a family can face. The statistics are staggering:

It’s estimated that one in three adults – 33% – will die with some form of dementia.

More than six million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease.

More than one in nine people aged 65 and older has some form of Alzheimer’s dementia.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family November 18, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Helping or Hurting? Understanding the Power of Your Words

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 was one of the largest disasters in American history. Popular accounts from the time report that Catherine O’Leary’s cow kicked over a lantern in a barn. The small flame erupted into an inferno that destroyed miles of homes and burned Chicago’s business district to the ground.

So much destruction from a single spark.

That’s why the book of Proverbs urge us to be careful with our words. “Death and Life are in the power of the tongue” it says (18:21).

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith November 15, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Someone to Hold You Up

Do you need help?

It’s okay to admit it, if you do. Sooner or later, all of us need help. Even Moses.

Exodus chapter 17 tells about Moses receiving help while the Israelites are engaged in battle against an enemy. In the story, Moses stands on a hill and raises his staff above his head. As long as his arms remain in the air, the Israelites prevail. But when he lowers them, they begin to lose.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family November 14, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Military Veteran’s Mission to Ukraine

Each of us owe our deepest gratitude to military servicemen and women who dedicated their lives to protecting our freedom. Today I want to honor American veterans on Focus on the Family with Jim Daly.

I’m talking with Chad Robichaux, who comes from a long line of military service members. His grandparents fought in World War II and Korea. His father served in Vietnam, and both of Chad’s sons served in the Marines. Chad was himself a force recon Marine who did eight deployments to Afghanistan, and who continues to serve and protect Americans all over the world, most recently in Ukraine.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith November 11, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Kids: You Gotta Love ‘Em

When times are hard, it’s important to enjoy some laughter.

That’s what we have in store with Kenn Kington, our guest on Focus on the Family with Jim Daly.

Kenn is a popular comedian and motivational speaker who has quite a knack for finding the humor in everyday moments with his wife and three kids.

I know you’ll enjoy his message. It’s fun. Yet it communicates an important point: Children mimic us! They are watching.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family November 4, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Speaking Your Adopted Child’s Love Language

Adoption is central to the heart of Christianity. Psalm 68:5 says God is a “father of the fatherless.” Through faith, we are adopted into His family.

Adoption is central to Dr. Laurel Shaler’s heart as well. She’s a counselor, author, and professor at Liberty University, and she and her husband have adopted three children – two in infancy and one through embryo adoption. A medical condition prevented her from conceiving, but her heart was to be a mother, even if she couldn’t be pregnant, give birth, or have biological children.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family November 1, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura