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Early Saturday, the budget air travel pioneer announced it’s shutting down all operations, becoming the first major airline to go out of business in 25 years. Spirit has lost over $2.5B since 2020 and filed its second bankruptcy in 2025, saying it had “substantial doubt” about its future prospects, but airline officials credit surging jet fuel prices from the Iran war as the final headwind.
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The drinks-and-everything-else-not-included airline had hoped to land a $500M lifeline deal with the federal government, but the creditors holding Spirit’s IOUs rejected the plan.
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All flights were immediately canceled. Travelers were promised refunds for tickets booked through Spirit’s website and told not to go to the airport. Several major carriers—including United, Southwest, and American—are offering capped fares for affected flyers with proof of a Spirit itinerary.
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Verse to consider whether your spirits are up, down, or somewhere in between… “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39 (CSB) (read full passage)
The U.S.-Iran ceasefire was tested Monday as the two sides traded fire in the Strait of Hormuz.
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The waters got choppy after the U.S. launched “Project Freedom”—a mission to guide stranded commercial ships through the blocked oil-artery. Two American-flagged ships made it through, but Iran fired missiles and drones at U.S. warships in the process, prompting Uncle Sam to reportedly sink six Iranian speedboats.
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Washington isn’t calling it a ceasefire violation, though. Secretary Hegseth insisted the skirmishes are part of a “separate and distinct” operation.
Along with tensions, gas also rose $0.30 since last week to a $4.48 national average.
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PRAY WITH US
As hints of conflict make peace feel fragile, we know God’s desires for shalom haven’t changed. We call upon the Prince of Peace to maintain peace where it is threatened and create it where it is absent. Let’s pray:
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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.”
A rare hantavirus outbreak at sea has killed three and sickened four others.
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Oceanwide Expeditions vessel MV Hondius departed Argentina last month to voyage across the Atlantic. Saturday, the WHO was made aware of seven passengers with suspected hantavirus—a severe respiratory illness caused by exposure to infected rodents. Two cases have been laboratory-confirmed.
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One passenger has recovered; another is in intensive care ashore. Two symptomatic crew members remain on board. While they await evacuation, the ship (and its ~150 passengers) is anchored off the coast of West Africa’s Cape Verde, prohibited from docking.
CHRISTIAN RESPONSE As believers, we pray for the families of those who died, for all on board awaiting evacuation, and for public health officials working to contain the outbreak. And ultimately, we remember the LORD’s promise to be with his people in troubling and uncertain times all the way into eternity.
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“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 (CSB) (read full passage)
And opening a 30-day window for negotiating other issues, like Iran’s nuclear operations.
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Memorandum of (Mis)Understanding
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U.S.-Iran peace is under review.
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Yesterday, Iranian officials said they were looking over the latest U.S.-proposed framework, which includes three stages:
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The latest peace push comes amid mixed messages about the state of the conflict. After announcing the war was “terminated” Friday—which Iran denied—President Trump said Wednesday that the conflict would end if Iran agreed to Uncle Sam’s terms; if not, “the bombing starts.” Mediator Pakistan said it “expects an agreement sooner rather than later.”
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Israel-Lebanon peace has also been rocky. Wednesday, IDF launched airstrikes targeting Hezbollah in Beirut—the first on the capital city since the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire began. The two countries will meet in Washington next week for renewed negotiations.
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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE Negotiations progress and regress, and leaders succeed and let us down—but our hope is not ultimately in presidents, policies, or even achieving earthly peace. As you pray for peace in the Middle East, keep your hope in the Lord, who alone brings lasting justice, provision, and deliverance.
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“Do not trust in nobles, in a son of man, who cannot save. When his breath leaves him, he returns to the ground; on that day his plans die. Happy is the one whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them. He remains faithful forever, executing justice for the exploited and giving food to the hungry.”
Psalm 146:3-7 (CSB) (read full passage)
For where two or three are gathered . . .
there am I among them—Matthew 18:20
We men often find it hard to gather with other men in Christian community. Calendars are full: “I just don’t have time for one more thing.” Pride is high: “I’m good . . . I’m doing fine on my own.” Aversion to vulnerability is strong: “Oh, man . . . I’m just not that good at opening up.” If we are followers of our King, Jesus Christ, though, we must gather—“not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some” (Hebrews 10:25).
But . . . why? Why is community so important for men? Well, a couple reasons. “Two are better than one,” Scripture tells us—we are stronger, less vulnerable, together (Ecclesiastes 4:9).
“For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up” (Ecclesiastes 4:10).
Even more important, though, Jesus tells us that he is uniquely present when we gather in his name (Matthew 18:20). You see, God the Holy Spirit dwells within each follower of Jesus. (John 14:17 ) Therefore, when we gather, the power of the Spirit flows from one to another and back. When we gather, the work of God is done: confessions are made; sins are repented; love and compassion are expressed; hearts are healed; encouragement is given; lives are transformed. Men are lifted up, up out of sin and rebellion, into life and identity and calling. Work is done that just cannot be done in isolation.
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Okay, so what do we do?
Grab some other guys . . . one guy, even. Start meeting on a regular basis, weekly is best. Fight for community, brother—against calendars, against pride, against fear. King David sang: “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” (Psalm 133:1-3). This is so very important.
