Read Time: 3 min 56 sec | Listen to Podcast
─────── September 1, 2025 ───────
Happy Labor Day!
Enjoy your last day of wearing white jeans, swimming in the backyard pool, and sporting weird tan lines (lookin’ at you, Chaco-wearers). We’ve got a shorter-than-normal email today, so you can squeeze in the maximum amount of summer fun.
But… if you’re looking for more labor. We’re hiring!
We’re looking for someone to own a range of administrative tasks and one-off projects, with a special focus on social media video editing. Apply to be our new in-person Media Coordinator.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“He who labors as he prays lifts his heart to God with his hands.”
St. Benedict of Nursia
ESPRESSO SHOTS
SPORTS
Upsets
Week 1 of College Football wasted no time bringing drama.
#3 Ohio State edged past #1 Texas 14-7; #9 LSU upset #4 Clemson 17-10; unranked Florida State stomped #8 Alabama 31-17; and #10 Miami closed out the weekend with an upset over #6 Notre Dame 27-24.
Not so fast, my friend… The weekend also marked the end of a headgear-filled era for Lee Corso. The 90-year-old college football legend retired after nearly four decades on College GameDay. His first-ever headgear pick in 1996 was Brutus Buckeye, and Saturday he donned it again in Ohio Stadium—coming full circle to close his career with his accurate prediction that Ohio State would beat Texas. The OSU band spelled out “Corso” on the field as fans chanted “We love Lee.”
On the horizon for Week 2: a top-25 matchup between Michigan and Oklahoma and a slew of in-state faceoffs.
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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Upsets and farewells remind us how quickly seasons change. Wins fade, legacies end—but as Christ followers, our hope is in the unchanging King.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 CSB (read full passage)
POLITICS
Red Light
Some of President Trump’s initiatives are hitting legal roadblocks.
Friday, a federal appeals court ruled 7-4 that most of Trump’s tariffs are illegal. The president has used multiple laws to levy tariffs, but has primarily enacted the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The court determined that while the IEEPA does give the president “significant authority” during a national economic emergency, it does not give the “power to impose tariffs.”
Impacted tariffs will remain in effect until October 14, allowing time to appeal to the Supreme Court.
Later, a U.S. district judge blocked the Trump admin’s expansion of the “expedited removal” deportation program, saying that “prioritizing speed over all else” will lead to “erroneously removing people” from the country. Homeland Security criticized the ruling, saying it has “a mandate to…deport the worst of the worst.”
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ABOVE ALL, LOVE
In this divisive political climate, followers of Christ have an opportunity to show that our ultimate allegiance is to Him. Imitating our just and merciful Father, root for justice while retaining love for all parties, desiring restoration rather than revenge.
“The LORD is waiting to show you mercy, and is rising up to show you compassion, for the LORD is a just God. All who wait patiently for him are happy.”
Isaiah 30:18 (CSB) (read full passage)
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IN OTHER BREWS…
An Israeli airstrike hit Sanaa, the Houthi-controlled capital of Yemen this weekend, killing the Houthis’ prime minister and several other officials. Israel said the strike targeted a military site as part of its broader campaign against Iran-backed rebels. The Houthis quickly named a replacement and warned they would retaliate against Israel’s attacks.
Can you hear me now? Verizon had a “software issue” that left tens of thousands of customers with SOS signals—which only enable calls to local emergency numbers—on Saturday. Nationwide service outages were reported, with the worst disruptions on the East Coast in cities like New York, Boston, and Washington, D.C. Engineers had most service restored by evening.
The former VP’s detail has been dropped. President Trump revoked an order by then-President Biden extending Kamala Harris’s Secret Service protection to 18 months after leaving office (the law only requires six months of post-office protection for veeps). Reports suggest the California Highway Patrol will provide security for Harris, who begins a national tour promoting her memoir 107 Days this month.
WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP
A rare land dolphin…
TPO PICKS
How I’m Treating Myself to Brand-Name Snacks
Affordably, thanks to Martie*
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It’s an online grocery store where you can snag perfectly good, brand-name snacks, beauty essentials, and home goods for up to 70% off. The first time I ordered, I was honestly shocked at how much I got for so little. It felt like cheating the system (legally, of course).
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Elly Hamby | Snack-stocked Partnerships Manager
What We’re Exploring
Deserts*
What if your dry, messy, lonely season isn’t a detour… but the place God is shaping you most?
Throughout Scripture, deserts and wilderness spaces weren’t punishments. They were places of preparation, where God’s people were refined and His presence became undeniable.
That’s the heartbeat of The Desert, a six-part docuseries streaming on QAVA (kah-vahhhh). Historian Dr. Matthew Larsen treks across West Texas to explore how God uses barren places to shape us today.
Stream this brand-new series on QAVA to meet God in your desert. Use code POUROVER50 to try it free for a week, then pay just $4.99 monthly.
*From our partners
SPREAD THE WORD
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