Devotional

Spiritual Detox

While reading this passage from 2 Corinthians 7:1, it struck me that we are being told to cleanse our body and spirit from contaminants. I’m familiar with detoxing our physical bodies as a practice to boost physical health, but spiritual detox? I asked the Lord to reveal what a spiritual detox is and heard Him say to eradicate modern idols. 

Modern Idol Detox

Repeatedly in the old testament, we see God reminding His people to not worship idols. When Hezekiah, a righteous king, came to power, he proceeded to destroy the idols in the land as a way of spiritually purging the nation and restoring it back to God.

 “Listen to me, Levites! Consecrate yourselves now and consecrate the temple of the Lord, the God of your ancestors. Remove all defilement from the sanctuary.” ‭‭(2 Chronicles‬ ‭29‬:‭5‬)‬‬

So, what are the modern idols we need to remove from our spirit? I believe it differs for each of us. 

I love the World Cup. I have enjoyed watching my favorite teams advance and even underdog teams like the tiny nation of Cape Verde, make it to the knockout round.  However, I have recently had to guard my heart from making this an idol. For example, making sure I'm more interested in doing devotions instead of watching game highlights. I'm having to remind myself that God is first above everything else…always, and not making sports a modern idol.  What idol do you need to destroy?

Holiness to Completion

The second part of this verse reveals a powerful benefit of spiritual detox: ‘perfecting holiness in the fear of God.’ The fear of God leads to the favor of God as we shared in this recent SC devotion. This verse reveals that it also brings holiness to completion. It reminds me of the new testament instruction for us to be holy:

 “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.” ‭‭(1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭15‬ )‬‬

Holiness begins with consecration as we learn in the old testament:

“Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the Lord, who makes you holy.” (‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭20‬:‭7‬-‭8‬)

Do you see the connection? Consecration is the same as spiritual detoxification. God does not change. Holiness is His standard which we are called to live by today, as it was in old testament times.

Financial Update

Energy Management Software. The Next AI Investment Opportunity?

The next topic in our multi-series deep dive into potential AI investment opportunities is “energy management software.”

By now, we’re all aware that electricity is only part of the challenge when it comes to running data centers. Delivering that power efficiently, while balancing supply, demand, and grid stability in real time, that’s the new emerging challenge. As more renewable energy sources, battery storage systems, electric vehicles, and AI data centers connect to the grid, utilities need smarter tools to keep everything operating reliably.

This is where energy management and grid software come into play.

Think of the modern electrical grid as a massive transportation network. Power plants produce electricity, transmission lines move it across long distances, and local utilities deliver it to homes and businesses. Energy management software acts like the traffic control system, constantly monitoring conditions, forecasting demand, identifying congestion, and directing electricity where it is needed most.

Artificial intelligence is making these systems even more powerful. Advanced software can analyze weather forecasts, historical energy usage, electricity prices, and real-time grid conditions to predict demand hours, or even days, in advance. Utilities can then optimize power generation, charge or discharge battery storage systems, and reroute electricity before shortages or overloads occur.

The economic implications are significant. Smarter energy management can reduce operating costs, improve grid reliability, and minimize energy waste. It may also reduce the need for expensive emergency power generation during periods of peak demand. As electricity consumption continues to rise, these efficiencies could help utilities meet growing demand without building as much new infrastructure as would otherwise be required.

For investors, this represents another overlooked opportunity within the AI revolution. While software companies developing generative AI models dominate the headlines, the companies building digital tools for the energy sector may quietly become some of the biggest beneficiaries of rising electricity demand. Utilities, grid operators, and independent power producers are increasingly investing in digital platforms that automate operations, improve forecasting, and strengthen grid resilience.

How to Invest in Energy Management & Grid Software

1. Smart Grid & Energy Management Leaders: Companies developing the software and automation that help utilities forecast electricity demand, optimize power distribution, and improve grid reliability include Schneider Electric (SBGSY), ABB (ABB), and Siemens Energy (SMNEY).

2. Grid Infrastructure & Electrification: As AI drives electricity demand higher, companies building the physical infrastructure needed to modernize the electrical grid may benefit. Examples include GE Vernova (GEV), Eaton (ETN), and Quanta Services (PWR).

3. Utility Software & Digital Infrastructure: Enterprise software providers helping utilities manage assets, predict outages, optimize energy usage, and analyze grid performance include Oracle (ORCL), IBM (IBM), and Microsoft (MSFT) through its Azure cloud and AI platform.

4. Diversified ETF Exposure: Investors seeking broad exposure may consider ETFs focused on grid modernization and infrastructure, including the First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure ETF (GRID), Global X U.S. Infrastructure Development ETF (PAVE), and iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF (IFRA).

Tech Update

Danger of Low Frequency Noise from Data Centers

A while back we covered the dangers of electromagnetic frequency or EMF in this SC article.

Recently this online video of a citizen concerned about low frequency noise (LFN) from a proposed AI data center in her community caught my attention.  

Firstly, LNF is sound that is below the threshold of human hearing, which is below 20Hz. These sound waves are longer in nature and can penetrate solid objects including walls and the human body!

While you cannot hear LFN, it can have a profound and damaging impact on your body including:

Vestibular System Interference: It could impact your inner ear system which is responsible for hearing and balance, leading to sensations of dizziness, nausea, vertigo and result in motion like sickness.  

Cellular Impact: Emerging research suggests that LFN can affect the internal operation of your cellular mechanism potentially leading to oxidative stress or inflammatory responses.

Chronic Stress Response: Because the brain struggles to ignore or filter out persistent LNF it remains in a high state of arousal, triggering the release of stress hormones like cortisol, which can lead to fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

Cognitive Decline: Prolonged exposure to environmental noise is associated with reduced cognitive performance including memory, focus, and handling complex tasks.  

Sleep Disruption: LFN is a known disruptor of sleep quality which impacts cognitive issues and is linked to a higher risk of mood disorders, depression and anxiety.

How big of a potential concern is this you ask?

Right now there are about 4,500 active data centers in the US, with more than 700 currently under construction, including massive ones for AI. Unfortunately, almost 90% of them are presently located in urban or suburban environments. They are planning to build newer ones further away from populated areas but access to power and water then becomes a greater challenge.

When researching how safe a distance you need to be from LFN sources, the results vary and depend on how much LNF is being produced by the data center. Beyond 1 mile away seems like a safe bet but the further away the better IMO. 

Health Nuggets

American Diet in 1776

As we just eclipsed our 250th celebration of America, it’s interesting to compare the foods consumed back then to today.

Not surprising, food in 1776 was nutrient rich and healthier because of 3 main factors:

Minimal Processing: food was all natural, unlike the "ultra-processed" foods, artificial preservatives, and those infused with industrial seed oils as in much of today’s food supply.

Whole Foods: The diet relied on whole grains, seasonal vegetables, domestic and wild animal fats, which are generally associated with better metabolic health than today’s highly refined diets.

Micro-nutrients: Farm to table was the norm in 1776, and foods were rich in micro-nutrients as a result. Organ meats (offal) were a staple for working-class families, providing high concentrations of vitamins and minerals that are often missing from our modern diet.

As we covered in a past article, the US department of health inverted the food pyramid to get back to more natural eating. While novel in concept, it will take years before lifestyle changes catch up. It is interesting to look at these top 10 most eaten foods from 1776 and see a lot of parallels to the inverted pyramid:

Corn (Maize): The most ubiquitous crop, was used to make pudding, cornmeal mush, and johnnycakes. It was a staple survival food.

Pork: Often salted or smoked to last through the winter, it provided essential fats and protein.

Beef/Venison: Beef was a status symbol, but venison and other wild game were more accessible to many rural families.

Beans: A critical, shelf-stable protein source often grown alongside corn and squash.

Seasonal Vegetables: Root vegetables like turnips, parsnips, onions, and carrots were prized because they could be stored in root cellars.

Apples: Used in endless variations—dried, baked into pies, or fermented into cider.

Squash and Pumpkins: Highly versatile, easy to grow, and stored well, these were staples for stews and sides.

Salted/Preserved Fish: Essential for coastal colonies; cod and other fish were heavily salted to survive transit and storage.

Greens & Herbs: Seasonal greens (like kale or collards) were often wilted in animal fat, providing necessary vitamins when fresh food was scarce.

Small Beer & Cider: Low-alcohol beer (1-3% ABV) and hard cider was consumed daily by adults and children alike. Water sources were often contaminated, making fermented beverages the safer choice to drink.

Eat and drink up pilgrim!

Note: Health Nuggets are opinions and not medical advice.

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