The Pour Over Today - Pope’s Announcement, Texas’ Immigration Law, & More | 12.20.23

Episode Date: December 20, 2023

Today we’re talking about the Pope allowing some blessings of same-sex couples, Texas’ new state immigration law, natural disasters around the globe, and other top news for Wednesday, December, 20th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over Today. Sponsored by the Compelled Podcast

Today we're talking about the Pope allowing some blessings of same-sex couples, Texas' new state immigration law, natural disasters around the globe, and other top news for Wednesday, December 20th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over today. Here's the quote of the day, Great things have small beginnings. Sir Francis Drake Let's get started with some espresso shots.

Pope Francis has allowed priests to bless same-sex couples with some caveats. Monday's controversial declaration out of the Vatican stated that people seeking God's love and mercy shouldn't be subject to an exhaustive moral analysis. The declaration also reaffirmed the church's traditional definition of marriage as the exclusive, stable, and indissoluble union between a man and a woman, and said blessings of same-sex couples cannot happen during a civil union, coincide with a wedding mass, or even use any clothing, gestures, or words that are proper to a wedding. Some celebrated the news as a step forward in the church's ministry for LGBTQ people, while others decreed it as heresy, saying the church cannot bless sinful relationships. Meanwhile, some LGBTQ advocates are upset it reaffirms the church sees homosexual relationships

as inferior to heterosexual relationships. An announcement like this is sure to spark heated debate. As you discuss it with those around you, remember that how you say it matters. Speak the truth in love so that you reflect the patience and compassion of our God. James 3 verse 17 says, But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. Texas is taking matters into its own hands. Governor Greg Abbott signed legislation Monday

in his latest attempt to quell the rush of undocumented migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. Carrying penalties ranging from 180 days to 20 years of jail time, the creatively named Senate Bill 4 makes illegal entry a state misdemeanor and illegal re-entry a second-degree felony. It also mandates that judges deport illegal migrants to Mexico. Authority to charge illegal immigrants has historically rested with the federal government, but Abbott is empowering local officers because he says the Biden administration won't enforce federal law. Critics say SB4 is unconstitutional and will encourage racial profiling. The law takes effect in March and

is expected to land in court immediately, just in time for the issue to enter the fray of election season. U.S. immigration policies will likely have little impact on the kingdom of God. Care for your current home and neighbors while focusing ultimately on our eternal home, a city whose walls keep out injustice and whose gates are always open. Revelation 21 verse 3 says, Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. Several areas of creation were groaning on Monday. Over 620,000 homes and businesses lost power, and at least four people died amid storms on Uncle Sam's east coast.

The northeast endured up to 70 mph winds and 2-6 inches of rain in 24 hours, leading to evacuations, road washouts, and 500 flight cancellations. Tuesday, 585,000 remained without power as temperatures dropped and flooding persisted. In southwestern Iceland, near Reykjavik, a long-anticipated volcano erupted Monday, ejecting molten rock 300 feet high along a 2.5-mile fissure. The nearby town of Grindavik's 3,400 residents have been evacuated since November after experiencing over 1,000 earthquakes per day. Finally, a 6.2 earthquake hit northwest China Monday, the deadliest in nearly a decade, killing at least 126 and injuring hundreds. Government relief funds were announced amidst rescue efforts in sub-zero temps. God has not left us helpless in the face of disasters.

He hears the prayers of His people, acting for our good in His glory. If you're in an affected area, check on your neighbors. James 5, verse 13 and 16 say, Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. This episode is sponsored by The Compelled Podcast. Laura Perry grew up in church, but secretly felt it was stifling. She only had a works-based approach to Christianity and no real relationship with Christ. By high school, Laura was incredibly unhappy and fantasized about

being a man. Eventually, she surgically removed every female organ from her body and lived as a transgender man for 10 years. But after her final surgery, she discovered, to her horror, that she was just as miserable as before. Could anything or anyone fill the void in her heart? And if Jesus actually was real, would he even want someone like her? Listen to Laura Perry tell her complete story of transformation on the Compelled podcast. Her story is on episode number 37, titled Transgender to Transformed. Listen on your podcast app or at CompelledPodcast.com. That's C-O-M-P-E-L-L-E-D podcast.com.

Or check out the link in our show notes. In other brews, here's a rapid round of updates. The Colorado Supreme Court removed former President Trump from the centennial state's ballots yesterday evening, ruling he is ineligible to run for re-election under the U.S. Constitution's Insurrection Clause, Section 3 of Article 14, for his actions on January 6th. Trump's campaign promised to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, which has the final say on constitutional matters. Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels are targeting cargo ships in the Red Sea and hitting the entire global supply chain. Oil giant BP is the latest company to suspend shipments in the area,

causing a spike in oil prices. The Pentagon announced it's sending two Navy warships to protect shipments as part of an international security initiative dubbed Operation Prosperity Guardian. It's the most litigious time of the year, and that means no Apple Watches for you. Apple will stop selling its two newest watch versions, Series 9 and Ultra 2, after losing a patent dispute over the blood oxygen sensors. Unless President Biden overturns the U.S. International Trade Commission's ruling, the watches will leave Apple's website tomorrow and leave stores on Sunday. Israel's military says it found Hamas's largest tunnel under Gaza to date, and the entrance is

only 500 yards, or one-fourth mile, from the Israel-Gaza border that was breached on October 7th. The two and a half mile long tunnel is large enough to drive a car through and raises questions about the existence of other tunnels and the limits of Israeli intelligence. Southwest Airlines is paying $140 million to get off the Department of Transportation's naughty list. The record settlement ends an investigation into the airline's meltdown last December when it canceled 17,000 flights and stranded 2 million passengers. The majority of the payment will go towards compensating future Southwest customers. And that's all we have for today. Thanks so much for listening. If you're listening on the Apple

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