Just sharing.

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“The trial of your faith.”

1 Peter 1:7

Faith untried may be true faith, but it is sure to be little faith, and it is likely to remain dwarfish so long as it is without trials. Faith never prospers so well as when all things are against her: tempests are her trainers, and lightnings are her illuminators. When a calm reigns on the sea, spread the sails as you will, the ship moves not to its harbour; for on a slumbering ocean the keel sleeps too. Let the winds rush howling forth, and let the waters lift up themselves, then, though the vessel may rock, and her deck may be washed with waves, and her mast may creak under the pressure of the full and swelling sail, it is then that she makes headway towards her desired haven.




No flowers wear so lovely a blue as those which grow at the foot of the frozen glacier; no stars gleam so brightly as those which glisten in the polar sky; no water tastes so sweet as that which springs amid the desert sand; and no faith is so precious as that which lives and triumphs in adversity. Tried faith brings experience. You could not have believed your own weakness had you not been compelled to pass through the rivers; and you would never have known God's strength had you not been supported amid the water-floods. Faith increases in solidity, assurance, and intensity, the more it is exercised with tribulation. Faith is precious, and its trial is precious too.

Let not this, however, discourage those who are young in faith. You will have trials enough without seeking them: the full portion will be measured out to you in due season. Meanwhile, if you cannot yet claim the result of long experience, thank God for what grace you have; praise him for that degree of holy confidence whereunto you have attained: walk according to that rule, and you shall yet have more and more of the blessing of God, till your faith shall remove mountains and conquer impossibilities.

 

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Voided, Unvoided​

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Check any importers in your life for signs of whiplash: most of President Trump’s tariffs were voided Wednesday and reinstated yesterday… at least temporarily.​

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The Constitution gives Congress the power to set tariffs, but a 1977 law delegates that authority to the president in times of crisis. On Wednesday, a three-judge panel in the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that Trump overstepped that 1977 law’s limits when he imposed tariffs of 10% (or higher) on nearly every country and gave the White House ten days to power down the tariff-collecting machines. ​

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Yesterday, a federal appeals court quickly granted the Trump administration’s request that the tariffs remain in place while legal battles unfold.​

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Not all of Trump’s tariffs are caught in the chaos, as some—including tariffs on steel, aluminum, and cars—were issued under separate legal authorities.

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Our goal is to keep the big things big and the small things small. It’s not that global trade and changes to tariffs aren’t important; they’re just not God-of-the-Universe important. Stay focused on eternity, it changes everything.​

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“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)​

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Revoked​

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The fall semester is up in the air for Chinese international students.​

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On Wednesday, Secretary of State Rubio announced that the Trump administration would begin to "aggressively revoke” Chinese student visas, stop new student-visa interviews until it can vet applicants’ social media accounts, and revise its criteria for future Chinese and Hong Kongese applicants. ​

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Rubio said the move targets “those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields” (think: STEM) in an effort to protect “national security” and “public safety.” ​

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Chinese officials called the move “fully unjustified” and “discriminatory,” and urged Washington to “safeguard the rights and interests” of all students. Higher-ed experts warn that the loss of Chinese students—who make up one quarter (277,000) of all international students in the U.S. and typically pay full tuition—will be a significant hit to universities’ income.

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ABOVE ALL, LOVE
While you probably have little say in who gets student visas, you play a much more significant role in Christ's mission to demonstrate his love to the world. As you seek justice, remember compassion for your neighbors—whether international students, longtime citizens, or people who passionately disagree with you on immigration policy.​

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“We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and yet hates his brother or sister, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother or sister whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.”
1 John 4:19-20 (CSB) (read full passage)​

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Peace Talks​

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Israel and Hamas are in a peace-talk tug of war. ​

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Ceasefire negotiations started moving again after Israel put their stamp of approval on a U.S.-brokered offer. The proposal includes:​

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• A 60-day pause in fighting
• The release of 10 living Israeli hostages and 18 bodies in the first week, with 30 more released after a more permanent truce
• The release of 1,236 Palestinian prisoners and 180 bodies
• And humanitarian aid to Gaza via the U.N. and other agencies

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Hamas agreed to release the 28 hostages… with some proposed edits to the terms and conditions, including:​

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• A permanent truce
• The complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza
• And a guaranteed 600 aid trucks/day to the enclave

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U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff called Hamas’s counteroffer “unacceptable,” saying it “takes us backward” in negotiations.​

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ABOVE ALL, LOVE
It’s easy to become angry and indignant over world events, but much more difficult to live with the tension of desiring change while simultaneously loving everyone involved. Followers of Christ are called to live in that tension, loving the very people they work against.​

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“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High.”
Luke 6:32, 35 (CSB) (read full passage)​

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Steel Talkin’ Tariffs​

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Tariffs and the markets are both going up. ​

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President Trump announced Friday that the U.S. will double tariffs on imported steel—from 25% to 50%—to protect the American industry. Speaking to Pennsylvania steelworkers, he tied the move to a not-yet-final $14B acquisition of U.S. Steel by Japan’s Nippon Steel, with conditions ensuring U.S. control. The tariffs take effect Wednesday and could raise prices on everything from soup to construction supplies.​

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Meanwhile, Wall Street celebrated a strong month of May: the S&P 500 (+6.2%) and Nasdaq (+9.6%) both had their best months since November 2023, and the Dow Jones climbed a lower, but still respectable, 3.9%.​

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The tech sector led May’s march upward; healthcare was the only sector to end the month down.

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RADIATE HOPE
Regardless of what happens to the economy in the coming months, God will remain in control. In the midst of earthly uncertainty, set your hope on the abundance we will enjoy with Christ for eternity when he comes. ​

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“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.”
1 Peter 1:3-4 (CSB) (read full passage)​

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Boulder Attack​

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A 45-year-old Egyptian national has been charged with federal hate crimes and 16 counts of attempted first-degree murder for Sunday’s terror attack in Boulder, CO. ​

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The man reportedly threw two Molotov cocktails into a pro-Israel demonstration—shouting, “How many children killed?” and “Free Palestine.” According to a police report, he disguised himself as a gardener and had another 18 Molotov cocktails with him but didn’t throw them because he “got scared and had never hurt anyone before.”​

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The suspect, who overstayed his visa after arriving in 2022, later told the FBI he had planned the attack for a year and would do it again. ​

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The victims were participating in a weekly demonstration aimed at raising awareness for the 58 hostages still held by Hamas; 12 people were injured, including an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor.

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ABOVE ALL, LOVE
Amid violence and division, followers of Christ have an opportunity to show that our ultimate allegiance is to him. Imitating our just and merciful Father, root for justice while retaining love for all parties – the victims and perpetrator – desiring restoration, not revenge.​

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“The LORD is waiting to show you mercy, and is rising up to show you compassion, for the LORD is a just God. All who wait patiently for him are happy.”
Isaiah 30:18 (CSB) (read full passage)​

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“Seeking the wealth of his people.”

Esther 10:3

Mordecai was a true patriot, and therefore, being exalted to the highest position under Ahasuerus, he used his eminence to promote the prosperity of Israel. In this he was a type of Jesus, who, upon his throne of glory, seeks not his own, but spends his power for his people. It were well if every Christian would be a Mordecai to the church, striving according to his ability for its prosperity. Some are placed in stations of affluence and influence, let them honour their Lord in the high places of the earth, and testify for Jesus before great men. Others have what is far better, namely, close fellowship with the King of kings, let them be sure to plead daily for the weak of the Lord's people, the doubting, the tempted, and the comfortless. It will redound to their honour if they make much intercession for those who are in darkness and dare not draw nigh unto the mercy seat.




Instructed believers may serve their Master greatly if they lay out their talents for the general good, and impart their wealth of heavenly learning to others, by teaching them the things of God. The very least in our Israel may at least seek the welfare of his people; and his desire, if he can give no more, shall be acceptable. It is at once the most Christlike and the most happy course for a believer to cease from living to himself. He who blesses others cannot fail to be blessed himself. On the other hand, to seek our own personal greatness is a wicked and unhappy plan of life, its way will be grievous and its end will be fatal.

Here is the place to ask thee, my friend, whether thou art to the best of thy power seeking the wealth of the church in thy neighbourhood? I trust thou art not doing it mischief by bitterness and scandal, nor weakening it by thy neglect. Friend, unite with the Lord's poor, bear their cross, do them all the good thou canst, and thou shalt not miss thy reward.

 

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Travel Ban 2.0​

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President Trump signed a travel ban on Wednesday, blocking citizens from 12 countries from entering the U.S. and partially restricting travel from seven more.​

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The ban, effective Monday, mainly includes countries in the Middle East and Africa, plus Haiti, and includes many of the majority-Muslim countries that were travel-banned during Trump’s first term. The White House cited national security and terrorism concerns, saying these countries often fail to adequately vet or share threat information on their citizens traveling to the U.S., and said travelers from these countries overstay their visas at high rates.​

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The ban results from a January 20 executive order requesting a report from government agencies regarding countries with “hostile attitudes” toward the U.S.​

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International aid groups condemned the proclamation, with Amnesty International calling it “discriminatory, racist, and downright cruel.”

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CHOOSE HUMILITY
When discussing divisive topics, such as immigration or travel bans, remember that both your stance and how you take your stance reflect on Christ.

“No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.”
Ephesians 4:29 (CSB) (read full passage)​

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