Jim Daly

The Obama Administration’s Real Problem Isn’t with Pastor Giglio

The controversy surrounding Pastor Louie Giglio’s invitation to pray at President Obama’s second inaugural sounds a familiar refrain in the ongoing and escalating debate about the expression of orthodox Christian faith in public life.

Yesterday, after a sermon surfaced in which Giglio referred to homosexuality as a “sin,” the spiritual leader to young people around the world “voluntarily” withdrew from the upcoming program. In response, the Presidential Inaugural Committee offered the following reaction:

We were not aware of Pastor Giglio’s past comments at the time of his selection, and they don’t reflect our desire to celebrate the strength and diversity of our country at this inaugural.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: news, pastors, pop culture

Life Lesson from the ‘Dancing Guy’ Video

Have you seen the “Dancing Guy” video making its way around the Internet?

As you’ll see below, it shows one person performing a bizarre dance at an outdoor concert. Initially, he’s just out there all by himself and he looks odd and out of place. But then, one person joins him. Before long, that first person’s willingness to join in draws a second person, then a third. And in a matter of minutes, what was once a lone dancer becomes dozens.

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What I have in Common with Armstrong, Bonds and Clemens

People fascinate me.

The next time you’re in an airport or in a large public venue, take a moment to pause and just look around.

When I was a kid the television show Dragnet was a primetime hit. Each week the character Detective Joe Friday would open the show with the following observation:

There’s a million stories in the City of Los Angeles, and when politicians get themselves into trouble, I go to work. My name is Friday and I carry a badge.

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A Story of Billy Graham and Ronald Reagan

At the time Dr. Billy Graham and Ronald Reagan first met in 1953, both men were rising stars, one in the pulpit and the other in a pseudo-political role.

Mr. Reagan was on the verge of signing a lucrative deal as a corporate spokesman for General Electric, a move that would not only earn him a good living but also put him in everyone’s living room for the next eight years.

Still, Dr. Graham’s future appeared even brighter.

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Did You See This Magazine Cover?

The January 14th edition of Time Magazine featured a startling admission.

Did you see it? Here’s the image:

The writer of the feature, Kate Pickert, suggests that abortion is losing ground in America because pro-life legislation has made it less accessible. I believe she’s partly correct. After years and years of toiling away at the task of defending the sanctity of life, the remarkable and heroic efforts of dedicated pro-lifers are bearing fruit each and every day throughout this country.

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Don’t Forget: Saturday is Hobby Lobby Appreciation Day

Hobby Lobby, the popular arts and crafts retailer, is being threatened with a $1.3 million daily fine for refusing to provide insurance coverage that pays for contraception that induces abortion. Their lawsuit is working its way to the Supreme Court, but a recent ruling denied their request to suspend the mandate pending resolution of the case.

In response, the family-owned Christian business announced their intent to disobey the law. David Green is Hobby Lobby’s CEO.

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Every Mom Needs to Watch This Video

Do you have two-minutes to spare?

If you’re a mom who has grown weary or you’re just in need of a dose of loving encouragement today, I have something for you.

Sally Clarkson is a talented and popular author who lives just up the road from us here in Colorado Springs. She and her husband, Clay, have four children and for nearly two decades have devoted themselves to helping mothers become better parents. You can learn more about their ministry here.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, wife

Why the Worst Thing That Happens to You Could Wind Up Being the Best Thing

Is it possible that the worst thing that happens to you this coming year could turn out to be the best thing that happens to you this year?

In 1939, J.R.R. Tolkien prepared an essay to be delivered as a lecture at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. It was titled “On Fairy-Stories,” and in the piece he explained and defended the use of fantasy as a literary form.

The entire work is worth reading, but one part in particular speaks to our current state of affairs—and in a most hopeful way.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: church, relationships

Resolved

Do you make New Year’s resolutions?

By the time the ball falls in New York City’s Times Square tonight, millions of Americans will have compiled their lists. Many of the changes we want to make are often practical – from losing a few pounds to keeping our cars and closets better organized.

Some of our resolutions might delve a bit deeper. When I wanted to find new ways to study God’s Word as I drove and traveled, I decided that I would begin listening to the Bible on CD.

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Fiscal Cliff Stalemate: It’s Dangerous to Discourage Generosity

Would you give as much as you’re currently giving to your church or charities of choice whether or not you were entitled to deduct the amount of the contributions from your taxable income?

The charitable contribution deduction has been available to American taxpayers in some form or fashion since 1917. This incentive (some may say reward), has been welcomed by both the giver and the receiver for obvious reasons.

But in the midst of the “fiscal cliff” discussions, the deduction is now in danger.

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