Daly Focus Blog
Ronald Reagan was the first president I voted for, though my decision came after some thoughtful soul-searching.
Although I shared most, if not all, of his ideological perspectives, Governor Reagan campaigned on a promise to reduce the Social Security Beneficiary Benefit. Having been orphaned, I was receiving this assistance and depended on it to help make ends meet.
For me, a vote for Reagan was a vote that would come at a price – as in dollars and cents.
Focus on the Family’s highly anticipated sequel to “Alive from New York” – last year’s live ultrasound of Abby Johnson’s pre-born baby in New York City’s Times Square – debuted to high acclaim this past Saturday night across multiple social media platforms.
Airing only hours after President Trump nominated Seventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals judge, Amy Coney Barrett, the moving one-hour documentary titled See Life 2020 featuring pro-life champions and award-winning musical artists galvanized and inspired those who watched.
“WOW!
Once upon a time, back when tens of thousands of people were permitted to gather together side-by-side, the sound of a baby’s heartbeat and the sight of his tiny pre-born form silenced a crowd gathered in New York City’s Times Square on a sunny Saturday afternoon in May.
It’s been called the “Times Square Miracle” – the culmination of “Alive from New York,” Focus on the Family’s pro-life event in May of last year that featured a live 4D ultrasound broadcast on four jumbotrons in mid-town Manhattan.
I suspect few of you tuned into this weekend’s Golden Globes award show, but many may have heard about one of the more callous moments of the program when actress Michelle Williams stepped up to the microphone to accept her trophy.
Beaming, she proudly suggested the only reason she was receiving the award was because she had aborted her baby that would have otherwise derailed her career.
“I’m … grateful to have lived in a moment in our society where choice exists.
We’re doing something a little unusual on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Sharing God’s Light Through Art.” We recorded the program in a different kind of studio. Instead of microphones and recording consoles, we were surrounded by paintings, easels, and more paint brushes in one place than I’ve ever seen.
The art studio belongs to Morgan Weistling, who has been an artist since he was old enough to hold a crayon. He has studied under some of the most legendary illustrators and artists of the last century.
How would you answer these three questions?
When does human life begin?
What makes human life valuable?
What is our Christian duty to the preborn?
Some of you hesitated to answer.
That may explain why so many Christians are quietly pro-life. They believe abortion ends a human life, but they really don’t know how to defend the position to others, so they generally keep quiet about it.
If that’s you, you’re certainly not alone. I’m surprised by the number of Christians who have never had the opportunity to learn a solid Christian response to abortion and other pro-life issues like physician-assisted suicide.
Just under a year since Brio relaunched, the magazine was honored with the Evangelical Press Association’s highest award in the “Youth” category. Focus on the Family’s publication for teen girls received an Award of Excellence at the EPA’s annual convention earlier this month.
I thought my friend and colleague, Bob DeMoss, summed it up well:
“We had high expectations for how well Brio would be received by teen girls, but the response in our first year far exceeded what we could have imagined.
A little over three years ago, in February of 2015, 21 Christian men were martyred by ISIS on a beach in Libya. Their story captured the world’s attention for a brief time, but soon other stories, both important and trivial, stepped in to grab the spotlight. Such is the nature of the news cycle.
On occasion, I have used this blog to bring updates on what is happening in the area where those brave men sacrificed their lives in Christ’s name.
I am delighted to announce that Focus on the Family’s NIrV Adventures in Odyssey Children’s Bible has been nominated as a finalist for best Bible of the year by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA).
As I’ve mentioned before, The NIrV Adventures in Odyssey Bible provides an exciting journey through the Scriptures hosted by familiar characters from the beloved Adventures in Odyssey audio drama. Designed for children ages 7 to 12, this full color Bible includes both the Old and New Testaments and these special features:
66 book introductions
100 word searches
200+ devotionals
300 fun trivia facts
A 30-day guided reading plan
Maps of key biblical events
Eight comic-book adventures illustrated by Marvel/DC Comics artist Sergio Cariello
The ECPA’s Christian Book Award “recognizes the highest quality in Christian books and Bibles and is among the oldest and most prestigious awards program in the religious publishing industry.” The program began in 1978 and now includes 11 categories including Bibles, Bible Reference Works and Christian Living.
Week Ending January 12, 2018.
Enjoy!: The Gift of Sexual Pleasure for Women (by Cliff & Joyce Penner)
The Married Guy’s Guide to Great Sex (by Cliff & Joyce Penner)
Little Book of Great Dates (by Dr. Greg & Erin Smalley)
Kingdom Woman (by Tony Evans, Chrystal Evans Hurst)
Financial Peace Junior Kit (by Dave Ramsey)
Put the Disciple Into Discipline (by Erin MacPherson)
Joni and Ken: An Untold Love Story (Ken & Joni Eareckson Tada)
The Case for Life (by Scott Klusendorf)
The Kindness Challenge (by Shaunti Feldhahn)
NIrV Adventures in Odyssey Children’s Bible
Cherish (by Gary Thomas)
Martin Luther (by Eric Metaxas)
Openness Unhindered (by Rosaria Champagne Butterfield)
Honey, We Need to Talk (by David E.
Jim Daly is a husband, father and President of Focus on the Family and host of its National Radio Hall of Fame broadcast. His blog, Daly Focus, is full of timely commentary and wisdom designed to help you navigate and understand today’s culture. His latest book is Marriage Done Right.
