Family and Home Archives

Engaging the Culture in Winsome Ways

Data about the culture’s view of Christianity isn’t encouraging.

In 1996, 85% of Americans who had no religious commitment viewed Christianity favorably (Source: 2007 George Barna study).In 2019, nearly half (47%) of non-Christians had some level of negative feeling toward Christians (Source: 2019 Barna study, The Brand of Evangelicals).

Some of that negativity is fueled by seismic cultural shifts in recent decades. Tolerance rules above all other values, which means that any religion that claims a corner on truth is suspect.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, pop culture April 18, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Mulligan: A Parable of Second Chances

Do you ever wish you could get a second chance at something after your first attempt missed the mark?

In the world of golf, taking a second shot from same spot is called a “taking a mulligan.” There are several theories regarding the origin of the term, but most go back to the 1920s and a gentleman named David Mulligan who was known to embrace do-overs on the links at his country club in Montreal.

As a golfer, I can appreciate the temptation.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith April 18, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Attacking Stay-at-Home Moms is Latest Front in the Ongoing War on Children

According to feminist author Jill Filipovic, stay-at-home-moms are responsible for producing and encouraging the very worst of men. They’re also a drag on society and doing more harm than good to themselves, too.

In a series of tweets earlier this week, the controversial writer wrote:

“More mothers at home makes for worse, more sexist men who see women as mommies and helpmeets. Men with stay-at-home wives are more sexist than men with working wives; they don’t assess women’s workplace contributions [fairly]; and they are less likely to hire and promote women.”

Ms.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: parenting April 14, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Florida’s Fatherhood Bill is a Model for Other States

Dads matter – and more than most people realize.

That’s the message I’ve been championing for years now, a reality born out of the social science and my own childhood growing up in a broken home.

The Florida legislature and Governor Ron DeSantis agree – which is why the state has just approved a bill that will invest $70 million in programs designed to promote fatherhood.

It’s called the “Responsible Fatherhood Bill,” and funds will be distributed to nonprofit groups committed to dads.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: parenting April 12, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Staying Married Through the Storms of Life

Traditional marriage vows say, “For better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health.”

When Jean and I got married, we assumed that life would mostly be “better, richer, and healthier.” While life with each other has been wonderful, we’ve encountered challenges along the way.

That should come as no surprise. Every marriage passes through some kind of relational storm: in-law issues, financial conflict, baggage from the past. The possibilities are endless.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, marriage April 12, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Living Out Loud: Embracing Your Confidence

Jean and I have taught our boys all their lives that they won’t discover their worth in athletic abilities, academics, popularity, or anything external. Their value comes from being a child of the eternal God!

Adults need this reminder, too. It’s just as easy for us to look for security in things outside of God – a job title, a new car, a nice home, even certain relationships. It’s not always easy to break free from our pursuit of external validation and find our rest in Christ (Matthew 11:28).

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family April 11, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Making Prayer a Priority in Your Marriage

Married couples are designed for intimacy. Yet, like Adam and Eve in the garden, they often hide from God and each other.

Some couples pretend their relationship is healthier than it is because it feels safer than risking exposure and shame. Hiding feels safer in the moment.

But long-term, it has the opposite effect. Instead of feeling more loved, we feel more lost. Instead of feeling more accepted, we feel more alone.

What’s a good way for couples to break out of isolation and connect with each other?

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage April 7, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Heartache Over Silencing Heartbeats in Colorado

As we eagerly await the Supreme Court’s decision in the Mississippi 15-week heartbeat case, activists around the country have been working feverishly with liberal state legislatures to enshrine unfettered access to abortion rights in their states.

I believe it’s a harbinger of the fight to come – and compared to what we’ve seen the last half-century, it’ll be a battle unlike any in the last fifty years.

Activists in my own state of Colorado have just pulled off a devastating legislative victory by passing the most radical abortion bill in the country.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: pro-life April 6, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Living at Peace with Difficult People

Some relationships are naturally sources of conflict.

Whether it’s a spouse, a family member, a friend, a coworker, or even someone at church, we all have that one person who rubs us the wrong way.

The question is, how should we address conflict with that person?

Perhaps we don’t. Maybe we pretend that the conflict doesn’t exist. Or we refuse to talk about it. Or we verbally or emotionally attack the other person.

There’s a better way.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith April 5, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Helping Engaged Couples Become More We-Focused

Lucille Williams was washing vomit out of her clothes when a thought occurred to her: “This is marriage.”

She was on the last night of her honeymoon cruise with her husband, Mike, and they were enjoying a final dinner with new friends they’d made that week. Suddenly, an unexpected bout of sea sickness hit Mike, and he began vomiting uncontrollably. Their dinner guests scrambled out of the way, but it was too late for Lucille, who ended up with Mike’s disgusting mess splashed all over her.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage April 4, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura