pop culture Archives

Are We Obsessed with Our Pets?

Is it possible to love your dog or cat too much?

A colleague called to my attention a provocative article in World Magazine regarding Americans’ devotion to their pets. The author of the piece told of a veterinarian who likes to ask people if, given the choice between saving the life of a stranger in a burning building or their beloved pet, which one would they save?

“You’d be surprised,” he said, “how many would save their pet.”

Dogs and cats are increasingly becoming more and more part of the family.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, pop culture December 4, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Should Angus T. Jones Remain on “Two and a Half Men”?

Labeling a popular sitcom as “filth” is hardly news, unless the critique comes from one of its own stars.

Angus T. Jones plays the role of “Jake Harper” in the CBS program, “Two and a Half Men.” The 19-year-old actor created a firestorm this past Monday when he acknowledged that as a new Christian he’s grown disgusted with his participation in the program.

“I’m on ‘Two and a Half Men’ and I don’t want to be on it,” he told the Forerunner Chronicles, a media outlet which is part of an Alabama-based Church.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, faith, pop culture November 27, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

When Sport Imitates Life

I’ve never met him, but he strikes me as the kind of guy I’d love to have as my neighbor.

His name is Ed Anzalone. New York football fans know him as “Fireman Ed,” and he’s been enthusiastically leading chants at New York Jets games for years. With his distinctive green and white New York City fire helmet, and sitting on the shoulders of a friend, nobody does a better job at firing up a crowd than big Ed.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, faith, pop culture November 26, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

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.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, pop culture, sex November 19, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

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.

Topics: Current Events Tags: church, entertainment, faith, pop culture November 15, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Are the Producers Behind “Duck Dynasty” Uncomfortable with Christianity?

A&E’s hit reality series “Duck Dynasty” has made celebrities out of Duck Commander Phil Robertson, his wife Kay and their bearded, camo-clad sons Willie, Jase and Jeptha, not to mention “Uncle Si,” Phil’s younger brother.

As the network portrays it, the series — whose Season 1 finale drew 2.6 million viewers — follows a Louisiana bayou family living the American dream as they operate a thriving duck call and decoy business while staying true to their family values.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, pop culture October 26, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Texas High School Cheerleaders in Court Battle

Cheerleaders in Kountze, Texas, found themselves in court last week, fighting to preserve their right to inscribe Bible verses on homemade banners at high school football games.

According to published reports, the girls in this small east Texas town were looking to create an alternative to the negative signs that are typically prepared to inspire the team and elicit cheers from the fans.

So, instead of painting phrases like “Scalp the Indians” the young ladies started off the season with a banner that highlighted a well-known phrase from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians:

“I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”

No parents or students complained, but school officials announced a ban on the future display of such signs.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: news, pop culture October 9, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Did You Know This Actor Is Pro-Life?

A friend emailed me a story the other day about the actor Jack Nicholson.

I wonder if you’ve ever heard about his upbringing?

Mr. Nicholson was raised by his grandparents. His biological mother conceived him as an unmarried teenager. Now 75 years of age, he still speaks very lovingly about his childhood and the wonderful people who surrounded him as a young boy. It was this background that firmed up his opposition to abortion and his support for the pro-life movement.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, family, pop culture, pro-life October 7, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

This NFL Player Said What?

And you thought the matter of replacement referees was controversial.

Earlier this season, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo publicly expressed support for same-sex marriage.

In response, Maryland state delegate Emmett C. Burns Jr., a Ravens fan, wrote a letter to the Ravens owner, Steve Bisciotti, asking him to prohibit his players from offering political commentary.

Outraged by the Maryland politician’s letter, Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe penned a lewd, rude and profanity-laden letter to Mr. Burns, chastising him for not only encouraging censorship but also, supporting traditional one-man, one-woman marriage.

Topics: Current Events Tags: homosexuality, policy, pop culture, religious liberty October 3, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Homecoming Prank Follow-Up and Focus Connection

Last Wednesday I shared with you the touching story of Michigan’s Whitney Kropp. Miss Kropp is the 16-year-old high school student whose classmates attempted to embarrass her by nominating the sophomore to the school’s homecoming court.

Instead, the so-called “prank” turned her into something of a national celebrity.

Miss Kropp’s community rallied to her side. A Facebook page created to express support generated over 125,000 “likes.” The cost of her dress, shoes and flowers were covered by local merchants.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, kids, news, pop culture October 1, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura