marriage Archives

How Your Relationship with Your In-Laws Impacts Your Marriage

A few months ago, I ran a post about in-laws and the marriage relationship that really struck a chord in the Daly Focus community and resulted in good conversation in the comments section.

I’m reposting the piece today because it dovetails perfectly with today’s broadcast, “Establishing Healthy Boundaries with Your In-Laws (Part 1 of 2).” Our guests, Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend, share practical advice and encouragement for married couples, and talk about how a good in-law relationship can have a positive impact on marriage.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, marriage, parenting July 1, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Analyzing the Supreme Court’s Decisions on Marriage

I’m still away with my family in Virginia, but I was able to record an important broadcast on Wednesday’s Supreme Court rulings on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and California’s Proposition 8.

On today’s Focus on the Family Daily Broadcast, you’ll hear as Dr. Al Mohler, Focus Board member and president of Southern Seminary and George Mason University law professor Helen Alvare and I discuss the rulings expected impact to families and the Church. (To read my post that discussed the rulings, click here.)

It was a heavy conversation at times, as the decisions were largely disappointing to those of us who believe in God’s design for marriage and family.

Topics: Current Events Tags: broadcast, homosexuality, marriage, policy, religious liberty June 28, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Millennial Support for Marriage is #NotDeadYet

The media loves a “narrative,” the familiar storyline they tell and tell again. And in light of yesterday’s deeply disappointing Supreme Court decisions regarding marriage, one such narrative that we see again and again is that the younger crowd, the millennial generation, doesn’t care about preserving marriage. If you’re a believer in natural marriage, that’s a tough thing to swallow. Fortunately, however, that’s not the complete picture.

Millions of teens and twenty-somethings are standing firm for marriage.

Topics: Current Events Tags: homosexuality, marriage, news, policy June 27, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Why I’m Not Despairing Over the Marriage Rulings

The family and I have, ironically, just landed in Washington D.C. for a tour of historic Williamsburg. From the small television in the back of the seat on the airplane, I watched the proceedings from the steps of the Supreme Court as reporters analyzed the news coming from inside the historic building.

Today’s Supreme Court rulings overturning part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act and failing to rule on California’s Proposition 8 case are deeply disappointing.

Topics: Current Events Tags: homosexuality, marriage, policy June 26, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

On the Closure of Exodus International

Over the years Focus has enjoyed working with Exodus’ leadership, including its current president, Alan Chambers. The dedicated team at Exodus has been used by the Lord to educate, inspire and encourage countless people.

Exodus’ closing is being hailed by some as a victory and indication that Christians are abandoning long-held convictions that living with God’s design for sexuality is possible through the power of Jesus Christ – that change is possible.

The reality is that while Exodus will no longer exist, there are numerous Christian ministries that continue to provide excellent help to those struggling with unwanted same-sex attraction, including the Restored Hope Network and Desert Stream Ministries.

Topics: Current Events Tags: homosexuality, marriage, news June 21, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Five Questions and Answers About the Same-Sex Marriage Issue

The Supreme Court is expected to rule on two key marriage cases before the end of June. And as the nation awaits the decisions to the Prop 8 and DOMA and cases, good people are asking thoughtful questions on why marriage matters. However, it’s not always easy to wade through the research and pundit talking points to get trustworthy information on this important issue. You might even find yourself in a conversation with a friend who might see things differently than you.

Topics: Current Events Tags: homosexuality, marriage, policy, religious liberty June 18, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

What a Viral Video Can Teach Us About Marriage Communication

“It’s Not About the Nail” is a short video that’s been making the rounds. It takes a humorous look at the differences in how men and women communicate – and if you’ve been married for at least five minutes, you can probably relate to what the couple in the clip is going through.

Take a look:

The video works because it hits on themes and tendencies that are true. It’s the classic tug-of-war between husbands and wives, something we hear about a lot at Focus on the Family.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: husband, marriage, wife June 5, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

What “Happily Ever After” Really Looks Like

Romantic movie or story plots are often predictable. Boy meets girl. Boy woos girl, and then something happens – a fight, a misunderstanding or a disaster – that tears the would-be couple apart. Ultimately, though, the boy and girl make it back together, and “they lived happily ever after.”

However, those of us who are married know that the real love story takes place after the wedding. Meeting and falling in love are just small parts of the big picture.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: husband, marriage, wife June 3, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Secret to a Great Life

Anyone who will step back and take a look at his way of life can find ways to slow down without resorting to tranquilizers. Why shouldn’t the busy mom, between chores, kick off her shoes, lie down on the sofa, and day dream for a few minutes? If her conscience tries to intrude, it should be sent on an errand. When she gets up she’ll find that a lot of energy has flowed back into her.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, marriage, parenting May 30, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Is Online Dating Biblical?

Online dating is one of those subjects that Christians enjoy debating. In one camp, there are some who believe looking for love online betrays a lack of faith in God’s provision of a spouse. In their view, the seemingly endless lists of online profiles creates a superficial consumer mentality that undermines the sacrificial nature of Christ-centered love.

The other side counters that online dating is merely a tool God can use to bring two people together – users don’t place their faith in the matchmaking site, but in the Lord.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage, relationships May 29, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura