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U.S. NEWS

Weekend Appointments

President-elect Trump’s cabinet is now full.

In a flurry of name drops on Friday and Saturday, #47-elect filled the remaining highest-ranking positions in his second administration. Here are some of the latest additions:

• Treasury Secretary: hedge-fund manager Scott Bessent

• Labor Secretary: pro-union Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR)

• Agriculture Secretary: Brooke Rollins, a farm-raised lawyer and Trump admin 1.0 policy advisor 

• Housing and Urban Development Secretary: NFLer-turned-politician Scott Turner

• Surgeon General: physician and Fox News contributor Dr. Janette Nesheiwat

The President-elect has set a record appointment pace, naming leaders for all 15 executive agencies and over 20 other high-ranking administration officials just two and a half weeks post-election. Many of the nominees require Senate confirmation (a formality for some nominees and a grilling for others); if four Republican senators join all Democrats, then a nomination would fail.  

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Believers must balance engaging in politics (which can be important and impactful) with a calm, unshakable confidence in God (whose plans are not dependent on who sits in which Washington seat). 

“Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” 
Philippians 3:20 (CSB) (read full passage)

WORLD NEWS

Emergency Talks

A crisis huddle has been called. 

NATO and Ukraine will hold emergency talks Tuesday after Russia deployed a hypersonic missile on a central Ukrainian city. The missile, named Oreshnik, traveled at 10x the speed of sound and carried six non-nuclear warheads.

In a televised address, President Putin called the strike retaliation for Ukraine’s use of Western-supplied longer-range missiles and warned that Western air defenses are powerless to stop Oreshnik. He also said Russia has “the right to use our weapons against military facilities” used by its enemies (Ukraine) and anyone helping its enemies (U.S./NATO nations). 

On the U.S. front, President Biden is facing backlash from human rights groups for reversing his policy and supplying Ukraine with antipersonnel land mines––controversial for the possibility of civilian harm after the war ends––and NATO’s chief met with President-elect Trump to discuss “global security issues.”

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RADIATE HOPE
Christians don’t need to gloss over evil to maintain our joy and hope. Our Savior Jesus confronted darkness directly and overcame it through his death and resurrection. Pray for peace in our world, with renewed thankfulness for the eternal hope to which we can cling. 

“So you also have sorrow now. But I will see you again. Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy from you. In that day you will not ask me anything. Truly I tell you, anything you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.… I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”
John 16:22–23, 33 (CSB) (read full passage)

FROM OUR PARTNERS

The Man, the Myth

This Christmas, go beyond the plump, white-bearded, reindeer-taming legend and discover the true story of the real St. Nicholas. 

After losing both parents at a young age, Nicholas used his inheritance to help those in need. A leader in the early church, he was imprisoned under the Roman emperor Diocletian for spreading the gospel. Following his release, he stood for truth against false teachings and continued to give generously until his death. 

We won’t spoil anything else because… 

To learn his full story, claim a complimentary copy of Nicholas: God’s Courageous Gift-Giver. This colorful hardcover book will help the children in your life understand the real reason for generosity during the Christmas season.

U.S. NEWS

Overtime

The U.N. Climate Summit (COP29) reached a deal, but the process wasn’t pretty.

COP29 was supposed to conclude Friday; however, negotiations spiraled and couldn’t be salvaged until the wee hours of Sunday. In the end, attendees made a (non-binding) deal for rich countries to provide $300 billion/year to support poorer countries in the face of climate change; that’s up from the already-committed $100 billion/year but far below the $1.3 trillion/year requested by developing countries.

While some delegates gave the deal a standing ovation, India’s representative called it “a paltry sum,” saying the entire two-week process had been “stage managed.” 

The deal also gave a framework for next year’s summit––to be held in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest––where countries are scheduled to map out an action plan for the next decade.  

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Verse to consider as you seek to care wisely for both God’s creation and your neighbors… “Then the Lord God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.… [He] took the man and placed him in the garden of Eden to work it and watch over it.” 
Genesis 2:7, 15 (CSB) (read full passage)

Move over, Barbenheimer… Glicked is here. Thursday was opening night for both Gladiator II (24 years after the original) and Wicked (Act One; Act Two of the stage musical comes out next November); the combo was expected to bring in ~$350M worldwide over the weekend. There’s something for everyone: 70% of Wicked ticket-buyers were women, and 60% of Gladiator buyers were men.
 

The Las Vegas Strip transformed into a speedway for Saturday night’s Formula 1 race, which cost $500 million and drew 300,000 speed-hungry spectators. George Russell topped the podium, but all eyes were on Dutch driver Max Verstappen. The 27-year-old Red Bull racer beat his rival Lando Norris to finish fifth, clinching the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship.
 

McDonald’s wants more people lovin’ it again. Starting January 7, 2025, the “McValue” menu will roll out in U.S. restaurants, featuring the popular $5 meal deal and a “Buy One, Add One for $1” option, which includes breakfast. After a 40% price hike over five years, McDonald’s realized customers don’t want their McNuggets priced like McMortgages.
 

Bluesky is gaining altitude. The Twitter/X-alternative has reportedly topped 20 million users, up over 6 million since Election Day. The ad-free, decentralized platform seems to be primarily attracting left-leaning users who report finding Bluesky a “kinder” place than Elon Musk’s X. It’s still a small fish in a big pond; X reports having over 600 million users.
 

It was another chaotic weekend in college football, as perennial playoff presence Alabama was crushed by Oklahoma 24-3, likely ending Bama’s playoff hopes. Ole Miss is also likely out after getting swamped by Florida 24-17. Other memorable moments included the goalposts getting torn down prematurely in ASU’s win over BYU and four OTs in Auburn’s win over Texas A&M.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

The world’s longest slackline is terrifying…

What We’re Sippin’
LMNT Chocolate Medley*

If there’s one thing about me, it’s that I looove a warm, cozy drink. 

And just in time for blankets-and-mugs season, LMNT’s Chocolate Medley is back! With Chocolate Mint, Chocolate Chai, and Chocolate Raspberry, these flavors are the best way to stay toasty and hydrated…they’re choc-full of perfectly balanced electrolytes. 

Stir one pack into hot water for instant hot cocoa vibes. Or try my personal fave, Chocolate Chai mixed with some hot water and a splash of cream as a lil bedtime treat…*chef’s kiss*.

TPO readers get eight single-serve packs free with any purchase!

Xan Sibley | Writer

What We’re Craving
Not much*

Since taking Pendulum’s GLP-1 Probiotic, my cravings have been surprisingly… quieter. 

I’m not saying I’ve given up on sweets—cookie dough isn’t easily replaceable—and it’s not about avoiding my favorite foods. I’m just less likely to randomly raid the fridge because I feel more satisfied throughout the day. 

Pendulum's GLP-1 Probiotic gives my gut the support it needs to naturally produce the "un-hunger" hormone. Formulated by some seriously smart scientists, it’s my little secret weapon against the hunger monster.

Try for yourself! Get 20% off your first month of Pendulum membership, discount automatically applied at checkout.

Elly Hamby | Partnerships Manager