Current Events Archives

Do You Know How Many of the 10,000 Syrian Refugees to the U.S. are Christians?

A few months ago, I asked American Christians to urge the State Department to help Middle East Christians under persecution. I did so because the situation there is dire. As I wrote:

“[ISIS] has made clear its intentions to terrorize, kill and destroy anyone who doesn’t adhere to the tenets of Islamic fundamentalism.

“Christians remain a key target of ISIS. The widespread and vicious persecution of believers in Iraq and Syria, is tragedy of staggering proportions… Christians who refuse to renounce their faith face almost unimaginable consequences—kidnapping, rape, torture, and slavery for those who survive.

Topics: Current Events Tags: news, policy, religious liberty September 7, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

This Labor Day, Make Memories with a Family Adventure

Do you have any Labor Day plans?

If you don’t, you might be in for treat this weekend.

Let me explain why.

Some weeks ago, the Wall St. Journal ran an interesting piece, “The Rewards of a Spontaneous Family Adventure.” I’m a big fan of impromptu events, so I appreciated the premise:

“So much of parenting is about structure and setting limits, and all of this is important. Sometimes, though, it’s good to say, ‘What the heck’ and break out of what we normally do,’ says William Doherty, a professor of family social science at the University of Minnesota and author of ‘The Intentional Family.’”

The piece makes the case for throwing caution to the wind every now and then and having a “bit over the top” spur-of-the-moment family event that will give you memories for years to come.

Topics: Current Events Tags: family September 2, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Would You Sacrifice Your Life for Your Brother or Sister?

A heartbreaking yet beautiful story out of earthquake-ravished central Italy deeply moved me, and I’d like to share it with you.

About 15 hours after last week’s 4.7 magnitude earthquake struck the town of Ascoli Piceno, firefighters were desperately searching for survivors among the ruins. Suddenly, a rescue dog signaled that he smelled something.

Rescuers soon found a doll … and two young sisters caught in a life-saving embrace.

Bishop Giovanni D’Ercole shared the story of Giulia and Giorgia during a funeral Mass for 35 of the 290 people killed in the earthquake.

Topics: Current Events Tags: family, news, parenting August 31, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Do You Agree with This School’s Policy?

If your teenage son or daughter forgot something they needed for school, would you bring it to them?

Well, if your child attends a Catholic High School for Boys in Little Rock, Arkansas, you can forget it.

When the school’s administrators posted a picture of a sign that’s taped to a door in their building, they probably didn’t expect it to go viral – but it did.

Here it is:

It reads, “If you are dropping off your son’s forgotten lunch, books, homework, equipment, etc., please TURN AROUND and exit the building.

Topics: Current Events Tags: discipline, news, parenting August 24, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How to Help Victims of the Louisiana Flooding

The catastrophic flooding in Louisiana is the worst U.S. disaster since Hurricane Sandy, says the Red Cross. At least 13 people are dead and 40,000 homes are damaged, according to reports. Some 86,000 people have already applied for federal disaster aid across the disaster area, which spans across more than 20 parishes.

To make matters worse, the forecast calls for scattered storms, and Louisiana’s flat topography will make for a very slow recovery.

Author, blogger and Louisiana resident Sara Horn, who was recently a guest on our broadcast, described the destruction:

The water came fast and no one was prepared for what was happening…

This was rain.

Topics: Current Events Tags: news, pro-life August 22, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Why You Should Vote This Election Day

Buckle up, everyone, the final stretch of election season is just around the corner.

I’ve talked to a lot of people recently who are feeling apathetic about our nation’s political situation. Enthusiasm for either presidential candidate is virtually non-existent, and the battle for morality has been waging in our country for decades. A lot of people are just plain tired.

Some of us may even be tempted to stay home instead of voting this fall. While I can understand the growing sense of “political fatigue” gripping so many, I want to challenge you not to do that.

Topics: Current Events Tags: broadcast, policy August 22, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Ben-Hur: A Great Faith-Based Movie to See This Weekend

By the time the 1800’s came to a close, Lew Wallace’s bestselling novel, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, was considered by many to be “the most influential Christian book of the nineteenth century.” Adapted for film a couple times, most recently in 1959, Ben-Hur became a runaway Hollywood hit, eventually capturing eleven Academy Awards.

Even today, over a half-century later, many critics consider it to be one of America’s greatest movies of all time.

Tomorrow, Mark Burnett and Roma Downey are releasing a new version of the classic adventure for the big screen.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, faith, family, pop culture August 18, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Rick and Lynn Raisman are All of Us

If you’re a fan of women’s gymnastics, chances are you’re familiar with Rick and Lynn Raisman, parents of U.S. gymnast and gold medal winner Aly Raisman.

The Raismans have achieved “viral” status thanks to their all-too-obvious nervousness when Aly performs. They squirm and grimace their way through their daughter’s leaps, somersaults, and dismounts – Aly’s mom sometimes even watches her routines through her hands!

If you haven’t watched the Raismans’ reactions, take a look:

As entertaining as it is to watch, if you’re a parent, you have to admit: the Raismans are simply emoting what all of us feel on the inside as our children grow up and journey towards independence.

Topics: Current Events Tags: news, parenting, pop culture August 15, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Should We Be Outraged By Al Trautwig’s Comments about Adoption?

Last night in Rio, American gymnast Simone Biles won the gold in Women’s individual all-around. It’s no wonder – she is the best in the world. For those of you not acquainted with Miss Biles, this video from The New Yorker will help, as will as this one from the New York Times:

But Biles’ amazing athleticism isn’t the only reason she’s been in the news lately.

On Monday NBC announcer Al Trautwig said that Biles’ parents aren’t her real parents.

Topics: Current Events Tags: adoption, news, pop culture August 12, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Are You Equipped to Address Gender-Confusing Messages in Your Child’s School?

Summer just flew by, didn’t it?

Across the country, kids in many school districts have already started the new school year, and plenty of other families are about to start.

I don’t know about your family, but in the Daly home, the back-to-school season is characterized by excitement … and a little bit of anxiety. And I’m not just talking about the boys. Jean and I always feel it, too – what new challenges will our sons experience this year?

Topics: Current Events Tags: homosexuality, parenting, religious liberty August 10, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura