Real FamilyLife® is conversational in nature and provides practical, biblical tools to address the issues affecting your family. You'll receive motivation, encouragement, and help.
April 7, 2016
Real FamilyLife® is conversational in nature and provides practical, biblical tools to address the issues affecting your family. You'll receive motivation, encouragement, and help.
April 6, 2016
Real FamilyLife® is conversational in nature and provides practical, biblical tools to address the issues affecting your family. You'll receive motivation, encouragement, and help.
April 5, 2016
Real FamilyLife® is conversational in nature and provides practical, biblical tools to address the issues affecting your family. You'll receive motivation, encouragement, and help.
April 4, 2016
One of the ways that Barbara and I give each other access to our lives is by monitoring one another's schedule and workload. We also talk about our children's activities because of their effect on the whole family. Monitoring everyone's schedule helps our family avoid experiencing the pain of being overextended.As you and your mate face continuing time pressures and stress, it's best to handle life in tandem, not solo. Your mate can detect blind spots that you are missing. This type of mutual submission promotes healthy oneness as you interact and depend on one another.One final thought. Tonight, I want to encourage you to get out your calendars. Go over your schedule and see if there are any unnecessary appointments. If there are, why not re-claim that time for your marriage or have a family night.I'm Dennis Rainey, and that's Real Family Life.
April 1, 2016
It's great that that daughter is beginning to feel some love for that dad. Experts say that it takes an average of seven years for a step family to adjust to each other. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that one out of every three Americans is now a stepparent, stepchild, or some other participant in a stepfamily. I'm well aware that many who are listening to me are a part of a stepfamily. Well, today I want to encourage you to persevere. You have a tremendous opportunity to show how God can work to make a less-than-perfect situation, something that shows the wonder of His grace, power, and restoration. I challenge you to remain committed to your stepfamily.One final thought. FamilyLife has helpful articles and resources for stepfamilies -- as well as the traditional family on our website -- familylife.com.I'm Dennis Rainey, and that's Real Family Life.
March 31, 2016
Were you able to identify some things you enjoy about your marriage? If you think your marriage is great now, just wait! If you allow God to shape you, and your relationship in the years ahead, your love will mature and sweeten into your most precious earthly relationship. If you want a love that is mature, let me suggest an area in which your marriage should grow. As individuals, and as a couple, you should grow spiritually. Pray together. Share spiritual truths. Talk about your experience with God together. Your marriage will become the sum total of every choice made along the way. That's why it's so important for you to grow spiritually, now.One final thought. Why not find a quiet space in the house, pull your spouse aside, and tell him or her that you want your marriage to grow spiritually. Then pray together that God will allow you to enjoy all that your marriage can be.I'm Dennis Rainey, and that's Real Family Life.
March 30, 2016
Dr. James Dobson told a story that reinforced the importance of praying for our children. One night Jim and his wife Shirley had trouble falling asleep. They began feeling uneasy about their daughter, so they got down on their knees and prayed for her. They later learned that, at that very moment, their daughter and a friend were in a pull-out curve in the mountains -- just looking out over the city, eating a meal. A police car came by and shone a light into their window. It made them think to lock their doors. As the police car drove away, a man crawled out from under their car and tried to force his way in. They were able to quickly start the car and speed away. Dr. Dobson says, "No one will ever convince me that our prayers did not have an impact on that situation."One final thought. No matter what you do as parents, in the end it is God who is in control. Pray everyday that God would protect your children and deliver them from the snare of evil.I'm Dennis Rainey, and that's Real Family Life.
March 29, 2016
One night my 13-year old daughter told me about a note being passed around in her class. It was about a boy and a girl who had taken their clothes off and messed around. I told her, "Sex is a beautiful thing in marriage. If you'll wait, God will bless you. But what those two young people were doing is shameful and wrong." Moments like that are the building blocks of a godly perspective about sex in your child's life. Talking to your children about sex takes courage I promise you. You certainly won't win any popularity contests with them. But your children don't need you to be buddies, they need courageous spiritual and moral leadership. The type of leadership parents give, who love them enough to challenge their thinking.One final thought. Make sure your children learn about sex from you, not from notes passed around in class. Prayerfully consider the right time and setting to discuss sex with your child.I'm Dennis Rainey, and that's Real Family Life.
March 28, 2016
That comes from the "Jesus" film, which has been shown all over the world. The scene you heard depicts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ which we remember, today on Good Friday. Of course, Good Friday is a part of the Easter weekend, which you'll probably celebrate with your family.Do your children know why we celebrate this weekend? At your home, is Easter about Jesus Christ, or is it simply a hunt for a bunch of eggs left by an imaginary bunny? Do your children know that without the Easter weekend, we would have no hope of life beyond the grave?One final thought. Why not ask your children if they can tell you what the Easter story is really all about? If they can't, you might want to read the story of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ to them. You can find it in Luke, chapter 23 and 24.I'm Dennis Rainey, and that's Real Family Life.
March 25, 2016