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ELECTION

Updates from the Windy City

The Democratic National Convention is entering its third day in Chicago.

VP Harris made a surprise appearance Monday night to praise President Biden, night one’s headline speaker. The former-almost-nominee received a four-minute ovation as he took the stage and called picking Harris as his VP “the best decision” of his long political career. 

Biden also made headlines by saying the pro-Palestinian protestors “have a point.” As delegates arrived Monday, the protestors broke through a security fence, prompting additional fencing and 13 arrests. 

Last night, former First Lady Michelle Obama and former President Obama took the stage while Harris and running mate Tim Walz held a rally in Milwaukee, WI. Walz will head back to Chicago tonight, joining former President Clinton as tonight’s headliners. Harris will re-take the stage tomorrow night.
 
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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
No matter who you support in the upcoming election, your first allegiance should be to the King of Kings. When each side is calling for your undying support, remember that you are first and foremost beholden to the One who died for you. 

“He himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.”
1 John 2:2 (CSB) (read full passage)

WORLD

No Deal

Israel and Hamas reportedly don’t share American negotiators’ optimism for a ceasefire in Gaza.

U.S. Secretary of State Blinken says Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu has agreed to the U.S.’s latest “bridging proposal” for a ceasefire and called on Hamas to do the same, but Hamas says the proposal caters to Israel.

There are three major sticking points:

• Hamas wants a permanent end to the war; Israel wants to start with a temporary ceasefire

• Israel wants control of the Gaza-Egypt border; Hamas wants a full Israeli withdrawal

• Israel wants to screen Palestinians returning to northern Gaza; Hamas wants free movement within the enclave

Meanwhile, the families of hostages continue to press for a deal. One hundred nine hostages, both alive and dead, remain in Gaza. The IDF retrieved the remains of six hostages early yesterday morning.
 
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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Join us in prayer for lasting peace, confident that God is able to spread across the globe the peace that he has given to those who trust him (Isaiah 26:3).

“Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed: Kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all people the true love of peace, and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth; that in tranquility your kingdom may go forward, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” 
Book of Common Prayer, page 654

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Money in the Bible

Do you know what the Bible says about debt?

• Psalm 37 warns against borrowing in an attempt to get rich quick 

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• Proverbs 22 warns against co-signing and likens indebtedness to slavery

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POLITICS

Impeachable

Monday, House Republicans released a 291-page report saying President Biden engaged in “impeachable conduct.”

Three GOP-led committees opened the investigation into Biden family business dealings in 2023, coming to the conclusion that there’s “overwhelming evidence” of a “conspiracy to monetize [Biden’s] office of public trust to enrich his family.” Republicans say Hunter and James Biden leveraged phone calls and appearances from the then-vice-president to earn over $28 million in exchange for advancing foreign interests, then the family “laundered funds” to “conceal this conspiracy.”

Despite the harsh tone, the report stops short of recommending an impeachment vote.

Democrats say it fails to provide any evidence of crimes or corruption by Joe Biden, and the White House called the inquiry a “failed stunt” that wasted “two years and millions of taxpayer dollars.” 
 
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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Our hope isn’t shaken by what's happening on either side of the aisle... it’s much more secure than that. As believers, we have reason to praise the incorruptible Leader of leaders. In all you do, seek to walk in his holy ways.

“Lord, you light my lamp; my God illuminates my darkness… God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is pure. He is a shield to all who take refuge in him.” 
Psalm 18:28, 30 (CSB) (read full passage)

Ex-Representative George Santos has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, apologizing for allowing ambition to cloud his judgment. Santos—who was expelled from Congress in December—admitted to lying to voters, deceiving donors, and stealing the identities of 11 people. He’s expected to be sentenced to six years in prison and $570,000 in penalties on February 7th.
 

A sudden and powerful storm sank an 184-foot superyacht off the coast of Sicily, Italy, early Monday. Of the 22 people on board, 15 were rescued, one was killed, and six are missing but presumed dead, including British tech billionaire Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah. Divers are battling tough conditions as they search the sunken ship.
 

Billionaire activist investor Carl Icahn and his company have settled with the Securities and Exchange Commission, agreeing to pay $2 million for failing to disclose billions of dollars of personal loans he took out using shares in Icahn Enterprises as collateral. The undisclosed loans were discovered and exposed by a rival investment firm last summer, sparking some high finance drama.
 

The FDA approved the first at-home syphilis test Friday as cases reach a 70-year high. The over-the-counter test delivers results 15 minutes after a finger prick, with further testing by a healthcare provider required to confirm a positive result. The test will boost screening for the sexually transmitted bacterial infection, which is easily cured when caught early.
 

7-Circle-11-K? Circle-7-11-K? Just spitballing new names after Circle K made an offer to buy 7-Eleven. News of the proposed Slurp-opoly sent shares of 7-Eleven’s parent company, a Japanese firm, up 23%, valuing the chain of convenience stores at 5.6 trillion yen ($38 billion). If the deal goes through, it would be the largest acquisition of a Japanese company ever.

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