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Coach Bill Robinson shares his journey from growing up in Ocean City, New Jersey to becoming the Head Coach at Milligan University.After a Hall of Fame playing career at Kings College (NY) be quickly moved up the coaching ranks. He remained at his alma mater for two years serving as an Assistant Coach for the men's basketball program as well as the Head Coach for the baseball program.Coach Robinson then had a GA stint at UT Tyler before accepting the Head Coach position at LeTourneau in 1996. He led them to their only winning season in 20 years. Following that season he moved onto Montreat College where he was at the helm for 12 seasons.During his last 10 years at Montreat, the Cavaliers won an average of 18 games per season, had four 20-win seasons, won an Appalachian Athletic Conference regular season championship, two AAC tournament championships and made two appearances at the NAIA Tournament.Milligan hired Coach Robinson in 2009 and he's currently in his 17th season as their Head Coach. was named Coach of the Year for the 4th time in his career in just his second season at Milligan. To date, he's won over 200 games at Milligan and has led them to the NAIA Tournament three times.Coach Robinson became a published author when he penned the book "Carolina Basketball School", which detailed the legendary University of North Carolina's summer basketball camp. He has worked camp for over two decades.
Dr. JP Novin and Dr. Paul Maurer discuss AI's growing impact on the workforce and education, with Dr. Maurer, President of Montreat College, emphasizing that AI is reshaping learning from K–doctorate and poses the greatest risk to “knowledge workers,” as defined by Peter Drucker. Dr. Maurer explains Montreat College's response, including developing a theological position on AI to affirm the distinction between humans and technology, promoting AI literacy through responsible use, and launching an AI minor under the college's nationally recognized Center for Cyber Security Education and Research, designated a Center of Academic Excellence by the NSA in 2017. He underscores that Montreat's mission in higher education is to form human beings with character and wisdom, framing challenges like AI and cybersecurity as fundamentally human issues and suggesting that AI may push higher education back toward core liberal arts principles—especially learning how to ask truly meaningful questions.
JIM WILDER has been training leaders and counselors for over 27 years on five continents. He is the author of nine books with a strong focus on maturing and relationship skills for leaders. His coauthored book Living From the Heart Jesus Gave You has sold over 100,000 copies in eleven languages. Wilder has published numerous articles and developed four sets of video and relational leadership training called THRIVE. He is currently executive director of Shepherd's House Inc., a nonprofit working at the intersection of brain science and theology, and founder of Life Model Works that is buidling contagiously healthy Christian communities through equipping existing networks with the skills to thrive. Dr. Wilder has extensive clinical counseling experience and has served as a guest lecturer at Fuller Seminary, Biola, Talbot Seminary, Point Loma University, Montreat College, Tyndale Seminary and elsewhere.
Today's podcast kicks off a new series, running through November 3rd, and concludes with Dr. Karl Lehman. This 6-week series focuses on identity, attachment, wounds, lament, and securing our attachment in Christ, not your marriage.In this episode of Neurodiverse Christian Couples, hosts Dan and Stephanie welcome back neurotheologian Dr. Jim Wilder for a deep dive into identity formation, attachment, and the brain, especially as it relates to neurodiverse individuals and marriages. Dr. Wilder explains how our identity develops from infancy through adolescence, highlighting key brain regions (like the orbital prefrontal cortex, corpus callosum, and mirror neuron system) and how they contribute to our sense of self and our ability to connect with others. He discusses what happens when these developmental processes are disrupted or different — as is often the case in autism, ADHD, and other developmental differences — and how this affects relationships, emotional regulation, and group belonging. The conversation explores: How attachment and caregiver attunement in infancy shape emotional identity.Why the adolescent brain shifts focus from Who am I? to Who are my people? — and how failing to find a “herd” can impact identity.The biological and neurological reasons why change (especially in neurodiverse individuals) takes time, encouragement, and community rather than just “trying harder.”Why accountability in the traditional sense often fails, and how a supportive group offering healthy correction is much more effective for growth and transformation.How autism impacts the identity center of the brain and its implications for marital relationships This episode sets the stage for a series on identity and attachment, touching on grief, resilience, and sacred attachment, with upcoming guests offering complementary perspectives. If you're curious about how brain development, faith, and neurodiversity intersect — especially within marriage and community — this episode provides both insight and encouragement. About Our Guest Dr. Jim Wilder:Dr. Jim Wilder has been training leaders and counselors for over 30 years on five continents. Jim grew up in South America and is bilingual (English/Spanish). He is the author of nineteen books with a strong focus on maturity and relational skills. Dr. Wilder has served as a guest lecturer at Fuller Seminary, Biola, Talbot Seminary, Point Loma University, Montreat College, Tyndale Seminary, and elsewhere. Dr. Jim Wilder has extensive clinical counseling experience and is the chief neurotheologian of Life Model Works, a nonprofit working at the intersection of theology and brain science. Life Model Works builds on the fifty-year legacy of Shepherd's House, which began in the 1970s as a ministry to street kids in Van Nuys, California. In those early days, Jim worked with the team of volunteer counselors and Fuller Seminary faculty to build a counseling center to help broken people recover from negative habits, addictions, abuse, and trauma. By the 1990s, Jim was Assistant Director and later Executive Director of Shepherd's House, helping hundreds of pastors and churches with their toughest counseling cases. Jim was intimately involved in 1987 when Shepherd's House conducted a careful review of why some people with the same level of trauma and treatment recovered, but others did not. The results of this case-by-case study became The Life Model, a new recovery model. The Life Model study findings were published in Living from the Heart Jesus Gave You. Other podcasts we referenced:Escaping Enemy Mode Podcast:https://www.spreaker.com/episode/escaping-enemy-mode-with-dr-jim-wilder--52449734 What is LifeModel?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOcc2QJ0tTg Fear Bonds and Love Bonds with Dr. Wilderhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/fear-bonds-love-bonds-and-q-a-with-dr-jim-wilder--57526192 Dr. Wilder's Books for 2026 CoursesLife Passages of MenGrowing a More Human Community
Welcome to the Grizzly Den on the SDH Network! In this episode, Madison Crews caught up with Head Coach Steve DeCou and Mike Giuliano to preview the upcoming season for the Grizzlies. Georgia Gwinnett Men's Soccer program opened the 2025 season with a 2-0 victory against Campbellsville University (Kentucky) in the Dalton State Classic in Dalton, Georgia yesterday. Maddie talked to Steve DeCou about that match and preparing for their last match in the Dalton State Classic against Brescia University (Kentucky) on Saturday at 11 a.m. GGC's Women's Soccer team start the 2025 season tomorrow as they get ready to face Montreat College in Black Mountain, North Carolina, starting at 5:30 p.m. Maddie also talked to Head Coach Mike Giuliano to talk about preseason and getting his team ready for the 2025 season!
Dr. William Forstchen is the author of over 50 books, including One Second After and the John Matherson series, which have been on the New York Times bestseller list for over 8 years and are currently being made into a movie. He has also co-authored three Civil War novels with Newt Gingrich. Forstchen is a professor of history at Montreat College and a subject matter expert on national security threats, EMPs, history, and current affairs. This episode is brought to you by Weekly Wealthy Wisdom, Bryan's free weekly newsletter with his latest insights and discoveries on well-being. Subscribe at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/8HtkZbP
Dr. Ben Carson hosts Dr. Paul Maurer, President of Montreat College, to explore the intersection of faith, education, and leadership in today's world. Dr. Maurer shares his journey of becoming the leader at Montreat during challenging times faced by the institution. He discusses the transformative strategies implemented to rejuvenate its mission and reputation. Focusing on how Christian education can equip young people for moral leadership and cultural engagement, Dr. Maurer delves into how Montreat College has strengthened its academic programs such as the introduction of a pioneering cybersecurity program; a program that brings Montreat national recognition. They also discuss the broader implications of Christian liberal arts education in a secular world, addressing the spiritual awakening among youth and the critical role of moral values in contemporary education.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Ethereal Encounters Unveiled welcomes William R. Forstchen, Ph.D Date: March 7th, 2025 Topic: EMP Attacks: What Happens When the Grid Goes Dark? BIO William R. Forstchen is a New York Times bestselling author and a Professor of History at Montreat College in Montreat, North Carolina. He holds a doctoral degree from Purdue University with a specialization in military history and technology. He is the author of more than 50 books. His groundbreaking novel, One Second After, published in 2009, is credited by many with being integral to the start of the “prepper movement” by raising national awareness of the potential threat of an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) strike. He, along with other experts on terrorism and the military situation in the Middle East, also firmly believes that it is time America took serious note of the threats leveled by ISIS: that we are their next target and that it is not a question of if. It is now a question of when. A noted expert historian and public speaker, he has been interviewed on FOX News, C-SPAN and many others on topics ranging from history to technology and cultural issues, space technology development, and security threats. Links: https://www.onesecondafter.com/ https://dayofwrathbook.com/
You can’t Hustle your way to Holiness … GUEST Alexander Sosler … assoc professor of Bible and ministry at Montreat College and an assisting priest at Redeemer Anglican Church, Asheville, NC … author of “A Short Guide to Spiritual Formation: Finding Life in Truth, Goodness, Beauty, & Community,” the 2024 winner of Christianity Today’s Christian Living Book of the Year. Race, Science & Christianity … GUEST Dr Sy Garte ... biochemist who has taught at NY Univ, the Univ of Pgh, and Rutgers Univ ... He's the author of "The Works of His Hands: A Scientist's Journey from Atheism to Faith," “Science & Faith in Harmony: Contemplations on a Distilled Doxology,” and the upcoming “Beyond Evolution”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
You can’t Hustle your way to Holiness … GUEST Alexander Sosler … assoc professor of Bible and ministry at Montreat College and an assisting priest at Redeemer Anglican Church, Asheville, NC … author of “A Short Guide to Spiritual Formation: Finding Life in Truth, Goodness, Beauty, & Community,” the 2024 winner of Christianity Today’s Christian Living Book of the Year. Race, Science & Christianity … GUEST Dr Sy Garte ... biochemist who has taught at NY Univ, the Univ of Pgh, and Rutgers Univ ... He's the author of "The Works of His Hands: A Scientist's Journey from Atheism to Faith," “Science & Faith in Harmony: Contemplations on a Distilled Doxology,” and the upcoming “Beyond Evolution”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss the strategy behind President Trump's tariff policy. They also talk about the results of Secretary of State Marco Rubio's trip to Panama and Elon Musk's mission to defund the Agency For International Development (AID). Plus, they chat about the Democratic National Committee electing new leadership. Then finally, Tom speaks with William R. Forstchen, a New York Times bestselling author and a Professor of History at Montreat College about the threat of electromagnetic pulse weaponry.
About the Lecture: Pig Butchering, a slang Chinese term for the process of “fattening the pig before the slaughter”, has become synonymous with crypto investment scams. Investment scams have become the most costly cyber-enabled crime reported to the FBI, with reported losses exceeding $4.5B. Across the globe, some studies estimate losses over $63B. In this discussion, we will differentiate between investment scams and Pig Butchering scams, and also learn about the implications to national security and global security from Pig Butchering and its ties to organized crime and nation state threats. About the Speaker: Robin J. Pugh is the President of DarkTower, a bespoke threat intelligence firm that leverages University partnerships and research to provide managed threat intelligence services to industry leaders in banking, insurance, law enforcement, and ecommerce. DarkTower focuses on disrupting internet-enabled crime and training the next generation of cybercrime fighters. In 2023, Robin brought together a team of cybercrime fighters and launched Intelligence for Good, a non-profit organization whose mission is to address the explosion of internet-enabled crimes against individuals including crypto investment scams, romance scams, sextortion and other crimes with “no natural predator.” Robin received her degree in Business Administration from Montreat College and resides in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area with her husband and three children.
In this special episode of How to Study the Bible, Nicole connects with friend of the show Rachel Toone, Dean of Spiritual Formation at Montreat College, who shares her experiences during Hurricane Helene, which hit her area in Western North Carolina. Rachel describes the devastation, including 25-30 inches of rain, downed power lines, and flooded rivers that washed out roads and homes. She highlights the community's resilience, with local churches providing essential aid. Rachel emphasizes the long-term needs, including continued support for vulnerable communities and infrastructure rebuilding. She requests prayers and assistance for the coming months, stressing the importance of not forgetting the affected area as the news cycle moves on. How You Can Help Hurricane Recovery Efforts: Montreat College Benevolence Fund:https://montreatcollege.givingfuel.com/disaster-recovery-from-tropical-storm-helene Volunteer or Give to Disaster Relief through Samaritan's Purse Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
President of Montreat College, Paul Maurer joins the show to describe the devastation of the areas around the school and how the college is helping the community and itself get back on its feet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This episode is presented by Simply NC Goods – The best-selling author and Montreat College professor, Dr. Bill Forstchen, joins me from Black Mountain, NC to discuss the conditions in the small Western North Carolina town. The aftermath he is living through is reminiscent of his apocalyptic novel One Second After. WBT's relief & recovery links: How to Help: Donate to Support Recovery Efforts in Western North Carolina After Tropical Storm Helene A Western NC disaster relief agency: Hearts With Hands Help Pete's team in the Walk to End Alzheimer's by going here. Subscribe to the podcast at: https://ThePeteKalinerShow.com/ All the links to Pete's Prep are free: https://patreon.com/petekalinershow Advertising inquiries: Pete@ThePeteKalinerShow.comGet exclusive content here!: https://thepetekalinershow.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As Associate Dean & Chair of Business at Montreat College's School of Adult and Graduate Studies, Dr. Paul Gratton is in a perfect position to help coaches think about how to develop their business, as well as give their clients a template for designing the client's business. Paul takes us through all nine areas of the model: Key activities Key resources Key partners Value Propositions Customer segments Channels Customer relationships Cost Structure Revenue Streams Here is a link to a Business Model Canvas template. You can hear more from Paul on our previously released podcasts: 278 Thirteen Competencies Required for Starting Your Own Practice with Paul Gratton - Part 2 277 Thirteen Competencies Required for Starting Your Own Practice with Paul Gratton - Part 1 243 Complex Systems with Paul Gratton FOLLOW US: LinkedIn:http://www.linkedin.com/company/coach-approach-ministries Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coach.approach.ministries Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@coachapproachministries7538 Website: www.coachapproachministries.org
Christian colleges and universities are in a tough spot. Spiraling costs and shrinking demographics, plus technological and other cultural concerns, are putting unprecedented pressure on them. We've reported on the closures of many Christian colleges here at MinistryWatch, and our reporting has barely touched the magnitude of the problem. According to Higher Ed Dive, at least 116 colleges have closed since 2016. Between 2010 and 2020, 29 Christian colleges closed or merged with other schools. On today's extra episode, Warren Smith discusses what is happening at Cornerstone University, Montreat College, and LeTourneau University – and what we can learn from these institutions. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. Until next time, may God bless you.
IN THIS REPEAT: A talk I gave in early April 2016 about a running theme in The Screwtape Letters. I just gave the following talk on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at the Inklings Fellowship Weekend Retreat that was held in Montreat, NC at Montreat College. It was also the public debut of my first book C.S. Lewis Goes to Hell: A Companion and Study Guide to The Screwtape Letters. While I do give a summary of the unique aspects of my book, the main focus of the talk is about the devils' secret weapon that is mentioned in nearly all of the letters. My book just list them, but this presentation provides more details and gives a practical application to one's life. Visit my website to contact me about giving this talk or a three or four part presentation on all of the places this weapon is mentioned or alluded to. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Paperback of C.S. Lewis Goes to Hell Kindle of C.S. Lewis Goes to Hell Visit Shelley and Son Books Website (podcast sponsor) Other Useful Links: Knowing and Understanding C.S. Lewis YouTube CHANNEL Listen to All About Jack on iTunes Purchase C.S. Lewis Goes to Hell Visit ScrewtapeCompanion.com Visit EssentialCSLewis.com Purchase The Misquotable C.S. Lewis
This episode is presented by Carolina Readiness Supply – Dr. William Forstchen is a historian, NY Times best-selling author, and a professor of history at Montreat College. He joined the program for a tribute to the heroes who stormed the beaches of Normandy 80 years ago on this date. Subscribe to the podcast at: https://ThePeteKalinerShow.com/ All the links to Pete's Prep are free: https://patreon.com/petekalinershow Get exclusive content here!: https://thepetekalinershow.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rachel Toone, the Dean of Spiritual Formation at Montreat College and an Ordained Teaching Elder in the EPC preaches from the Lectionary while Lead Pastor Anthony Rodriguez is away on a mission trip in India.
Hello everyone and welcome to Episode Ninety Six! And while we're at it, I hope you all remain safe and healthy out there. It's the last Sunday in April which means that this is the last episode in Season Four – we start Season Five on the first of May and I should have a show out around the middle of May, after I return from a trip to Suriname. And as always, I am grateful to all the show's patrons who help to keep the show moving forward. And if you're out there listening and you would like to kick in a few bucks, it's easy to do, you simply go to the So Much Pingle Patreon page. You can support the show for as little as three bucks a month – less than a fancy cup of coffee! You can also support the show via one-time contributions via PayPal or Venmo (please contact me via email to somuchpingle@gmail.com). HERPETOLOGY CAMP FOR HIGH SCHOOLERS! Don't forget, Professor Josh Holbrook will be hosting another herpetology camp this year at Montreat College in North Carolina, The first week will be held June 23-28, 2024, and an extension will be held June 16-21, 2024 (the week before). For more information, see the Herpetology Camp link at www.montreat.edu/compass This episode is the last set of origin stories that I recorded on my second Peru trip in February of this year. Starting us off is a conversation with Dane Conley, followed by a tag-team interview with Lucas Dunn and Brady McGowan. Thanks guys! It was good to talk with you all! Thanks for listening everyone! And as always, please keep the comments and suggestions coming, and please take time to rate the show on your podcast platform! The show email is somuchpingle@gmail.com, and there's also a So Much Pingle group on Facebook, for discussion, comments, feedback, suggestions, herp confessions, tips for herping better, etc. -Mike
Hello everyone! In January and February we will be replaying a few of our favorite episodes from 2023 as we prepare to launch season 7 in March! We hope you enjoy! — — — — Happy Wednesday! This week, we are releasing an episode with Rachel and today's guest— Alexis Zanias. Lexi shares about her faith journey, her love for educating students, and her love of questions and research. She talks about embracing the unknown, the importance of truth, and understanding definitions. Lexi shares five things that defined Christians in ancient Rome, and Rachel and her chat about the Bible and its authority. They also discuss deciphering what may be the voice of God and what may just be our own voice. We hope you enjoy! About Alexis Alexis Zanias grew up near Allentown PA. She attended Grove City College, where she received a degree in Biology/Secondary Education. Lexi has her Masters in Environmental Science Education from Montreat College in NC. For the past 14 years, she has been a secondary high school science and Bible/apologetics teacher in Asheville NC. Before that she taught in Fort Lauderdale, FL and worked at Black Forest Academy, a boarding school for missionary kids in Germany. When she has a break from teaching during the school year, Lexi loves to fill up her summers. She worked with Summit Ministries for 9 summers at Student Conferences in TN, CA, PA and GA. Lexi currently works in the summers for MAVEN as a field guide on their Immersive Experiences. She loves spending time with Jesus, good discussions, Ultimate Frisbee, Lady Grey Tea, deep laughter and digging into good books. - - - - - We would love to thank our Patrons for all their amazing support! To learn more about supporting Finding Something REAL via Patreon, click here! If you are interested in supporting the Finding Something REAL fundraising campaign, you can head to the webpage and click on the orange donate button. To learn more about Faithful Counseling and if it is a good fit for you, you can click here! If you would like to receive Janell's 7 Deep Faith Questions resource click here! FSR October 2023 - Rachel's Intro FSR October 2023 - with Paul Copan FSR October 2023- with Douglas Groothuis Maventruth.org Rosaria Butterfield Jesus Revolution Movie Midnight Mass - Netflix miniseries Romans 5:8 ”…But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 10:9 ”…If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Ephesians 2:10 ”For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Montreat College Steve talks to Paul Mauer, President of Montreat College, about the college and how we should try to promote homeschooling. Our goal is to apply Biblical Truth to the big issues of the day and to spread the Good News of the Gospel to as many people as possible through the airwaves as well as digitally. This mission, like others, requires funding. So, if you feel led to help support this effort, you can make a tax-deductible donation online HERE. Thank You!
Join us in this insightful episode of the XLR8 Performance Lab Podcast as we sit down with Jackson Mace-Maynard, a talented athlete whose journey from high school star to college athlete is filled with twists and turns. Jackson's story is one of resilience, tough decisions, and unwavering determination.As a high school junior, Jackson's breakout race left a lasting impression, attracting the attention of colleges across the country. He ultimately chose the Air Force Academy, setting his sights on a promising collegiate career. However, as life often does, it threw unexpected challenges his way.Jackson faced injuries during Basic Cadet Training, forcing him to reevaluate his path and take a break from running. Balancing 18 credit hours, rehab, and military training wasn't easy, and he reached a point where he needed to step back from the sport he loved.In this episode, Jackson shares the mental and emotional challenges he encountered during his lowest moments and how he made the difficult decision to step away from running. He describes the shift in his perception of running, from a source of self-improvement to an idol in his life, shedding light on the complex relationship athletes can have with their sport.Now at Montreat College, Jackson contemplates putting his running shoes back on, and he discusses the support he's received from his coach and the Montreat College community. His story is a powerful reminder that life's journey is filled with unexpected twists, and it's how we adapt and grow through these challenges that truly defines us.Whether you're an athlete facing tough decisions or someone seeking inspiration in the face of adversity, Jackson's story offers valuable insights and lessons. Tune in to this episode for an engaging conversation about resilience, transformation, and the enduring spirit of an athlete.
Dan and Stephanie set this podcast up with their podcast on Jan 2nd and Jan 16th of 2023. You will want to review this podcast before you hear today's podcast on escaping enemy mode. We took questions from our listeners and those in our coaching courses based on Wilder's work.Some questions that came in:How is attachment and hesed related?How is attachment related to enemy mode?What is a fear bond, and if you have PTSD or have been damaged by a relationship, can you achieve a love bond?What parts of the brain have neuroplasticity? What can be learned for those on the spectrum?More questions answered!NDCCs are easily dragged into enemy mode- simple enemy mode, stupid enemy mode, and intellectual enemy mode. Our brains can unite or divide us. Join us for this discussion with Dr. Jim Wilder.You will want to go back and hear our podcast "Are you in your right mind?" which sets the stage for this conversation.Today we will talk about how those on the autism spectrum, due to neurological wiring, are more easily dragged into enemy mode. But we will also talk about JOY and how to escape enemy mode to re-friend and rebuild attachment/joy.About Dr. Wilder:Dr. Jim Wilder has been training leaders and counselors for over 30 years on five continents. Jim grew up in South America and is bilingual (English/Spanish). He is the author of nineteen books with a strong focus on maturity and relational skills. Dr. Wilder has served as a guest lecturer at Fuller Seminary, Biola, Talbot Seminary, Point Loma University, Montreat College, Tyndale Seminary, and elsewhere.Dr. Jim Wilder has extensive clinical counseling experience and is the chief neurotheologian of Life Model Works, a nonprofit working at the intersection of theology and brain science. Life Model Works builds on the fifty-year legacy of Shepherd's House, which began in the 1970s as a ministry to street kids in Van Nuys, California.In those early days, Jim worked with the team of volunteer counselors and Fuller Seminary faculty to build a counseling center to help broken people recover from negative habits, addictions, abuse, and trauma. By the 1990s, Jim was Assistant Director and later Executive Director of Shepherd's House, helping hundreds of pastors and churches with their toughest counseling cases.Jim was intimately involved in 1987 when Shepherd's House conducted a careful review of why some people with the same level of trauma and treatment recovered, but others did not. The results of this case-by-case study became The Life Model, a new recovery model. The Life Model study findings were published in Living from the Heart Jesus Gave You.
Happy Wednesday! This week, we are releasing an episode with Rachel and today's guest— Alexis Zanias. Alexis shares about her faith journey, her love for educating students, and her love of questions and research. She talks about embracing the unknown, the importance of truth, and the importance of definitions. They chat about the five things that defined Christians in ancient Rome, the importance of biblical authority, and common criticisms against Biblical authority. They also chat about deciphering what may be the voice of God wand what may be our own voice. We hope you enjoy! About Alexis Alexis Zanias grew up near Allentown PA. She attended Grove City College, where she received a degree in Biology/Secondary Education. Lexi has her Masters in Environmental Science Education from Montreat College in NC. For the past 14 years, she has been a secondary high school science and Bible/apologetics teacher in Asheville NC. Before that she taught in Fort Lauderdale, FL and worked at Black Forest Academy, a boarding school for missionary kids in Germany. When she has a break from teaching during the school year, Lexi loves to fill up her summers. She worked with Summit Ministries for 9 summers at Student Conferences in TN, CA, PA and GA. Lexi currently works in the summers for MAVEN as a field guide on their Immersive Experiences. She loves spending time with Jesus, good discussions, Ultimate Frisbee, Lady Grey Tea, deep laughter and digging into good books. ----- We would love to thank our Patrons for all their amazing support! To learn more about supporting Finding Something REAL via Patreon, click here! If you are interested in supporting the Finding Something REAL fundraising campaign, you can head to the webpage and click on the orange donate button. To learn more about Faithful Counseling and if it is a good fit for you, you can click here! If you would like to receive Janell's 7 Deep Faith Questions resource click here! FSR October 2023 - Rachel's Intro FSR October 2023 - with Paul Copan Maventruth.org Rosaria Butterfield Jesus Revolution Movie Midnight Mass - Netflix miniseries Romans 5:8 ”…But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 10:9 ”…If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Ephesians 2:10 ”For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Montreat College? Steve talks to people at the Christian Ethics Conference about Montreat College. Are you a right fit for Montreat? Our goal is to apply Biblical Truth to the big issues of the day and to spread the Good News of the Gospel to as many people as possible through the airwaves as well as digitally. This mission, like others, requires funding. So, if you feel led to help support this effort, you can make a tax-deductible donation online HERE. Thank You!
[00:00:00] Tommy Thomas: A strong board of directors is essential to the success of any non-profit organization. The board of directors plays a critical role in providing guidance, oversight, and support for the organization's mission and operations. There is no cookie-cutter or one-size-fits-all when it comes to Nonprofit Board Governance and Board Service. However, there is a lot we can learn from people who are active on the Boards of high impact and highly effective nonprofit organizations. Over the past 104 issues, we have devoted a lot of time to this topic. From time to time, we will highlight excerpts from some of these conversations. Today is the 3rd time we are compiling these excerpts. I will have links to the previous two episodes in the Episode Notes. Christin McClave has over 20 years of corporate leadership, beginning her career with Johnson & Johnson and serving in senior leadership in her family's large automotive aftermarket business – Cardone Industries. Christin has served on and continues to serve on several nonprofit and corporate Boards. I've been in this business a long time and I've worked with probably 300 or 400 boards, over the last 30 years. And if I look at them, I would say a lot of the time they're males. They might be closer to my age than your age. And now things are changing. So, what are you seeing, or maybe what are you doing to lower the mean age on a board and to maybe bring more gender and ethnic diversity? [00:01:43] Christin McClave: So, I think we see a lot of changes in the general demographics, right? As our society and culture are changing. The positive thing is there's so much more diversity coming up through the leadership ranks. And I think the traditional way that we've, I'll say we, because I've done it myself as well, when we've needed a new board member on a board, I instantly think about who have I worked with before? Who's like me, who thinks like me, who would be easy to plug and play into this board that I'm on? And so that's been our traditional way of pipelining onto boards. Let's find people who we know and who we know could be very quickly successful and contribute value to this board. I think what we've learned over the last couple years is that doesn't necessarily bring diversity to these boards that we are trying to diversify. And we've seen the pressure coming from the public sector the SEC, not quite regulations, but suggestions that we need a certain percentage of diversity on the public boards. And there's a lot of pressure in the market for that. And then that has trickled down its way to nonprofits and to the private sector. So, everyone is looking to diversify their boards at this point. And I think, a key piece of the job requirements that we have in the past always assumed on larger boards, I'll say. And most boards in general, everybody's wanted, okay you need to have a CEO or CFO or a C level executive. But preferably a CEO or CFO who's been in the chair before. And I've had people say that to me as well, that's what they're looking for. And I think we know just from sheer data that a lot of women and diverse candidates in general haven't had those opportunities. We are definitely developing that pipeline now and being very much more intentional. But I think like through the past few years and now looking at the talent market being as hot as it is and the demand for diverse talent we have, we are at the place we need to take a look at those very narrow criteria that we've said, oh, you have to be a C-level executive to be on a board and to be able to contribute value. And I think, now I've seen a lot more being written, a lot more being talked about, diversity coming onto boards where I'm reading someone's background and I'm like, wow, that is so cool. Maybe 10 years ago that person wouldn't have been chosen for that very significant board seat. So, I think we've opened up our criteria and have opened up our thought process and how we see people's experiences. We're looking at people's resumes really differently these days. From an HR perspective in internal, when we're screening candidates we took the requirement of having a college degree off of our requirements, probably, about 10 years ago, which was a little bit ahead of our time, but it just opened up our talent pool and we realized there are a lot of people out there that may not have a bachelor's degree but are way more experienced with their life and work experience that we were not being able to tap into because we had that very strict requirement. So, I think we're seeing that across the board at all levels, including at the board level. +++++++++++++++++++++++ [00:05:34] Tommy Thomas: Alvin Sanders, President & CEO of World Impact, a nonprofit that focuses on redemptive poverty and cultural proficiency in the urban community. Alvin and his Board are huge proponents of the Policy Governance Model - an integrated board leadership paradigm created by Dr. John Carver. I'm asking people these days about bringing younger people onto boards. And philosophically, do you have a position on that? And then I'll ask a follow up. [00:06:10] Alvin Sanders: Yes, we try to hold it at nine, because we think a smaller board is better for getting things done. And I think in terms of thirds, a third of our board, we want gender diversity, a third of our board, we want age diversity, a third of our board, we want racial diversity. And then we want half and half, what I would say, marketplace people. These are business folk, and then the other half ministry people. Because if you have all marketplace people, the ministry gets lost. It's been my experience. And if you have all ministry people, the business of running the organization gets lost and it loses knowledge and expertise. So that's my philosophy of how you have you bring a board together. But you definitely need people, especially since I just read the other day that millennials now are the most dominant generation numbers wise. It's no longer Baby Boomers. It's never been my generation, Gen X. We're the forgotten generation, I think. Nobody gives a rip about Gen X, but Millennials now are it and you're just being silly if you don't have Millennials on your board. ++++++++++++++++++ [00:07:23] Tommy Thomas: Caryn Ryan, Managing Director at MissionWell, an organization that provides financial and strategic counsel to nonprofit organizations. Caryn is the former CFO for BP/Amoco and World Vision International. She currently serves on corporate and nonprofit Boards. I want to ask you one question then I'll close. So, my next to the last question has to do with succession planning and the board. At what point should that begin to occur? And how does the board address that without the CEO thinking “I'm a short-timer”? [00:08:04] Caryn Ryan: Okay. Yeah, that's great. I'm dealing with that right now at one of the boards that I sit on. And I've just dealt with that last year as well. And it works both ways if it works all, all different ways. So let me just talk about one where the CEO does get the feeling. If you have this conversation that they're a short timer. I want to just say first of all, that can sometimes go back to the trust issue again, right? When there's a lack of trust between the board and the CEO then, and you bring up the succession of the question of succession planning, the first thing that goes of course into the CEO's mind is, oh, I'm getting fired. I'm a short termer here. So that has to again, be addressed, the trust issue, before you can have productive conversations around succession planning. But even longer term issues are going to take some time to get resolved. There's something you can always do on the succession plan that's very short term and that every single board must have in place. And that is you need a succession plan in case of an emergency. If your CEO becomes ill is hit by a bus, or whatever, you need an emergency succession plan that is an interim structure or very well thought through way that you'll manage in the absence of the CEO. And usually, it's not going to bring out the same negative feeling for the CEO. On the part of the CEO because they understand that, oh yeah, if I'm not there, we need to have some interim structure. And so, they'll begin helping the Board and thinking through, look, okay, if something happens to me, let's make this person on our staff the interim, or let's pull this Board Member out and see if they'll be the interim. Or they'll start to engage in the ideas for how that could work in interim a structure. And as long as you can get that interim structure put in place and everybody's in agreement that it's workable, that then gives a chance during the interim structure for the Board to go out and begin doing a search to find a replacement candidate. Regarding succession planning for a Founder – S/he just might not be willing to step aside. They might have created a whole lack of number twos in the organization who can step in, even in an emergency. It just may not be anybody. So that's a different situation where the board needs to probably, in addition to working on trust, which can be very difficult with the founder. You might be off the board if you start having those kind of conversations. But what you can do as a board is do your research. How would you do a search? You can get your research done on executive search firms who could step in and help you. You can just keep in mind, and Tommy, you're the one who should be telling your podcast listeners this, but it's a long process to do a search. You've got to set up a search committee. You got to figure out how you're going to recruit the person. You've got to have an approach. You have to execute it, you have to review the candidates. It's just really time consuming. You at least have to think through all of these, how that's a minimum thing, even if it's a founder situation. I'd say two things. Number one, for sure, have an interim emergency succession plan, no questions asked. That's an absolute minimum mandate for every board. And number two, if you're on a founder board, you have to do some special extra work along the side with networking, quiet networking, just to figure out the process and figure out how you would do, how would you do that if something did happen to your founder, if your founder's not willing to participate or help with that. Does that make sense? ++++++++++++++ [00:11:33] Tommy Thomas: Rich Stearns, President Emeritus at World Vision US. Prior to joining World Vision, Rich was CEO for multiple organizations in the private sector, thus reporting to their Boards. He cut his teeth on nonprofit Board Governance as President of World Vision US. When I interviewed you back in 2017 you mentioned that from your perspective, the best thing that the World Vision Board did for you when you came on was you recalled an offsite retreat where y'all got introduced to each other. Could you share a little bit about that with us? I think we probably have a lot of up and coming CEOs listening and that might be an interesting discussion. [00:12:14] Rich Stearns: Yeah, I don't know how much that costs. Probably not much, but it was the best money World Vision ever spent. When I came into World Vision the Board and the CEO had what I'd call a turbulent relationship. He wasn't thrilled about his board and the way they behaved, and the Board wasn't thrilled about him in certain ways. And so, I was coming into kind of a troubled marriage, right? You could say there'd been a divorce, and I'm the new husband coming in. And so, the Board had enough wisdom to say, you know what, we should start off on the right foot here. Why don't we hire a board consultant to come in and do a two-day retreat with a new CEO to teach the Board and the new CEO, how best they should interact and communicate with one another. So, a friend of yours and mine named Bob Andringa, he's retired now, but he was in the Board consulting business. He's written at least one book, if not several. He came in and he conducted a Board Governance 101, 102 course for all of us. And gave us tools to use and dealt with different scenarios of here are the dos and don'ts for Board Members. Here are the dos and don'ts for the staff and the CEO. Here is the best way to understand your responsibility as Board Members. This is what your responsibility is, and this is what your responsibility is not. This is the role you play. This is the role you don't play. And same with a CEO, Rich, your role is this the board's role is to establish policy. I guess the best way to say it is it laid down the ground rules for a healthy relationship. And I don't think it's an exaggeration to say I had a 20-year honeymoon with my board. Not that there weren't an occasional, marital argument over the years. But it was like a 20-year honeymoon with the board. And I respected them, they respected me. My staff, when I first started, after a year, they said, boy, you've had a one-year honeymoon with this board. It's amazing. Because they'd seen some of the dysfunction in the prior years. And 20 years later, they were still saying you're still on your honeymoon. And I in terms of my response, what I attribute it to, is what I talked about earlier, Tommy, that the board knew they could trust me. I would never tell them a lie. I would never hide anything. I was completely transparent. Anything they wanted to talk about at a board meeting, we could talk about. Any numbers they wanted to see, we'd show them. If I had some bad numbers, I'd bring them to the board and say, look, this is not good, and here's what we're going to do. They never felt I was hiding anything. And so that created trust as well. [00:15:03] Tommy Thomas: One of the guys that you've influenced over the years is Joe Mettimano at Central Union Mission. And when I interviewed Joe there, he talked about a lesson he learned from you about the president's report to the board. He would attribute part of his success to what he learned from you there. Tell us about that. [00:15:22] Rich Stearns: I started every board meeting with a president's report. So, the Board is gathered, in the case of World Vision they've flown in from all over the country, and here they are at the World Vision board meeting and remember, they're all volunteers, some are pastors, some are business people. They're from all walks of life and so I tried to use the President's Report to basically bring them up to speed on what was going on at World Vision. What were the important issues? What were we doing about the important issues? How are the finances doing? I tried to answer as many questions as they might have in advance. Because the rest of the board meeting, the finance committee was going to meet and other committees were going to meet. And I tried to use the President's Report to cast a bit of a vision for where we were as an organization, where we're headed, what my outlook was for the coming year or the coming quarter. And I try to use the Board Meeting to really cast a vision to remind them of the mission of World Vision. Often, I would start with a trip report. I've just gotten back from the Syrian refugee crisis, and I want to tell you what I saw. I would remind them, we're sitting here in a nice boardroom, but people are dying all over the world. And our job is to intercede for them to help them to rescue those who are perishing as the book of Proverbs says. And so, trying to remind them why they were here, why World Vision was here and then look under the hood at, the financials, the numbers, the revenues, the overhead, and you had to deal with issues like real estate transactions and mundane stuff like that. I wanted to always to put it in the context of the bigger mission, vision and values of the organization. My President's Report would sometimes go 90 minutes to two hours which is a lot. But usually, the board would say that was the highlight of the meeting because that really brought them up to date on everything. +++++++++++++++= [00:17:16] Tommy Thomas: Paul Maurer, President at Montreat College. Paul is a student of Board Governance and identifies as a “governance nerd”. Paul is on his second college presidency and has learned a lot – some through the school of hard knocks about effective Board Governance. And a lot of people that I talk with, there's a move toward lowering the mean age of the board and increasing diversity. What kind of experience have y'all had at Montreat around those issues? [00:17:45] Paul Maurer: We're intentionally trying to increase diversity. We've not found that to be an easy pathway, but we are we are committed to it. And on age I would just gently push back on the median age lowering. I'm very much of the Aristotelian camp that young people have less wisdom. And part of what you want for board members is wisdom. Wisdom comes with experience, and experience comes with age and the hard knocks of life and just the journey of life with gray hair and getting beat up occasionally. And I want younger people on the board, but that's less common. They're actually very hard to get on the board because they're less qualified candidates in my view, and they're uber busy with career and family. So, the young members, the 30 somethings, I have on my board, I have two of them. They're like up to their eyeballs, four or five kids each, they're CEOs or leaders in their own rights and rising in the ranks. And these people have large portfolios and enormous demands on their time. Then my 70- and 80-year-olds, and I even have a 91-year-old board member who I recruited at the age of 87. And he said to me, he said, Paul, what if I die? And I said, Bill what if I die? We're all going to die. You've got a lot of gas left in your tank. You've got enormous amount of wisdom. And you may have others who think that you're too old to be a board member. I don't think that at all. And if a day should come when your health has slipped, your metro capacities have slipped, we'll have that conversation and we'll have it openly and honestly. Honestly the seventies, eighties, and 90-year-old trustees I have are easily among my best trustees. They're phenomenal. [00:20:04] Tommy Thomas: Let's change over a little bit to the board aspect of being a president. What was the biggest adjustment that you had to make between, say, reporting to the CEO as a cabinet member and then as the President reporting to the Board? [00:20:20] Paul Maurer: Yeah, it's a great question. I'm a bit of a governance nerd. I really think about and study governance. I did that in my doctoral work. I do it as a college president in nonprofit governance. And so, the president needs clarity. What is the role of the board? What is the role of the president? What's the role of the relationship and what's the role of everyone else on campus in relationship to the board? And so, in the world of board governance, there are working boards and there are policy boards. Startups tend to have working boards, like true startups, like really small organizations. More established organizations. If they haven't transitioned to a policy board, they probably ought to consider doing so. Because you don't really want a board involved in the operations of an organization. And so, I'm deeply grateful that my board gave me the lead role in board development, meaning recruitment of new board members, training of board, the board policy manual. And we have a great board today, and they really understand that the board should not be involved in operations. That's the CEO's job but should be sure that they're being fiduciaries, that they're making sure there's a strategic plan that's being carried out their success along the way and that they manage or evaluate. They don't manage, they evaluate the presidents. They hire and fire the president, the CEO. I do think that my argument would be that it's more important for a President to be a CEO than a President. The President is, as I think of a bit of an old model for college leadership, it's rooted in what I think is not a very useful model of shared governance. I think the CEO is a better model, but you also need a CEO who's sensitive to campus dynamics and the idea that consensus really matters. And a consensus building CEO I think is the best model, but I think that the CEO also needs to be the CUO - the Chief Urgency Officer. Because things are changing so fast. Links & Resources JobfitMatters Website Next Gen Nonprofit Leadership with Tommy Thomas Two Previous Best of Board Governance Episodes: 2023 – Best of Board Service Part 1 2023 – Best of Board Service Part 2 Episodes Featuring These Excerpts Christin McClave – Insights into Board Governance Rich Stearns – President Emeritus World Vision US – An Inauspicious Leadership Journey – Part 2 Alvin Sanders – Board Governance Caryn Ryan – Board Governance Paul Maurer – Board Governance Connect tthomas@jobfitmatters.com Follow Tommy on LinkedIn
IN THIS REPEAT: A chat with Drs. Don King and Hal Poe on writing. What can a person learn about how to improve one's writing from C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien? That was the subject Dr. Don King and Dr. Hal Poe addressed in a session I moderated to kick off a Creative Writing Festival held for high school students at Montreat College on March 31, 2017. This was held just prior to the start of and apart from the Inklings Fellowship Weekend Retreat. At the last minute it ended up being recorded and the results were better than expected, so I thought I'd share the enjoyable time I had with Don and Hal chatting about Lewis and Tolkien in relation to writing. Note that below is are links to an online list of Lewis' works as well as a handout that Dr. King makes reference to that you might find useful. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ See List of Lewis' Writings (online) Handout from Dr. Don King (download Word file) Visit Inklings Fellowship Website Listen to Previous Interviews with Dr. Don King Listen to Previous Interviews with Dr. Hal Poe Listen to C. S. Lewis and the Art of Writing (Dr. Corey Latta) Purchase Lewis Books on Amazon Listen to All About Jack on iTunes Purchase C.S. Lewis Goes to Hell Visit ScrewtapeCompanion.com Visit EssentialCSLewis.com Purchase The Misquotable C.S. Lewis
The Dean of Spiritual Formation at Montreat College, Rev. Rachel Toone, continues our series through the book of Mark. This week, narrowing in on Mark 9:14-29. Our apologies for the poor audio quality for the first half of the message. It improves tremendously midway through.
In this podcast episode, Douglas Coleman welcomes Dr. William R. Forstchen, a best-selling author and professor at Montreat College. They discuss the current heatwave in Las Vegas and then delve into Dr. Forstchen's book series, "One Second After," which focuses on the devastating impact of an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack. Dr. Forstchen explains the consequences of an EMP attack, including the potential death of 80 to 90% of Americans within the first year. They also discuss the vulnerability of modern society and the importance of being prepared. The episode concludes with information about Dr. Forstchen's latest book and a lighthearted moment between the host and guest.For more information about the One Second After series, please visithttps://www.onesecondafter.com/The Douglas Coleman Show now offers audio and video promotional packages for music artists as well as video promotional packages for authors.Please see our website for complete details. http://douglascolemanshow.comIf you have a comment about this episode or any other, please click the link below.https://ratethispodcast.com/douglascolemanshowPlease help us to continue to bring you quality content by showing your support for our show. https://fundrazr.com/e2CLX2?ref=ab_eCTqb8
EMPs and One Second After Series with William Forstchen, Ph.D. Military historian William R. Forstchen, Ph.D., considers himself an optimist by nature, even though he has written extensively about the catastrophic impact of an EMP strike and has spent nearly two decades urging national and local governments to heed his warnings. Widely considered one of the foremost experts on EMP attacks, Forstchen is the New York Times bestselling author of the One Second After series, a fictional exploration rooted in the cold, solid facts of how an EMP strike above U.S. soil would impact society. There are now four books in the series, which should give people hope that survival is possible, with the right measures and mindset in place. William R. Forstchen has a Ph.D. from Purdue University with specializations in Military History and the History of Technology. He is a Faculty Fellow and Professor of History at Montreat College. He is the author of fifty books including the New York Times bestselling series One Second After, the Lost Regiment series, and the award-winning young adult novel, We Look Like Men of War. He has also authored numerous short stories and articles about military history and military technology. For more information visit: www.onesecondafter.com *************************************************** For more information about BITEradio products and services visit: http://www.biteradio.me/index.html To view the photography of Robert at: rpsharpe.picfair.com
On this episode of Good Money, Tho is joined by Tate Fegley of Montreat College. Dr. Fegley talks about his lectures from Mises University on policing, AI, and the deep state, and the important topic of economic calculation that connects the three. In the final segment, Tho looks at the economics of college football in the aftermath of FSU's threat of secession from their conference. Good Money listeners can order a special $5 book bundle that includes How To Think About the Economy and What Has Government Done to Our Money? with free shipping using promo code "GoodMoney" at Mises.org/Good Receive a free subscription to The Austrian magazine at Mises.org/Magazine
Marti Sementelli is a female baseball player who received a baseball scholarship from Montreat College in North Carolina in 2011. Marti has 13 years of International experience with the USA Women's National Baseball Team, where she has won a GOLD medal in 2015 (Canada, Pam American Games), two SILVER medals in 2012 & 2014 (Canada & Japan, World Cup) and two BRONZE medals 2008 & 2010 (Japan & Venezuela, World Cup). She was the recipient of the "Best Pitcher Award" in the 2008 Japan World Cup. Shelby Estocado has been an athlete all her life and played for Team USA as a member of the National Baseball Women's Team in 2016. On February 23, 2020, she suffered an accident while snowboarding at Lee Canyon near Las Vegas. After losing control on a jump and landing on her back, Estocado broke her sternum and T-6 vertebrae resulting in a serious spinal cord injury and paralyzing her from the chest down. Though the way Estocado participates in sports has changed, her drive, athleticism, and competitive nature have not. After a long road to recovery, with various levels of rehabilitation and lots of hard work, she now has her sights set on the Paralympic games with hopes to compete in skiing and basketball. The High Fives Foundation is an adaptive sports foundation focuses on preventing life-changing injuries and provides resources and hope if they do happen. Learn more: https://highfivesfoundation.org/
Marti Sementelli is a female baseball player who received a baseball scholarship from Montreat College in North Carolina in 2011. Marti has 13 years of International experience with the USA Women's National Baseball Team, where she has won a GOLD medal in 2015 (Canada, Pam American Games), two SILVER medals in 2012 & 2014 (Canada & Japan, World Cup) and two BRONZE medals 2008 & 2010 (Japan & Venezuela, World Cup). She was the recipient of the "Best Pitcher Award" in the 2008 Japan World Cup. Shelby Estocado has been an athlete all her life and played for Team USA as a member of the National Baseball Women's Team in 2016. On February 23, 2020, she suffered an accident while snowboarding at Lee Canyon near Las Vegas. After losing control on a jump and landing on her back, Estocado broke her sternum and T-6 vertebrae resulting in a serious spinal cord injury and paralyzing her from the chest down. Though the way Estocado participates in sports has changed, her drive, athleticism, and competitive nature have not. After a long road to recovery, with various levels of rehabilitation and lots of hard work, she now has her sights set on the Paralympic games with hopes to compete in skiing and basketball. The High Fives Foundation is an adaptive sports foundation focuses on preventing life-changing injuries and provides resources and hope if they do happen. Learn more: https://highfivesfoundation.org/
This week, we're wrapping up our time in the Sermon on the Mount – a part of scripture that is rich, profound, and full of depths to plumb. In a world that can make us feel ambivalent, this is what Jesus wants us to know about following him. WHAT DOES IT SAY? Our verses this week are Matthew 7:13-14: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Is this a passage about salvation? How do I know if I have found the road? This passage lends itself to a lot of questions. WHAT'S THE BACKSTORY? Psalm 1 – Jesus is bringing us back to this psalm – we can see how this sermon might be an expounding on this Psalm. Deuteronomy 30:19 – “I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse, therefore choose life…” Jesus would be speaking to people who understand the law and sets up two choices just like this verse does, blessings vs curses. WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Our fruit is evidence of our salvation or lack thereof. Success is not the same as fruit. The unsparkly faithfulness and obedience are what looks like attractive fruit to him. WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME? Are you bearing fruit for the kingdom? Not the fruits of this world (success, wealth, fame) but the steady persevering fruit that makes you planted like a strong, sturdy oak tree. Are you bearing the aroma of Christ? Are people drawn to Christ because of you? If you feel like you are incapable of doing this, you might be just where God wants you. The invitation is generous and inclusive – anyone who comes to me, Jesus says – will have eternal life. ABOUT RACHEL: Rev. Rachel Toone joined Montreat College in July 2018 as the Dean of Spiritual Formation. She holds a B.A. in Theology from Whitworth University, an MDiv. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and she is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program at Trinity School for Ministry. Rev. Toone is an ordained teaching elder by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. When she is not working, Rev. Toone enjoys traveling, hiking, and reading old books. RESOURCES: Nicole's Book: Help My Bible Is Alive! Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.com FOLLOW NICOLE: Website: https://nicoleunice.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleuniceInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In Matthew 7, Jesus speaks of not judging others, of not giving away what is holy to dogs, and of seeking and asking the Father for help. These three points, when taken together, create a powerful message about how we should live our lives. This is the passage of scripture that liberates the church from experts. It's not too hard to interpret, but it's challenging to truly apply and live it out. WHAT DOES IT MEAN? First, Jesus speaks of not judging others. He says, “Do not judge so that you may not be judged, for with the judgment you make, you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get” (Matthew 7:1-2). This is a reversal of our natural tendency – to be lax on ourselves and critical of others. But Jesus wants us to believe the best in others. This is a reminder to us all that we should not be so quick to judge others. We should be careful to not be hypocrites, and instead, look at our own flaws before we point out those of others. Second, Jesus speaks of not giving away what is holy to dogs. He says, “Do not give what is holy to dogs and do not throw your pearls before swine or they will trample them underfoot and turn and maul you” (Matthew 7:6). This is a reminder to us to be careful about how we share our faith with others. We should not be so quick to share our beliefs with those who may not understand or appreciate them. Finally, Jesus speaks of seeking and asking the Father for help. He says, “Ask and it will be given to you. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives” (Matthew 7:7-8). This is a reminder to us that we should not be afraid to ask for help. We should not be afraid to turn to the Lord for guidance and strength. WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME? 1. God wants to give good gifts, just full stop. When you come to Him in prayer, he wants to give you gifts. When you come to Him each day, He wants to give you gifts. Every day is ripe with the possibility of good gifts. What gifts is God giving you today? We often approach God as if I'm trying to get my act together. I'm trying to clean myself up. And God's saying, listen you love your children no matter what state they're in. Don't you think I love you so much more than that? 2. Are you loving others the way you want others to love you? The golden rule: in everything, do to others as you would have them do to you, for this is the law and the prophets. This might require some creativity. What do you want someone to do for you? And are you willing to do that thing? ABOUT RACHEL: Rev. Rachel Toone joined Montreat College in July 2018 as the Dean of Spiritual Formation. She holds a B.A. in Theology from Whitworth University, an MDiv. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and she is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program at Trinity School for Ministry. Rev. Toone is an ordained teaching elder by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. When she is not working, Rev. Toone enjoys traveling, hiking, and reading old books. RESOURCES: Nicole's Book: Help My Bible Is Alive! Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.com FOLLOW NICOLE: Website: https://nicoleunice.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleuniceInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jesus consistently shows us the importance of authenticity. And not in a cheap social media way; he wants the person on the inside to match the person on the outside. He wants your prayer life, your generosity, your spiritual disciplines, everything to be consistent inside and out. In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks to what is one of the most defining and important habits and practices, which is how we deal with money and how we deal with our anxieties, two closely related things. WHAT'S THE BACKSTORY? Matthew 6:22-23 might throw you off simply because that's he's using a Jewish expression. He's talking about how the eyes are the lamp of the body. If your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. And if it's unhealthy or dark, you'll be body will be full of darkness. In this kind of Jewish idiom, a good eye meant you were generous, and a bad eye meant you were stingy. WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Jesus links money and anxiety. How we spend money shows what we do and do not trust. We have more but are less happy than ever before. Nothing is more anxiety-producing than trying to put your identity in external things that you cannot control. Jesus addresses this issue in his teachings on money and anxiety, calling us to focus on internal factors like connection and belonging, rather than external validation. Ultimately, dealing with money and anxiety is a heart issue, and we need to address the underlying causes of our anxiety to find true security and happiness. WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME? What are your “What shall we's”? Our need for security and validation can only be met by God. He is the only one who can truly provide us with a sense of peace and assurance. Jesus tells us to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). In doing so, we will be directing our energy towards what is most important—our spiritual growth and investing in the kingdom of God. We can trust that God will provide all we need. God cares about us and our needs. He knows what we need and He is eager to provide it. We can trust Him to take care of us and provide for us. This is why Jesus tells us not to worry, but to put our trust in God. He will provide all we need. What promises of God do you need to cling to? The Bible is full of reminders of God's care and provision – which do you need to cling to? In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” This is a reminder that even if we feel like we can't do something, God is with us and will provide. In Romans, we are reminded that “there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus.” This is a reminder that God loves us and will never leave us. In 1 John, we are reminded that “perfect love drives out fear.” This is a reminder that God's love is perfect, and He will always be with us. Consider the birds and the lilies. When we look around us, we can see God's care in action. He has provided us with the beauty of nature and the wonders of the world. He has created a world full of life and beauty, and He has provided us with the means to enjoy it. We can take time to appreciate the beauty of nature and the wonders of the world, and to remember that God cares for us and provides for us. ABOUT RACHEL: Rev. Rachel Toone joined Montreat College in July 2018 as the Dean of Spiritual Formation. She holds a B.A. in Theology from Whitworth University, an MDiv. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and she is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program at Trinity School for Ministry. Rev. Toone is an ordained teaching elder by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. When she is not working, Rev. Toone enjoys traveling, hiking, and reading old books. RESOURCES: Nicole's Book: Help My Bible Is Alive! Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.com FOLLOW NICOLE: Website: https://nicoleunice.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleuniceInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Context: This is King Jesus' Inaugural address. He starts with who belongs in the kingdom of God and builds on that to describe what those people are like on the outside (salt and light) and on the inside. Now, Jesus turns up the temperature – this is some of the hardest ethical teachings in world history. WHAT DOES IT SAY? “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” – Jesus means not only everything already spoken in the OT law, but also what he is about to discuss. Cf Galatians 3:24-26 24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. 26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith… “Until everything is accomplished” – cf Matthew 24:34: 34 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. WHAT DOES IT MEAN? What's the role of the OT in the lives of Jesus' followers? We read ALL of Scripture through Jesus. He is the hermeneutical key – he is the one through whom we interpret the Bible through. God is consistent. What God desires for flourishing in the OT is the same in the NT. Jesus is fully interpreting the law, not changing it. WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME? Read the OT! You will understand Jesus and your faith in new ways through it! Jesus raises the bar on how precious humanity is. ABOUT RACHEL: Rev. Rachel Toone joined Montreat College in July 2018 as the Dean of Spiritual Formation. She holds a B.A. in Theology from Whitworth University, an MDiv. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and she is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program at Trinity School for Ministry. Rev. Toone is an ordained teaching elder by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. When she is not working, Rev. Toone enjoys traveling, hiking, and reading old books. RESOURCES: Nicole's Book: Help My Bible Is Alive! Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.com FOLLOW NICOLE: Website: https://nicoleunice.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleuniceInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Salt and Light make everything better. Do you make every room better that you come into? Want more from Nicole? Sign up for Nicole's free newsletter: nicoleunice.com/realtalk WHAT DOES IT SAY? Matthew 5:13-16: 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Properties of Salt and Light: Two normal things that most people like and have around them. Specific Properties of Salt: A mineral that our bodies need. Makes bland food good. It amplifies all other flavors around it Specific Properties of Light: Illuminates what is around you. You're not looking at the light, you're looking at what the light is shining on. WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Questions to ask the text: What Does it Mean That God's People Are Salt and Light? We are useful in the kingdom of God. “You are the Light of the World” Cf John 8:12 – Jesus says he is the light of the world. We are called to be like Jesus! WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME? Questions to Self-Examine Yourself With: How does the world experience you? How do you show up in a room? Are you making your environment better? The motive is NOT “I've got to level up, I've got to be better” – the call is “Man, look what God has done, I want to opt into that.” Lord, help us be aware of what it means to be a citizen in the kingdom of Heaven. ABOUT RACHEL: Rev. Rachel Toone joined Montreat College in July 2018 as the Dean of Spiritual Formation. She holds a B.A. in Theology from Whitworth University, an MDiv. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and she is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program at Trinity School for Ministry. Rev. Toone is an ordained teaching elder by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. When she is not working, Rev. Toone enjoys traveling, hiking, and reading old books. RESOURCES: Nicole's Book: Help My Bible Is Alive! Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.com FOLLOW NICOLE: Website: https://nicoleunice.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleuniceInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Nicole and her friend Rev. Rachel dive into Matthew 5 together and discuss the implications of the greatest sermon ever told. For now, the invitation is just to read the Sermon of the Mount. Let it sit with you. Don't worry about perfect understanding. Over the coming weeks, we will dive deep and unlock interpretation and application. Want more from Nicole? Sign up for Nicole's free newsletter: nicoleunice.com/realtalk WHAT IS THE BACKSTORY? Let's set the context for the sermon of the mount. What happens right before chapter 5? (How to Study the Bible Tip) When you don't understand a phrase in scripture, often you can use cross references to get a better sense of what is going on. Matthew 4:23: “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. Jesus is sharing the good news of the kingdom, and how you access that kingdom. He is embodying it before he explains it. He is reversing everything that sin and death have done by going into these villages and healing the sick. He is giving people back whole life in this action, and then he switches to teaching about what full life looks like in him. Matthew is writing to Jews. He is building directly on important Old Testament references. The cross-references will help you interpret Matthew correctly! The listeners would have made connections between what Jesus was preaching and their knowledge of Moses' law and the themes of the Prophets. The first words out of his mouth would have alluded to the Psalms. So the whole of the Old Testament – the Law, the Prophets and the Wisdom writings – are all packed in. Read Psalm 1 as a key connection to what it means to be blessed in the kingdom of God. WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Blessed – clearly, blessed means something different here than it does in our current, Instagram hashtag way of describing it. In Psalm 1, the Hebrew word for blessed means going the right way. We are blessed when we are going the right direction into the kingdom of God. Jesus reframes what it means to go the right way. The grace and sweetness of Jesus' assurance: Jesus' calling is pointing to an attitude of the heart more than an action step. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ME? The invitation of the beatitudes: don't turn away from God when you're weary, worn and broken. We want to avoid the disposition of desperation, but that is where Jesus meets us. ABOUT RACHEL: Rev. Rachel Toone joined Montreat College in July 2018 as the Dean of Spiritual Formation. She holds a B.A. in Theology from Whitworth University, an MDiv. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and she is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program at Trinity School for Ministry. Rev. Toone is an ordained teaching elder by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. When she is not working, Rev. Toone enjoys traveling, hiking, and reading old books. RESOURCES: Nicole's Book: Help My Bible Is Alive! Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.com FOLLOW NICOLE: Website: https://nicoleunice.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleuniceInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. Sarah Waters spoke on “Sacrifice in The Lord of the Rings” at the Inklings Weekend in Montreat on April 2, 2023. The theme of the weekend was “The Legacy of J.R.R. Tolkien Fifty Years After His Death.” Inkling Weekend in Montreat is an annual event in Montreat, NC at Montreat College hosted by Drs. Hal Poe and Don King. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Watch the VIDEO of the Talk: Visit Sarah Waters' Academia Page https://buckingham.academia.edu/SarahWaters Contact Sarah via email: sarah.waters (at) buckingham.ac.uk Other Posts/Shows with Sarah Waters: https://essentialcslewis.com/?s=Sarah+Waters [PODCAST] Essay Chat #20 – Hamlet: The Prince or the Poem? (Sarah Waters) https://essentialcslewis.com/2020/11/14/podcast-essay-chat-20-hamlet-the-prince-or-the-poem-sarah-waters/ Inklings Fellowship Website https://www.uu.edu/societies/inklings/ OTHER TOLKIEN-RELATED LINKS: Discussion of Tolkien Biopic (Glyer and Dickieson) https://allaboutjack.podbean.com/e/discussion-of-tolkien-biopic-glyer-and-dickieson/ Writing Tips from Lewis and Tolkien (King and Poe) https://allaboutjack.podbean.com/e/writing-tips-from-lewis-and-tolkien-king-and-poe/ Colin Duriez – Tolkien in Wartime https://youtu.be/yKbszxMsN4c All About Jack Podcast: https://allaboutjack.podbean.com/ Essential C.S. Lewis website: https://essentialcslewis.com/ THE MISQUOTABLE C.S. LEWIS. https://amzn.to/2IUTJBr C.S. Lewis Goes to Hell https://amzn.to/2BfStXh
Christ-Centered Higher Education Steve talks to Dr. Paul Maurer who is president of Montreat College in North Carolina. They talk about college and cybersecurity. Our goal is to apply Biblical Truth to the big issues of the day and to spread the Good News of the Gospel to as many people as possible through the airwaves as well as digitally. This mission, like others, requires funding. So, if you feel led to help support this effort, you can make a tax-deductible donation online HERE. Thank You!
On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy and CLT's Director of Homeschool Partnerships Kimberly Farley are joined by Dr. Paul Maurer, President of Montreat College in Montreat, NC. They discuss President Maurer's academic interests, the mission of Montreat College, and his work to strengthen the institution's Christ-centered identity. They also discuss Montreat's COMPASS Summer Program for high school students interested in various fields of study at Montreat.
Dan and Stephanie set this podcast up with their podcast on Jan 2nd. You will want to review this podcast before you hear today's podcast on escaping enemy mode.NDCC's are easily dragged into enemy mode- simple enemy mode, stupid enemy mode and intellectual enemy mode. Our brains can unite or divide us. Join us for this discuss with Dr. Jim Wilder.You will want to go back and hear our podcast "Are you in your right mind?" which sets the stage for this conversation.Today we will talk about how those on the autism spectrum due to neurological wiring are more easily dragged into enemy mode. BUT we will also talk about JOY and how to to escape enemy mode to refriend and rebuild attachment/joy.About Dr. Wilder:Dr. Jim Wilder has been training leaders and counselors for over 30 years on five continents. Jim grew up in South America and is bilingual (English/Spanish). He is the author of nineteen books with a strong focus on maturity and relational skills. Dr. Wilder has served as a guest lecturer at Fuller Seminary, Biola, Talbot Seminary, Point Loma University, Montreat College, Tyndale Seminary and elsewhere.Dr. Jim Wilder has extensive clinical counseling experience and is the chief neurotheologian of Life Model Works, a nonprofit working at the intersection of theology and brain science. Life Model Works builds on the fifty-year legacy of Shepherd's House, which began in the 1970s as a ministry to street kids in Van Nuys, California.In those early days, Jim worked with the team of volunteer counselors and Fuller Seminary faculty to build a counseling center to help broken people recover from negative habits, addictions, abuse, and trauma. By the 1990s, Jim was Assistant Director and later Executive Director of Shepherd's House, helping hundreds of pastors and churches with their toughest counseling cases.Jim was intimately involved in 1987 when Shepherd's House conducted a careful review of why some people with the same level of trauma and treatment recovered but others did not. The results of this case-by-case study became The Life Model, a new recovery model. The Life Model study findings were published in Living from the Heart Jesus Gave You.
Interview with Blake Lattimore of Montreat College.
With the increase in both personal and national security threats, cybersecurity has become a major cause of concern in our culture. Moreso, the need for qualified, ethical workers to fight these threats is at an all time high. Paul J. Maurer, president of Montreat College, has been equipping his students to do just that. Through their cybersecurity program, Montreat aims to train their students with a technical, ethical, and moral framework necessary to become trusted leaders in the cybersecurity field. Paul will join us to help us better understand this issue and what we can do to protect our data. Watch this talk on Q Media. Start your free trial at qideas.org/trial
In the fields outside a small Pennsylvania town, two massive armies waged the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. Montreat College historian, Dr. William Forstchen, discusses how it unfolded. Get exclusive content here!: https://thepetekalinershow.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Best-selling author, historian, and Montreat College professor, Dr. William Forstchen discusses says arming and training teachers who volunteer is an obvious step that can be taken to protect kids in schools. Plus, a look at gun crime in Charlotte. Get exclusive content here!: https://thepetekalinershow.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.