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Double Portion

[…]to God, but it was Solomon who built it. Various kings before Asa did not remove idols from the land, but Asa, king of Judah took courage and removed the detestable idols from the whole land” (2 Chronicles 15:8). As you consider Elisha’s request, does it rise up in you, as it does in me, to avoid using expressions such as “indispensable and irreplacable” when it comes to turnover in personnel or volunteers? Completion of God’s mission is not up for grabs or personality dependent. God’s mission is enduring and we, as leaders, might consider asking Him to provide replacements […]

Question Authority

[…]or of how merciful I think God should be, I would be wise to consider the Holy Scriptures and to pattern my questions and concerns after Jesus’ response while here on earth: Pray. When Jesus was anxious, He prayed. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Mark 14:34). Desire God’s will. “Abba! Father! Everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36). Rest confidently in Him. “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I […]

Reignited Service

[…]trust. This reminder led me to an appropriate response to what troubled me. Once I quieted myself, prayed, and then acted, peace returned. God certainly has not given those who trust Him a spirit of fear. What He has given us, though, is His Holy Spirit, Who guides us to apt responses or actions that quell our concerns and calm our anxious hearts. Further, He has given us power, love, and self-control (discipline). It is hard to imagine an earthly matter these three cannot surmount. Beware! As with Timothy, fear can cause us to stifle the gift God has given. […]

Truth and the Christian Leader

[…]the other side. Leaders need not fear truth but must pursue it. Truth is the fabric of what we stand for and is what we as Christian leaders are called to practice.   Copyrighted by Officers’ Christian Fellowship and Larry Simpson. For personal reflection and growth. Not for […]

Was it Failure or Success?

[…]workplace, around the boardroom table. Don’t be ashamed to give God credit when credit is due and hold up the godly standards on which this nation was built. You get my point. When credit is due, glorify Him. In spite of our flux and failures, He can use us. Don’t be afraid to approach Him or feel unworthy of His use. He uses committed believers and Christian leaders to achieve the kingdom work of drawing others to Him. “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” In the face of failure, Simon did not give up. His […]

On The Rock

[…]our building materials will be revealed by how our life of faith is lived out when the rains fall and the floods come and the winds blow. In the leader’s case, how we walk in view-and out of view-of the public’s eye will speak volumes about what we truly believe and the source of our strength. In these days of rapid-fire media, the leader’s challenge is to display a Christ-like response when life-changing moments arise, and thus be the “wise man” with a firm foundation. Act on the teaching of Scripture and help others to do likewise. Model biblical living […]

Reality Check

[…]as Israel 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 […]

Satisfaction

[…]people. From a close reading of John 4 Jesus models leadership that bridges cultural divides and does not quit at signs of rejection. The Samaritan woman received salvation, a regenerated life, and a chance to point others to Jesus. There is much we can learn from this encounter! The leader keeps in the forefront why he is doing what he is called to do. Jesus responded to the woman’s initial rejection with a persistent offer. Not offended, nor hardened by rejection, the leader keeps to the task. The leader removes barriers for the good of the one in need. Jesus […]

Starting an OCF Small Group Fellowship

[…]thinking of a home Bible study. Find a like-minded Christian co-worker for a workplace study. 2. Pray about starting a group, about who to invite, what to study, where to meet, time/place, etc. Let the Holy Spirit speak before launching on your own strength. 3. Invite initial participants. Face-to-face invitations work best. Using flyers, bulletin board announcements, or e-mail works better after you have an established group going. 4. Be prepared. Take a look at the many resources available on this OCF website to help you–so take your time and look around! After the First Meeting After the first meeting you’ll […]

Predictions for 2011

[…]in weakness'” (2 Corinthians 12:9). God’s promises will still be true. “Does he [God] speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19). God will still be faithful and good. “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (Psalm 27:13). His blood will still have the power to forgive sins and justify for eternity. “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” (Ephesians 1:7). His love for you will still be an […]

My Early Christmas Gift

[…]out his name.  Ignoring it he stays on course for his favorite swing.  The voice is louder and closer, and now unmistakable.  But how could that be, how could his father be here?  Finally, a well kept secret is revealed as his father stands there with open arms next to his smiling mother as tears stream down her face.   To the little boy, all the fears and concerns he’d had melt away as his Christmas gift has come early! While this scene plays out numerous times across our nation, this particular scenario played out 44 years ago to the month, […]

It Didn’t Surprise God

[…]reassured them (and ourselves) of God’s goodness, answered their questions, read the Bible, and prayed several times. Zac, my six-year-old, assumed the worst and asked me straight-up if I would remarry when Mom died. I don’t remember my response, but I remember how that question captured my fears. And so began a journey of rich blessing for our family. Skipping forward thirteen months, Heather’s doctor told us that he could see no remnants of cancer. Glory to God! I skip forward because I prefer the BLUF (bottom-line up front) over suspense. But skipping forward neglects the many blessings we experienced […]

Leadership Came Naturally

[…]helped and sympathized, but never lost sight of the reality that every organization both gave to, and demanded from, the individual. That was the condition of his servant leadership style. Specifically, a commitment to the goals of the organization and willingness to serve. He was a man of faith whose self-reliance was based on a combination of his developed capabilities, but primarily a belief that even in combat God was in control. He was a builder, not only in ministry for OCF but also physically. The month he died he had just finished supervising the construction of the second house […]

Operation Iraqi Freedom

[…]dining facilities, and a pool!  What an opportunity to meet together as Christians to worship and pray openly from the middle of a Muslim country (Saudi Arabia). A group of us read through the book of Matthew and just discussed whatever stood out to us. It added a new perspective being this close to where all the events we were reading about happened. For example, it’s cold at night in the middle of winter there. I’d always wondered if it were really cold when Jesus was born, being so near a desert and fairly far south. If He really were […]

Some Thoughts for Christians

[…]give and take. Politics is the art of the possible and a Christian congressman may be honestly, prayerfully, and rightly voting as God leads him while accepting half a loaf rather than no loaf at all. Another danger is single issue voting. It is tempting to use a single-issue litmus test, and because we are inclined to do so, candidates for office tend to say one thing to one constituency and something nuanced quite differently to another. Christians must prayerfully weigh many VUCA issues, and have the humility to recognize that we might not be fully hearing God’s message–or that […]

Superhero’s Faith

[…]easily so I never wanted to fly like him, but I always dreamed of being as strong and bold and fast and cool as Superman was. Most of the time, I felt like the dorky Clark Kent instead, but the boy in me longed to be Superman. For the majority of my childhood, I felt like a weak little pip-squeak with nerdy glasses, but sometimes I would put my “blanky” around my neck and run around the house like Superman. I loved having fun like that. But then I got older. I stopped using my imagination. I let the pressures […]

Two Greedy Institutions

[…]our role as a military spouse. Recognizing that the officer’s service is a God-given calling and demands much of him/her, it is critical to the spouse that the officer at the same time show the spouse that she/he and the children are also a top priority. Some ways to do this include: Focused time, in which both the head and heart are engaged. These times need to be frequent, though not necessarily long. Including the spouse in decision making. Being a part of what is going on in the family, and sharing the burden of parenting, not just “That’s you’re […]

What is Required of Me?

[…]to make war in the name of the President of the United States, expected to defend our Constitution and to obey those in lawful authority over you. The values and virtues of our commission are captured in laws, codes, conventions, creeds, values and traditions. You are a Christian officer. Your Christianity is preeminent; your Christianity modifies your officership. Your challenge is to meet your military obligations in a manner which is wholly consistent with your Christian value system. The great danger to any ambassador is to “go native,” assimilating the culture where you serve, forgetting whom you serve, and becoming […]

Staying Up Late

[…]the guard said. “Always love it when you pray for us.” I put my arms around their shoulders and prayed for them. I asked that God would be with them throughout the night and help them stay awake and alert. I prayed for their families. And as always, I prayed that all of us would make it through this deployment safely and return home to the ones we love. We all said, “Amen” and with that, I climbed back down the ladder, and headed towards my hooch. As I was walking back, I was reminded of the famous scene in […]

The Chaplaincy

[…]Angel of the Lord told him, “Take a walk on a deserted dusty road” (my paraphrase). Phillip obeys the angel’s voice and he is vectored to an Ethiopian government official ready to hear the words of salvation. In much the same way, as chaplains walk among the tents, eat in the chow halls, and ride in the convoys, the Lord vectors them to those whose hearts are prepared to hear and receive the eternal message of […]
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