Read Time: 5 min 51 sec | Reading Level: 7th Grade
─────── June 25, 2026 ───────
Happy Thursday!
Today is International Day of the Seafarer! Whether you’re counting boats from the beach, sunning on a catamaran, or racing your toy sailboat down the river, we bid you fair winds and smooth sailing.
This week’s Decaf is brought to you by our friends at Prison Fellowship International and Homegrown Beauty.
Today’s story was taken from The Pour Over’s June 19th and June 24th emails and rewritten at a 7th-grade reading level.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Lord, stamp eternity on my eyeballs.”
Jonathan Edwards
READ | REFLECT | RESPOND
WORLD NEWS
The Deal before the Deal
The U.S. and the Islamic Republic of Iran sat down in Switzerland this week to hammer out the details of peace.
Last week, President Trump and Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a memorandum of understanding. It’s like a handshake before a peace deal: everyone agrees to stop fighting for a bit, giving negotiators some breathing room to agree on the details of a peace deal.
Here’s what both sides have shaken on so far (read all 14 points here):
An “immediate and permanent” end to military operations. That includes in Lebanon, where Israel has been fighting Hezbollah (a terror group paid for by Iran).
The Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for oil along Iran’s southern coast, reopens. The U.S. won’t block ports, and Iran won’t charge tolls.
The U.S. commits to relieving some financial pressure on Iran.
Iran commits to not having nuclear weapons.
Now, the nations will put their heads together in the famously neutral nation to reach a permanent deal.
Talks got off to a bumpy start. Israel and Hezbollah kept fighting, Iran said the Strait was closed, the U.S. claimed it was open, and everyone delayed their trips to Switzerland. But by the end of Monday, mediators said both sides had agreed to a “road map” to reach the final deal within 60 days.
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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
As we mourn the devastation of war and pray for peace around the world, believers are reminded of how good the news is of Jesus’s coming kingdom. His Spirit offers supernatural peace in our hearts today, and His return promises peace in a new world… forever.
“‘For I will create new heavens and a new earth… The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like cattle, but the serpent’s food will be dust! They will not do what is evil or destroy on my entire holy mountain,’ says the Lord.”
Isaiah 65:17, 25 (CSB) (read full passage)
READ | REFLECT | RESPOND
What gospel lesson can be taught through this story?
Human-made peace is fragile.
It seems to slip away as soon as it's negotiated, and it is so much harder to gain than to lose. If we pull on that thread long enough, we'll recognize a longing for a peace that lasts. That peace brings not just the end of fighting, but a biblical shalom where we can look at the world and say “all is well”... and fighting will never have to start again.
Befriend that longing. It's an echo of the Kingdom to come: “The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end.” (Isaiah 9:7 CSB).
How can I model loving an enemy when discussing this story?
War is one of the clearest human expressions of “us” vs. “them,” where “us” = “good” and “them” = “evil.”
And yet Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn wrote, “The line between good and evil passes not through states... but right through every human heart.” The same warring impulses playing out between nations are at war inside our hearts. We are bent toward selfishness and greed, even at the expense of others. We do well to fall on our knees and thank God for brokering peace for us through Jesus and paving the way toward “a new heart” fit for a Kingdom of peace (Ezekiel 36:26).
READ | REFLECT | RESPOND
Share a time in your own life where fighting, arguing, or conflict ceased. What was required of each side? Did the peace last?
Memorize: Isaiah 9:6-7, “For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever.”
Pray for peace talks: Gracious Peacemaker, in the hearts and lands of America, Iran, Israel, and Lebanon, work peace. Thwart evil plans and bring to fruition those that lead to flourishing. May leaders be creative in their problem-solving, wise in their choice of counselors, clear-eyed in their negotiating, and compassionate toward the needy, humbly considering others’ good before their own gain and attributing all the glory to you alone.
CREAM AND SUGAR
Gen Z Word of the Week: Move over boomer, it’s unc’s turn to make adults feel old.
Family Fun: Learn the ancient art of paper folding with these kid-friendly origami tutorials.
Whipped Cream on Top: Doggy paddle (front-wheel drive edition)...
RECOMMENDED
Who We’re Supporting
Children of prisoners, thanks to Prison Fellowship International*
A child shouldn’t suffer because of their parent’s mistakes. Yet, millions of children with incarcerated parents are facing poverty, isolation, and exploitation. They’re among the most vulnerable populations, and nobody talks about it…
Except Prison Fellowship International.
Through educational support, Christian mentoring, and community care, they’re serving vulnerable children overseas, like the Tawahs in Liberia, who couldn't attend school during their father's incarceration… until Prison Fellowship stepped in.
Over 13,000 kids have been served worldwide, and more are waiting. A gift of $30 today provides two months of resources to a child in need. Remind these families they’re not forgotten—you love them, and God does too.
What We’re Reaching For
Our Homegrown Beauty*
Since when did smelling (and looking) expensive become having to absorb a long list of unpronounceable chemicals? We prefer to get back to the basics… which is why we love Homegrown Beauty.
Their skincare products are made with organic, recognizable ingredients—they’re soft-launching their Daily Nourish skincare routine, featuring a gentle cleanser and everyday lotion, with all the luxury and none of the toxins.
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It’s self-care that takes care of others, too. Use code GODECAF for 30% off your purchase!
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