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POLITICS

Welcome Back to the Show

On yesterday’s episode of Election Season 2024, six states went to the polls. 

Five states (AZ, FL, IL, KS, OH) held uneventful presidential primaries, where presumptive nominees Trump and Biden gained more delegates. One district in California held a special election to fill former Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s (R) seat following his resignation last year.

That wasn’t the only high-profile Congressional race. In Ohio, three Republicans vied for the chance to run against Senator Sherrod Brown (D) — whose seat is seen as vulnerable in November — and Illinois had multiple competitive House primaries.

Meanwhile, former President Trump has failed to secure his $454 million civil fraud trial bond after being denied by 30 surety firms. The state of New York could seize his assets if he doesn’t pay by March 25th.

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
We shouldn't allow political outcomes to consume our thoughts, direct our emotions, or dull our hope. Government may change, but our mission remains the same: love God and love others. 

“The most important [commandment],” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12:29-31

WORLD NEWS

Ongoing Negotiations

President Biden and Israeli PM Netanyahu had their first direct communication in a month on Monday.

Biden reportedly called Israel’s impending Rafah invasion a “mistake,” saying it would worsen the humanitarian crisis and “isolate Israel internationally.” To discuss a plan to target Hamas in Rafah without the invasion, Israel will send a senior team to D.C. in the coming days. 

Other Israeli leaders were in Qatar yesterday, resuming talks in another attempt to secure a temporary ceasefire deal that could release 40 hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Separately, the White House and Israel say that an air strike killed one of Israel’s most-wanted men last week. Marwan Issa, deputy commander of Hamas’s military wing, was on the EU’s terrorist blacklist for direct links to the October 7 attack.

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CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
Join us in prayer for the Middle East and world leaders, confident that God hears and grants our prayers when we pray “according to his will” (1 John 5:14–15).

“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

SPONSORED

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 $2,000; 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

Influence vs Coercion

The Supremes had their pocket Constitutions at the ready for two First Amendment cases Monday.

In the first case, a majority of the justices appear wary of Louisiana and Missouri's claim that the Biden administration shouldn’t be allowed to communicate with social media companies about controversial posts. Government officials appear to be allowed to persuade companies — including media organizations or tech companies — to say (or not say) something, so long as it’s not accompanied by coercive threats.

In the second case, a majority of justices seemed sympathetic to the National Rifle Association, backed by unlikely allies in the ACLU and Biden Administration, in its claims that a New York state official violated its First Amendment rights by coercing banks and insurers to cut ties with it.

Decisions for both cases are expected this summer. 

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ABOVE ALL, LOVE
It’s easy to only show compassion and kindness to people who agree with you on divisive topics like First Amendment challenges, but Christians don’t have the privilege of stopping there; we’re called to love everyone.

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

Dozens of Americans were evacuated from Haiti to Miami on a flight chartered by the State Department on Sunday, and many more await rescue as escalating gang violence, political instability, and food shortages rock the Caribbean country. Earlier this month, as violence spiraled, the U.S. evacuated non-essential staff and warned citizens to leave “as soon as possible.” 
 

The EPA announced a ban on the last form of asbestos still allowed in the U.S., chrysotile asbestos, used in products like chlorine bleach and brake linings. Some companies will have six months to comply, while others will be given up to twelve years (apparently, that’s… as best as they can do).
 

MrBeast, YouTube's top individual creator with over 389 million combined subscribers, is partnering with Amazon MGM Studios to launch 'Beast Games,' TV’s biggest-ever reality show. With 1,000 contestants vying for a $5M prize, Jimmy Donaldson (MrBeast IRL) promises an experience “just like our normal videos,” except “money’s not a constraint.” No word yet on what the challenges will be.
 

The Supreme Court gave Texas a (temporary) win in its border battle against the Biden Administration. The Supremes allowed Texas to enforce a law allowing state officials to arrest people suspected of illegally crossing the border —a job historically reserved for the feds — while the legal battle plays out. The High Court’s three liberal justices dissented.
 

Getting married and staying married are both trending. According to data from the CDC, the marriage rate jumped meaningfully in 2022 (to 6.2 per 1,000 people), while the divorce rate continued its downward trend (to 2.4 per 1,000 people). Both marriages and divorces dipped during the pandemic.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

We write newsletters for work. Other people do this…

Where We’re Banking
Christian Community Credit Union (CCCU)*

What if you could invest in God’s Kingdom every time you swiped your card? With CCCU, you can!

CCCU offers full-service digital banking, along with nationwide shared branches and ATMs, so you can bank with your values. With their Cash Rewards Visa^®, you get 1.5% cash back on every purchase AND share the gospel. CCCU has given over $6 million to Christian charities like Mission Aviation Fellowship, which provides essential goods and services to people in remote parts of the globe while sharing the love of Christ. 

Become a CCCU member today and bank with a partner that shares your mission. Click here to apply! 

What We’re Using
EveryDollar*

Do you make or spend money? Then you need a budget… and in three days, the Mint app won’t be an option. Mint is closing, leaving its millions of users in the lurch. 

Thankfully, my favorite budgeting app EveryDollar, isn’t going anywhere.

EveryDollar has helped over 9 million people learn to love budgeting. It’s easy for anyone to save more, spend smarter, and reach their goals faster. It’s the free, on-the-go budgeting tool that makes personal budgeting easy.

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Jason Woodruff | Founder