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WORLD NEWS

Assassination in Beirut

Israel dealt a major blow to Hezbollah Friday night.

Hezbollah has confirmed the death of their longtime leader, Hassan Nasrallah, after a barrage of Israeli airstrikes around Beirut this weekend killed at least 11 and struck the U.S.-designated terrorist group’s underground headquarters. The U.S. and Israel believe Israel has assassinated ~30 senior Hezbollah leaders in recent weeks, and that Hezbollah has concerns about spies among the remaining top brass.

President Biden commented that Nasrallah’s assassination brings “justice for his many victims” but pushed for a diplomatic resolution that would bring “stability” to the Middle East; Israel and Hezbollah vowed to fight on. 

The State Department escalated its travel advisory, strongly encouraging Americans in Southern Lebanon to leave immediately “due to the increased volatility following airstrikes within Beirut.”

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Christians have a hard job. Imitating our just and merciful Father, we must simultaneously celebrate justice, come alongside victims in their pain, and demonstrate our love for the guilty. 

“But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High. For he is gracious to the ungrateful and evil. Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.”
Luke 6:35-36 (CSB) (read full passage)

WEATHER

Damages

Fallout from Hurricane Helene continues. 

The Category 4 storm slammed into Florida’s Big Bend late Thursday before barreling through Georgia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee and finally fizzling back into “just” a tropical storm. 

At least 64 people have died (a third of whom were killed by falling trees) in Helene’s wake. The storm reduced buildings to rubble, turned neighborhoods into lakes (causing some salt-water exposed EVs to burst into flames), and washed out roads and major highways (see pictures). 

Millions remain without power or cell service, and heavy rain and flash flooding still threaten parts of the Appalachians, including already catastrophically flooded western North Carolina. Rescue efforts are underway, but without communications, over 1,000 people remain listed as missing in and around Asheville, NC, alone; and many remain stranded—some only reachable by air.

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
The promise of heaven does not remove the pains of this world, but it does give us hope, strength, and peace during life’s most difficult seasons. Join us in praying for hope, strength, and peace for the families and first responders in the Southeast.

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.” -
Revelation 21:4 (CSB) (read full passage)

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U.S. NEWS

Immigration Numbers

New Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) data was publicized this week. 

In March, Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) wrote to the White House expressing concern over sanctuary city policies that could “shield noncitizens from federal law enforcement.” In response, ICE’s Deputy Director shared that, as of July, ~15k noncitizens with criminal histories were in ICE custody and ~648k were on ICE’s Non-Detained Docket (not held by ICE due to prioritization, non-ICE incarceration, or unknown location). 

The Department of Homeland Security warned against the data being “misinterpreted,” clarifying Saturday that it “goes back decades.” 

The White House hasn’t commented yet, but immigration remains a contentious topic at campaign events, with VP Harris returning from her first border trip since 2021, and as the VP hopefuls Walz and Vance prep for tomorrow night’s VP debate.

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
The gospel is scandalous because God’s heart is for everyone—citizens, noncitizens, elected officials, average Joes, and those who passionately disagree with you—to know him. He sacrificed his son because he loves his enemies. Ask him to help you love yours.

“The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through him. Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another.”
1 John 4:8-11 (CSB) (read full passage)

The credits are rolling for Dame Maggie Smith, one of Britain’s most prolific actresses. The 89-year-old, known to many as Professor McGonagall or the Dowager Countess of Grantham, died in hospital surrounded by family on Friday. King Charles called the award-winning star “a national treasure,” and the Boy Who Lived fondly remembered her “fierce intellect” and “gloriously sharp tongue.” 
 

The Justice Department has charged three Iranian hackers with targeting the Trump Campaign, claiming it’s part of a broader effort by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard to undermine confidence in the upcoming U.S. presidential election. Attorney General Merrick Garland also confirmed the U.S. is tracking various plots by Iran to harm American officials, including former President Trump.
 

Free at-home COVID tests are back. Ahead of an anticipated wave of winter cases, the White House announced Thursday that Americans can request up to four free tests per household. The antigen kits require every-48-hours-while-under-the-weather testing and are less accurate than new, more expensive “molecular” tests (up to 90% accurate on asymptomatic carriers).
 

Live from New York… since 1974… it’s Saturday Night! SNL began its 50th season Saturday with host Jean Smart and musical guest Jelly Roll. The show’s “cold open” featured multiple SNL alums including Maya Rudolph, who reprised her role as VP Harris, and Dana Carvey as President Biden. SNL has planned a three-hour 50th anniversary episode for February 16th.
 

In an eventful college football weekend, #4 Alabama defeated #2 Georgia in a blowout-turned-nail-biter, and unranked Kentucky took the dub against #6 Ole Miss in The Grove. In the baseball world, the White Sox officially became the losingest team in modern history, while a rain-out-make-up doubleheader today between the Braves and Mets will decide the final MLB playoff teams.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

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What We’re Subscribing To
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This has been an unexpected source of encouragement to my faith and prayer life.

Each week, I receive the specific prayer needs of persecuted believers— people who have faced credible death threats, violence, or been forced from their homes for their faith in Christ. It’s brought a much-needed fresh perspective to my own walk with God and challenged me to reorient on what matters most. 

Also, the Bible is very clear that prayer is powerful and effective… and there’s something powerful about knowing I’m joining thousands of other Christians in praying for another brother or sister’s specific needs! Join me (it’s free).

Jason Woodruff | Founder