#ourCOG Daily Brief [September 17, 2026]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for September 17, 2026.

Today in U.S. news, we’re seeing a deeper look into how Native American ideas played a role in shaping the American Revolution and modern America, a relationship often oversimplified. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates for the first time in three years, a move aimed at tamping down inflation as the ongoing Iran war drives up fuel and food prices. This conflict is also raising concerns, with analysts warning it’s siphoning crucial U.S. military resources from the Pacific, potentially emboldening rivals like China and North Korea. On the technological front, a diverse group of advocates, from Bernie Sanders to Steve Bannon, are growing louder in their calls for AI safety, highlighting humanity’s challenge in establishing guardrails for advancing tech. Lastly, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has expanded its capabilities by deputizing state and local law enforcement, meaning a routine traffic stop could now have much broader implications. Internationally, Ecuador’s landmark intercultural university, Amawtay Wasi, is now at risk of closing, underscoring how quickly social gains can be rolled back. In Côte d’Ivoire, designer Pathé’O is making waves, promoting African fashion on a global stage, starting with dressing dignitaries. And across the Atlantic, Canada is making a strong push for the EU to step up as a global power, although it remains unclear if Europe will offer Canada the associate membership it desires.

In our video lineup today, we encourage you to watch “God Wants to Be Involved in Your Life #shorts,” catch up on the “Chapel | Billy Humphrey | September 17, 2026” service, and explore “The Hidden and Obscure Years of Christ.”

From our FaithNews RSS feed, we have several updates. The Smoky Mountain Children’s Home has dedicated a newly renovated cottage, while various groups recently hosted a 9/11 Memorial Climb. Internationally, we’re hearing reports of over 500 Jordanians coming to Christ at a recent event, and the Church of God has announced its membership now tops 10 million.

For the latest prophecy news, oil prices have again topped $100 a barrel, but a JPMorgan analyst suggests the U.S. economy is resilient, with gas costs remaining a relatively low percentage of disposable income. Historically significant news from the Temple Mount: for the first time in thousands of years, the shofar sounded there this Rosh Hashanah, an event some believe carries deep prophetic meaning. Additionally, Saudi Arabia has reportedly appealed to Israel for intelligence assistance as Houthi advances threaten key shipping routes, while the EU has approved a €6.1 billion package for Ukraine to purchase vital air and missile defense systems, including U.S.-made Patriot missiles.

Finally, in Jewish history, looking back at September 17th, 1183 saw Saladin departing Damascus with a large army, aiming to expel the Crusaders from Jerusalem amidst the ongoing struggle for control of the Jewish homeland. Centuries later in 1375, records in Pilsen show that “The Lord Zyfridus” had the right to gather money among both Jews and Christians, a variation on the common practice of distraint or sale between the two groups. Then, in 1394, a sad chapter unfolded as King Charles VI ordered the expulsion of all Jews from France, using the pretense of a Jewish convert in Paris as his justification.