We are called to be good stewards of our time‚ talents‚ and treasures. But where things can get sideways is when we begin to worship an orderly and predictable life to the point where we come unglued when something threatens our plans. For some of us‚ uncertainty is a stumbling block to joyfully submitting to God’s divine interruptions.

Just outside the city of Minneapolis‚ my small blue Toyota Corolla trundled into the extensive parking lot of one of the largest high schools in Minnesota. Locking my car among a sea of vehicles‚ I secured my mask and walked through the piercing winter wind with the throng of faceless individuals into the school’s main doors. In the fall of 2021‚ COVID-19 protocols still lingering in public schools‚ I was a student teacher in an 11th-grade classroom. This school boasted it was one of Minnesota’s most diverse public high schools‚ and I had the privilege of engaging with an array of students representing a number of countries‚ backgrounds‚ and belief systems. When my last day of student teaching arrived‚ I was taken aback by some of the responses from my students—the ones who expressed the most remorse over my departure were the students who’d hardly spoken a word the entire semester. They made efforts to stop by the classroom and say goodbye to me‚ dropping off little gift bags and notes. One of the students‚ a recent refugee from Myanmar‚ wrote me a letter in broken English that said‚ “I will miss you‚ your soft sweet voice saying ‘Hi’ everyday and the tap tap on your computer. You made class feel like home.” I was stunned. My heart‚ captured by warmth and wonder‚ pondered her response. I made class feel like home? And for a refugee—a student who hasn’t been able to call somewhere “home” for who knows how long? To further my bewilderment‚ out of all my students‚ she was one I rarely got the chance to interact with—she attended the single class I never taught but merely observed. When she walked in‚ I greeted her by name. That was about as far as our interactions stretched. Since then‚ I’ve considered the power and radical ordinariness of relationships. If merely showing up daily and greeting my student was important‚ what would have happened if I got to be part of her life and was in a setting where I could share the gospel with her? What if the way to reach hearts begins with simply showing up day after day and taking an interest in someone’s life? Gen Z Needs Friends As I reflected on effective ways to reach Gen Zers‚ I asked family and friends for their thoughts‚ and their responses all boiled down to the same thing: relationship. Many Gen Zers are suffering from disconnection and isolation‚ living according to blatant lies that color their reality. Self-hatred and self-obsession simultaneously reign in their beings‚ and they’re clouded by confusion. How do we evangelize to a generation living in this dichotomy? How do we participate in painting life and beauty into the picture of their lives? Through relationships. In Tim Keller’s sermon “Mary’s Song‚” he emphasizes how‚ when Mary is informed by the angel Gabriel that she’ll be the mother of the Messiah‚ she obediently submits with the words‚ “Behold‚ I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). We don’t witness vivid emotion on her part. However‚ immediately following that encounter‚ she “arose and went with haste . . . and greeted Elizabeth” (vv. 39–40). After Elizabeth hears the news from Mary‚ she erupts with praise toward God for what he has done. It’s not until then that we read Mary’s poetic song of overwhelming joy and humbled praise to the Lord in Luke 1:46–55. Keller emphasized that we don’t fully experience the beauty and nearness of God unless we’re in fellowship with other believers. We don’t fully experience the beauty and nearness of God unless we’re in fellowship with other believers. In a world where the individual is prioritized‚ how could Christ be magnified if we sincerely prioritized cultivating fellowship—what the Oxford Dictionary defines as “friendly association”? In our everyday lives‚ this could look like learning and remembering names‚ smiling and waving‚ greeting and taking an interest in the lives of our neighbors and coworkers‚ cashiers and fellow gym-goers. Gen Z Needs Older Friends As believers called to disciple making‚ we take this friendliness even deeper in our inner circles. Evangelism through fellowship and hospitality—the building of relationships through receiving someone‚ whether at home‚ school‚ work‚ or elsewhere—is a profound means of grace to reach the hearts of wanderers. Despite what many people think‚ Gen Zers crave this kind of relationship‚ especially with older and wiser adults who take the time to know them and speak into their lives. Some of my most formative moments in high school were when my mentor did this for me. I spent time with her at her house‚ with her young kids running and screaming and playing. Amid the chaos‚ we talked about God and life‚ and I found a space that felt like home—a place where my affection for the Lord was stirred. Gen Z Needs Ordinary Friends In Jesus’s ministry‚ we see radical ordinariness—how it was a regular practice that “many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples” (Mark 2:15). Often we fall into the temptation to “spot treat” the problems of friends and unbelievers from afar rather than walking with them through their lives and trials. We can discount the wildly influential and ordinary practice of simply being with people—the ministry of presence. We’re more comfortable giving words‚ not time. Often we fall into the temptation to ‘spot treat’ the problems of friends and unbelievers from afar rather than walking with them through their lives and trials. Most Gen Zers we encounter aren’t literal refugees like my student was‚ but they are in the metaphorical sense: they’re isolated‚ often feeling displaced and unsettled‚ lonely and eager for the comfort of something or someone familiar and safe. Making and forming disciples happens in the toy-littered living room‚ the sticky-countered kitchen‚ and the coffee shops and walking trails and break rooms where we share boosts of encouragement to endure everyday life. Gen Zers crave the simplicity of hospitality. It’s where hearts begin to open and affections are stirred for something more than what the world offers. What if we resolved‚ with God’s help‚ to start being hospitable‚ welcoming‚ relationship-oriented people anywhere‚ to whomever God puts in front of us on a regular basis? It may be that even those who seem the shyest or least interested will be affected the most.

A group of 17 hostages were released from the Gaza Strip on Saturday‚ according to the Israel Defense Forces.Hamas released 17 hostages – 13 Israelis and four Thai nationals. No Americans were released. The release of the hostages came after an hours-long delay‚ where Hamas accused Israel of violating the terms of the four-day truce deal. However‚ both sides were able to "overcome" the standoff thanks to mediation‚ according to Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson.The hostages were transferred to Israel‚ and then taken to hospitals for observation. Included in the Israeli hostages were six women and seven children – the youngest was 3 years old. However‚ Hamas detained the mother of a 12-year-old girl who was released. Of the children released was 9-year-old Emily Hand. It was an unbelievable reunion for Hand's family‚ who initially believed the young girl was murdered during the Oct. 7 onslaught by Hamas terrorists that killed roughly 1‚200 Israelis and ignited the Israel-Hamas war. Emily's father‚ Thomas Hand‚ was originally informed that his daughter was one of the fatalities from the initial attack. However‚ authorities never recovered her body and didn't find any blood in the home where she was staying. Emily turned 9 years old while being a Hamas hostage for 50 days. The Associated Press reported‚ "Most of the released hostages were from Kibbutz Be’eri‚ a community Hamas militants ravaged during their Oct. 7 cross-border attack‚ a spokesperson for the kibbutz said."There are approximately 195 Israelis being held captive by captive‚ according to the Times of Israel.As part of the deal‚ Israel was to release 39 Palestinian hostages on the second day of the truce‚ according to Al Jazeera. Saturday's hostage swap was the second round of detainee releases in as many days during the cease-fire. On Friday‚ Israel released 39 Palestinians and Hamas released 24 hostages. Included in the Israeli hostages released on Friday was 9-year-old Ohad Munder. On Saturday‚ the Schneider Children's Medical Center shared a video of the heartwarming reunion of the young boy and his family. The touching footage shows Munder sprinting down a hospital hallway to a warm embrace by his father‚ who picks him up in sheer joy. The boy turned 9 years old while in the captivity of Hamas. Munder's mother‚ 54‚ and grandmother‚ 78‚ were also released in the first round of prisoner swaps‚ according to Reuters. The feel-good video went viral with more than 350‚000 views in less than 24 hours. The Qatari government said it hopes the temporary truce can be extended past four days. Qatari Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari told CNN on Saturday‚ "What we are hoping for is that the momentum that has carried from the releases of these two days and from this agreement of four days will allow us to extend the truce beyond these four days and therefore get into more serious discussions about the rest of the hostages." Al-Ansari was not sure if American hostages detained by Hamas would be let go in future detainee releases. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! — (@)

Roger Stone – a longtime advisor of former President Donald Trump – seemed to lash out at Casey DeSantis – wife of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Stone appeared to attack Casey DeSantis for mentioning her children on the campaign trail for her husband‚ and seemed to use a slur widely regarded as one of the most offensive words. Stone responded to a tweet from Mike Crispi – a Republican candidate who lost in the GOP primary in 2022 to represent New Jersey's 4th Congressional District. "Casey Desantis campaigning: 'I have a 6‚ 5 and a 3 year old' 'I have a 6‚ 5 and a 3 year old' 'I have a 6‚ 5 and a 3 year old' 'I have a 6‚ 5 and a 3 year old' 'Did you know I have a 6‚ 5 and a 3 year old?'" Crispi wrote on the X social media platform. Crispi was responding to a social media post by Casey declaring that her husband is "earning every vote‚" and featured a photo of her and her young daughter on the campaign trail. Stone replied by saying‚ "SeeUNextTuesday." — (@) Dictionary.com explains how the phrase "See you next Tuesday" is a euphemism for an offensive slur: "See you next Tuesday" is derived from a combination of the letters c and u‚ which when pronounced aloud sound like “see you‚” and the first letters of the words next and Tuesday. This forms an acronym rebus that‚ when taken together‚ stands for c***. The phrase is sometimes typed out as c u next Tuesday.Stone claimed that he didn't use a slur against DeSantis. Stone responded to a Mediaite article with the headline: "Trump Advisor Roger Stone Calls Casey DeSantis a C*** for Mentioning Her Children on Campaign Trail."The Trump advisor asserted‚ "NOT what I said! Typical Mediaite smear."DeSantis campaign manager James Uthmeier reacted to Stone's remark by saying‚ "This is what we’re up against. It would be one thing if these were just crazy people saying nasty things. But they are sanctioned agents of DJT. Shame on them. Good must prevail! [Casey DeSantis] is an amazing mom and leader who works tirelessly to help our country." On Saturday‚ the hashtag #IStandWithCasey gained traction on the X social media platform with thousands of people defending the wife of the Republican governor of Florida. Several conservatives called out Stone for the apparent attack on Casey DeSantis. Jon Dunwell‚ a Republican state representative in the key GOP primary state of Iowa‚ wrote: "Disgusting attacks from Roger Stone. Please get this out of our politics."Constitutional law scholar Jonathan Turley said‚ "Nothing says unhinged‚ recreational rage like attacking a mother for referencing her children. The minute we shrug off these attacks as the new normal‚ it will become the new normal. We should demand more from politicians and pundits alike."Conservative editor-in-chief Tracy Beanz stated‚ "I’m seeing this – this is abhorrent and disgusting. We are better than this – and we need to act like it. These are your sisters and brothers. Disgraceful."Attorney and author Michael P Senger added‚ "Leading Trump campaign advisor Roger Stone called Casey DeSantis a c*** for talking about her children on the campaign trail. Just the latest in a long trail of repulsive‚ infantile behavior from Trump’s nihilistic influence machine."Former Trump lawyer Jenna Ellis declared‚ "Instead of saying‚ 'Yeah Roger Stone shouldn’t use 'c***' to describe Casey DeSantis‚ that’s gross and low class‚' MAGA is actually defending it. This is what happens when you lose an objective moral metric and see the political world only through 'Trump supporters good‚ everyone else bad.' Idiots."Writer Kimberly Ross said‚ "Roger Stone is a garbage human. This is known."At the time of publication‚ the official social media accounts tied to the Trump campaign have yet to condemn or mention Stone's comment. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Justin Trudeau Blames Waning Support for Ukraine on 'American MAGA-Influenced Thinking'

Jew for Ceasefire Says It's Notable That Hamas Released Four Hostages for Humanitarian Reasons

A hoard of medieval Silesian bracteate coins has been discovered in the city center of Szprotawa‚ western Poland. There are about 100-150 coins minted between 1250 and 1300 in the hoard. Some of the coins were found in cylindrical stacks‚ indicating they were carefully arranged before being placed in a textile bag with some loose coins. The bag was then tightly tied to keep the coin stacks in place before being buried at a shallow depth on one of the main streets connecting the market square to the GÅ‚ogowska Gate in the city’s 13th century defensive walls. Silesian bracteates were minted on one side of a thin silver plate leaving an impression on the obverse that appears on the reverse as a negative. The silver had a high copper content‚ which is why the surface of the coins now has a green patina. The bracteates were of comparatively low value because of their low precious metal content and susceptibility to wear and tear. Rulers often recalled the coins and replaced them with new ones to refresh the value of the rapidly depreciating coins. The historic center of Szprotawa is undergoing a comprehensive revitalization program that includes the reconstruction of all the communications infrastructure‚ new bicycle paths leading to a bicycle station‚ the renovation town hall‚ the secondary school‚ police headquarters and two historic churches. The work is being carried out under the supervision of archaeologists as the medieval city was all but levelled in World War II — an estimated 90% of Szprotawa was destroyed — making the archaeological material underground all the more significant. Most of the finds so far have been the remains of 19th century tenement house cellars built after the demolition of the medieval walls‚ but earlier remains have also been uncovered‚ notably fragments from a 15th century bridge‚ pieces of the city wall from the early 14th century‚ the remains of a tower and a section of the medieval GÅ‚ogów Gate. The coins are of particular significance because of their dates. First recorded in around 1000 A.D. as a small settlement‚ Szprotawa was grated town rights in 1260 and full city rights in 1304. Its defensive walls were built by Silesian Piast Duke Konrad I of GÅ‚ogów after he granted Szprotawa its town rights‚ so the coins were minted as the city came into its own.

An Oregon judge has put on hold a gun control law Oregon voters barely approved in a 2022 referendum. The law‚ known as Measure 114‚ passed with 50.65 percent of the vote and only won majorities in six of Oregon’s 36 counties. The law mandates a permit to buy any kind of gun‚ bans any… The post 2A Win: Judge Blocks Voter-Approved Gun Control Law Called ‘Most Extreme’ in Nation appeared first on The Federalist Papers.

Alleged victims of the man dubbed “Canada’s Jeffrey Epstein” are speaking out. In an interview with The Sun published Friday‚ two anonymous women said Canadian business magnate Robert Miller manipulated and sexually abused them when they were young. Forty-one of Miller’s alleged victims recently launched a class-action lawsuit against the 80-year-old‚ seeking $200 million in… The post ‘Elusive’ Billionaire Dubbed ‘Canada’s Jeffrey Epstein’ Accused of Horrific Sex Acts with Minors appeared first on The Federalist Papers.

Rumors that the war in the Middle East is about to go to the next level are flying all over social media right now.  The Iranians and the terror organizations that they support absolutely hate what…