Read Time: 5 min 53 sec | Listen to Podcast

Happy Friday!
Maybe a picture you take today will be as iconic as this 2007 shot of Lionel Messi the GOAT holding the potential GOAT-to-be, Spain’s 19-year-old Lamine Yamal, as a kid five-month-old.

Congress had its hands full with confirmation hearings on Wednesday.

Todd Blanche, President Trump’s former personal attorney, faced bipartisan grilling over whether he can drop the “Acting” from his Attorney General title. Blanche said he would not be a “yes man”; called the DOJ’s $1.776B Anti-Weaponization Fund “dead”; and apologized for mistakes in the Epstein file release, calling the task “herculean.”

With Dems opposed, Blanche needs an a-ok from every Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee to advance, and some are on the fence.

Other hot seats:

__

CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Politicians come and go, often disappointing supporters and opponents alike. Put your hope in the Lord, who has no term limit, who rules with compassion, and who executes justice perfectly.

“But the LORD sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for judgment. And he judges the world with righteousness; he executes judgment on the nations with fairness. The LORD is a refuge for the persecuted, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you because you have not abandoned those who seek you, LORD.”
Psalm 9:7–10 (CSB) (read full passage)

Millions of people in Canada and the U.S.’s Midwest and Northeast are facing unhealthy air quality this week.

Smoke from ~850 active wildfires across Canada sent air quality readings surging to nearly 400 AQI in Toronto yesterday morning (over 300 on the 0-500 scale = hazardous). A heat dome parked over the Great Lakes and Northeast has smoke trapped near the ground, and winds have carried smoke from Minnesota to New York, with Detroit, Minneapolis, and Chicago ranking as the top three most air-polluted cities globally yesterday.

Several states have issued air quality alerts through midnight tonight, as forecasters expect smoke to darken skies (see pics) until this weekend. Officials have warned everyone in affected cities to take precautions and reduce outdoor activity (check your air quality here).

__

Verse to consider if the weather has you worrying… “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)

If you’ve ever felt like you just need more dieting willpower, here’s the truth: cravings aren’t a discipline problem…

Believe it or not, cravings start in your gut. And when you support your gut, everything changes.

Metabolic Daily is a multi-strain probiotic that helps curb cravings and reduce appetite—without changing your diet overnight. Users report…

Read: living their best lives.

When 29,000+ medical professionals are recommending Pendulum’s Metabolic Daily to their patients, that’s saying something… Try it today (and use your HSA/FSA funds) and get up to 48% off your first membership order!

*based on a consumer survey of 274 participants using a product containing three strains found in Pendulum Metabolic Daily for 6 weeks
**based on a consumer survey of 50 participants using a product containing three strains found in Pendulum Metabolic Daily for 8 weeks

Curious how we choose sponsors?  Learn more  |  Advertise with us

It’s Argentina vs. Spain in the World Cup Final.

Lionel Messi played the middle man in Argentina’s 2-1 comeback against England Wednesday, assisting on two goals in seven minutes (watch the winner).

Sunday’s final in New Jersey will be the first Cup final featuring reigning South American and European champions. The white-and-sky-blue could become the first repeat champs in 64 years, or La Roja could break their own fewest-tourney-concessions-by-a-champion record (2) with a shutout. Either way, Shakira, Justin Bieber, Madonna, and BTS will co-headline an 11-minute halftime show.

But first, France faces England in Miami in tomorrow’s sad trombone consolation match, where Kylian Mbappé could still reclaim toe-position in the Golden Boot race.

Meanwhile in Philadelphia, the AL blanked the NL 4-0 at Tuesday’s MLB All-Star Game, the first shutout since 2013, with Yankee Cody Bellinger named MVP.

__

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
For many around the globe, the World Cup carries an almost life-and-death importance. Without downplaying that passion, Christians should hold on tight to the fact that the most important things aren’t being decided on the pitch; they were secured long ago when Jesus died to give new life and secure a glorious future.

“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)

ICE traffic stops are back on… maybe. Following public outrage over agents fatally shooting two men, the Department of Homeland Security paused most traffic stops on Tuesday; but Wednesday, President Trump opposed stopping stops, which he called an “effective crime fighting tool.” Pressed for clarity, DHS said “illegal aliens will be arrested and deported wherever they are” and warned against evading arrest.


The Pentagon’s new plan: a “High-T Department of War.” Wednesday, Sec. Hegseth announced newly required annual screenings for testosterone deficiency (could cause muscle loss, fatigue) for service members aged 30+ to optimize “performance, resilience, and long-term health.” Those with low testosterone can choose treatment; however, some docs say there’s no evidence it’ll be “a good use of money.”


Stripe wants to add PayPal to cart. Stripe and private equity firm Advent offered $53B to buy PayPal ($60.50/share), in what would be fintech’s largest-ever acquisition. It would give merchant-focused Stripe a consumer-focused foothold via Venmo, which PayPal acquired in 2013. Despite some analysts calling it a “lowball” offer, PayPal’s stock jumped ~17% at the news.


The House voted for endless golden hour. Tuesday, Reps passed a bill 308-117 that would make daylight saving time permanent unless states opt out (see how it would work where you live). Supporters love economic upsides of more evening daylight; critics warn of hazardous winter mornings for kids. Whether it sees the light of day in the Senate is unclear.


Renewed U.S.-Iran strikes entered day six yesterday. Uncle Sam launched strikes close to Tehran and reimposed a naval blockade along the Strait of Hormuz early Wednesday. Iran struck back at U.S. bases in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain and warned it’d launch widespread attacks on “all the infrastructure in the region” if President Trump carries out threats to bomb Iranian power plants and bridges.

No bird food for Shadrach today...

What We’re Gifting Young Girls
Dignity, by supporting Forward Edge*

For millions of girls worldwide, missing a week of school every month isn’t a lack of discipline—it’s a lack of safe menstrual supplies. Without safe products, girls fall behind… and keep falling behind until they can’t catch up.

Forward Edge is changing that with Dignity Kits. It’s safe menstrual supplies… and so much more. These kits keep girls in the classroom when the alternative is often dropping out. They give girls hope and remind them they’re loved.

A gift of $25 provides 15 girls with kits for a month, and right now, TPO is matching the first $2k given. Give the gift of dignity today.

Where We’re Excited For Next Month
The Global Leadership Summit*

Stop! I have an important question: have you experienced the Global Leadership Summit? I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s always a highlight of my year.

The Summit features world-class thinkers and speakers like Arthur C. Brooks, Priscilla Shirer, Jim Collins, and Craig Groeschel, whose talk on communication continues to shape The Pour Over years later.

Today is the final day to lock in the Early Bird rate; tickets start at just $229! Attend in person, online, or at one of 400+ local sites. Invest in your leadership, and leave with practical tools and renewed clarity for what God may be calling you to next.

Jason Woodruff | Founder