Contests
RP’s "Log out and look up" screen-fast challenge is July 13-22
Bring peace to your mind while raising $100 for charity.
*****
Are you struggling with keeping screens in their proper place? Do you or your children find it hard not to reach for your device, almost without thinking? Last year, over 1,000 of you joined us in “breaking the spell” for 10 days. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, making it evident we would all benefit from doing this every year. So for ten days, we're going to get re-oriented. We're asking everyone – as much as it is possible for you – to steer clear from your smartphone, computers, TV, and tablets for the ten days of July 13 to July 22, 2026.
Speaking of together, we’re asking you to sign up with an accountability partner – someone who can see how you are doing and egg you on. And you can do the same for them!
Need a device for work, or to stay in touch with family? No problem. You are welcome to come up with your own exceptions. Just write them down in advance and stick to them.
Some generous supporters have pledged to donate $10 per day for every day you manage to go screen-free from July 13-22. The money will be split between two fantastic kingdom causes – Reformed Perspective and Word & Deed – to a maximum of $20,000 split between both causes.
A few tips
- Commit. Don’t allow yourself to make easy exceptions, even if you are having a hard day. For example, just because you are at someone else’s home doesn’t mean you can enjoy screens again.
- Don't get sucked in. If you still need screens for basic your job or other functions that are essential, go for it, but ensure that you are only using your tablet and phone for that and only that. For example, if you need a phone for directions, don’t take the opportunity to scroll the news. If you need a computer at work, don’t let yourself go to other websites or play an online game.
- Out of sight, out of mind. Help yourself by hiding your devices and make them difficult to access. Maybe even take the TV off the wall.
- Log out. Log out of your social media accounts so that it isn’t easy to quickly open them.
- Hide your app icons. If you need still need to use your phone, hide all the icons of the apps you want to steer clear of.
- Come up with a plan. When you find yourself wanting to reach for a screen, what'll you do instead? Make a plan. It doesn’t have to be hard or complicated. Perhaps say a prayer, take a drink of water, try to memorize a verse, do a set of 10 jumping jacks, or read a couple of pages of a book you’ve been meaning to get to.
- Have alternatives ready and waiting. You and your children are going to need something else to do with your screen time, so you need to have options, otherwise you'll just spend your time pining for your phone. Get out books, magazines, art supplies, a soccer ball, or whatever. For more ideas be sure to check out our article "What can I do anyways? 35 screen-free alternatives.
- Invite accountability. Let loved ones know what you are doing, and ask them to check in on you regularly to see how it is going. Tell them not to let you off the hook!
- Don't let this opportunity pass you by. Don't we all need help on this front? So don't let yourself off the hook - let's do this together!
Register for the July 13-22 nationwide by filling in the form below.
News
Federal spending increases under Carney
To make a diamond dazzle, a skilled jeweller will slip a black cloth under it.
The federal government pulled a similar tactic with its Spring Economic Update, setting the current state of the economy in the context of the ongoing instability in the world. In spite of trade disruptions with the USA, conflict in the Middle East, and fragile global supply chains, the government was keen to showcase that Canada’s economy grew by 1.7 percent in 2025 and is expected to have the second-fastest growth in the G7, next to the USA.
But a careful examination shows a less dazzling picture.
The deficit for 2025 is a staggering $66.9 billion, with no end to deficits in sight. The federal government is already $1.3 trillion in debt, and is on track to pile up $309 billion more in total debt by the end of this decade. Our cost to service all our debt is projected to increase from $54 billion this year, to $81 billion by 2030-31. History backs up the instruction from Proverbs 22:7 that “the borrower is a slave to the lender.” Just like family debt handcuffs a household from pursuing opportunities they might otherwise want to pursue, the same is true for countries. We severely limit what we can do when we have to pay billions, not even to pay off the debt, but just to pay the yearly interest. But the federal government emphasizes that we are doing better than most G7 countries.
After 9 consecutive budget deficits under Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister Carney promised:
“what we will do is to focus on reducing spending, if I’m elected…. The essence of this is to spend less, and invest more.”
When we hear our government wants to spend less to allow for more investment, we might conclude that means spending cuts will be accompanied by tax cuts to leave the private sector with more of their money. They can then invest those newly available funds in their businesses.
But that’s not what Carney means by “spending less.” His plan is to have the government spend much more overall, but label some of it “investing.” Neat trick, but let’s not fall for it. His new Economic Update reveals a plan to increase spending by $83.2 billion more than the Trudeau government planned from 2025/26 through 2029/30.
Today's Devotional
May 8 - How can we see him?
“...whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” - 1 Peter 1:8-9
Scripture reading: Hebrews 11: 1-40
How can you love and believe in someone you do not see? In fact, Peter tells us that we have >
Today's Manna Podcast
Christ's forgiveness brings down the house
Serving #1201 of Manna, prepared by P. Holtvluwer, is called "Christ's forgiveness brings down the house".
