Current Events Archives

Have You Ever Heard of “The SLED Test”?

The SLED Test is a conversation piece, originally developed by Stephen Schwartz in his book, Moral Question of Abortion, that uncovers a few ways to logically discuss the value of human life.

The acronym SLED stands for size, level of development, environment, and degree of dependency. From this thought process, we can share the reality that personhood is not defined by any of these four things.

Now, anyone who has talked with an abortion advocate knows that the dynamics of real conversation many times make it impossible to give a four-step argument like the SLED Test.

Topics: Current Events Tags: family, kids, pro-life January 15, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

It’s Now Illegal to Say “God Bless America”?

Have you noticed that many of our cultural elites who demand tolerance in the public square are actually extremely intolerant of anything they don’t agree with?

That came to mind again the other day when I learned that the federal government had issued yet another directive to thousands of public school districts and universities nationwide. This latest one—issued on New Year’s Eve—is one of a steady stream of top-down orders from the federal government that have been sent to schools in the form of “Dear Colleague” letters from the Department of Education and its Office for Civil Rights.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, policy, pop culture January 6, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

My Thoughts on the Presidential Election

Many people have asked me who I endorse in the contest for President of the United States. I can understand the curiosity behind the question, but it’s way too early in the process to be able to tell who will be the best pro-family candidate out of all of the ones who are running.

In fact, the substance and spirit of Tuesday night’s Republican presidential debate in Las Vegas made clear to me that for those of us who support a pro-family agenda in 2016, the strength of the field dictates that it’s premature to coalesce behind a single candidate (as some Evangelical leaders have recently done).

Topics: Current Events Tags: family, news, policy December 17, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

One Man’s Dramatic Conversion From Islam

Have you reached the point where you’re afraid to turn on the nightly news or pull up your favorite news app on your phone?

Who could blame you? With every new headline, you risk being confronted with yet another report about an ISIS-led/inspired terrorist attack. Some days you may even hang your head low and wonder if the Lord’s light really is able to pierce through the darkness and change the hearts of people so committed to hatred and evil.

Topics: Current Events Tags: broadcast, faith December 14, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Would You Be Willing to Send This Young Girl a Card?

By now you’ve likely heard of the horrific and heartbreaking story involving Safyre Terry, an 8-year-old girl who lost her father and three siblings in a house fire back in 2013.

The fire, deemed arson, is still under investigation. The New York girl suffered burns on over 75% of her body and eventually lost her right hand and left foot. She now lives with her aunt.

Recently, Safyre expressed one wish this Christmas season:

She’d love to receive Christmas cards.

Topics: Current Events Tags: family, kids, news December 10, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Why a Rock Star’s Death Reminds Us of Children Who Suffer in Silence

Although the music of the Stone Temple Pilots isn’t on my iPod, the death last week of its lead singer, Scott Weiland, caught my attention. The 48 year-old was found dead on his tour bus in Minnesota of a suspected drug overdose.

Sadly, the ascent and ultimate demise of Scott Weiland strikes an all too familiar ring. From Elvis Presley to Whitney Houston, drug abuse and celebrity excesses often lead to dark places. Of course, the rest of us aren’t immune to the scourge of modern-day vices either.

Topics: Current Events Tags: family, kids, news, parenting, pop culture December 9, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

To Honor Officer Swasey & Other Victims of Violence, We Must Pursue a Culture of Life

Our hearts have been heavy this past week with the tragic news of shootings in both California and Colorado. As I write, details of the rampage in San Bernardino are still coming in. We’ll be processing and evaluating the news in the coming days.

Garrett Swasey, the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer who was murdered last week outside a local Planned Parenthood clinic, will be memorialized on Friday afternoon, just up the road from our ministry’s headquarters.

Topics: Current Events Tags: church, faith, news, pro-life December 3, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Response to Tragedy at Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood Facility

Focus on the Family president Jim Daly issued the following statement today in response to the shooting at the Planned Parenthood facility in Colorado Springs, Colo.

“Today’s violence at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood facility, just miles from our ministry headquarters, is tragic and deplorable. It is to be condemned.

“Our hearts break for the families of the three individuals killed, a University of Colorado police officer and two civilians. As a community, we share in their sorrow and in their grief.

Topics: Current Events Tags: news November 27, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Do You Believe in these Christian “Superstitions”?

Today is Friday the 13th, a day some associate with bad luck. Just saying the phrase brings to mind other (imagined) connections with misfortune, like black cats, broken mirrors and an open umbrella indoors.

While as Christians we should steer clear of these “silly myths,” (1 Tim 4:7) the reality is we have a few “superstitions” we believe, too. Ours might not be rooted in magic or chance, but in a misunderstanding of what Scripture truly teaches.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, family, marriage, parenting, pop culture November 13, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Is God Calling You to Adopt?

November is National Adoption Month.

Have you considered the role God might have for you to positively impact the lives of orphans?

If you answered no, you’re not alone. A lot of couples wrestle with whether or not they should adopt, or if there’s some other part they should play.

That was how Mike and Kristin Berry’s story began.

Kristin just assumed she and Mike would adopt children when they married. Adoption had been a legacy for Kristin’s family for decades.

Topics: Current Events Tags: adoption, broadcast, kids, parenting, pro-life November 9, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura