“Prayer is the disciplined refusal to act before God acts.”

Eugene Peterson

Table of Contents

1. Access to Contraception Bill Blocked

2. 80th Anniversary of D-Day

3. Other news you should know

4. Remnant Resources

5. Share this newsletter

Access to Contraception Bill Blocked

Senate Republicans blocked the Democrat-led Right to Contraception Act, arguing it infringes on religious and parental rights. The bill fell short of the three-fifths majority needed to break the filibuster, with 51 members voting to advance and 38 Republicans opposing. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) switched his vote to “Nay” to file a motion to reconsider later. The bill aimed to protect access to contraceptives and the ability of healthcare providers to offer them. Republicans claim there is no threat to contraception access (pointing out there is not one state where contraceptives are banned) and criticized the bill as a political maneuver.

For centuries, pagans worshiped fertility gods, hoping to conceive and bear children. Today, the secular West seemingly venerates infertility gods.

The Psalmist reminds us, “Children are a heritage from the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Amid political theatrics, like this 20-foot spectacle in D.C. and Schumer’s positioning on the necessity of this bill, we risk losing sight of foundational truths. 

With some senators conflating abortifacients with contraceptives, it is wise to be skeptical before moving in any direction. Definitions shape our moral imaginations and legal landscapes, but beyond legislative battles, the church’s mission is clear: cultivate a society that cherishes life and is rooted in prayer, scripture, and community (Genesis 1:28, Philippians 4:6-7). As believers, we must seek clarity and stand for life where we can. A society embracing an anti-natalist worldview is on a dangerous path (John 10:10).

Children are invaluable treasures and vital parts of His divine plan, to be cherished, nurtured, and guided in the ways of righteousness, reflecting the deep love and grace of God (Proverbs 22:6, Mark 10:14).

_{By: Jamie Wilder}

80th Anniversary of D-Day

Yesterday marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the infamous beach invasion of Normandy, France, that claimed the lives of 73,000 Allied troops and injured 153,000. D-Day has long been recognized as the surprise attack on occupied France that turned the tide of the war and led to the defeat of the Nazis and Axis powers. 

Presidents Biden, Zelensky, and Macron joined together at the American Normandy Cemetery for a ceremony honoring the fallen soldiers and about 150 World War II Veterans who landed on Normandy beach 80 years ago. 

In just a few short years, there will be no living WWII veterans. Just this week, a 102-year-old vet passed away on his journey to the ceremony. President Biden’s address included a “warning” that democracy is a fragile thing, a thing that is worth protecting. Just as democracy is fragile, so is memory, and our world cannot afford to forget the cost of the freedoms we enjoy today. 

The remarkable bravery shown by the men at Normandy is made even more remarkable by the fact that a significant portion of the soldiers were 17 and 18 years old. We cannot afford to forget that teenagers were enlisted, volunteering, to risk (and lose) their lives to confront and defeat evil. We cannot afford to forget that entire nations became so wrapped up in a lie they were willing to ruthlessly exterminate their neighbors. We must not forget the consequences of the world's hesitation to engage and act when signs indicated that things were going to get devastating, even deadly (Ecclesiastes 8:11). We must not forget lest we be tempted to believe that “all men are mostly good” (Jeremiah 17:9) or that things could not get that dark again (2 Timothy 3:1-5). As the world ultimately realized, “all that is required for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” The world can be thankful, and we should never forget that 80 years ago yesterday, A LOT of good men gave their lives.

Today, we enjoy relative peace in America while wars rage on in Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, and Burma, and atrocities are committed all around the world. We cannot afford to forget that what we have in America is contingent upon the wisdom of our leaders and the commitment of all men to think clearly and rightly about good and evil, wisdom and insanity, our constitution, and what truly leads to the flourishing of mankind. May we pray (1 Timothy 2:1-2), boldly oppose evil (Romans 12:21, Micah 6:8), rise up against wickedness (Psalm 94:16), faithfully speak against evil before it is too late (Proverbs 31:8-9), and be willing to lose our lives for the truth (John 15:13). 

_{By: Kirby Mankin}

Other news you should know

🩺 SCOTUS sides with Native Americans in this health-care related case, 3 conservative judges dissent.

💥 33 dead after school strike in Gaza including 14 children and 9 women (#’s as reported by onsite AP journalist).

📙 New Hunger Games novel expected in 2025.

🚀 Boeing made it to the International Space Station.

👎🏼 Biden does not plan to pardon his own son.

💾 Nvidia becomes second most valuable public company in the world.

🔫 New York moves to revoke Trump’s gun license.

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