marriage Archives

Doing This Will Help Your Marriage

My wife Jean always knows when I’ve taped a broadcast with author and speaker Dr. Gary Chapman.

It’s uncanny. I’ll walk through the door and, inspired by my time with Dr. Chapman, I’ll ask her something like, “What’s one thing I could do to help you today?” And she immediately knows who I’ve spent time with.

And that’s how God uses Dr. Chapman. He’s a relationship expert, and he helps couples create and maintain an emotionally safe environment in their marriages that is conducive to positive growth.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, husband, intimacy, marriage, wife December 29, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Secrets to a Happy Marriage

Have you ever heard marriage advice that seemed too philosophical or theoretical?

Deeper understandings about the mysterious union of a man and woman can certainly be helpful. But every once in a while it’s great to hear something practical, like, “Tonight, go home and try this.”

On today’s and tomorrow’s broadcast, “Uncovering the Secrets to a Happy Marriage,” that’s exactly what we’ll do. Take, for example, this idea from our guest, Shaunti Feldhahn: Keep score.

For most of you, I’m guessing the notion of “keeping score” to improve your marriage sounds counter-intuitive.

Topics: Focus Events Tags: broadcast, marriage December 15, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Why Marriage is Good for the Economy

I’ve blogged before about the many financial benefits marriage brings to couples, families and society. Along those lines, a recent article by the respected economist Lawrence Kudlow underscores the vital role of marriage in achieving a robust national economy.

In “Marriage Emerges as Key To Economic Growth,” Kudlow describes how the American economy has slowed from a previous average of 3.5 percent per year to a mere 1.8 percent annually – under both Republican and Democrat presidents and congresses.

Topics: Current Events Tags: marriage, policy December 9, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

What Marriage and Volcanoes Have in Common

Mount Erebus in Antarctica is one of the most active volcanoes on earth.

The region averages fifty-eight degrees below zero in the winter and on an especially balmy summer day the temperature can nudge toward four below. Combine those frigid temperatures with hot gases escaping from ground vents around the volcano, and massive ice structures form, towering forty to fifty feet high.

They’re an oddly beautiful sight in such an unforgiving landscape.

And they exist because of opposite forces coming together.

Topics: Focus Events Tags: broadcast, marriage December 1, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

14 Different Faith Traditions Agree on This

You may have heard of the recent interfaith conference on marriage at the Vatican. The three-day event brought together 14 faith traditions from 23 countries, and included the participation of prominent evangelicals such as Dr. Russell Moore and Rick Warren. Focus marriage expert Glenn Stanton also attended the event.

“The Complementarity of Man and Woman: An International Colloquium” served to gather leaders and scholars to examine marriage “in order to support and reinvigorate marriage and family life for the flourishing of human society.” It reaffirmed the centuries-old belief shared by the different faiths that vital to marriage is the complementary nature of man and woman.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, marriage November 25, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Viral Picture Captures Story of Lifelong Love

Why would a photo of an elderly man eating lunch with his wife go viral across the Internet? Maybe because the simple image captures the true richness of love and intimacy within a marriage like few things can.

The photo first appeared on social media along with the unnamed man’s story. He met his wife when they were 17. It was love at first sight. They dated for a short time but lost touch when he left to serve in World War II, and her family relocated to another part of the country.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: husband, marriage, wife November 21, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Why We Share the Blame for the Redefinition of Marriage

Facts are stubborn things,” wrote John Adams. “Whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.”

And so, by that measure, there’s been a lot of conjecture and spin surrounding the push to redefine the sacred institution of marriage.

But what are the facts? Where does the issue concerning same-sex marriage currently stand?

Consider:

Same-sex marriage is now legal or nearly so in 35 states.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, marriage, news November 19, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How Couples Can Work Through PTSD

Yesterday I wrote about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder from the perspective of military marriages – what might couples expect after a war veteran returns home. Today I’m continuing this two-part series by sharing how couples can work through PTSD in a way that will make the marriage stronger than it ever was before.

One thing to remember is that it’s not only war vets who can struggle with PTSD. Experiencing any sort of trauma, like living through a natural disaster or a school shooting, can trigger PTSD.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, marriage, relationships November 11, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Things to Remember About PTSD

With Veterans Day tomorrow, it’s hard for us at Focus on the Family to forget the many sacrifices the men and women of our armed forces make.

Colorado Springs is a military town. We have Army and Air Force bases here. NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, is located within our mountains. Every May, Focus employees stand on our ministry’s balcony and watch the Thunderbirds perform at the Air Force Academy graduations. Huge cargo planes fly overhead and rattle our houses.

Topics: Focus Events Tags: broadcast, marriage, relationships November 10, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Three Ways to Cherish the Differences in Your Spouse

They say opposites attract. And at first, the differences are what make each other loveable.

That’s why the introvert marries an extrovert.

The night owl ends up with a morning person.

The spender decides to get hitched with someone who’s really thrifty.

But after the wedding comes… life. And what was once cute is now irritating.

Why is she so soft with the kids? They need to learn some discipline or they’ll never grow up to be productive adults!

Topics: Focus Events Tags: broadcast, marriage November 7, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura