Devotional

Blinded

It struck me in reading John 9 that the man Jesus healed who was born blind never saw Jesus heal him.

If you read John 9:1-6, Jesus saw the man, approached him, made a mud pie and put it on his eyes, then told him to ‘go’ and ‘wash’. It was only after he washed in the pool of Silom that his eyes opened. He never saw Jesus. When drilled by the Pharisees on who healed him, he honestly didn't know. Later Jesus found him and revealed that it was He, the ‘Son of Man’, who healed him. After which the man confessed his faith in Jesus.

The man had faith to follow the odd instruction from a stranger, only later to learn the stranger was the Messiah. This may have happened all that same day - from blindness to revelation. Yet, it may often take much longer.

This story reminds me of times I have been led to pray healing for a person that wasn't a believer in Jesus. They eagerly receive the prayer at the moment of need.

I have later met them and they announce, ‘I am better,’ but do not acknowledge that God healed them. Perhaps giving praise to medical treatment instead. I have learned to let them know that I thank God for healing them, giving God the praise, regardless of their faith in Him. Then when reminded, I continue to pray that God draws them to Jesus.

Spiritual blindness may prevent someone from seeing God at work, but when you walk in the Spirit your eyes will be opened to the truth, so you can give God the glory He deserves.

Timely Topic

Why Christians Should Vote Biblical Values

It’s election season this fall, both globally and here in the US, with the midterm elections next week.

Both Christianity and Christians voting in America are on the decline. That’s why it’s critical that as Christ followers, who believe the whole Bible and the gospel of Jesus, we vote for candidates BEST aligned with our Biblical values to preserve the freedoms we often take for granted.

America was founded on Christian principles and enjoys many blessings from God because of this. The values of which have been enshrined in The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution of The United States of America, and other foundational documents.

If you need a tune up to fully endorse this belief, please check out the resources on Prager U.

In addition, the deception of socialism which promises free stuff at the cost of giving away control to the government is now growing in America. It’s one step away from communism which takes away ones’ God given rights and suppresses an individual from flourishing as God intends.

Pastor Josh Howerton, founding pastor of Lakepoint church and the Live Free Podcast, best summed up Biblical perspectives on voting in this article on “How to Vote Like Jesus”.

Some Key Takeaways:

• “Jesus is not on the ballot. No candidate fully represents Him, and no party platform perfectly aligns with the Kingdom of God.”

• “Life is not a political issue. It is a creation issue. Biological sex is not a political issue. It is a Genesis issue. Marriage is not a political issue. It is a covenant issue. The world did not find these things on a party platform. They found them in Scripture, and then called them “political” to pressure you into silence.”

• “We do not recruit Jesus into our party; we submit every party, candidate and issue to Him. You are not pledging allegiance to a party, you are stewarding a responsibility on behalf of your King. Your Biblical convictions should shape your vote.”

Please get out and vote, and pray for God to put people in public offices that will pursue Him above their political and any other ambitions.

Bonus Content: Great podcast on the topic “Should Christians Be Involved in Politics?” (Dr. Michael Brown is an independent voter who shares about voting Christian values)

Health Nuggets

Sourdough Bread Benefits

I started making homemade sourdough bread earlier this year and have experienced first hand the nutritional benefits it provides. This recent article in Epoch Health provides a great overview of the health benefits, the key highlights of which are summarized here:

Making sourdough requires a lot of time and patience. Unlike conventional bread making, sourdough needs ongoing feeding and care.

A sourdough loaf is fermented by a starter—a living culture of wild yeast and bacteria the baker keeps going with regular feedings of flour and water. The fermentation takes time. A sourdough loaf can take most of a day to make, and some bakers extend the process overnight or longer.

Fermentation does more than give sourdough its characteristic tangy taste. The process changes the grain in ways that may affect how the bread is digested. The starter can develop a life of its own—often passed from one person to another, sometimes continuing through generations.

Key Benefits of Sourdough:

It’s Easier to Digest - Sourdough fermentation partially breaks down carbohydrates and proteins which aids digestion since the acids and enzymes break down components of the bread before it is eaten. 

Supports Gut Health - Certain prebiotic compounds such as beta-glucans produced during fermentation may benefit gut bacteria and uptake of nutrients such as iron, calcium, and zinc. Studies indicate that sourdough bread increases production of short-chain fatty acids, compounds produced by gut microbes associated with several aspects of intestinal health.

Benefits Blood Sugar and Cholesterol - Some studies indicate that sourdough bread may lower post-meal glucose responses by changing the rate at which carbohydrates are broken down. Some research also suggests whole-wheat sourdough bread may improve cholesterol levels.

High Nutritional Value - One slice (59 gram) of sourdough contains the following key ingredients with their percentage daily value (DV): Selenium: 32%; Folate: 32%; Thiamine: 21%; Niacin: 20%; Iron: 13%.

Check out the article for full details including a recipe you can try. It takes time to perfect making, but you can always start by purchasing from your local bakery.

Enjoy!

Note: Health Nuggets are opinions and not medical advice.

Financial Update

Beef at Record Prices: Who Wins and Who Pays?

A few months ago, Solomon Circle examined America's shrinking cattle supply and the potential business opportunities emerging in domestic farming. Check out article here if you missed it.

While at the grocery store the other day, shopping for beef, I was prompted to start researching the price history, which confirmed my suspicion, that the cost of the “commodity” was hovering around all-time high levels, which earlier this year was the highest it had been in 70 years. Of course the effects this has far exceeds just this industry.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported approximately 86.2 million cattle and calves as of January 2026, including 27.6 million beef cows. By July, the beef-cow population remained 1% below its year-earlier level, illustrating the supply constraints facing the industry. Rebuilding herds takes years because cattle must be bred, raised, and brought to market before additional beef becomes available.

Those constraints have helped push prices higher. USDA's October outlook forecasts wholesale beef prices increasing 8.8% in 2026, although prices have not risen continuously. Retail beef and veal prices actually declined 1.3% in September, demonstrating that even historically expensive markets experience fluctuations.

The Ripple Effect Across the Economy

Higher beef prices affect several industries differently.

For cattle ranchers, stronger livestock prices can increase revenue per animal, although feed, land, labor, and financing expenses also influence profitability.

For meat processors, the economics can be very different. Tyson Foods reported a negative 2.6% operating margin in its beef division during the third quarter of fiscal 2026, as elevated cattle acquisition costs pressured profitability. Similarly, JBS reported a $345 million adjusted EBITDA loss in its North American beef business during the first half of 2026.

Restaurants face another challenge. Beef is a major ingredient for burger chains, steakhouses, and casual dining establishments. Higher input costs can pressure margins unless companies offset them through pricing, menu adjustments, or operating efficiencies.

Grocery retailers face similar decisions, while consumers may respond by purchasing smaller quantities, choosing different cuts, or substituting chicken and pork.

This creates an important secondary economic effect: higher beef prices can influence demand and profitability throughout the broader protein industry, not simply among cattle producers.

Several publicly traded companies provide different forms of exposure to these developments. Tyson Foods (TSN) and JBS (JBS) participate in meat processing, while Pilgrim's Pride (PPC) provides exposure to poultry, a potential substitute for beef. Restaurant operators such as Texas Roadhouse (TXRH) and McDonald's (MCD) offer another perspective through their exposure to beef purchasing costs.

One very important observation we’re rather interested in seeing play out is the rising cost of beef versus the “trickle” down effect they will have from the increase cost of goods on the producer level to the consumers. Moreso, what the breaking point in the cycle will be.

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