QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Faith is not a conclusion you reach...it is a journey you live.”
A.W. Tozer
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U.S. NEWS
High School Shooting
A 15-year-old is being charged with 24 felony counts, including first-degree murder, terrorism, and assault after shooting ten students and a teacher at his high school. Four of the students have died.
The sophomore suspect, who authorities have in custody, fired at least 30 rounds in about five minutes. School officials met with his parents twice during the week, including a few hours before the incident, to discuss concerning behavior.
Prosecutors indicated that they will attempt to try the minor as an adult after uncovering evidence of premeditation, including journal entries and cell phone video from the night before the attack. In both, he talked about shooting and killing students. The semi-automatic pistol used was purchased on Black Friday, a few days before the shooting, by the student’s father, who may also face charges.
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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
The promise of heaven does not remove the pains of this world, but it does give us hope, strength, and peace during life’s most difficult seasons. Join us in praying for peace & redemption for everyone involved in this horrible shooting.
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:4 (CSB)
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U.S. NEWS
Supreme Arguments
Two federal courts have ruled Mississippi’s law banning abortion after 15 weeks unconstitutional because of previous rulings like Roe v. Wade… but now it’s up to the Supremes.
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the controversial law this Wednesday, but a decision isn’t expected until summer. The Court, which currently holds a 6-3 conservative majority, appeared open to overturning Roe v. Wade and upholding Mississippi’s law. If that were to happen, abortion laws would be left to the states. “Trigger laws” would immediately prohibit abortion in 12 states, with another 9 likely to follow, creating a patchwork of varying laws.
Liberal justices emphasized that every challenge to Roe v. Wade so far has failed and claimed overturning the landmark 1973 ruling would be a stain on the Court’s credibility.
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ABOVE ALL, LOVE
We are called to love everyone always. That means loving and caring for the unborn, single mothers, those who have received abortions, and people who passionately disagree with you on this topic.
“Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.”
1 Peter 4:8 (CSB)
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SPONSORED
Not Snobby... But Loyal
For being named after a coffee-brewing method, we aren’t quite as snobby about our coffee as people may think… but we are loyal.
There’s a difference.
We’ll joyfully sip on whatever coffee concoction you put in front of us (not snobby); but, when it’s up to us, we’re choosing Don Pablo (loyal). Don Pablo has earned this loyalty through a beautiful combination of having great-tasting coffee that our team loves, being awesome people to work with, and always offering TPO readers worthwhile deals!
For a limited time, TPO Readers can get a pour over set & a sampler pack of freshly roasted coffee for just $39.99 (almost 40% off) with code TPO! Check out this deal.
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COVID-19
In The U.S.
It’s official - Uncle Sam has Omicron.
On Wednesday, the first U.S. case of the hard-to-spell COVID variant was detected in a fully-vaccinated California man returning from South Africa (where cases have spiked 1,000% since mid-November); and a second case has already been reported in Minnesota.
President Biden announced some new initiatives to slow the spread, including free at-home tests, tighter travel rules, and boosters, boosters, and more boosters. However, the WHO advised against strict travel bans that cause “heavy burdens on lives and livelihoods” (and airline executives everywhere shouted “amen!”).
The stock market isn’t totally sure what to do with the latest Greek letter… but it’s clearly not happy. After a rollercoaster couple of days, the market is down 1.6% since Tuesday.
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It was stop and go most of yesterday… but we dodged a federal shutdown! The bill to keep the government chugging became contentious after being tied up with the Biden Admin’s private business vaccine mandate, but those issues were (mostly) separated and the bill passed last night. Uncle Sam now has funding through mid-February.
Chris Cuomo has been suspended indefinitely from CNN after documents suggest he was more than just a sympathetic sibling while his brother, former NY Governor Andrew Cuomo, fought allegations of sexual assualt. The documents suggest Chris used his media contacts for extra information and helped craft his brother’s public responses.
Major League Baseball Owners and Players are entering an unwanted 7th inning stretch after they could not come to an agreement on a new labor deal. The MLB began its first lockout since 1990, during which team officials and players are not allowed to communicate. Both sides will continue to negotiate over major sticking points like service time, free agency, expanded playoffs, and tanking.
NYC has authorized two “supervised injection sites” where residents can take illegal drugs with clean needles, have overdoses reversed with naloxone, and find addiction treatment services. Mayor de Blasio (D) hailed the sites as a “safe and effective way to address the opioid crisis,” but they are not without their critics.
Well, it’s officially December because Spotify Wrapped just shattered that “I listened to refined music, not Olivia Rodrigo on repeat” self-image you’ve cultivated. Rodrigo’s “drivers license” was the most-streamed song of the year and Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny was the most streamed artist globally (despite not releasing an album in 2021). See all the charts.
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What We’re Listening To
Cozy Christmas by Dalton Storm*
Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, it’s officially the time of year for us all to get sick of hearing the same old Christmas music. Instead of contributing to the “make Mariah Carey even richer” fund, mix it up with something new!
Dalton Storm, an independent singer & songwriter just released an EP of his holiday favorites titled, Cozy Christmas. From “Happy Holidays” to “Another Christmas Without You,” this mellow collection of covers and originals will have you curled up by an open fire faster than you can say “feliz navidad.”
Mitch Larson | Business Development
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What We’re Using
Eyes of Faith Optical*
Their sunglasses are, hands-down, the best sunglasses I’ve ever owned (sorry to my past ones from empty brand names and free-at-a-career-fair-booth sunglasses) AND they are a faithful Christian company that uses profits to support missions.
This Christmas, give an amazing pair of handcrafted sunglasses, while supporting missions and letting that special someone pick their own favorite style. Win. Win. Win.
Buy a $250 Eyes of Faith gift card for $175. It’s a limited-time deal exclusively for TPO Readers.
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*This is a sponsored post
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