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SCOTUS

Ruled Lawful

In a near-unanimous vote, the Supremes affirmed a law that bars domestic abusers from possessing guns.

Chief Justice Roberts, writing for the 8-1 majority, wrote that someone facing a restraining order “may—consistent with the Second Amendment—be banned from possessing firearms while the order is in effect.” Roberts further said that the country has always had laws preventing “individuals who threaten physical harm” from “misusing firearms.” 

Justice Thomas, the sole dissenting vote, said that the better way to disarm dangerous people is to prosecute them for criminal violence.

President Biden praised the ruling, saying abuse victims shouldn’t “worry about their abuser getting a gun.” In a statement, the NRA said the ruling doesn’t endorse other “unconstitutional laws that the NRA is challenging,” only temporarily disarms someone who “poses a clear threat of violence.”

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Our hope is never contingent on a Supreme Court case or what's happening in any news story... it’s much more secure than that. As believers, we have reason to praise the perfect King of Kings. In all you do, seek to walk in his holy ways. 

“God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is pure. He is a shield to all who take refuge in him.”
2 Samuel 22:31 (CSB) (read full passage)

POLITICS

Big Bottom Line

The presidential contenders have balanced their checkbooks for May.

• Team Trump and the RNC raised $141 million, including $53 million in the 24 hours following his guilty verdict and $50 million from billionaire Timothy Mellon. They ended the month with $235 million in the bank.

• Team Biden and the DNC raised $85 million, including $20 million from billionaire Michael Bloomberg, ending the month with $212 million in the bank. 

• RFK Jr.’s independent campaign raised $2.6 million and has $6.4 million in the bank.

It’s the first time President Biden has lost the cash advantage. The Trump Campaign says May’s numbers show Americans “saw right through” his “rigged trial,” while the Biden Campaign says “Trump cannot buy back” lost time.

Expect a steady stream of your favorite TV genre—political ads—following Thursday’s debate.

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ABOVE ALL, LOVE
Followers of Christ are not identified by where they make political donations but by their love for others. And yes, that means loving people that you believe have un-loving beliefs/stances.

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Jesus in John 13:35 (CSB)

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WEATHER

Hajj Deaths

This year’s Hajj was (very) hot.

The Hajj—a five-day journey to the city of Mecca involving a series of rituals—is one of the five pillars of Islam, and every able-bodied Muslim is expected to complete it once in their life. It’s consistently one of the largest gatherings in the world, this year attracting 1.8 million pilgrims to Saudi Arabia where summer temperatures hit 117ºF.

Over 1,000 pilgrims died from heat-related illnesses during this year’s pilgrimage; officials say many were visiting Mecca illegally, without a visa to secure lodging to escape the heat.

Back in the U.S., over 100 million Americans spent the weekend under a heat advisory while the upper Midwest dealt with catastrophic flooding. Unrelenting rain flooded rivers in parts of Iowa and South Dakota, leaving only rooftops and trees visible. 
 
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Verse to consider when deadly heat and floods remind you that creation itself is broken… “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.”  
Revelation 21:1 (CSB) (read full passage)

Two of the greatest words in sports: Game 7. This year’s Stanley Cup (no, not the one you’re drinking from) comes down to one final game. If the Edmonton Oilers defeat the Florida Panthers tonight, they’ll become the first champions since 1942 to overcome an 0-3 deficit; for the Panthers, they’re hoping to avoid losing back-to-back Finals. 
 

They are the champions, indeed. Sony snagged rock band Queen's back catalog for a record $1.27 billion. The only rights Sony will not retain in the deal are those of live performances since guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor still tour as “Queen.” This follows Sony’s recent $600 million acquisition of half of Michael Jackson's back catalog.  
 

The Washington Post’s incoming executive editor has removed himself from circulation. Robert Winnett, who was hired to lead the newsroom, withdrew his acceptance after WaPo reporters published an article alleging their would-be boss had engaged in unethical journalism practices early in his career. Winnett will remain in a lead role at The Daily Telegraph in London.
 

Service workers may get to keep the change. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) introduced a bill to exempt tips from federal income tax after former President Trump promoted the idea at a campaign rally—the idea is gaining steam among Republicans. Critics say it’s a “fake solution” that won’t help most low-wage workers, suggesting Congress raise the minimum wage instead. 
 

Housing prices just keep going up. The median price of an existing home rose 5.8% over the last year to $419,300. One bright spot for buyers; home inventory (aka the number of For Sale signs) jumped 18.5% from last May. If sustained, having more houses for sale should slow price gains and improve affordability.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

Machining a metal chess piece…

How We're Earning Free Chick-fil-A
By reading books from Kaleidoscope*

Summer means school’s out and extracurriculars are slow, leaving a little more time for sprinklers, road trips, and extra connection with God.

Kaleidoscope is reimagining children’s Bibles to point kids of all ages to Jesus. They’re the much-needed bridge in the gap between storybook Bibles and an adult translation to immerse kids in Scripture using engaging language they can understand.

Right now, Kaleidoscope is in the middle of its Summer Reading Challenge, where kids can earn Chick-fil-A gift cards just for reading Kaleidoscope books. Click here to learn more about Kaleidoscope and see why we love them so much!

What We’re Wondering
Do churches help or harm communities?*

Well… the results are in.

ICM, the global church developer, has helped plant more than 31,000 churches in over 100 countries and has countless stories of God changing communities through churches. 

But they wanted to see if secular research would back up their experience.

Download your free copy of "5 Ways Churches Transform Communities" and see the fascinating ways that Churches are changing communities around the world.