Current Events Archives

What’s So Wrong About a Church Feeding a Football Team?

A high school football coach in Georgia is under investigation today. But he’s not being scrutinized for sexual misconduct, alcohol abuse or recruiting violations.

He’s being investigated for allowing his football team to receive meals from local church groups. He’s also being accused of violating the Constitution by praying with his team, quoting the Bible in his inspirational messages and interacting with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Parents haven’t complained. Neither have school officials. The complaint was filed by the Wisconsin-based group The Freedom from Religion Foundation.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, kids, news, pop culture, religious liberty August 23, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Tim Tebow, Chastity and New York

Is it more difficult to remain a virgin in New York City than elsewhere in America?

Some pundits and culture-watchers seem to think so, leading to speculation in Monday’s New York Times that New York Jet Tim Tebow is going to have a tough time remaining chaste in the Big Apple.

The writer of the piece spoke with Miki Reaume, a Christian and former Rockette at Radio City Music Hall. “When my friends found out I was planning on waiting until I was married, I got laughed at quite a bit,” she said.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, news, pop culture, relationships, sex August 22, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Dad Reflects on the First Day of School

Today I want to share with you a poignant reflection from my friend and colleague, James Anderson. If you have children, I know you’ll relate to his words.

A Morning I Will Never Forget

My wife and I walked our first-born daughter, Charlie Mae, to kindergarten the other day. The kids were decked out in new sneakers, sparkly clothes and backpacks so new they were stiff. The scene was full of parents with cameras in hand and tears in their eyes.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, family, kids, parenting, religious liberty August 16, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Reaction to the Shooting at the Family Research Council

Our thoughts and prayers are with our friends at FRC. Senseless shootings like this are always tragic; but there’s an extra measure of sadness and disbelief when it hits so close to home. We are thankful that the heroic security guard who subdued his alleged shooter was not more seriously wounded.

Early indications are that FRC may have been targeted for its biblical views on social-policy issues. That is a chilling thought. No person or group of any ideological stripe – left, right or center — should have to fear physical violence for passionately articulating and acting on their deeply held convictions in the realm of public policy.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, faith, news, policy, religious liberty August 15, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Five Things This Hero Taught Us About Fighting Evil

Nellie Grey, “the mother of the March for Life” each year in Washington, D.C., has died. She was 88.

Miss Nell devoted the last 39 years of her life to overturning the Supreme Court’s 1973 decision that legalized abortion. That Roe still lives on in law and Nellie Grey is dead will cause some critics and cynics to suggest she failed in her greatest pursuit.

Don’t believe it.

The story of Miss Grey’s life is a tremendous testimony to the power and significance of a single soul consumed by a magnificent obsession.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, family, policy, pro-life August 14, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

What You Won’t Hear at the Olympics

Next to the actual moment of victory, one of the most inspiring scenes at any Olympics has to be the sight of a gold-medal athlete on the winner’s podium, watching and often singing their nation’s anthem as the flag of their respective country is hoisted high in celebration.

Only the instrumental score of each song is played, so unless you’re familiar with the lyrics or can read lips, you wouldn’t know what was actually being sung.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, faith, pop culture August 8, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Ten Easy Ways to Express Appreciation to Almost Anyone

From Gary Chapman’s book, The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace:

Give a verbal compliment (Say, “Thanks for…”; tell them, “I’m glad you are part of the team”).

Write an email (“I just wanted to let you know…”; “it is really helpful to me when you…”).

Stop by and see how your colleague is doing. Spend a few minutes just chatting and checking in on them.

Do something with your coworkers, like eating together.

Topics: Current Events Tags: friendship, relationships, staff August 7, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Recipe for American Renewal

Charles J. Chaput is the Catholic Archbishop of Philadelphia. He is also a friend of mine. We first became acquainted during his tenure at the Denver archdiocese. The Archbishop is among the most eloquent advocates for the biblical principles and values we share. I greatly appreciate the courage and boldness with which he speaks.

This past Sunday he gave an extended address on how to build a culture of religious freedom in America. He sees what we see – that little by little our liberties are being eroded by legislators and judges.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, policy, pop culture August 5, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Tell Me About Your Time at Chick-fil-A Yesterday

As most of you know, yesterday was “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day,” organized by our friend, former Arkansas governor, Mike Huckabee. Because they’re a privately owned corporation, Chick-fil-A isn’t expected to release sales figures from yesterday’s events, but from what I’ve seen and heard, it was a record-setting day for the organization.

Don’t you like it when good folks do well?

I visited one of the Chick-fil-A restaurants near Focus yesterday morning and bought 20 sandwiches for some members of my team.

Topics: Current Events Tags: family, marriage, policy August 2, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Think About this as the Summer Olympics Begin

In athletics, if you come up against a particular high hurdle that you have to jump, you take a longer run!

If you want to vault over it, you go further back. You do not try to lift yourself up over the high hurdle from which you are on the ground. The further back you go, the longer you run, and the momentum will carry you over.

That is a very valuable principle in the exposition of Scripture and the elucidation of some [of the] problem with which it presents us.

Topics: Current Events Tags: news July 27, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura