Current Events Archives

Duck Dynasty is Controversial? So is the Gospel.

The buzz surrounding Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson is growing after it was announced last night that he was being put on “indefinite hiatus” from his incredibly popular show on A&E.

Television executives made the move after Robertson’s quotes during an interview with GQ Magazine were recently published. [Caution: Graphic language] In the course of the wide-ranging discussion, Robertson talked about sin and homosexuality. He also paraphrased a Scripture passage from 1 Corinthians 6 and expressed in rather indelicate terms the anatomical realities of homosexuality.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, faith, pop culture, religious liberty December 19, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Should Christians Be Better Tippers Than Non-Christians?

Waiters and tipping have been in the news a lot lately. Consider these stories:

A lesbian waitress at a New Jersey restaurant that claimed a family left a judgmental note instead of a tip (an allegation that was proved a hoax)
A St. Louis-area server who posted a receipt signed by a pastor that says, “I give God 10% why do you get 18” (the pastor later apologized and said folks at her table left cash tips)

There has to be a reason these stories go viral.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, news December 11, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Why Did This Painting Sell for $46 Million?

Norman Rockwell was originally paid $3,500 for the painting, a detailed illustration of an older woman and a young boy bowing their heads in prayer over a meal in the middle of a crowded restaurant. It first appeared on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post in 1951.

And just last week the 62-year-old masterpiece, “Saying Grace,” sold at auction for $46 million.

I don’t pretend to be an art connoisseur or an expert when it comes to the valuation of the art market.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, news, pop culture December 9, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Waitress and the Hoax

You may have heard the story of the homosexual New Jersey waitress who claimed some customers left her a hateful note instead of a tip.

It turns out her story appears to have been a hoax.

Since news media picked up on waitress Dayna Morales’ Facebook picture of a note that read, “I’m sorry but I cannot tip because I do not agree with your lifestyle,” the accused family has come forward refuting Morales’ story.

Topics: Current Events Tags: homosexuality, news November 29, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Happy Birthday, Rev. Dr. Billy Graham!

Happy 95th birthday, Rev. Dr. Billy Graham!

He’s been called “America’s Pastor” for a good reason: for almost 70 years, Dr. Graham has worked in ministry, preaching, evangelizing, counseling U.S presidents and meeting with world leaders. Millions have come to know Jesus as Savior through his sharing of the Gospel.

Even though he’s had to slow down over the past few years due to health reasons, he has a wonderful new project that will be unveiled today, “My Hope.”

Even at 95, God is using Billy Graham to preach the Gospel and bring men and women to Himself.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, pastors November 7, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

What Haunts Me this Halloween

Halloween is a volatile topic with many Christians, and for good reason. Its origins are pagan and disturbing. And yet, it seems to be growing in popularity on all fronts. From plastic front-lawn tombstones to inflatable monsters (and all the candy), Americans are expected to spend nearly $7 billion this year on the holiday.

Seven billion!

Nevertheless, when it comes to Oct. 31, as a Christian, you probably fall into one of three camps.

1. Enjoy It

You grew up trick-or-treating and wearing the Superman costume.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, family, humor, pop culture October 31, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Remembering Pastor Chuck Smith

By the time I accepted Christ in high school, the “hippie” movement was in full swing, as was the “Jesus movement” – a dynamic uprising of young Christians whose style and manner of worship was pretty unconventional, at least compared with that of the prior generation. Where I lived, many of these new believers were surfers and beach people. They were hungry for the Lord, but they didn’t have much interest in anything traditional – especially getting all gussied up for Sunday church in neatly pressed suits and dress clothes.

Topics: Current Events Tags: church, faith, family October 4, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Are American Christians Ignoring the Mayhem of the Middle East?

Our 24/7 news cycle is consumed these days with American politicians sparring over the debt ceiling and the implementation of President Obama’s controversial healthcare plan, both important debates to be sure. Meanwhile, the tragic fact that followers of Jesus Christ are being targeted and slaughtered across the globe is given scant attention.

We learned recently of the horrific attack against a Pakistani church by Muslim extremists that killed 85. In Kenya, the jihadists that attacked an upscale mall in Nairobi reportedly killed hostages that couldn’t recite the Koran.

Topics: Current Events/ Family and Home Tags: church, faith, religious liberty September 30, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Today, We Remember 9-11

Today marks the 12th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Today, we remember what happened and those who lost their lives. We pray for the families and friends of the victims, whose hearts are undoubtedly hurting today.

I want to shine a light on the memorials either planned or under development at the sites that commemorate that day. The memorials at New York City’s Ground Zero and the Pentagon have been opened, and the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Penn.

Topics: Current Events Tags: news, religious liberty September 11, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

New Mexico, the Media, Religious Liberty – and You

Last week, the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled that a husband and wife who own a photography business illegally discriminated against a homosexual couple for refusing to shoot their same-sex “commitment ceremony.”

Back in 2006, Elaine and Jon Huguenin, co-owners of Elane Photography in Albuquerque, politely declined to accept the job, citing their Christian faith. The homosexual couple filed a complaint with the New Mexico Human Rights Commission. A one-day trial ensued, and in 2008 the commission issued a report claiming the Huguenins had committed “sexual orientation discrimination.” They were ordered to pay nearly $7,000 in fines.

Topics: Current Events Tags: news, religious liberty August 30, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura