Are Vaccines Simply a Modern Religion?
Attorney Aaron Siri poses a thought-provoking question: “Ever hear ‘I believe in cars’ or ‘I believe in tools’?” Most adults would likely answer no. Yet many people readily say they “believe in vaccines.”
Two Continuing Resolutions
The U.S. Senate approved a continuing resolution (CR) in the early morning hours of Saturday to fund the government through December 11, 2026. The measure, which includes several extraneous items, differs from the CR passed by the U.S. House, which includes funding through December 4, 2026. To avert a government shutdown at the end of September, the two chambers will need to align on a uniform version of the CR to send to the president for his signature.
Two Executive Orders
U.S. President Donald Trump issued two significant executive orders this week: 1) an order narrowing the applicability of birthright citizenship, and 2) an order altering the childhood vaccine recommendations.
Border Stampede
Alongside the often-heated debate about immigration policy is a human dynamic that should be unifying for all Jesus followers. Every person was created and intended to be free (Gal. 5:1a). This is far more than the freedom we often think about from a political or governing perspective, though those elements of physical freedom can be an important part of an overarching freedom. Every person made in the image of the Creator is endowed with an instinct to be free. Every person’s primary purpose is bringing glory to the almighty God (Is. 43:21).
Phase Two
Israel and Hamas are moving haltingly toward Phase Two of the ceasefire first announced last October—a ceasefire that has been as much fire as cease to this point. This week, Hamas again agreed to disarm if several conditions are met. Those conditions include Israel’s full withdraw from Gaza, the reconstruction of Gaza, and the creation of a Palestinian state, which Israel opposes. It is a stalemate similar to previous roadblocks, and regional confidence that Phase Two will hold is low.
Article Five
The misery and grief of war was again on full display in this attack. Ten people, including at least three children, were killed in Ukraine by the bombings, and more than 50 were injured. It is an all-too-common reality of the ongoing war, as civilian casualties and injuries continue to climb.
Ebola Has Spread
It has been a relentless decade of disease and violence for the people of Congo. The current outbreak is in the headlines because of its urgency in the moment, but in reality, the people of Congo have had one life-threatening emergency after another. They have been living in a state of emergency for far too long, and our community stands with them in prayer this week.
Wildfires on Both Sides of the Atlantic
This week, let’s lift our eyes off ourselves and set them first and foremost on the “author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2). Let us then focus our prayer and petitions on behalf of those feeling the firsthand impact of fires on both sides of the Atlantic.
Escape from the Sandbox
The rapid acceleration of AI leads to stories like this one that read like science fiction. It also leaves many uncertain about how to prepare for a world infused with AI—a world that is already upon us in many ways.
Rage War
The rage war is everywhere. But it is not yours to wage. It is peace that guards you.
Then There Was Spain
We as The Equipped family have had a regular conversation about how to use the World Cup to reach the nations for Jesus. Now, as teams and fans return to their respective home countries, let us reflect across all our varied nationalities on the ways in which we should carry out our common call to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt 28:19).
Smoke and Tariffs
The smoke from raging Canadian wildfires covered large portions of the U.S. this week, with major cities including Chicago, Washington, DC, and New York City significantly impacted. The smoke was at times thick enough to shroud the skyline and dramatically reduce air quality, which led to many cancellations of outdoor events.
The Supreme Court Restores the President’s Executive Power by Overruling Humphrey’s Executor
The Trump v. Slaughter case marks the collapse of Humphrey’s Executor precedent and re-establishes executive power, meaning that all principal officers who exercise executive power must remain removable by the President even if the statutory language under which such officers were appointed granted them protection against termination. The power to terminate or remove, residing in the President of the United States, constitutes an indispensable mechanism of presidential supervision and democratic accountability.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham Dies
We reflect on this truth nearly every week: Life on Earth is short, but eternity is forever.
NATO On, Peace Deal Off
World leaders, including Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, gathered in Turkey for the NATO Summit this week as the U.S. and Iran appear to have abandoned the recently brokered peace agreement. Strikes between the U.S. and Iran intensified, especially in and around the Strait of Hormuz, and U.S. President Donald Trump said the resumption in fighting is because, “I got to know them.”
Trial Begins in Charlie Kirk Case
Once again, life on Earth is short. Far from a flippant repeated reminder, it is helpful for us to continually hold this reality close as we prioritize our limited days.
Democratic Socialists Deliver a Stark Warning to Christians
The rise of democratic socialism, which is richly tied to anti-Israel, if not anti-Semitic, hatred, indicates that the barbarians are already inside the gates. This move is more than a political trend — it represents a worldview shift with profound implications for Christians and for the nation. As a consequence, eternal vigilance is required.
Embattled in Maine
Scandal and politics seem at times to be ubiquitous. As a Jesus follower endeavoring to invest in the welfare of your community, your city, and your nation, it can be a discouraging reality.
Remember, however, that yours is a story of rescue and redemption from scandal! Your sin once threatened to condemn you to an eternal separation from your Creator and Savior, but the astounding—and even scandalous—love of your God wiped away your sentence and put in its place the gift of eternal life!
America 250
The United States of America is officially 250 years old. Saturday marked the quarter millennium—or semiquincentennial—of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
From 48-8
Sporting events—especially major ones like the World Cup—often stir up intense emotions. While this has the potential to accentuate conflict, it also presents an opportunity for Jesus followers to demonstrate “peculiar” love for both neighbor and sporting adversary (1 Pet. 2:9). As the World Cup moves closer to completion, take a moment today to consider how it can be a catalyst for your participation in the Great Commission!