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U.S. NEWS

(This newsletter makes brief references to suicide and Epstein’s crimes against minors. Please use discernment while working through this topic with your kids.)

Unclassified

Congress is going public with the Epstein files.

Tuesday, the Epstein Files Transparency Act passed the House with a 427-1 vote, then the Senate approved it unanimously. But before we get there, let’s rewind a little… Who’s Jeffrey Epstein, and what are his files?

Epstein was a well-known money manager who worked for ultra-wealthy clients. In 2005, police started investigating him for assaulting minors. In 2008, he got a deal for pleading guilty and served only 13 months in prison (and he could leave on the weekends). Many people believe he used his connections to escape harsh punishment. In 2019, he was arrested again, and officials seized lots of evidence. Shortly after, Epstein was found dead in his jail cell. The official cause of death was suicide.

The “Epstein files” refer to court records, statements from witnesses, and other documents tied to his investigations. While tens of thousands of pages have been released, major sections have stayed sealed. The secrecy has made people suspect that powerful people are being protected. 

The bill that got Congress’ bipartisan “yays” landed on President Trump’s desk last night and got his signature. Signing it forces the government’s top law enforcement to release the rest of the not-top-secret files tied to Epstein, bringing everything else into the open.

Want to learn more about the Epstein files? Read our brief explainer.

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Secrets and spin are rampant in politics, but God’s Word promises that nothing hidden will stay that way (Luke 8:17). Use discernment while placing your hope not in committees or courts but in Christ, who will reveal truth and bring ultimate justice.

“So don’t judge anything prematurely, before the Lord comes, who will both bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts. And then praise will come to each one from God.” 
1 Corinthians 4:5 (CSB) (read full passage)

What do I want to make sure my kids know in light of this story?
God promises justice and healing, even when earthly systems fail.

Many people are excited for the secrets of powerful people to come to light, thinking it will bring justice and healing. But a tough reality is that even with a million documents at our disposal, we may never know the full truth about the abuses of Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplices (1 Timothy 5:24-25). We’re finite creatures, designed with limits to our knowledge. 

We can be at peace with that because healing isn’t dependent on full knowledge, and our security doesn’t come from having all the answers. Healing and security come from Christ, who knows all things, executes perfect justice, and will make everything right in the end.

How can I model loving an enemy when discussing this story?
Talking about others—even offenders—with gentleness and respect.

Christians are called to remove the log from our own eyes and treat others the way we want to be treated. That means confessing our own hidden sin and speaking with respect about others—including those implicated in the Epstein Files.

“How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the splinter out of your eye,’ and look, there’s a beam of wood in your own eye? Hypocrite! First take the beam of wood out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye… Whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:4-5, 12 CSB).

• Ask the Lord to search your heart and shed light on areas of hidden sin. Find a trusted friend or family member and confess (James 5:16).
   

• Memorize Matthew 7:12, “Whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (CSB).
   

• Pray for healing for Epstein’s victims, wisdom for lawmakers, patience as we wait for answers, and humility to confront your own sin (pray along with us using our prayer about the Epstein files here!).

CREAM AND SUGAR

Gen Z Word of the Week: delulu. As in, “It’s delulu to think you can keep up with what the kids are saying...” 

Family Fun: Can you spot the words from today’s Decaf in this word search? (Answer key on page 2!)

Whipped Cream on Top: Warming our tootsies by the fire like…

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