Jim Daly

Give Back Friday

No, that’s not a typo.

For the past 40 years we’ve been calling today “Black Friday” – a term coined to reflect the date when stores would financially move from red (loss) to black (profit). Back when accounting records were actually kept by hand, the books were tallied with black and red pens.

I am in no position, nor do I have any desire, to criticize retail establishments for hyping today and trying to turn a profit.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, finances

Thanksgiving

The Desolate Wilderness

A chronicle of the Pilgrims’ arrival at Plymouth, as recorded by Nathaniel Morton.

Here beginneth the chronicle of those memorable circumstances of the year 1620, as recorded by Nathaniel Morton, keeper of the records of Plymouth Colony, based on the account of William Bradford, sometime governor thereof:

So they left that goodly and pleasant city of Leyden, which had been their resting-place for above eleven years, but they knew that they were pilgrims and strangers here below, and looked not much on these things, but lifted up their eyes to Heaven, their dearest country, where God hath prepared for them a city (Heb.

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VIDEO: Now Thank We All Our God

This classic, soaring hymn was written in the mid-1600s by a German minister named Martin Rinkart. His ministry began at a church in Eilenburg, just as the Thirty Year War began. The town soon became overpopulated and disease ridden with many taking refuge in the pastor’s house. A deadly plaque swept through the village, killing 8,000 people including Rinkart’s wife. At one point, the beleaguered minister was conducting 50 funerals per day.

Yet, in the midst of it all, Martin Rinkart wrote this hymn, originally designed to be used for grace before dinner.

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Ten Things I’m Thankful For

It was the beloved English writer G.K. Chesterton who once observed that the critical thing is whether or not we take the turns of life for granted or with gratitude.

So, in that spirit, I’d like to share with you ten things I’m thankful for this year.

I would love to read your list, too.

1. I’m thankful for the GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST … that He died for me – and you (!) and that He represents a power so awesome that its force cannot and will not be stopped on earth.

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Proverbs 31 Woman – Or Victoria’s Secret Model?

Alex Eklund is a student at Baylor University and noticed a disturbing trend on Facebook both during and after the Victoria’s Secret fashion show which aired on CBS.

Female friends and acquaintances began to lament their body, with many suggesting it was time to go on a diet.

“There was an underlying sense of insecurity which I sensed throughout the entire thing,” he told World Magazine.

In response, Alex decided to offer some encouragement. He decided to update his own status and wrote:

“I’d rather have a Proverbs 31 woman than a Victoria’s Secret model.”

According to published reports, the post went viral, and hundreds of messages began to pour in.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, pop culture, sex

Have You Heard About this Christian Scandal?

What if I told you there’s a story circulating within the national media today about a controversial female Christian evangelist who’s wrapped up in a scandal of major proportions?

Would you be shocked?

Are you cringing right now, wondering who the “she” may be?

To be sure, the details of the story are sordid.

The married evangelist in question has been rumored to have had several extramarital affairs, even one with a well-known Hollywood celebrity. Known for her progressive theology, some have accused her of peddling feminist propaganda in the midst of her preaching.

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Guest Voice: Hope for Marriage and the History of Homosexuality

Hope for Marriage and the History of Homosexuality

Glenn T. Stanton

Last week, we saw something unprecedented in American politics. Four states voted in support of the radical redefinition of marriage where men and women, husband and wife, mother and father become merely optional for families. This view of family is quite radical and contrary to how humanity works.

But do these victories mean it’s all over for natural marriage?

Not even close. Here’s why:

We must understand some important realities:

1.) These four states – Washington, Minnesota, Maine and Maryland – are deeply blue, largely liberal states.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: homosexuality, marriage, policy, religious liberty

The Real Lesson Behind the General Petraeus Affair

Retired General and now-former CIA Director David Petraeus was originally scheduled to testify today before Congress to answer questions about the deadly terrorist attack on the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya.

Instead, the man some believed a likely candidate for President, is reeling from his admission of an extra-marital affair and subsequent resignation from the Central Intelligence Agency. The scandal is continuing to unfold and expand, almost hour by hour.

Even with so many details still unanswered, it’s a sad and sordid story, an example of how quickly a person’s life and reputation can be marred by moral indiscretion.

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Why this School is O.K. with a Man Exposing Himself to Young Girls

Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, is allowing a 45-year-old man to use the school’s women’s locker room. He’s been reportedly spotted by young girls sitting exposed in the sauna.

How could this be true?

The man is said to believe he’s a woman. He goes by “Colleen” and is a student at the school. The locker room is used by several swim teams and local clubs – clubs that have young girls on their respective squads.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: kids, news

NYC Mayor Bans Food Donations?

When I first heard the news, I assumed it couldn’t be true, that it was just another email hoax along the lines of the generous Nigerian benefactor who wants to wire me $5,000,000.

But then I read the story from CBS News:

“Glenn Richter arrived at a West Side synagogue on Monday to collect surplus bagels — fresh nutritious bagels — to donate to the poor. However, under a new edict from Bloomberg’s food police he can no longer donate the food to city homeless shelters.

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