The Daily Briefing highlights the news of the day and research that reveals the spirit of the day.
The Daily Briefing is a newsletter sent straight to your inbox every morning that provides biblical insight on today's news.
Top News
6. Trump signs bill to end government shutdown and fund DHS for two weeks (NBC News)
“President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed into law a massive funding package to end the brief government shutdown that began Saturday. The legislation will ensure full-year funding for the federal government through the end of September, with the lone exception of the Department of Homeland Security, which is put on a two-week leash as Democrats insist on changes after federal agents fatally shot two Americans in Minneapolis… The measure tees up a frantic 10-day window for Congress to negotiate a DHS funding agreement as Democrats demand reforms to rein in Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection.”
Do we need more builders of spaghetti towers in Congress? A fascinating study, known as the spaghetti tower test, pitted kindergartners against CEOs, lawyers, architects, and MBA students. Each group was given raw pasta, marshmallows, tape, and some string. They were instructed to build the tallest tower possible in 45 minutes. Business school students fared the worst, reaching only 10 inches. While kids didn’t beat the group of architects, they did beat the CEOs (22 inches) and lawyers (15 inches). Researchers concluded that while intelligence has value, success comes from trying and sometimes failing, demonstrating persistence despite resistance.
Failure is inevitable, but what is the optimal failure rate? One study found that the ideal failure rate is 16 percent. Perfect success can be boring and uninspiring, and perhaps be indicative of not trying challenging enough tasks. However, on the flip side, abject failure can be exhausting and demoralizing. The goal must be beneficial and also attainable.
From Jacob wrestling with God to the persistent widow petitioning the unjust judge, the Scriptures are littered with examples of persistence and endurance. As Spurgeon noted: “By perseverance the snail reached the ark.” While our elected officials failed to keep the government open for a time, they endured and finally succeeded in reopening it… for now. (Gen. 32, Lk. 18)
5. US carrier shoots down Iranian drone as tensions escalate and diplomatic talks hit a snag (WaPo)
“U.S. forces shot down an Iranian drone approaching the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea, officials said Tuesday, escalatory moves as Washington floods the region with military hardware amid renewed tensions with Tehran. The incident occurred about 500 miles from Iran’s southern coast. U.S. officials identified the drone as a Shahed-139, a variant in a class of one-way attack drones that crash into targets and detonate onboard explosives. It was flying with “unclear intent” and approached the carrier despite U.S. personnel using unspecified de-escalatory measures, according to Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the region.
“The U.S. military has deployed dozens of aircraft to bases operating near Iran and assembled about 12 warships in or near the Middle East over the past month, for what President Donald Trump has described as a pressure campaign to reach a new deal aimed at restraining Tehran’s nuclear program.”
Is the Iranian regime about to collapse? Jack Goldstone highlighted his research recently in The Atlantic, identifying 5 specific conditions necessary for a revolution to succeed: a fiscal crisis, divided elites, a diverse oppositional coalition, a convincing narrative of resistance, and a favorable international environment. He concluded: “This winter, for the first time since 1979, Iran checks nearly all five boxes.”
Relative to the fiscal crisis, Iran reports inflation rates of 50 percent across the board and 70 percent for food. Its currency has fallen by more than 80 percent against the dollar. With divided elites, he highlights how Iran has rewarded mediocrity and loyalty over competence, exemplified in Tehran’s water crisis. The diverse oppositional coalition has been evident in the recent protests. In particular, he points to how a group of protesters has started to chant: “Their children are in Canada! Our children are in prison!” Then there is the convincing narrative of resistance. A bridging of divides is happening in Iran, where ideology and socioeconomic factors that once separated parties have united them under a shared love for country, which is apparent in a now-ubiquitous protest chant: “No to Gaza; no to Lebanon; my life only for Iran.” Finally, there is a favorable international environment, embodied in the decimation of the axis of evil (Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis, etc.)
This isn’t the first Persian act of aggression… Sanballat and Tobiah used threats of military raids and public mockery to stop the work of Nehemiah. While they threatened to deter the construction of the wall, Nehemiah responded by arming his builders as they continued their work. Contrary to appearances, their displays of strength weren’t an accurate reflection of their power… and the same can likely be said today. (Neh. 4-6)
4. Trump urges Republicans to 'take over' and 'nationalize' voting (ABC News)
“President Donald Trump on Tuesday doubled down on his controversial suggestion that Republicans "nationalize" elections as he continued to make false claims of widespread voter fraud and refused to accept his 2020 defeat. "If a state can't run an election, I think the people behind me should do something about it," Trump said as he held a bill signing in the Oval Office surrounded by Republican lawmakers. "Because, you know, if you think about it, the state is an agent for the federal government in elections. I don't know why the federal government doesn't do 'em anyway."
“He repeated unfounded claims about the 2020 election, listing Detroit, Philadelphia, and Atlanta after raising what he alleged to be “rigged, crooked elections." Last week, the FBI searched and seized original 2020 voting records from the Fulton County Elections and Operations Hub in Georgia, a swing state that went blue in 2020 and helped secure Joe Biden's victory.”
I’ve Got The Power – Snap sings it but Congress doesn't have it… specifically regarding elections. Article I, Section 4 of the Constitution states: “The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof.”
Why give the power to the states? Thomas Jefferson noted: “The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground." He went on: “Our citizens have wisely formed themselves into one nation as to others, and several states as among themselves... To the United nation belongs our external & mutual relations: to each state severally the care of our persons, our property, our reputation, and religious freedom.” In Federalist #45, Madison echoed his sentiments: "The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite."
Remember the tax collectors… In Luke 3, the good doctor shares about how even tax collectors are being baptized by Jesus. Known for their immorality and greed, these men were captivated by the teachings of Jesus and eager to learn what they should do in light of following after him. In response, Jesus didn’t ask them to give up their profession but rather sanctify it. They have power, and they should be careful not to overreach with their power.
Cultural News
3. Cracker Barrel Wants Its Staff to Eat One Thing on Work Trips: Cracker Barrel (WSJ)
“Employees are expected to dine at a Cracker Barrel store for all or the majority of meals while traveling, whenever practical based on location and schedule,” the company said in an internal message.
“Travelscrimping” is in high gear across corporate America. Companies looking for cuts are turning their focus on the expenses employees incur on the road. The changes are stripping work trips of whatever shred of glamour they had after years of belt-tightening.
“Rather than enjoying one of the few remaining perks of white-collar work, employees are scouring for $100 hotel rooms, preparing grocery-store-bought meals and trekking to laundromats to wash their dress shirts rather than expensing the hotel’s white-glove service.”
I Can’t Get No Satisfaction? You’re in the minority, Rolling Stones. Granted, one study found that about 30 percent of job satisfaction is genetic. But consider this: In the mid-August Economist/YouGov poll, 25 percent of those with jobs said they were very happy with them, while 40 percent were happy. Just 7 percent were unhappy and 3 percent very unhappy.
Worker satisfaction is tied to both intrinsic and extrinsic rewards. Relative to extrinsic rewards, economists have found that wage increases raise job satisfaction, but only in the short term. Then there is intrinsic, which refers to characteristics like love and happiness. Research has shown that service to others, shared values, and deploying your strengths with a team have the propensity to increase your satisfaction and happiness at work.
Cracker Barrel is better than a dungeon… While ministering in Philippi, Paul and Silas were imprisoned in a dark dungeon for their godly work. After they were flogged and their feet were fastened to the floor, these 2 men at midnight started praying and singing hymns to God. While it is easy to complain about being tortured or chicken dumplings, it's richer to give thanks. I don’t know about this travelscrimping, but I do know I would rather eat fast food with friends at work than a nice meal by myself because I have no friends at work. (Acts 16)
News You Can Use
2. A ‘Jurassic Park’-themed Super Bowl ad for Xfinity has been released.
Watch it here. “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old…” (Is. 43:18)
1. Parking downtown in 2026
Watch it here. “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Rom. 12:12)
