Current Events Archives

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

Notre Dame Sues – What You Can Do

At last count, 43 Catholic institutions, including the University of Notre Dame, have filed lawsuits challenging the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate that religious organizations provide medical coverage that violates their conscience and religious liberties.

I thank God that there are individuals and organizations in this nation willing to go to the wall for freedom and our First Amendment rights.

As a reminder, it was this past January when HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that nearly every healthcare plan was required to cover the cost of sterilizations and contraceptives, including ones that can cause abortion.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, religious liberty May 22, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

MTV’s Good and Bad News

This report is a mixture of good news and bad news, all wrapped up within the same story.

Several weeks ago MTV announced plans to launch a new reality show titled “Losing It” – as in losing one’s virginity. It promised to chronicle “sexual firsts” in candid fashion.

Obviously, that’s bad news.

Yesterday, it was reported that MTV has scrubbed plans for the show.

That’s good news.

But that executives at MTV would even consider such a tawdry feature in the first place is bad news.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, pop culture May 21, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

What I Saw at Chuck Colson’s Memorial Service

The National Cathedral sits atop Mount Saint Alban, the highest point in Washington D.C. It is a majestic and stately site, and it was there on a sunny and breezy May morning this past Wednesday that I had the privilege of joining with friends and family to publicly thank God for the life of my friend, Chuck Colson.

I want to tell you about it.

I want to share with you some of things I heard and some of what I saw throughout the 90-minute service.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, news May 17, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura