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Iran has named a new Supreme Leader: Mojtaba Khamenei will succeed his father, Ali Khamenei, to lead the country.

President Trump has called Khamenei an “unacceptable” choice.

It comes days after Trump demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” which Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian (less powerful than the Supreme Leader) called “a dream they should take to their grave.” Pezeshkian struck a softer tone with neighbors, issuing a rare apology to Gulf countries for striking their territories. But after backlash from Iranian hardliners, Pezeshkian backtracked, (re)promising to hit back hard against attacks from U.S. bases, regardless of what country they’re in.

Meanwhile, Pentagon investigators’ preliminary findings suggest U.S. forces were responsible for the strike on an Iranian all-girls school that killed dozens of students, and yesterday, U.S. CENTCOM announced a seventh U.S. service member has died in the conflict. 

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CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
We are largely helpless to interrupt violent cycles of retaliation across the world… but we can meaningfully disrupt spiraling conflict in our own homes and communities by choosing a gentle response instead of a harsh one. Resist the urge to have the last word, confident that God will bring perfect justice in the end.

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil… If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord… Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.” 
Romans 12:17-21 (CSB) (read full passage)

The U.S. economy defied expectations on Friday… in a bad way.

The Labor Department reported Uncle Sam lost 92,000 jobs in February and unemployment ticked up to 4.4%—economists had expected a gain of 50,000 jobs and for unemployment to hold steady. Experts say declines in healthcare and construction were impacted by hospital strikes and cold winter temps, but are taking note that February marks the third month of losses in the past five (see chart).

Past figures were also revised: January’s gain was lowered from 130k to 126k and December flipped from a gain of 48k to a loss of 17k jobs. 

Despite the weak report, the Federal Reserve isn’t expected to cut rates on March 18. The U.S.-Iran conflict has driven up gas prices, adding to inflation pressures officials were already working to tame.

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Whether the economy booms or collapses, God will remain in control. In the midst of uncertainty on earth, set your hope on the abundance we will enjoy with Christ when he comes.

“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)

Two faith-based credit unions walked into a room—and instead of becoming a punchline, they built the largest Christian banking institution in the nation. 

Christian Community Credit Union and AdelFi have joined forces and will soon unite under one name, one brand—AdelFi Christian Banking—to expand values-based banking, support more ministries, and help members steward their finances for God’s glory. If you’ve ever wanted your money to make a difference, this merger was made for you. 

1+1 = Multiplied Impact. CCCU and AdelFi offer Harvest Checking with 4% APY* and Harvest Savings with 5% APY*. Pick what fits, and open an account today!

*Terms and Conditions apply. CCCU & AdelFi have merged to deliver the best in Christian banking!

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The 2026 Paralympic Winter Games have left the ski lift. 

The torches were lit Friday in the 2,000-year-old Arena di Verona, with a record 611 para-athletes from 55 delegations competing over the next fortnight. It was Russia’s return to the international sporting stage after bans for doping scandals and their invasion of Ukraine, prompting seven countries to boycott the opening ceremonies.

Team USA started strong, earning gold and silver in Para Biathlon Women’s Sitting Sprint and crushed Italy 14-1 in Sled Hockey (see highlights).

Also in the Sports section, Formula 1—whose season opened Sunday in Australia—hasn’t decided whether to cancel its April races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia amid the Iran conflict, a call that could cost the sport $100M+. And President Trump hosted 2025 MLS champion Inter Miami at the White House, saying Messi > Pelé.

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Verse to consider when your big moment arrives, your plans are on hold, or it’s just an average Monday… “The Lord of Armies is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.” 
Psalm 46:7 (CSB) (read full passage)

President Trump is forming a new crime-fighting alliance: the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition. #47 hosted the “Shield of Americas” summit this weekend, where 17 Latin American countries agreed to coordinate with the U.S. military to fight drug trafficking. Trump tapped outgoing DHS Secretary Kristi Noem as “Special Envoy” for the anti-cartel crew. Notably absent were Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia.

Customs and Border Patrol will issue tariff refunds, but it needs more time. Wednesday, a federal judge told Uncle Sam’s toll booth to get busy refunding businesses the $166B collected from President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs, which SCOTUS struck down last month. Friday, CBP said it needed 45 days to deploy new technology that will save refund processors 4.4 million hours.

Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) is hanging up his campaign shoes. Gonzales dropped his re-election bid Thursday after admitting an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide—allegations he originally dismissed as "blackmail.” Republican leadership called him to step aside as the House Ethics Committee opened an investigation. Gonzales will finish his current term.

Tornadoes tore through Michigan and Oklahoma on Friday, killing six people. A supercell tornado with 150mph winds killed three near Union Lake, MI (see onlooker footage), and a 12-year-old boy died outside Edwardsburg, MI. Two more were killed near Tulsa, OK. Millions remained under tornado watches into the weekend as the storm pushed eastward.

A nightclub bombing in Peru on Saturday injured 33 people, including three minors. Authorities report the explosion went off in the pre-dawn hours at a club in the province of Trujillo—a northern coastal region recently plagued by violence. At least five of the injured were in serious condition. A suspect and motive have yet to be identified.

Some satisfying woodworking…

What We’re Subscribing To
Help The Persecuted’s Prayer Newsletter*

This has been an unexpected source of encouragement to my faith and prayer life.

What's going on in the Middle East can seem far away and distant. But there’s something I can do right now for Christians caught up in the conflict: pray. With this newsletter, I hear specific prayer needs of persecuted believers facing hardships I could never imagine.

Right now, Help The Persecuted is on the ground in countries including Iran, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon, sharing prayer requests straight from persecuted Christians.

Learning their needs and joining them in prayer has brought a fresh perspective to my own walk with God. Join me (it’s free).

Jason Woodruff | Founder

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