marriage Archives

Practical Help for the Spiritually Stuck

Do you ever feel spiritually stuck?

If so, you’re not alone. Research suggests that 80 percent of North American Christians spend three to four months of the year feeling disconnected from God. As a result, they might become frustrated with the church and they might stop growing in their faith.

If we’re being honest, we’d admit that this spiritual malaise can be an easy place to get to. We’re so easily distracted and overwhelmed by our technological gadgets and our busy lives that it’s all too easy to stop reading the Bible.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, marriage, parenting April 3, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Guys… Put Down the Phone

I’m not that old, but I can remember the days when young men and women who were interested in each other interacted in ways that were pretty low-tech compared to today’s standards. If a guy liked a girl but wasn’t able speak with her in person he picked up the phone and called her. If he couldn’t do that, he wrote her a letter. Remember those?

Today, though, many guys are relying on a communication tool that’s proving to have its downsides in the dating realm – the text message.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage, relationships, technology March 31, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

WATCH: Sneak Peak to “Irreplaceable” Film Features Eric Metaxas

Focus on the Family’s first feature-length film, “Irreplaceable” will debut in a one-night theatrical event in more than 700 cinemas nationwide on May 6. I want to share a clip from the movie that really sets up what the documentary is all about.

This clip features author and cultural commentator Eric Metaxas talking about two different views of family – and his words drive deep into the heart of the question, “What is family?”

As “Irreplaceable” host Tim Sisarich explains during the trailer, “Every day in the media, the life choices of my neighbors, even in public policy, I seem to be told that I’ve got it wrong.”

More and more, it seems like vastly different views of family are coming head-to-head in the culture.

Topics: Focus Events Tags: events, marriage, parenting March 28, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Can Any Two Adults Raise a Child?

Can you be a parent without the hassle of a romantic relationship?

According to some people, you can – and should.

Modamily is a company that helps introduce people with no romantic interests or intentions for the purpose of raising a child together. It’s like a dating website, but instead of looking for love, users are looking for someone they can parent with. Proponents advocate it’s actually a better move for children, because it skips the “divorce nightmare.”

Modamily founder Ivan Fatovic explains: “All a child needs to develop and grow is attention, encouragement and love.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage, news, parenting March 20, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

“Submissive Wives” Need Not Endure Emotional Abuse

Some weeks ago I shared three thoughts about submission in marriage. Today I want to expand a bit on the third point, “A husband’s authority over his wife is not absolute.” It read:

Just like the husband ultimately submits to God, a wife must make her ultimate allegiance to God, too. This means that whatever leadership her husband extends over the home is limited to what is God-pleasing and good. In other words, if a husband wants his wife to do something that is clearly immoral or unethical, the wife can echo the words of Peter in Acts 5:29 when he said, “We must obey God rather than men.”

So with this, we have certain bases covered: “leadership” does not equal dictatorship, and God is the ultimate authority in the Christian home.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: husband, marriage, wife March 18, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How to Avoid This Leading Cause of Divorce

Mary Hunt was cheating on her husband. Her tryst, though, wasn’t with another man – but it had the power to destroy the marriage just the same.

The secret Mary hid from her husband was about her financial infidelity – to the tune of $100,000 in credit card debt.

Money problems are one of the leading causes of divorce in our nation. Granted, most couples don’t carry a credit burden as deep as Mary and her husband’s.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: divorce, finances, kids, marriage March 17, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Compromise Not Always the Best Answer to Marriage Disagreements

Many people think that learning to compromise is one of the keys to a successful marriage.

Would it surprise you to learn that Focus marriage experts Dr. Greg Smalley and Erin Smalley disagree?

According to the husband-wife team, compromise – an agreement where each person makes concessions – may not be the best way to help ensure long-term satisfaction in a marriage.

“I hate the word ‘compromise,’” explains Greg. “I don’t want to settle. I want to reach for something better.”

That’s why, instead of compromising, the Smalleys have found that it’s best to find a solution that feels great to both of them.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, husband, marriage, wife March 10, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Valentine’s Message: Be Joyful and Have Fun

A Christian woman a few years into her marriage once reflected back on the days leading up to her wedding:

“As excited as we were to start our new life together, my husband and I were also a little fearful. We had heard from so many Christian couples, and in so many sermons, about how difficult and challenging marriage is. You can’t help but think, ‘Am I crazy to go through with this?’”

She’s right – Christians spend a lot of time talking about marriage in light of the commitment it requires and the sacrifices we must make as husbands and wives.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, husband, marriage, relationships, wife February 14, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Super Bowl’s Top 5 Most Family-Friendly Ads

As I mentioned in Friday’s post, the team here at Focus thought it would be fun to create a countdown of the night’s most family-friendly ads. After all, we love to celebrate all things that elevate family – even commercials!

It was also nice for us, as Broncos fans, to find a source of distraction as the contest deteriorated on the field. Nevertheless, a big “congratulations!” to all you Seahawks fans out there – it was a well-earned win.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, kids, marriage, parenting, pop culture February 3, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Does the Size of Your Family Matter?

I’ve previously blogged about intentional childless ness, so today I want to address the logical “next step” to that topic: family size. If children are a blessing – which they are – can a couple have too many kids? Is there an ideal family size?

In his book, “What to Expect When No One’s Expecting,” Jonathan V. Last cites how a growing number of Americans want less. They want fewer kids and smaller families.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, marriage, parenting January 29, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura