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Capitol Hill has been burning the midnight oil.

The Senate worked through Friday until 4:56 AM Saturday (guess their longest all-nighter here), crossing a few outstanding items off the to-do list before heading into a five-day recess.

The votes included:

Still on the table: President Trump’s SAVE America voter reform act, which Senators promised to revisit after September 14.

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Whether you’re critical of your government or think it’s unfairly criticized, the command for Christians is to love neighbors and enemies alike. That requires speaking about others with dignity and respect, even when we feel like they haven’t earned it.

“With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God’s likeness. Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way… Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom.”
James 3:9–10, 13 (CSB) (read full passage)

It was a rocky weekend for Middle East negotiations.

Last week, Oman and Iran were reportedly close to a deal that would open the Strait of Hormuz… then Saturday, Tehran released a (big) list of conditions for reopening. Iran is demanding the U.S.:

Progress in Gaza is also stalled. On Sunday, Israel rejected President Trump’s 15-point plan for Hamas disarmament, saying Israeli forces won’t withdraw until Hamas is “genuinely disarmed.”

Uncle Sam’s Muslim allies had more diplomatic success. On Friday, Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, a pact modeled after NATO’s Article 5 (refresher here).

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Verse to consider whether your plans face an unexpected wrench or the day goes off without a hitch… “Many plans are in a person’s heart, but the LORD’s decree will prevail.”
Proverbs 19:21 (CSB) (read full passage)

Still, they go.

In the most dangerous places to follow Christ, front-line workers are arrested, interrogated, beaten… some are even killed simply for leading a church, showing a gospel film, or handing someone a Bible.

The Voice of the Martyrs is equipping these front-line workers with tools to reach their villages with the gospel, tailored to their specific outreach needs.

BE DOERS
Front-line workers are advancing God’s kingdom at great cost. Help strengthen them. A $75 gift sponsors a Village Outreach Kit, equipping front-line workers with evangelism and discipleship tools. Plus, when you give, you’ll receive a book from the Wurmbrand Essentials, the story of VOM’s founders Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand. Right now, TPO is matching the first $4k given!

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Matthew 25:40 (CSB) (read full passage)

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Controversy keeps scoring in the WNBA.

Following several WNBA players saying they would welcome transgender athletes, two former NBA players stated they now identify as women and declared for the 2027 WNBA draft: Enes Freedom, who played 11 seasons in the men’s league, and Royce White, a current Republican Senate candidate in Minnesota. White says he’ll withdraw if WNBA makes a “definitive statement” forbidding biological males from the women’s league.

The WNBA Players Association issued a statement saying “we embrace justice, equity, diversity and inclusion… but we will not be used as political pawns.”

Meanwhile, fans of Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark say she’s being unfairly targeted by opponents and officials. The league quickly rescinded Clark’s eighth technical foul, called after she made light contact with an official during Saturday’s game (watch the contact).

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ABOVE ALL, LOVE
When discussing divisive topics, remember that both your stance and how you take your stance reflect on Christ. We are called to be patient and kind, not arrogant or rude, when talking with people we believe are wrong. This is what it means to “love your enemies.”

“Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-6 (CSB) (read full passage)

The labor market was the only thing keeping cool in July. The economy unexpectedly shed 23k jobs last month, and adding insult to injury, the previous two months’ gains were revised down by a combined 103k. Unemployment did tick down to 4.1% (from 4.2%), but experts believe that’s from fewer people looking for work, not more people landing jobs.


Outspoken conservative Abelardo de la Espriella (aka “The Tiger”) was sworn in as Colombia’s president Friday. The Trump-backed former lawyer was inaugurated in the southwestern city of Cali, rather than the capital, to signal his hard-line approach to drug violence and rebel attacks in the area. He’s promised to end peace talks with rebel groups, favoring greater military force instead.


The White House ballroom’s grand entrance has been interrupted. A federal appeals court ordered above-ground construction of the $400M project on the demolished East Wing to stop, saying “each President is a temporary tenant, not the owner, of the White House” and major renovations require congressional approval (see the plan). President Trump has vowed to appeal, saying it’s a matter of national security.


President Trump signed two executive orders Thursday seeking to end birthright citizenship for children of foreign diplomats, babies of “alien enemies” (like terrorists), and those born at a “birth tourism” center (when expectant moms travel to America to deliver). In June, SCOTUS ruled that Trump’s previous order tying citizenship to parents’ immigration status violated the 14th Amendment (read our refresher).


The Pentagon dropped more grainy videos Friday in its fifth batch of UAP (aka UFO) disclosures (watch them here). The 41 documents, images, and videos cover unresolved cases from 1950-present, including a military pilot’s report of a huge black triangle blocking the stars over Afghanistan and cold flying orbs “maneuvering aggressively” near a gunship in the Gulf of Oman.

Hopped up out the bed, turned my swag on...

What I’m Guzzling This Summer
Water, thanks to LMNT*

Drinking water used to be something I just did because I knew I needed to. Did it bring me joy? No. But did it keep me alive? Yeah, sure, supposedly. 

But then… I got my hands on some packs of LMNT.

Now? I’ve become That Person™. The one whose tumbler is a staple accessory. I actually want to drink water now.

LMNT’s zero-sugar flavors make hydrating actually enjoyable. Plus, if you’re looking for a lil’ caffeine, check out their new Lemonade Iced Tea. Same salt-forward formula, with an extra energy boost.  

TPO readers get a free 8-pack of LMNT flavors with any order!

Xan Sibley | Writer

What Our Dogs Won’t Leave in the Bowl
Sundays for Dogs*

Some science: 39 dogs were offered Sundays’ chicken recipe next to traditional kibble in a third-party taste test. Not a single pup opted for the kibble.

Sundays was created by Dr. Tory, a veterinarian who wanted better for her own dog, Mabel, than heavily processed pellets. Made with human-grade meats, fruits, and vegetables, it’s air-dried in the U.S. into jerky-style bites that lock in nutrition and flavor. No fridge, no prep, no cleanup… That’s more than most fresh dog foods can say for themselves.

Let your dog be the judge. Get 50% off your first order with code POUROVER.

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