If you’re getting married soon, which image best reflects your love for each other – a beautiful bouquet of flowers? Or a packet of seeds?

Some weddings are a flower extravaganza. There are flower centerpieces, elaborate flower decorations, and even a flower girl. And don’t forget the most important arrangement of all – the bridal bouquet. All those flowers are intended to represent the couple’s love: vibrant, alive, and in full bloom.

But the late Gary Smalley, who officiated a lot of weddings, used a unique illustration to help couples understand the true nature of their love.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith July 29, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

On our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Finding Hope in the Messiah,” we’re listening to Lily Isaacs – vocalist and matriarch of the southern gospel and bluegrass group The Isaacs – share her testimony.

Lily was born in Europe after World War II to two Polish Jewish Holocaust survivors who moved the family to the United States when Lily was two years old. She grew up in the Bronx, NY and studied theater and performed off Broadway.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith July 29, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How many strokes of good luck does it take for a coincidence to become a miracle?

While you consider your answer, let me share the story of Laura Buxton. She was 10 years old in 2001 when she released a red balloon into the air over her hometown in Staffordshire, England. On a card attached to the balloon, she wrote, “Please return to Laura Buxton.” Her home address was on the other side.

A few weeks later, a man 140 miles away found the balloon stuck in his hedges.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith July 28, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Bad news from around the world is relentless, and there’s not much we can do to stop it. Which is a problem, considering that exposure to bad news can negatively affect people. Studies show that a steady diet of news featuring violence or tragedy elevate stress, anxiety, and sadness. Add to that the sheer amount of information we’re exposed to through newspapers, television, the Internet, and social media, and we’re virtually drowning in negativity.

What’s the remedy?

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith July 22, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Nineteenth century author Henry Van Dyke said, “A friend is what the heart needs all the time.”

Fifteen-year-old Daniel Harrison from Nottingham, England, told his teacher he wanted a friend when she asked if he had any goals.  Daniel has autism.  He likes his teacher and loves his family, but he doesn’t really have any friends.  His parents wondered how well Daniel even understood the concept of friendship.  He had never expressed a desire before and seemed quite happy.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith July 21, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Could you use a positive perspective today? Despite your troubles?

We’re listening to Phil Callaway on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Laughter Really Is the Best Medicine.”

Phil, once called “the funniest Canadian alive,” is an award-winning author, speaker, and daddy of three, who makes it a habit to be joyful even though his life isn’t perfect. In his recorded message, Phil shares four secrets to life that he says are absolutely essential to living life with joy in turbulent, unpredictable times:

The world is full of cacti, but we don’t have to sit on one.Don’t jump from the train when you’re in a tunnel.Live so the preacher won’t have to lie at your funeral.Courage is fear that has said its prayers.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith July 20, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura