Basic Training for the Family | Episode 37
In this episode, pastor and author Dr. Gary Phillips discusses a topic he has titled “Basic Training for the Family: Biblical Principles for Navigating Cultural Minefields.”
4 Tactics for tackling deployments | Episode 025
In this episode of Crosspoint, we talk with Planting Roots Director Kori Yates about deployment and tactics for dealing with this season of life when your spouse is deployed.
24. A Shared Calling Isn’t Always Easy
Anne Borcherding talks about what it means for a military spouse to embrace the calling of the spouse who is serving in uniform, and she candidly shares the struggles she and her husband faced in the early years of their marriage.
The Theological Implications of Addiction | Episode 23
What does scripture say about addiction? Can a Christian have an addiction? What does a biblical approach to recovery look like? Isn't Jesus enough? Our guest is Dr. John Thorington—a licensed professional counselor and is also certified as a Sexual Recovery Therapist by the American Association of Sex Addiction Therapy.
Love Languages for Military Couples | Episode 016
What comes to mind when you hear “Acts of Service?” How about “Words of Affirmation” or “Quality Time?” You might recognize them as 3 of the 5 love languages from the popular book first written by Dr. Gary Chapman back in 1995. In this episode, OCF managing editor Karen Fliedner chats with Jocelyn Green about Finding Your Love Language…at the intersection of faith, family, and profession.
Transition coping strategies for military kids | Episode 015
This episode focuses on coping with transition, not just from the perspective of military families, but specifically, from the perspective of military kids, or third-culture kids. Our guest for this episode is Dr. Dave Sanders—a Christian Ministries Professor at Judson University.
The Importance of a Support System for the Military Life | Episode 013
When the pressures of the military life and life in general seem overwhelming, who's your support system? Do you have a person or group that, like you, is running this most difficult of races, that you can rely on, and who in turn can depend on you when times get tough?
Allow God to use you in the humble tasks
I long to do great and noble things, but God reminds me it’s in the humble things that He can be extraordinary through me. Ultimately, I desire to be like Helen Keller: to do humble tasks as though they were great and noble.
The effects of transition in the military
Those who have laced up boots or buttoned an Armed Forces uniform in service to our nation know all-too-well the difficult and tough terrain of the transitional military life they lead.
Families should develop a support system
Take time to examine your own support system, or if you do not have one, get started now. The health of a marriage can often hinge upon the strength of the support system that has been established.
Allow God to Orchestrate the Events of Your Life
In preparation for our move, I found myself wondering what our new neighbors would be like. OK, I was obsessing over it. We have grown to love the people we live next to, and trying to imagine unfriendly neighbors peering at us while grilling out on the deck was making my stomach hurt.
Unique stressors of the military family
Like you, my husband, Steve, and I know what it’s like for our marriage to have to go into survival mode during extended periods of separation. We know the pressure of caring for children in the midst of huge transitions. We know the challenge of supporting each other when our own personal resources are depleted.
Nurturing Christian Families
If you want to be the Christian military leader God has called you to be, I believe a must-have is a strong support system that loves, supports, and sustains you.
When PCSing, build a RAFT for teens
When PCSing, the most common strategies teens use with one another involve simple avoidance, picking a fight to create distance so it’s easier to leave, disconnecting through moodiness or hyperactivity, or adopting the “It’s all cool” act. This is why we need to build a RAFT.
Mary Poppins and the chain of command
The chain of command—everybody has one. Everybody knows where they are in that chain, and it honestly clarifies and simplifies your life as a military member.
The Christ-centered alpha male
Men have a lot in common with wolves. We mark our territory, strut in front of females, and bristle in the presence of another alpha male.
Speak my language
Marriage is hard enough for the everyday civilian. But add in the unique challenges of deployments, frequent moves, and high-pressure situations, and it’s no wonder military marriages are under stress.
From Mid to Married to Mom
We’ve been through a lot in our four short years of marriage, but it’s been exciting to look back and see how God has been a part of it all, especially in the last two years. God poured out countless blessings on my husband in the pursuit of his dreams, making it through the arduous training without any major injuries or setbacks. I couldn’t be prouder of him!
Comfort Amid Cruelty
Even after two deployments, I still don't understand how mankind can be so cruel and thoughtless.
The Five Myths of Mortgaged Rental Property
If your military family is a typical one, chances are you have moved about once every two to three years. With the many stresses associated with moving, one of the most difficult decisions can be whether to buy a house or rent one.
The Profound Power of Parental Blessing
There are certain moments in a lifetime you never forget. For me, the memories of formally giving a father’s blessing to my children in person continues to give me joy as I recall each event.
Getting Intentional in Your Marriage
Thriving Christian marriages reveal prayerful planning and purposeful intention.
A Cannonball Life in a Toe-Testing World
Jump on in! Living completely sold out to God is a lot like doing a cannonball into a pool--not on the edge of toe-testing mediocrity.
Share My Calling
When Rob shared his vision with me, I had been an Army wife for nearly eleven years—all of our marriage. I would have described myself as supportive of his career. I understood a fair amount about the military, had attended countless functions, and attempted to make the most out of each move. Wasn't that enough? What else did he need from me?
Essentials for Deployment-Resilient Marriages
Couples in resilient marriages are intentional and vigilant in building successful relationships.
The Unconditional Love of a Father
Father's Day is the perfect venue to consider those who first loved us--especially our Father in heaven.
When Duty Calls
Challenges are unique for married-to-each-other military with families when duty calls
Advent in Iraq
A deployed chaplain shares his thoughts leading up to Christmas.
Two Greedy Institutions
Balance the roles of Christian officer and Christian spouse.
The Greengrass Twins
Lack of contentment comes from entertaining lies.
Keys to a Godly Marriage
Four keys to a godly marriage.
Staying Up Late
A chaplain shares his insights about young, deployed service men and women.
Whose Arm Doth Reach
Every God-fearing dad in some way strives to image our heavenly Father.
Walk in the Spirit
A prayer for military wives.
Home Front Holidays
How deployments affect the holidays.
Keep the End in Mind
Looking ahead motivates us to live, work, and plan while we wait--and it is the key to living in the present with energy and hope.
Child Evangelism
Practical ways to share your faith with your children.
Ice Cream in Iraq
Ms. Ryan's Second Grade Class asks some questions about life in Iraq.
The Science & Art of Personal Finance
In Part 2, knowledge and tools are great for your head, but you also need a heart to shape experience into judgment and wisdom. Learn to understand the numbers and balance them with what you value in your heart.
Creating Your Financial Plan
In Part 3, financial goals are the basis of personal financial planning. A great many people are working hard to save and invest, but do not have a plan, or at least not one sufficiently specific to assess progress.
Phases of Planning and Portfolio Theory
In Part 4, the essence of planning is found in your knowing the return you need and the risk you can accept.
Always Faithful
It's important to be a proper steward of the finances God entrusts to Officers's Christian Fellowship.
Financial Responsibility for Children
When our four children were young, my wife and I wondered how we could teach them financial responsibility.
Giving God’s Way
There are three things you need to believe if you are to give the way God wants you to give.
What is Stewardship?
In Part 1, we ask: What do you think of when you hear someone mention stewardship? Money, talents, or ownership? For many, money is the first thing on their minds and that often leads to uncomfortable feelings.
Investing & Markets
In Part 5, to get beyond tithing and on to gifting you need to multiply His blessings. This is the purpose of investing, and the better we do it, the more we can give back to His work.
Smart Christian Giving
In Part 6, God expects us to use what we need then multiply and return the rest. The blessings of stewardship are in the giving. Knowing when and how to do it is our responsibility.
Test Me!
God through the prophet Malachi told the Old Testament Jews that they were robbing God.
Wealth: Friend or Foe?
God gives us the power to become rich, but it may be in terms of our riches in eternity with Christ Jesus and not in our human, earthly terms. What is important is what drives us.
Returning Home
The adjustments families need to make can be improved by a good understanding of the stresses of separation and a strategy for thriving.
Stretchmark Sorority
Mothers share the responsibility of raising children to know and love our Lord.
What Are Parents to Do?
Each themselves military officers, what's it like as a Mom and Dad to watch your child deploy?
Excellent Military Wife
A paraphrased version of portions of Proverbs 31.
Share this spiritual gift with your teen
A military dad shares what he experienced at Spring Canyon's Father Teen Adventure.
Heroes on the Homefront
Sometimes the heroes are the ones who stay behind.
Service Separations
You've heard the horror stories about what can go wrong when your husband leaves... but it doesn't have to be all bad.
God’s Children
Insight into the daily sacrifices of military children.
‘Daddy, Don’t Go Back’—My Personal Story of Deployment
The Wesley family shares some lessons they learned through deployment.
Courage Rushed In
All fear vanished and courage rushed in.
Daddy’s Letter to Son
LTC Frank Gray's letter to his son explaining why he is back in the Army.
