Jan 14, 2026 | By Dr. Scott Rodin | nd we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son. Romans 8:28-29 According to Romans 8, God’s purpose for our lives from the moment we were conceived is that we be conformed to the image of Jesus. It would seem logical that such a transformation would manifest itself in lives that look more and more like his. If that is God’s purpose for us, then it also ought to be our goal for our lives. And if our aim in life is to live in our world as Jesus did in his, then we should expect that our experiences with our world should be similar to those Jesus encountered. Further, the goals we set for our life, and indeed our measurement of success for how we have lived our lives should align with those of Jesus. This all may seem logical and straightforward; however, I believe too often our goals for our life are dramatically different, even directly contradictory to this alignment. Let me explain...

Jan 12, 2026 | By Dr. Brian Simmons | Transitions in life and especially careers can be stressful. They say hindsight is 20/20! Looking back over my career I can clearly see now that times of professional transition involve both a push and a pull. And, depending on the circumstances, these two forces vary in intensity.

Jan 6, 2026 | By Dr. Scott Rodin | January is a great month for those of us who like to think strategically. If your Strengths Finder puts you high on the Futuristic and Strategic scale, this is your month. As leaders, we can see January as a clean canvas upon which we can paint our big dreams, sketch out bold plans, and create a narrative for our ministry where we are bigger and more effective in carrying out our mission by December 2026. The temptation and danger in all of this big scale thinking and envisioning is that we develop plans that focus on quantum leaps. If our action plans are as big and bold as our dreams, we will too often stretch our capacity to execute beyond its limits. In a few weeks we see our plans fledgling and our team stressed. We get caught in the trap of believing we need to do things big and fast if we are to affect the change needed to realize big goals...

Dec 23, 2025 | By Dr. Scott Rodin | “When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” Luke 2:15-20 This Advent season our church looked at the questions asked by Zachariah, Elizabeth, Mary, and the Wise Men when they encountered a divine revelation by either angels or a star. A striking feature in this process was the one group of people who did not ask a question – the shepherds. In fact, as we look closer at the brief story of the shepherds on that first Christmas Eve, we find a wonderful example of how we might wish to celebrate this season. Having witnessed a magnificent manifestation of the glory of God through the angelic choir declaring the message of the newborn babe in Bethlehem, the shepherds made a sevenfold response. In Luke chapter 2, we see that the shepherd’s heard, believed, left, went, worshiped, rejoiced, and proclaimed. Here is what I believe we can learn from their story...

Dec 21, 2025 | By Dr. Brian Simmons | God entrusts to steward leaders time, treasure, talent and relationships. The most precious of these good gifts is relationships! As transformational steward leaders we are called to love and serve God by loving and serving others! And we often are called to be agents of change. Picture a room filled with the employees of the organization you lead. Now, picture the room as three questions are asked. First question… “Who wants change?” All hands go up! Second question, “Who wants to change? All hands come down! Final question, “Who wants to lead change?” The room is empty! Looking back over my career I have been called by God to either create something new or help existing organizations change.

Dec 16, 2025 | 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...

Dec 14, 2025 | By Dr. Brian Simmons | 2025… This past year was another BIG one for our family. We have experienced several significant transitions in life and ministry. We now have 15 grandchildren! Bonnie’s dad went to heaven, and Jared and I are working closely together to establish Lakeside Christian Academy scheduled to open in the Fall of 2026. I completed a very rewarding year as interim head of school at King’s Ridge Christian School where Tony Fajardo is now serving as head of school, and I am now serving for 11 months as interim head of school at Augusta Christian School...

Dec 10, 2025 | 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...