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WORLD NEWS

Israel Responds

Israel launched its much-anticipated retaliatory strike against Iran on Saturday.

Jerusalem said the strike was a response to “months of continuous attacks” from Iran and its allies—including the barrage of missiles Tehran fired at Israel on October 1. The retaliation targeted Iranian “missile manufacturing facilities,” killing four Iranian soldiers. Israel said its “mission was fulfilled,” though Iran said strikes caused “limited damage.”

In Israel, critics of PM Netanyahu said the IDF “should have exacted a heavier price from Iran.” The strike steered clear of Iranian oil and nuclear sites—targets the U.S. had pressured Israel to avoid to prevent additional regional escalation. 

The Biden administration expects Israel’s strike to be “the end of the direct military exchange.” While Iran reiterated its right to self-defense, it also expressed commitment to “regional peace and stability.”

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

“Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Book of Common Prayer, page 655

SPORTS

The (All)Stars Are Aligned

Happy Sports Equinox to all who celebrate! 

Today marks just the 31st time in history that all of the “big four” professional sports leagues—MLB, NFL, NBA, and NHL—have a game on the same day. This year, even MLS fans get to celebrate! 

The most significant of tonight’s games is Game 3 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium. History was made in the 10th inning of Game 1 on Friday when LA’s Freddie Freeman hit the first-ever walk-off grand slam in a Fall Classic.

Saturday’s Game 2—also a Dodgers victory—was overshadowed by an injury to LA all-star Shohei Ohtani (a partially dislocated shoulder); he’ll still play in Game 3. Yet, there’s hope for the Yankees. The last two times these teams played each other in the World Series, the team that went up 2-0… lost.

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Our goal is to keep the big things big and the small things small. History-making sports moments are fun and exciting… but they’re not God-of-the-Universe important. Keep your eyes fixed on eternity—a perspective that changes everything.

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
Colossians 3:2-4 (CSB) (read full passage)

FROM OUR PARTNERS

Unwrapping Connection

One in 49 children in the U.S. has a mom or dad in prison. As the holidays approach, kids and their incarcerated parents feel the distance intensely.

Prison Fellowship is showing these kids that they’re loved––by their parents and by Jesus––through Angel Tree. Angel Tree provides Christmas gifts, notes from incarcerated parents, and the Gospel. All the Christmas magic happens through the local church so that congregations can extend the hope of the Gospel and foster connections that last long beyond the holidays.

Help show children they are treasured and loved this Christmas and beyond. Join us in donating to Angel Tree today!

POLITICS

No Endorsement

The Washington Post is skipping the endorsement party. 

For the first time since 1988, the newspaper won’t endorse a presidential candidate––a decision reportedly made by owner Jeff Bezos. Insiders say the Post’s editorial team had drafted an endorsement for VP Harris before chief executive Lewis announced the new policy, framing it as a “statement in support of our readers’ ability to make up their own minds.”

The announcement, just 11 days before a close election, sparked a mostly negative response from WaPo subscribers and staff. Longtime columnist Robert Kagan resigned, 11 Post columnists co-signed a critical article, and veteran Post journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein voiced disapproval.

It mirrors a decision by the Los Angeles Times, whose billionaire owner also reportedly blocked the paper’s planned endorsement of Harris.
 
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Verse to consider when political endorsements (or lack thereof) stir up controversy… “Be compassionate and humble, not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing… For the one who wants to love life and to see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit, and let him turn away from evil and do what is good. Let him seek peace and pursue it, because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer.”
1 Peter 3:8-12 (CSB) (read full passage)

America’s #1 podcaster sat down with America’s 45th president for a three-hour interview. Joe Rogan and former President Trump had a friendly chat about Trump’s “biggest mistake” (picking staff), the 2020 election, and replacing income taxes with tariffs. Then, Sunday, #45 ditched the battleground states for Madison Square Garden to deliver his campaign’s closing pitch at a sold-out rally.
 

Vice President Harris is callin’ in some big names for the final countdown. Friday, Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland appeared at a Houston rally that was reportedly Harris’ largest ever. Then, Saturday, former First Lady Obama appeared at a Michigan rally where she said she’s “a little angry” that people “pick apart” Harris’ interviews but are indifferent to Trump’s “erratic behavior.”
 

Waymo just cruised through its largest-ever funding round, raising a whopping $5.6 billion. The cash will add some horsepower to self-driving taxi operations in its current markets––San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix––and help expand into Austin and Atlanta. The company also hinted at future “business applications” for its self-driving tech, such as autonomous food and package deliveries.
 

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau is turning over a new maple leaf on immigration, announcing his government will sharply lower the number of immigrants it allows into the country after boosting immigration post-COVID. Trudeau says they didn’t get the balance “quite right.” A growing number of Canadians blame immigration for ever-rising housing prices; others slammed Trudeau for rolling back “migrant rights.”
 

The McDonald’s Quarter Pounder E. coli outbreak has expanded, sickening at least 75 people across 13 states. McDonald’s has pulled the QP from one-fifth of its 13,000 stateside locations, and a Colorado-based farm has issued a recall of its yellow onions––the “likely source of contamination.” The outbreak has hamburgled 6% of Ronald’s stock price.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

A super (duper) light model aircraft…

How Our New Office Is Staying Hydrated
LMNT*

Sooo, The Pour Over just moved into an office! And we don’t have much—just desks, chairs… and a TON of LMNT.

Turns out, LMNT is the only thing we actually need. From sneaking a Raspberry Salt during the mid-morning slump to tossing a Citrus Salt in our water to power through the afternoon, LMNT is what keeps us going.

No sugar, no crashes—just the electrolytes we need to stay sharp during the workday. Honestly, it’s the real MVP of The Pour Over.

Stay fresh and hydrated like us; TPO readers get eight single-serve packs free with any drink mix purchase.

The Pour Over Staff

What You Should Check Out
Medi-Share*

We’ll be honest, we were skeptical about the entire Christian Health Care Sharing industry… but after digging in, we’ve realized Medi-Share is a great option for many people. 

People like Johnny (hear his story) and an unnamed member of the TPO staff who hasn’t been to a doctor since their pediatrician cut them off (yikes) but loves the idea of Medi-Share’s 24/7 Telehealth option. 

Medi-Share allows Christians to share in one another’s medical bills, and the typical family can save up to $500/month in health care expenses. So… it’s well worth a look. See if it’s right for you!