Jim Daly

Halloween and the 95 Points that Changed the World

In contrast to Halloween, few people will be celebrating “Reformation Day” today, the official anniversary of Martin Luther posting his “95 Theses” on the door of the Church of All Saints in Wittenberg, Germany. (The document was officially titled the “Disputation of Martin Luther on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences.”) Instead, many children (and some adults) will be donning costumes and participating in the time-honored tradition of trick-or-treating.

The topic of Halloween triggers strong reaction.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, events, faith, news

PHOTOS: The Brevity of Time

We’ve had a glorious fall in Colorado this year. The mornings and evenings have been cool and the days delightfully warm. Aspen trees have painted the forests bright shades of yellow and gold. But as an illustration of just how quickly the tide of life can turn, I thought I would share four photos with you. They were taken from the same location here on our campus over the course of the last six days. How do they strike you?

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Tim Tebow – a Fool?

Just over 60 miles north of my office in Colorado Springs sits Mile High Stadium, home of the Denver Broncos and the official headquarters of Tim Tebow mania. Excitement is not only growing in these parts, but fans around the country and even the world are rooting for the former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback. A colleague recently returned from China and informed me that Tim’s #15 is the number one selling jersey in the Middle Kingdom.Never mind that the team is 2-4 this season, hasn’t been to a playoff game in five years and isn’t expected to qualify for the postseason this year either.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, faith, pop culture

Is Tattooed Barbie a Sign of the Times?

When the late Ruth Handler conceived and created the first Barbie doll in 1959 (named after her daughter, Barbara), she was trying to come up with a simple toy that would resonate with preteen girls. The wife of Mattel’s co-founder and a savvy business woman, she quickly had a megahit on her hands. Over 350,000 dolls were sold in the first year.

Amidst the fame and fortune, though, controversy has continuously dogged Mattel’s franchise brand. Even in its early years, parents protested the doll’s unrealistic body proportions.

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Are Optimists Brain-Damaged?

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

According to some new research, individuals who regularly look at life from a positive perspective may likely do so because of “faulty” functioning of the brain.

In other words, those of us who are optimistic are, well, brain-damaged!

The study was conducted by scientists at the University College London. Based on the research findings, optimistic people tended to reject negative information, especially if it pertained to them.

As a self-acknowledged optimist, I’m inclined to reject these findings!

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Stalking Your “Ex” on Facebook

Have you ever looked up your “ex” on Facebook?

By “ex” I mean either your former spouse or someone you once dated.

If you have, you wouldn’t be alone. According to some recent research, 48% of Facebook users admit to looking at their ex’s profile too often. Of course, “too often” is a subjective term. But if nearly half of those polled are acknowledging perusing a person’s profile excessively, you can be sure the number of those looking once or even twice is higher still.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: relationships, technology

The Gospel Is Timeless

The gospel of Jesus Christ confronts and challenges the modern world with the statement that it alone has the answer to all man’s questions and the solution to all his problems. In a world that is seeking a way out of its tragedy and its troubles, the gospel announces that the solution is already available. In a world that is feverishly looking to the future, and talking about plans for the future, the gospel proclaims that the search is not only mistaken in direction, but is also quite unnecessary.

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I Hope You Don’t Forget This

Little Fellow

by Shirley Mitton

There are little eyes upon you,

And they’re watching night and day;

There are little ears that quickly take in

Every word you say.

There are little hands all eager

To do every thing you do,

And a little boy who’s dreaming

Of the day he’ll be like you.

You’re the little fellow’s idol.

You’re the wisest of the wise;

In his little mind about you

No suspicions ever rise.

There’s a wide-eyed little fellow

Who believes you’re always right;

And his ears are always open

As he watches day and night.

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Guest Blog: Chuck Colson

I consider Chuck Colson to be a dear friend and a great man. I was particularly impressed with a recent Breakpoint commentary of his and wanted to share it with you in this space.

Please let me know what you think:

The 0.2% Solution
Crunching the Same-Sex Marriage

The pressure to redefine marriage to include same-sex couples keeps increasing. The impression is given that thousands upon thousands of gays and lesbians are unable to do the one thing they want to do more than anything else: That is, have a wedding.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: church, homosexuality, marriage

Gender Development: A Fork in the Road?

According to a news report, a lesbian couple in San Francisco have started giving their 11-year-old son hormone blockers in an attempt to delay the onset of puberty.

Why?

Because when the boy was 3 years old he told them he was a girl. He holds this belief to this day and the hormone blockers administered by his two mothers are intended to put his sexual development on hold until he can decide who he really is.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: events, family, kids, news