news Archives

Tim Tebow’s Good News

The Washington Post’s On Faith blog recently invited Focus on the Family’s Esther Fleece to weigh-in on Tim Tebow mania. I’m delighted to share her excellent piece with you:

Tim Tebow’s good news

By Esther Fleece

No, God is not a Denver Broncos fan – certainly not in the sense of the people who paint their faces half orange and half blue and cheer on the home team at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. So Sunday’s exciting-as-it-was-unlikely playoff win over the defending AFC champion Pittsburgh Steelers was not, in any way that would suggest the creator of the universe picks sides in a football game, an “act of divine intervention.”

But that doesn’t mean His name wasn’t glorified in the Broncos’ 29-23 victory led by quarterback Tim Tebow, whose unconventional playing style and uncompromising expressions of his Christian faith have made him one of the NFL’s top stories this season.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: news, pop culture January 12, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Why the Iowa Caucus Mirrors Life

For months we’ve been hearing about the big vote in Iowa today, and for good reason. Picking a party’s presidential candidate is a significant opportunity to help advance our country’s ideals. Who we vote for is a reflection of our priorities and personal convictions.

But unlike most states, the Iowa process is a bit complex. It’s also somewhat messy.

Just like life.

In Iowa, there are 1,774 caucus sites. Candidates are permitted to attend and campaign at any of them.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, faith, news January 3, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Tests Don’t Always Count What Should Be Counted

What do you think about standardized tests?

Writing in this past Monday’s Washington Post, Marion Brady, a veteran teacher and curriculum designer, shared a fascinating story that confirms what many people, including the late Albert Einstein, have long suspected:

“Not everything that can be counted counts,” observed the German physicist, “and not everything that counts can be counted.”

He was right.

In the essay, Ms. Brady relays the story of a longtime friend who agreed to take a state-sponsored 10th grade reading and math exam.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: news December 6, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Parents Deserve Blame for Flash Mob Teens

It happened again last week, this time at a 7-Eleven in Silver Spring, Maryland.

As many as 50 teens and young adults were caught on camera robbing the store. To look at the video footage is to see modern-day anarchy in full living color. The operators of the business were helpless until police arrived.

Officials in cities where “flash mobs” have wreaked havoc insist they’re investigating the incidents and studying ways to prevent them from happening again.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, family, news, parenting November 29, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

What I Saw at Saturday’s Discussion

It is in the act of discussion, suggested the late Christian writer C.S. Lewis, that you rouse the patient’s reason.

And when such a deliberation is approached thoughtfully and pointedly on a stage, you awaken the senses and stir the hearts of the audience, too.

This is precisely what occurred in Iowa at the first Thanksgiving Family Forum. Hosted by the Iowa Family Policy Center’s political arm, The Family Leader, and co-sponsored by Citizenlink and the National Organization for Marriage, the forum showed America something that almost always gets lost in presidential politics: candidates are real, regular people who face the same challenges in life as the rest of us.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, faith, news November 19, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Is This Taking a Love of Dogs Too Far?

What would you say if I told you that a Texas Appeals Court has just elevated the value of a person’s pet over the value of people in some instances?

It’s a peculiar and sad story – and one that illustrates the unintended consequences of heightening (or surpassing) the status of a pet over that of a person.

The drama began two years ago in Fort Worth, Texas. It was there that Katherine Medlen’s eight-year-old dog, Avery, somehow escaped from the house.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: events, news, policy November 16, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Expose the Evil at Penn State

When Penn State’s Board of Trustees announced the firing of football coach Joe Paterno last night in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky molestation scandal, an audible gasp was heard throughout the room. The news quickly spread across the campus. Riots and swarms of angry protestors flooded the streets. A television truck was pushed over. A chaotic night ensued.

Happy Valley it was not.

Some people are upset and agitated alright, but they’re upset and agitated over the wrong things.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, kids, news November 10, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

I Had to Turn it Off

The disturbing video of Texas judge William Adams whipping his then 16-year-old daughter quickly went viral last week, with several million views and climbing. Have you seen it? I had the unfortunate experience of watching an excerpt the other day.

I was sickened at the sight.

My heart breaks for this young woman, Hillary Adams (now 23) who posted the video, allegedly to get back at her father. He is (or was) running for re-election. Naturally people want to know if officials are going to charge Judge Adams with child abuse.

Topics: Current Events Tags: family, kids, news, parenting November 9, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Seven Billion

My friend and colleague, Glenn Stanton, is Director of Global Family Formation Studies here at Focus on the Family. With news of the world’s population topping seven billion people this past Monday, some commentators have been expressing concern, suggesting that the world is reaching its tipping point. In response, Glenn offered a succinct and insightful analysis of the situation. I am pleased to share it with you:

A fact: Christians don’t see people as accidents or problems.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids, news November 3, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Should Boys Be Allowed in the Girl Scouts?

Perhaps you’ve heard about Felisha Archuleta of Denver. For the last few months she’s been trying to sign her 7-year-old son up to join the Girl Scouts.

Why?

“I consider Bobby to be born in the wrong body,” Ms. Archuleta told a Denver television station.

According to the story, Bobby acts and feels like a girl even though he’s a boy. Not surprisingly the application for admission was originally denied, citing the fact that, well, it’s called the Girl Scouts.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, family, kids, news November 2, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura