Daly Focus Blog
Last month Focus on the Family was proud to be part of the nationwide theatrical release of “MULLY,” an award-winning docudrama that shares the inspiring true story of Charles Mully.
More than 100,000 people around the country showed up to watch Mully overcome personal tragedy and poverty to achieve wealth and power – only to give it all up to help rescue more than 12,000 children living on the streets of Kenya.
And now, “MULLY” is back for an encore showing on Thursday, Nov.
Yesterday’s release of the Republican’s “Tax Cuts and Job Act” fulfills a long-anticipated campaign promise dating back to 2016. At 429 pages, the proposed legislation is still being carefully reviewed and assessed, but we’ve learned enough about it to offer an initial reaction.
First, I’m grateful for tax reform and tax cuts for the middle class. In the current proposal, the Child Tax Credit will go to $1600 from $1000, plus an additional $300 credit for each parent and non-child dependent.
I know what you’re probably thinking.
The headline of this post is a bit much. It’s a bridge too far. A significant overstatement.
Sure, you have a great deal of respect for adoption and adoptees, but has the institution of adoption really changed your life and the way you live?
After all, the odds are pretty good that you weren’t adopted. Just between two and three percent of American children are.
Maybe you know somebody who was adopted – or whose family adopted.
Terrie and Cal’s son is 38. Their oldest daughter is 34. Abbey, their youngest, is 12.
That’s right – 12.
How did that happen? Well, it’s quite a story. It’s something of a miracle, too. Not a medical miracle, but the sort of miracle made possible by adoption.
Before she stepped into Terrie and Cal’s lives, Abbey was removed from her biological mother at a young age, then cycled through a revolving door of adoptive families, foster parents, and residential treatment centers for adolescents.
I’m delighted to share a big announcement: Focus on the Family is the major promotional partner for the award-winning docudrama “MULLY.”
This powerful film tells the story of Dr. Charles M. Mully, a man who gave up riches and power to help the 2.6 million abandoned children living on the streets in Kenya, Africa, rescuing 12,000. The movie’s themes of selflessness, service, and the intrinsic worth of every child drew us to this film – and I know they’ll reverberate in your heart, too.
It’s a moving story of how God brought a father and son together through tragic circumstances.
It all started when Officer Jody Thompson responded to a dispatch about a physical child abuse case two years ago, CBS News reports.
When he arrived at the scene, Officer Thompson saw something he’d never forget.
A boy, John, was covered in bruises and abrasions from head to toe. He was severely underweight. His wrists were bound by belts, and he had been submerged in a trash can full of cold water.
For Ernie Johnson, Sr. – legendary baseball player and sports broadcaster – life’s most special moments were symbolized by a blackberry bush at one of his 8-year-old son’s Little League games.
The game was momentarily postponed when two of the outfielders got sidetracked. While looking for a ball that had gone over the fence, they discovered a blackberry bush and immediately forgot all about the ball, their teammates, and the game that was in progress.
Ernie loved baseball.
Today’s broadcast, “Changing the World Through Adoption,” features a conversation with my friend, Focus colleague and co-writer, Paul Batura. The discussion is based on his latest book, Chosen for Greatness: How Adoption Changes the World.
Paul serves as our vice-president of communications. He’s currently in his 20th year at the ministry.
Although Paul often works behind the scenes, you might remember him from a Focus program several years ago where he discussed his popular book, “Good Day!
The foster care system in Texas is tapped out, and it’s causing children to linger “in the system” for years.
The shortage of available homes is putting children at serious risk. One district judge said that “rape, abuse, psychotropic medication and instability are the norm” for the 12,000 foster children who are in Child Protective Services (CPS) custody for at least a year.
Things are so bad that CPS workers are spending the night in offices or motels with dozens of “children without placements” for multiple nights.
We all know what heroism looks like. It’s a soldier risking his life to save his buddy’s. It’s the police officer and fireman running toward the danger, not away from it. And I’d add to that: It’s loving families who are willing to open their homes and their hearts to children who need both.
A few weeks ago, Jean and I, and about 60 others, were in Israel with Ray Vander Laan, the host and teacher of Focus on the Family’s That the World May Know series.
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.
