Current Events Archives

Pregnant Teen Gallantly Takes on Planned Parenthood

You’re likely familiar with the controversy surrounding Maddie Runkles, the 18-year-old Maryland senior whose Christian high school is prohibiting her from participating in graduation exercises because of her confessed violation of the institution’s moral code.

Yet, overshadowed by the escalating debate are the bold remarks that Miss Runkles made calling for the taxpayer defunding of Planned Parenthood.

Standing before a mountain of baby socks representing children lost to abortion, the Maryland teen suggested that she’s the “perfect target” for Planned Parenthood.

Topics: Current Events Tags: news, pro-life May 30, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Goya Foods Declines to Honor Convicted Terrorist, Shows Principled Leadership

I’ve previously mentioned on the blog how Focus on the Family has partnered with Goya Foods to help children living in at-risk communities.

Today I want to share with you another reason why I’m proud of Goya and the principled leadership emanating from the largest Hispanic-owned food company in the United States.

The story involves New York City’s Puerto Rican Day Parade, which is scheduled this year for Sunday June 11th. This annual event celebrates the rich culture of the small Caribbean island and U.S.

Topics: Current Events Tags: news, pro-life May 26, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Download Your Free ‘Parents Guide to 13 Reasons Why’

Last week I blogged about “13 Reasons Why,” the controversial television series from Netflix that, while rated TV-MA, targets the teen demographic.

As you may know, “13 Reasons Why” tells the story of a teen girl who commits suicide and blames others for what happened.

I explained that our parenting team and counselors here at Focus on the Family agreed with the experts who are concerned the show glamorizes suicide and might influence copycat behavior – and that our recommendation to parents is to not allow their kids to watch this series.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, parenting, pop culture May 19, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Sweet Mother’s Day Video

In anticipation of Mother’s Day weekend, I want to share a sweet video with you that celebrates moms:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjWoRd4OMZw

You know, as Christians, we should all be living lives worth emulating, because our lives should reflect Jesus Christ.

But that reality – that others are watching us – is especially true for parents. Our children (yes, including the older ones) watch our every move and even tend to mimic our words and behaviors.

And that’s one reason why I thank the Lord for godly moms.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, family, parenting, relationships May 12, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Why We Don’t Think Teens Should Watch ‘13 Reasons Why’

It’s a new series on Netflix that’s causing a lot of controversy – and if you have a teen in your life, you need to know why so many mental health professionals are concerned.

The series is called “13 Reasons Why,” and it tells the story of a 17-year-old girl, Hannah Baker, who commits suicide – and who blames others for what happened. The story unfolds through the cassette tapes Hannah posthumously leaves for the 13 people she blames for her decision to end her life.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, kids, parenting, pop culture May 10, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Signs of Human Trafficking and What You Should – and Shouldn’t – Do to Help

Human trafficking is a part of the seedy underbelly of our society that most of us would rather not have a conversation about. It’s hard to conceive of hundreds of thousands of people, most of them children and women, being either kidnapped or manipulated into psychological enslavement. So we turn our attention to more pleasant topics.

That’s exactly the behavior traffickers count on from us to keep their activities hidden and their operations running smoothly.

Even the lowest estimates suggest that something like 100,000 kids are taken into human trafficking every year in the U.S.

Topics: Current Events Tags: broadcast, kids, news, pro-life May 9, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Lift Your Voice to Heaven on the National Day of Prayer

Today is the National Day of Prayer.

If you’re not familiar with it, this annual observance is held on the first Thursday of May and invites people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.

I hope you’ll take some time today to pray on your own and perhaps to represent the Christian faith in your community.

Topics: Current Events Tags: broadcast, faith, religious liberty May 4, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Pro-Life Analysis of President Trump’s First 100 Days

President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence will reach the first 100 days milestone of their administration this Saturday, and according to the President’s personal Twitter account, he’ll be celebrating the benchmark with a “BIG rally in Pennsylvania.”

The first 100 days have held special significance in American politics since Franklin D. Roosevelt signed 15 major pieces of legislation early in his presidency. That inspired pundits and the media to use the timeframe to measure the President, because it occurs during the “honeymoon period” when a new administration’s influence is likely at its greatest.

Topics: Current Events Tags: family, news, policy, pro-life April 26, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Family of Facebook Killer’s Victim Forgives the Murderer (video)

The murder of Robert Godwin, Sr., on Easter Sunday shocked the nation. The 74-year-old Ohio resident was walking home from a holiday meal with his family when he was shot and killed by a complete stranger.

The murderer recorded the killing on his phone and later uploaded it to Facebook where it was watched thousands of times.

After a two-day manhunt, the man who pulled the trigger took his own life as police moved in to arrest him.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, news April 21, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Cross of Christ Makes Forgiveness Possible after Palm Sunday Bombings

Today is Good Friday, and many of us will be spending a portion of the day in church or at home, thinking reflectively about the sacrifice our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ made when He gave His life for us on Calvary.

It’s something American Christians can do without worry or concern, because we live in a nation where, despite some cultural opposition, we can worship freely and without persecution.

But around the world, there are fellow believers who are risking their lives every time they meet for corporate worship – especially during holidays like Holy Week.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, news April 14, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura