The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6-3 ruling, upheld a Tennessee law that bans puberty blockers and hormones from being administered to minors for the purpose of transitioning to the opposite sex. Twenty-seven states have similar laws on the books, and the Supreme Court’s ruling mostly ensures those laws will remain in effect.

The king had a simple instruction from the prophet. He was simply to strike the ground with arrows. The king followed the instruction and struck the ground with the arrows but stopped after three strikes. This angered the prophet and limited the king’s blessing. It is a strange story, and it has direct application to your life this week.

Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, are dead, and Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, are injured after a gunman went on an overnight shooting spree with apparent plans to target dozens of elected officials. Authorities say the suspect, who was later taken into custody near his home, had a target list of more than 40 Democrat lawmakers and attempted to harm at least two additional officials at their homes on the night of the attack.

The U.S. Army celebrated its 250th anniversary this week with a parade of troops, military equipment, and music in the streets of Washington, DC. It was among the first of what will be many events commemorating 250 years since many of the foundational moments in American history—including the adoption by the Continental Congress of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The celebratory event was met by protests in many American cities but went off without major incident in DC.

Israel and Iran are at war. The two countries have long been enemies and there has for some time now been sustained hostilities, proxy skirmishes, and recently direct engagement between them. This week marked a significant escalation, however, with Israel embarking on a multi-day and ongoing campaign to cripple Iran’s nuclear weapons capability. The result has been the destruction of multiple sites related to Iran’s nuclear enrichment and development, as well as the death of multiple Iranian military leadership.

It is all about the number, but everyone’s number is different. The annual time trials had arrived, and every swimmer was being judged by the number on the clock when they touched the wall at the end of the race. Some got to the wall with smooth beautiful form while others appeared to struggle a great deal. But so long as every swimmer swam legally, the “how” and the aesthetic appeal (or lack thereof) were of no consequence. 

The U.S. State Department is “aggressively revok[ing] visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields,” according to a statement by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The move comes amid increasing economic tension—including an ongoing tariff escalation—between the U.S. and China, and also as world observers warn about the possibility of a Chinese takeover of Taiwan.

The man at the center of multiple high-profile legal challenges is back in the United States and facing charges of human smuggling. Kilmar Abrego Garcia was deported from Maryland to his native El Salvador in March, a move that sparked numerous legal challenges and ultimately a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court ordering the administration to “facilitate” Garcia’s return to the U.S. Garcia remains in federal custody and awaits prosecution.

The betrayal was worse than the execution. It had to have been, because it came from the hand and heart of one he deeply loved.

You know the story. Judas—now known as Judas Iscariot because of this very story—betrays Jesus in the leadup to the crucifixion of Jesus. It was a betrayal Jesus predicted at the last supper (Matt. 26:21) and one foreshadowed by David generations in advance (Ps. 41:9).

There are yet again new rounds of negotiations to end the fighting in two major wars. First, Israel has reportedly signaled agreement with a U.S.-led framework that includes a ceasefire, hostage exchanges, and increased aid into Gaza. Hamas wants changes to the framework but has reportedly indicated an openness to continued negotiations.

Phil Robertson, best known for his starring role in the long running TV show Duck Dynastythat documented his family’s life, business, and adventures, has died at the age of 79. Robertson had been suffering from a cancer-like blood disorder and is survived by his wife, Kay Robertson, and numerous children and grandchildren.

Two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC are dead after a gunman targeted them at the conclusion of an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in DC. The victims are Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, a young couple who planned to soon be engaged. Lischinshy was an Israel citizen and Milgrim an American. The gunman was taken into custody while saying, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza.”

As we honor those who have given their lives in service this Memorial Day week, it is a perfect opportunity to reflect on the magnitude of the sacrifice the Heavenly Father has made for us.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is acquiring more responsibility, as U.S. President Donald Trump has named him interim national security advisor in addition to his current role leading the State Department.

“I have seen the Lord.”

The powerful exclamation is made even more impactful by its directness and simplicity, and it was uttered by Mary Magdalene in John 20:18 after Jesus rose from the dead.

Nearly 50 people are injured after a minivan plowed through crowded streets in Liverpool, England this week. Hundreds of thousands of revelers were gathered to celebrate the Liverpool Football Club’s Premiere League championship, but the celebration quickly turned to panic as the attack unfolded. Authorities have detained a local man believed to be responsible and are continuing their investigation.

Federal agents obtained a warrant and used it to raid a house in Oklahoma, seizing possessions in an effort to secure evidence for a human smuggling case. Residents of the home claim there was one major problem with the raid—it was carried out on the wrong individuals. The residents of the home claim they had only recently moved in, are U.S. citizens, and are not alleged to be connected in any way to the crime that justified the warrant.

The United States and Ukraine have signed a long-anticipated deal that paves the way for continued U.S. investment in Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s ongoing invasion while guaranteeing the United States a share of both Ukraine’s rare earth minerals and the resulting profit from extracting those minerals.

Two crew members are dead, and more than 20 injured, after a Mexican Navy ship crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. The ship, distinguished by its large masts and sails, was on a goodwill tour and had just finished several days of public tours while docked just south of the bridge. Shortly after pushing back from dock, the crew lost control of the ship and it drifted into the bridge, snapping masts and endangering the crew. Officials report no damage to the bridge or those on it at the time of the crash.

Walmart is raising its prices as a result of the ongoing tariff negotiations. The company, which is both the largest retailer in the world and the leading employer in the U.S. with approximately 2.1 million employees, blamed increased cost of goods because of tariffs for the increase.

“Patience is not naturally present in me, and so when it shows up, I know it is Christ living in me.” What a joy it was to hear from Annie F. Downs at church this week, and when she uttered the phrase above, it both resonated with and convicted me.

Deals are being struck between countries all around the world. The question now is which ones will last.

The last living American hostage, Edan Alexander, has been released by Hamas. Edan Alexander was just 19 years old when he was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and he spent 583 days as a hostage before being freed in what Hamas described as a “goodwill gesture” in advance of U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to the region.

A new Pope has been selected, and for the first time in history it is an American. Robert Prevost, originally from Chicago, Illinois, is now Pope Leo XIV, after a conclave of cardinals selected him to succeed Pope Francis as the head of the Catholic Church. Pope Leo’s first address was delivered from historic St. Peter’s Basilica.

“Brace yourself like a man.” It is a stern directive that sounds as though it is coming from a commanding officer or an overbearing father. In reality, it is the voice of the loving and compassionate God in Job 40:7.

What—or who—is your first love? It is a question that was jogged in my mind recently as I joined my friend Carmen LaBerge on her daily radio show. Carmen made reference to the late great Keith Green’s song, Oh Lord, You’re Beautiful, which is now nearly 50 years old (I personally find that almost impossible to believe). There is a lyric in the song that says, “Oh Lord, please light the fire that once burned bright and clear.”

Elon Musk is stepping back—though apparently not fully away—from his leadership role at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk said his job at DOGE is “mostly done” and plans to focus most of his time going forward on his private companies. The White House says DOGE will continue to function without Musk’s round-the-clock guidance.

A county circuit judge in Milwaukee, WI was arrested and charged with “concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest.” The judge, Hannah Dugan, after being alerted to the presence of immigration law enforcement officials outside the courtroom, allegedly escorted a criminal defendant out a non-public jury door in an attempt to help the defendant evade arrest.

Your email inbox is out to get you. I mean that quite literally—the intent of much of the correspondence sent to you is to grip you with fear. If you don’t believe me, scroll through the recent subject lines from your trusted news and information sources, and you will undoubtedly find all manner of alarmist and fear-based subject lines like…

The death toll is rising after an intense explosion and subsequent fire at the Shahid Rajaei port in Iran. At least 70 people are reported dead and more than 1,200 injured as a result of the blast, which is believed to have been caused by improper handling of fuel used for Iran’s ballistic missile program. While the Iranian government is notoriously close-lipped about its weapons programs, the consensus among world authorities is that the fuel was sourced from China and being used to restock Iran’s missile supply after it launched attacks on Israel in support of Hamas.