Fireproof: Still Spreading The Message

From the folks who produced and distributed Fireproof, some great stats about this pro-marriage movie:

If you haven’t seen it yet, go watch this encouraging film this weekend!

And watch for the DVD release of Fireproof — it’ll feature a word from Focus on the Family U.S. President Jim Daly. Should be out by Christmas.

Family Finances: Special Needs Planning

The Wall Street Journal offers some suggestions for families with special needs members - how to cope with long-term expenses.

More than 41 million Americans, or almost 15% of the population age 5 and older, have some type of disability, according to 2007 Census survey data. Some 6.2% of children ages 5 to 15, or 2.8 million kids, have disabilities, the Census Bureau found. And individuals with disabilities are living longer than ever before. That means that many disabled children will outlive the parents who support them.

Full article here.

Meeting the Needs of Orphans

The Steven Curtis Chapman family has done so very much to educate and facilitate adoption. It has been a privilege to work alongside Steven and his associates at Shaohanna’s Hope to heighten awareness and urge action on behalf of the fatherless. I’ve come to know so many other wonderful people who are devoting their lives to this cause, and I am humbled and inspired by their devotion and passion.

While adoption is a wonderful option, there are far too many orphans to bring into families. 140 million kids are in need! There is so much more that can be done, needs to be done, on behalf of these children.  To find out what role you can play in meeting the needs of orphans, look for the helpful links in “Web Exclusives.”

Video: Lives Changed By Love

Take a risk, and see what God might say to you through this short, inspirational video about one family willing to reach out in love. I wept at this tender and moving story.

Tell us what you think? Thanks.

Parenting: Be Silly

I like what this writer suggests. Not rocket science, but this approach works well in our family. My kids love it when I help them laugh…

Video: Teen Girls Learn About Beauty

This is something every parent of a teen girl should see…

Teen Driver Alert!

I came into the office a bit late today, after taking our 17 year-old son to take his driver’s license road test. He has had his permit for over a year now, and was ready to take on the privilege - and responsibility - of driving without a parent in the front seat next to him.

To his credit, Seth passed the road test quickly and with a nearly-perfect score. So, another milestone has been achieved, another step taken toward independence!

I’ve called the insurance agent, and tonight will be discussing a few things with our son. There’s a little contract we’ll cover, a document to formalize our understanding of expectations and consequences with regard to his driving. Nothing draconian, but some additional detail and a chance to put his signature to paper - so we all are on the same page, literally!

Here’s a sample contract you can use with your teen driver.

Parents: Let me solicit your advice.  Although this is our second child to successfully achieve a driver’s license, do you have any words of wisdom for us? Anything we should know? Stories to share?

When Depression Comes Knocking

Like many of us, Pastor Tommy Nelson had heard of others succumbing to clinical depression but never imagined he’d face this challenge in his own life.  When Pastor Nelson visited Focus on the Family a few months back, I had the chance to meet him and hear first hand about his struggle with depression.  We aired that broadcast in the US back in August and if you know someone who’s facing clinical depression in their family or even in their own life, I’d encourage you to direct them to this link to listen this three day series.  If you are already familiar with the great communicator Pastor Nelson is, click here to hear him tell how he met Jesus Christ.

Hiding Behind the Mask

Our theme on a recent Focus on the Family broadcast centered on the ways we tend to shield ourselves in different relationships by hiding behind emotional masks.  During that conversation, guests Julie Ann Barnhill and Shaunti Feldhahn talked about being addicted to pride.  On the following link, we’ve provided a quiz which you can take to help you identify whether you are operating either from a position of pride or brokenness in your relationships.  You can find that quiz by clicking here.  Look for the “Web Exclusives” box on the left side of that page.

Special Needs, Special Challenges

In recent weeks, the Focus on the Family radio program has featured several stories about special needs children. I have been moved to tears at several points in those conversations, feeling the pain and identifying with the many challenges of parenting a child with physical, cognitive, and/or emotional difficulties.

Our son has been a wonderful blessing to our family, and I cannot imagine life without his presence in our home. Yet, there are days when we wonder how in the world we will keep on going…exhausted, feeling alone, being unable to give him - and our other children - what is really needed.

If you have tough times as a parent of a special needs child, check out this helpful article. It isn’t overly new or exceptionally insightful, but the encouragement you’ll receive from this piece will surely boost your spirits today.

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