The Pour Over Today - August 16, 2021

Episode Date: August 16, 2021

The Taliban takes control of Afghanistan, Southern hospitals are overwhelmed, and other top stories for August 16th. Stay informed, while remaining focused on Christ, with The Pour Over.

Happy Monday, it is August 16th and you're listening to The Pour Over. We aim to keep Christians informed on what's happening in the world while remaining focused on Christ. Here's the quote of the day. Your progress in holiness will never exceed your relationship with the Word of God. Nancy DeMoss Let's jump right in with some espresso shots. Even after the United States spent two decades and billions of dollars training the Afghan army to be self-sufficient, the Pentagon warned the government would fall, quote, within

months of a U.S. withdrawal. Turns out, even that was optimistic. In the past week, the Taliban has seized control of nearly the entire country, and yesterday they waltzed into Kabul, the nation's capital, demanding an unconditional surrender. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani promptly fled the country and the Taliban assumed control. President Biden's deadline for the U.S. military to withdraw remains August 31st, but over the weekend he ordered 6,000 troops to Kabul to help speed up the evacuation of the U.S. embassy. Biden has been unwavering in his decision to withdraw the troops despite the Taliban's swift advance, saying he will, quote, not pass this war on to a fifth president. Biden has been unwavering in his decision to withdraw the troops despite the Taliban's swift advance, saying he will, quote, not pass this war on to a fifth president. The withdrawal,

first ordered by President Trump, was bipartisanly popular back in July, 70% of Americans supported it, but lawmakers from both sides have become increasingly critical. The left claims a complete withdrawal was not necessary, while the right argues the withdrawal was needed but mismanaged. The Taliban's resurgence means a return of oppression. When the Taliban ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, they barred women from taking most jobs or going to school. Already, reports describe conditions in areas controlled by the Taliban as, quote, brutal, with bodies being mutilated and women being told they'll be rounded up and married off to Taliban fighters. with bodies being mutilated and women being told they'll be rounded up and married off to Taliban fighters. There may be good reasons to be worried or feel hopeless about this day, month, or year. God does not promise good days. He promises a great eternity. Even while we strive to love and

care for the oppressed, we can rest in the assurance that all will eventually be made right. Revelation 21.4 says he will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Delta is adopting a southern accent. variant has caused a surge in hospitalizations in the southern United States, forcing Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves to request a U.S. Navy medical ship, which was denied, ventilators, and over 1,300 out-of-state health care workers. Without help, medical leaders fear the Mississippi hospital system could, quote, fail within days. Governor Reeves says 97% of cases in his state are among the unvaccinated, including an increasing number of children. Nationally, the U.S. saw a record-high 1,900 pediatric hospitalizations due to COVID on

Saturday, making the back-to-school battles even more intense. Late last week, the FDA authorized a third dose of both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for certain immunocompromised individuals such as HIV and cancer patients. Culturally hot topics frequently make people think, speak, and act poorly, including us. We can frequently respect others and represent God better if we are quick to listen and slow to speak. Romans 12.18 says, if it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. In other brews, here's a rapid round of updates. Haiti can't catch a break. Still reeling from the assassination of their president and the associated civil unrest,

the country was hit with a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that has killed at least 1,200 people. Now tropical storm Grace is headed their way. Join us in prayer and support relief efforts with World Vision. Disney had a killer quarter. Not only did their parks division post its first profit since the pandemic, but hits Cruella and Luca helped bring in 12 million new Disney Plus subscribers. While they still tail Netflix by 93 million total global subscribers, they're gaining fast. Bail Netflix by 93 million total global subscribers, they're gaining fast.

Diamondbacks pitcher Tyler Gilbert knows how to make a first impression, pitching a no-hitter in his first career MLB start. In other baseball news, the Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees played an instant classic at the Field of Dreams in Iowa, complete with an appearance from Kevin Costner. It just got harder to blame your age for those extra pounds. A landmark study out of Duke University showed that the human metabolism, calories burned at rest, remains relatively stable from ages 20 to 60, countering the common belief that it gradually declines year by year. A number of athletes have already cashed in the NCAA new rules allowing amateurs to make money from their name, image, and likeness, NIL.

But BYU has done something different. The BYU Athletic Department prearranged NIL deals with sponsor Built Better to cover tuition for all walk-ons to its football team. Thank you so much for joining us today. We hope you have a great week, and we will see you on Wednesday.