Read Time: 2 min 35 sec | Listen to Podcast | Watch on YouTube
─────── May 16, 2026 ───────
Happy Saturday!
On Monday, we invited our readers to join our new community, TPO Doers. 11,397 people have joined us in praying for the ongoing drought and food crisis in East Africa.
This problem is only growing, and there’s still time to join us. Sign up with just one click and get access to our five-day email series.
Let’s keep being doers of the Word together.
Now, let us pitch you a topic for this week’s explainer… Aliens. Ooooh snap! Dust off your tin foil hat, and let’s get into it.
New here? TPO Explains does a shallow dive into your most-asked questions every Saturday.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“True education is a kind of never-ending story, a matter of continual beginnings.”
J.R.R. Tolkien
BREWING QUESTIONS
WHAT YOU’RE ASKING
Why’s everyone talking about UFOs?
Last Friday, the government declassified 160+ files related to UFOs UAPs (Didn’t you hear? UFO is so 2020 according to the Pentagon).
UAP stands for unidentified anomalous phenomena, which is just a catch-all for unknown observances typically suspected to be of the extraterrestrial variety.
What’s in the files?
It’s not just Roswell-era stuff (you know, the 1947 incident near Roswell, NM, which became the basis for UFO chatter).
The material does date back as far as the 1940s but is also as recent as 2024. Think: military memos, videos, images, and transcripts, most of it never-before-seen by the public.
Some of the notable shenanigans include:
Weird particles and unexplainable flashing lights from the Apollo space missions;
U.S. military videos of dancing points in the sky over the Middle East;
Accounts from Californian farmers about fire-belching, chicken-disturbing aircrafts;
Federal agent reports of “orbs launching other orbs”;
And a bunch of blurry photos.
Why release them now?
The Pentagon has been working on it for a while, but earlier this year, President Trump put some pep in their step (read: ordered them) to get UAP files declassified.
Supporters are praising the administration for their transparency, while critics warn about “shiny object” propaganda distracting from other issues.
Where can I find the files?
Here.
The Pentagon released them on a retro-style website that even has a cool acronym (so you know they mean business) PURSUE: the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters.
So… are aliens real?
The Pentagon says no.
A 2024 statement denies claims that they’ve found evidence of alien life, and the release of these files hasn’t changed their stance. Uncle Sam encouraged the public to comb the files and draw their own conclusions (or just fall into the rabbit hole of wild pictures).
All that to say 🤷♂️… you tell us.
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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
It can be fun to dive into topics like outer space, but we shouldn’t let it distract us from our God, who is bigger than all that. He made the universe and breathed life into everything in it. Only He is worthy of our full attention and worship.
“The God who made the world and everything in it —he is Lord of heaven and earth—does not live in shrines made by hands. Neither is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things. From one man he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live.”
Acts 17:23-26 (CSB) (read full passage)
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HOUSE BLEND
WHAT YOU’LL ENJOY
Unscrambling our signals to solve this week’s Mini Crossword.
Deciding: painting…or sunrise?
Gourmet popcorn worth writing home about. Founded by TPO reader Kirsten B., The Popcorner makes fresh, small-batch popcorn in flavors you didn’t know you needed (think Caramel Pecan, Cinnamon Spice, and Dill Pickle), plus gifting tins for every occasion. Whether you’re stocking up or sending something special, this is the snack upgrade your shelf deserves. Use code TPO10 for 10% off!*
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WHAT YOU’VE BEAN CLICKING…
Top News Article: Lots of ya’ll clicked this link to see if you’re one of the iPhone owners getting $ from an Apple settlement.
Top Christian Perspective: This week, a verse to remember during a tough season of life resonated with TPOers. Download and save it here.
Top Whipped Cream: Aw, young, carefree whales 🫶🏼
TAKE IT TO GO
WHAT WE’RE RECOMMENDING
The One Thing I Don’t Skip
My morning AG1*
Mornings used to be a scramble—coffee ASAP, some scrolling, no real plan. Now, before any of that, I take 20 seconds for my AG1. It’s honestly changed how the rest of my day goes and feels. Now, it’s the one part of my routine I never skip.
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*From our partners
WHAT WE’RE PRAYING
A Liturgy for Stargazing
“Constellations rise and descend the staircase of the night at your command, O Lord. Galaxies spin like dancers. Space and time bend and bow to the gravity of your great will.
In such holy wonders, baptize our imaginations, that we might ever be a people shaped by awe at your eternal power, and a people moved to worship by revelations of your divine nature… Awaken our adoration in this place where we are so very small—and yet so greatly loved. Amen.”
Every Moment Holy, Volume I, pages 80-82
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