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POLITICS

Texas Hold ‘Em

The Texas State House voted 85-6 to issue civil arrest warrants for over 50 of their (absent) Democratic colleagues. 

The Democrats fled the state to block a vote on a controversial new congressional map. Republicans are trying to redraw district lines mid-decade, a rare move that could flip five seats in the U.S. House of Representatives from blue to red in 2026. Without a two-thirds quorum (100 of 150 members), the Lone Star State’s House can’t vote… hence the exodus.

Texas Governor Abbott (R) promised to expel absent members from office for “degradation of duty” (expect legal challenges) and warned them that fundraising to pay the $500/day absentee fine may trigger felony bribery charges.

Meanwhile, Blue states are promising to strike back: California and New York proposed their own mid-decade redraws to offset Texas’s move.

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Politics can get messy, but our hope isn’t in a district map, political party, or perfect government—it’s in a King whose reign is never up for a vote. 

“God ascends among shouts of joy, the LORD, with the sound of a ram’s horn. Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our King, sing praise! Sing a song of wisdom, for God is King of the whole earth. God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.” 
Psalm 47:5–8 (CSB) (read full passage)

U.S. NEWS

Good Jeans, Bad Fit?

American Eagle’s new denim ad campaign has caused some chafing, but its stock has spread its wings and soared.

The millennial-loved fashion brand sparked controversy when it announced a partnership with actress Sydney Sweeney for its fall denim campaign, featuring the slogan: “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans.”

Critics were not laughing at the genes/jeans pun, claiming that pairing the slogan with a blonde-haired, blue-eyed actress was “racist” or supports eugenics—the belief that humanity can be “improved” through selective reproduction. Supporters are calling that criticism “woke” and “overblown,” and American Eagle says the slogan “is and always was about the jeans.” 

AE’s stock has noticed all the attention, climbing 23% on Monday—after President Trump called the campaign the “hottest ad out there”—before falling 8% yesterday.

(We’re also covering this story tomorrow in Decaf, The Pour Over for Families. Sign up—for free—here.)

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ABOVE ALL, LOVE
The world has different priorities than followers of Jesus… which the Bible says is par for the course. God’s people don’t stand over the world looking down in judgment (1 Corinthians 5:9-13); we repent of our own sin before the Lord and love our neighbors radically.

“Do not be surprised, brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers and sisters. The one who does not love remains in death… This is how we have come to know love: He laid down his life for us.”
1 John 3:13-16 (CSB) (read full passage)

FROM OUR PARTNERS

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WORLD NEWS

Going In

Israel and Hamas are reportedly done talking.

Amid growing global backlash over hunger in Gaza, Hamas released videos over the weekend showing emaciated hostages inside underground tunnels. Then, on Monday, Israeli PM Netanyahu’s office announced a proposal to “occupy all of the Gaza Strip,” expanding the IDF’s footprint in order to finish Hamas and rescue the remaining 50 hostages (20 of whom are believed to be alive).

The plan has received pushback from senior Israeli military officials, who worry it would only push Hamas to kill hostages and further isolate Israel from the international community. A cabinet-level meeting to discuss operational plans was reportedly postponed yesterday amid the rift.

Hamas said Israel’s threats “have no influence on our decisions.” Ceasefire negotiations are not expected to continue.

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CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
As the stakes in Gaza get even higher, demonstrate your faith in our ultimate King by praying for world leaders. Pray for wisdom, justice, and peace to rule in the Middle East.

“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

The Clintons have been subpoenaed. The House Oversight Committee is demanding testimony from the former first couple—along with eight former senior law enforcement officials and FBI directors—as part of its Epstein investigation. Lawmakers are pressing the DOJ for records by August 19. The DOJ says there’s no “client list” or blackmail evidence, but critics on both sides aren’t convinced.
 

Tesla is paying up to keep Elon Musk in the driver’s seat. The electric carmaker approved an “interim” pay package of 96 million shares (worth ~$29B) to retain the tech mogul in a “senior leadership” role for the next two years. The package, which Tesla calls a “good faith” gesture, comes after a Delaware judge struck down a previous $56B package.
 

Switzerland is talking to Uncle Sam about tariffs on Toblerones. The famously neutral country is preparing a “more attractive offer” after President Trump announced a 39% import tax on all Swiss goods—the highest rate on an industrialized nation. India seems less amenable to a deal, calling Trump’s threats to increase tariffs over their purchase of Russian oil “unjustified and unreasonable.”
 

The New York Post is going Hollywood. Rupert Murdoch’s media group announced it’s launching The California Post in early 2026, bringing its edgy right-leaning tone to the left-leaning West Coast. Based in L.A., the news outlet promises “serious reporting and puckish wit” amid a shrinking local news scene and left-leaning media landscape.
 

NASA is taking one giant leap towards making the moon habitable. Interim NASA administrator Sean Duffy announced plans to build a nuclear reactor on the moon by 2030, saying it would prevent Russia and China—who have similar lunar aspirations—from getting there first and “declaring a keep-out zone.” The timeline was met with skepticism, given recent cuts to NASA’s budget.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

Draw a fish… then watch it swim with other fish.

What We’re Stocking Our Desks With
Mr. Pen’s Back-to-School Essentials Kit*

We’ve found the hack to boost productivity—and it’s not a superfood or AI-anything… It’s Mr. Pen. 

Mr. Pen knows back-to-school shopping should be one-and-done. Their Back-to-School Essentials Kits (there are two!) bundle all the good stuff—gel pens that actually glide, no-bleed highlighters, sticky notes for everything, and other supplies we absolutely love—inside one sturdy pencil box.

Perfect for anyone who lives for the “new supplies” feeling, it’s the top-rated (100,000+ 5-star reviews!) school and Bible supply brand on Amazon.

Need a last-minute stock-up? Mr. Pen gave us a special code: Use TPO5 at checkout to get $5 off. But hurry—it’s only good through the end of this week!

What We’re Diving Into
Scripture, with The See Series*

The Bible is deep. Like a shipwreck at the bottom of the ocean, God wove together a story filled with treasures that often requires a bit of deep-sea diving. 

Author and Bible scholar Chris Tiegreen’s new collection of devotionals, The See Series, brings the riches of God’s truth to the surface. From Psalms to John to Romans to Philippians, each book combines trusted scholarship with devotional warmth and practical application, helping you or your small group engage the Bible in a way that’s insightful, personal, and transformative. 

Explore the depths of God’s Word with The See Series—start with Philippians today!