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WEATHER

Landfall

Hurricane Helene majorly rained on the Sunshine State’s parade last night, making landfall as a historic Category 4 storm.

Coming ashore just after 11 p.m. ET near Perry, Florida (about 50 miles southeast of Tallahassee), Helene had sustained winds of 140 mph. The Florida Panhandle’s Big Bend region bore the initial brunt, but hurricane conditions stretched 100 miles inland.

Rain, wind, flash flooding, and power outages are expected in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas in the coming days; last night, over a million people in Florida alone were without power. 

Prior to landfall, President Biden approved disaster declarations for states in Helene’s path; over 42 million people across Florida, Georgia, and Alabama were under hurricane and tropical storm warnings with more than 20 Florida counties facing mandatory evacuations. 

Track Helene’s path here. 

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BE DOERS
As we wait for the redemption of creation itself, believers can share our hope through radical generosity and service. Join us in supporting the needy in Helene’s path. 

We’ll match the first $2,000 given to Operation Blessing, a faith-based non-profit with boots on the ground and a record of doing great work.* 

“For the creation was subjected to futility ​— ​not willingly, but because of him who subjected it ​— ​in the hope that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children.” 
Romans 8:20-21 (CSB) (read full passage)

POLITICS

Indicted

NYC Mayor Eric Adams (D) was indicted on bribery and fraud charges Wednesday.

After a years-long investigation involving residential raids of the mayor and his top aides, prosecutors accused Adams of receiving benefits (like luxury international travel and campaign contributions) from Turkish officials in exchange for influence in Gotham; Adam's alleged corruption began in 2014.

Elected on promises of reducing crime and bringing professionalism to the seat, the 64-year-old retired police captain is the first sitting NYC mayor to face criminal charges. The Big Apple Boss says he’s innocent and doesn’t intend to resign, asking “New Yorkers to wait to hear our defense.” 

Many, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), say the office has lost public trust and Adams should resign; others are calling on NY Governor Hochul (D) to remove him from office. 

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Verse to consider as you wait for justice in a divisive political climate… “The Lord is waiting to show you mercy, and is rising up to show you compassion, for the Lord is a just God. All who wait patiently for him are happy.” 
Isaiah 30:18 (CSB) (read full passage)

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WORLD NEWS

Zelenskyy’s Visit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy returned to the U.S. this week.

Wednesday, Zelenskyy addressed the U.N. General Assembly seeking renewed support for a Russian withdrawal and claiming Russia plans to attack Ukraine’s nuclear plants, which would cause a “nuclear disaster.” 

Zelenskyy met with a bipartisan group of senators yesterday to detail his country’s urgent need for more firepower before presenting his “victory plan” to President Biden and VP Harris at the White House. Ahead of their meeting, Biden said Uncle Sam will allocate $8B in additional aid. Before his trip is up, Zelenskyy will also meet with former President Trump—the pair’s first meeting since 2019. 

Not everyone is celebrating Zelenskyy’s visit. House Republicans have opened an investigation into Zelenskyy’s trip to a Pennsylvania ammunition plant with Democratic leaders this week, calling it a “taxpayer-funded” campaign event. 

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Pray for the peaceful end to all conflicts worldwide, even as we wait for God’s kingdom to come in full—for the day when God’s reign of peace will settle every dispute, and all nations will walk in his paths. 

“He will settle disputes among many peoples and provide arbitration for strong nations that are far away. They will beat their swords into plows and their spears into pruning knives. Nation will not take up the sword against nation, and they will never again train for war.” 
Micah 4:3 (CSB) (read full passage)

President Putin has lowered Russia’s threshold for a nuclear response. Moscow’s revised nuclear doctrine says that any nation's conventional attack on Russia, which is backed by a nuclear power (like the United States), will be considered a joint attack. In practice, this revision threatens a nuclear response against any country providing Ukraine with support for attacks on Russia. 
 

Israel is not letting up in Lebanon. On Wednesday, the U.S. and France proposed a three-week ceasefire to allow Israel and Hezbollah to negotiate, but PM Netanyahu’s office says he hasn't responded. Meanwhile, Israeli forces were ordered to “continue the fighting with full force,” and another airstrike in Beirut yesterday killed two—including a Hezbollah commander—as ground incursion rumors swirl. 
 

Visa might’ve maxed out its monopoly… The DOJ filed an antitrust lawsuit accusing the credit card giant of stifling competition in the debit card market and tacking on excessive fees. According to the complaint, 60% of U.S. debit transactions are processed on Visa’s network, raking in over $7 billion in fees annually. Visa called the lawsuit “meritless.”
 

The 2024 Chicago White Sox realllly didn’t want “new losingest team ever” as their nickname. Yesterday, the South Side Sox shut out the LA Angels to stay tied with the 1962 (expansion team) New York Mets for most losses (120). They've got three games left to avoid (or set?) a new record… Their social media team will keep us informed.
 

Five death row executions were held in the past week—an unusually high amount—with one garnering national attention. Marcellus Williams, convicted for a fatal 1998 stabbing, died by lethal injection Tuesday despite mishandled DNA evidence casting doubt on his case. Prosecutors and the victim’s family had pushed for a life sentence instead, but repeated attempts to halt Williams’ execution were denied.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

Beware of the (very ferocious) dog…

How We Survive Without Coffee
LMNT*

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Elly Hamby | Partnerships Manager

Who We’re Learning About
The Apostle Paul*

Season 2 of Nobody Liked Paul is streaming on QAVA… and it’s perfect for Bible-hungry small groups led by busy leaders.

In Season 1 (catch up here), historian Matthew Larsen retraced Paul’s steps in Athens, Philippi, Ephesus, Corinth, and more, helping us see how this hero of the faith might not be exactly who we picture him to be.

This new season explores Paul’s world-changing ministry in Rome and the surprising reason for his visit (it’s not what you think!).

Discover the dynamic social, political, and economic climate that Paul navigated as he preached from prison. Use NLP40 to save 40% on your monthly plan or NLP50 to save 50% on your annual plan. Happy learning!