Daly Focus Blog
How many of you are MercyMe fans?
Many of you, I’m sure – because the award-winning Christian band with proven crossover appeal has been releasing hit after hit for two decades now. From “I Can Only Imagine” to Word of God Speak,” MercyMe’s popularity has only grown with its most recent album and its current single, “Dear Younger Me”:
And for you MercyMe fans, I have good news: I’m happy to announce that the band will join us on the Focus on the Family 40th Anniversary Cruise in November 2017!
I’m writing this from my “home base” in Colorado Springs, Colo., but a couple of weeks ago I was in Israel, walking where Jesus walked, and learning from acclaimed teacher and Focus friend Ray Vander Laan.
It was an incredible experience I’ll always remember. Going to the Promised Land is adventure enough, but listening to Ray make biblical stories come alive took the trip to another level. Ray is an amazing communicator who has a unique grasp of Scripture.
There’s a familiar voice helping raise awareness of students’ First Amendment rights in schools: Michael Tait of the award-winning Christian band the Newsboys.
He’s been voicing video and radio promotions raising awareness of “Bring Your Bible to School Day,” the Focus-sponsored, student-led event taking place next Thursday, Oct. 6. (You might have heard him talk about the issue if you’re a listener of K-LOVE, WAY-FM, or Christian channels on Internet radio and satellite radio. He’s even appeared on our recent broadcast highlighting the event!) Here’s one of his video spots:
Not only that, but the Newsboys are encouraging students to share God’s hope by partnering with us on an exciting giveaway that gives fans a chance to win a free trip for four to hear the Newsboys LIVE in concert in Dallas, Texas!
Last Friday on my blog I shared a troubling trend with you: schools banning Bible verses. Despite students having a clear Constitutional right to include Bible verses in their personal work projects, or with their friends outside of classroom time, some children are finding themselves silenced when it comes to their faith.
However, I also shared a way for students to celebrate their First Amendment rights: the Focus on the Family-sponsored and student-led “Bring Your Bible to School Day,” which will be held on Oct.
Mackenzie Fraiser’s PowerPoint assignment for her sixth grade class was called “All About Me.”
But it turned out her Las Vegas-area public charter school didn’t really want Mackenzie to share about herself. Because when the sixth grader, the daughter of a pastor, included a slide with one of her favorite Bible verses … her teacher told her to remove it.
Mackenzie was told she wasn’t allowed to use “biblical sayings” in assignments. That left the young girl feeling like she wasn’t supposed to talk about her faith at school.
Music has the power to transport you back in time, doesn’t it?
Listen to an old song, and all the emotions come flooding back … it’s almost like you’re in your childhood home again, or studying for college finals in your dorm, or falling in love with your spouse all over again.
Fast-forward to today. I hope most of us are enjoying the great things about summer – the barbecues, road trips, and visits to the beach or mountains.
If you ask one of the roughly 90 percent of school-aged children in the U.S. who attend public school how often they discuss sensitive topics like homosexuality, transgenderism and same-sex marriage in class, you might be surprised at how often they say it occurs.
Part of it can’t be avoided – these topics dominate the news and popular culture. But in many of our schools, the conversations are one-sided. Christian students who hold to a biblical view of sexuality often feel their perspective is shunned or disparaged.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, we’re excited here at Focus on the Family because we’re working with congregations worldwide to exalt marriage this Sunday in an event we’re calling the Honoring Marriage Event.
It’s a time for churches to talk about God’s design for marriage – something we’re doing with special emphasis throughout the month of February here at Focus.
In fact, we think marriage is so important to the health and stability of the culture that we have an entire division of our ministry dedicated to helping husbands and wives strengthen their relationships.
Do you have plans for Valentine’s Day?
It’s a day for romantic dinners, flowers, chocolate, and clothing the world in red.
But this year Valentine’s Day is on a Sunday, and we have an additional idea in mind.
At Focus on the Family, we believe that weekend offers the perfect opportunity for congregations to unite in conveying one important message – marriage should be honored by all. As Hebrews 13:4 says, “Let marriage be held in honor among all” (ESV).
The middle school years can be tough. And not just for the kids. They can be challenging for parents as well.
As your child enters adolescence, your parenting approach will likely have to shift into a few different gears. There’s a lot going on, after all. Not only is the whirlwind of puberty at your child’s doorstep, but his or her world is shifting. Family often becomes an afterthought, while friends and independence take top priority.
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.
