Special Bulletin: September 24, 2025

Pennant Race, AI Race and the Human Race

This has been a very heavy month for many. For the human race in particular. The unconscionable, horrific murder on September 10th of Mr. Charlie Kirk will long be painfully remembered, as it should be. We grieve for Erika and his kids. We grieve for the young people of our nation. We grieve for those that are so callused about death (not to mention, law & order) that they actually celebrated the atrocity. Jesus once pleaded, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” 

A revival has been birthed. A revival that will have staying power. This attack wasn’t “National” it was “personal.” We have all had to wrestle with this deep inside of ourselves and God is not done with that work. Please pray about what the Lord would have you do to honor Charlie by living your life going forward in such a way as to love your enemies and glorify God.

It’s hard to focus on things that seem less important than life itself right now. But that’s what we have to do. In her great trial and time of hardship, Elizabeth Elliot famously said, “do the next thing.” That is probably what Charlie would have encouraged us to do, too.

Risks remain (in all of life, actually) and are rising, particularly in the stock market. As our Core Four shows, our signal was officially downgraded to yellow yesterday. Risk management is of the highest importance at this moment. But don’t be afraid. That only helps the devil and can hinder the abundant spiritual life Christ promises. Live fearlessly and boldly for Him! The Bible admonishes us to be as gentle as doves but as shrewd as a serpent. Apply that charge to every part of your life, even your finances.

Our Current Market Outlook was downgraded to “Uptrend Under Pressure” with a yellow light at the close yesterday, September 23rd, with the SPX at 6,656.92. Our Core Four currently sports 2 green, 1 yellow and 1 red light with a VIX that is over (and still rising) its key 50-day mav.

The rally is still intact but is starting to show signs of fatigue. Powell’s comments yesterday acted as a wet blanket and has caused a moment of reflection for traders on equity valuations. The stock market is heading into the historically volatile month of October. Continue to be on guard for a sharp downward move through the 21-day mav’s to set up a test of the 50-day mav’s on the major indexes. (FYI: At present, the S&P500 is 3% above its 50-day mav and the Nasdaq is 4.5%.)

A few weeks ago we wrote, “Several themes are emerging, some direct beneficiaries of the new Administration’s policies, and they will likely persist for 18 months or longer. Others may fizzle out. New themes will develop. Currently, the nuclear, aerospace and defense, financials, small and mid-sized companies and artificial intelligence, just to name a few, are working. The great Wayne Gretzky once said that his success was due to ‘skating to where the puck would go,’ and the same can be said for successful investors. But you have to be in the game and keep your head up and your eyes open to see the play develop in front of you.” That observation of current leadership really played out over the last few weeks in the form of big moves. With many of these sectors (and their related stocks) representing the leaders of this bull rally phase, watch them closely for clues as to when (if) the institutions begin to hit the “sell” button. Note: The AI infrastructure build-out race is on!

We are nearing October and the MLB pennant races are in full swing. I personally enjoy this time of year. For many years, one of my daughters and I would mathematically analyze our favorite team’s chances down the stretch and savor each game. (Go Cards!) Will this be the year that the Mariners finally make it to the World Series? Can any team dethrone the Dodgers? Will the Cubs win it all in honor of their late, great fan, Charlie Kirk? No matter the outcome, remember that the greatest race of all is the human race. Charlie knew that and loved them ALL well. Thank you, Jesus, for Your positive impact on our culture through him.

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves“

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”

Matthew 10:16 & 1 Peter 2:9 NASB 1995

Game plan: The road ahead of us may be difficult (personally, and as a society), but God is still on His throne and is in control. Stay alert. Pray for wisdom. Love your fellow image bearer. <><  Focus on the 21-day mav’s of the main stock market indexes as an immediate tell of a possible character change. Continue deploying capital in the areas that are being accumulated by the institutions- while practicing disciplined risk management. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6-7) and for conviction and unity in our country. 

Note: You can learn more about The Triumphant Core Four risk management system by clicking here.

Have a Triumphant day! ®