husband Archives - Page 11 of 11

Look to the Stonemason

Do you pay attention to detail – even detail that nobody but God can see?

Back when United States Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts was a lawyer preparing for oral arguments, he would spend countless hours with a pen and legal pad. During that time he would speculate on the hundreds of possible questions he might be asked. As part of the exercise, he’d write down both questions and answers in long hand. He would eventually transfer those Q&A’s from the yellow legal pad to index cards and memorize them in random order.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, husband February 9, 2011 by Jim Daly

You Can Find Hope in Troubled Times

I was recently talking with a friend, and he began to draw a parallel between a mutual acquaintance of ours and my childhood. The person in question is a real survivor and currently managing a rather chaotic existence. He said it reminded him of me and the untraditional life of my youth.

While there are similarities, I suggested there was a significant distinction between the two. Unlike this friend of ours who appears content with his troubled lot, I managed to survive abandonment and loneliness because of one main thing: I lived in a constant state of hope, always praying and dreaming that I might someday, someway, trade chaos for order and an unconventional family life for a traditional home.

Topics: Focus Events Tags: broadcast, husband, marriage, wife January 26, 2011 by Jim Daly

Black and White Problems

Bob Herbert is a respected and decorated opinion columnist for The New York Times. On the paper’s website he’s referred to as a journalist known for his “fearless articulation of unpopular truths.”

This past Monday Mr. Herbert lived up to his billing when he opined about the heartbreaking state of the African-American family.

The veteran columnist served up a one-two punch. After noting that black boys and girls are three times more likely to live in single-parent households than white children and twice as likely to have a parent without a full-time job, he dove directly into the heart of the crisis:

The first and most important step (to fix the problem) would be a major effort to begin knitting the black family back together.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, family, husband, news November 18, 2010 by Jim Daly

The Way to a Stronger Marriage

I’m headed to Atlanta this morning to participate in Focus on the Family’s Celebrate Family Tour. Tonight’s event is featuring the hilarious comedian, pastor and teacher, Mark Gungor. Mark is one of the most sought-after speakers on marriage and family in the country. If you’re in the area and would like to attend, please know we’d love to greet and host you this evening.

Before I go, though, I wanted to invite you to listen to today’s broadcast.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, husband, marriage, wife October 27, 2010 by Jim Daly

Man Up?

If you’re a guy and attend either a male-led small group or Bible study, or even pay the slightest attention to discussions about gender, there’s a good chance you’ve heard the catchphrase, “Man Up!”

What does it even mean?

My friend and Focus on the Family board member and president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Dr. Al Mohler, has an opinion. Responding to a recent Newsweek cover story on the subject of modern masculinity, Dr. Mohler wrote the following:

A true masculinity is grounded in a man’s determination to fulfill his manhood in being a good husband, father, citizen, worker, leader, and friend — one who makes a difference, fulfills a role for others, and devotes his life to these tasks.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, husband October 1, 2010 by Jim Daly

Arguing Happily Ever After

Somebody once said there are two types of married couples – those who argue (from time to time) and those who lie and say they don’t.

There was an interesting article in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal that suggests it’s not if we argue, but how we argue that will determine the overall health of our marriages.

All couples disagree – it’s how they disagree that makes the difference,” reports Howard Markman, professor of psychology at the University of Denver and co-director of the Center for Marital and Family Studies.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: husband, marriage, wife July 28, 2010 by Jim Daly

The Top 5 Ingredients of a Great Marriage

Ask a hundred people, “How do you make a great banana split?” and they’d probably list the same core ingredients—vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream nestled between the two halves of a banana, drizzled with chocolate syrup, crushed pineapple, whipped cream and topped off with one or more maraschino cherries. Depending on personal preference, some might lobby for a few spoons of wet walnut topping.

Ask a hundred people who loved to cook, “How do you make a great Alfredo sauce?” and I imagine their recipes would easily be boiled down to four or five core ingredients—sweet butter, heavy cream, shredded parmesan cheese, and a pinch of white pepper and garlic salt.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: husband, marriage, wife October 12, 2009 by Jim Daly

When Love Must Be Tough

I’ve met a number of genuine tough guys in my life. Back in sixth grade, for example, I met Chuck Norris – yes, the Chuck Norris who battled Bruce Lee in the Way of the Dragon. Chuck was a special guest in our karate class taught by my homeroom teacher, Mr. Fried – a serious tough guy in his own right. Mr. Fried was both a fifth degree black belt instructor and a reserve deputy sheriff who just happened to be a personal friend of Chuck Norris.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, husband, marriage, wife October 11, 2007 by Jim Daly

I Still Do

The other day I was talking with a close friend about his marriage. I’ll call him Dave. I knew he and his wife had been experiencing some rough sailing this summer. When I asked how things were going now, Dave reflected, “Honestly, Jim, there are days when I pray, ‘Lord, take me or take her–but one of us has to go.”

He added, “I even told God that I’m driving around without my seatbelt to make it easier for You if You want to take me!” Anyone who has been married longer than five minutes knows marriage is hard work.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, husband, marriage, wife October 5, 2007 by Jim Daly