July 21st, 2023

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Quote of the day:

"If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. If they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees. Let no one go there unwarned and unprayed for."

- Charles Spurgeon

July 21st, 2023

Today’s Headlines:

Disney Downsizing Dilemma

Bob Iger, who led Disney's massive expansion through acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm, is now prepared to sell a significant portion of the company, including TV networks ABC, FX, and Freeform, declaring them "noncore assets." Disney is also seeking a strategic partner for ESPN, although selling the whole division is off the table.

Despite Disney's reliance on cable networks for major profits, the precipitous decline of cable TV has limited Iger's options. While Disney+ and Hulu were seen as solutions, the streaming business suffered a substantial loss of about $800 million in the last quarter.

Iger's recent CNBC interview has been seen as a distress signal. Disney is contractually obligated to buy Comcast Corp.'s one-third stake in Hulu for $27.5 billion. Additionally, the company faces a significant debt pile from its $71.3 billion acquisition of 21st Century Fox.

While Bob Iger's move to downsize may seem surprising, it reflects the changing landscape of the entertainment industry. The decline of cable TV and the challenges in the streaming business necessitate strategic adjustments. As Iger navigates this new path, it leaves many investors curious about the future of entertainment space and how companies will adapt to market challenges.

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The Remnant’s Response:

Disney continues to make headlines completely unrelated from the creative and family friendly content that made it the most influential storytelling machine of the 20th and early 21st century. From protesting Parental Rights legislation to executives explicitly saying that Disney was committed to inserting queerness into children's animation, the once reliable bastion of wholesome entertainment has lost its way. Generational faithfulness takes discipline, intentionality and constant vigilance.(Deuteronomy 6:4-9). While it is appropriate to comment on the decline of corporate values, believers should pay attention (1 Corinthians 10:12) and make sure they are passing on the story God expects them to pass on to their children (Psalm 145:1-4).

Dorothy Sayers observed that both God and humanity share a common characteristic: the desire and ability to create. God, as creator, made man in His image and instilled in him both the longing to create and the responsibility to fill the earth and subdue it.(Genesis 1:26-29). Tragically, the human race quickly abandoned God’s order and beauty and created something far different than what was intended(Gen 3). While the Lord was not surprised at the sin of Adam, we can only imagine how shocked Walt Disney would be to hear how the organization which bears his name has drifted. The story of Disney’s erosion of values provides a warning to all of us. Our own homes will not be “the happiest place on earth” for long if we abandon the Creator and His plans for us (Jeremiah 6:16). God’s Word provides the blueprint for us to create something more than a ‘magic Kingdom’, he allows us the ability to produce homes where the beauty and happiness of the coming Kingdom can be taste and seen on earth. Dive into Psalm 128, follow its teachings, and watch “God’s dreams for you come True.” Make sure you are more passionate about creating the beauty God intends for you than criticizing the compromise of Walt’s old company.

New York Backtracks on Sanctuary City

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has put an end to the city's sanctuary city policy, signaling a major shift in the city's immigration stance. In a press conference, Adams stated that the city can no longer accommodate more migrants and will no longer welcome illegal immigrants, as it had previously done. Bilingual fliers are being distributed at the U.S.–Mexico border, warning migrants of the high costs of living and limited access to city services if they choose to settle in New York.

The decision comes after years of Adams and his political allies supporting the sanctuary policy, disregarding practical concerns raised by critics. However, the strain on resources, with over 55,000 migrants in city custody, over 100,000 homeless in shelters, and thousands of new arrivals weekly, forced the mayor to confront the reality of the situation.

Despite initially defending the sanctuary city policy, Mayor Adams faced mounting challenges, including Republican governors busing migrants into New York City and a projected $2 billion cost for migrant services. The mayor placed blame on various parties but ultimately consented to bus illegal migrants out of the city and into the suburbs, causing further complications.

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The Remnant’s Response:

It's always easy to talk about the good you would do if you had the chance, but it is not always easy when it comes time to act on it. Many people "honor with their lips" (Matt 15:8), but when it's time to follow through, it turns out their hearts are far from ready. It's unsurprising that the vast majority of leaders who are unconcerned about border security are situated far from the border. As Mayor Adams found out, it’s easier to offer help when you don’t think you’ll be called upon to help. The Lord's remnant understands the importance of laws, and wise people never create a “sanctuary" for lawbreakers. Unless the law of the land violates the law of God, it is wicked to offer 'sanctuary' to lawbreakers (Isaiah 5:20). Establishing laws and protecting borders is what nations do; it defines sovereign nations. Nations that ignore their laws and tolerate leaders who refuse to defend their borders will not remain nations for long (Prov 28:2). Leaders who declare they will not enforce the law make a mockery of both the law and their title (Romans 13:1).

It is the nation's job to enforce its laws, and it is the Christian's job to love others. Part of loving others is encouraging them to be obedient to the laws of a nation. America is not the hope of the world; Jesus is, and we would do well to export biblical obedience more than disobediently welcoming people who break the law into our cities. America is great because it is a land of ordered liberty. If we abandon order, we will lose our liberty. The rule of law and the love of Christ are never at odds. The remnant advocates for righteous laws and their enforcement, abides with Christ, and loves their neighbor. Where are you being an unwise leader by creating a “sanctuary” for sin in your life or giving lip service to your care and concern for others? (1 John 3:17-18).

Billion Dollar Power Ball

A single ticket sold in California has won the Powerball jackpot, boasting an astounding prize of $1.08 billion. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million. This win makes it the third-largest Powerball jackpot in history and the sixth-largest lottery jackpot ever won in the United States. The cash value of this massive windfall is an impressive $558.1 million.

The winner has a life-changing decision to make, choosing between an annuitized prize of $1.08 billion, distributed over 30 years with a 5% annual increase, or a lump sum payment of $558.1 million, before taxes. This historic win has captured the attention and excitement of players across the nation, making it a momentous event in the world of lotteries.

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The Remnant’s Response:

You may have heard it said that “money can’t buy you happiness, but it can buy you a jet ski.” Have you ever seen someone sad on a jet ski? Haven’t we all had moments when we dreamt of "winning the lottery"? Would most of us have ever dreamed that history has shown it rarely leads to the "good" life? This is why the Lord’s remnant has to pay attention to more than witty sayings about being happy on jet skis and pay attention to wisdom sayings in God’s Word. The Bible warns that “Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” (Proverbs 13:11).

According to researchers, what will make you truly happy are family and friends, offering and receiving forgiveness, helping others, and living a life of gratitude. All of which should sound strangely familiar to those who read the Word. While money may alleviate financial concerns, it cannot satisfy our deepest needs or bring ultimate fulfillment (Ecclesiastes 5:10). The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:6-10). When money becomes our master and we serve it above all else, scripture warns us that we cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). Of course, it is possible to win the lottery and make money your master, and it is possible to be given stewardship of large amounts of money and not be guilty of “loving” it. We can be sure that money “takes wings” and we should not “weary ourselves to make wealth” (Proverbs 23:3-4). What the Lord recommends to us is that we live generously, commit to becoming “rich in good works,” and use it as a tool to glorify God, serve others, and advance His Kingdom (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

So go ahead and smile on your jet ski, but anchor yourself on the Word of God.

Other news you should know:

⚽️ 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup: U.S. Women aiming for third straight title. BTW… What is a woman?

💰 The city of New York has agreed to pay $13 million to settle a class action lawsuit filed on behalf of individuals who were arrested during the 2020 BLM Riots.

🛂 One passport to rule them all? Singapore's passport is now the most powerful in the world

🚬 Hong Kong has plans to be smokeless through public shaming.

🎬 Netflix crushed Q2 expectations by cracking down on password sharing. They boosted subscribers by just under 6 million.

✈️ Delta Airline under scrutiny after a bizarre and chaotic pre-flight delay. Multiple passengers got sick to the point of throwing up and soiling their britches… others had to be taken off the plane in stretchers.

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