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U.S. NEWS

LA Wildfires

Los Angeles County is engulfed in its costliest wildfire battle in history. 

What’s happening? 
As of last night, five active wildfires (see map) were burning in LA County. The blazes had claimed at least 10 lives and forced nearly 180,000 people to evacuate.

Where are the fires?
The largest, most destructive fire—the Palisades Fire—has scorched nearly 20,000 acres (31 square miles), destroying thousands of homes (see video) between Santa Monica and Malibu. 

Just north of the Palisades fire, the Kenneth Fire broke out yesterday afternoon, spreading across nearly a thousand acres in a matter of hours.

North of Pasadena, the Eaton Fire has burned more than 13,000 acres, destroyed 4,000 buildings, and caused “significant injuries.”

Further north, near Santa Clarita, the Lidia Fire and the Hurst Fire have together torched over 1,100 acres. 

Over 7,500 California first responders and 160 engines from other states have been deployed to combat the fires. As of writing, the Kenneth and Eaton Fires were 0% contained, the Palisades Fire was 6% contained, the Hurst Fire was 40% contained, and the Lidia Fire was 60% contained. 

How did the fires start?
The cause of each fire is under investigation, but wind gusts up to 100 mph, dry air, and vegetation-covered hills created a situation “about as bad as it gets.” 

What’s the response been?
Governor Newsom (D-CA) issued a state of emergency Tuesday, and President Biden met with firefighting officials in LA on Wednesday, directing a “full federal response.”

President-elect Trump noted that some fire hydrants had run dry, saying government mismanagement of water contributed to the crisis. 

Californians are on alert as strong winds continue in the region, increasing the risk of new fires starting through “ember attacks” and the spread of smoke-polluted air. 

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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 disaster victims in California’s Wildfires. 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)

TECH

Gadgets

CES 2025, one of the year’s largest tech events, comes to an end in Las Vegas today.

This week, over 4,500 exhibitors debuted their latest innovations. Some standouts included:

• Electric Salt Spoon: Japanese beer company Kirin’s $60 spoon uses electric currents to amplify salty and umami flavors without adding extra salt.

• AI Robot Pets: Meet ROPET, a modern, high-tech Furby, and Tombot, a robotic emotional support dog. 

• Transparent TV: LG’s 77-inch Transparent OLED can be yours for a mere $60K.

• Mini Smart House: An “expandable home pod” is giving Disney’s Smart House, tiny homes edition.

• Solar EV: Aptera’s solar-powered vehicle recharges while you drive. The Jetson-family-esque vehicle is also sure to turn heads on the highway.

Other eye-catching inventions included tiny human holograms, needle-free injections, and earwax-cleaning headphones. 

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Whether you’re thrilled by innovation or intimidated by the future, live with joy and pursue holiness because believers already know how this story ends. Technology will never outsmart God or thwart his plan to renew and glorify all who are in Christ.

“But based on his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. Therefore, dear friends, while you wait for these things, make every effort to be found without spot or blemish in his sight, at peace.” 
2 Peter 3:13-14 (CSB) (read full passage)

FROM OUR PARTNERS

Out With the Old, In With the Coal

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Frontieras, an innovative energy company, has developed a patented coal-processing technology that extracts valuable resources from coal without burning it (read: it’s environmentally friendly and sustainable). This process could tap into a $2.1 trillion market, and investors are givin’ it heart eyes emoji.

With Frontieras’s first $850M facility breaking ground soon in West Virginia and more planned across North America, early investors are jumping on board before share prices change January 20th. Learn more about how you can capitalize on this breakthrough opportunity. 

Disclosure: This is a paid advertisement for Frontieras Regulation CF Offering. Please read the offering circular at https://invest.frontieras.com/. Past performance is not indicative of future returns. Investing involves risk.

The College Football Playoff semifinals kicked off last night with Notre Dame taking down Penn State, 27-24, thanks to a last-minute (literally) go-ahead field goal. In their first title game appearance in over a decade, the Fighting Irish will face the winner of tonight’s Cotton Bowl—either Texas or Ohio State—in the National Championship on Monday, Jan. 20th.
 

Eighteen states from New Mexico to Virginia are feeling Winter Storm Cora’s chill. She’s continuing her 1,400-mile journey across the southern U.S. today, moving northeast after slamming north Texas overnight. Temps are well below average across the South, allowing accumulation of up to 12 inches of snow and creating dangerous travel conditions from Dallas to Memphis to Charlotte.
 

The Israeli military recovered a 53-year-old Israeli hostage’s body from an underground tunnel in Gaza Tuesday. Troops also found remains that may be the late Youssef Ziyadne’s son, who was captured with him in October 2023 alongside two siblings (released in November 2023). Meanwhile, the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt are attempting to broker a new ceasefire-and-hostage-release deal.
 

The U.S. will provide Ukraine with an additional $500M in weapons from U.S. stockpiles. Yesterday’s announcement follows Defense Secretary Austin’s final meeting with President Zelenskyy and the Ukraine Defense Contact Group—a group of ~50 partner nations supporting Ukraine—in Germany. The group emphasized the need for continued military aid for Ukraine ahead of the upcoming U.S. administration change.
 

A bipartisan majority in the new House passed the Laken Riley Act Tuesday. The bill—named for the 22-year-old nursing student killed by a Venezuelan man with a history of misdemeanors living in the U.S. illegally—requires U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to take illegal immigrants who commit theft-related crimes (think, shoplifting) into custody (currently, only felons face deportation).

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

Growing circles create mesmerizing patterns…

How We’re Banking
With our values, alongside Christian Community Credit Union*

It’s January, which means many of us are swapping cookies for kale, buying shiny new planners, and trying to actually sweat in our sweatpants. Why not focus on financial health in the new year with Christian Community Credit Union? 

As America’s #1 biblical banking solution, CCCU offers full-service digital banking designed to help you thrive financially while supporting mission work around the world. As a bonus, new members receive up to $400 when opening a checking, savings, or Visa credit account between now and February 28. 

Join CCCU and make more eternally significant financial decisions in 2025.

How I’m Beating Tummy Bubbles
With Seed*

New year, same love for pizza nights with lots of cheese and lattes with whole milk. The difference? Now I can enjoy them without the dreaded bloated feeling. 

Seed’s DS-01® Daily Synbiotic is my go-to for whole-body health. It’s a probiotic + prebiotic that supports gut health (and more––think skin, heart, and immunity). After just a couple of weeks, I noticed a huge difference! If I forget to take it by 8 a.m., my tummy reminds me. 

If your New Year’s resolutions don’t include giving up your favorite foods, try Seed and feel the difference. Use code 25POUR for 25% off your first month!

Emily Hansen | Dairy-loving Partnerships Manager