Daly Focus Blog
We grieve with our brothers and sisters in South Carolina today as they mourn the deaths of nine people – including their beloved pastor, the Rev. Clementa Pinckney – at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Authorities believe the shooting was racially motivated. The suspect, now in custody, is a 21-year-old white male, Dylann Roof. Inexplicably, he was said to have sat in on the worship service for almost an hour prior to opening fire on those in attendance.
Just as Roe v. Wade didn’t end the abortion debate, it’s unlikely the Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage via the Obergefell v. Hodges case will stop our nation’s passionate discussion on marriage.
On the contrary, I suspect the forthcoming ruling will mark the beginning of a long and protracted controversy about not only marriage, but religious freedom.
Why?
Before I answer the question, let’s briefly look to the possible outcomes expected at the end of the month.
Augustine of Hippo called the Bible “our letters from home.”
Abraham Lincoln once reflected that the Bible, “is the best gift God has given to man. All the good the Savior gave to the world was communicated through this Book.”
The late Dr. Adrian Rogers, former pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church and a longtime member of our board, said, “The Bible is not a book of the month, but the Book of the Ages. It’s so majestically deep that scholars could swim and never touch the bottom.
Talk shows discuss it.
Researchers study it.
Too many articles and books to count have been written about it.
I even chime in on this blog from time to time with my thoughts on it.
What’s the it I’m talking about?
It’s the secret to a happy and successful marriage.
There are a lot of practical steps couples can take to build a healthy relationship. Hopefully, you’ve learned some solid advice right here at Focus from our radio programs, periodicals, and other materials we offer.
A news summary on issues that matter.
North Carolina Law Protects Freedom of Conscience
Good news: A bill that will permit court officials to decline performing same-sex marriage responsibilities became law yesterday in North Carolina. According to House Speaker Tim Moore, the law “protects sincerely held religious beliefs while also ensuring that magistrates are available in all jurisdictions to perform lawful marriages.”
The Value of Children in an Anti-Natality Age
World magazine features an insightful article about the growing anti-natality perspective in our culture, which often pits the environmental movement against childbearing.
Do you ever waste time with your spouse?
That may seem like an odd question. But your answer will get to the heart of what your relationship with your spouse is all about.
You see, some couples don’t do too well with “wasting” time with one another. Simply being together with no particular agenda and nothing to focus their attention on except their spouse is uncomfortable.
In other words, they have a hard time with intimacy.
With the Supreme Court’s decision on the marriage case expected by month’s end, questions on homosexuality and same-sex marriage abound. We regularly receive inquiries from sincere Christians who want to know how to best navigate this sensitive topic with their children, neighbors, coworkers or friends. Other questions we receive, especially from members of the press, are from those who can’t quite understand why Christians can’t just “evolve” with the growing cultural consensus.
It’s important we understand this issue from both a legal and theological perspective.
My wife, Julie, and I are privileged to be the parents of three young boys: Riley (9), Will (4) and Alex (3), all of whom we adopted at birth.
Like any parent, we walk the hall of our home at night and peer into their darkened rooms, listening for the easy breathing of children at peace. Our boys are busy and spirited, the kind of youngsters who melt your heart and at the same time can test your patience.
I’m pleased to have Kirsten Powers on our broadcast today for a discussion that boils down to a succinct and straight-forward question:
Is disagreement the same as hatred?
Obviously, I believe it isn’t. And neither does today’s guest.
Sadly, there are plenty of people who believe otherwise and contend that disagreement and hatred are synonymous, especially when we talk about sensitive issues like homosexuality and same-sex marriage. There’s a growing undercurrent within social and political circles to no longer debate ideas.
Guest post by: Jeff Johnston
They are questions many parents probably aren’t fully prepared to answer:
“What does transgender mean?” or “Why is that man dressed like a woman?”
Yet transgender issues are becoming more mainstream, as evidenced by the recent “coming out” of Bruce Jenner as “Caitlyn” on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine. Not only that, but many children are encountering transgender topics in their schools. More and more we are seeing a growing acceptance and encouragement of “transgendered children” as young as 5 in schools.
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.
