family Archives

The Ol’ Ball and Chain

There’s a satirical video on social media that highlights a common marriage stereotype. It begins with a young woman accepting a surprise marriage proposal. The moment she says yes, the footage switches to clips of her toiling away in domestic drudgery. One moment, she’s enraptured by the beauty and romance of marriage. The next, she’s buried beneath dishes, laundry, and buckets of soapy water.

Negative stereotypes about marriage don’t end there. Some people refer to their marriage as a life sentence with no chance for parole.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting February 8, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Empty Nest Years

If your children have launched into adulthood recently, congratulations! You’re entering a new chapter of life called “The Empty Nest Years.” On the horizon ahead of you are obstacles to overcome and exciting new opportunities to take advantage of. The question to answer in this season of life is, “How do I move forward with purpose?” To that end, allow me to offer a few suggestions.

Start putting your kids’ childhood behind you. Letting go of the parenting phase of life isn’t always easy, but it’s important to do.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting February 5, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Earn, Save and Give All You Can

If your boss offered you a big raise, can you think of a good reason to turn it down? Coach Tony Bennett, the University of Virginia men’s basketball coach, had the best reason of all: to bless other people.

In 2019, Coach Bennett’s team won their first NCAA Championship title in program history. As a reward, the university offered Bennett a substantial raise. Although he was grateful for the offer, Coach Bennett rejected it. “I have more than I need,” he said.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family February 2, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Inviting God into Your Dating Relationship

In order to stand at a wedding altar and say, “I do” with confidence, couples must first understand who they are as individuals. Only a person with a healthy sense of “I” can give to the marriage as much as he or she receives.

A thriving marriage doesn’t erase individuality. It celebrates it. It puts one’s individuality to work in service of the relationship, molding two people into one while encouraging each person’s individual flames to burn bright.

Topics: Uncategorized Tags: family, marriage February 1, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Teaching Children to Celebrate Their Strengths

Growing up, author Lucille Williams didn’t understand how to identify her strengths, so her weaknesses captured most of her attention. Instead of thriving, she struggled with anxiety because she couldn’t achieve like the other kids.

Many children face similar confusion, but with guidance, they can understand their strengths, overcome their weaknesses, and find their identity in Christ. To assist parents in helping their kids discover their God-given abilities, Lucille wrote a children’s book called Turtle Finds His Talent: A Slide-and-Find Book: Discovering How God Made You Special.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting January 29, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Hero Among Us

What does a hero look like? In comic books, they wear a mask or a cape. In real life, they’re not so easy to spot.

Like William Crawford. For years, he worked as a janitor at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. To the cadets, he was a shy, unassuming worker who quietly went about his cleaning duties around the squadron. But one day, a cadet who was studying World War II read an incredible story about a soldier who risked his life in battle to save dozens of fellow soldiers.

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

Engaging Others with Love, Kindness and Service

Years ago, I ran a short errand before an important meeting I had across town. As I hustled from the store to my car, I saw a young mother struggling to corral two toddlers while muscling a grocery cart across the parking lot. She looked tired and overwhelmed. I was just pulling out when I saw her reach her car and break into tears. Her tire was flat.

I wasn’t prepared for the situation. I was running late, and I wasn’t dressed to wrestle with a flat tire.

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

Take a Risk. Get Married.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average hit a record on Monday, closing above 38,000 for the first time ever. Not to be outdone, the S&P 500 also set a new high. How long it lasts is a question and matter left to financial gurus, many of whom disagree.

Tracking the stock market’s performance provides us with an indication of where the economy is, and maybe even where it’s going. Numbers can’t tell us everything, but they can tell us a lot.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, marriage January 24, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

When Your Money and Marriage Clash

Money can be a touchy subject for husbands and wives because most, if not all, of the decisions a couple makes each day involve money.

Do you drink coffee at home or spend extra money at a coffee shop?

What kind of clothing do you buy?

What kind of car do you drive?

Should you pursue a different job?

Should you buy a new house?

Should you spend less or more on groceries?

Even your dreams for the future are impacted by your budget.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family January 24, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Homesteading: Embracing a Simpler Life

Have you ever wished you could get away from it all?

Leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the city may sound like a refreshing, simpler way of life, but it’s actually a lot of work.

A few years ago, author Kathi Lipp and her husband, Roger, decided to move to a mountain home they’d bought. It was a tough challenge. Kathi was not “ourdoorsy” or resourceful and did not feel equipped to become a homesteader.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting January 16, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura