relationships Archives

This Secret Can Change Your Life

Over sixty years ago, Earl Nightingale, a former United States Marine who had been one of only twelve survivors of the bombing of the U.S.S. Arizona at Pearl Harbor, struck upon an idea.

At the time of his epiphany, he was an announcer at the legendary Chicago radio station WGN. Residents of the Windy City were drawn to his soothing, sonorous voice. But it was off the air, while reading a book by Napoleon Hill, a well-known motivational writer and speaker of that era, that Nightingale’s revelation came to him, like “a bolt out of the blue,” he said.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, marriage, parenting, pop culture, relationships August 8, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

GUEST POST: The 77 Qualities I Thought My Future Husband Had to Have

He’s tall, dark and handsome. Witty. Intellectual. Smart. Well-read. Spontaneous. Motivated. Masculine. Good hair, good dresser. Musically talented. Organized. Creative. Responsible. Strong handshake.

He also hates cats, but loves chocolate and talking about feelings. He spends most Saturdays volunteering at the homeless shelter or rescuing stray kittens. He’s working toward his MBA.

And when he isn’t fishing, hunting or running a marathon, he’s playing his guitar and writing songs. He doesn’t eat McDonalds.

He makes loafers look good.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: humor, husband, marriage, relationships, wife July 16, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Is Your Smartphone Making You into an Android?

I spend a lot of time in airports.

Air travel is a little easier when you love your job – as I do – and when I can pass the time in between flights visiting with my fellow travelers. Some of the most interesting conversations I’ve had have taken place in an airport … maybe because people there come off a little more honest, a little more vulnerable, with those they likely won’t see again.

But I’m finding those airport conversations a little harder to come by.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, friendship, relationships, technology July 1, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Grief Without Despair: What Seattle Pacific University Students Taught Me

Earlier this month, a young male started shooting a gun at Seattle Pacific University, a Christian school. Before he stopped to reload his weapon, he had killed one and injured three others.

A 22-year old student, Jon Meis, put himself in harm’s way to stop the gunman from inflicting further harm. Meis used pepper spray to incapacitate the shooter before knocking him down. At that point, other students jumped in and helped subdue the shooter.

Bucking the narrative

Sadly, these stories of public shootings follow a familiar storyline by now.

Topics: Current Events Tags: church, faith, news, relationships June 23, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Typing v. Handwriting: Which Would You Choose?

Typing and “quick communication” have taken over our lives.

From the endless emails that are part of many of our jobs to text messages asking if someone can pick up bread and milk on their way home, typing has largely replaced handwriting.

Scientists are beginning to warn us that this move to all things technology isn’t completely beneficial. Last month The Boston Globe’s article “Taking notes? Bring a pen, skip the computer” connected handwriting with memory retention.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family, friendship, relationships June 10, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Tears at Midnight

Some time ago I found myself in Washington D.C. attending a series of meetings. After spending the entire day and evening inside several buildings, I was eager for some fresh air. What followed would be a night I’d never forget.

With me in Washington that evening was my friend, Roger Sherrard. Roger is a constitutional attorney and a dear man, now serving as principal at Sherrard McGonagle Tizzano, in the state of Washington.

It was 11 P.M.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: events, news, relationships, religious liberty May 26, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Girls Propositioning Boys: Helping Your Son When the Tables Are Turned

Today’s children are growing up faster than ever. Thanks to TV, overtly sexual songs on the radio and the Internet, most kids have likely seen, heard and experienced more than their counterparts from previous generations.

And sadly – one trend we’re seeing is that sexually aggressive “tween” girls are now propositioning younger boys, offering them sexual favors.

One unbelievable example

In our two-part broadcast starting today, “Helping Sons Guard Their Purity,” our guest, FamilyLife President Dennis Rainey, shares a story about a boy who had notes in his jeans pocket from a girl who wanted to sit by him at lunch.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, kids, parenting, relationships, sex May 22, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Best City for Love?

In a light-hearted article, the Wall St. Journal recently declared Colorado Springs, Colo., where Focus is headquartered, the top place in the U.S. to find love.

Seriously.

Here at Focus, we think that’s great. In fact, we’re even holding a gathering event that might help cement that title: this Aug. 7-9 Focus on the Family’s Boundless ministry is hosting Pursuit 2014, a special weekend for single 18-39 year olds.

If you’re not familiar with Boundless, here’s a quick overview.

Topics: Focus Events Tags: events, marriage, news, relationships May 19, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Does Casual Sex Empower Women?

Last month, a Duke University freshman made headlines because she chose to pay for her college education by appearing in adult movies. This young woman defended her decision to become a porn star via an article where she wrote, “I have never felt more empowered or happy… I am in control of my sexuality.” According to this student, it is “how the world should be.” As Christians we obviously disagree this is how things should be – but sadly, her view on sex is how things are for far too many college-aged women.

Topics: Current Events Tags: intimacy, news, relationships May 1, 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