Current Events Archives

Why Did This Photo Go Viral?

It’s a photo so touching it’s been shared tens of thousands of times since it was first posted on Facebook this Memorial Day weekend.

The picture shows U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Caleb Earwood praying with his bride-to-be, Maggie, moments before the wedding ceremony. The pair are holding hands around a corner to avoid seeing each other before Maggie walks down the aisle. Caleb stands in full dress uniform, praying, while Maggie is visibly emotional.

“We were about to take our first steps in life together, and we didn’t want to take a step without it being in God’s will,” said 21-year-old Caleb.

Topics: Current Events Tags: marriage, news, pop culture May 27, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The History of Memorial Day

It can be easy to think of Memorial Day simply as the unofficial start of summer or a family day filled with ice cream and barbecue.

Those aren’t bad things. However, it’s good for us to remember – and teach our children – that Memorial Day is so much more than a day of fun. It’s a day of remembrance.

I will leave you with a video sharing some of the history of this important day.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events May 25, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Boy Scouts, Game of Thrones, and a Warning from Canada

A news summary on issues that matter.

Boy Scouts’ President Calls for End to Ban on Homosexual Leaders

When the Boy Scouts began allowing openly homosexual members in 2013 we warned the change would inevitably and eventually lead to the acceptance of homosexual leaders.

Sadly, this prediction has come true.

Yesterday, Robert M. Gates, president of the Boy Scouts of America, officially called for the group to end its ban on homosexual Scout leaders. Speaking at the organization’s national meeting, Mr.

Topics: Current Events Tags: marriage, news, policy, pop culture, pro-life May 22, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Did You Hear What Happened Inside a Waffle House?

At only 5 years old, Josiah Duncan is teaching the country what it means to show love and compassion.

It all started when the Alabama boy and his mom, Ava Faulk, encountered a man outside a local Waffle House, news outlets report. Josiah didn’t understand why the man wasn’t clean. It turns out little Josiah had never heard of homelessness.

He had a lot of questions – but most of all, he was troubled that the man looked hungry.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, news, parenting May 20, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Abortion Worker Who Became a Friend

Let me ask you a question. How do you think Christians should engage a culture that often stands in direct opposition to God’s truth?

There are likely as many different answers to that question as there are people to respond to it. In my view, that says a lot about the creativity and passion of the Christian community.

But, however we strive to influence the culture, I hope there’s one underlying value that guides all we do and say: Jesus offers salvation to everyone.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, kids, pro-life May 15, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

To Reduce Poverty, Reduce Divorce

I returned late last night from speaking at Georgetown University’s Catholic-Evangelical Leadership Summit on Overcoming Poverty (#povertysummit on Twitter). While I still have to digest everything that took place, I want to share a bit about the experience with you.

It was an honor to speak to the more than 700 people who attended the conference. At the event, I was part of a panel responding to the thoughts Harvard Professor Robert Putnam presents in his book, “Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis.”

In his book, Dr.

Topics: Current Events Tags: family, policy, pro-life May 13, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Kid President Is Pretty Awesome. So Is His Mom.

Have you heard of Kid President?

If you haven’t, I want to introduce you to him. His real name is Robby Novak, and he’s 11 years old. He stars in a series of inspirational and lighthearted YouTube videos, which have collectively been viewed tens of millions of times. I want to share one, “An Open Letter to Moms,” with you today in honor of Mother’s Day.

Robby has good reason to praise moms. His own mother, Laurie Novak, is a pretty incredible lady.

Topics: Current Events Tags: family, parenting May 8, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Mother from Baltimore

By now you’ve likely seen the video of Toya Graham, the Baltimore mother who forcibly removed her teenage son from the Maryland rioting.

Ms. Graham is being applauded far and wide on social media – and even by the city’s police commissioner.

To be sure, it’s a gritty video. And while many of us may not necessarily advocate her choice of technique or language, there’s no question some tough love was certainly warranted.

In an interview following the incident, Ms.

Topics: Current Events Tags: news, parenting April 30, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

What I Saw at Yesterday’s Supreme Court Hearing

I had the privilege of being at the United States Supreme Court yesterday during the two-and-half hours of oral arguments on the Obergefell v. Hodges marriage case.

Yesterday I gave my “first impressions,” and today I want to share in more detail with you what I saw and heard during this historic day.

As you can imagine, the scene outside the Court was filled with energy and emotion, with lots of individuals representing both sides of the debate.

Topics: Current Events Tags: homosexuality, marriage, news, policy, religious liberty April 29, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Focus on the Family President Reacts to Oral Arguments in SCOTUS Marriage Case

Focus on the Family President Jim Daly was at the Supreme Court today listening to oral arguments on the historic marriage case, Obergefell v. Hodges.
***
“Sadly, civil discourse in America has deteriorated over the past few years. Where once our nation produced a robust exchange of ideas, we now see attempts to silence people of faith and those who support traditional marriage. Yet that silencing can’t erase the fact that an overwhelming majority of those who have voted on the issue—more than 51 million Americans—have cast their vote to maintain one man, one woman marriage in their states.

Topics: Current Events Tags: marriage, news, policy, religious liberty April 28, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura