Daly Focus Blog
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.
Some of you had trouble getting to sleep last night, and I think I know the reason why. You just couldn’t get your kids off of your mind.
Maybe you have a daughter who is questioning her Christian faith. Or you have a son who has turned his back on the Lord and walked away. Or maybe you have younger kids, and you’re disheartened by the world you’re having to raise them in.
There are plenty of justifiable reasons to be concerned about your children and their future and, specifically, their spiritual well-being.
By most accounts, the U.S. Supreme Court appears on the cusp of forcing the recognition of same-sex “marriage” at the end of this month, when it hands down its decision on Obergefell v. Hodges.
However, truth be told, the journey towards the redefinition of marriage started decades ago. What we see today as a legal shift in definition has its roots in steady and significant cultural change.
There was once a millennia-old, cross-cultural understanding that marriage was the lifelong union of a man and a woman.
Reaction to the death of Vice President Joe Biden’s son, Beau, has been swift and heartfelt.
Why?
Politics notwithstanding, Americans are an empathetic people. Death and tragedy touch everyone, and so there is an immediate sympathy when something of this nature occurs. The fact that Vice President Biden has previously endured the tragic death of his first wife, Neilia, and 1-year-old daughter, Naomi, in a Christmastime accident back in 1972, only accentuates the compassion we feel for the Biden family.
A news summary on issues that matter.
Father “Marries” “Son” After Adoption Dissolution
In 2000, Norman MacArthur and Bill Novak, two men who identify as homosexuals, were recognized as “father” and “son” in the eyes of the law. Unable to “marry” 15 years ago, Mr. Novak “adopted” Mr. MacArthur instead. Both now in their 70s, the two men successfully dissolved the “adoption” and “married” this past Sunday. The bizarre scenario highlights the new frontier we’re faced with as same-sex marriage grows in acceptance.
Note: Our hearts are breaking for those impacted by the devastating floods in Texas, Oklahoma and Mexico. Epic rainfall has crippled the area. Reports indicate that at least 35 people have been killed and scores more are missing. Hundreds of homes have been destroyed or damaged. Please join me in praying for those mourning and navigating these very difficult circumstances. -JD
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Well, the first of the month is right around the corner, and for many of us that means the mortgage or rent is due.
It’s a photo so touching it’s been shared tens of thousands of times since it was first posted on Facebook this Memorial Day weekend.
The picture shows U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Caleb Earwood praying with his bride-to-be, Maggie, moments before the wedding ceremony. The pair are holding hands around a corner to avoid seeing each other before Maggie walks down the aisle. Caleb stands in full dress uniform, praying, while Maggie is visibly emotional.
“We were about to take our first steps in life together, and we didn’t want to take a step without it being in God’s will,” said 21-year-old Caleb.
Bill Mansfield was a military man. He served at the tail end of World War II, then in Korea and Vietnam. Like so many servicemen of his generation, he witnessed firsthand the horrors of war. Men around him died, and every day in battle brought new fear that he wouldn’t survive either.
That kind of trauma hardens a man.
After each deployment, Bill came home with a few more rough edges than when he’d first shipped out.
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.
