Content and Media
Items on this page come from our various communications and podcasts.
Chris Thompson, Gold Star Mother: “God wants you to keep on living”
Chris shares her story of military life at the intersection of faith, family, and profession by telling the story of her daughter, Betsy, and offering insights on life as a Gold Star Mother.
Spring 2021 Ministry News
OCF Ministry News items from Connected newsletter.
A year of opportunity and blessing amid turmoil
The arrival of the COVID-related shutdowns during the spring of 2020 brought an end to both conference centers’ plans for their normal summer programs and events. Nonetheless, both locations have overcome many of the challenges the pandemic has created.
Rico Lane: “I just didn’t have that loving relationship with a father”
Capt Rico Lane, USAF, shares his story, which includes three primary themes: fatherhood, faith, and family—specifically how God used the Bible verse text messages of a grandfather to begin changing Rico’s life.
Becky Haggerty: “God, why don’t you care?”
Becky’s story is one of battling through anxiety and self-worth. It’s a story that tells of her journey to be in a right relationship with her Heavenly Father even when it seems like life sometimes has more valleys than mountaintops, even when it seems like God just doesn’t care.
What is Christian Mentoring?
According to the Barna Group, a market research firm specializing in studying religious beliefs and behavior, as of 2015 only 17% of practicing Christians said they meet regularly with a spiritual mentor.
Chipu Chu: “I was broken. I needed a savior.”
(Season 2, Episode 1) In this episode, you’ll hear the story
53. He Will Be With You
Do you sense God calling you out, asking you to do something that is outside your comfort zone? In your intimidating assignment look for encouragement through a prayer partner, a mentoring relationship, or participation in a workplace Bible study.
52. Rest Interrupted
Interruptions can be opportunities to demonstrate compassion. How we respond when our plans get changed can add to or take away from our resilience.
51. Where Now is the Lord?
When circumstances turn from desirable to undesirable or when the task ahead is greater than one’s resources, it is common to want to know our importance to God and whether He is with us in our labors.
50. Discouragement—I Have Had Enough!
Discouragement can place us at opposite ends of God’s intention requiring Him to correct us, turn us around, and put us back on His course.
Biblical Truths from Life’s Experiences
What parables has God given to you through the simple circumstances of your life that you can share with others? Too often Christians do not share with others what God is teaching them and doing in their lives, things that can encourage other believers and make them sensitive to God’s moving in the world—and even in their own lives.
49. Character of a Leader—Holy?
Take a minute and evaluate the presence of the fruit of the Spirit in your life. Which fruit is most abundant in your life right now? After reflecting on the abundance, think on the fruit you sense needs to be growing in you.
Identity and Unity in Christ
Who are you? Seems like a simple question, but our answer provides important insight into how we view ourselves at our core and what we believe to be our true identity.
48. Daniel’s Wise Alternative
Discerning wisdom is not an overnight process. Spiritual wisdom accompanies the practice of spiritual disciplines, particularly when prayer and Bible study are hallmarks.
A Question of Identity
The following stories are not just accounts of people who endured the process of rediscovering their identity in Christ, but they are also stories of a heavenly Father who loves his children enough to show them a far more abundant life.
47. The Right Heart
Being an effective leader is as much about having the right heart as following proven leadership practices.
46. Transformation: Clean the Root and Reinsert It
How do we overcome the dueling natures, the struggle of the flesh to do evil and of the mind that knows to obey the commands of God?
45. Did You Ask?
From whom do you seek advice and in whom do you place your trust when it seems you are not receiving discernable direction from God?
44. Compassion
What might cause you to be stingy with empathy or sympathy? Few things are worse than arrogance. Are you tempted to make your compassion for others conditional?
43. Seeing The Other Side
Consider that our leadership role is not always one of preventing another from his determined path. In some cases, the correction or consequence that follows will have the greater impact on a person’s decision to walk with integrity.
42. The Preeminent God
What gives you greater delight—loyalty to a program, an institution, a promotion, or obedience to God? God wants the acknowledged, preeminent position in each of our lives.
41. Unintended Consequences
Have you made an error in judgment by insisting things go your way? Perhaps you are presently in the midst of unintended consequences from a rash decision. If so, follow David’s example.
40. The Way Ahead—Choose to Forgive
Whether in a personal relationship or in the workplace, Jesus’ admonition to forgive remains. As servant leaders, how we forgive and restore is a mark of obedience to Christ’s commands.
39. In His Time
Little by little, in God’s time He performs His purposes. Some leaders, thrust into positions of greater responsibility as a reward for a job well done, fizzle in their performance because they lack the wisdom that seasoning and time bring.
