U.S. NEWS

‘Merica

Uncle Sam turned 250 on Saturday, prompting days of fireworks, flyovers, and other festivities.

A parade of tall ships (see photo) set sail from New York Harbor, members of Congress visited the room where the Declaration of Independence was signed, former presidents posted messages of reflection, and Joey Chestnut won his 18th Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest (gulping down 66 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes).

But the weather didn’t cooperate across much of the country.

More than 20 people died from record-setting heat across the South and Midwest, and severe storms forced a two-hour evacuation of the main event at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. President Trump’s delayed speech began at 11 p.m. and was followed by the “largest pyrotechnics display in the history of the world” (see photos).

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Two hundred and fifty years is a long time to us, and a short time to God. We can celebrate and give thanks for the many blessings of living in America, while never forgetting that our deepest citizenship and truest hope is in heaven.

“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)

SPORTS

Sweet Sixteen Shakeout

The World Cup’s Round of 16 kicked off this weekend.

Saturday brought heartbreak for co-host Canada: Morocco beat the Great White North 3-0 in Houston, as midfielder Azzedine Ounahi bagged a brace (scored two goals). In the nightcap, France squeezed past Paraguay 1-0 on a Kylian Mbappé penalty, booking Les Bleus’ fourth-straight quarterfinal.

Last night brought heartbreak for co-host Mexico, who fell to England in Mexico City, after Norway beat Brazil 2-1.

Meanwhile, hope abounds for co-host United States. FIFA overturned the controversial red card given to Folarin Balogun (the leading scorer for the United States Men’s National Team) during their match against Bosnia-Herzegovina. The White House reportedly petitioned FIFA to make the rare reversal, which lifts Balogun’s one-game suspension, freeing the three-goal striker to play in tonight's near-even-odds game against Belgium in Seattle.

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RADIATE HOPE
Whether you’re celebrating your country’s big W or walking through the ordinary rhythms of life as a worker, parent, or student, we all have an opportunity to honor God with our lives and bring the eternal hope of Christ into every interaction. Even if it feels small, the audience of One is cheering you on.

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 (CSB) (read full passage)

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ENTERTAINMENT

Happily Ever After

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift just said yes “I do.”

The formal announcement came Swift-style, lighting up Madison Square Garden billboards with the words “JUST&T MARRIED!” Friday evening.

More than 1,000 guests, including Ed Sheeran, Millie Bobby Brown, and Hugh Grant (see who else was spotted), rolled up outside MSG in blacked-out SUVs and checked their phones at the door to see the Dior-clad couple put a ring on it. Tay and Trav’s brothers stood in as Man of Honor and best man, with Adam Sandler, in a shoutout to her song Wi$h Li$t, officiating.

Guests stuck to the NDA and have posted little from Friday’s affair, leaving fans on the edge of their seats waiting for Taylor’s Version of the wedding photos and the biggest reveal of all: her dress.

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
The Bible begins and ends with a wedding. Every marriage here on earth is a good reminder that we look forward to the ultimate wedding celebration, when the Lord will rejoice over his bride, the Church.

“Let us be glad, rejoice, and give him glory, because the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his bride has prepared herself. She was given fine linen to wear, bright and pure. For the fine linen represents the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, ‘Write: Blessed are those invited to the marriage feast of the Lamb!’ He also said to me, ‘These words of God are true.’”
Revelation 19:7-9 (CSB) (read full passage)

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Iran began its seven-day funeral for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei who was killed in an airstrike on February 28. Iran says 12-20 million are expected to attend ceremonies, but conspicuously absent is Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei (Ali’s son and successor) who has not been seen in public in months. U.S.-Iran peace negotiations are on pause for the memorial.

President Trump dropped 11 presidential pardons Friday. Nine of the pardoned were convicted for violating the Clean Air Act by modifying or disabling emissions controls on trucks; Trump said they should not serve time for “fixing their car.” The other two had completed sentences for fraud, and the White House highlighted their records since.

Paul Pelosi, husband of former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, faces misdemeanor charges for a hit-and-run in California. Pelosi, 86, allegedly struck a legally parked vehicle Friday before “briefly stopping” then driving away. Officials found the 86-year-old with damage to his vehicle, saying he was unaware of what he hit. No one was injured and alcohol use is not suspected.

The House returns from its Independence Day recess today, but remains paralyzed. Twelve conservative hardliners are demanding the Senate pass the Trump-endorsed Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act before anything else. Last Tuesday, they joined House Dems to block a procedural vote 224-198, grinding the lower chamber to a halt and prompting Speaker Johnson (R-LA) to ring the recess bell early.

Google has lost its final appeal. The EU’s top court upheld a $4.7B antitrust fine Thursday, ruling the tech giant abused its Android dominance by requiring manufacturers to pre-install its apps to license the Play Store. Google said the ruling ignores how it’s kept “Android open, interoperable and free,” noting it already adapted its terms to comply.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

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