Daly Focus Blog
Author and pastor Ted Cunningham says, “Social media is a place where people share their opinions without sticking around for the conversation.”
He’s right. A lot of people like to share what they think, but not many will listen to what you think. Watch closely to how people interact with you, and you’ll see what I mean. Do they ask questions to better understand your point of view? And when you answer, do they really listen?
Raising teenagers can be both exciting and stressful. There’s a lot going on in their lives. They’re learning how to manage their own thoughts, feelings. and identities apart from mom and dad.
Developmentally, that’s a good thing. But in many families, a teenager’s struggle for independence becomes a tug-of-war with parents who take their authority seriously.
Effective communication with a teenager can be challenging, especially if you’re trying to navigate conflict, emotional triggers, disrespect, and even a few slammed doors.
Do you practice “everyday generosity”?
On our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Modeling Generosity for Your Children,” father-and-son team Brad and Drew Formsma explain how to use your time, talent, and influence to infuse your children with a spirit of generosity that they’ll carry into their adult years.
They’ll share how to be generous with:
In a “me-focused” culture, our children can develop an other-centered attitude that expresses Christ’s love through simple acts of kindness.
Would you like a happier marriage? If so, then you have a choice to make.
In fact, you have seven choices to make.
According to studies, couples disagree almost 2,500 times per year, which averages out to seven times a day. That’s seven opportunities every day to drive your relationship further apart. Or to draw it closer together. Which one depends on you. Literally. You get to choose.
You see, a lot of couples fall prey to the myth that their conflict is the result of their differences.
Some in the culture say, “There’s no such thing as truth.”
Question: Is that statement true? If there’s really no such thing as truth, then the statement itself is self-refuting.
Arguments against Christianity like that usually fall flat when you peel back the layers and respond with a broad knowledge of relevant issues, wisdom rooted in God’s Word, and an ability to speak truth in a winsome way.
We’re talking about how to develop all three on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “How to Answer Challenges to Your Faith.” Our guest is Greg Koukl, a Christian apologist and founder and president of Stand to Reason Ministries.
My guess is you consider yourself an open minded person. You’re mostly right. I say mostly because we’re all biased. Each of us has filters through which we see the world.
We’re a lot like the people of Oz – as in The Wizard of Oz. In the original story, written by Frank Baum, the Emerald City is said to be made of green glass, emeralds, and other jewels. And yet, when Dorothy and her companions enter the city, the Wizard expects them to wear green-tinted spectacles.
According to the National Institutes of Health, one in five adolescents in the United States suffers severe impairment or distress from a mental disorder. Often, these teenagers and their families feel isolated and alone, not knowing where to turn for help.
In addition, mental illness is still stigmatized to a degree that hinders many people from seeking treatment or receiving the support they need.
Dr. Matthew Stanford understands this problem well. He’s the CEO of the Hope and Healing Center and Institute in Houston.
Life can be beautiful. It can also be really ugly. The difference often lies in your perspective.
Most people consider San Francisco Bay one of the most stunning views in California. The Golden Gate Bridge. Mountains. Bike trails. The sparkling bay waters. Everywhere you look, you’re surrounded by the beauty of nature.
Unless you’re a prisoner on Alcatraz Island just a mile off shore.
For three decades, Alcatraz was home to one of the most notorious penitentiaries in American history, housing infamous gangsters like Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly.
On our Focus on the Family Broadcast “My Search for a Father’s Love,” we’re sharing my conversation with Lynsi Snyder, the owner and president of the In-N-Out Burger chain of restaurants located in the western part of the United States.
Although her family’s wealth made life appear like a fairy tale to outsiders, Lynsi has had a difficult and, at times, heart breaking journey. Her father died when she was 17 years old, which led her into a downward spiral of drug and alcohol abuse and promiscuous relationships in search of love.
Believing the spirit of the Christian calls for us to assume the best intentions of fellow believers, I was intrigued when I first learned that North Point Community Church in Atlanta planned to host a conference late last month for parents of LGBT children and ministry leaders looking for more effective ways to serve those impacted by the heavy and increasingly controversial issue.
In fact, the outreach brought back memories of a similarly themed conference that my organization, Focus on the Family, hosted for several years well over a decade ago.
Jim Daly is a husband, father and President of Focus on the Family and host of its National Radio Hall of Fame broadcast. His blog, Daly Focus, is full of timely commentary and wisdom designed to help you navigate and understand today’s culture. His latest book is Marriage Done Right.
