Just sharing.

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Home Sweet Earth​

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Artemis II’s record-setting deep-space mission stuck the landing.​

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NASA’s Orion spacecraft—dubbed Integrity by its crew—splashed down Friday evening off the coast of San Diego, with Mission Control calling it “a perfect bullseye splashdown” (watch the landing). Commander Reid Wiseman radioed that all four astronauts were in good shape, reporting “four green crewmembers” upon touchdown. ​

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Re-entry was especially high-stakes: Orion’s heat shield had known design flaws, but the crew emerged safe and in high spirits. NASA officials were emphatic that the lunar success was no accident—Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya credited “1,000 people doing their job.” It’s also the first crewed NASA mission recovered by the Navy since Apollo-Soyuz in 1975. With the mission complete, Kshatriya said “the path to the surface is now open” for a future lunar landing.

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
No matter how far humanity travels, we only scratch the surface of exploring all of what God spoke into existence. The Artemis II crew journeyed farther from Earth than any human in history… and still never left His handiwork. ​

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"When I observe your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you set in place, what is a human being that you remember him, a son of man that you look after him?"
Psalm 8:3-4 (CSB) (read full passage)​

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Never Forgotten​

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Around the world, Christians are being driven from their homes, stripped of food and shelter, and many even lose their Bibles—all because they refuse to renounce Jesus. ​

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The Voice of the Martyrs lets these persecuted believers know they’re not forgotten by providing emergency food, temporary shelter, and replacement Bibles. These tangible gifts show men, women, and children that even if they feel alone, the global church stands behind them and Christ has not left them.​

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BE DOERS
You can make this possible. A gift to VOM sends urgent help to persecuted Christians in their darkest hour. TPO is matching the first $4k.​

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“If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed,’ but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it?”
James 2:15-16 (CSB) (read full passage)​

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Strait Talk​

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The blockade on the Strait of Hormuz has entered day three.​

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The U.S. Navy began blocking Iranian ports Monday after weekend peace talks in Pakistan stalled, with VP JD Vance saying Iran refused to abandon its nuclear ambitions. The blockade specifically targets vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports—ships transiting the strait to non-Iranian ports remain free to pass. ​

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Iran called the move piracy, warning that no Gulf ports would be safe if Iranian ships were threatened. Oil prices surged nearly 8% Monday, topping $100/barrel. ​

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U.S. allies are pulling back. Britain’s PM Keir Starmer said the U.K. won’t be “dragged in” to the war and announced, alongside France, a multinational conference aiming to reopen the strait. Pakistan, which brokered the current ceasefire, is pushing to resume talks before it expires next week.

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Governments have different things on their agenda than God’s kingdom does. As global powers maneuver to have their way, God’s agenda is clear and unchanging. ​

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“What does the LORD your God ask of you except to fear the LORD your God by walking in all his ways, to love him, and to worship the LORD your God with all your heart and all your soul? Keep the LORD’s commands and statutes I am giving you today, for your own good.”
Deuteronomy 10:12–13 (CSB) (read full passage)​

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A Blessing on Every Wave​

Hannah sat thoughtfully on the shoreline, just close enough to the ocean for the waves to reach her feet, keeping her cool on the hot summer day. As one wave splashed around her, she noticed a beautiful shell left behind. Instinctively, she grabbed the shell and turned it over in her hands. It was beautiful–an amazing tiny gift that had she not noticed might have slipped back out to sea or been trampled underfoot by one of the many people running in and out of the water.

On the next wave, Hannah noticed another shell–a different kind, but equally amazing. Soon, she had to take her hat off to hold all the shells she’d found. These tiny treasures arrived on every ocean wave, yet Hannah realized she’d never noticed or appreciated them before. Looking around her, it seemed no one else was noticing them either. Could these beautiful gifts have become so taken for granted no one even saw them anymore but rather trampled or ignored them?

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)

 

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Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire​

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Israel and Lebanon are hours into a 10-day ceasefire.​

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President Trump announced the agreement yesterday (sans details) after U.S.-brokered talks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington D.C. on Tuesday; it was the neighboring nations’ first direct diplomatic meeting since 1993. ​

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The agreement follows more than a month of war between Israel and Hezbollah—an Iran-backed militant group in Lebanon—which has reportedly caused over 2,100 deaths in Lebanon, 23 deaths in Israel, and displaced over 1M Lebanese residents. Hezbollah was not a part of the ceasefire negotiations, but backed the agreement yesterday.​

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This ceasefire could be key to broader U.S.-Israel-Iran peace. Though the conflicts are officially separate, Tehran has refused to negotiate a long-term deal with Washington until the Israel-Hezbollah conflict is also addressed.

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PRAY WITH US
Give thanks to God for progress, and trust Him for long-term peace: ​

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Wonderful Counselor, you are the One who winds down wars and teaches peace (Isaiah 54:13). May your peace rule in the hearts of Israelis, Lebanese, members of Hezbollah, diplomats, U.S. officials, and all members of Christ’s body (Colossians 3:15-17). Bring evil plans to nothing and promote the good of the vulnerable, so that people from all nations would see your goodness and bow to the Prince of Peace. Amen.​

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What is Bitcoin?​

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The cryptocurrency that started it all… ​

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Bitcoin is a digital currency. There’s no physical, printed version of it, and it’s not issued by any government.​

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So, how’s it different from sending digital U.S. dollars through Venmo?
Key word: decentralized. ​

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Venmo transactions are cleared through Venmo, a central point. This means Venmo (or the governments it's subject to) can take fees, block/delay transactions, or freeze funds. Bitcoin is peer-to-peer, like handing someone cash. You don’t need permission from anyone.​

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Who tracks the transactions?
Anyone.​

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Bitcoin uses a public digital ledger called blockchain. Every Bitcoin transaction gets bundled with others into a “block” and added to the chain, which is maintained by a network of computers worldwide that anyone can join. Changing a single transaction would require recalculating every block after it, and updating all those changes simultaneously across every computer on the network.​

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The mechanics of blockchain are confusing, but the effect is remarkable: it’s really, really hard to change or tamper with.​

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How much is Bitcoin worth?
As of writing, 1 BTC = $77,381. But, you'd better check again here… it fluctuates often.​

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How do I get Bitcoin?
Option 1: mine it. Now, before you grab your pickax, Bitcoin mining is actually math done by computers. Back in 2012, you could’ve joined in on your Dell, but today it requires expensive, specialized computers. The computers are validating Bitcoin transactions and adding them to the blockchain; the first to solve the problem and add the next block is rewarded with 3.125 Bitcoin (~$240k).​

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Option 2: buy it. You can convert U.S. dollars into bitcoin on exchanges like Coinbase or Robinhood. Assuming 1 BTC is $77,000, you could buy 0.00129 BTC for $100.​

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What can I do with Bitcoin?
Spend it (some companies accept), pay friends, or hold it and hope it goes up in value. Most Bitcoin owners treat it as an investment rather than a currency.​

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Want to learn more about Bitcoin? Watch today’s episode of TPO Explains on YouTube (find the link in the Take It To Go section below!).​

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
It can be easy to chase after shiny opportunities that promise us wealth and happiness, but Christians should remember that earthly possessions will always fail us. Our hope is in something priceless that will never change in value: the Kingdom of God. ​

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“Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21 (CSB) (read full passage)​

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Louisiana Mass Shooting​

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Eight children, ranging in ages from one to 14 years old, were killed in a mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, early yesterday morning.​

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Police say the shootings began with a “domestic disturbance” around 5:00 AM. A single gunman shot 10 people—eight children died, two women were injured—before fleeing in a stolen car. Police chased and killed the suspect, who was identified as the father of seven of the children and the husband of one of the injured women.​

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It’s the nation’s deadliest mass shooting since 2024, and prompted an outpouring of grief and outrage.​

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House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who represents Shreveport's district, called the murders “heartbreaking” and “senseless,” while thanking police for their “swift response.” State police are expected to lead the investigation and have asked anyone with information to reach out.

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PRAY WITH US
Eternal Father, draw near to Shreveport with comfort for those who are mourning. Mighty God, heal the wounded and traumatized. Wonderful Counselor, give governments wisdom to respond and bring some measure of justice. Prince of Peace, hasten the coming of your Kingdom, where hatreds cease, and tears are no more. Amen.​

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“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light… For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end.”
Isaiah 9:2, 7 (CSB) (read full passage)​

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(Not so) Strait Forward​

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The world’s riding the Hormuz rollercoaster.​

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On Friday, Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz “completely open,” prompting oil prices to tumble ~12% and stocks to hit record highs. President Trump thanked Iran, but said Uncle Sam would maintain its blockade of Iranian ports until a deal is “100% complete.” In response, Iran played the Uno-reverse and re-closed the strait on Saturday, fired on two Indian-flagged ships, and told all vessels that approaching the strait means “cooperation with the enemy.”​

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The U.S.-Iran ceasefire is set to expire on Wednesday, and an extension is looking increasingly uncertain.​

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Yesterday morning, Trump announced U.S. negotiators would be in Pakistan today for fresh peace talks, but neither Iran nor Pakistan confirmed. Later, Trump threatened to “take out” all Iranian power plants and announced the U.S. had seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship.

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PRAY WITH US
Though peace seemingly shifts from imminent to elusive with each headline, God’s desire for shalom hasn’t changed; nor has his desire to hear from His people (Psalm 46:6-7)​

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“Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed: Kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all people the true love of peace, and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth; that in tranquility your kingdom may go forward, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen”
Book of Common Prayer, Page 654​

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It’s been three solid weeks of wall-to-wall war coverage. Beyond the moral and political costs of war, Iran's oil wealth and Persian Gulf location add a global economic weight to this conflict. Gas prices in the U.S. are sitting around $4/gal, and the stock market is yo-yoing—after a bleak month, the S&P 500 closed at a record high this week and continued ascending Thursday. ​

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Stories on a volatile economy can stir up turbulence in our own souls. When we attach our joy to our wallets, we’re in for a wild ride that will probably end in despair—despair when we inevitably lose wealth, and despair when we gain it and find ourselves empty still. ​

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But when we anchor ourselves on God’s promises, we can be content and even joyful whether our storehouses are overflowing or we’re down to our very last reserves.​

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“Though the fig tree does not bud
and there is no fruit on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though the flocks disappear from the pen
and there are no herds in the stalls,
yet I will celebrate in the LORD;
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!
The LORD my Lord is my strength;
He makes my feet like those of a deer
and enables me to walk on mountain heights!”
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (CSB)​

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Ceasefire 2.0​

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At the eleventh hour, President Trump announced he’s giving the U.S.-Iran ceasefire an extension. ​

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Trump said the renewal—something he initially didn’t “want to do”—was due to Iran’s government being “seriously fractured.” He also said the truce would hold until Iran’s leaders submit a “unified proposal” to end its war with the U.S. and Israel. ​

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Uncle Sam was scheduled to attend a second round of peace talks with Iran in Pakistan yesterday, but negotiations were put “on hold” when Tehran failed to RSVP, citing “contradictory messages, inconsistent behavior, and unacceptable actions by the American side.” ​

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Meanwhile, the conflicting countries have accused one another of violating their initial ceasefire. Trump claims Iran has breached the temporary truce “numerous times,” while Tehran says the U.S.’s Strait of Hormuz blockade is a “violation.”

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PRAY WITH US
King Jesus, from You alone comes perfect peace. As this conflict drags on, our helplessness grows. But You have not changed. Bring Your kingdom’s peace here, as it is in Heaven. Provide for the war-torn; heal those wounded and grieving. Free the power hungry from hatred, cruelty, and revenge. Empower leaders with wisdom to negotiate creatively. Embolden Your Church to go courageously into the mess, proclaiming the gospel of peace. ​

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And in future days, if hard-fought, carefully woven reconciliation unravels again, turn our eyes to Your unending reign of peace. Amen.​

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