The Pour Over Today - Friday, October 13, 2023

Episode Date: October 13, 2023

Today, we’re talking about horror in the Middle East, rising inflation in September, and other top news for Friday, October 13th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over Today. Sponsored by End of the Road podcast - available anywhere you listen to podcasts

Today we're talking about horror in the Middle East, rising inflation in September, and other top news for Friday, October 13th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over today. Here's the quote of the day. We aren't just thrown on this earth like dice tossed across a table. We are lovingly placed here for a purpose. Chuck Swindoll. Let's get started with some espresso shots. Shocking details continue to emerge from the Middle East. Some parts of this story may not be suitable for younger listeners.

Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu said Wednesday the terrorists invading Israel brutally murdered babies and children, burned people alive in their homes, committed acts of sexual assault, and beheaded soldiers. Hamas called the reports lies. President Biden reported seeing images of slain children, but later retracted his statement due to unverified information. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv yesterday, reiterating American support for Israel. He was shown photos of the carnage, which Blinken described as simply depravity. As of yesterday, Israel reports over 1,200 deaths, and Gaza reports at least 1,500. The U.S. confirmed that at least 27 Americans have been killed.

Israeli planes reportedly dropped flyers into Gaza and hacked a Hamas TV channel, sending messages for residents to evacuate and seek shelter ahead of a complete siege. But Gazans say they have nowhere to run. Gaza's only power plant is out of fuel, its health system is collapsing, and its only non-Israel border, Egypt, is closed. To the north, artillery fire continues at the Israel-Lebanon border, bolstering fears of a second war front. And on social media, a former Hamas leader called for Muslims across the world to

protest today in support of Palestine. Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu and opposition party leader Benny Gantz have teamed up to form a unity government, creating a war management cabinet. And yesterday, in light of Iran's relationship with Hamas, the U.S. and Qatar refroze Iran's access to $6 billion that was unfrozen as part of a prisoner swap last month. When an enemy destroys what you love most, and God calls you to love and pray for that enemy, obedience requires genuine humility and deep faith. Loving them reflects our Father, who loved his enemies so much that he allowed them to kill his son so that he could know and be known by them. Matthew 5 verses 44 and 45 says, But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those

who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. that you may be children of your Father in Heaven. Inflation rose more than expected in September, but just by a smidge. Annual inflation remained flat at 3.7%, topping forecasts of 3.6%, largely due to rising gas and rent prices. Maybe the best news was that inflation on your grocery cart full of bananas, Hot Pockets, and LaCroix hit its lowest point since March 2021. Meanwhile, the Social Security Administration announced benefits will rise 3.2 percent, or about $50 per month for the average retiree, in 2024 to account for inflation. In the business world, Exxon agreed to shell out $59.5 billion for Pioneer Natural Resources in the largest oil

and gas deal since Exxon bought Mobil in 1999. Pending regulatory approval, the purchase will more than double Exxon's daily output of gas and oil in the United States and give it one of the world's largest inventories of untapped oil. Too often, we let eternally insignificant things like the ups and downs of the market control us. Seeking to steward money well is a good thing, but keep your focus on the giver rather than the gifts. 2 Corinthians 8 verse 9 says, For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. This episode is sponsored by End of the Road Podcast.

Imagine your longest day of travel, then keep going. The End of the Road Podcast explores what God is doing in some of the most remote, travel-for-a-day-by-canoe-through-jungle places on the planet. Each week, you hear an interview about places you'll likely never go, cultures you'll likely never experience, with people you'll likely never forget. It's part adventure travel, part extreme mission, and entirely worth your time to listen. Find the end of the road wherever you listen to podcasts. In other brews, here's a rapid round of updates. Republicans nominated Representative Steve Scalise to be their candidate for the next Speaker of the House Wednesday.

But that was the easy part. Scalise needed 217 votes from the full House to secure the gavel. And apparently didn't see a path there. Last night, he dropped out of the race for speaker. It's not clear who the party will nominate next. After a weather delay, NASA's Psyche asteroid mission should launch today. The van-sized spacecraft is on a mission to take pictures and measure the magnetic fields of a potato-shaped metallic space rock two billion miles away. Astronomers suspect the asteroid could be the ancient core

of a protoplanet and provide insights into Earth's unobservable core. Sam Bankman Freed's ex-girlfriend and former business partner, Caroline Ellison, made no attempt to rekindle the flame, stating he directed her to commit fraud and launder money as they ran FTX and its sister hedge fund Alameda Research. Ellison, who was testifying as part of her plea deal, described SPF as very ambitious, saying he envisioned becoming president. ambitious, saying he envisioned becoming president. Uncle Sam got a sad face on his ACT. Average scores on the college admissions test have been declining for six years and plummeting since the pandemic. This year, the average composite score was a 19.5 out of 36,

the lowest in three decades and below the college-ready benchmark set by the nonprofit organization. The 2023 American League pennant is guaranteed to fly over the Lone Star State, as the Astros and Rangers begin the first all-Texas ALCS in Houston tomorrow. In the National League, the Diamondbacks made history by recording the first-ever four-home-run postseason inning, sweeping the Dodgers on Wednesday. And that's all we have for today. Thanks so much for listening. If you're listening on the Apple Podcasts app, give us a five-star rating and drop a review. If you're listening on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification

bell to never miss a new episode. We appreciate your support and hope you have a great weekend. We'll see you on Monday.