The Pour Over Today - Delayed Deferred Resignation Deadline, Trump’s Ideas for the Gaza Strip, Executive Order Banning Transgender Athletes from Women’s Sports, & More I 02.07.25

Episode Date: February 7, 2025

Today, we’re talking about a deadline delay for federal employees offered a deferred resignation; opinions regarding Trump’s ideas for rebuilding the Gaza Strip, an executive order that bans transgender athletes from women’s sports, and other top news for Wednesday, February 5th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over Today. Please support our TPO sponsors! The Voice of the Martyrs: vom.org/TPO Parenting with Ginger Hubbard: https://links.thepourover.org/ParentingwithGingerHubbard The Bulletin: MoreCT.com/BulletinPodcast Upside: https://links.thepourover.org/Upside Cru: give.cru.org/pour LMNT: https://links.thepourover.org/LMNT_Podcast HelloFresh: hellofresh.com/tpo10fm One Year Bible: https://links.thepourover.org/OneYearBible_Pod

Today's episode is brought to you by our lead sponsor, Crew. top news for Wednesday, February 5th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with the poor over today. Here's the quote of the day, Sometimes we get caught up in trying to glorify God by praising what he can do and we lose sight of the practical point of what he actually does do. Dallas Willard. Let's get started with some espresso shots. Federal workers will have more time to make a major decision. Last week, 2 million government employees, including workers from the CIA and at least four other intelligence agencies, were offered deferred resignations, leave now, receive

pay and benefits through September, as part of the White House's efforts to overhaul the federal workforce. The Trump admin reportedly expected 5 to 10 percent of federal workers to quit, saving Uncle Sam $100 billion annually. An estimated 2 percent, 40,000 people, have accepted the deal so far. Critics have challenged the offer's legality and the administration's authority to fulfill it. Others would worry that agencies' effectiveness would weaken if experienced staff resign. Yesterday, a federal judge pushed back last night's deadline for workers to decide if they'll resign until at least Monday when a hearing will take place to weigh blocking the buyout further.

out further. itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6, 33 and 34. President Trump's ideas for post-war Gaza are making waves. Earlier this week, Trump announced that he envisioned a U.S. developing Gaza into the Riviera of the Middle East, casting the effort of offering enduring peace and giving people a chance. Yesterday, his administration clarified that no US troops would be required and any relocation of the Palestinian population would be temporary. But reiterated that Israel would turn over Gaza to the US under his plan. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu called Trump's proposal the first good idea he's heard for the enclave. But it's found few other supporters.

China, Russia, the UK, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt all quickly voiced their opposition while the UN warned about ethnic cleansing. The Palestinian president said Palestine is not for sale and not an investment project. Join us in prayer for wise leadership and long-term peace, trusting, no matter how complex the conflict, that God is able to spread across the globe the peace that He has given to those who trust Him. Book of Common Prayer, page 654 says, Almighty God, for whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed,

kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all people the true love of peace, and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth, that in tranquility your kingdom may go forward, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. President Trump signed an executive order Wednesday barring transgender athletes from competing in women's and girls' sports at schools receiving federal funds. The Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports Order directs federal agencies to interpret Title IX, which bans sex discrimination in schools as based on biological sex, as a matter of safety, fairness, dignity, and truth. Critics say the order is discriminatory and makes a big deal out of a small issue. Fewer than 10 out of 500,000 NCAA athletes reportedly identify as transgender.

The order may also impact the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. White House officials say visas for transgender athletes competing in women's events will be reviewed for fraud. A recent poll found 79% of US adults say transgender athletes should compete only on teams that align with their sex at birth. The Bible doesn't say that speaking the truth is love. God calls believers to speak the truth in love.

Ephesians 4.15 When discussing divisive topics with your neighbors, remember that both what you say and how you say it both reflect on Christ. Ephesians 5.25-27.31-32 says, Therefore, putting away lying, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, because we are members of one another.

Be angry and do not sin. Don't let the sun go down on your anger and don't give the devil an opportunity. Let all bitterness, anger, and wrath, shouting, and slander be removed from you along with all malice. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another just as God also forgave you in Christ. one another just as God also forgave you in Christ.

With over 1,000 translations and every type of decorative edition, it's easy to forget how many people can't even get their hands on a single copy of the Bible in their native language. That's why we've partnered with CREW. CREW is missionaries in almost every country, but they need more Bibles. One missionary said, I've never seen such a thirst for the word of God in my country. Let's quench that thirst. For just $24 a month, you can provide three people with Bibles every month. As a bonus, Crew will provide meals to 12 hungry individuals through their humanitarian ministry and send you a free TPO coffee mug.

Simply text POUR to 71326 or visit give.crew.org.pour. Again, that's texting P-O-U-R. Message and data rates may apply, available to US addresses only. ["Dreams of a New World"] In other brews, here's a wrap around of updates. Protesters gathered across the US Wednesday in opposition to the Trump administration's recent policies on immigration, gender, federal funding, etc., Elon Musk's role in the White House, and Project 2025.

The protests, which mostly took place at state capitals, were organized by the Reddit-originating The USPS pressed play just hours after pausing inbound packages from China and Hong Kong Wednesday. A reason for the temporary suspension wasn't given, but it followed President Trump's executive order imposing a 10% tariff on Chinese imports and the Chinese government's decision to stop the importation. The USPS also said that the U.S. government is not ready to accept the Chinese import ban. in Hong Kong Wednesday. A reason for the temporary suspension wasn't given, but it followed President Trump's executive order imposing a 10% tariff on Chinese imports and eliminating a duty exemption on shipments under $800, a move expected to significantly impact discount shippers like Shien and Timu. A transcript of an unedited 60 minutes interview with the then VP Harris was released Wednesday as part of the Trump administration's $10 billion election interference lawsuit alleging

that CBS made heavy edits to flatter Harris. CBS said the edits were not doctored or deceitful. The network reportedly wants to settle quickly so it can close a merger with production company Skydance. Amazon Prime's platinum anniversary is next week, and last quarter's stats suggest a 20-year marriage is staying strong for the 75% of American adults who use it. Amazon says it delivered over 9 billion items the same day or next day last year, with the average US primer placing nearly 2 orders per week and saving $500 annually on free

delivery. Dude, where's my eggs? Police have yet to crack the case after 100,000 eggs worth $40,000 were very carefully stolen from the back of a distribution trailer in southern Pennsylvania Saturday night. Though the cage-free culprit remains at large, the motive is likely related to rising prices. The average price of a dozen eggs recently hit a record $7.09. And that's all we have for today. Thanks so much for listening.

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