The Pour Over Today - Monday, September 13, 2021

Episode Date: September 13, 2021

California’s recall election, 9/11 memorials, the NFL’s return, and other top news for September 13, 2021. Stay informed, while remaining focused on Christ, with The Pour Over.

It is Monday, September 13th, and you're listening to The Pour Over. We aim to keep Christians informed on what's happening in the world while remaining focused on Christ. Here's the quote of the day. There are three great truths. First, that there is a God. Second, that he has spoken to us in the Bible. Third, that he means what he says.

Hudson Taylor. Tomorrow is election day in California. On the ballot, voters will be asked whether Governor Gavin Newsom should be recalled, and if so, who should take his spot. Larry Elder, a conservative radio host, has emerged as Newsom's biggest threat. But Elder is just one of 46 possible replacements. Sorry, there's no control F to find your favorite. The recall effort was fueled by anger over Newsom's stay-at-home orders and other strict COVID restrictions, which he famously broke by eating at a fancy French restaurant, but may ultimately fail for the same reason. California has fared better than other states during the Delta surge, and Newsom is claiming credit. Polls show it's unlikely the governor, who called in Democratic heavyweights Kamala Harris and Barack Obama for a last-minute

push, will lose his mansion. Voting is an important and powerful way to create change, but as Christians, our hope is never contingent on the outcome of an election or the success of a political party. Jeremiah 17.7 says, Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose hope is in the Lord. Saturday was somber as the nation paused to remember the terror attacks that happened 20 years ago. President Biden and First Lady Jill were joined by former Presidents Obama and Clinton at Ground Zero in Manhattan, while former President Trump visited first responders in NYC. Former President Bush delivered the keynote remarks at the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where he remembered the victims of September 11th and reminded people of the beautiful unity

in America on September 12th. Late Saturday evening, the Biden administration released a heavily blacked-out 16-page document about FBI investigations into connections between 9-11 terrorists and the Saudi Arabian government. It contained no major revelations. More declassified intelligence relating to 9-11 is expected over the coming months. The promise of heaven does not remove the pains of this world, but it does give us hope, strength, and peace during life's most difficult seasons. We can mourn for this world even as we rejoice in the security of our eternity with Christ. 1 Peter 1, 3a-4 says,

In His great mercy, He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you. Exciting plays happening as soon as you step out of the room, Tom Brady winning, and Bud Light commercials. Football is back. This year, the NFL has added a 17th regular season game up from 16, is embracing sports betting and ditching the cardboard cutouts. While all 32 teams' stadiums are at full capacity, three are requiring proof of vaccination or a negative test. On the college side of the ball, the Big 12 conference was presumed dead after Oklahoma and Texas announced they're leaving for the SEC in 2025, but they are refusing to roll over.

The Big 12 unanimously approved adding four more schools, the Universities of Cincinnati, Central Florida, and Houston, as well as Brigham Young University in 2023. In other brews, here's a rapid round of updates. The Department of Justice has sued Texas over their new abortion ban, arguing it's in, quote, open defiance of the Constitution, unquote. Texas law is unique because it outsources its enforcement to private citizens and civil courts rather than criminal prosecutors. Additionally, the law protects mothers from legal retribution and instead targets abortion providers. Amazon will now pay 100% of the cost of college tuition, books, and fees for its 750,000 hourly employees at hundreds of colleges across the country. Hopefully this will include a Red Bull

stipend so workers can get through school and their 10 to 12 hour shifts in Amazon fulfillment centers. Senator Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, dumped cold water on his fellow Democrats budget proposal, saying both the price tag and Speaker Pelosi's aggressive September 27th deadline for a vote are unjustifiable, given the $5.4 trillion in already passed COVID relief. Without Manchin's vote, the bill won't pass. Tropical storm Nicholas is expected to land on Texas' coast later today, bringing up to 15 inches of rain in some areas. Across the Atlantic, Spain would love some rainfall.

A wildfire has forced the evacuation of more than 900 people and has burned over 5,000 acres in southern portions of the country. Here come the courts. Multiple Republican governors say that President Biden's new executive order, which mandates employers with over 100 employees require vaccines or weekly COVID tests, is an unconstitutional overreach. The governors promised to sue, and President Biden told them to, quote, have at it. Thank you so much for joining us today. Have a great rest of your day, and we will see you on Wednesday.