Read Time: 5 min 49 sec | Listen to Podcast

WORLD NEWS

Ceasefire

The Israeli Security Cabinet approved a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah last night.

The U.S.-brokered agreement between Israel and the Iran-backed, Lebanon-based terror group ends the 13-month conflict that has displaced over 2 million people.

Under the terms of the deal, Israel must withdraw from southern Lebanon within 60 days, and Hezbollah must move weapons 20+ miles further north. The Lebanese army will oversee the border region to prevent Hezbollah from regrouping as a U.S.-led team monitors for violations. Israel is free to strike militarily if Hezbollah violates the agreement, which is expected to take effect today.

Critics in Israel call it a bandaid, saying they need to eliminate Hezbollah for lasting peace. Supporters say the deal will get people home in relative stability, give the army a rest, and isolate Hamas and Iran.

__

Verse to consider whether your Thanksgiving is peaceful or full of conflict… “I always let the Lord guide me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my whole being rejoices; my body also rests securely. For you will not abandon me to Sheol; you will not allow your faithful one to see decay. You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures.”
Psalm 16:8-11 (CSB) (read full passage)

U.S. NEWS

Charges Dropped

President-elect Trump is looking at his legal troubles in the rearview mirror.

On Monday, Special Counsel Jack Smith moved to dismiss federal charges against Trump in both the Jan. 6th election interference case and the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case. Smith said the decision was “not based on the merits or strength” of the cases but the long-standing position by the DOJ that “forbids the federal indictment and subsequent criminal prosecution of a sitting President.” Smith has left the door open to refiling the charges in four years, when #45/47 leaves office.

Trump said the cases “should have never been brought” in an online post celebrating the decision.

His state-level cases aren’t moving either: sentencing for Trump’s New York hush money conviction is indefinitely delayed, and Georgia’s election interference/racketeering case is indefinitely paused.

__

CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Culturally hot topics frequently make people think, speak, and act poorly… including us. We can respect others and represent God better if we are quick to listen and slow to speak.

“My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.”
James 1:19-20 (CSB) (read full passage)

FROM OUR PARTNERS

Sneezin’s Greetings

The festive season is upon us… and so are winter germs. 

Stock your medicine cabinet with immune support so the only thing you’re bringing over the river and through the woods is that perfect present.

Beekeeper’s Naturals is reinventing the medicine cabinet with clean, effective alternatives to chemical-filled conventional medicine. Their best-selling Propolis Throat Spray soothes scratchy throats while providing essential vitamins and minerals for daily germ-fighting (and there’s a tasty kid version!). We also love their Propolis Cough Syrups, which boost recovery and immune health without over-the-counter chemicals.

Upgrade your medicine cabinet and take 30% off sitewide for Black Friday here or using code POUROVER at checkout.

U.S. NEWS

Tariffs

President-elect Trump has vowed tariffs are coming on Day 1 of Term 2.

In a Truth Social post on Monday, Trump promised to impose a 25% tariff on all products coming from Mexico and Canada in retaliation for illegal immigration and the fentanyl crisis; he also pledged an additional 10% tariff hike on China for its role in the fentanyl supply chain. He said tariffs would be removed once the crises are resolved.

Responses were swift. Canada and Mexico’s currencies fell sharply, and a Chinese Embassy spokesperson warned that “no one will win a trade war.” Yesterday, Mexico––Uncle Sam’s largest trading partner––suggested it would retaliate with its own tariffs.

The stock market barely reacted to Trump’s posts, a sign that investors likely see these tariffs as political posturing rather than an inevitability.

__

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
While economic policies are important, Christians should remember that our ultimate hope rests in Christ, not in worldly economies. As citizens of heaven, we trust in God’s eternal providence. 

“Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 3:20 CSB (read full passage)

Turkey-day travel is expected to gobble up a new record. AAA projects nearly 80 million Americans will journey 50+ miles from home, and TSA has staffed up in expectation for its “busiest ever” Thanksgiving week. In case you were wondering, the TSA also clarified you can bring turkey, stuffing, and 3.4oz of gravy through security.
 

Earth’s “mini moon” is packin’ up and heading out. Asteroid 2024 PT5, the 10-meter-wide rock that has been hanging around Earth since August, is believed to be a piece of the (real) moon, possibly ejected after an ancient impact. While it never fully orbited Earth, it did a cosmic horseshoe before the Sun’s gravitational pull sent it on its way.
 

Walmart is rolling back some DEI initiatives. The retail giant will not renew its racial equity center or continue participating in an LGBTQ+ advocacy group’s benchmark index. Robby Starbuck, a conservative activist who warned Walmart about his “wokeness” report, said the retailer responded with “productive conversations” to implement changes; Walmart claims changes have been in the works for years.
 

Macy’s has delayed its quarterly results after discovering an employee intentionally hid over $130M in delivery expenses. The no-longer-employee (who is definitely not invited to tomorrow’s parade) made erroneous entries for nearly three years. The department store said an independent investigation showed no other employees were involved and that the errors did not affect cash management or vendor payments.
 

Football and a nap: the best pairing with turkey. On Thanksgiving Day, catch Bears vs. Lions, Giants vs. Cowboys, and Dolphins vs. Packers. College football fans can tune in for Memphis vs. Tulane and gear up for rivalry weekend, with matchups like #3 Texas vs. #15 Texas A&M, #21 Arizona State vs. Arizona, and Michigan vs. #2 Ohio State.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

Some of the world’s best Christmas light displays…

How We’re Nurturing Faith
With a Christmas Family Fun Guide*

Looking for ways to keep God’s Word in focus during the busy holiday season?

Our friends at Compassion International have your back. They’re giving away a Christmas activity guide that will bring faith and lots of fun into your holiday season. This guide will help you and your family share experiences that illuminate the hope, peace, joy, and love of God during Advent.

Download your free Christmas Family Fun Guide to grow the little ones’ faith!

How I’m Investing in Real Estate
With Roots*

Setting up my Roots account took just a few minutes… and just like that, I’m basically a real estate mogul!

It has been completely hassle-free––no managing properties, no 2 a.m. calls about flooded toilets––but what really hooked me was their missional model. Roots aligns the interests of investors and renters, giving responsible renters a stake in the fund. It’s an amazing way to help people build wealth who might not otherwise have the opportunity. 

Roots manages everything, and investors can cash out quarterly. 

Start your real estate investment journey with Roots for as little as $100 and see how easy—and impactful—it can be.

Nate Wells | Head of Business

*Information contained herein, although believed accurate and compiled from credible sources, is not guaranteed. There can be no assurance the business objectives of the Company will be achieved. Investors may lose all or part of their investment and distributions with respect to such investment are not guaranteed. Past performance is not indicative of future returns.