Family and Home Archives

Friends Helping Friends: Identifying Abuse in Marriage

There’s a good chance that you know someone at church or at work who feels trapped in an abusive marriage. Three-quarters of Americans know someone who is a victim of domestic violence. According to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, 1 in 4 women experience severe physical violence from an intimate partner.

As that person’s friend, you’re in a natural position to help. A lot of people in abusive relationships won’t seek out a counselor, but they will talk with a trusted friend.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage October 20, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Raising Sons to Be Honorable Men

“My coach from my senior year could look at me and knight me with his eyes.”

That powerful comment illustrates the hunger of every boy to have a man, particularly a father, draw him into manhood. It comes from Dr. Robert Lewis, who has been associated with Focus on the Family for years. Back in the late 90s, he wrote a book with Focus called Raising a Modern-Day Knight.

It’s been one of our best sellers ever since.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting October 18, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Keeping Your Family Healthy

On our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Keeping Your Family Healthy,” we’re talking with Dr. Scott James, author of the book, God Cares for Me: Helping Children Trust God When They’re Sick.

He’s a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital. He’s also a member of Focus on the Family’s Physicians Resource Council, a great team of physicians and medical professionals who volunteer their time to advise us about medical issues that are most relevant to families.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, marriage October 15, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

From Public Schools to Planned Parenthood, Liberals are Hurting Our Kids

How would you react if your teenage daughter was sexually assaulted in a women’s high school restroom by a student who gained access by “identifying” as a female?

Loudoun County, V., father Scott Smith was faced with this very predicament this past year and attempted to confront school officials about it – only to be forcibly removed from a board meeting.

Reports now suggest that Loudoun County school officials not only silenced Mr. Smith – but also attempted to cover-up the alleged crime by transferring the suspect to another school – where he reportedly assaulted yet another young woman.

Topics: Family and Home October 13, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Finding God’s Healing for Sexual Brokenness

You don’t have to be a Christian or a social scientist to recognize the terrible consequences of mismanaged sexuality.

For 50 years, the sexual revolution has popularized casual sex, but it has also produced sexual casualties. Like Sy Rogers. He was 6 years old when he was repeatedly molested by an adult male. After his mom was killed in a drunk driving accident, his father sent him to live with female relatives. The feminine mannerisms he developed led to bullying from boys who told him that he was gay.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith October 13, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Fasting for a Financially Fit Future

The first of the month will be here before you know it. That means the mortgage or rent is due. So is the water and electric bill. Maybe even the car payment and auto insurance. Oh, and don’t forget the car needs more gas soon. You can fuel up on your way to the grocery store.

That’s how it goes with money, doesn’t it? It comes in, and the money goes right back out. And, for a lot of us, there’s not much left over when it’s all said and done.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family October 11, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Breathe Spiritual Life into Your Marriage

As followers of Christ, we believe that marriage is a symbol of something spiritual and sacred. In Ephesians 5:32, the apostle Paul calls marriage a “mystery” and compares it to Jesus’ relationship with the Church.

So why do so many of us allow ourselves to be distracted by the busyness of life instead of plumbing the depths of relational intimacy. There’s so much to do that we put our marriages and our children on autopilot while we tend to more “important” matters.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, marriage October 7, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Helping Your Child Build a Lifelong Faith

One of the most challenging issues Christian parents contact us about is discipleship of their own children. Many moms and dads don’t feel qualified to share their faith effectively.

Do you fear miscommunicating the Gospel and leading your kids astray? Was discipleship never modeled for you growing up? Do you believe that the Church and Sunday school should be enough to teach your kids about their faith?

On our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Helping Your Child Build a Lifelong Faith” we’re addressing those concerns and encouraging you to take up this responsibility.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, kids October 6, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

When God Gives You a Second Chance

I’ve needed God to give me a second chance a few times.

Just one example would be my high school football career. I was my team’s starting quarterback and spent long hours honing my abilities and pushing myself to be at the top of my game. Several colleges had offered me scholarships, and future opportunities seemed wide open for me. I was proud of my accomplishments and potential. Arrogantly so.

God humbled me. That journey started the night my big brother confronted me after one of my games.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith October 4, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Hope and Renewal for Our Pastors

What do you think a typical week is like for your pastor? A few hours of study and a sermon on Sunday? The occasional hospital- or home-visit?

I recently talked with two couples – Marshall and Merrie Eizenga and Sam and Pauline Doerksen – who say many pastors routinely experience stress at the level of first responders.

They would know. The Eizengas served as pastors for 35 years. The Doerksens were pastors for 22 years. Together, they now co-direct the Kerith Creek Retreat Center in Canada.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith October 1, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura