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. Pope Leo diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing surgery, Vatican says (CBS News)
“Pope Leo XIV's surgery confirmed that he has lung cancer and he had the lower lobe of his right lung removed, the Vatican said Tuesday. The tests confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, the Vatican said in a medical bulletin after the surgery. It said the diagnosis had been suspected by preoperative tests and was confirmed during surgery.
“The 71-year-old pontiff was in the operating room for about 3 hours, the statement said. The surgery itself lasted approximately 90 minutes. "The surgery was successful, and there were no complications," the statement said.
"To ensure a radical resection, the lower lobe of the right lung was removed using a video-assisted technique," the Vatican said in a statement. "Intraoperative histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma, as suspected from pre-operative tests."
This news is tragic but not unique. Leo joins the likes of Pope John XXIII, who contracted stomach cancer during his time as the Holy Father. Known for his frugal eating and occasional cigarette, John shared with his medical team: “Don't worry, my bags are always packed. Forgive me for taking up your time. I must confess something to you: While you were busy caring for my body, I was thinking of your souls.”
Fire starter more than friend… Dr. Gail Morse wrote a powerful letter to cancer back in 2014. Before she battled cancer, she watched her mother fight it. “I could not forgive or forget, like a thief in the night, when you stole something so dear and precious to me -- my mother. For two years, I fell into a dark abyss, consumed by grief, guilt and anger. In my warped mind, I blamed myself for her death.” But she concluded: “But this time is different… Going through this journey with you, Cancer, has taught me a lot. I can't consider you a friend yet, but you have created a fire inside me that I am thankful for…I will not let you have the last dance. No, sir.”
Join me in praying for the Pope this morning. Max Lucado is right: ”Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.” (James 5:15)
5. New evidence debunks Talarico psych hospital rumor after ‘mind-numbing malpractice’ fuels firestorm (Fox News)
“After James Talarico, the Democratic nominee for Senate in Texas, spent more than a week with no campaign appearances because of what he and his aides described as a bad case of the flu, a false rumor circulated by conservatives exploded online. A post on X claimed that Mr. Talarico had been at a mental health facility in Ohio — a story promoted by Republican allies of Mr. Talarico’s opponent, Ken Paxton — had been viewed millions of times. Then the Ohio facility took the remarkable step of publicly announcing on Sunday night that Mr. Talarico had in fact never been treated there.
“I’ve never even been to Ohio,” Mr. Talarico, who returned to the campaign trail, wrote in a post sharing the center’s statement. He called the theory “the craziest thing I’ve ever heard” in an interview with MS NOW.
“The New York Times reviewed time-stamped images from a security camera at Mr. Talarico’s home, which were provided by his campaign on the condition they not be published for security reasons. The images showed Mr. Talarico around the exterior of the home and at its entrances between Oct. 1 and Oct. 8.”
Where Have All The Cowboys Gone? More like where have all the politicians gone, Paula Cole. Mr. Talarico’s location isn’t the only one in the news… His Republican opponent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, is making news this morning due to his presence at a previously unreported New Year’s Eve 2024 celebration in Dubai with a woman who wasn’t his wife (but is now his girlfriend). In addition, 2 fugitives were present at the party, despite being indicted on federal healthcare-fraud charges.
Both of these stories illuminate the concept of opinion shopping. This refers to conducting research to identify sources you agree with and ignoring sources you disagree with, using the former to justify what you already believe. Someone’s expertise is contingent upon their alignment with you. Research continues to demonstrate that people on both sides of the political aisle prefer information that confirms their preexisting attitudes (selective exposure) and view contrary claims skeptically (confirmation bias).
Both salt and light… Maybe I’m reading too much into this, but I’m more convinced that voting is a sacred opportunity to be both salt and light, both preserving and illuminating. Salt preserves and resists spiritual decay, and light illuminates truth and justice. Salt without light is more defensive, protecting the good while remaining hidden. Light without salt exposes yet doesn’t preserve. (Mt. 5)
4. Kimberly Guilfoyle resigns as ambassador to Greece after allegations of misconduct (ABC News)
“U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle resigned from the role on Tuesday after reports of alleged misconduct. White House press secretary Katie Zacharia said during a press briefing Tuesday morning that the White House had asked Guilfoyle to resign. "We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign," said Zacharia during her first briefing as White House press secretary. "She has been a wonderful asset to the team, and we wish her well."
“In a social media post, Guilfoyle later announced that her time in her post is "coming to an end." It is not clear from the post whether she resigned or was fired. "It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve the United States of America. God bless President Trump, God bless our incredible diplomats and service members, and God bless the United States of America," Guilfoyle wrote.”
Integrity isn’t a luxury trait for an effective leader but an essential one, according to a classic study. It’s not extra; it’s baseline. Integrity is intricately tied to influence, with those who internalize ethics as part of their identity seeing greater levels of influence compared to those who treat it as a secondary guideline.
Why does integrity matter? A fascinating study identified 2 reasons: it provides certainty and offers fairness. With a proclivity for the familiar, followers desire integrity largely because it communicates certainty to those who tread into an inherently uncertain future. Then there is fairness. While an equal outcome isn’t always guaranteed in a meritocracy, integrity eases anxiety concerning potential situations (both positive or negative) that may lie ahead in the future.
Don’t be like Hophni and Phinehas. Inconsistency characterized these priests of God more than integrity, as they failed to live by the very words they shared. They abused their sacred leadership positions for personal gain and had "no regard for the Lord.” Their relationships kept them in their seats; their lack of integrity caused them to lose their seats. As Adam Grant rightly notes: “Friendliness isn't always a sign of trustworthiness. Warmth is easy to fake. The foundations of trust are reliability and integrity. What counts isn't courtesy in the moment—it's keeping commitments over time.” (1 Sam. 2)
Cultural News
3. Friends who are financially savvy can save you $500 a year, new survey says (NY Post)
“Having a financially savvy friend saves you $500 a year, new research reveals. A poll of 2,000 Americans found the average person estimates saving about $482.10 from following a friend’s advice, and one in seven have even saved upwards of $800.
“That might be why a third of Americans (35%) believe every friend group needs a financial guru. Commissioned by TaxSlayer Pro and conducted by Talker Research, the study found that nearly a third of those who have a “financial expert” friend consult them all the time (31%).”
Joe Cocker isn’t the only one getting a little help from his friends… But interestingly enough, Americans now spend less than 3 hours a week with friends, compared with more than 6 hours a decade ago. In 2021, older Millennials — those ages 35 to 44 — had 16 fewer minutes of leisure time each day than similarly aged adults did in 2003.
Your friends do more than save your money… I have always been struck by this line from Dale Carnegie in his classic How To Win Friends and Influence People: “You deserve very little credit for being what you are—and remember, the people who come to you irritated, bigoted, unreasoning, deserve very little discredit for being what they are.”
Halving troubles and doubling joys… When describing friendship, JC Ryle noted: “This world is full of sorrow because it is full of sin. It is a dark place. It is a lonely place. It is a disappointing place. The brightest sunbeam in it is a friend. Friendship halves our troubles and doubles our joys.” Mara leaned on Ruth, David relied on Jonathan, and even Jesus had his beloved disciple. Friends sharpen one another and sustain each other. Life is hard, but friendships make it sweet. (Ruth 1-2, 1 Sam. 18, John 11, Pro. 27:17, Heb. 10:24-25)
News You Can Use
2. Meet Hudson Butcher, the 8-year-old whose Utah Jazz hype video made him the talk of the NBA (Deseret News)
Watch it here. “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1 Thess. 5:11)
1. Hiring a Babysitter Then VS. Now
Watch it here. “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord…” (Ps. 127:3)
