Family and Home Archives

Clinging to God Through the Pain of Depression

Many Christians who struggle with depression often feel isolated and ashamed. Admitting to feelings of despair within a community of faith often leads to judgmental attitudes or well-meaning Christians who suggest that depressed people “choose joy” or “pray more.”

But what are believers with depression to do when God doesn’t ease their suffering?

Author Sarah Robinson struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts from a young age. Even after becoming a Christian at age 15, her struggle continued.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family September 12, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How to Raise Strong Believers

If God is good, why does He allow evil to exist?

Have your children ever asked you that question?

Have you ever asked your children that question? How do you think they’d answer?

How about these questions?

Where did the universe come from?

Do science and religion contradict each other?

Do all religions worship the same God?

How do we know God hears and answers prayer?

Author Natasha Crain didn’t know how to answer these and other important questions when her children asked.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, parenting September 11, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Truth Behind Mommy Platitudes

When author Becky Baudouin’s girls were little, strangers would comment about how cute they were. Then they’d share a mommy platitude. Something like, “Enjoy every minute! It goes by fast!”

Becky knew what they meant, but she also thought to herself, “What about moments that are terrible and the only good thing about them is that they don’t last forever?”

Here’s another one: “If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” Out of balance, this one puts a lot of pressure on mom to act like she’s happy and together when she’s really not.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting September 8, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Faith of an Atheist

It was Shakespeare who said, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” What he meant was that the nature of a thing doesn’t change just because you rename it.

Take the word “faith,” for example. Faith is often associated with religion, but everybody has the capacity for faith. Even atheists. That’s right, atheists live by faith just like religious people do. They just call it something else.

In general terms, faith is about believing that something exists even though you can’t directly observe or measure it.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith September 7, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Having a Kingdom Mindset in Our Walk with God

For over 45 years, Dr. Tony Evans has served as senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas, which has grown from ten people to over 10,000.

He’s also a former NFL chaplain who has spoken to several Super Bowl teams on the eve of the big game. One characteristic each of those winning teams shared was an intense focus on the ultimate prize – the Lombardi Trophy. None of the players were satisfied with having a winning record or making the playoffs.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith September 6, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Earn Your Success

Success doesn’t count unless you earn it.

On April 21st, 1980, 26-year-old Rosie Ruiz took first place in the women’s division of the Boston Marathon. Her victory garnered national attention for two reasons. First, she set a new world record. Second, no one remembered seeing her over the course of the race until she neared the finish line.

Boston Marathon officials launched an investigation and discovered that Ruiz had slipped out of the crowd and entered the race just one mile from the end.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith September 5, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Connecting Spiritually with Your Spouse

How do you connect spiritually with your spouse?

Some couples are so structured that their devotions are like mini-church. They gather together each night, read from the Bible, and hold hands while praying.

That’s not very realistic for most of us. At least, not very often. We live at a fast pace. Connection happens on the move while we’re getting the kids to school or off to Little League practice. It’s not until late in the evening that we’re settled enough to have meaningful conversation.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, marriage September 1, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Bad Feeling with a Good Meaning

Not every negative feeling is bad. In fact, a bad emotion can often point to something good. Like when you and your spouse can’t be together, but you miss one another’s company.

Consider the late President Reagan and his beloved wife, Nancy. Since their passing, their love for one another has become almost legendary. Even during the demanding eight years they spent in the White House their marriage remained a priority, and they openly expressed their admiration for each other.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family August 31, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Preparing Your Kids for the Teen Years

Have you had “The Talk” with your child? You know, the one about sex?

If not, why not? Maybe you feel nervous because you don’t know what to say.

I don’t blame you. The talk I had with one of my boys didn’t go quite as well as I’d hoped. I planned a weekend-long father/son getaway where I did my best to explain sex and sexuality in a way he’d understand.

Driving home, I asked him, “Any questions?”

“No.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting August 30, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Conscientious Cooperator

Private First Class Desmond Doss was an inspiring example of living by your convictions.

Doss was a conscientious objector who served as a medic during World War II. He was so devout to his beliefs that he refused to carry a rifle – a decision that angered his fellow soldiers, who ostracized him, and his superiors, who sought to have him court-martialed. Despite it all, Doss insisted on going into battle without a weapon.

In Hacksaw Ridge, the movie about his life, Private Doss defended his actions by saying, “I have the passion to serve as a medic.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith August 29, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura