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A second ICE-related shooting in Minneapolis has added fuel to the protesting fire.

DHS says a targeted traffic stop of a Venezuelan man turned into a car chase when the suspect tried to evade arrest. After the vehicle crashed, a physical altercation between a federal officer and the man allegedly broke out. The driver was joined by two others in attacking the officer with a broom handle and shovel. DHS says the officer “fired a defensive shot to defend his life,” hitting the driver in the leg.

Following the shooting, demonstrators damaged government vehicles, and agents used tear gas and pepper spray to quell protests.

Yesterday, President Trump warned he may invoke the Insurrection Act, an 1807 law letting the president deploy active-duty troops for domestic law enforcement, if Minnesota officials don’t curb “agitators.” 

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ABOVE ALL, LOVE
The good news of the gospel is that God loved us while we were His enemies. His love compels us to love our enemies—political or otherwise—so that the world may see His love through us. 

“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” 
John 13:34-35 (CSB) (read full passage)

A meeting between U.S. and Danish officials Wednesday ended with Denmark holding their ground (literally). 

Still, the U.S. isn’t giving up its pursuit of Greenland. President Trump has called for NATO to “lead the way" for the U.S.’s acquisition of the territory, arguing it is “vital” for missile defense and that Denmark cannot protect against Russia or China. 

Denmark pushed back, with Foreign Minister Rasmussen calling the talks “frank and constructive” but saying “fundamental disagreements” remain. Danish officials also question the severity of the security threats (though they announced plans to up their military presence), and have declared that Greenland is not for sale. 

Greenland’s two cents: “We choose Denmark.”

The two sides have agreed to form a “working group” in the coming weeks to explore a common way forward.

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Cultural winds, political ideologies, and, yes, even who owns a country can shift from generation to generation, but the Lord and His word are constants believers can bank on. No matter what’s changing around you, hold tight to the Lord’s promises.

“LORD, your word is forever; it is firmly fixed in heaven. Your faithfulness is for all generations… Consider how I love your precepts; LORD, give me life according to your faithful love. The entirety of your word is truth, each of your righteous judgments endures forever.”
Psalm 119:89-90, 159-160 (CSB) (read full passage)

AI isn’t going anywhere… and not all AI is created equal. As artificial intelligence increasingly shapes how people learn and make decisions, the values built into those systems matter more than ever.

Gloo is shaping AI to be a force for good. Rather than defaulting to secular neutrality, they're building AI designed to be biblically grounded, theologically coherent, and aligned with individual and communal flourishing.  

Recently, Gloo unveiled the Flourishing AI (FAI) Benchmark, a research-based framework that evaluates how well leading AI models align with seven core dimensions of human flourishing. 

Curious about those dimensions, how the largest LLMs align with them, or how AI can better serve faith-based communities? Explore the latest Gloo research here.

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Protests in Iran seem to be simmering down, but the rest of the world is still figuring out how to respond to the Islamic government's violent crackdown. 

After mounting pressure from global leaders, Iranian officials announced Thursday that a 26-year-old man arrested during the protests would not face the death penalty, and that they had “no plan” to conduct mass executions of other arrested protestors.

President Trump confirmed the reports, saying “the killings have stopped,” and calling the announcement “good news”—though Washington is still weighing getting the troops involved. 

Earlier this week, Iran briefly closed its airspace, and the U.S. started withdrawing some personnel from its Middle-East military bases. And yesterday morning, Uncle Sam issued a fresh set of economic sanctions against Iranian officials—though the penalties are largely symbolic, since most don’t bank with U.S. institutions.

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Verse to consider whether you’re conducting high-level international diplomacy, stuck in the middle of a tense conflict at work, settling playground squabbles, or just trying to get your cat into his carrier… “Seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry for help.” 
Psalm 34:14–15 (CSB) (read full passage)

SpaceX Crew-11 checked out early. On Thursday, four astronauts aboard the International Space Station cut their mission short after one reported medical issues—marking NASA’s first medical evacuation. A bare bones crew remains on the ISS, while mission control works to expedite their replacements’ launch. Officials didn’t identify the astronaut or ailment but stated everyone is "stable, safe, and well cared for."


A Washington Post journalist got an unwelcome wake-up call Wednesday morning. The FBI raided the reporter’s home, seizing her phone, laptops, and Garmin watch in a search for evidence against a Pentagon contractor accused of taking home classified materials. Press-freedom and watchdog groups called foul, while the Justice Department says the search was lawful and tied to national security concerns.


The U.S. just hit pause on immigrant visas for 75 countries, including Brazil, Russia, and Somalia. The Department of State said it will indefinitely halt processing starting January 21 to reassess screening rules aiming to limit applicants who might rely on public benefits. The move affects permanent visas only; short-term visitors and students still have the green light.


Spotify’s hottest new soul singer might not have a soul. A social media post ignited debate over whether “anonymous” singer Sienna Rose is AI-generated. Critics note a “generic” sound, while ~3M monthly listeners and three songs on Spotify’s Viral 50-USA playlist seem unfazed. Rose is the latest artist fueling conversation about AI music, as some platforms take a hard-line stance.

Uncle Sam sold his first barrel of Venezuelan oil on Wednesday. The sale comes as U.S. forces seized a sixth oil tanker, interim Venezuelan President Rodríguez vowed to keep releasing political prisoners, and President Trump met with opposition leader Machado at the White House to “talk basics” about Venezuela (though he hasn’t endorsed her as the next Venezuelan prez).

Ocean’s 9 (lives)...

Where We’re Giving Hope
Behind bars, thanks to Prison Fellowship*

Scripture tells us to remember those in prison… and right now, that call is urgent.

For more than 50 years, Prison Fellowship has been answering that call by bringing God’s hope behind prison walls, caring for the incarcerated and their families, and equipping churches to walk alongside them. Today, the demand for Bibles and Christian resources inside prisons is at an all-time high—and you can help!

God’s Word brings light where despair runs deep, and we’re asking the TPO community to help put it into the hands of those who need it the most. We’ll match the first $2K given through this link!

What’s Getting Us Out of Bed in the Mornings
Intentional time with God and this Bible study*

Do mornings hit you like a Mack truck? The GREAT Morning Revolution Bible Study will help you start off on the right foot (and stay there) by grounding you in God’s promises before the day begins. 

This six-session study walks you through a simple, grace-filled framework for morning prayer.

Whether you have hours of uninterrupted time or sneak quiet minutes between diaper changes and breakfast, this study is designed for real life, real schedules, and real people—no superhuman abilities (like getting up at 4 a.m.) required.

Get free access to six videos, prayer cards, a worship playlist, and more when you sign up today.