Family and Home Archives

Seeing the Fruits of a Dad’s Faithful Prayers

David and Jason Benham’s childhood was filled with wonderful memories of baseball with their dad, who became a lifelong fan as a kid when his dad surprised him with tickets to a Yankees game.

Later, when David and Jason came along, he played catch with them and coached their Little League teams.

Then there was the stadium. Each time the Benham family drove through Shreveport, Louisiana, they passed by Fair Grounds Field, the stadium home for the San Francisco Giants’ Double-A affiliate, the Shreveport Captains.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: parenting June 17, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

WATCH: Jim Daly Almost Flunked His First Dad’s Report Card

As we approach Father’s Day this Sunday, a thought:

It’s been said that it’s easier for a father to have children than for children to have a real father.

Sadly, that’s becoming more and more common.

There’s no test or final exam to qualify for fatherhood, though it would seem like a good idea if somehow there could be.

But some years ago, I developed what I call “Dad’s Report Card” for our boys, Trent and Troy – to evaluate me!

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith June 15, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Embracing the Various Seasons of Marriage

Over the course of a calendar year, nature experiences seasons. From winter to spring to summer and fall, each season presents nature with both challenges and opportunities for growth.

And so it is with marriage.

When winter sets in, a couple’s relationship becomes cold. They don’t communicate well. They argue. They disconnect. But if they endure, winter will give way to spring.

Spring is an exciting time. The couple is forward-thinking, has great plans for the future, and anticipate a happy relationship together.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage June 15, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Accepting Your Imperfect Life

Author Amy Carroll remembers the moment God’s love broke through her struggle with perfectionism.

She was one of several speakers at a women’s conference. To help attendees visualize God’s love, another speaker asked the women to participate in a mock wedding, complete with a veil, a bouquet of flowers, and aisle to walk down. Her groom, waiting for her at the altar, was Jesus.

One of the last women to participate was a 90-year-old woman who was barely able to shuffle down the aisle.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family June 14, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Life Hangs in the Balance at the Supreme Court

Ominous signs of the pending Supreme Court decision on the Dobbs’ Mississippi abortion case are everywhere.

Earlier today, a man was arrested in Maryland near the home of Justice Brett Kavanaugh. He was carrying a gun and proclaimed his desire/intent to kill the jurist.

I was in Washington, D.C., a few weeks ago, and increased police presence, along with eight-foot metal fencing around the High Court, make clear that officials are bracing for the potential of a violent reaction to the decision.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: pro-life June 8, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Discovering God’s Plan for Your Parenting

Have you ever considered raising your children as an act of worship to the Lord?

Author Gary Thomas calls that approach “sacred parenting.” It elevates parenting to something beyond raising children who do their homework, brush their teeth, and do their chores without being told.

Practical growth points like those are important, but they can also distract us from the bigger reasons God gave us children to raise, and from what He wants to accomplish in and through our families.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: parenting June 7, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Discovering God’s Design for Your Marriage

Howard and Danielle Taylor’s relationship is evidence that a biblical understanding of the purpose for marriage is the foundation for weathering the rough seasons of life … together.

Danielle grew up unchurched, and Howard was raised without a dad. Both adopted unhealthy cycles of relationship they’d learned from their parents. The result was not harmony and intimacy, but arguments, stress, and conflict.

Over time, they learned new patterns of relating and communicating with each other, all rooted in a biblical understanding of marriage.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage June 6, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Staying Connected with Your Child After Divorce

If you’re a stepparent, you may have discovered that blending two families is harder than you thought it would be. You’ve tried “everything” to connect with your stepchildren, but nothing bears much fruit, and you’re discouraged.

We’re offering you hope on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Staying Connected with Your Child After Divorce.” We’ve invited Lauren Reitsma to be our guest. Lauren is Vice president of Strategy and Communications for The Center for Relationship Educationin Denver, CO.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family June 3, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Giving Up People Pleasing for a Better Way to Live

We all like to be liked.

But that raises questions.

Doesn’t the Bible instruct us to serve others by putting their needs before our own?

If so, where is the line between being a pleasant person and being a “people pleaser”?

The boundaries can be murky.

In high school, my wife Jean once said yes to three different boys who asked her for a date on the same night.

Dr. Mike Bechtle, a writer, public speaker, and communications expert, had trouble telling his children no because he wanted them to like him.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith June 1, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Sharing the Heart of the Gospel at Your Table

Have you ever noticed how often Jesus’ ministry was centered around meals?

Among others, there was the wedding at Cana, a dinner with the reviled Zaccheus, and the beautiful symbolism of the Last Supper. Jesus was even criticized for eating with “tax collectors and sinners” (Matt. 9:11).

As one scholar put it: “Jesus ate his way through the Gospels.”

For author Bri McKoy, Jesus’ ministry through meals became a model for creating community and sharing God’s love with people He brought into her life.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith May 31, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura