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First Bible Studies

[…]as you get started, let me offer a suggestion. What follows is a scripted Bible Study Guide on the first six chapters of Nehemiah. This study should meet several objectives meaningful to you. Discussion Format If you are unfamiliar with a discussion format Bible Study, you will see the nature–general approach and actual questions (with desired answers)–of such a study. Participants will see the type of Bible study most often used in OCF settings. So, if the participants are unfamiliar with this whole thing called “A Small Group Bible Study,” they get to participate in this “sampler” study. Application The […]

Professional Perspectives for Senior Officers

[…]One way Christ taught His followers to be servants was by washing the feet of His disciples. At first, Peter refused to let Jesus wash his feet. Christ responded that, without submission, Peter would have no part of His work. Peter submitted. Humility LUKE 5:6-8. Submission to Christ involves humility. Even when it came to his profession, Peter learned that Jesus was in control. In response, he fell down in humility before Christ. JOHN 21:15-17. Peter’s ultimate lesson in humility occurred when Christ appeared after the crucifixion. After denying Christ three times, Peter was asked by Christ three times if […]
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Leadership Moments: Are You Leading?

[…]Instead of condoning Peter’s protective gesture, Jesus healed the servant’s injury and told Peter to put away his weapon (John 18:10-11). Jesus could have responded to the arresting entourage with a show of His mighty power or through a simple appeal to his Father and the thousands of angels standing by for Jesus’ use. Instead, He identified Himself as the one they sought (John 18:5).  A good leader leads best with actions reflecting decisions arrived at through calm, calculated, inspired thought rather than reckless displays of power. Jesus command to Peter reveals that leaders who use overwhelming displays of power […]

What you do and how you lead does matter

[…]me? If your answer is unsettling, be different! In OCF we have traditionally claimed that both our first act of worship—giving God our very best—and our first act of witness is our professional excellence. It is what recommends you as someone who ought to be followed and emulated, as someone who has earned the right to be heard.  “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good […]

Preparing for Active Duty

[…]through the medium of ordinary relationships within the military community. (Romans 1:16-17, 1 Peter 3:15-16) Ownership (Ministry) An appreciation for and a commitment to the OCF vision, purpose, and mission. (Ephesians 4:11-13, Colossians 3:23, Acts 4:13) Air Force Academy “firsties” sometimes ask: “Why should I have to attend the Basic Course at Maxwell? It just  rehashes what I’ve spent four years learning.” Not true! You will build relationships that will last throughout your career, and for the last two weeks of the course, you will interact with NCOs from the Senior NCO Academy. Perhaps the right questions are: “Lord, what […]

Truth and the Christian Leader

[…]are shocked at the decisive, harsh response to the couple’s duplicity. Yet neither Peter nor the disciples brought about this speedy demise. They lied to the Spirit of the Lord. He acted as He saw fit. How might the Christian leader apply the lesson of Ananias and Sapphira to the work place? I can recall saying or hearing others say: “I have to make an example of this one.” Why is it necessary for a leader to take extreme positions? What does the practice of truth and maintaining high standards do for the Christian leader? In a word: Everything! The […]

Christian Leadership for the Junior Officer

[…]I have listed them in increasing order of priority, from least to most important. Hard Work. The first element you will need to be successful is the ability to work hard. It is amazing how many officers, including some Christian officers, will not or cannot work the required hours. I remember the United States Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel who spoke to my then-new freshman class at The Citadel on this subject. He articulated the familiar “Look to your left and right; one of you will not be here in a few short months…do you know why? …Because you are lazy!” […]

The Jungles of War

[…]this interior battle. I spent a lot of time “casting my cares on Him for He cares for me.” (1Peter 5:8) I reflected on 1 Peter 5:9 “Be sober, be vigilant, for your adversary the devil stalks about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” The dilemma of civilian casualties had been met with some failure, some success. My failure; God’s success. Different Insignia; the Same Savior Often in the course of our spiritual and emotional growth and maturity, the resolution of one problem brings with it the harbinger of another. So it was in this instance. A […]

Follow Me

[…]our orders and follow us. Servant leadership is not new to this age, but can be traced back to first-century Judea. In Mark’s Gospel account, Jesus redefined leadership for His disciples. This redefinition came on the heels of a request by James and John to be seated on the right and left of Jesus in Heaven. Upon hearing of the brothers’ request, the other disciples became upset and began to quarrel. Jesus gathered them and said, “…’whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all'” (Mark 10:44 […]

We Know This Place Too Well

[…]sweat, and sometimes tears. Each day was definitely new. We were alive! Remember our smiles the first time we didn’t have to run the strips? We were alive! Remember the first time looking down from the summit of a Colorado mountain? We were alive! Remember the first time we opened our eyes and saw the light of day? Neither do I, but I bet we weren’t bored. Or cynical. Where are we now? I applaud everyone who still walks to breakfast with a shamelessly huge smile and wide eyes fixed in the direction of heaven, our future home. Most of […]

Leadership Came Naturally

[…]to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (I Peter 3:15). Moreover, he was smart enough to know his leadership success depended on people liking and respecting him, and compassionate and understanding enough to know he couldn’t ask people to do more than he would be willing to do himself. He spoke mainly with his life and “only used words when necessary,” as St. Francis put it. He was confident, strong spiritually, meek and humble. He was confident and resourceful without being arrogant. The optimism, self-discipline, pro-active leadership style […]

Three Looks

[…]read or review classics like Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders, The Effective Executive by Peter F. Drucker and The Leadership Challenge by Kouzes & Posner. Look Around If possible, interview the incumbent leader. Get as much information as possible, using questions like these: What have you enjoyed about this role? What (or who) has been particularly challenging? Who are the key “go to” people for information or to simply “git’er done” ? Who will expect what from me, and how often? Who are the influencers? What external factors significantly impacted your ability to accomplish the mission? What are you […]

What is Required of Me?

[…]of the beliefs of others.[ii]  Jesus always seemed to meet people where they were, caring first for their physical and emotional needs, then connecting with those who were open and receptive to treatment of their spiritual needs. Ambassadorship 401 Produce professional and spiritual heirs[iii]; count the cost. When you look back on your lifetime of service to the nation and to our Lord, will you see that you have spent much of your time teaching people to do things? Or will you also find that you have reproduced men and women who will reproduce? These are people with the capacity […]

Child Evangelism

[…]He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). 2. Pray specifically that God will give you insights and wisdom in dealing with each child on his or her maturity level. 3. Don’t use terms like “take Jesus into your heart,” “dying and going to hell,” and “accepting Christ as your personal Savior.” Children are either too literal (“How does Jesus breathe in my heart?”) or the words are too trite for their understanding. 4. Deal with each child alone, and don’t be in a hurry. Make sure he or […]

Lead Your Child to Christ

[…]He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). 2. Pray specifically that God will give you insights and wisdom in dealing with each child on his or her maturity level. 3. Don’t use terms like “take Jesus into your heart,” “dying and going to hell,” and “accepting Christ as your personal Savior.” Children are either too literal (“How does Jesus breathe in my heart?”) or the words are too trite for their understanding. 4. Deal with each child alone, and don’t be in a hurry. Make sure he or […]

Letter to My Sergeant

[…]what you did, and its impact on your family and the victims. Sadly, the lion got another prey (1 Peter 5:8). How should a commander respond to a soldier charged, then convicted, of such crimes? God allowed the eyes of my heart to see you through the filter of His love and to respond to you with the love and compassion of Christ. An ageless military axiom comes to mind — soldiers never leave their wounded or dead on the battlefield. These words apply here, and they have added urgency on the spiritual battlefield. You should know that your soul […]
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