Daly Focus Blog
Some time ago I found myself in Washington D.C. attending a series of meetings. After spending the entire day and evening inside several buildings, I was eager for some fresh air. What followed would be a night I’d never forget.
With me in Washington that evening was my friend, Roger Sherrard. Roger is a constitutional attorney and a dear man, now serving as principal at Sherrard McGonagle Tizzano, in the state of Washington.
It was 11 P.M.
May is full of graduations – for so many students, it’s a time of transition to a new era looming with possibility.
This year, the University of Texas at Austin welcomed alumnus Admiral William H. McRaven of the U.S. Navy to deliver the keynote address. He is the man who commanded the U.S. Special Operations Command responsible for organizing and carrying out the raid against Osama bin Laden.
During his speech, McRaven reflected back on the lessons he learned during his Navy Seal training.
Today’s children are growing up faster than ever. Thanks to TV, overtly sexual songs on the radio and the Internet, most kids have likely seen, heard and experienced more than their counterparts from previous generations.
And sadly – one trend we’re seeing is that sexually aggressive “tween” girls are now propositioning younger boys, offering them sexual favors.
One unbelievable example
In our two-part broadcast starting today, “Helping Sons Guard Their Purity,” our guest, FamilyLife President Dennis Rainey, shares a story about a boy who had notes in his jeans pocket from a girl who wanted to sit by him at lunch.
Since the self-titled debut of Casting Crowns‘ first album was released in 2003, the band has enjoyed great popularity among Christian audiences – but not for reasons you’d might expect.
Instead of light-hearted songs that only scratch the surface of our faith, Casting Crowns specializes in delivering hard-hitting hits meant to challenge listeners – and the larger Christian community – in our walks. The band regularly explores themes of holiness, relationships, witness and vulnerability in a way that encourages self-reflection.
The Bible may be the best selling book in America, but that doesn’t mean we read and retain its content.
Consider:
At least 12 percent of adults believe Joan of Arc was Noah’s wife.
A survey of graduating high school seniors revealed that more than 50 percent thought that Sodom and Gomorrah were husband and wife.
A considerable number of respondents to one poll indicated that the Sermon on the Mount was preached by Billy Graham.
In a light-hearted article, the Wall St. Journal recently declared Colorado Springs, Colo., where Focus is headquartered, the top place in the U.S. to find love.
Seriously.
Here at Focus, we think that’s great. In fact, we’re even holding a gathering event that might help cement that title: this Aug. 7-9 Focus on the Family’s Boundless ministry is hosting Pursuit 2014, a special weekend for single 18-39 year olds.
If you’re not familiar with Boundless, here’s a quick overview.
Two stories struck me yesterday. In one way, they’re unrelated and yet at the same time, very much connected.
LaChanze Sapp-Gooding is the widow of Calvin Joseph Gooding. Mr. Gooding was killed on September 11th as he worked inside the North Tower of the World Trade Center. At the time of the attack, LaChanze was 8-months pregnant with their second child.
Meriam Yehya Ibrahim is a Sudanese Christian who was sentenced to death yesterday for refusing to renounce her faith and embrace Islam.
Success.
How to define it?
To many Americans, success means challenging yourself to reach your full potential. It can mean financial stability and the ability to provide for a family.
To many in the world, it means reaching a certain level of self-fulfillment. And while there are various ways the above goals can be reached, the fact is that a college diploma remains an important common denominator of the American definition of success in many cases.
The video Emily Letts recently made of her abortion was understandably met with shock, horror, sadness and disbelief. In it, the 25-year-old abortion counselor shares her story of facing an unexpected pregnancy, and includes footage of her undergoing the procedure during her first trimester.
It is a sobering and painful video to watch.
How should those of us who value human life respond?
Every abortion involves three people
The reality is abortion profoundly impacts at least three individuals: the child whose life is being terminated, the birthfather and the woman who must live with the reality of this decision.
Many of us celebrated Mother’s Day yesterday. Social media platforms were filled with smiling pictures as some of us remembered our moms who have since passed away. Other snapshots were of today’s young moms, surrounded by babies and toddlers and all the hope and promise they bring. Mothers of grown children as well as grandmothers and birthmothers were also celebrated.
The folks at FoxNews.com gave me the privilege of sharing a piece I wrote reflecting on Mother’s Day on their site.
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.
