The Pour Over Today - Israel Offers Pause in Fighting, Trump’s SCOTUS Cases, & More | 12.22.23

Episode Date: December 22, 2023

Today, we’re talking about Israel’s offer to pause fighting, former President Trump’s cases before the Supreme Court, a prisoner swap with Venezuela, and other top news for Friday, December 22nd. We’re taking Christmas Day off, but will be back in your earbuds on Wednesday! Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over Today. Sponsored by Biblingo

Today we're talking about Israel's offer to pause fighting, former President Trump's cases before the Supreme Court, a prisoner swap with Venezuela, and other top news for Friday, December 22nd. We're taking Christmas Day off, but we'll be back in your earbuds on Wednesday. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over today. Here's the quote of the day. Circumstances may appear to wreck our lives and God's plans, but God is not helpless among the ruins. Eric Liddell

Let's get started with some espresso shots. True steels are back on the table. True steels are back on the table. As Gaza raised its death toll to 20,000, Israel says 7,000 of those are Hamas combatants. Israel offered a one-week pause in fighting in exchange for its remaining 108 hostages. Hamas responded that hostage negotiations won't happen until Israeli aggression stops completely. Meanwhile, the U.N. Security Council is negotiating its own resolution, but the U.S. has threatened to use veto power again if it demands a total ceasefire or bars Israel from inspecting aid entering Gaza. Back in the U.S.,

nearly 200 Jewish establishments were targets of what the FBI called a nationwide swatting spree, calling in fake tips to get law enforcement to send in SWAT teams on their Sabbath. Some synagogues were evacuated or canceled services, but authorities confirmed there was no credible risk of harm. The word became flesh to bear the burden of brokenness and restore our war-weary world. Pray for the coming of that restoration, and set your hope on the wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. The Book of Common Prayer, page 654, says, Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed, Psalm 154 says, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love.

Former President Trump and the Supreme Court of the United States are on a collision course. First, Trump's team has promised to quickly appeal Tuesday's 4-3 decision from the Colorado Supreme Court, which states that Colorado's Secretary of State may not list President Trump's name on the 2024 presidential primary ballot, nor may she count any write-in votes cast for him. A ruling on that case would impact all 50 states, including 16 that have their own Trump-eligibility cases pending. Second, Trump asked the Supreme Court to reject special counsel Jack Smith's request for an expedited ruling on an immunity dispute. Trump argues that because he was president, he's immune from prosecution in the election interference case. Smith requested an unusually quick consideration of the argument, saying it is of imperative public importance

that the trial happen as soon as possible. We shouldn't allow political outcomes to consume our thoughts, direct our emotions, or dull our hope. Government may change, but our mission remains the same. Love God and love others. Mark 12, 29 through 31 says, the most important commandment answered Jesus is this, hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this. Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.

Wednesday, the U.S. and Venezuela exchanged prisoners, not presents. Venezuela released almost two dozen Venezuelan political prisoners, 10 Americans, some who were being wrongfully held, and Fat Leonard, a fugitive wanted by Uncle Sam. Leonard Fat Leonard Francis, a former military contractor, fled the U.S. last year ahead of sentencing for one of the Pentagon's largest corruption scandals in history. In 2015, Francis pleaded guilty to bribing more than 30 officials with lavish gifts, like Kobe beef and Cuban cigars, for lucrative contracts. For its part, the U.S. freed Colombian-born businessman Alex Saab, a close ally of Venezuela's President Maduro, whom the U.S. was holding on money laundering charges. Critics say the swap incentivizes hostage-taking

and that releasing Maduro's man will embolden the socialist dictator. The White House maintains that freeing wrongfully detained Americans is a top priority. Here's a verse to consider whether going home for the holidays requires an international prisoner swap or just a trip to mom and dad's. The Spirit of the Lord is on me, Jesus, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. Luke 4, verses 18 and 19. This episode is sponsored by Biblingo. We've got your New Year's resolution.

Read the Bible in its original Greek or Hebrew. If that sounds like a stretch, then you haven't heard of Biblingo. Biblingo's learning method is intuitive, fun, and only requires 15 minutes a day. It breaks down the lessons into interactive activities that can be completed in just a few minutes, making it easy to make consistent progress. Reading the Bible in its original languages provides insights you can't get through translation. If you want that rich relationship with God's word, go to biblingo.org slash TPO. That's B-I-B-L-I-N-G-O dot O-R-G slash TPO

and use code TPO to receive a free 10-day trial and 30% off a subscription for a full year. That's biblingo.org slash TPO or find the link in our show notes. Happy learning! In other brews, here's a rapid round of updates. The European Union reached a historic migration deal on Wednesday that requires inland countries to either accept a certain number of migrants or financially support border countries.

It also makes deporting rejected asylum seekers easier, drawing criticism from humanitarian groups. In the U.S., Texas has begun flying migrants to sanctuary cities like Chicago, escalating its controversial migrant busing operation. New details are emerging from President Biden and China's President Xi's meeting last month. According to U.S. officials, Xi told Biden that Beijing plans to reunify with Taiwan, but the timing has not been decided and their preference is to take the island without force. China wanted Biden to publicly support

their plan of peaceful reunification. He declined. Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation Monday authorizing a committee to study New York history and draft a report on slavery reparations. A 2021 survey found that reparations are controversial, with 77% of Black Americans in favor compared to 18% of white Americans. California's reparations task force, formed in 2020, has not turned proposals into policies.

The Byrd has been grounded. Once valued at over $2 billion, electric scooter company Byrd Global filed for bankruptcy, having lost over $430 million since going public in 2021. million since going public in 2021. Shares fell to $0.08, down from its highest perch of $154 a share two years ago. Its CEO remains hopeful, saying the company will take flight again and continue its mission to make cities more livable. After meeting with the ghosts of tax season past, present, and future, the IRS has decided to waive $1 billion in late fees. It applies to fees on back taxes from 2020 and 2021 to people with balances under $100,000. If you've already paid a late fee from those years, expect a refund. And that's all we have for today. Thanks

so much for listening. If you're listening on the Apple Podcast 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 holiday. We'll be back on Wednesday.