Devotional

Waiting on God

I had the opportunity to sit on a beach recently and watch and listen to the ocean.  It was calming to the soul.  At first I felt compelled to check my phone or read a book and even pray, yet I was prompted instead to just sit still and reflect on our Creator.  It made what I was experiencing so much more beneficial.  You get to know God better in moments like this.  

Have we lost the discipline of waiting?  We often associate the word ‘waiting’ with negative experiences, such as having to wait in traffic, wait at the DMV, wait for (fill in the blank).

Yet, Isaiah 40:31 tells us we should wait on God, implying it’s a positive thing to do.

We often think that waiting requires us to surrender time, as though it's ours to begin with and we have to give it up.  It is God that gives us the gift of time, so in reality we should consider it an honor to surrender ‘our’ God given time back to Him. 

There is even a reward for waiting on God…. we get strength for our body, soul and spirit.  In addition, God listens to us when we wait, as described in Psalm 40:1, “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.”

Sometimes waiting requires us to still our lives.  Psalm 46:10 instructs us to “Be still and know that I Am God.”   What a difficult discipline to do today.  

Learn to enjoy waiting on God and redeem time for stillness.  Find your virtual beach and dwell in your Creator's presence.

Financial Update

Outlook on Oil

As oil prices hover in the low-$60s per barrel range in late 2025, contrarian investors are eyeing what could be an opportune entry point. Several historical patterns and market indicators suggest oil may be positioned for a significant rebound.

Historical Cycles Point to Recovery

The Kitchin cycle theory suggests that the current energy market slowdown represents a mid-cycle soft patch, indicating that oil prices are likely to strengthen in the latter stages of the economic cycle.

Historically, oil has demonstrated cyclical trends, including the 2014-2015 price collapse due to oversupply, followed by eventual recovery. After periods of sustained low prices, the market typically self-corrects as high-cost producers exit and investment declines, setting up future supply constraints.

The Dollar Relationship has Changed

One of the most compelling indicators involves the shifting relationship between oil and the U.S. dollar. Historically, oil and the dollar maintained an inverse correlation, but since around 2021, this relationship has reversed—now when oil prices rise, the dollar often strengthens alongside them (AGBI European Central Bank).

Since the U.S. became a net oil exporter, a 10% increase in oil prices now correlates with roughly a 1.5% increase in the dollar's exchange rate, completely reversing the historical pattern. This means the U.S. economy now benefits from higher oil prices, fundamentally altering market dynamics.

Supply Signals are Bullish

As global inventories of petroleum remain below long-term averages, this means inventories could deplete quickly when economic momentum returns, potentially causing price spikes.

Additionally, U.S. shale producers are prioritizing capital discipline over output growth, a significant departure from previous boom periods (Investing News Network). This supply discipline prevents the oversupply that has historically crashed prices.

Prices are near production costs with WTI trading in the $55-$62 range as of October 2025. Prices have entered what analysts call "supply destruction territory" for high-cost producers. This creates a natural floor—prices can't stay low indefinitely without reducing future supply, which ultimately drives prices back up.

Economic Growth and Geopolitical Factors

World GDP growth rate changes can explain fluctuations in oil prices. As global economic growth accelerates—particularly in major consumers like China and India—oil demand will follow.

Additionally, the current price lacks a significant geopolitical risk premium despite ongoing tensions. Any disruption could quickly add $10-20 per barrel, creating asymmetric upside potential.

The Bottom Line

Today's oil market presents a classic contrarian opportunity. Prices near production costs, supply discipline, low inventories, and transformed dollar relationships all point toward a market that has overcorrected to the downside.

Investors entering now may be positioning themselves at the bottom of the cycle—precisely when the greatest fortunes in commodity investing have historically been made.

Tech Update

Refuse to Share Your Biometric Data

The title is pretty definitive and I hope it caught your attention.

Lately, there has been an increase in companies and services starting to add or require your biometric data for security and login.  I just received a notice from my local electric provider, as an example, and recently Chase announced that it would be mandatory for all employees to enter their new NYC office.

What is biometric data?

Biometric data is any measurable physical characteristic or behavioral pattern that identifies an individual. The most common one is your fingerprint, which you know to be unique to every human being God created. In addition, physical biometrics include facial features, eye details (iris or retina), and palm prints.  On the behavioral side, voice recognition is the most common in use today for authentication.

What is the danger of it being stolen?

Biometric data can be hacked just like any other digital information.  Biometric data breaches are becoming more frequent, and are estimated to impact up to 1 Billion by the end of 2025.  However, what makes it worse is that unlike passwords that can be changed, your unique biometric identifiers cannot. You cannot change your fingerprint and you cannot change your iris. Once biometric data is stolen, it becomes a permanent threat for the rest of your life.  

What can I do to prevent or limit giving away?

You have options today to limit giving away your biometric data, but the more you do the more adoption will eventually lead to mandatory usage.  Some governments are starting this push as we shared in the last newsletter, what is happening in the U.K.  A few examples today where you can limit include:

• At US airports TSA entry, you have the option to decline your photo being taken.

• You do not have to use facial recognition on iPhone or devices, nor do you need to link it to access other Apps and services.

• You do not need to use your palm print to checkout at Whole Foods or other retailers.

• You can opt out of voice recognition for verification for your banking services.

You should also opt out when asked for your biometric data as services will try to push it on you by default.

Be wise about your biometric data and all other forms of digital ID.  Seek God’s wisdom in this as you would anything else in life.

Health Nuggets

Salt - Have We Been Lied To?

Everything we’ve been told about salt may be a lie, for example: “low-salt = healthy heart”; “salt causes high blood pressure and heart failure.” The results: salt restriction is the real killer. A study found that low sodium INCREASES your risk of death by 34%. Salt got roped into this scam, and people have suffered as a result. Research showed that drastic salt restriction only dropped blood pressure by ~1%. Meanwhile, patients in hospitals receive 10x the daily sodium limit via IV sodium chloride - with no spike in blood pressure. Yes, salt can trigger fluid retention in heart failure patients but what they don’t tell you:  too little salt is often worse.

Low salt = low energy. Studies show that low sodium causes fatigue, dizziness, and insomnia; it increases risk of atrial fibrillation and rapid heart rate; and it contributes to chronic fatigue and POTS. Your brain and heart need sodium. 15-20% of hospital patients have low sodium - it’s actually a common reason for hospital admissions. 

Your blood is an electrical suspension of particles.  Sodium helps keep everything flowing smoothly. This is called zeta potential. Too little salt and your blood cells start clumping; blood circulation slows; sludge and clots form.  Have you ever binged on salty processed food and felt terrible the next day? That’s your zeta potential crashing. Refined salt lacks the minerals your body needs, and it often contains chemicals that actually hurt your blood’s flow dynamics. 

NOT ALL SALT IS THE SAME! The type of salt matters…a lot! Be careful with Pink Himalayan Salt and Celtic Sea Salt from sketchy suppliers (may contain microplastics). Avoid refined table salt and salty processed foods as much as possible.  Here’s an article recommending the right salt to use, and a good resource to check out:  midwesterndoctor.com

Note: Health Nuggets are opinions and not medical advice.

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