Today’s News at a Glance:

1. UPS and Teamsters strike… a Deal!

2. House Speaker McCarthy threatens to impeach President Biden.

3. Texas struggles with its heightened border security.

The news always has the potential to make us angry, bitter, and hopeless. Even in a broken world with broken people, we cling to the hope of Jesus. We rely on His word to guide us as we navigate the choppy waters of culture.

Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.” Romans 12:17-18

Dear Heavenly Father,
In a world that often promotes revenge and retaliation, teach us the strength of forgiveness and the power of love. Help us to resist the urge to repay evil with evil, but instead, empower us to respond with kindness and understanding. Guide us, Father, to do what is right. Let our actions reflect Your righteousness, inspiring others to seek Your truth. We pray for peace. Peace with You, peace in our homes, and peace in our communities. Help us, as far as it depends on us, to live peacefully with everyone, to be ambassadors of Your peace in a world that desperately needs it. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Smaller Bites

Here’s today’s news: cut short and sweet with a prayer…

1. Crisis Averted: UPS & Teamsters Union Avoid Strike

UPS and the Teamsters Union have reached a preliminary labor agreement worth $30 billion, narrowly avoiding a strike. The deal includes raises for both full- and part-time workers, with part-timers to receive at least $21 per hour and full-timers to average $49 per hour. UPS CEO Carol Tomé expressed satisfaction over the deal, highlighting benefits for the Teamsters leadership, UPS employees, and customers. Although this tentative deal is still subject to ratification, with voting slated from Aug. 3 to Aug. 22, it represents a hopeful example of successful labor negotiation in a summer marked by high-profile strikes.

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of collaboration and unity, as we are reminded in 1 Corinthians 12:26 that when one part is honored, every part rejoices. We pray for the UPS workers and all involved in these negotiations, asking that You guide them in the upcoming ratification process. May they remember the words in Colossians 3:23, to "work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men," knowing that the ultimate rewards come from serving Your kingdom. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

2.McCarthy’s Can of Worms: House Speaker Threatens to Launch Biden Impeachment

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has stirred up the political landscape with a threat to launch an impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden, a move driven by allegations surrounding Biden's son, Hunter, and potential improper business dealings. McCarthy's threat, however, is seen as politically risky and is not entirely welcomed within his own party. As part of the proceedings, Republicans anticipate the testimony of Devon Archer, a former business associate of Hunter Biden, who they believe will offer additional evidence. This potential impeachment is indicative of a growing trend of impeachments and trials being utilized as political weapons during campaign season.

Dear God, in times of political tension and strife, we are reminded of Your word in Romans 12:17-18, to respect what is honorable and strive for peace. We pray for all parties involved in these discussions, that they prioritize justice, truth, and the welfare of the nation over personal or political gains. As Proverbs 21:3 teaches us, doing what is right and just is more acceptable to You than any sacrifice. Guide us to reflect these values in our actions and decisions, leading to a stronger and more just society. Amen.

3. Border Struggles: Texas Under Scrutiny for Operation Lone Star

Texas has been investing heavily in an initiative known as Operation Lone Star, challenging the national government's control over international borders and immigration enforcement. This initiative, however, has come under scrutiny for alleged inhumane treatment of migrants and questionable efficacy. Despite criticism and a lawsuit from the Department of Justice over a buoy barrier installed to prevent illegal border crossings, Governor Greg Abbott continues to defend the operation as essential for border control. This stance has sparked a broader debate about handling border security and immigration in a manner that respects human dignity and rights.

Heavenly Father, we seek Your wisdom and guidance in this world of complexities and challenges. We pray for those in positions of authority who are making decisions on critical issues such as border control and immigration. May their actions reflect compassion, justice, and respect for the dignity of all people. We also pray for the safety and well-being of those affected by these policies and ask for Your protection over them. We remember the words in Proverbs 2:6-7, that wisdom comes from You, and You are a shield to those who walk with integrity. In Your name, we pray. Amen.

Strike… A Deal!
UPS & Teamsters Union Avoid Crisis

Our first story comes from the bustling streets of logistics, where UPS and Teamsters Union have pulled a last-minute save worthy of any action movie. They've come to a preliminary labor agreement, narrowly avoiding a strike that could have made next week look like a scene from an apocalyptic movie. No one wants to live in a world without timely package delivery, and for now we won’t have to.

This labor deal isn't a penny-pincher either. According to Teamsters General President Sean O'Brien, it's worth a whopping $30 billion. In O’Brien's words, "We demanded the best contract in the history of UPS, and we got it."

The deal promises raises for both full- and part-time workers. The part-timers will get a raise to at least $21 an hour, and the full-time workers will be sitting pretty at an average of $49 an hour. For all the hardworking UPS drivers out there, they can finally enjoy their days off without fear of mandatory overtime.

UPS CEO Carol Tomé seemed thrilled about the agreement. Per her statement, "Together we reached a win-win-win agreement on the issues that are important to Teamsters leadership, our employees and to UPS and our customers." It does seem like a win-win-win. UPS doesn’t have to halt its operations, the workers get the raises they asked for, and consumers will be able to get their “As Seen on TV” neck massagers and snuggies delivered on time.

The workers still need to ratify this tentative deal, with voting from Aug. 3 to Aug. 22. The National Retail Federation has already broken out the party hats, cheering the agreement. Stability is the name of the game in the retail world, and this agreement is sure to bring just that.

However, before we get too excited, let's remember that these preliminary negotiations don't always seal the deal. Case in point: FedEx's pilots just recently rejected a labor agreement. Nothing adds suspense like a 57% vote against the agreement.

For now, this story seems like a victory for everyone involved. This Summer has seen an uptick in high-profile labor strikes. The most notable being the writer and actor strikes in Hollywood. This is story with UPS gives us hope that collaboration can be possible. 1 Corinthians 12:26, "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." This passage is a testament to the impact of unity, negotiation, and the understanding that we all play a vital role in society.

In conclusion, it's always good to remind ourselves, especially in the hustle and bustle of our workdays, that the ultimate One we serve is not of this world. "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." Colossians 3:23. While higher wages and more earnings is great for companies and workers, we know that the most worthwhile effort is the energy we put into the Kingdom of God.

McCarthy’s Can of Worms:
House Speaker Threatens to Launch Biden Impeachment

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has set the political scene abuzz with his recent threat to launch an impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden. This move excites the hardline Republicans but not so much everybody else. This potential move carries significant risks for McCarthy. Some have called it a can of worms. The impeachment seems purely partisan and a bit hypocritical, as indicated by his previous comment stating the country disfavors politically motivated impeachments.

The impeachment talks have been spurred by allegations involving the Biden family, notably the President's son, Hunter Biden, and potentially improper business dealings. IRS whistleblowers testified last week about Justice Department officials' interference in the investigation of Hunter Biden. An internal FBI document containing unverified allegations of foreign bribery involving the Bidens was also released by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).

Republicans hope the testimony of Devon Archer, a former business associate of Hunter Biden, will provide additional evidence. Archer, convicted of fraud in 2018, is expected to testify that Hunter Biden involved his father in discussions with foreign business partners. However, the White House maintains that President Biden was never involved in his son's business dealings.

The potential impeachment has ruffled feathers within the Republican party, with some moderates expressing frustration and others believing McCarthy is trying to placate the more conservative members. Democrats argue that McCarthy's actions are largely driven by former President Trump's influence.

There’s a growing trend of impeachments and trials escalating during campaign season. This probably isn’t a coincidence and perhaps signals a broader issue of weaponizing the courts for political and partisan fighting.

From a Christ-centered lens, we are reminded in Romans 12:17-18, “Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.” While we applaud any attempt to keep leaders accountable for their actions, we do not applaud a back-and-forth legal spar to gain a political advantage. We will watch closely as these events unfold and see how all these trials and maybe trials will shape out.

We can all draw on the wisdom of Proverbs 21:3, which reads, "To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice." As such, we pray that all parties involved prioritize justice, truth, and the nation's welfare over political gamesmanship. May the outcome of these impeachment discussions reflect a commitment to these values and lead to a stronger, more accountable, and just America.

Border Struggles:
Texas Under Scrutiny for ‘Operation Lone Star’

The Lone Star State has been channeling billions of dollars into an aggressive bid to control federal border security for the past two years. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has prioritized Operation Lone Star, an initiative that challenges the national government’s authority over international borders and immigration enforcement. The state's border control efforts have raised numerous concerns and questions about its efficacy.

The program was recently criticized for the alleged inhumane treatment of migrants, per an email sent by a trooper and medic to his superiors. Allegations included forcing a nursing mother back into the river, denying water to migrants in extreme heat, and stopping a 4-year-old from crossing the border. The program's efficiency has also been called into question. Despite the influx of resources and numerous arrests made under Operation Lone Star, these only account for about 1% of the encounters by Border Patrol in the same period.

While it's undeniably costly, with more than $9.5 billion spent and allocated through 2025, Texas remains committed to the strategy. In fact, Abbott has requested other states to send their National Guard soldiers and police officers to assist Texas in its border control efforts.

The state's approach to addressing illegal immigration by arresting migrants on low-level state charges has overwhelmed courts in rural counties. Interestingly, even with increased resources, counties that adopted the program saw a rise in illegal crossings compared to those that didn't.

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against Texas Governor Greg Abbott over a buoy barrier installed on the Rio Grande River as an effort to prevent illegal border crossings from Mexico. The DOJ claims this barrier violates federal environmental law, endangers public safety, and has raised diplomatic concerns with Mexico. Texas has also established razor wire barriers along river crossing points, which have allegedly led to numerous injuries. The state is investigating accusations that officials ordered officers to forcibly return migrants, including minors, to the river and to deny them water. Governor Abbott, however, asserts that the barriers are legal under the state's sovereign authority to protect its borders. The International Boundary and Water Commission, which has jurisdiction over the river, stated it did not authorize the barrier.

Despite the controversy and criticisms, Abbott and other state officials have defended the operation. They argue that it's an essential strategy to control illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and weapon smuggling across the border. Texas has the burden of being the largest border state in the US. Because of this, there are bound to be a high level of border issues. We empathize with Texas lawmakers, law enforcement, and leaders who constantly struggle to maintain peace and control at their border. Even if they somehow had the perfect plan in place (which Operations Lone Star clearly wasn’t), it was bound to be messy.

Regardless, Operation Lone Star is causing ripples of concern and disapproval. The expense and human rights concerns have sparked debate about handling border security and immigration in a humanitarian manner.

As believers, we believe in the inherent dignity and worth of every human being, created in the image of God. Consequently, we are called to approach issues like border control and immigration with compassion and respect for human life. While any nation must ensure its security, it should not come at the cost of basic human rights and dignity. The allegations of inhumane treatment against migrants, if proven, are cause for concern. Jesus calls us to "love our neighbors as ourselves" (Mark 12:31). This includes providing necessary help and care to those in need, even those crossing borders.

On the other hand, these border states have been blighted by drug and weapon smuggling. Securing the border for the sake of protecting citizens from the threat of drugs and violence isn’t inherently wrong. Sometimes we do the wrong thing for the right reasons, and this could be an example of that very dilemma.

In assessing Operation Lone Star's approach and efficiency, we must ask: is this program achieving its stated goals in a just and humane way? If not, it may be time to reassess and recalibrate, seeking solutions that align with our calling to uphold justice, mercy, and the love of God. In Deuteronomy 10, the people of Israel were reminded to love the sojourners, for they were once sojourners themselves.

Pray with us for wisdom and guidance for all those in positions of power making decisions on these issues and for the well-being and safety of all individuals impacted by border policies. "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity," (Proverbs 2:6-7).

Disclaimer: These articles are based on available information as of the publication date. Please follow our publication for future updates and developments regarding this ongoing story.

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