Just when we thought we had a firm grasp on the nature of domestic abuse and all the ways that its evil can permeate our homes, here comes another insidious platform for potential power and control and toxicity in our marriages and families. Artificial Intelligence seems to be popping up all around us in these…
Many women ask if they really need a Will if they don’t own any property. The answer is “yes!” Wills are about who or what you value. You want to make sure all of your possessions go to your proper heirs. You don’t want the Probate Court to decide it for you. You don’t…
Little Wife’s little knees were shaking. Her little hands were shaking. Her tiny little voice was shaking. “Ma’am, could you please speak up?” asked the judge. Little Wife looked behind her to the court advocate who had helped prepare her statement and other court documents. The court advocate nodded to Little Wife to continue. “Your…
The majority of people have 24% of their income going towards consumer debt We need to come to the realization that expenses over 100% of our income are not sustainable. Something to ask yourself, “Is my spending in line with my financial goals, vision and values as a Christ follower?” Everything we have are gifts…
FOCUS Ministries (in a wonderful collaboration with illustrator Maya Dzik) is very excited to announce the recent completion of our latest publication, Time To Talk. Just in time for February — Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month — this booklet is specifically designed for families and church youth groups to start those very important conversations about…
The month of February is near and dear to our hearts….of course, there’s Valentine’s Day on the 14th, but also it is a time to focus on ways to help teens develop healthy relationship skills. In these difficult days, teens are struggling more than ever with this problem. It’s very good to remember that safe,…
To achieve your financial goals, you have to put a plan in place. Having a spending plan is the best way to achieve the goals you have set and you may discover new goals you want to put in place. I like the spending plan that is referred to as Zero Balance Budgeting. You put…
While leading divorce recovery groups in the mid 1990’s, I became acutely aware of the issues newly single people were having with their finances. Many hadn’t been included in the financial decisions of the married household and they had never overseen a budget. At that time I was referring people in my groups to the…
Maybe you thought February is all about Valentine’s Day? Actually February has been designated as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Even though we are still in January (and it has been a long month), we are beginning to look at Teen Dating Violence. We talked a bit about the statistics last week, and it is…
At FOCUS Ministries, we often receive phone calls or emails from people who ask, “My friend (or my sister, cousin, daughter, granddaughter) is in an abusive marriage. What should I do?” Good question! We often get the same question from pastors and church staff. What should we do? What should we say? What is…