news Archives

On the Closure of Exodus International

Over the years Focus has enjoyed working with Exodus’ leadership, including its current president, Alan Chambers. The dedicated team at Exodus has been used by the Lord to educate, inspire and encourage countless people.

Exodus’ closing is being hailed by some as a victory and indication that Christians are abandoning long-held convictions that living with God’s design for sexuality is possible through the power of Jesus Christ – that change is possible.

The reality is that while Exodus will no longer exist, there are numerous Christian ministries that continue to provide excellent help to those struggling with unwanted same-sex attraction, including the Restored Hope Network and Desert Stream Ministries.

Topics: Current Events Tags: homosexuality, marriage, news June 21, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Fire Hits Our Area Again

Nearly one year since a massive wildfire decimated neighborhoods just to the west of our campus here in Colorado Springs, we once again find ourselves glued to news reports of devastating fires destroying homes in the area.

From our offices here we can see and smell the smoke of the Black Forest fire, which is still burning out of control this morning. And our hearts break at the sight of it all, especially when we know that hundreds of people have lost their homes and thousands have been forced to evacuate their properties.

Topics: Current Events Tags: news June 13, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Gabrielle Reece’s Controversial Conviction

You’ve probably heard of Gabrielle “Gabby” Reece, a former Women’s Beach Volleyball League star. But you may not be aware that her marriage was headed for divorce, when, as she calls it, “an old fashioned dynamic” mended the relationship. According to this volleyball star’s critics, the dynamic that saved her marriage set back women’s causes 50 years.

What could she have possibly said to provoke such a strong reaction?

All it took was one line from her newest book: “To be truly feminine means being soft, receptive, and – look out, here it comes – submissive.”

After sharing this perspective on national TV in April, Reece swiftly came under fire.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: husband, marriage, news, wife May 23, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Three Ways to Be a Radical Christian

Recently, Christianity Today and World Magazine both ran pieces on the growing trend of “radical Christianity.”

What’s it all about?

The “radical Christianity” movement encourages believers to eschew the relative comfort of our middle-class American lives in favor of walking out our faith with abandon.

I agree wholeheartedly that God is more interested in our character than our comfort. I also agree that sometimes God’s call on our life requires moving out of the suburbs and into the inner city to serve among the vulnerable, while others are called to leave the U.S.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, marriage, news, parenting May 22, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Oklahoma Sorrow

According to the National Weather Service, the deadly tornado outside of Oklahoma City touched down just before 3:00 p.m. Central Time this afternoon. The mile-wide twister traveled on the ground for over an hour and covered nearly 20 miles, flattening homes, tossing cars high into the sky – and killing scores of people in the process.

The video and pictures are devastating. Our hearts break at the sight of such tragedy, especially the images of the grieving and those trying to cope with such suffering and loss.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, news May 20, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

No Glee in Guilt

The trial of abortionist Kermit Gosnell came to a conclusion today when the Philadelphia doctor was found guilty of first-degree murder. It took the seven-woman and five-man jury ten days to reach its verdict. The proceedings were filled with gruesome and horrific details, including charges that Mr. Gosnell murdered children born alive. The more I learned of what happened inside that clinic, the more my heart was rubbed raw.

To be clear, the guilty verdict elicits no glee.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, news, pro-life May 13, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

President Obama’s Prayer Proclamation 2013

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER, 2013
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

Americans have long turned to prayer both in times of joy and times of sorrow. On their voyage to the New World, the earliest settlers prayed that they would “rejoice together, mourn together, labor, and suffer together, always having before our eyes our commission and community in the work.” From that day forward, Americans have prayed as a means of uniting, guiding, and healing.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, news, policy, religious liberty May 2, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

From Boston to Aurora to Sandy Hook, a Problem that Has a Name: Sin

The test of the morality of a society is what it does for its children. – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The headlines have been gruesome and the facts behind the stories are difficult to even read. We recoil at the horrors that seem to be present at every turn these days. The Boston Marathon bombings, the agonizing trial of Philadelphia abortionist Kermit Gosnell, the shootings at Sandy Hook and the Aurora theater come readily to mind.

Sadly, this road of national tragedy is growing increasingly familiar.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, news, pro-life April 30, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

This Photo is Worth More Than a Thousand Words

Did you catch the dedication of the Bush Library yesterday?

The NBC News Facebook page ran this photo along with the following caption:

For the first time since the 2006 funeral of Gerald Ford all the nation’s former living presidents came together with the current commander in chief to honor one of their own Thursday at the Bush Library dedication.

To be sure, these five men represent very different views and ideologies. As evangelical Christians, we’ve applauded some of the things they’ve done and decried others.

Topics: Current Events Tags: news, policy April 26, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Would You Save a Murderer?

What does grace look like to you?

Grace often shines brightest when the circumstances surrounding it are at their darkest. It’s a person forgiving their spouse the betrayal of their infidelity. It’s extending love to someone who has spewed harsh words and hatred at you. In certain cases, it’s the skilled hands of a doctor rescuing the life of a murderer.

I was struck by that exact imagery recently in the hours following the manhunt of the young man accused of the Boston Marathon bombing.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, news April 25, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura