Focus on the Family Magazine - April/May 2023
It can be a struggle to raise a family while balancing your work life, social life and relationships. Focus on the Family magazine is here to help! Each complimentary issue delivers fresh, practical Biblical guidance on family and life topics. Every issue comes packed with relevant advice to build up your kids, strengthen your marriage, navigate entertainment and culture, and handle common challenges you may face in your marriage and parenting journeys. Plus you'll find seasonal advice ranging from back-to-school activities to date night tips for you and your spouse.
It can be a struggle to raise a family while balancing your work life, social life and relationships. Focus on the Family magazine is here to help! Each complimentary issue delivers fresh, practical Biblical guidance on family and life topics.
Every issue comes packed with relevant advice to build up your kids, strengthen your marriage, navigate entertainment and culture, and handle common challenges you may face in your marriage and parenting journeys. Plus you'll find seasonal advice ranging from back-to-school activities to date night tips for you and your spouse.
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Alexa with Kingst<strong>on</strong><br />
FAITH / COUPLES<br />
Left: Carlos with<br />
his two boys<br />
Bottom L to R: Ocean,<br />
Kingst<strong>on</strong> and Rio<br />
and doing, while she’s more c<strong>on</strong>templative.<br />
And <strong>the</strong>y’re c<strong>on</strong>vinced that<br />
those differences aren’t accidental.<br />
Where <strong>on</strong>e is weak, <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r offers<br />
support. They both recognize that <strong>the</strong>y<br />
are better toge<strong>the</strong>r and that those differences<br />
are <strong>the</strong> goodness God intends<br />
for marriage.<br />
A love that satisfies<br />
Today, <strong>the</strong> couple is committed to<br />
c<strong>on</strong>tinuing to seek God’s plan for<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir marriage and family. At bedtime,<br />
before prayer toge<strong>the</strong>r, <strong>the</strong><br />
family sings a silly s<strong>on</strong>g that <strong>the</strong>y<br />
made up. Then <strong>the</strong>y “armor up” by<br />
d<strong>on</strong>ning <strong>the</strong> tools that helped Alexa<br />
c<strong>on</strong>quer her eating disorder: <strong>the</strong> belt<br />
of truth, <strong>the</strong> breastplate of righteousness,<br />
feet fitted with <strong>the</strong> readiness<br />
of <strong>the</strong> Gospel, <strong>the</strong> shield of faith, <strong>the</strong><br />
helmet of salvati<strong>on</strong> and <strong>the</strong> Sword of<br />
<strong>the</strong> Spirit (Ephesians 6:14-17). Finally,<br />
in unis<strong>on</strong>, <strong>the</strong> family repeats an affirmati<strong>on</strong><br />
offered to <strong>the</strong>m by a mentor<br />
of <strong>the</strong>irs:<br />
I’m special.<br />
I’m loved.<br />
I’m worthy.<br />
I’m not rejected.<br />
I do matter <strong>on</strong> this earth.<br />
I will do mighty things for Jesus.<br />
I am <strong>the</strong> righteousness of God.<br />
More than anything, Carlos and<br />
Alexa want <strong>the</strong>ir children to grow up<br />
knowing that God loves <strong>the</strong>m. They<br />
want <strong>the</strong>ir kids to be kingdom people,<br />
loving and h<strong>on</strong>oring God in whatever<br />
sphere of influence He calls <strong>the</strong>m. Daily<br />
<strong>the</strong>y ask God to help <strong>the</strong>m be <strong>the</strong> parents<br />
<strong>the</strong>y need to be for <strong>the</strong>ir kids.<br />
As successful actors in Hollywood,<br />
both Carlos and Alexa had everything in<br />
life that promised to satisfy. For a seas<strong>on</strong>,<br />
each of <strong>the</strong>m chased that kind of happiness.<br />
But toge<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>y found a love that<br />
truly satisfies. They’re living out that love<br />
in <strong>the</strong>ir home and in <strong>the</strong> world. •<br />
Margot Starbuck is a graduate of Westm<strong>on</strong>t<br />
College and Princet<strong>on</strong> Seminary, and is <strong>the</strong><br />
award-winning writer of more than 30 books.<br />
She especially treasures <strong>the</strong> privilege of writing<br />
al<strong>on</strong>gside athletes, entertainers and overcomers.<br />
WHAT IF LOVE IS<br />
THE POINT?<br />
by Carlos and Alexa PenaVega<br />
Carlos and Alexa’s love story is more<br />
than how <strong>the</strong>y met, fell in love and<br />
became parents. It’s also about<br />
surrendering to Christ and finding<br />
who <strong>the</strong>y are and what matters most.<br />
Shop.<str<strong>on</strong>g>Focus</str<strong>on</strong>g>OnThe<strong>Family</strong>.ca<br />
APRIL / MAY <strong>2023</strong> FOCUS ON THE FAMILY 17
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