WORLD NEWS

King in Town

King Abdullah II of Jordan paid a visit to President Biden on Monday, and the topic of the day was the war in Gaza.

Discussions involved Palestinian aid efforts, hostage release deals, and working towards a “two-state solution.” President Biden reiterated the White House’s proposal for a six-week pause in fighting, while King Abdullah called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. 

King Abdullah asked that escalations in the West Bank and Jerusalem’s holy sites not be ignored, and both leaders expressed concern for displaced Palestinians in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza where millions of “exposed and vulnerable” Palestinians are sheltering. 

Meanwhile, Israel announced that its military rescued two hostages being held in Rafah early Monday. Airstrikes carried out to cover the rescue killed more than 60 Palestinians, including women and children.

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CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
War is a heavy burden that impresses upon us our world’s need for restoration. Jesus came to bear that burden of sin, lighten our load, and restore our world. Pray that the Middle East would experience that restoration and glorify the Messiah Jesus. 

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28–30

Politics

Congressional Proposals

It’s been a busy week in Congress.

On Monday, House Republicans proposed a new warrantless surveillance package reauthorizing the government to spy on foreigners abroad — a controversial move due to the potential for intelligence-community abuses. 

In the wee hours of Tuesday, after an overnight Republican filibuster, the Senate passed its wartime aid package 70-29. The bill includes:

• $60B for Ukraine

• $14B for Israel and U.S. operations in the Middle East

• $8B for Indo-Pacific allies like Taiwan

• $10B in humanitarian aid to war zones

The bill is not likely to survive the Republican-controlled House because it funds foreign aid without border security and adds to Uncle Sam’s $34 trillion debt.

Meanwhile, the lower chamber voted (again) on impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas over his handling of the southern border. The vote narrowly passed last night but is unlikely to survive the Senate.

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE

If our hope is based on political negotiations and outcomes, then we live in fear because we could lose everything. But if our hope is rooted in the eternal security provided by Christ, then we can weather any storm (Ps 18:2; Matt 7:24). 

“In Christ alone my hope is found. He is my light, my strength, my song. This cornerstone, this solid ground — firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease! My Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ I stand.” 
Getty and Townend, 2001

Sponsor

Ripple Effect

The ripple effects of war are devastating.

Last summer, Russia pulled out of the Black Sea grain deal (which allowed safe passage for Ukrainian ships carrying grain) and began attacking grain stores. They accused the West of not holding up their end of the deal and so retaliated, and that move has devastated… Somalia?

East Africa is coming off their worst drought in 40 years, which 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. 

Then it stopped coming.

This, 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

Some Storm

A “nor’easter” brought lots of the wet stuff to the Northeast yesterday – canceling schools and clocking the single snowiest day in NYC since January 2022. 

More than 250 car accidents were reported in New Jersey during the course of the storm. Nearly 130,000 people in Pennsylvania and 12,000+ in western New Jersey were without power Tuesday afternoon after the region saw more than a foot of snow. 

The weather may have played a role in NYC’s politics. Snow piled up during prime voting hours in the tight special election to replace ousted Rep. George Santos (R). Turnout was so low during the heaviest snow yesterday morning, that a Republican super PAC hired private snow plows to help clear favorable precincts more quickly. 

Late last night, the Democratic candidate Tom Suozzi declared victory over Republican Mazi Pilip.

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Verse to consider when the weather snarls your plans… “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight”
Proverbs 3:5-6

A 36-year-old woman opened fire in Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church Sunday afternoon. Off-duty officers at the Houston megachurch returned fire, killing the suspect. Two others were injured, including the suspect’s child, whom she brought with her and who is in critical condition. While a motive remains unknown, investigators found antisemitic writings by the shooter, and the rifle used bore a “Palestine” sticker. 

Despite January’s chill, inflation didn’t cool as much as expected, sending stocks sliding. Annual inflation clocked in at 3.1%, down from 3.4% in December but notably higher than economists’ expectations of 2.9%. Fingers are being pointed at the cost of rent, which is up 6% in the last year. 

Don’t count on delivery for Valentine’s dinner... Thousands of drivers for Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash are planning to strike today in protest of low pay and unsafe working conditions. While Lyft recently promised its drivers a minimum 70% share of ride earnings, Uber and DoorDash don’t seem worried — neither anticipate a “significant impact,” saying driver earnings are strong. 

Super Bowl LVIII was the most-watched broadcast in U.S. television history, with a record 123.4 million people tuning in, 7% more than in 2023. President Biden made his TikTok debut during the game with an informal Q&A posted by @BidenHQ, his reelection campaign. The account is drawing bipartisan criticism over security concerns with the app.

Kelvin Kiptum, the world record holder for the fastest marathon, died alongside his coach in a car accident in western Kenya on Sunday. In his record-setting Chicago race last October, the 24-year-old was 36 seconds away from clocking in under two hours. Competitors and dignitaries offered condolences to the family of the rising star whose “greatness” was cut short.

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