Read Time: 5 min 15 sec | Reading Level: 7th Grade

The Boston Marathon held its 130th race on Monday, and the podium looked… a lot like last year’s.

For the second year in a row, Kenyan John Korir crossed the finish line first in the men’s race. He outran 16,340 other sneaker-wearing sirs along the way. His unofficial time of 2 hours, 1 minute, and 52 seconds set a new record for the nation’s oldest marathon. 

Fellow Kenyan Sharon Lokedi also snagged a repeat first-place finish in the women’s race (followed by three other Kenyan runners). Her time of 2 hours, 18 minutes, and 51 seconds was less than two minutes off the course record she set last year. Lokedi said that a girl in the crowd shouting, “You got this, ladies!” gave her the boost to finish strong.

Meanwhile, in China, runners were outpaced by robots. On Sunday, a humanoid (a robot that kinda looks like a battle droid from Star Wars) broke the human half-marathon world record in Beijing’s E-Town Robot Half Marathon. 

During the race, bots and humans ran side-by-side (in separate lanes, to avoid crashes). Last year, the e-runners were tripped up by bugs and faulty shoestrings wiring. But this year’s winner, “Lightning,” “ran” a speedy 50 minutes, 26 seconds (see its fleet feet here). That’s nearly 7 minutes faster than the fastest flesh-and-blood runner.

CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Whether you’re thrilled or intimidated by innovation, live with joy and pursue holiness because believers already know how this story ends. Technology will never outsmart God or thwart His plan to renew and glorify all who are in Christ. 

“But based on his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. Therefore, dear friends, while you wait for these things, make every effort to be found without spot or blemish in his sight, at peace.” 
2 Peter 3:13-14 (CSB) (read full passage)

What do I want to make sure my kids know in light of this story?
Human excellence brings glory to God. 

Honing a craft, developing a talent, or learning how to run a long way very fast reflects something deeply human: harnessing the raw materials of a God-given capacity and bringing order and beauty to the world. 

Of course, the pursuit of excellence can become an idol. But when it's seen as a reflection of God's own creative action in the world, it points past the person and toward the One who made it possible. “Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23 CSB).

What might my kids misunderstand about this story?
Seeing a robot outrun a human being is a big deal—exciting for some, unsettling for others who worry robots and AI are outpacing humanity. 

Remember that being made in God’s image isn’t about being the fastest, strongest, or smartest. God didn't choose human beings to bear His image because we’re the best at everything. He chose us as an act of deep, intentional love (Psalm 8:4-5). That means a robot can top the podium, but it cannot threaten our identity one bit. That divine calling and responsibility—and the dignity that comes with it—belongs to us alone.

Gen Z Word of the Week: I can’t come to your party Saturday. I have plans to bed rot.

Family Fun: Go on a journey along the Great Barrier Reef (soundtrack included).

Whipped Cream on Top: Cleared for landing!

What We’re Using
Summer-sized Studies from FamilyLife*

Summer has a way of swallowing your small group. Schedules shift, attendance gets spotty, and suddenly the momentum you built just… fades. FamilyLife has low-prep, no-homework options designed for exactly this season—whether you’re keeping the group going, scaling down, or just staying intentional with your spouse. 

Vertical Marriage offers short, practical conversations for couples; Love Like You Mean It is a simple way to invest in your marriage; and No Perfect Parent is an honest course for parents who want to stay grounded.

You don’t need to launch something new. You just need to find something that fits. Stay intentional this summer with these studies!

How We’re Launching Ideas Without Coding
Thanks to The Genesis Challenge*

God gave you the idea… now build the thing. 

The Genesis Challenge from itwasverygood.com is an easy-to-follow course that walks Christian individuals and families through launching a real website, app, or online business—in three hours or less. No coding required. 

Life feel too full between the kids, homeschool, laundry, and all the in-betweens? Still doable. Don’t even have an idea yet? They’ve got a tool for that, too. It’s built by Christians, for Christians, to further the Kingdom, one launch at a time. 

Start your launch today!

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