Who will say that a man is thankful to his friend for a past kindness, if he nourishes an ill opinion of him for the future?…He is the most thankful man that treasures up the mercies of God in his memory, and can feed his faith with what God hath done for him so as to walk in the strength thereof in present straits

–as cited by Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) on Psalm 78 in his Treasury of David

The United States will today declare an end to combat operations in Iraq, asserting that the fight against Islamic State can be led by local forces.

The announcement will be part of a deal signed with Iraq’s prime minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, who is in Washington and will meet President Biden.

It will state formally that US combat troops will be withdrawn from Iraq and the forces that remain will perform only training and advisory roles. Its aim is to help Kadhimi to argue that he is no longer beholden to western military interests, and that attacks by pro-Iran militias on US targets, often bases shared with Iraqi troops, are illegitimate.

Read it all (subscription).

The United States will today declare an end to combat operations in Iraq, asserting that the fight against Islamic State can be led by local forces https://t.co/uPy3Jlo4RQ

— The Times (@thetimes) July 26, 2021

Months before the megachurch Hillsong opened its new outpost in Atlanta, its pastor sought advice on how to build a church in a pandemic.

From Facebook.

The social media giant had a proposition, Sam Collier, the pastor, recalled in an interview: to use the church as a case study to explore how churches can “go further farther on Facebook.”

For months Facebook developers met weekly with Hillsong and explored what the church would look like on Facebook and what apps they might create for financial giving, video capability or livestreaming. When it came time for Hillsong’s grand opening in June, the church issued a news release saying it was “partnering with Facebook” and began streaming its services exclusively on the platform.

Beyond that, Mr. Collier could not share many specifics — he had signed a nondisclosure agreement.

Read it all.

The company is intensifying formal partnerships with faith groups across the United States.

Facebook’s Next Target: The Religious Experience https://t.co/ZmuZJG2p5c

— DavidW (@DavidW_340) July 25, 2021

The Diocese of Carlisle is partnering with a Christian charity to provide free retreats for people who were frontline carers during the Covid pandemic.

Barrow and Furness MP, Simon Fell has put his support behind the scheme and is asking the public to get behind the Crowdfunder that is hoping to raise £20,000.

This project is hoped to achieve some much-needed respite for carers.

Mr Fell said “This is a fantastic project which will help some of the people who have had a harder job than others over the past year.

Read it all.

Brilliant idea! 'Give carers a break' – MP and Church join for new carers scheme https://t.co/Eefvrm86jz

— Gill Kimber (@WardenGill) July 26, 2021

O gracious God, we remember before thee this day thy servant and apostle James, first among the Twelve to suffer martyrdom for the Name of Jesus Christ; and we pray that thou wilt pour out upon the leaders of thy Church that spirit of self-denying service by which alone they may have true authority among thy people; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

On his feast day #otd The Apostle Saint James
Juan de Flandes, c. 1507
Shown here in pilgrim attire.

(Musée Nacional Del Prado) pic.twitter.com/loBLxxrDN9

— John McCafferty (@jdmccafferty) July 25, 2021

Almighty and everlasting God, Who hast set eternity in our hearts, and awakened within us desires which the world cannot satisfy: lift our eyes, we pray Thee, above the narrow horizons of this present world, that we may behold the things eternal in the heavens, wherein is laid up for us an inheritance that fadeth not away; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

–Frederick B. Macnutt, The prayer manual for private devotions or public use on divers occasions: Compiled from all sources ancient, medieval, and modern (A.R. Mowbray, 1951)

Sunday morning sunrise from King’s Chair at Oak Mountain State Park. Photo from Rebecca White pic.twitter.com/U7HKfwteVb

— James Spann (@spann) July 25, 2021

When I am afraid, I put my trust in thee. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust without a fear. What can flesh do to me?

–Psalm 56:3-4

Good morning from Philly. #photography pic.twitter.com/Pu2e7PbSev

— Josh Pellegrini (@travelpel) July 26, 2021