Daly Focus Blog
A news summary on issues that matter.
South Carolina Tragedy
The death of Walter Scott, an unarmed black man, earlier this week at the hands of a white North Charleston police officer has understandably reignited a national conversation on racial injustice and the conduct of law enforcement officials.
Caught on camera, Mr. Scott is seen running away from the officer, only to be shot numerous times in the back. Details of the case are still emerging, and so I don’t pretend to know all the facts.
We’ve all heard about sore losers.
But sore winners?
Kirsten Powers, who writes for USA Today and regularly appears as a guest commentator on FOX News, penned a provocative column yesterday lamenting the fallout from Indiana’s contentious religious freedom debate.
Kirsten and I don’t see eye to eye on everything, including the definition of marriage, but I’m grateful for the candor and honesty with which she writes. In fact, she’s often a breath of fresh air.
As our thoughts turn to the core realities of our faith this weekend, we have great cause to rejoice that we live in a country whose foundational principles let us stand firm in our beliefs.
But we also have reason to grieve, because laws that buttress that foundation have come under criticism. As Christians, we have a duty to tell the truth—and call on others to tell the truth—about religious liberty policy that has served our nation well for decades, policy that is one of our greatest resources to live together peaceably despite our deepest differences.
Here at Focus, and for Christians everywhere, this is a sacred weekend.
Today is Good Friday, and this Sunday is Easter.
It’s this weekend that we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago.
But let me ask you, do you think of Christ’s sacrifice more as historic fact or current reality?
In the day-to-day grind of life, it’s easy to forget that the God of history is also the God of today.
It’s been hard to ignore the firestorm that’s erupted since Indiana unveiled its Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). Since Governor Mike Pence signed it into law last week, the national news and social media have been consumed with debating this law.
Critics of the law raised concerns the legislation will give license and rise to discrimination – in other words, not serving homosexuals simply because of their orientation. For example, some are suggesting the act will allow restaurant owners to refuse service to homosexuals because they are gay.
This month’s issue of First Things magazine features a powerful argument for upholding and proclaiming the truth and beauty of God’s design for marriage.
“The Two Shall Become One Flesh: Reclaiming Marriage” is a product of Evangelicals and Catholics Together, a group founded 20 years ago by one of my heroes, the late Chuck Colson, and another highly regarded statesman of the faith, the late Fr. Richard John Neuhaus.
Several prominent Evangelical and Catholic leaders have endorsed the statement.
This is one of those difficult stories, so disturbing and repulsive that you instinctively don’t want to read about it. Frankly, I don’t either. But the “culture of death” is real and from it flows evil that we must confront and grapple with as believers.
The police officers who responded to the 911 call last week in Longmont, Colorado, followed the blood trail down to the basement. They knew they were about to encounter a woman, seven months pregnant, who had been stabbed.
Jim Daly released the following statement in response to the passing of Kara Tippetts.
***
Today, the world said goodbye to a godly and courageous woman.
Kara Tippetts, wife to Jason and mother to four young children, went home to the Lord at the age of 38. In her battle with cancer, she showed all of us what dying well looks like. The peace she found in God was hard fought, borne out of a deep and profound trust that He is present in pain and that He is good and faithful.
By nearly all accounts, the theatrical debut of “The Drop Box” was an unprecedented success, with more than 275,000 people attending the film throughout North America during its limited run.
In fact, we’ve heard from countless viewers who’ve expressed their appreciation via emotional and heartfelt testimonials. Some have told us the documentary inspired them to begin caring for foster children and start the adoption process. I can’t wait to hear their stories in the coming months and years.
Desiree Andrews is a cheerleader for the Lincoln Middle School in Kenosha, Wisconsin. She’s a sweet, happy, friendly eighth-grader, who also happens to have Down Syndrome.
The young woman has also become something of an international celebrity during the last few weeks.
Why?
According to reports, basketball players on the Lincoln team stopped play in order to defend Desiree against some bullies who were mocking her moves from the stands.
“We were mad. We didn’t like that,” said player Miles Rodriguez.
Jim Daly is a husband, father and President of Focus on the Family and host of its National Radio Hall of Fame broadcast. His blog, Daly Focus, is full of timely commentary and wisdom designed to help you navigate and understand today’s culture. His latest book is Marriage Done Right.
