#ourCOG Daily Brief [October 2, 2025]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for October 2, 2025.

In today’s top stories, high-ranking women in the U.S. military are pushing back against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s policies, determined to protect the gains they’ve made despite feeling their careers are being undermined. President Trump’s peace proposals for Gaza are drawing comparisons to the Northern Ireland peace process from decades ago, a region that also faced daunting prospects for resolution. Domestically, the President is expanding his use of the National Guard, deploying troops from Los Angeles to Portland for novel missions tackling crime and illegal immigration. A government shutdown is currently underway, with President Trump adding a new layer to the partisan dispute by threatening mass federal workforce layoffs. These developments come as two deadly attacks this past weekend have renewed concerns about disaffected or radicalized military veterans posing a unique threat to the country. On the world stage, traditionally welcoming Ireland is experiencing a troubling rise in racist violence, particularly targeting immigrants from India. In Ukraine, Russia’s scorched-earth tactics are intensifying near the front lines, forcing more civilians to flee an onslaught of bombings and drone strikes described as evoking “bees let loose from a beehive.” Meanwhile, Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro is attempting a rapid transition to green energy, highlighting the complex trade-offs required when fossil fuels remain crucial to a resource-rich nation’s economy.

Turning our attention to our video features, we encourage you to “Keep the Spark Alive: Habits Every Married Couple Needs #shorts,” watch the “Chapel | Amy McGlamery | October 2, 2025” service, and reflect on “The Biggest Mistake We Make As Parents.”

From our FaithNews RSS feed, we’re reporting on the dedication of the International Offices Prayer Center, Upward Sports celebrating 30 years of ministry impact through sports, a new group launching an AI Assistant for Women’s Health Centers, and Cook casting his inaugural vision for Lee University.

In prophecy news, President Trump reportedly taunted top Democratic leaders with “Trump 2028” hats during failed government shutdown negotiations this week, later posting photos of the encounter on Truth Social. Earlier, the UN chief called for all parties to commit to President Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan, which the U.S. President backed with an optimistic “all are on board” declaration, giving Hamas a short deadline to comply. These events follow reports on Trump’s redistricting gambit, which could historically save the House, and Iran’s condemnation of the “unjustifiable” return of UN sanctions after the collapse of talks and strikes on its nuclear sites.

Finally, in Jewish history, looking back at October 3rd, we remember the coronation of Richard the Lionheart in 1189. Despite a ban, Jewish representatives brought gifts to curry favor, but were attacked, stripped, and beaten. A false rumor that Richard had them killed sparked a horrific massacre in London, with mobs burning down homes, beating Jews, and burning them alive, while some were forced to accept baptism. On the same date in 1210, John of Brienne, a penniless count who married Mary, Queen of the Crusader State of Jerusalem, was crowned King of Jerusalem and was greeted by members of the F when he visited Acre.