The Pour Over Today - Downed Russian Plane, Alabama Execution, & More | 01.26.24

Episode Date: January 26, 2024

Today we’re talking about a Russian plane carrying Ukrainian POWs being shot down, Boeing 737 MAX-9s being cleared for takeoff, an execution in Alabama, and other top news for Friday, January 26th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over Today. Please support our TPO sponsors! LMNT: https://links.thepourover.org/LMNT0103 The Bible Recap: https://links.thepourover.org/TBR_pod The Bible Recap for Kids: https://links.thepourover.org/TBR4Kids0104 TUVU: https://www.tuvu.com/tpo

Today we're talking about a Russian plane carrying Ukrainian POWs being shot down, Boeing 737 MAX 9s being cleared for takeoff, an execution in Alabama, and other top news for Friday, January 26th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over today. Here's the quote of the day. The sermon of your life in tough times ministers to people more powerfully than the most eloquent speaker. Bill Bright. Let's get started with some espresso shots. Moscow claims that Kiev shot down a Russian transport plane on Wednesday,

killing everyone on board, including 65 Ukrainian POWs headed for a prisoner swap in Belgorod. Russian radar allegedly detected two missiles launched from Ukraine's Kharkiv region before the plane crashed near the country's shared border. Ukraine confirmed the scheduled prisoner swap, but didn't offer details about the plane's passengers or whether Kiev targeted it. Ukrainian President Zelensky called for an international investigation, accusing Russia of playing with the lives of Ukrainian POWs.

Meanwhile, Uncle Sam has officially closed his pocketbook, at least until Congress can agree on who to assist. The White House is pushing for additional aid to Ukraine and Israel, but GOP lawmakers want more funds to fortify the U.S.-Mexico border. For now, Keefe will still receive previously agreed-upon weapons and military financing. Join us in prayer for long-term peace, confident that God is able to spread across the globe the peace that he has given to those who trust him. The Book of Common Prayer, page 654, says, Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love.

So mightily spread abroad your spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, to whom be dominion and glory, now and forever. Amen. The FAA has cleared Boeing 737 MAX 9s for takeoff. The MAX 9s have been grounded for nearly three weeks after a door plug on an Alaska Airlines plane blew out over Portland, Oregon. Alaska Airlines says its MAX 9s will return to service tomorrow, while United hopes to start flying the planes again on Sunday. Still, the captain hasn't turned off

Boeing's seatbelt sign. The FAA halted Boeing's planned expansion of its 737 MAX aircraft line until the quality control issues are resolved. That likely includes investigating statements by an alleged whistleblower who claims Boeing's own records show that the four bolts needed

to hold the blown-out Alaska Airlines panel in place simply were not installed. One additional embarrassment, a Boeing 757 in Atlanta lost one of its nose wheels while preparing to take off on Wednesday. There were no injuries. Here's a first to consider, no matter what mode of transportation you use next. His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior. The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. Psalm 147, 10 and 11. Last night, Alabama used a new method of execution that critics call cruel and unusual. Kenneth Smith had been on death row since 1996 for participating in

a 1988 killing for hire. Alabama attempted to execute Smith by lethal injection in 2022, but failed to find a vein. The failed attempt and the scarcity of lethal injection drugs led Alabama to pursue an untested method, nitrogen hypoxia. The state said the gas would be fatal and painless, but Smith's lawyers appealed repeatedly, objecting to the psychological trauma of a second execution attempt, arguing it may be painful and humiliating,

and citing the risk of harm to others if the mask delivering the gas leaked. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case on Wednesday, sealing Smith's fate. The gas led to Smith's unconsciousness within seconds and death within minutes. Christians have a hard job. Imitating our just and merciful Father, we must simultaneously pursue justice, come alongside victims in their pain, and demonstrate our love for the guilty. Luke 6.35 says, love your enemies and do good and lend, expecting nothing in return. And your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Sometimes it feels like money doesn't stretch very far these days. But when you sponsor a child through Compassion International, just $43 per month is crazy powerful. Sponsorship means education, clean water, healthy food, medical care, and most importantly, hope. Through local churches in the area, sponsored children build relationships with Jesus-loving adults who can offer the specific support kids need to thrive. Not sure where to start? Go to Compassion.com slash TPO

or find the link in the show notes and search by birthday to see if there's a child with your birthday that needs a sponsor. In other brews, here's a rapid round of updates. At least 12 people were killed and 75 injured in Gaza Thursday when a UN refugee shelter was struck by tank fire during fighting around the southern city of Khan Yunis. Israel is reviewing the incident and examining the possibility that Hamas is responsible, and the U.S. immediately denounced the bombardment for targeting humanitarian workers and civilians. Uncle Sam passed last year's economics course with flying colors.

Uncle Sam passed last year's economics course with flying colors. In quarter four, the U.S. economy grew at a 3.3% pace, far surpassing Wall Street's expectations of 2%. Zooming out further, the economy grew 2.5% during all of 2023, easily avoiding the recession many economists once forecasted as inevitable. easily avoiding the recession many economists once forecasted as inevitable. Jim Harbaugh is going to be working Sundays again. After leading his alma mater, Michigan, to its first national title since 1997, Harbaugh's headed back to the NFL. He's signed a five-year contract to coach the Los Angeles Chargers, another team he previously played for when they were still in San Diego. Former President Trump took the stand for less than three minutes yesterday

in the latest defamation suit brought by writer E. Jean Carroll. He said, I just wanted to defend myself, my family, and the trial is only to assess damages. It's almost burrito season, March through May, and Chipotle is preparing by hiring 19,000 employees. The announcement came with some extra guac. Chipotle is also expanding employees' benefits with student loan assistance, financial management services, and access to mental health resources. The restaurant hopes that the new menu of benefits will appeal to its majority Gen Z workforce. And that's all we have for today.

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We'll see you on Monday.