The Pour Over Today - Monday, March 27, 2023

Episode Date: March 27, 2023

Today, we’re talking about March Madness, updates from Syria and Iran, Trump’s first rally of 2024, and other top news for Monday, March 27th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over. Sponsored by OneHope - We’re matching the first $1,000 (which, amazingly, represents 3,000 children!) given through this link

Today, we're talking about March Madness, updates from Syria and Iran, Trump's first rally of 2024, and other top news for Monday, March 27th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over. Here's the verse of the week. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Luke chapter 19, verse 10. Let's get started with some espresso shots. No, the final four teams aren't a misprint.

And to save you a Google, FAU is in Boca Raton. For the first time in men's tournament history, no one seeds will be in the Elite Eight. FAU, Florida Atlantic University, a nine seed that never won a tournament game before this year, will dance in the semifinals against San Diego State, whose wild finish involved an actual stopwatch to advance to its first Elite Eight in program history. UConn will face Miami in the other semifinals Saturday in Houston. There's much we can apply from sports to our real lives, teamwork, perseverance, and even loyalty as a fan. The commitment of athletes to their sport can encourage us not to give up as we seek to win

an imperishable crown at the end of our faith journey. 1 Corinthians chapter 9 verse 25 says, Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable crown. do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable crown. Tensions have been high in Syria for a while. Now, they're beginning to bubble over. A drone attack to military base housing U.S. troops in northeast Syria Thursday, killing one American contractor and injuring five U.S. service members and another contractor. The U.S. launched retaliatory airstrikes against Iranian-backed groups, killing 19. Those groups then re-retaliated, injuring another U.S.

service member. President Biden said that America does not seek conflict with Iran, but will forcefully protect its personnel. The U.S., which has some 900 troops in Syria, supports Syrian opposition. Iran, along with Russia, has been backing the Syrian government. Speaking of Russia, President Putin announced the stationing of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, its primary regional ally, by July. Russia has also helped make 10 Belarusian aircraft capable of carrying nuclear warheads. It's easy to feel helpless when it comes to international conflicts, but the Bible promises that prayer is powerful and effective, that it causes things to happen that would not

have happened otherwise. Pray for peace. James chapter 5 verse 16 says, the prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect. Former President Trump held his first official 2024 campaign rally over the weekend. In front of a crowd of supporters in Waco, Texas, Trump denounced the justice system, declared his innocence in various legal battles, and criticized Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is expected to challenge Trump for the Republican nomination. It was the former president's first public appearance since he was not arrested by Manhattan District Attorney's Alvin Bragg, who had an interesting week.

Bragg's office received an envelope containing a death threat and an unidentified white powder, which was later found to be harmless. Bragg has also been going back and forth with GOP leaders this week over his refusal to testify before the House Judiciary Committee about his office's investigation into the now infamous hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Culturally hot topics frequently make people think, speak, and act poorly, including us. We can respect others and represent God better if we are quick to listen and slow to speak. Romans chapter 12 verse 18 says,

If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. This episode is sponsored by One Hope. Nigeria is climbing on the wrong chart. Following an uptick in persecution by Islamic extremists, Africa's most populous country is now ranked as the sixth most difficult place to follow Jesus. But One Hope is dedicated to reaching the next generation with the gospel. You can make Jesus make sense to children in one of the most difficult places on earth to follow him. Every $1 donated can introduce three young people to Jesus in Nigeria and beyond. We're matching the first $1,000, which, amazingly, represents 3,000 children.

Discover how you can give through the link in the show notes. In other brews, here's a rapid round of updates. Dangerous storms tore through Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia late Friday, spawning a rare, long-lasting EF4 tornado that killed at least 26 people and carved a 170-mile path of destruction. Relief workers have started the long cleanup process but no longer have to worry about tiger attacks. Two tigers missing from a sanctuary after the storm were recaptured. The tallies are in. Bank customers pulled a collective $100 billion from their accounts in the days after SVB and Signature Bank collapsed.

Smaller banks were hit hardest, seeing massive outflows while larger banks and money market funds saw cash inflows. Overall, it seems that there is probably more money under mattresses. Paul Rusesabagina, who saved more than 1,200 lives during the 1994 Rwandan genocide depicted in the 2004 film Hotel Rwanda, was freed from jail Friday. Rusesabbegina was convicted in 2020 on terrorism charges in a widely denounced trial that many saw as retribution for his criticism of the government. The U.S. and Canada have agreed to close a legal loophole allowing migrants to claim asylum at unofficial entry points along the two countries' border.

The move is intended to stem the migration tide. Canada has seen record numbers lately. Human rights groups criticize the new deal as ineffective for the current refugee crisis. Crafty Utah teens may already be plotting their workarounds, but social media in the state just changed a lot. Utah's governor signed two new laws that require social media platforms to enforce age verification, obtain parental consent for minors to have an account,

block minors from scrolling between 10.30 p.m. and 6.30 a.m., and prevent under-18s from seeing any ads. 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 day. We'll see you on Wednesday.