Daly Focus Blog
Do you view God as distant, unhappy, or angry? Do you wonder if He cares about your happiness?
Some in the Christian community consider happiness an ungodly pursuit, one for the spiritually immature. They say that God calls us to joy, while happiness is what the world offers.
If that’s how you’ve been taught, you may be surprised by what our broadcast guest Lisa Harper has to share – that God is happy and that happiness is a gift from Him that we should actively pursue.
King Artaxerxes commissioned Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah and his men set to work with trowels in one hand and swords in the other (4:17) defending against enemies on all sides.
In many ways, married couples face similar opposition. They’re building their homes with jobs, hard work, and children in one hand and the sword of the Word of God in the other, defending their families against a culture that’s increasingly hostile to them.
I’ve always liked the poem by William Wordsworth titled “Character of the Happy Warrior.” Though not intended, it is an appropriate charge to Christians who seek God’s strength in their efforts to engage winsomely.
Here are a few poignant verses:
Who is the happy Warrior? Who is he
That every man in arms should wish to be? …
Who high endeavors are an inward light
That makes the path before him always bright …
Who, doomed to go in company with Pain,
And Fear, and Bloodshed, miserable train!
By the time kids enter middle school, their march toward independence is well under way.
But let’s face it – it can be a confusing time for parents.
When a child spreads his wings, it can feel like he’s turning his back on you instead. But that’s not really the case. Your middle schooler needs you as much as he always has.
In some ways, more.
He just needs you in a different way than he did in his formative years.
On my first day of kindergarten, I refused to go. My mom had to drag me down the block to the school.
But something magical happened that first morning – and her name was Mrs. Smith, my kindergarten teacher. I had an immediate crush on her. In fact, I was so smitten, I didn’t want to leave that afternoon. So just like my mother had to drag me to school, my teacher had to drag me home.
According to a recent report from the United States Census Bureau, most people believe it’s “socially desirable” for the husband to earn more than his wife.
In fact, in the event that a wife does earn more than her husband, researchers discovered that couples tend to downplay or under report the financial difference.
Why?
Obviously, there’s a lot of history, tradition and even controversy surrounding this topic. For instance, the issue of pay equity is hotly debated and often comes up in the midst of political campaigns.
It’s estimated that 80% of women are lonely in their marriages.
Many wives who struggle with loneliness believe it is impossible to change their marriages. Their relationships are plagued by disappointment, anger, or monotony. Why? The answer often lies in unmet expectations.
When we’re dating, it’s tempting to seek complete fulfillment from the person we love. But once we’re married, we find that our spouse simply isn’t able to fulfill our every need. This can lead to a host of issues.
If God is loving, why does He allow pain and suffering in our lives? Can He truly be good, even in dark circumstances?
Jesus’ death on the cross guaranteed heaven for us in the next life. Then, there will be no more struggles, no more heartache, no more tears.
But what about in the meantime? What good is God to us in this life? What is He up to in our lives right now – especially if He doesn’t appear to be up to anything at all?
Week ending July 20th:
I Don’t Want a Divorce (by Dr. David Clarke)
30 Days to Taming Your Tongue (by Deborah Smith Pegues)
The 10 Best Decisions Every Parent Can Make (by Bill Farrel)
Ken Davis: Good News (by Ken Davis)
Parenting Your Powerful Child (by Kevin Leman)
Raising Kingdom Kids (by Tony Evans)
Job – Bible Study Book: A Story of Unlikely Joy (by Lisa Harper)
Red-Hot Monogamy (by Bill Farrel)
Kingdom Marriage (by Tony Evans)
Unoffendable (by Brant Hansen)
Sharing God’s Big Love with Little Lives (by Jean Thomason)
Growing Kids with Character (by Hettie Brittz)
Through the Eyes of a Lion (by Levi Lusko)
What kind of legacy do you want to pass on to your children?
Your answer to that question is important. When parents don’t pass down a good legacy, future generations suffer the consequences.
People often say that today’s kids are a lost generation. Dr. Tony Evans says that they’re actually the product of a lost generation. The problems our children are facing in the world are far greater than the problems we experienced.
The number of children being raised in single-parent families has increased, so has teen suicide, juvenile delinquency, and sexual promiscuityamong young people.
Jim Daly is a husband, father and President of Focus on the Family and host of its National Radio Hall of Fame broadcast. His blog, Daly Focus, is full of timely commentary and wisdom designed to help you navigate and understand today’s culture. His latest book is Marriage Done Right.
