Daly Focus Blog
May is full of graduations – for so many students, it’s a time of transition to a new era looming with possibility.
This year, the University of Texas at Austin welcomed alumnus Admiral William H. McRaven of the U.S. Navy to deliver the keynote address. He is the man who commanded the U.S. Special Operations Command responsible for organizing and carrying out the raid against Osama bin Laden.
During his speech, McRaven reflected back on the lessons he learned during his Navy Seal training.
The Bible may be the best selling book in America, but that doesn’t mean we read and retain its content.
Consider:
At least 12 percent of adults believe Joan of Arc was Noah’s wife.
A survey of graduating high school seniors revealed that more than 50 percent thought that Sodom and Gomorrah were husband and wife.
A considerable number of respondents to one poll indicated that the Sermon on the Mount was preached by Billy Graham.
Two stories struck me yesterday. In one way, they’re unrelated and yet at the same time, very much connected.
LaChanze Sapp-Gooding is the widow of Calvin Joseph Gooding. Mr. Gooding was killed on September 11th as he worked inside the North Tower of the World Trade Center. At the time of the attack, LaChanze was 8-months pregnant with their second child.
Meriam Yehya Ibrahim is a Sudanese Christian who was sentenced to death yesterday for refusing to renounce her faith and embrace Islam.
The video Emily Letts recently made of her abortion was understandably met with shock, horror, sadness and disbelief. In it, the 25-year-old abortion counselor shares her story of facing an unexpected pregnancy, and includes footage of her undergoing the procedure during her first trimester.
It is a sobering and painful video to watch.
How should those of us who value human life respond?
Every abortion involves three people
The reality is abortion profoundly impacts at least three individuals: the child whose life is being terminated, the birthfather and the woman who must live with the reality of this decision.
A 9-year-old Atlanta boy had a unique response to being kidnapped from his own driveway last month: he sang praises to God.
Willie Myrick, now 10, repeatedly sang Hezekiah Walker’s “Every Praise” during the three-hour ordeal. Eventually, his abductor – who had been cursing and telling the boy to shut up – pulled the car over and kicked him out.
One can’t learn of a story like this without thinking of Bible verses that promise God’s protection, like Psalm 46:1, which says, “God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble.”
The song itself references the theme of deliverance in its chorus:
God my Savior
God my Healer
God my Deliverer
Yes He is, yes He is
Thank God that those lyrics proved prophetic for Willie Myrick – and thank God for a family and church community that influenced his young faith.
Last month, a Duke University freshman made headlines because she chose to pay for her college education by appearing in adult movies. This young woman defended her decision to become a porn star via an article where she wrote, “I have never felt more empowered or happy… I am in control of my sexuality.” According to this student, it is “how the world should be.” As Christians we obviously disagree this is how things should be – but sadly, her view on sex is how things are for far too many college-aged women.
The McDonald’s “Happy Meal” is a predictable if not overly nutritious treat of childhood.
You know what you’re going to get: a kid-approved meal and a toy.
But a recent push by a daughter-father team is turning the traditionally mundane product into a political football.
No Such Thing As Girl or Boy Toys?
Slate’s recent blog post, “McDonald’s Gave Me the ‘Girl’s Toy’ With My Happy Meal. So I Went to the CEO,” outlines how, back in 2008, high schooler Antonia Ayres-Brown grew frustrated when McDonald’s asked her family if they wanted a “girl toy” or a “boy toy” with their Happy Meal.
It’s not every day that you find a high-ranking Catholic prelate standing with a bullhorn on the steps of a state capital building, leading the public in prayer for the defense and protection of pre-born life.
But that’s exactly what happened earlier this week as Denver’s Archbishop Samuel Aquila rallied the faithful and denounced Senate Bill 175.
The bill would have enshrined abortion in law and prohibited any incremental pro-life laws from being passed in the state of Colorado.
The first time some people heard of the dangers abortion can pose for the woman was during the court trial of abortionist Kermit Gosnell last year.
Kermit Gosnell was ultimately found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of 41-year-old Karnamaya Mongar, who died from complications from her abortion.
However, the sad reality is that medical complications and even death can threaten the lives of women who seek abortions – even in centers that submit to state regulations and inspections.
This is the kind of news story that will make you shake your head at where we are as a culture.
The co-founder of Firefox maker Mozilla, Brendan Eich, is a “thoughtful, nerdy, humble guy” (according to a homosexual San Francisco-based journalist) – the type of man you would want to run a technology company. He created the JavaScript programming language and uses his smarts and influence to advance the principles of individual freedom and an open Internet.
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.
