By Dr. Scott Rodin | In last week’s blog, we looked at how the manger can become a stumbling block because of its indictment of our sinful nature and our deep brokenness that can only be healed through the coming of God in the flesh. For those who don’t believe they need anyone to save them, or who carry too much anger to hear the message, the little babe in the manger will not bring hope, peace, or joy. This week we turn to the second truth that will cause so many to stumble over the manger; you cannot separate the cradle from the cross...

By Dr. Scott Rodin | I am looking out over our nativity on a snowy Spokane December morning. The ensemble is replete with wiseman, shepherds, donkeys, camels, sheep, an angel, an adoring Mary and Joseph, and of course at the center, a tiny manger enfolding a baby. The scene is quiet, peaceful. The words from the Carol come to mind, “Oh come, let us adore him, Christ the King.” Yet I am acutely aware that for so many in the world this baby Jesus does not bring quiet. He is not a source of peace. And He certainly is not a king to be adored. In fact, if we read our Bibles through the end, we know that this tiny infant grew up to be the most divisive figure in human history.

By Dr. Brian Simmons | I am in the fourth quarter of my life and career. My goal as I look ahead to the finish line is to finish strong as faithful steward leader seeking the purposes of the Lord for all He has SO graciously entrusted to my care. Following my retirement from higher education, I have taken on a new role. I have served twice now as an interim head of school for two different K-12 Christian schools. Prior to my first of two interim experiences, I also witnessed firsthand, as a university VP, the struggles of an interim university president. To state the obvious, an organization needs an interim leader if it has come through a rough spot. This rough spot may look like a failed search, firing of the previous head with surrounding fallout or similar circumstances. You get the idea.

By Dr. Brian Simmons | I know of a Christian organization that publishes a XYZ Today magazine for stakeholders. In a recent article a new Vice President was introduced. In preparation for the article, the VP was asked to name a person or two who was influential in his life. The media director called the mentor and included as a key component of the article details of the strong and loving relationship the VP and mentor share to this day...

By Dr. Brian Simmons | The work of a board is to provide effective governance for the organizations they lead as trustees (biblical stewards). A trustee is one whom has been given a trust. A steward is one whom has been given a trust. So, the two are (or at least can be) synonymous! Governance is the coming together of a group of appointed individuals to act as one for the purpose of guiding the organization of which they hold trusteeship toward the accomplishment of the school’s strategic initiatives, mission and vision guided by the school’s core values. The board is not to be single-person driven, committee driven or complaint driven. It is to exercise effective governance as leadership. The board is to create an organization with the right people doing the right things in the right way for the right reasons so that right results will be achieved to the glory of God...

By Dr. Brian Simmons | Reading these books on our 2025 cruise in Greece prompted me to consider many themes. The first of two letters begin with Paul writing to the believers in Corinth about the importance of unity in the church. Believers are to be of one mind united in thought and purpose (1:10). The other theme that should be characteristic of the body of Christ is love (I Corinthians 13). Paul then wrote about the theme that wisdom of the world is foolishness (1:20). Christ is the wisdom of God and the power of God. Human wisdom is at odds with the wisdom and power of God. Then, Paul began to address the primary theme of both letters to the Corinthians. They were still controlled by their sinful natures (3:3). Paul was writing to the church i.e. followers of Christ but they were immature believers needing the milk of the Word and not ready yet for the meat!

By Dr. Brian Simmons | Reading these books on our 2025 cruise in Greece prompted me to consider many themes. The first of two letters begin with Paul writing to the believers in Corinth about the importance of unity in the church. Believers are to be of one mind united in thought and purpose (1:10). The other theme that should be characteristic of the body of Christ is love (I Corinthians 13). Paul then wrote about the theme that wisdom of the world is foolishness (1:20). Christ is the wisdom of God and the power of God. Human wisdom is at odds with the wisdom and power of God. Then, Paul began to address the primary theme of both letters to the Corinthians. They were still controlled by their sinful natures (3:3). Paul was writing to the church i.e. followers of Christ but they were immature believers needing the milk of the Word and not ready yet for the meat!

By Dr. Brian Simmons | Reading these books on our 2025 cruise in Greece prompted me to consider many themes. The first of two letters begin with Paul writing to the believers in Corinth about the importance of unity in the church. Believers are to be of one mind united in thought and purpose (1:10). The other theme that should be characteristic of the body of Christ is love (I Corinthians 13). Paul then wrote about the theme that wisdom of the world is foolishness (1:20). Christ is the wisdom of God and the power of God. Human wisdom is at odds with the wisdom and power of God. Then, Paul began to address the primary theme of both letters to the Corinthians. They were still controlled by their sinful natures (3:3). Paul was writing to the church i.e. followers of Christ but they were immature believers needing the milk of the Word and not ready yet for the meat!

By Dr. Brian Simmons | Reading these books on our 2025 cruise in Greece prompted me to consider many themes. The first of two letters begin with Paul writing to the believers in Corinth about the importance of unity in the church. Believers are to be of one mind united in thought and purpose (1:10). The other theme that should be characteristic of the body of Christ is love (I Corinthians 13). Paul then wrote about the theme that wisdom of the world is foolishness (1:20). Christ is the wisdom of God and the power of God. Human wisdom is at odds with the wisdom and power of God. Then, Paul began to address the primary theme of both letters to the Corinthians. They were still controlled by their sinful natures (3:3). Paul was writing to the church i.e. followers of Christ but they were immature believers needing the milk of the Word and not ready yet for the meat!

By Dr. Brian Simmons | Photo by Bhumil Chheda on Unsplash As I prepared my heart for our shore excursion to ancient Ephesus this morning with Celebrity Cruise Lines I read the Book of Ephesians. What is God’s plan and purpose?  God’s plan is at the right time to bring ... read on