Daly Focus Blog
Two statues are erected outside the entrance to the National Archives in Washington, D.C. Though completely different, each one conveys wisdom about building a better future.
The first statue is titled “Past.” It’s a sculpture of an old man staring back through time. He’s holding a closed book, representing history. The past is over. It’s unchangeable. But carved into the statue’s base is a paraphrase from Confucius that reads, “Study the past.” That is, remember the past and learn from it.
Joining me on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Unsung Hero: How Our Mother Made a Difference” are three siblings from the Smallbone family.
Rebecca St. James is a successful Christian solo artist who has recorded 10 studio albums, winning one Grammy Award and three Dove Awards. She also co-hosts our podcast called Practice Makes Parent, along with our Vice President of Parenting and Youth, Dr. Danny Huerta.
Also with us are Rebecca’s brothers Luke and Joel, who have won multiple Grammy and Dove Awards as the contemporary music group For King & Country.
What you say and what somebody hears are often two different things, which can lead to miscommunication and misunderstanding.
Your kids can learn that lesson and have a good time doing it if they’ll tune in to a special edition of our Focus on the Family Broadcast featuring an episode of Adventures in Odyssey called “War of the Words.”
If you’re new to Focus on the Family, Adventures in Odyssey is a radio drama for children (click here for more information).
In set 16 of the That the World May Know series, titled “Cultures in Conflict,” Bible teacher Ray Vander Laan leads viewers on a journey to where the Apostle Paul founded the church in Corinth and preached in Athens, Greece on Mars Hill. Ray highlights Paul’s tremendous ability to share God’s truth in a way the culture of his day could understand.
For example, at one of the most important structures in Corinth – a temple dedicated to Asclepius, the god of healing – Paul communicated God’s truth by taking advantage of a popular custom.
You and I have never met, but I already believe one thing about you is true: you’re capable of more than you think. I also believe this: you won’t discover how strong you are until you’re tested.
An unusual example of that is seven-year-old Chase Poust. On a weekend boating trip with his dad, he and his four-year-old sister, Abigail, jumped overboard for a swim. Dad had anchored off-shore at a slow point in the river, but the current was stronger than anyone realized.
There’s an old saying that “laughter is good for the soul.” It’s good for the soul of your marriage as well.
My wife Jean and I have certainly discovered that to be true. Some of our greatest memories involve laughing together. A few times, we’ve laughed so hard for so long that we forgot why we started laughing in the first place. We were laughing at each other’s laughing.
One thing that’s obvious after laughing yourself to tears with someone is how connected you feel afterward.
Would you forgive someone who shattered your life?
On a beautiful summer afternoon in 2015, Bryan Kuck and his wife, Lynn, went for a motorcycle ride. On their way home, less than a mile from their house, they were run off the road by a drunk driver whose blood alcohol level was four times the legal limit. Lynn was killed instantly. Bryan was critically injured with two crushed hips, a broken pelvis, and a left leg that was amputated after being pinned under the wreckage.
Back in the 80s, comedian Rich Hall did a routine called Sniglets. A Sniglet was any word that should be in the dictionary but isn’t. Like the word “snackmosphere.” That’s what he called the huge pocket of air inside a potato chip bag when you first open it. Or “Pepsiluvium.” That’s the soda that bubbles through the plastic lid when you push your straw through.
Sniglets illustrate the limitations of language. English currently uses more than 170,000 words.
We all think we have strong faith. Until our world gets rocked.
An adverse diagnosis.
A child who loses their way.
A divorce.
The storms of life leave us shaken, wondering if God is really there.
Psalm 34:18 assures us that He is: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
What a comfort that is!
God’s presence has anchored author Michelle Cushatt’s life through the upheaval of many trials and difficulties.
The wear and tear of everyday life takes a toll on a marriage. On any given day you may face challenges in:
your faith
your church
extended family relationships
recreational opportunities
sexual intimacy
friendships
household responsibilities
finances
hectic schedules
a never-ending stream of parenting decisions
fill in the ___
Whew! Is it any wonder most marriages could use some maintenance?
The question is how do you fill your marriage with good things without it all becoming just more things to juggle?
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.
