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ELECTION

Trash Talk

Four more days, folks. Four more days.

Polls still show high early voting––over 50 million ballots have already been cast––and a tight race in the critical battleground states is expected to decide the election.

In Wisconsin, former President Trump rode in a campaign-branded garbage truck and accused Democrats of running a “campaign of hate” after President Biden called Trump supporters “garbage.” Biden quickly walked back the comment, which was made in response to a comedian’s controversial bit at Trump’s finale-rally.

VP Harris distanced herself from the trash talk, saying she disagrees with criticizing “people based on who they vote for.” She delivered her own closing remarks Tuesday night in Washington D.C., where she said Trump would bring “chaos” and “division,” and offered “a different path forward.”

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
During the election season, it’s easy to see the shortcomings of our opponents and cast ourselves in the right. When we find ourselves grumbling about others, we must remember to check our own hearts.

“Why do you look at the splinter in your brother’s eye but don’t notice the beam of wood in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the splinter out of your eye,’ and look, there’s a beam of wood in your own eye? Hypocrite! First take the beam of wood out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye..”
Matthew 7:3-5 (CSB) (read full passage)

ECONOMY

Number$

Uncle Sam’s final pre-election economic report card arrived this week.

The U.S. economy grew at a 2.8% pace in Q3 (solid but lower than the expected 3.1%). Despite lackluster growth, economists are pleased by spendy-happy consumers and steady additions to the job rolls. 

Companies are also sharing their Q3 report cards:

• Meta grew less than expected, made more money than expected, and spent a ton on AI

• Microsoft saw strong growth thanks to its cloud business but lowered projections

• Starbucks reported room-temp earnings and announced non-dairy milk will no longer cost extra

A report yesterday from the Commerce Department reported the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge (the PCE index) was 2.1%––very near the Fed’s 2% target––though so-called core inflation remained stuck at 2.7%.

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Verse to consider whether the dollars are piling up or dwindling in your own storehouses… “Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy.” 
1 Timothy 6:17 (CSB) (read full passage)

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SPORTS

Dodgers are Dancing

LaLa Land loves their World Champs.

The LA Dodgers won their 2nd World Series title in 5 seasons after beating the NY Yankees 7-6 in Game 5 Wednesday night. Down 5-0 in the 5th, the Dodgers tied it up with the help of three key Yankee miscues. Walker Buehler got the Dodger’s final three outs in the 9th inning, his first career save.

Freddie Freeman was named World Series MVP after he made history by hitting home runs in the first four games, plus two more Game 5 RBIs. 

The Wednesday night Dodgers victory set off a Thursday lunchtime celebration in Japan, where Shohei-fueled viewership of Games 1 and 2 (15.2M) exceeded viewership in the U.S. (14.5M). LA gets to celebrate with a parade today, something they were denied in 2020 due to COVID.

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Sports are an opportunity to experience camaraderie with fellow fans and to enjoy the thrill of watching athletes do what God created them to do. As you watch athletes compete, thank God that He also made you to do beautiful things, and pray that you’d bring Him glory in all you do. 

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.” 
Ephesians 2:10 (CSB) (read full passage)

At least 158 people have died in Spain after a year’s worth of rain fell in one day. Flooding Wednesday submerged farmlands in the eastern region of Valencia—a global leader in citrus exports—and swept away bridges and buildings. Rail service was suspended as rescue operations began combing through mud and debris yesterday.
 

In a story that only appears to be satirical, Russia fined Google $20 decillion over their decision to ban state-run media on YouTube. What’s a decillion? It’s a 1 followed by 33 zeros... oh, and the fine is doubling every day. For comparison, Google is worth $2 trillion, and the entire world’s GDP is $120 trillion.
 

Roughly 12,000 North Korean troops are donning Russian uniforms and moving toward Ukraine. The Pentagon says these troops trained at five bases in Russia, and “the likelihood is pretty high” that they’ll be used in combat. Global leaders worry that the action will expand the war in Ukraine and wonder what aid Moscow is giving Pyongyang in exchange.
 

Put America’s largest newspaper chain in the no-endorsements column. Gannett, which owns USA Today and over 200 other publications, announced that none of its outlets will publish presidential endorsements this year (but local and state endorsements have the green light). Meanwhile, the Washington Post’s decision to skip the endorsement has cost it 250,000 subscribers (roughly 10%).
 

Bird flu traded its beak for a snout. The USDA announced its first detection of H5N1 in a pig at a small Oregon farm. The farm’s five pigs were euthanized for further testing, and the other animals quarantined. Officials are not overly concerned but say the development is noteworthy since pig-borne viruses pose a higher risk to humans.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

Meet the world’s ugliest dog…

What We’re Finishing
This fable with Compassion*

Around the world, kids who are sponsored through Compassion International love to pass on stories called fables—short, meaningful tales that teach a lesson. 

Compassion has written a fable featuring silly creatures and a sweet ending, and they’re asking for your help to finish it! It’s a super fun, simple activity that will help your kids learn about words and storytelling, and it’s completely free.

Download Compassion’s free Mad-Libby activity to bring some joyful storytelling to your home today.

How We’re Taking Notes in Our Bibles
With Mr. Pen’s Bible Journaling Kits*

At our summer staff retreat, we each got a Mr. Pen Bible Journaling Kit, and there were audible shrieks as the beautifully wrapped boxes emerged.

As the newbie, I hadn’t gotten the memo yet that to be on the TPO team is to be obsessed with Mr. Pen supplies. But after sitting down with my journaling Bible, using the smudge-free pens on the transparent sticky notes (something I didn’t know I needed, but now they’re a staple), and highlighting with the smooth-as-butter, bleed-free gel highlighters… I get it. 

Long story short: Mr. P’s worth the hype. Get your kit today—you might (probably will) shriek, too!

Xan Sibley | Newbie/Writer