faith Archives

Should Angus T. Jones Remain on “Two and a Half Men”?

Labeling a popular sitcom as “filth” is hardly news, unless the critique comes from one of its own stars.

Angus T. Jones plays the role of “Jake Harper” in the CBS program, “Two and a Half Men.” The 19-year-old actor created a firestorm this past Monday when he acknowledged that as a new Christian he’s grown disgusted with his participation in the program.

“I’m on ‘Two and a Half Men’ and I don’t want to be on it,” he told the Forerunner Chronicles, a media outlet which is part of an Alabama-based Church.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, faith, pop culture November 27, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

When Sport Imitates Life

I’ve never met him, but he strikes me as the kind of guy I’d love to have as my neighbor.

His name is Ed Anzalone. New York football fans know him as “Fireman Ed,” and he’s been enthusiastically leading chants at New York Jets games for years. With his distinctive green and white New York City fire helmet, and sitting on the shoulders of a friend, nobody does a better job at firing up a crowd than big Ed.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, faith, pop culture November 26, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Give Back Friday

No, that’s not a typo.

For the past 40 years we’ve been calling today “Black Friday” – a term coined to reflect the date when stores would financially move from red (loss) to black (profit). Back when accounting records were actually kept by hand, the books were tallied with black and red pens.

I am in no position, nor do I have any desire, to criticize retail establishments for hyping today and trying to turn a profit.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, finances November 22, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Thanksgiving

The Desolate Wilderness

A chronicle of the Pilgrims’ arrival at Plymouth, as recorded by Nathaniel Morton.

Here beginneth the chronicle of those memorable circumstances of the year 1620, as recorded by Nathaniel Morton, keeper of the records of Plymouth Colony, based on the account of William Bradford, sometime governor thereof:

So they left that goodly and pleasant city of Leyden, which had been their resting-place for above eleven years, but they knew that they were pilgrims and strangers here below, and looked not much on these things, but lifted up their eyes to Heaven, their dearest country, where God hath prepared for them a city (Heb.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: events, faith, family November 22, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

VIDEO: Now Thank We All Our God

This classic, soaring hymn was written in the mid-1600s by a German minister named Martin Rinkart. His ministry began at a church in Eilenburg, just as the Thirty Year War began. The town soon became overpopulated and disease ridden with many taking refuge in the pastor’s house. A deadly plaque swept through the village, killing 8,000 people including Rinkart’s wife. At one point, the beleaguered minister was conducting 50 funerals per day.

Yet, in the midst of it all, Martin Rinkart wrote this hymn, originally designed to be used for grace before dinner.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family November 20, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Have You Heard About this Christian Scandal?

What if I told you there’s a story circulating within the national media today about a controversial female Christian evangelist who’s wrapped up in a scandal of major proportions?

Would you be shocked?

Are you cringing right now, wondering who the “she” may be?

To be sure, the details of the story are sordid.

The married evangelist in question has been rumored to have had several extramarital affairs, even one with a well-known Hollywood celebrity. Known for her progressive theology, some have accused her of peddling feminist propaganda in the midst of her preaching.

Topics: Current Events Tags: church, entertainment, faith, pop culture November 15, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Real Lesson Behind the General Petraeus Affair

Retired General and now-former CIA Director David Petraeus was originally scheduled to testify today before Congress to answer questions about the deadly terrorist attack on the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya.

Instead, the man some believed a likely candidate for President, is reeling from his admission of an extra-marital affair and subsequent resignation from the Central Intelligence Agency. The scandal is continuing to unfold and expand, almost hour by hour.

Even with so many details still unanswered, it’s a sad and sordid story, an example of how quickly a person’s life and reputation can be marred by moral indiscretion.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, marriage, news, policy November 14, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

My “Foolish” Reaction to President Obama’s Re-election

The election is over, and I sense there’s something of a gloomy spirit in many conservative corners of the country this morning.

Analysts and pundits, and even the candidates themselves, billed this year’s contest as a crossroads of great consequence.

They were right.

As many Christians who see the confluence of our faith and the many issues of culture, we poured our hearts and souls into this year’s election. We donated our time and gave of our treasure.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, policy, pro-life, religious liberty November 7, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Noah’s Ark Delayed by Rain?

Both theologians and management consultants like to point out that it wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.

They’re right, of course. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said of the Darren Aronofsky-directed film, Noah, scheduled to release in 2014.

The forthcoming movie starring Russell Crowe and Emma Watson was forced to suspend production in both Brooklyn and on Long Island earlier this week due to the arrival of Hurricane Sandy.

Unlike in the real Noah’s day, though, the Hollywood-produced ark was heavily damaged in the storm.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, faith, news November 1, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Are the Producers Behind “Duck Dynasty” Uncomfortable with Christianity?

A&E’s hit reality series “Duck Dynasty” has made celebrities out of Duck Commander Phil Robertson, his wife Kay and their bearded, camo-clad sons Willie, Jase and Jeptha, not to mention “Uncle Si,” Phil’s younger brother.

As the network portrays it, the series — whose Season 1 finale drew 2.6 million viewers — follows a Louisiana bayou family living the American dream as they operate a thriving duck call and decoy business while staying true to their family values.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, pop culture October 26, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura