Focus on the Family Magazine - February/March 2021

PRODucTS & RESOuRcES
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RECONNECTED
by Dr. GreG aND erIN SMaLLey
When daily interactions between a
husband and wife are crushed by
the endless grind of work, chores,
errands and car pool, even the most
committed couple can feel like they’re
living parallel lives. The Smalleys
offer ways to rekindle the passionate,
intimate, heart-to-heart connection
between you and your spouse.
ADVENTURES IN ODYSSEY
NO. 70: FINDING A WAY
Mysteries lurk around every corner,
and the citizens of Odyssey must
arrive at the truth. Detective Polehaus
investigates the mystery behind
connie’s stolen car. emily Jones is
falsely accused of a crime, but can
she discover the real culprit? as truth
comes to light, the people of Odyssey
learn about trusting God, confronting
fear and anticipating new beginnings.
9 LIES THAT WILL
DESTROY YOUR MARRIAGE
by rOberT PauL aND
Dr. GreG SMaLLey
Marriage experts robert Paul and
Dr. Greg Smalley identify lies that our
culture promotes about marriage and
explain how those lies can destroy the
bonds between a husband and wife.
Then they offer the corresponding
truths, which can strengthen
marriages and even save the most
troubled relationships. (Includes selfassessments.)
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<strong>Focus</strong> on the Family’s Alive to Thrive suicideprevention
training. These programs have found
favor among Muslims dealing with such issues in
their own households.
Reaching out in love
In addition to practical teaching, <strong>Focus</strong> Middle
East works to tangibly meet humanitarian needs
whenever possible. Since 2014 the team has provided
aid to displaced Christian families in Iraq
and refugees in Jordan. In 2015, the office was the
catalyst for efforts to provide homes for the families
of 21 Coptic Christians who were martyred by
ISIS extremists.
Recently, the team has been working to bring
running water and basic sanitation to 300 impoverished
families in Deir Gabal El-Teir, a struggling
village in northern Egypt that has become a refuge
for Coptic Christians fleeing persecution in other
parts of the region. Team members are also assisting
five Lebanese churches with their support of
refugee families.
Serious prayer
<strong>Focus</strong> on the Family Middle East bathes every
effort in fervent prayer—from a major campaign
to a simple video meeting. That’s a good reminder
for all of us.
“Prayer is a serious business,” Sami says. “And
‘serious’ means that we do not force our plan—and
the answer we expect—on God. We must be sensitive
to see where and how God is answering our
prayers in His way.”
Sami and his co-workers value the participation
of Christians worldwide in this serious business.
“Please keep on praying for us,” he says. “And do
not underestimate that God is taking your prayer
seriously.” •
Scott Johnson is a senior writer in the Ministry Values division at
<strong>Focus</strong> on the Family.
Learn more about <strong>Focus</strong> on the Family’s
global outreach.
<strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.com/GlobalOutreach
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FOCUS ON THE FAMILY February / March 2021
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