Daly Focus Blog
Do you know the significance of a man named Martin Luther?
If the first thing that comes to mind is the “I Have a Dream” speech, you’re thinking of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
That’s a common mistake. Martin Luther isn’t exactly a household name to some, but he is an influential figure in world history. In fact, some say he’s as historically relevant as Abraham Lincoln or Julius Caesar. Yet, most Christians know very little about him – or nothing at all.
A young man named Billy Riley was in a philosophy program at a small liberal arts college in western Pennsylvania. His Human Origins class offered some of the greatest challenges a Christian student could ever face. Not only was he confronted with opposing worldviews, but his professor was biased in his teaching approach.
Billy was mature enough in his faith that he befriended the professor. They had great conversations and vigorous debate after each class. They eventually put together a school symposium on the existence of God.
On Wednesday I shared with you two things that you could do to deepen your family’s faith: watching the movie “MULLY,” and participating in “Bring Your Bible to School Day.”
Today I want to share with you a video of a Pennsylvania family for whom #BringYourBible became a part of living out their faith every day – even in the midst of life’s trials. It’s a beautiful video that will leave you with a smile on your face – and even a tear in your eye.
You may have heard that the founder of Playboy magazine, Hugh Hefner, died last night at the age of 91. I want to share with you my statement to the media on his passing:
“The death of Hugh Hefner has elicited tributes of many kinds, including that he was a pioneer who liberated the sexual frustrations of a culture. In reality, his efforts and entrepreneurial pursuits helped enslave generations of both women and men.
“Pornography corrupts what God created for enjoyment within marriage and objectifies the gift of our sexuality.
I want to share two practical opportunities with you that are guaranteed to positively impact your family’s faith.
The first one will take place from Tuesday, Oct. 3, to Thursday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m. each night at almost 800 theaters around the country – and that’s the debut of the movie “MULLY.”
As you may know, “MULLY” is the incredible true story of Charles Mully, who went from being an abandoned child living on the streets to a multi-millionaire businessman and entrepreneur – and who gave it all up to save more than 12,000 children who were living on the streets of Kenya.
There’s a reason so many couples have a hard time resolving marital conflict. When a disagreement erupts, they immediately sit down, start talking, and try to work out their differences.
Kinda sounds like the correct thing to do, doesn’t it? But according to my colleague, Dr. Greg Smalley, that’s the “absolute worst” thing you could do. Working through a disagreement with your spouse is part of the equation, but it’s not the place to begin.
Jesus laid out the proper path of reconciliation in Matthew 7:3 (ESV): “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?”
Tempers can flare and hearts can close in the midst of conflict.
What do you do in the car with your kids? What about at breakfast or at the dinner table? How about in the backyard when you’re throwing the ball with your boys or playing “chase” with your daughters?
Scripture provides a great idea in Deuteronomy 6:6-7:
“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (ESV).
Focus on the Family is airing an important two-day broadcast titled “Understanding Teen Depression.”
Depression and suicide rates among kids are staggering. Everyone should be concerned. Right here in Colorado Springs, we’ve had an escalation of teen suicide clusters that is breathtaking, with two schools not far from our campus having a total of 12 suicides in the last three years.
That sort of pain is not unique to our community. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, more than 3 million adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 report at least one major depressive episode in the past year, and more than 2 million report severe depression has impeded their daily functioning.
Yesterday I shared with you why it’s more important than ever for public school students to participate in this year’s “Bring Your Bible to School Day,” the Focus on the Family-sponsored and student-led free speech event.
#BringYourBible has grown exponentially since we originally launched it in 2014: The first year, 8,000 students participated. The second year, 155,000. Last year, over 355,000. This year, we’re hoping 500,000 students will bring their Bible to school and will share and read Scripture with their friends during appropriate times, like before and after school, during recess or lunch, etc.
It’s been four years since Focus on the Family launched the student-led “Bring Your Bible to School Day,” which has a combined participation of half-a-million students.
You’d think with all the news coverage the event has received, and with all the students who have led events at their schools, that parents, teachers and administrators around the nation would be better attuned to students’ First Amendment rights.
Sadly, that’s still not the case.
For example, just last month it was reported that an Indiana first-grade teacher instructed students to not talk about God or Jesus.
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.
