Daly Focus Blog
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.
No one can make a grown man cry with humble appreciation like a mom.
Take Kevin Durant, the 25-year-old winner of the 2014 NBA Most Valuable Player award. During his emotional speech that took place just in time for Mother’s Day, Durant reflected back on the uphill road his single mother, Wanda Pratt, walked with her two young sons.
From finding a way to make ends meet to cheering him on at his basketball games growing up, Durant’s tears are a testament to his mother’s powerful impact on his life.
A 9-year-old Atlanta boy had a unique response to being kidnapped from his own driveway last month: he sang praises to God.
Willie Myrick, now 10, repeatedly sang Hezekiah Walker’s “Every Praise” during the three-hour ordeal. Eventually, his abductor – who had been cursing and telling the boy to shut up – pulled the car over and kicked him out.
One can’t learn of a story like this without thinking of Bible verses that promise God’s protection, like Psalm 46:1, which says, “God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble.”
The song itself references the theme of deliverance in its chorus:
God my Savior
God my Healer
God my Deliverer
Yes He is, yes He is
Thank God that those lyrics proved prophetic for Willie Myrick – and thank God for a family and church community that influenced his young faith.
Tomorrow Focus on the Family’s first movie, “Irreplaceable,” will debut in more than 700 cinemas across the country. Seats are filling up fast (with some theaters already sold out) – despite attempts to censor our documentary.
Just in time for tomorrow’s premiere, we’ve released a powerful new trailer for the film. Check it out below:
As you can see, “Irreplaceable” is far from just your average documentary. Yes, you will leave the theater empowered and equipped better to defend your Bible-based views.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion in all 50 states in 1973, about 51 million babies have been lost to abortion. It’s a staggering number that also represents millions of women who chose to end their pregnancies.
We would do well to give serious consideration to those factors that contribute to a mother’s decision to choose abortion for her child.
Proponents of abortion argue the bottom line boils down to a right, a choice – what’s “best” for her and her family.
Last month, a Duke University freshman made headlines because she chose to pay for her college education by appearing in adult movies. This young woman defended her decision to become a porn star via an article where she wrote, “I have never felt more empowered or happy… I am in control of my sexuality.” According to this student, it is “how the world should be.” As Christians we obviously disagree this is how things should be – but sadly, her view on sex is how things are for far too many college-aged women.
Income inequality.
It’s a hot topic, with everyone from academics, pundits and politicians discussing it. President Obama even made it a focus in the weeks leading up to his State of the Union address earlier this year.
It’s a worthwhile goal to help lift families out of poverty and help ensure our fellow citizens have a fair shot at economic success. But I would hope that as we work towards that goal, we honestly pursue the underlying reasons that contribute to the problem.
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.
