Current Events Archives

New Discovery Affirms the Pro-Life Teachings of the Bible

Science continues to confirm and reconfirm the humanity of the preborn child.

Case in point:

It was reported the other day that babies in the womb can see – and that they respond to face-like patterns.

According to the USA Today:

“We have shown the fetus can distinguish between different shapes, preferring to track face-like over non-face-like shapes,” said psychologist Vincent Reid of Lancaster University in the United Kingdom, a co-author of the study. “This preference has been recognized in babies for many decades, but until now exploring fetal vision has not been attempted … It turned out that they responded in a way that was very similar to infants.”

Of course, that’s because the preborn child is a developing infant.

Topics: Current Events Tags: news, pro-life June 14, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

One Dad’s $2 Million Sacrifice for His Daughter

Would you give up a potential $2 million payday to see your daughter graduate from high school?

Professional golfer Phil Mickelson is doing just that.

Because the opening round of the U.S. Open falls on the same day as his oldest daughter’s high school graduation, Phil has announced plans to withdraw from this year’s event.

It’s not the first time Mickelson has chosen family over work.

Back in 1999, Mickelson was competing at the U.S. Open in North Carolina just as his wife, Amy, stayed in their home back in Arizona.

Topics: Current Events Tags: family, news, pop culture June 7, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

HHS Mandate Undergoing a Major Religious Freedom Makeover

We have received encouraging news from Washington, D.C. The so-called “HHS mandate” – the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) rule requiring all employers to furnish possible abortion-causing drugs in company health plans – is undergoing a major religious freedom makeover.

The old rule – created by President Obama’s HHS as part of Obamacare – forced organizations like Hobby Lobby and the Little Sisters of the Poor to violate their conscience and provide the objectionable drugs, or be subject to millions of dollars in crippling fines.

Topics: Current Events Tags: news, policy, pro-life, religious liberty June 4, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Pregnant Teen Gallantly Takes on Planned Parenthood

You’re likely familiar with the controversy surrounding Maddie Runkles, the 18-year-old Maryland senior whose Christian high school is prohibiting her from participating in graduation exercises because of her confessed violation of the institution’s moral code.

Yet, overshadowed by the escalating debate are the bold remarks that Miss Runkles made calling for the taxpayer defunding of Planned Parenthood.

Standing before a mountain of baby socks representing children lost to abortion, the Maryland teen suggested that she’s the “perfect target” for Planned Parenthood.

Topics: Current Events Tags: news, pro-life May 30, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Goya Foods Declines to Honor Convicted Terrorist, Shows Principled Leadership

I’ve previously mentioned on the blog how Focus on the Family has partnered with Goya Foods to help children living in at-risk communities.

Today I want to share with you another reason why I’m proud of Goya and the principled leadership emanating from the largest Hispanic-owned food company in the United States.

The story involves New York City’s Puerto Rican Day Parade, which is scheduled this year for Sunday June 11th. This annual event celebrates the rich culture of the small Caribbean island and U.S.

Topics: Current Events Tags: news, pro-life May 26, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Download Your Free ‘Parents Guide to 13 Reasons Why’

Last week I blogged about “13 Reasons Why,” the controversial television series from Netflix that, while rated TV-MA, targets the teen demographic.

As you may know, “13 Reasons Why” tells the story of a teen girl who commits suicide and blames others for what happened.

I explained that our parenting team and counselors here at Focus on the Family agreed with the experts who are concerned the show glamorizes suicide and might influence copycat behavior – and that our recommendation to parents is to not allow their kids to watch this series.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, parenting, pop culture May 19, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Sweet Mother’s Day Video

In anticipation of Mother’s Day weekend, I want to share a sweet video with you that celebrates moms:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjWoRd4OMZw

You know, as Christians, we should all be living lives worth emulating, because our lives should reflect Jesus Christ.

But that reality – that others are watching us – is especially true for parents. Our children (yes, including the older ones) watch our every move and even tend to mimic our words and behaviors.

And that’s one reason why I thank the Lord for godly moms.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, family, parenting, relationships May 12, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Why We Don’t Think Teens Should Watch ‘13 Reasons Why’

It’s a new series on Netflix that’s causing a lot of controversy – and if you have a teen in your life, you need to know why so many mental health professionals are concerned.

The series is called “13 Reasons Why,” and it tells the story of a 17-year-old girl, Hannah Baker, who commits suicide – and who blames others for what happened. The story unfolds through the cassette tapes Hannah posthumously leaves for the 13 people she blames for her decision to end her life.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, kids, parenting, pop culture May 10, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Signs of Human Trafficking and What You Should – and Shouldn’t – Do to Help

Human trafficking is a part of the seedy underbelly of our society that most of us would rather not have a conversation about. It’s hard to conceive of hundreds of thousands of people, most of them children and women, being either kidnapped or manipulated into psychological enslavement. So we turn our attention to more pleasant topics.

That’s exactly the behavior traffickers count on from us to keep their activities hidden and their operations running smoothly.

Even the lowest estimates suggest that something like 100,000 kids are taken into human trafficking every year in the U.S.

Topics: Current Events Tags: broadcast, kids, news, pro-life May 9, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Lift Your Voice to Heaven on the National Day of Prayer

Today is the National Day of Prayer.

If you’re not familiar with it, this annual observance is held on the first Thursday of May and invites people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.

I hope you’ll take some time today to pray on your own and perhaps to represent the Christian faith in your community.

Topics: Current Events Tags: broadcast, faith, religious liberty May 4, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura