Family and Home Archives

The Impact of a Life Well Lived

I’m excited for the opportunity to highlight the life and work of my friend Dr. Gary Chapman on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “The Impact of a Life Well Lived.”

Matthew 5:16 says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

I can think of few people who exemplify this more than Dr. Gary Chapman

Many of you know him as the author of The Five Love Languages, which has sold 20 million copies and has been translated into over 45 languages.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family February 16, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Loved from the Inside Out

At an orphanage in Guatemala, author Dave Willis saw how deeply love can change a person’s life. Most of the children at the facility had been rescued from sex-traffickers or abusive families. Like Margarita, who had been abused by her father and uncle. Everyone who should have protected her wounded her instead.

When she arrived at the orphanage, she hardly spoke and didn’t trust anyone – especially men. John and Jessica, the couple who ran the orphanage, did their best to love Margarita and to help her feel safe in every way that they could.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family February 15, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Invisible Things

When Albert Einstein was a little boy, his father gave him a compass. The moment changed his life. No matter what direction he faced, the needle always pointed north. It was the first time he realized that something invisible influenced the universe.

You and I are so used to invisible things that we rarely give them a second thought. We can’t see air, but we experience its influence every time it fills our lungs or blows through our hair.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family February 14, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Discovering the Secrets to a Lifelong Romance

Why did you get married?

To work a job?

To do laundry?

To pay bills?

Of course not. Yet, many couples wind up with marriages in exactly that kind of “ho-hum” condition.

After the euphoria of the wedding ceremony fades, life settles into a daily routine of often-mundane activity. Careers are chased, children are born, and ever-larger homes are purchased requiring greater amounts of time and money to maintain. Before long, a relationship once nourished by hours on the phone together becomes two people who only talk when they’re discussing something practical, like finances or the kids’ schedules.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, marriage February 13, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Ol’ Ball and Chain

There’s a satirical video on social media that highlights a common marriage stereotype. It begins with a young woman accepting a surprise marriage proposal. The moment she says yes, the footage switches to clips of her toiling away in domestic drudgery. One moment, she’s enraptured by the beauty and romance of marriage. The next, she’s buried beneath dishes, laundry, and buckets of soapy water.

Negative stereotypes about marriage don’t end there. Some people refer to their marriage as a life sentence with no chance for parole.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting February 8, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Using Your Unique Personality to Share Your Faith

What stirs in your heart when you read Matthew 9:37-38? “Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’”

What about Mark 16:15? “And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.’”

Do verses about evangelism like these excite you? Or do they fill you with anxiety?

For extroverts like me, connecting with people about the Christian faith is somewhat natural.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith February 6, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Empty Nest Years

If your children have launched into adulthood recently, congratulations! You’re entering a new chapter of life called “The Empty Nest Years.” On the horizon ahead of you are obstacles to overcome and exciting new opportunities to take advantage of. The question to answer in this season of life is, “How do I move forward with purpose?” To that end, allow me to offer a few suggestions.

Start putting your kids’ childhood behind you. Letting go of the parenting phase of life isn’t always easy, but it’s important to do.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting February 5, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Earn, Save and Give All You Can

If your boss offered you a big raise, can you think of a good reason to turn it down? Coach Tony Bennett, the University of Virginia men’s basketball coach, had the best reason of all: to bless other people.

In 2019, Coach Bennett’s team won their first NCAA Championship title in program history. As a reward, the university offered Bennett a substantial raise. Although he was grateful for the offer, Coach Bennett rejected it. “I have more than I need,” he said.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family February 2, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Finding Hope for Lasting Relief from Depression

Author Dr. Gregory Jantz can personally relate to those who suffer from depression. Not only is he founder of the Center: A Place of Hope, a clinic for treating depression and other mental health challenges, but he has also experienced depression himself.

At one time, he struggled to get out of bed in the morning, and life seemed dull and hopeless. He worked too much, ate poorly, adopted a sedentary lifestyle, and struggled with caffeine addiction, insomnia, and low spiritual interest.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith January 30, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Teaching Children to Celebrate Their Strengths

Growing up, author Lucille Williams didn’t understand how to identify her strengths, so her weaknesses captured most of her attention. Instead of thriving, she struggled with anxiety because she couldn’t achieve like the other kids.

Many children face similar confusion, but with guidance, they can understand their strengths, overcome their weaknesses, and find their identity in Christ. To assist parents in helping their kids discover their God-given abilities, Lucille wrote a children’s book called Turtle Finds His Talent: A Slide-and-Find Book: Discovering How God Made You Special.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting January 29, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura