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WORLD

October 7th

A year ago today, Hamas launched a surprise terror attack against Israel.

Hamas militants broke through Israel’s border, killed 1,200 people, and took 250 hostages back to Gaza. Israel immediately declared war and announced its objectives: destroy Hamas and bring home the hostages. Israel says 154 hostages have been released or rescued, and that 97 remain in Gaza, including 33 believed to be dead. 

The war has become a point of division worldwide, sparking many protests and counter-protests. Yesterday, over 40,000 pro-Palestinian protestors marched through London, demanding an end to the war in Gaza; smaller demonstrations were held in other cities around the world. 

Despite significant international pressure, a ceasefire deal seems unlikely. In recent weeks, Israel has shifted its focus on Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas that operates out of Lebanon.

The War in Gaza has become a top issue in the 2024 U.S. election; learn more, including candidate stances, here.

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
War and the evil it exposes are a terrible reminder that the world is not as it should be. Seek peace where you are and trust that the Lord will end all war in his perfect timing.

“If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone… Do not avenge yourselves… because it is written: ‘Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay,’ says the Lord... Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.”
Romans 12:18–21 (CSB) (read full passage)

POLITICS

29 Days

Former President Trump and VP Harris are neck and neck with 29 days until Election Day.

While Harris enjoys a slight edge in national polls, the two are separated by razor-thin margins in seven key battleground states: Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Nevada, Georgia, Arizona, Michigan, and Wisconsin. 

On Saturday, Trump returned to Butler, PA, where he survived an assassination attempt this summer. Behind bulletproof glass, he opened with “as I was saying…”, displaying the same immigration chart behind him as when he was shot in July. He was joined by Elon Musk, who encouraged the crowd to “vote, vote, vote.”

Meanwhile, VP Harris is kicking off a national media blitz, including major podcasts and late-night comedy shows, with a solo feature on 60 Minutes tonight; former President Trump was originally expected to join but decided against participating.

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Believers must balance engaging in politics (which is important and impactful) with a calm, unshakable confidence in God (whose plans are not dependent on who wins in November).

“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)

FROM OUR PARTNERS

Lacking Daily Food

Somalia is caught in the crosshairs of natural disasters, global conflicts, widespread poverty, and disease outbreaks.   

East Africa is coming off its worst drought in 40 years, which has left tens of millions of people without access to clean water, killed millions of livestock, and decimated crops. They became very reliant on imported food, and 90% of Somalia’s wheat came from Russia and Ukraine… which stopped coming.

Now, two in five children in Somalia suffer from acute malnutrition, and a cholera outbreak is spreading in some areas. The food shortage, coupled with humanitarian aid being focused on Europe and the Middle East, has been the perfect storm and led to an alarming increase in child malnutrition. 

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BE DOERS
We’re asking the TPO Community to join us in partnering with World Concern to help get emergency nutrition packs (a peanut paste fortified with nutrients), water, and hygiene products to those with the most need. 

Every $12 feeds a child for a month. We’re matching the first $5,000; just give through this link.

“If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed,’ but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it?”
James 2:15-16

U.S. NEWS

Still Hiring

The labor market continues to defy gravity.

On Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported September crushed expectations:

• Employers added 254,000 jobs (compared to the expected 150,000)

• Unemployment dropped to 4.1% (down from 4.2% in August)

• Underemployment (part-time workers wanting more hours) declined for the first time in a year

It has economists whispering more loudly that the Federal Reserve may pull off a “soft landing,” (reducing inflation without collapsing the labor market).

The economy also breathed a sigh of relief as ports from Maine to Texas reopened Friday after a three-day strike that threatened to disrupt the supply of everything from bananas to cars. Dock employers agreed to give dockworkers a 62% raise over six years. The strike is suspended until January as negotiations continue on other issues, including the use of automation on docks.

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Our hope is never contingent on an economic outcome; it’s much more secure than that. Regardless of whether things get worse or better during your lifetime, everything eventually ends well for followers of Christ.

“I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:12-13 (CSB)

The U.S. military struck 15 Houthi targets in Yemen on Friday, destroying weapons systems and other equipment used by the Iran-backed group. The Pentagon said the strikes were part of ongoing efforts “to protect freedom of navigation” in the Red Sea. Houthis have attacked nearly 100 ships since last November, saying it’s retaliation for Israel’s military action in Gaza.
 

Florida is re-bracing for another hurricane. Milton is expected to hit Florida’s storm-ravaged west coast (somewhere between Tampa and Ft. Myers) as a “major hurricane” on Wednesday; Governor DeSantis told people to “assume” evacuation orders are coming. Meanwhile, Hurricane Helene’s death toll hit 227 across six states; more than 83,000 have registered for individual assistance in North Carolina alone.
 

Investors in Spirit Airlines learned that the company’s survival may not be included. The budget airline is reportedly in the early stages of filing for bankruptcy after struggling to reach an out-of-court restructuring deal with bondholders. Spirit’s stock, which has been flying at low altitude since it failed to merge with JetBlue earlier this year, dropped another 25% on Friday.
 

If you saw a goalpost being carried down Broadway in Nashville Saturday night (and thrown into the river)… that’s just the aftermath of one of the day’s multiple college football upsets. Unranked Vanderbilt defeated top-ranked Alabama, prompting fans to storm the field and have a goal post parade. Four other Top-11 schools also lost: Tennessee, Missouri, Michigan, and USC. 
 

Pope Francis named 21 new cardinals, who will receive their iconic (cardinal) red hats in a ceremony on December 8th. The cohort includes 99-year-old Monsignor Angelo Acerbi (who will become the oldest member) and 44-year-old Bishop Mykola Bychok (who will become the youngest member). Among other duties, cardinals under the age of 80 vote to select a new pope.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

Time to eat your veggies…

Where We’re Sowing
Into Kingdom fields with Barnabas Foundation*

We all get the basic idea of reaping what you sow. But when it gets down to the tools of the farmer’s trade, we’re about as lost as a pumpkin in a potato patch.

Barnabas Foundation is the seasoned farmer of the charitable giving world, helping Christians transfer wealth since 1976 with tax-wise, Kingdom-focused giving solutions… like the Stewards Fund. 

With a Stewards Fund, you can create a personal donor-advised fund (DAF) in minutes. You’ll funnel your dollar-seeds into the fund as a tax-deductible contribution, then recommend which ministry they’ll go to—at any time.

Learn more about a Stewards Fund today to sow wisely and reap abundantly.

What We’re Using
Upside*

Is your piggy bank lookin’ a little skinny this fall?

Check out Upside. Upside is an app that rewards people for filling up their gas tanks, going out to eat, or shopping for groceries. The app is super user-friendly, and top users get up to $300/month… which is just the buffer we need heading into gift-buying season.

Download the Upside App and use promo code POUROVER to get $0.25/gallon back on your first tank.