The Pour Over Today - Friday, July 22, 2022

Episode Date: July 22, 2022

Today we’re talking about the culmination of the January 6th Committee hearings, Russia’s new version of old plans, Congress’s latest votes, and other top news for Friday, July 22nd. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over. TPO's Pick of the Week (and today's sponsor): The End of the Road podcast

Today we'll be talking about the culmination of the January 6th committee hearings, Russia's new version of old plans, Congress's latest votes, and other top news for Friday, July 22nd. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over. Here's the quote of the day. I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder. G.K.

Chesterton. Let's get started with some espresso shots. Summer school is almost out and the January 6th committee's capstone presentation aired on primetime yesterday. During the eighth and final hearing, the committee focused on President Trump waiting over three hours to condemn the violence at the Capitol, which he reportedly watched, quote, gleefully on television. The committee argued that this showed he wanted and was responsible for the violence. Remember, the committee itself cannot bring any punishment. Instead, they're trying to pressure the DOJ to investigate potential crimes and win the court of public opinion, which is predictably

divided. A recent poll shows 90 percent of Democrats think Trump should be charged with a crime, while 90 percent of Republicans think he shouldn't. Trump tweeted, or truthed, that the committee is a, quote, fraud and disgrace to America and called out the lack of opposing witnesses. Culturally hot topics frequently make people think, speak, and act poorly, including us. Remember that being peaceable, gentle, and open to reason is a sign of God's wisdom. James 3.17 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. Russia's going back to the drawing board and they're not playing Pictionary.

After reining in plans to invade the whole country and focusing efforts on Ukraine's eastern region, Russia is re-expanding its attention to include southern provinces. The updated plans are reportedly in reaction to the influx of longer-range weapons sent to Ukraine by Western countries. And speaking of weapons, the U.S. is boxing up at least four more. The latest military aid package was announced on Wednesday, the same day Ukraine's First Lady, Olena Zelenska, addressed Congress asking for more weapons to protect Ukrainians, quote, right to wake up alive. Russia's also not playing keep away. The Nord Stream 1 natural gas pipeline, which was shut down for maintenance nearly two weeks ago, resumed yesterday as planned, relieving concerns that Russia wouldn't flip the switch back.

Here's a verse to consider whether you're facing times of uncertainty or your fears have just been relieved. When I'm afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust, I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? Psalm 56, 3-4. Schoolhouse rock refresher, anyone? Congress is attempting to codify several contentious issues into law. First, a bipartisan group of senators announced a deal to reform and clarify the Electoral Count Act. This legislation includes penalties for threatening election officials and tampering with voting systems, and it clarifies that the vice president's certification of electoral votes is purely ceremonial, meaning that the VP cannot overturn

an election. Next, there are some social issues, same-sex marriage, interracial marriage, and the right to contraceptives. All of these are legal because of Supreme Court decisions, not explicit laws, and some worry about their future after Roe v. Wade was overturned. Bills ensuring these remain rights pass the House, but it's not clear if there's enough support from Senate Republicans, who are calling all of this unnecessary, for them to graduate into laws. Our hope is never contingent on a legislative outcome. It's much more secure than that. Regardless of whether things get worse or better during your lifetime, everything eventually ends well for followers of Christ. Philippians 4, 6, and 7 says, don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and

petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. This podcast is brought to you by the End of the Road podcast. Visiting a city across the country can be fun. You can see new landmarks, try a signature food, or find out if they say soda or pop. But what about places where nearly everything is different? The End of the Road podcast will take you to some of the most challenging and remote places on the planet. Hear firsthand accounts of what life is like and what God is doing in the jungles of Congo, a war-torn city in the Middle East, and other places with cultures you'll likely never get to experience. If you want to hear more fascinating stories, experience wild and remote places,

and have your heart more inclined toward Christ, listen to the End of the Road podcast. Available anywhere you listen to podcasts. the End of the Road podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts. In other brews, we've got a rapid round of updates. President Biden has tested positive for COVID, but is reportedly experiencing, quote, very mild symptoms and continuing to work while isolating in the White House. The 78-year-old commander-in-chief has plenty of backup. He's fully vaccinated, twice boosted, and began taking Pfizer's Paxlovid, an antiviral pill meant to reduce the risk of hospitalization. Sri Lanka has a new president. He's fresh off six terms as the prime minister, but he resigned this month

after protesters burned his house. Supporters laud his experience, but critics say he's too close to the old president, who you may remember as the guy who stepped down when squatters took over his residence. President Biden pledged more than $2 billion to help develop flood control systems, insulate houses, and generally combat climate change, which he called, quote, literally, not figuratively, a clear and present danger. But he stopped short of declaring a formal climate emergency, which would have allowed his executive pen to do even more. Multiple European leaders are saying hasta la vista. Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi resigned Thursday after his ruling coalition fell apart, and the race to replace UK PM Boris Johnson has been narrowed down to Rishi Sunak, the former finance minister, and Liz Truss, the current foreign minister.

If your spidey sense was tingling, that's because the San Diego Comic-Con is back in person for the first time since 2019. Previews of Amazon's billion-dollar new TV series, The Lord of the Rings, The Rings of Power, and Disney's Black Panther, Wakanda Forever, are just some of the treats for well-costumed fans. And now, the pour-over's pick of the week, the end of the road podcast. Imagine your longest day of travel, then keep going. This 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. That's all we have for today. Thanks so much for listening. If you're listening on the Apple Podcast app, you can give us a five-star rating and drop us a review. If you're listening on Spotify, you can give us a follow and hit the notification bell to never miss a new episode. And finally, the simplest way to help us grow is to send this episode to a friend. We hope you have a great rest of your weekend and we'll see you back here on Monday, July 25th.