Dr. James Dobson's Family Talk

In this Part 2 edition, Dr. James Dobson and Dr. Tim Clinton talk about America’s epidemic rise in fatherlessness and the desperate need for dads to be present in their kid’s lives. Clinton explains that a solid relationship with a father can empower children, especially boys, to effectively navigate harmful peer pressure. Dobson and Clinton emphasize that a man’s career ambitions must never outrank building emotionally close relationships with his children as he disciples them in the Lord.

Dr. James Dobson sits down with Dr. Tim Clinton to discuss the importance of fathers in the lives of their children. Years ago, as a young father, Tim risked losing his own kids as he tried to build a career and impact the world. But after hearing Dr. Dobson on the radio challenging fathers to be present for their kids, Clinton was convicted to reassess his priorities. Reducing his travels and speaking commitments, he was able to treasure the quality time spent with his kids and his wife.

On today’s edition of Family Talk, Dr. Tim Clinton and Greg Laurie continue their conversation about Greg’s new book, Billy Graham: The Man I Knew. As Rev. Graham’s ministry continued to grow, he saw a pressing need for his "crusades," and invited a young pastor, Greg Laurie, to write relevant sermon illustrations that Billy could use to reach a younger generation. Spending significant time together, Laurie saw that Graham was the same man in private as he was in public: down-to-earth, humble, and approachable. Whether talking to world leaders, celebrities, or common folks, Billy Graham never compromised the gospel.

Like David, whom God plucked from obscurity as a lowly shepherd, Billy Graham was a country boy who grew up milking cows when the Lord chose him to preach the gospel and further His kingdom. Pastor Greg Laurie, author of Billy Graham: The Man I Knew, shares the story of how Billy Graham came to Christ and eventually became America’s best-known evangelist and Christian ambassador to the world. Reverend Graham once told Laurie, "I don't think I'm a very good preacher. But I think God has given me the gift of giving the invitation."

Is your family honoring God with its media choices? Bob Waliszewski, former director of PluggedIn.com, joins Dr. James Dobson to discuss what to look out for in today’s media culture. His experience revealed that children need the guidance of parents to make wise choices, especially when they’re faced with peer pressure and are tempted to consume media that glorifies worldly, sinful behavior.

Are you an overwhelmed mom? Sarah Parshall Perry, author of Mommy Needs a Raise Because Quitting Is Not an Option can relate! In this Part 2 edition, she continues her candid and colorful conversation with host Dr. James Dobson. Despite having two sons with autism spectrum disorder and a strong-willed daughter, Sarah’s wildly unrealistic aspirations as a super mom and homemaker were causing her to become a nervous wreck. Now she focuses completely on loving the Lord and her kids.

After establishing a successful career as an attorney, Sarah Parshall Perry and her husband had three children, two of whom are on the autism spectrum. Called by God to stay at home to raise her children, Sarah wondered whether simply ensuring that her kids were fed and dressed was all she could do. So, sporting the proverbial messy ponytail and dirty yoga pants, she authored Mommy Needs a Raise Because Quitting Is Not an Option, in which she encourages Christian moms to seek God and embrace humility and forgiveness.

Dehumanization of a category of people always precedes injustice and violence, whether it was slaves in 19th century America, Jews during World War II, or preborn babies in the womb today. Lila Rose, author of Fighting for Life: Becoming a Force for Change in a Wounded World, calls on Christians to take a stand for the RE-humanization of these precious souls that God has created in His own image. Abortion sells the lie that the child in the womb is less than human, despite the biological evidence to the contrary.

At the age of 15, Lila Rose founded Live Action, a pro-life ministry powerhouse known for its undercover exposés of Planned Parenthood abortion clinics. With nearly 3 million followers of Live Action on Facebook, the author of Fighting for Life: Becoming a Force for Change in a Wounded World reveals that she was inspired by her hero, author Corrie ten Boom, whose Dutch family risked their own lives to hide Jews from the Nazis during the Second World War.

Mothers continue to be under-appreciated and undervalued in our culture. But when her husband is guilty of this himself, his wife can feel even more neglected, and this will often lead to depression. Rob and Dianne Parsons, co-authors of The 60 Minute Mother, underscore the importance of mothers being vulnerable with one another and admitting that their family lives aren’t perfect. This is when stressed-out moms can best discover the grace and guidance of God and only then do they find the appreciation they deserve in life’s simple moments.

90% of children from divorced homes suffer from an acute sense of shock. And one-third of kids fear abandonment by the remaining parent. Compounding this, 37% of children are even more unhappy five years after the divorce than they had been at 18 months. Time clearly doesn't heal all wounds. Dr. Arch Hart, author of Helping Children Survive Divorce, declares that divorce, after a relationship has been established and the nuclear family has been forged, is actually more damaging to a child than the death of a parent.

While divorce is painful for the couple, it can haunt the children caught in the middle for a lifetime. Author of Helping Children Survive Divorce, Dr. Arch Hart, was traumatized at the age of 12 when his parents divorced. As a therapist, he first advises parents to be honest with their kids about why they’re divorcing. Second, parents should seek healing quickly since it’s difficult to give kids First Aid when you’re bleeding yourself. Third, invite kids to talk about their emotions. Arch encourages those in the midst of a divorce to make great effort to maintain as much normalcy as possible for the children’s sake.

As Christians, we should be profoundly grateful for our spiritual freedom that came at the price of Christ’s blood. Similarly, as American citizens, we should be grateful each Memorial Day for our physical freedom which came at the price of American soldiers’ blood. Black Hawk Down hero Jeff Struecker, author of The Road to Unafraid, explains that soldiers are willing to run through bullets to protect their fellow soldiers. They do this in order to uphold something much bigger than themselves. Our freedom is not free. It came at a great price indeed.

When Jeff Struecker was a teen, he had a crippling fear of death. Thanks to the evangelistic outreach of a neighbor couple, he trusted Christ as Savior. He went on to become the Army's Top Ranger and a "Black Hawk Down" hero in Somalia. Despite the fact he thought he would die in Mogadishu, Somalia, the author of The Road to Unafraid experienced supernatural peace. Subsequently, Jeff’s fellow soldiers were desperate to know his God. Listen to this special Memorial Day program, as Dr. Dobson talks with an American war hero who understands the true meaning of sacrifice.

Adultery is not only a sin against oneself and one’s family, but also against the church, the nation, and Almighty God Himself. The late Adrian Rogers, founder of the "Love Worth Finding" ministry, stresses this point and warns, "Don't sacrifice the eternal on the altar of the immediate." As Proverbs 6:32 proclaims, "A man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys his own soul." Pastor Rogers adds, "Never flirt with another woman. And never fail to flirt with your own wife."