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WORLD NEWS

Civil War

Syria’s 13-year civil war roared back into prominence while we broke for turkey and stuffing.

Beginning Wednesday, Syrian opposition fighters made their largest advance in years, overtaking one of Syria’s largest cities, Aleppo. The offensive unites multiple rebel groups that control 30% of the country; the largest is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a U.S.-designated terrorist organization with past ties to Al Qaeda and the Islamic State. 

They oppose Syria’s President Assad, who is a close ally of Russia and Iran.

Yesterday, Syrian opposition fighters pushed through Aleppo toward smaller towns to the south while Syria’s military attempted to take back control from the skies with support from Russia’s air force. Both sides report that dozens have died in the recent attacks, which included multiple airstrikes on the city of Idlib, a longtime rebel stronghold.

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
There may be good reasons to be worried, scared, or feel hopeless about this day, month, or year. God does not promise good days; he promises a great eternity. Stay focused on eternity; it changes everything.

“I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” 
Psalm 121:1-2 (CSB) (read full passage)

SPORTS

Turkeyball

Thanksgiving weekend served up a feast of football drama.

The Bears gave head coach Matt Eberflus the boot after a Turkey Day loss to the Lions, their sixth-straight defeat. Meanwhile, the Chiefs clinched a playoff spot––again––with a messy-but-memorable 19-17 W over the Raiders, thanks to a (controversial) recovered botched snap.

Rivalry Week in College Football brought even more spice. Georgia outlasted Georgia Tech 44-42 through eight overtimes Friday night. Saturday, No. 14 South Carolina silenced Memorial Stadium with a late-game interception to beat No. 12 Clemson 17-14. Meanwhile, moments after unranked Michigan upset No. 2 Ohio State, Wolverines players tried to plant their flag midfield in The Horseshoe, sparking a chaotic brawl with shoving, swinging, kicking, and pepper spray. 

The penultimate College Football Playoff rankings will be revealed tomorrow.

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Verse to consider whether your team wins, loses, or you’d really rather curl up by a fire and read a good book…“Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (CSB) (read full passage)

FROM OUR PARTNERS

Still Recovering

Only 3% of Cambodia––a country of 17 million people––is following Jesus.

The large majority (82%) of Cambodians are professing Buddhists, and nearly half (43%) of the people groups are completely unreached. It’s not just a lack of the gospel; Cambodia is still recovering from a genocide that created a cycle of poverty, low literacy, and limited health care.

OneHope is reaching children and youth in the darkness with lessons on health and sanitation while sharing Scripture in a life-changing program.

Every $1 gets hygiene kits, training, and God’s Word to three Cambodian children. A generous donation means any gift today will go 2x further, plus TPO will match the first $2,000 given here.

WORLD NEWS

Under the Sea

Geopolitical conflicts are getting hotter under the water. 

The majority—99%—of intercontinental data traffic travels across the ocean floor via massive fiber-optic cables. They’re the backbone of the global internet… and last week, two were severed in the Baltic Sea.

One of the cables connected Finland and Germany; the other linked Sweden and Lithuania. Criminal investigations have begun in Europe, and the lead suspect is a Chinese vessel thought to have dragged its anchor near both damaged sites. The U.S. Navy believes the breaks were accidental, but other countries suspect sabotage because the cables were cut within 24 hours of each other during a hotbed of geopolitical conflict.

Meanwhile, Zuckerberg is tired of sharing. Meta announced plans to lay a globe-spanning 25,000 miles of private undersea cable. The project will take years and cost $10 billion.

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Verse to consider when mind-blowing technology proves fallible… “I have seen all the things that are done under the sun and have found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind… For with much wisdom is much sorrow; as knowledge increases, grief increases.”
Ecclesiastes 1:14, 18 (CSB) (read full passage)

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Saturday, just days after #45/47 threatened a 25% tariff on Canadian goods. Trump called the meeting “very productive,” highlighting discussions of the fentanyl and drug crisis, fair trade agreements, and the future of the neighbors’ relations.
 

Australia passed a law banning social media access for children under 16, requiring tech giants like Meta and TikTok to block minors or face fines up to 49.5 million Aussie bucks ($32M USD). A trial enforcement phase begins in January, with the ban taking full effect next year. Despite opposition from privacy advocates, 77% of Australians support the ban.
 

British lawmakers voted to advance a bill that would allow terminally ill patients to end their lives. If it’s passed after debate in committees, the bill would legalize assisted suicide for those with a terminal diagnosis and life expectancy of <6 months. Supporters say it promotes “dignity in dying”; critics say sick people will be pressured into choosing assisted dying.
 

Vito the pug made history as the first of his breed to win Best in Show at the 2024 National Dog Show. His handler, Michael Scott––unaffiliated with the Scranton paper company––credited a healthy diet, regular brushing, and exercise for Vito’s top condition. “A pug’s face always brings a smile,” he said. See if you agree.
 

Last night, President Biden pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, who was weeks away from sentencing following felony gun and tax convictions and faced a possible lengthy prison sentence. Biden had repeatedly pledged not to use presidential powers to pardon Hunter but ultimately said the charges against his son were politically motivated and a “miscarriage of justice.”

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

Where do you think you’re going…?

What We’re Planning for Next Year
A journey through the Word with the One Year Bible*

With a month left in 2024, it’s time to start thinking about New Year’s resolutions! If 2025 is your year to read (or re-read) the Bible from A(dam) to Z(ion), it’s time to add a One Year Bible to your collection. 

One Year Bibles are available in a variety of reading plan layouts designed to help readers engage with the entire Bible in 365 days, whether you want to take on both Testaments simultaneously or chronologically. Want to take a trip through the New Testament? There’s a Bible for that path, too. 

Explore your One Year Bible options and start prepping for cover-to-cover reflection and growth.

What We’re Less Anxious About
Sharing our faith, thanks to (prayer and) The Gift*

If we could gift our family members eternal life this Christmas, we would… but we can’t.

But we can share the good news, and Christian Broadcasting Network has created a resource to help you do it with confidence. “The Gift: A Practical Guide to Share the Message of Jesus, God’s Greatest Gift” is a free digital download with all kinds of tips for sharing your faith—things to include when sharing your testimony, foundations of the faith to nail down beforehand, and prayers to guide you through the whole process.

Make the most of opportunities to share your hope this holiday season! Download the free guide.