relationships Archives

Mike Pence Is Right to Keep Boundaries around His Marriage (Guest Post)

Thanks to Vice President Mike and Mrs. Karen Pence, it seems like everybody’s talking about boundaries in marriage right now – and as a husband-and-wife team that equips couples to strengthen their marriages, we couldn’t be happier.

This national conversation started after a Washington Post profile of Karen Pence that highlighted how close and loving her marriage to the vice president is – and also included this line:

“In 2002, Mike Pence told the Hill that he never eats alone with a woman other than his wife and that he won’t attend events featuring alcohol without her by his side, either.”

That sentence has sparked a lot of controversy from critics who think the practice is sexist, outdated, or might hinder a professional woman’s career.

Topics: Current Events Tags: marriage, news, relationships March 30, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Harnessing a “Fierce” Personality to Bless Your Marriage

Fire can cook you a nice steak, or it can burn your house to the ground. The difference lies in how well you harness its power.

It’s the same with a strong will. There is a lot of good that comes from having what LeRoy and Kimberly Wagner describe as a “fierce” personality. But a strong will gone wild can wreak havoc in a person’s life.

Fierce doesn’t have to mean obnoxious, loud, or rude. A fierce woman can be strong and beautiful.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, marriage, relationships March 16, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

This Video Shows the Challenge of Being a Christian in the Secular Workplace

I had the privilege of being with a unique group last week: Christian CEOs. They’re part of a ministry that began within the walls of Focus on the Family. They’re now an independent and self-sustaining fellowship, regularly meeting to pray together and encourage one another in both their faith and careers.

Corporate America can certainly be a challenge for Christians to navigate.

Of course, navigating a secular workplace isn’t unique to just Christian CEOs. Believers who strive to live out their faith at their places of employment must sometimes steer through choppy waters.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, faith, relationships March 8, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Have You Benefited From a Kind-Hearted Teacher? I Have.

On our program today, we’re airing a classic Focus’ presentation you won’t want to miss.

It’s a tribute to teachers, featuring a talk by Guy Doud, voted Teacher of the Year in 1986. His inspirational and humorous message highlights the powerful difference teachers can make when they reach out to students who feel like outcasts relegated to the sidelines of their school.

Maybe you’ve been the beneficiary of a kind-hearted teacher. I sure have. I’ll always remember Mrs.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, relationships March 6, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Men Can Escape the Trap of False Intimacy

I want to speak directly to the men today.

Some of you are probably tired of reminders about the importance of your sexual purity. But I encourage you to join me today and tomorrow for our broadcast, “Men: Maintaining Sexual Purity.” Our guest is author Fred Stoeker, the president of Living True Ministries and an expert in this area.

He speaks from personal experience and from biblical wisdom to show both younger and older men the value of honoring God with their sexuality.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, husband, intimacy, relationships February 21, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

He Told Her He Was Prejudiced. This is How She Responded.

Every February the nation observes Black History Month and recognizes the many contributions of African Americans to the United States and the world. Here at Focus on the Family, it’s no different. We recognize the special commemoration during our monthly chapel service with our staff and through other special educational and celebratory activities over the course of the four-week period.

While reflecting on the celebration, I was reminded about something that happened last August on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, faith, friendship, news, relationships February 15, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How to Love Your Neighbor… Without Being Weird

“And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29).

If we’re being honest, a lot of us would admit that we like the idea of loving our neighbors more than actually getting to know them and investing part of our lives into theirs.

I’m sure your family’s schedule looks a lot like mine. You’re busy with work and kids and everything that goes into making that all run smoothly. If you’re introverted, maybe just breaking the ice with the couple next door and starting a conversation is hard.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, relationships February 13, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

You’re Preparing for Valentine’s Day, But Are You Ready for the Day-to-Day?

Step into any drug store this week and you won’t be able to miss the fact that Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. The aisle filled with candy is beginning to grow crowded. The selection of cards is starting to get picked over. Open the paper or surf the Internet and you’ll see media outlets are beginning to run an assortment of holiday-related articles, from date ideas to odd gifts suggestions (“Name a roach to show your love,” anyone?).

Topics: Current Events Tags: marriage, promos, relationships February 7, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

She Thought All Christians Were Arrogant Until …

I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating.

In recent generations, some in the Christian community have seen homosexuality as a bigger sin than every other and homosexuals themselves as virtually beyond redemption.

It seems to me that we too often use the sword of the Spirit to attack other human beings rather than reach out to them.

There is no sin we can name that is bigger than one drop of Christ’s blood. Salvation in Christ is available to everyone.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, friendship, relationships December 27, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

What’s Your Love Style?

We’ve all got a love style.

It started forming back in childhood when your mom and dad connected with you emotionally, listened to you share your feelings, and made you understand that you mattered.

Or maybe they didn’t.

For good or for bad, the relational experiences of our early years form the roots for how – or even if – we emotionally attach to others.

Ideally, we’ll have an abundance of positive moments that enable us to become what Milan and Kay Yerkovich call “secure connectors.” Jesus was the personification of that love style.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, relationships December 19, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura