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Today marks the 23rd anniversary
of the terror attack on September 11, 2001, that killed 2,996 people and forever changed the United States.

POLITICS

Debate Night

Former President Trump and Vice President Harris talked in person for the first time ever last night, and despite shaking hands, a vibrant friendship seems unlikely.

Trump worked to pin Harris to President Biden’s policies, blaming her for high inflation and issues at the U.S.-Mexico border. He also criticized her as a flip-flopper who abandoned progressive policies in order to win votes (e.g., a ban on fracking and decriminalized border crossings). 

Harris accused Trump of lying and running the same stale playbook that helps himself and wealthy friends, not the American people. Her campaign hopes the night also showed Harris, 59, as the young/more mentally fit candidate compared to Trump, 78.

Pre-debate polls show a very tight race, with 30% of voters saying the debate itself might impact their choice in November. 

Want more? Our election collection article series gives simple explanations of key election topics, including where both candidates stand.

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Verse to consider when you’re tempted to argue your point until your conversation partner admits bitter defeat… “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone thinks he knows anything, he does not yet know it as he ought to know it. But if anyone loves God, he is known by him.” 
1 Corinthians 8:1-3 (CSB) (read full passage)

TECHNOLOGY

AiPhones

Apple celebrated the iPhone’s sweet sixteen Monday!

The tech giant announced the new iPhone 16 (and 16 Plus, and 16 Pro, annnnd 16 Pro Max), hoping iUsers will finally take the bait to trade in their iPhone 5s. 

The new iOS 18 (available for iPhone 15 Pros and up) features a camera with visual intelligence––just aim the camera at a restaurant, and Siri will serve reviews, the menu, and reservation tips. Siri can also pull info from your text messages (but like, in a helpful-not-creepy way) to “remind me which movie Kathleen said to watch” or “send Grandma pics from the zoo Saturday.” 

Apple still believes an accessory a day keeps the doctor away; its new (slightly slimmer) watch can detect sleep apnea and the new AirPods Pro 2 can act as over-the-counter hearing aids.

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Our ultimate purpose is to glorify God—the Creator of the universe, Great Innovator, and Inventor of everything. However you engage with your (upgraded or not) phone, remember to use technology to point others to eternal hope in him. 

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through him and for him.” 
Colossians 1:15-16 (CSB) (read full passage)

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SPORTS NEWS

Tyreek Hill Update

Police have released a 100+ minute body cam compilation from Tyreek Hill’s detainment. 

Footage shows a rapid escalation between police and the Dolphins’ WR, who was pulled over for reportedly driving 60mph in a 40mph zone outside Hard Rock Stadium before Sunday’s game. Hill gave officers his license and rolled his window up; he was told to keep the window down, then was pulled from the car. Two teammates stopped after seeing Hill, and one of them was briefly handcuffed.

The Miami Dolphins are defending Hill, accusing the police of using “unnecessary force and hostility.” Hill’s lawyer said they’re exploring “all legal remedies.” 

The police union defended the officers, saying Hill wasn’t “immediately cooperative” and was handcuffed for “immediate safety.” One officer was placed on administrative leave, and Miami-Dade has promised a “thorough, objective investigation.” 

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Culturally hot topics frequently make people think, speak, and act poorly… including us. We can respect others and represent God better if we are quick to listen and slow to speak.

“My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.”
James 1:19-20 (CSB) (read full passage)

The voice of Darth Vader and Mufasa has gone silent. Legendary actor James Earl Jones (93) died surrounded by family on Monday. Known for his versatility on screen and on stage, the thespian overcame a severe childhood stutter to win two Emmys, a Grammy, three Tony Awards, and an honorary Oscar… earning an exclusive spot in club EGOT*. 
 

An overnight Israeli airstrike in Gaza killed at least 19 and wounded over 60, according to Gazan officials. The strike hit an Israeli-designated humanitarian zone housing tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians; Israel said a Hamas “command-and-control center” was embedded in the camp, and they used “precise munitions” to target October 7th militants. 
 

SpaceX and billionaire Jared Isaacman are teaming up again in the first private leap for mankind... well, at least the first non-NASA spacewalk. The first mission of the Polaris program—a series of three private spaceflights—launched yesterday, sending Isaacman and three crew members farther into orbit than anyone’s been since NASA’s Apollo program to examine the effects of space on the human body.
 

The Princess of Wales has finished chemotherapy. In a family-focused video released Monday (watch here), Princess Catherine gave a health update and described the last nine months of cancer treatment as “incredibly tough.” She says her next few months will focus on staying “cancer-free” even as she returns to a “light” schedule of public engagements.
 

36 years later… Michael Keaton is still the Ghost with the Most. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice earned $110M during its opening weekend, the second-largest September movie debut ever. It follows the 1988 hit Beetlejuice––about a ghost who helps a recently deceased couple haunt the new inhabitants of their former home––which spawned a popular cartoon and a still-touring Tony-nominated Broadway musical.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

When a long day is finally over…

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How We’re Deciding
With Compassion International’s Wisdom Worksheet*

Anyone else feel like they could use some wisdom? *raises hand*

Whether you’re trying to pick a college, find a new career path, or make a major financial choice, big decisions can be overwhelming (or, let’s face it, completely paralyzing).

Compassion International’s Wisdom Worksheet is here to get you moving again. The organization that’s breaking cycles of poverty to give kids around the world a future is offering a free resource to help you discern yours. Their worksheet provides a step-by-step process to make biblical decisions about life’s big choices.   

Download Compassion’s Wisdom Worksheet FREE today and face the future with peace of mind.