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Parts of the Middle East missed the memo about Tuesday’s two-week ceasefire.

On Wednesday, Israel said it struck 100 Hezbollah targets in 10 minutes, maintaining the ceasefire doesn’t apply to the Lebanon offensive; Iran disagreed, calling the strikes a truce violation. Yesterday, Israel’s PM Netanyahu promised negotiations with Lebanon about disarming the Iranian-backed terror group; Uncle Sam sits down for talks with Iran tomorrow. 

Meanwhile, Iran’s still limiting traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, allowing ~12 ships to pass daily (compared to 100+ before the war). Vessels must coordinate with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and pay steep tolls before navigating a set path to avoid sea mines. 

The DOW had its best day in a year (+1,325 points, 2.85%) following Tuesday’s ceasefire, but oil prices inched back up toward $100/barrel yesterday amid uncertainty.

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PRAY WITH US
In the face of massive global conflicts across the world, it’s easy to feel helpless. Today and this week, there’s something “powerful and effective” you can do: pray (James 5:16). 

“Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.” 
Book of Common Prayer, page 654

Republicans walked away from polls this week with a win in Georgia, but Democrats are still eyeing the midterm edge.

Republican Clay Fuller defeated Democrat Shawn Harris in Georgia’s special House runoff election Tuesday to replace former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (who resigned in January). The Trump-backed GOP candidate captured ~57% of the deep-red district’s votes, but Dems went down swinging. Harris’s 11.8 point loss was the largest Democrat overperformance in a House special election this cycle.  

Dems in America’s Dairyland also came up big. Liberal Chris Taylor beat conservative Maria Lazar by 20 points for a Wisconsin Supreme Court seat, expanding the liberal majority to 5-2. 

Tuesday’s numbers and early polling suggest November could be an uphill climb for Republicans to hold the House; Dems only need to secure three new seats for a majority.  

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
As America changes course, remember that our home country—heaven—is on the same course as ever. Just as many Americans view the outcomes of foreign elections with a certain level of detachment, Christians view earthly political outcomes as secondary to the campaign of our eternal home, where we hold our truest citizenship.

“Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and exiles to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against the soul. Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day he visits” 
1 Peter 2:11-12 (CSB) (read full passage)

When the sweat starts rolling, it can be easy to reach for that fluorescent sports drink, but don’t be fooled. Behind all its promises lie fistfuls of sugar and dodgy ingredients (can you even pronounce them?). Reach for LMNT instead.

LMNT isn’t another fad. It’s science: the OG trend-setter. 

Their electrolyte mixes—and their crispy Sparkling line—are the perfect formula of sodium, potassium, and magnesium so you can have all the hydration without any of the junk. The best part? Any of LMNT’s delicious flavors (Raspberry Salt is our favorite!) makes their promises taste good, leaving you clear-headed, energized, and just… happy. 

Here’s a final hack just for you: TPO readers get a free 8-pack of LMNT flavors with any purchase!

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

Bitcoin’s mysterious inventor may finally have a face.

A New York Times report published Tuesday named British cryptographer and computer scientist Adam Back as the most likely identity behind Satoshi Nakamoto—the pseudonym attached to Bitcoin's 2008 founding white paper.

The allegation comes from investigative journalist John Carreyrou, whose past reporting led to the criminal conviction of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes. Carreyrou based his Bitcoin case on emails from the fraud trial of an Australian computer scientist—who falsely claimed to be Nakamoto—along with Back’s ties to the digital anarchist cypherpunk movement; Back denies the claim. 

Nakamoto’s true identity remains unconfirmed (over 100 candidates have been floated over the years), but the stakes are real: Whoever they are, they’re believed to hold at least $70B in bitcoin, placing them among the world’s 30 wealthiest people.

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Verse to consider whether you’re steeped in Bitcoin lore or could not care less… “My days are like a lengthening shadow, and I wither away like grass. But you, Lord, are enthroned forever; your fame endures to all generations.”  
Psalm 102:11–12 (CSB) (read full passage)

The Gilgo Serial Killer cold case is now closed. Former architect Rex Heuermann confessed Wednesday to killing eight women between 1993 and 2010, burying remains in remote stretches of Long Island’s Gilgo Beach. The 62-year-old is expected to serve life in prison without parole. Authorities cracked the case using discovered remains, cellphone data, and pizza-crust DNA (read the timeline here).

“Houston, we’re almost home.” The Artemis II crew is expected to splash down off the coast of San Diego around 8 p.m. ET tonight, ending a trailblazing trip around the moon (learn more about their “slingshot” reentry). While the crew preps for “riding a fireball” back to earth, NASA released new mission images, including a rare in-space solar eclipse (see here).

The reason why GLP-1s work better for some people might be written in the stars their DNA. A study published Wednesday found that certain gene variants might be associated with greater weight loss in people taking a GLP-1, while other variants could be linked to an increased risk of side effects. Scientists say the 23andMe data is compelling but “warrants further study.”

Hollywood’s “Ketamine Queen” was sentenced to 15 years in prison Wednesday for selling Matthew Perry the drugs that killed him in 2023. The 42-year-old high-volume Hollywood dealer is the third of five people to be sentenced in connection with the overdose of the Friends star; she expressed remorse for her “horrible decisions” that “shattered people’s lives.”

The race for the green jacket has teed off. The 90th Masters Tournament opened yesterday at Augusta National—the first Masters in 32 years without Tiger Woods (recently arrested for DUI) or Phil Mickelson (out for private family reasons). Two-time champion Scottie Scheffler is favored to win, while reigning champ Rory McIlroy looks to defend the title. See tee times here.

Shoot for the... sun?

P.S. Katie, our Gen Z social media manager, accidentally changed our Instagram profile picture to a pic of herself struggling to use a desk chair. Because we’re verified, we can’t change it again for 3 days. She’s mortified.

But today is Katie’s birthday, and her goal this quarter is to boost our engagement on Instagram. So go support Katie by wishing her happy birthday in our Insta comments!

What Christian Business Leaders Should Attend
A C12 Forum*

I’ll be honest… I didn’t know what to expect when walking into a C12 forum the other day. What I found was a very pleasant surprise—a room full of Christian business leaders giving each other hugs instead of handshakes. It wasn’t performative; it was genuinely warm and welcoming.

For instance, one guy in the group was moving, and a number of people quickly volunteered to help him. That’s the type of group this is—one minute they were talking about big business struggles, and the next they were showing up for each other… ready to sling some couches.

Find a C12 forum near you!

Nate Wells | Head of Business

How We’re Saving Money
With Upside*

We scrapped some funny hooks to tell it to you straight: Upside saves you money on things you’re already buying.

It’s a free app that shows you nearby cashback offers on gas, groceries, and restaurants. All you have to do is claim one, make your purchase like normal, and snap a pic of the receipt (or link your card). Money magically appears in your account—okay, not magically, but it feels like it.

Our staff loves it. You should check it out. Use code POUROVER to save $0.25/gallon on your first fill-up.