Jim Daly

Day of Dialogue Helps Students Express Their Biblical Views

About 90 percent of today’s school-age children attend public schools – and they’re discussing a lot more than reading, writing and arithmetic in their classes.

Conversations on controversial topics like homosexuality, transgenderism and same-sex marriage now form a surprising part of a teen’s school life. Part of it can’t be avoided – these topics dominate the national conversation as courts hear case after case devoted to homosexual rights and same-sex marriage.

However, it’s also becoming apparent that an increasing number of schools are actively promoting views that are contrary to biblical teaching.

Continue ReadingTopics: Focus Events Tags: events, faith, homosexuality, kids, religious liberty

Ghastly Revelation Gives Abortion Debate a Moment of Clarity

The news came as a shocker to many: British hospitals were incinerating the remains of aborted and miscarried babies to heat their facilities.

How can we not be aghast at this news… at this act committed against these precious little bodies?

As The Telegraph reports, England’s “Department of Health issued an instant ban on the practice which health minister Dr. Dan Poulter branded ‘totally unacceptable.’”

Indeed, it is “totally unacceptable” that parents who had just lost their child weren’t consulted on what they wanted to happen to their babies’ remains.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: news, pro-life

Guys… Put Down the Phone

I’m not that old, but I can remember the days when young men and women who were interested in each other interacted in ways that were pretty low-tech compared to today’s standards. If a guy liked a girl but wasn’t able speak with her in person he picked up the phone and called her. If he couldn’t do that, he wrote her a letter. Remember those?

Today, though, many guys are relying on a communication tool that’s proving to have its downsides in the dating realm – the text message.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: marriage, relationships, technology

WATCH: Sneak Peak to “Irreplaceable” Film Features Eric Metaxas

Focus on the Family’s first feature-length film, “Irreplaceable” will debut in a one-night theatrical event in more than 700 cinemas nationwide on May 6. I want to share a clip from the movie that really sets up what the documentary is all about.

This clip features author and cultural commentator Eric Metaxas talking about two different views of family – and his words drive deep into the heart of the question, “What is family?”

As “Irreplaceable” host Tim Sisarich explains during the trailer, “Every day in the media, the life choices of my neighbors, even in public policy, I seem to be told that I’ve got it wrong.”

More and more, it seems like vastly different views of family are coming head-to-head in the culture.

Continue ReadingTopics: Focus Events Tags: events, marriage, parenting

How Focus’ Staff Gives Back

Here’s a heartwarming story as we close in on the end of the week: there’s a Colorado young woman who’s taking care of preemies and their families in a most thoughtful way.

Student Suzy Luff is 20 years old, and she’s been handknitting hats for these tiny babies in area hospitals for six years now. Her effort started small – just Luff and her loom. However, it’s since grown into a nonprofit organization called Hats 4 Hope that trains hundreds of volunteers through knitting parties.

Continue ReadingTopics: Focus Events Tags: staff

World Vision’s Reversal Is the Right Decision

Since its founding in 1950, World Vision has put the teachings of Jesus Christ into daily practice around the world by feeding and caring for those in dire need. As a ministry, it’s been one the great gems of evangelical Christendom. The organization has made – and is making – a dramatic difference in the lives of countless individuals.

Which is why I was so perplexed and concerned after learning of their policy change allowing their employees to live in homosexual marriage.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: faith, homosexuality, news

Please Pray for Religious Liberties Cases before the Supreme Court Today

Today the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments for two cases that will have far-reaching implications for our religious freedom: Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties v. Sebelius.

I’d like to ask for you to please pray about these cases – but before I go into specific prayer requests, I want to share a bit about why they’re so important.

Both cases have to do with objections the families who own these for-profit companies have to certain requirements found in the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: faith, news, policy, pro-life, religious liberty

“Dear Future Mom” Video Affirms Value of People with Down Syndrome

You have to see this new video. It’s a message from 15 people with Down syndrome to a pregnant mom who just received a prenatal diagnosis that the son she carries may have the condition.

In it, these young men and women assure the mom that her son can be happy… that he will be able to do many things… that he will be able to hug her and love her.

It’s a message that, unfortunately, many of these moms and dads reeling from this prenatal diagnosis don’t hear.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting, pro-life

Can Any Two Adults Raise a Child?

Can you be a parent without the hassle of a romantic relationship?

According to some people, you can – and should.

Modamily is a company that helps introduce people with no romantic interests or intentions for the purpose of raising a child together. It’s like a dating website, but instead of looking for love, users are looking for someone they can parent with. Proponents advocate it’s actually a better move for children, because it skips the “divorce nightmare.”

Modamily founder Ivan Fatovic explains: “All a child needs to develop and grow is attention, encouragement and love.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: marriage, news, parenting

VIDEO: A Father’s Sacrifice

It’s one of the most well-known and well-loved Bible verses, the Gospel boiled down to a few words.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son… ” (John 3:16).

At the core of our faith we see a Father’s sacrifice, and we see the second person of the Trinity giving His life for us.

The video I’m sharing with you today echoes these themes. In it, the Vander Woude family shares the deeply moving story of how its patriarch, Thomas S.