Current Events Archives

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

Learn about a Serious Risk to Religious Liberty in California… and the Nation

Breaking News: After the radio broadcast mentioned below was aired, the news media has reported that the sponsor of California SB 1146 has decided to – for now – drop the controversial language that threatened Christian colleges in California. The following are Jim’s thoughts on the California situation before the latest news, which are still important for understanding the ongoing threat to Christian education that such laws present.

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If you’re not already aware, I want you to know about something taking place in California right now.

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

From Bullied to Olympic Champion: Tamika Catchings-Smith

Did you know that Colorado Springs, where Focus on the Family is located, is an Olympic city? Our mile-high location and thin air make it the ideal place for more than 10,000 Olympians, Paralympians and Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls to train at the U.S. Olympic Training Center located here in town.

That connection helps explain why here at Focus we’re pretty excited about the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In my post yesterday I introduced you to two divers, both Christians, who will be competing in the Rio Games.

Topics: Current Events Tags: broadcast, faith, news, pop culture August 5, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

What Good Dads Can Learn From “Bad Moms” (Guest Post)

The movie “Bad Moms” opened this past weekend in the number two slot, taking in $23.8 million. And despite the bad language and wild antics, the film delivers a lesson… to dads. I’ll leave you with Plugged In’s Paul Asay to share what he learned when he watched “Bad Moms” — so you won’t have to.

And I’d love to hear from you — what summer movie (in the theaters or on Netflix) can you recommend?

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, parenting, pop culture August 3, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

What Does Jesus Believe About Race?

A couple of weeks ago, I shared my concern that America seems to be sinking to a new low in race relations. The media has highlighted in graphic detail just how fractured our culture has become.

Even in times when our country has been at its most unified, racial division has remained an unresolved schism bubbling just below the surface. In the wake of severe racial strife over the past couple of years, the “Black Lives Matter” movement emerged, only to be quickly countered by “Blue Lives Matter” and “All Lives Matter” groups.

Topics: Current Events Tags: broadcast, faith, pro-life July 28, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura