pop culture Archives

Have You No Shame, Senator Schumer?

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has introduced legislation designed to codify nationwide access to abortion. Wednesday’s vote is expected to fall far short of the needed votes.

A zealot for abortion, Senator Schumer knows he doesn’t have the votes – but said, “This is not an abstract exercise, it’s as real and as urgent as it gets.”

What’s urgent, of course, are the thousands of babies being killed each day by abortion.

Last week’s leak of an early draft of the Dobbs’ abortion decision has ignited violence and unhinged protests across the country.

Topics: Uncategorized Tags: pop culture, pro-life May 11, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Engaging the Culture in Winsome Ways

Data about the culture’s view of Christianity isn’t encouraging.

In 1996, 85% of Americans who had no religious commitment viewed Christianity favorably (Source: 2007 George Barna study).In 2019, nearly half (47%) of non-Christians had some level of negative feeling toward Christians (Source: 2019 Barna study, The Brand of Evangelicals).

Some of that negativity is fueled by seismic cultural shifts in recent decades. Tolerance rules above all other values, which means that any religion that claims a corner on truth is suspect.

Topics: Uncategorized Tags: faith, pop culture April 18, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Embracing God’s Truth in a Hostile Culture

I’ve seen government overreach and oppression firsthand. I was in Moscow in August of 1991 when President Mikhail Gorbachev was placed under house arrest. It was a failed coup attempt orchestrated by hardline communists who opposed his ideas for reform. Russian citizens were told that Gorbachev was ill. In reality, he was being held hostage.

I’ve been in other countries who closely monitored the Christian church and limited their freedoms. These governments only tolerated so much before cracking down and silencing any expression of faith.

Topics: Uncategorized Tags: faith, pop culture February 17, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Navigating a Toxic Culture with Your Daughter

Our culture is so toxic that an increasing number of young girls are suffering from a growing list of troubles – from low self-esteem and anxiety to depression and eating disorders.

What’s the answer? It isn’t so much a “what” as it is a “who.”

Mothers.

Mom, you are instrumental in helping your daughter navigate a world that is often against her. An effective way to do that is to be a good listener. Your daughter is much more likely to share her heart with you than with Dad.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, kids, parenting, pop culture December 16, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

It is Time to Right an Historic and Evil Wrong

It is time.

In fact, it’s way past time.

For nearly a half-century, abortion on demand has been legal in all fifty states leading to the tragic holocaust of over 60 million innocent babies.

It is time to right an historically devastating and evil wrong and overturn the fatally flawed Roe decision from 1973.

I’m in Washington, D.C., and will be closely following today’s hearing of the Mississippi Dobbs case inside the Supreme Court. Due to the pandemic, the courtroom will be closed to spectators, but the audio of the proceedings will be available in real time.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, faith, pop culture, pro-life December 1, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Two Word Solution to an Age-Old Problem: Stop It!

Readers above a certain age will remember the comedian Bob Newhart. Now 92 years-old, the actor known for his deadpan delivery once played a psychologist dispensing advice to a cast of eclectic characters. Encountering a woman who feared and thought continuously about being buried in a box, the doctor famously relayed a two-word solution:

“Stop it!”

Naturally, breaking a bad and destructive habit is easier said than done. But the first step is realizing the harm that is done by consuming pornography.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, marriage, parenting, pop culture October 27, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Engaging the Culture with Truth and Love

Our country is at a crossroads. Society is rapidly changing – and not always for the better. Some people call it “woke” or “cancel” culture, where only certain points of view are allowed to be expressed.

Many Americans feel like these disturbing seismic changes happened overnight. The truth is our culture has been chipping away at the Judeo-Christian value system for decades. Increasingly, the Christian viewpoint is unwelcome in public settings. And that problem will only become more challenging for families and for the church.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, pop culture September 14, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Plugged In Launches New Website With Additional Features

In today’s world of smartphones and YouTube, it can feel impossible to keep pace with what our children are watching. Focus on the Family’s Plugged In website exists to help you and your children make informed media decisions.

If you have never visited the Plugged In website, I hope you will check it out.

If you are already familiar with Plugged In, you may have noticed that the website has a new look.

The new site is designed to make it easier to view the latest content and explore different categories.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: movies, parenting, pop culture, technology February 26, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt’s SAG Awards Interaction Demonstrates the Healing Power of Forgiveness

Hollywood was founded on the power of story, though the real-life ones off the screen between its stars sometimes draw more attention than the fiction we watch on film.

Which is maybe why Sunday’s night’s interaction between Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt at the Screen Actors Guild award show has lit up social media into something of a frenzy and elicited speculation the famed couple may soon rekindle their romance.

Married between 2000 and 2005, the pair have been spotted together numerous times of late, primarily at industry shows.

Topics: Uncategorized Tags: forgiveness, pop culture January 22, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Vince Vaughn, Thanks for Talking with Trump. Ignore the Leftist Mob and Keep Showing Us Civility

It was a familiar scene at a sporting event – amidst the action on the field, there’s amiable banter in the stands between fans. Catching up and carrying on, a pastime older than sports itself.

Nothing to see here, folks. Move along.

Unless you’re actor Vince Vaughn who happens to be caught on video talking with President and Mrs. Trump at the national championship college football game in New Orleans, La.

Twitter blew up Monday night after Timothy Burke, a former Deadspin employee, posted the short video, which was taken between the action of LSU’s 45-25 win over Clemson.

Topics: Current Events Tags: current events, pop culture January 15, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura