Daly Focus Blog
Back in the 80s, comedian Rich Hall did a routine called Sniglets. A Sniglet was any word that should be in the dictionary but isn’t. Like the word “snackmosphere.” That’s what he called the huge pocket of air inside a potato chip bag when you first open it. Or “Pepsiluvium.” That’s the soda that bubbles through the plastic lid when you push your straw through.
Sniglets illustrate the limitations of language. English currently uses more than 170,000 words.
We all think we have strong faith. Until our world gets rocked.
An adverse diagnosis.
A child who loses their way.
A divorce.
The storms of life leave us shaken, wondering if God is really there.
Psalm 34:18 assures us that He is: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
What a comfort that is!
God’s presence has anchored author Michelle Cushatt’s life through the upheaval of many trials and difficulties.
The wear and tear of everyday life takes a toll on a marriage. On any given day you may face challenges in:
your faith
your church
extended family relationships
recreational opportunities
sexual intimacy
friendships
household responsibilities
finances
hectic schedules
a never-ending stream of parenting decisions
fill in the ___
Whew! Is it any wonder most marriages could use some maintenance?
The question is how do you fill your marriage with good things without it all becoming just more things to juggle?
As the president of an organization called Focus on the Family, you might expect me to say something like, “Never argue with your spouse.” The truth is I believe that even the most healthy, well-rounded couples need to hash things out from time to time. The key is to disagree in ways that move your relationship forward.
To do that, first recognize that avoiding conflict doesn’t strengthen your marriage – it weakens it. That sounds counterintuitive, but it’s true. Unresolved conflict doesn’t magically disappear. It festers beneath the surface, deepening resentment and eroding emotional intimacy.
Do you ever wonder:
Is there a Creator?
If God is real, why do people suffer?
What does Easter have to do with the existence of God?
If God exists, why does He seem hidden or distant?
Can we deduce anything about God from scientific evidence?
Does our DNA reveal anything about God as a designer?
Can God be personally experienced?
On our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Evidence for the Existence of God,” we’re talking with former atheist, Lee Strobel.
Author Kari Kampakis says teen girls have it tough. Every day is a renewed battle against anxiety, toxic friendships, cyberbullying and pressures associated with social media.
Which is why teen girls need strong women in their lives to protect, encourage, and guide them – to support them in confronting adversity, so they learn to handle life with confidence on their own.
That’s why Kara encourages mothers to be strong parents instead of “buddy parents.” Though your daughter won’t often show it, she cares deeply about your opinions.
If no one has told you lately, let me be the one to remind you: God loves you. How do I know that? It says so in the Bible.
Let me show you. Even if you’ve never opened a Bible in your life, you can find Genesis chapter one. Take a look sometime. Pay attention to how it portrays God’s love for you. You’ll notice a pattern. Each day, God speaks something into existence – light, land, or the sky. Then he looks at His work and declares it “good.” By the end of day five, God has deemed everything from the stars above to the animals surrounding us “good.”
But then comes day six.
Neil deGrasse Tyson is a well-known astrophysicist and media personality who speaks around the country about astrophysics and recent discoveries. While on a radio program, he was asked about the meaning of life. His response was that meaning and purpose are dependent on the choices we make. We live. We die. And in between we hopefully contribute something positive to the world. In short, life has no meaning unless we give it one.
With all due respect to Dr.
Culture moves faster and faster. With jobs and kids and all that goes on in life, balance can be difficult to find. Today, I have a suggestion to make that endeavor a little easier.
Consider Carl. Like you and me, he’s busy. His work hours are hectic. He travels frequently. And even when he’s home, a never-ending to-do list vies for his time. He feels pulled in so many different directions that he struggles to give his wife and children his full attention.
Are you where you’d thought you’d be at this point in your life? If not, take heart. The best may be yet to come.
Many reach their thirties, forties, or fifties, disheartened that they haven’t accomplished more. Some even fear that they’ve wasted too much time and will never achieve anything worthwhile. I say, no matter your age, don’t give up. Now may be the perfect time to move forward. Many notable figures achieved their greatest work late in life.
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.
