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Undivided Heart

[…]to what the Lord is teaching. Practice putting God’s plan into action, daily. Realize our spiritual development is dynamic–adjust your spiritual leadership as you learn more truth.   Copyrighted by Officers’ Christian Fellowship and Larry Simpson. For personal reflection and growth. Not for […]

On The Rock

[…]you succumb to the demands of the event or will your response come from the foundation of your spiritual life? Jesus said that everyone who hears and acts on His words is wise. That wise one will be the person all eyes turn to in the midst of tragedy and need. When I was a child, we played a game called Follow the Leader. As an adult, it is not a game. The world is watching, and those in our sphere of influence will follow our lead. The strength of our building materials will be revealed by how our life […]

Reality Check

[…]was concerned, restoration of the temple was job one-a goal which the governmental heads and the spiritual leadership were willing to cooperate to achieve. Despite man’s best intentions and even focused passion, we are reminded that God has a divine perspective: not by might, nor by power, but by His power. So where do we, in our leadership zeal, draw the line when it comes to pushing our own agenda or totally acquiescing to God’s divine plan? Are we convinced that God has a plan, or do we “head fake” God by developing our own plan then devoutly asking His […]

Operation Iraqi Freedom

[…]all these wars and skirmishes. I don’t know how to describe the feeling we had that there was a spiritual element to what we were doing. I did a double take when I looked at the maps in the back of my Bible and recognized cities we were flying over–Ur is now An Nasariyah; Dur-Kurigalzu became Sippar which became Baghdad; Tekrit is Tikrit; Babylon is near Al Musayyib, just north of Karbala. And I was living in the same desert where the Israelites wandered. We complain about being there for three months. It’s barren, flat, windy, hot, sandy, and dry-no […]

What is Required of Me?

[…]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 to question, challenge, and reinvent institutions in order to keep them relevant to changing times-including recruiting and evangelizing. I […]

Wrestling with Depression

[…]war has been won through Jesus. But until the fullness of that victory comes, we are engaged in spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:12). Our enemy, the devil, is the father of lies (John 8:44) who seeks to devour (1 Peter 5:8), and kill and destroy us (John 10:10). He wants us to believe we are easy prey for his schemes-that we are alone and isolated without worth, hope, or help. That spiritual battle is also within us, between our old and new natures. Our flesh always wants to be in charge, but as Christians with the Holy Spirit living within us, […]

The View from the Top

[…]time for exploring the beauty of God’s creation, meditating on God’s glory, and sharing our spiritual journeys along the way. The highlights of the trip for me were the devotions and Bible studies around the campfire each night. The final day was just for fun and relaxation — if rafting down white water rapids can be called relaxing! The beauty was out-of-this-world, and the fresh water in our faces was invigorating. We got a great view of the Royal Gorge — from the bottom looking up. My RMH adventure was fun, exciting, and took place in stunningly beautiful scenery. But […]

The Chaplain’s Role

[…]Yes, I go on as many patrols as is safe for my men, and I share the Word, but I cannot meet the spiritual needs of all the patrols that proceed out our gates. I must equip my soldiers with the weapons to fight the spiritual enemy, then I must trust that they will learn through small group Bible studies as the Spirit leads. Pointing Soldiers to Christ I want my soldiers to learn to turn to Christ not to me. This is His ministry not mine. My goal is to utilize every avenue and resource so that my men […]

The Space Between

[…]by James F. Engel as a way of representing the journey from no knowledge of God through to spiritual maturity as a Christian believer. The model is used by some Christians to emphasize the process of conversion, and the various decision-making steps that a person goes through before they become a Christian.” (A. Scott Moreau, Harold A. Netland, Charles Edward van Engen, David Burnett Evangelical Dictionary of World Mission, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engel_Scale) In my first active duty unit, the 68th Corps Support Battalion at Ft. Carson, Colorado, the space was shortened by several things. The Lord let me lead a family conference, […]

Spiritual War

by Jim Wilson There are a number of weapons and tactics in Spiritual Warfare. Some are: 1. The objective. God’s objective was the salvation of the world. In history He assigned subordinate objectives to the prophets. Each’s objective was a part of the whole. After the war had been going on for thousands of years, God produced the decisive person, place, action, and time: Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever. God accomplished His purpose. 2. Since that time, the enemy of our souls has been severely handicapped: his power is limited, his intelligence is limited, his time is […]

The Jungles of War

[…]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 week or so later a sapper force attacked our position. The attack was successfully repulsed, and all was quiet until daylight. The cool morning light revealed several young Viet Cong soldiers dead, still hanging in the defensive wire. They looked exactly like the young Vietnamese Marines I had come to love. In no way could I distinguish them from my […]

Three Looks

[…]tool as you navigate from one complex context to another is to 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 […]

TTP – Vision and Leadership

[…]readiness, our goals are professional military readiness, physical readiness, and personal/spiritual readiness to carry out our mission anytime, anywhere, on a moment’s notice. We must each prepare ourselves to be the most proficient, most prepared technician and leader to support mission accomplishment in the face of any eventuality. We also must maintain our physical health and level of fitness to ensure we are capable of performing our mission under any circumstances. Finally, and most importantly, we must mentally prepare ourselves and our loved ones for the mission requirements we may face. Our business affairs must be in order, our families […]

War on Spiritual Terrorism

[…]operational environments–the physical domain of direct action, and the domain of unconventional spiritual warfare. True Strength While physical training strengthens our bodies, and battle drills build the muscle memory to act automatically under duress–we often overlook the “moral, ethical, and spiritual strength” required for combat. As Christian leaders we must comprehend Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” To survive in this battle, our prayer orders become just as important as […]

You Are Commissioned

[…]Your husband may be deployed and you may struggle to fill two roles while continuing to focus on spiritual connectivity with your husband a world away. The battle is real, and it is spiritual. For those entering operational assignments, there is one thing for certain: there will be crises. You will have short-notice deployments, training will be demanding, and if deployed in this war on terrorism, the pressures of mounting combat operations will be intense. You can expect to deal with the casualties of war. That is a part of being a leader and part of “exercising biblical leadership.” So, […]

Professional Perspectives for Senior Officers

[…]two is delight in and meditation on God’s Word. As a military Christian, you will be involved in spiritual warfare. You understand combat. A military force has specific needs to perform properly on the battlefield. You also have these needs, which include the following: PSALM 119:105. You need light–the ability to “see.” 1 PETER 1.23-25, 2:2. You need food–energy to perform. EPHESIANS 6:10-17. You need protection and weapons. EPHESIANS 5:19 and 6:18,19. You need to communicate–up, down, and laterally. CONTINUE EACH DAY to read God’s Word and to commit your circumstances to Him in prayer. If you have never established […]
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Six Generations: 1

[…]Jon’s extracurricular activities during his senior year would be taking a lead role in the spiritual development of several Plebe cadets within his company, while also providing spiritual leadership and encouragement to his classmates and fellow Christian believers throughout the Corps of Cadets. Jon met Captain Paul Stanley at Fort Benning, Georgia during his senior trip and Paul encouraged him to take such a key spiritual leadership role within the Corps of Cadets. Paul Stanley would soon be stationed by the Army at West Point as an Admissions Officer and became a spiritual mentor to Jon for his final year. […]

Six Generations: 2

[…]the faithfulness of a generation of men who were willing to risk ridicule and perhaps spiritual persecution while living a godly life as a cadet. Being recognized not only as an upperclassman, but as a spiritual leader with responsibilities to the Lord and to his fellow cadets was a distinct honor…and an awesome charge. I felt a deep awe at this nod to my potential as a spiritual leader and a little bit of trepidation, hoping and praying that I could live up to the expectations inherent in this tradition. One more handshake and a heartfelt, manly hug sealed our […]

Six Generations: 3

[…]inroads in my life and the lives of several other cadets, and set me on a course of personal spiritual discipline and training. During my senior (Firstie) year at West Point, I asked two younger men in my battalion–Greg Schumacher and Jim Blackwell–if they wanted to join me in a year of intensive spiritual growth together. They both eagerly agreed. My desire was to share the disciplines of the Christian faith that I was taught from my parents, and then had learned from and seen so clearly in Jon Shine and the Christian faculty officers who had “adopted” me. I […]

Leadership by Example

[…]in every commissioned leader, particularly as our Army fights the dirty battles of urban warfare as initiated by terrorists, jihadists, criminals and thugs. Even more, it takes this highest moral character coupled with the personal courage to exercise it routinely, to be the moral exemplar within your command. This is something soldiers in combat will discern in a flash, for they earnestly seek it in their leaders. I must note that the display and use of such moral character is the one big difference between where you have been here at UCLA and where you are going. In the civilian […]

Leadership Excellence

[…]times, and I have always found sustenance and comfort there. My experience has convinced me that spiritual faith-faith in God-must become the solid bedrock of an individual’s character. While the leader must demonstrate the highest standards of conduct and, ideally, personify the values that define his organization, he must also ensure that those same values are instilled in his subordinates. He must endeavor to cultivate both a spiritual appreciation for them and confidence in the integrity of the institution. In the Corps, we have long strived to imbue every Marine with a profound appreciation of our cherished “core values.” These […]

Spiritual Success

by LTC J. Randy Carey, USA (Ret.) Have everyone in your Bible study write out his or her testimony. Share one with the group each week. Understand what OCF is all about. Promote the encouragement that can be gained from a group coming together to worship Almighty God. Participate in OCF retreats and conferences. White Sulphur Springs and Spring Canyon offer continuous programs such as retreats, family events, and Rocky Mountain High. Use OCF as a meeting place to network with Christians on your base, in your unit, on your ship. Post updates on the Internet. Consider journaling your walk […]

Test Me!

[…]our money, but also our possessions, and our time, and our health, and our career. Part of spiritual warfare is looking at all aspects of your life and seeing if God is in charge of each and every aspect. Is God in charge of your finances? If not, it’s time to “Test […]

What Works for New Officers?

[…]is to complain. Do your job as unto the Lord (Phil. 2:14, 4:11). 8. Decide now what kind of SPIRITUAL COMMITMENT you will require of a future mate. Will he or she have the same vision for ministry as you? After coming to know Christ, choosing a mate is the most important decision you will ever make. TIP: Trust God that He will give you the right mate. Just because you find a Christian doesn’t necessarily mean he/she will be like-minded or share the same vision for the Lord that you have (2 Cor. 6:14). 9. Watch your ENTERTAINMENT choices […]

Situational Awareness

[…]wisely, and counting the cost. Anyone taking a stand will draw the enemy’s attention. Be spiritually and mentally prepared. There is no substitute for God’s peace and protection in this matter; that, and the security provided by a spiritual phalanx in the form of your OCF Bible study group. Whether in your neighborhood or at work, the sense of Christian community and accountability these small groups afford is invaluable. Do not neglect to form these groups in your units during long-term deployments. 2 – Live and Lead as a Christian.Be salt and light to those around you. Speak the truth […]

Spiritual Battle Plans

[…]follow through during the deployment itself. As we seek to train for godliness and prepare for spiritually dry times, it is good to start with assumptions about the nature of the spiritual environment at our projected deployed location. After my Iraq experience, I decided to make the following spiritual assumptions for my Bosnia deployment: There will be: No Chapel. No OCF or weekly Bible study. No other Christians in my immediate proximity. I will have: A high OPTEMPO. A non-regular work schedule. Limited time alone for personal devotions. More temptations than normal. A primitive support structure-spiritually and logistically. Less (or […]

Preparing for Active Duty

[…]are six themes we hope to reinforce during your time with us and the end state we hope to achieve: Spiritual development An individual who is being transformed into the image of Christ and developing a right relationship with God and an understanding of the fundamentals and disciplines of the Christian faith. (Romans 12:1-2, 1 Peter 1:13-16) Family An individual whose family models biblical marriage and parenthood and who can teach and equip others to do the same in the military. (1 Timothy 3:4-5, Titus 1:6) Leadership An individual who is motivated and equipped to exercise biblical leadership in his […]

Share this spiritual gift with your teen

[…]The boys are good kids. Many friendships being built. Rick leads us in fellowship. A journey into spiritual manhood. Reject social and spiritual passivity. Accept responsibility. Be a good leader. Woke up early. Quiet. Wander over to the lodge for coffee. Breakfast is delicious. Off to rappelling site. The boys are psyched. Beautiful day, flawlessly clear skies, clean air! God is so great! Brian rappels well. Rick leads by example, and even does the Aussie. Much emphasis on safety. Reassuring. That’s my son doing that. Thank you, God. Andy and Kristy Lathrop share their testimony with us atop the cliff. […]

Impact Your Military Community!

[…]where the troops are but also carries with it the authority of the command. The chapel is the spiritual center for unit-wide outreach. Lost Opportunities Officers make a decisive impact upon their units. The chapel is the only church body that is a part of the unit. Since it is part of the command, officers can enthusiastically support events that it conducts. Another noteworthy dynamic occurs when an officer attends chapel. Usually it is not long before a number of that leader’s troops also attend. However, if that same leader attends a local church, few soldiers usually follow. The Chapel […]

Interview with Chaplain Beach

Chaplains have two roles: one is civil and military in nature; the other ecclesiastical, or spiritual. These are complementary roles. First, chaplains are commissioned as staff corps officers who have specific military staff responsibilities within a command. They are under the command officer’s authority in terms of these military duties. Second, each chaplain is ordained and endorsed by a specific denomination. Their ministry is to people from a myriad of backgrounds, regardless of their affiliation. Misunderstandings Chaplains are under the authority of their church in the conduct of their ministry. Their role, in this sense, is like that of any […]

Letter to My Sergeant

[…]to duty. I want you to know that I’m praying for your full recovery. Your wounds came during spiritual battle, but they can be even more damaging than wounds to the body. You were wounded by things hidden in your heart — sexual sins acted out. Convicted in civil court and sentenced to prison, you will spend a season counting the cost of 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 […]

Service Separations

[…]of tapes, e-mail or videos. Many have found that they tended to share and discuss things, both spiritual and otherwise, in greater depth on tapes than they did face to face. For one thing, how else can you talk to your mate for a full hour and have his undivided attention without fear of interruption! Recently a friend was sharing with a small group her experience with tapes: “When my husband just wrote letters,” she said, “they were always so short and even impersonal, ‘nothing much happening today,’ that sort of thing. Then we started sending tapes instead. He’d carry […]

The Line Officer and the Chaplain

[…]are united in Christ. This includes Christians in all denominations, of all theological shades and spiritual persuasions. In the chapel the focus tends to be on the essential doctrines of Christian faith rather than on denominational distinctives. We need each other for growth as well as fellowship. The Holy Spirit has sovereignly distributed spiritual gifts to a variety of believers. We need one another’s gifts in order to live properly as the Body of Christ. How wonderful and uplifting it is when Christians focus on their oneness in Christ and strive to get along with one another (Psalm 133:1). When […]

The Role of Faith

[…]anxiety. David Paap says that “The only practical escape from this vicious cycle of anxiety is a spiritual one: trust in God. . . . Faith and trust differ from human optimism or self-confidence in that they are not the result of human effort or reliance upon anything within ourselves.”3 Paap is convinced that faith is the most important factor that determines how a family facing the crisis of deployment or war will deal with its members’ fears. People often turn to God during crisis. In the media coverage during recent missions, there were constant public references to prayer and […]

The Role of the Chaplain

[…]David Bena, USAF What should you expect from your chaplains? The role of the chaplain is to meet spiritual needs. The chaplain should lead worship, counsel, teach troops, care pastorally for all, encourage ethical conduct, honor the dead, nurture the wounded, and give hope to the weary. But how’s that role fleshed out? I think you should expect a godly person who: Is honest and ethical Really cares about the people in the unit, willing to face opposition in order to make their lot more livable. Will die with you and will not run away. Will pray for and with […]

Leadership without Coercion

[…]for them, that my judgment of them would be based on their performance and conduct alone. Their spiritual interests would have no weight in any decisions or fitness reports. Soon after, one of the drill sergeants put me to the test. He identified himself to me as a Christian, and it was obvious that he expected this to earn him special recognition. Once we came to an understanding that I loved him as a brother but expected the same from him as from any other drill sergeant, we got along fine. I know of one other drill sergeant who reacted […]

Three Words

[…]called to be active parts of the Body of Christ, “speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” and always being “prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have . . . with gentleness and respect.” In the military we share our message of hope and salvation. Finally, “Jesus is Lord” will affect your attitude towards the end and legacy of your life. “As men and women of God we seek a “well done,“, not the “well done” of men or even our precious alma mater. […]
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