Daly Focus Blog
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.
One of the most popular questions we get here at Focus on the Family is, “How do I pass my values on to my children?” Let me answer that question for you by sharing two important ideas.
First and foremost is family. You, mom and dad, are the most important influence in your kids’ lives. They’re watching you. Everything you say and do makes a profound impression on what your children say and do. So, model the values you hope your children will adopt as their own.
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?
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.
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.
A lot of couples will want to “lean in” to my conversation with Dr. Juli Slattery on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Rethinking Godly Sexuality in Your Marriage.”
Dr. Slattery is a clinical psychologist and the president of Authentic Intimacy, a ministry devoted to reclaiming God’s design for sexuality. She’s written the book God, Sex, and Your Marriage, which will be the basis for our conversation today.
She says that too many married couples are not experiencing the intimacy that God intended for them. For many, sexual problems are a hidden, shameful secret because they don’t know how to navigate their pain and frustration or even communicate about it effectively.
If you’re a parent, then I know you’re busy. Your schedule is full from morning until night. Which raises an important question.
When life has you running, how do you make the most out of your time with your children?
I’ve always taken advantage of the opportunities in front of me. When my boys, Trent and Troy, were younger, I struck up thoughtful conversation every morning as I drove them to school. My relationship with them has been built largely on bike rides, four-wheeling excursions, and camping trips.
Parents often believe three common myths about discipling their children in the Christian faith:
“The perfect environment will guarantee that my child will become a Christian.”“The ultimate goal of my Christian life is to have children who follow the Lord.”“My child’s salvation is all up to me.”
The truth is discipling children isn’t like following a recipe where the right ingredients mixed together the right way guarantees success. Children have free will to embrace or reject wisdom.
Imagine this: You’re the lead detective on an important case. Your job is to search for clues that reveal who, what, where, when, and why a crime has been committed. What evidence would you look for?
What if the case was finding proof for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ? Is there evidence of that?
On our Focus on the Family Broadcast “The Proof You Need to Believe in Jesus Christ,” we’re putting you in that lead detective scenario.
On our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Finding Your Identity in Jesus Christ,” Susie Larson says, “I believe the enemy sees your potential long before you do. How did he come against you in your childhood? His threat to you is connected to your threat to him. But when we live in response to God’ love, it changes everything. It empowers us to stand strong and be who God always intended us to be.”
When Susie was 9, she was attacked by her brother’s friends.
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.
