Daly Focus Blog
Last month Focus on the Family was proud to be part of the nationwide theatrical release of “MULLY,” an award-winning docudrama that shares the inspiring true story of Charles Mully.
More than 100,000 people around the country showed up to watch Mully overcome personal tragedy and poverty to achieve wealth and power – only to give it all up to help rescue more than 12,000 children living on the streets of Kenya.
And now, “MULLY” is back for an encore showing on Thursday, Nov.
Do you get the feeling that we’ve crossed a line in this country?
I do.
As I mentioned yesterday, the most recent outburst of bloodshed and mayhem – the tragic gunning down of twenty-six worshipers at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas – has left most of us breathless and reeling.
It’s dawning on us that, somehow or other, senseless violence has become the “new norm” in America.
Again and again celebrities, news anchors, and politicians have responded to this unthinkable situation with a familiar refrain:
“We’re sending thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families.”
Most of us appreciate their sentiments.
Not again.
That was my first thought Sunday when I learned about the tragic shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
As you know by now, 26 people were killed when a gunman burst into the 11 A.M service of the small congregation and opened fire.
The youngest victim was a pre-born child. The oldest was 77. The church pastor’s 14-year-old daughter was also murdered.
Additionally, 20 congregants were wounded.
Reports today suggest the gunman was deeply disturbed and motivated by a dispute with his ex-wife’s family.
In August, I wrote about a Washington State high school football coach named Joe Kennedy who was fired for praying silently, after the game, on the field’s 50-yard-line.
At the time, I was incredulous.
As a former teenage boy who was once helped by a man in the mold of Coach Kennedy, I suggested we need more men like him.
Instead of firing him, school officials should be feting him!
In the months since I first spoke up in his defense, I’ve had the opportunity to get to know this good man personally.
Yesterday’s release of the Republican’s “Tax Cuts and Job Act” fulfills a long-anticipated campaign promise dating back to 2016. At 429 pages, the proposed legislation is still being carefully reviewed and assessed, but we’ve learned enough about it to offer an initial reaction.
First, I’m grateful for tax reform and tax cuts for the middle class. In the current proposal, the Child Tax Credit will go to $1600 from $1000, plus an additional $300 credit for each parent and non-child dependent.
Pastor Farid ministers in war-torn – and predominantly Muslim – Syria. Death threats against him are so common he can’t track them all. Except for the one instance that he was able to count them. Thirty. He knew that because they were spray painted and numbered on the front of his home.
Number one, this is how we’re going to kill you. Number two, this is how we’re going to kill your wife. Number three, this is how we’re going to kill your children.
Terror made its way to American streets again this week in New York City.
The weapon? A rented pickup truck.
The result? Six innocent people died instantly. Two additional people died later from the injuries they received.
The suspect is a 29-year-old man from Uzbekistan claiming the Muslim faith who was “radicalized domestically” according to authorities. He became sympathetic to ISIS and learned about the terror group’s tactics right here on our shores. Although he acted alone, he left a note in his truck saying he committed the barbaric attack in the name of ISIS.
It was 500 years ago today that Martin Luther was famously reported to have nailed his 95 Theses to the door of a Wittenberg church.
At the time, Luther only wanted to talk about his opposition to the sale of indulgences to absolve sin; he never thought his call for debate would lead to changing the religious and cultural history of the world.
But that was, of course, what happened – and Protestant Christianity was born.
It’s a story that’s intertwining two contentious issues of our day: abortion and immigration.
I’m talking, of course, of the case out of Texas involving a pregnant 17-year-old girl being held in a federal detention center since crossing the border illegally in September. This unaccompanied minor, “Jane Doe,” is 15 weeks pregnant and is trying to get an abortion.
Her case ended up in the court system, with the government arguing in court that it does not have a duty to “facilitate” an abortion.
Anyone who looked at Michael Kent a few years ago would have been forgiven for thinking he was beyond hope.
He was in jail, and his body bore various tattoos that gave witness to his Neo-Nazi beliefs, including a large swastika on his chest. He was also part of a violent skinhead group.
There’s no way that guy’s ever going to change, right?
Well, not so fast.
Turns out the Michael Kent of today is very different – and it’s all thanks to his friendship with an African-American woman, Tiffany Whittier.
Jim Daly is a husband, father and President of Focus on the Family and host of its National Radio Hall of Fame broadcast. His blog, Daly Focus, is full of timely commentary and wisdom designed to help you navigate and understand today’s culture. His latest book is Marriage Done Right.
