by COL Al Shine, USA, Ret & COL Don Snider, USA, Ret. It was Thursday of a very intense and exciting week at White Sulphur Springs where we had been focusing on the role of the Christian officer (or officer-Christian) in his or her profession. Through Paul’s letter to the believers at Colossae, God challenges us that “just as we received Christ Jesus as Lord,” we are called to “continue to live in him.” This means that if we are military officers, we are to continue to live in Christ in the role of military officer. But we also have […]
[…]there will be trials. Whether our trials cause us to reflect on a moral crisis or to regain our balance after a misstep, they will be times of great transformation. What we become through the experience is what ultimately matters. I envy each of you who is about to enter the profession of arms as both leader and ambassador. Good luck and Godspeed. by Lieutenant General Bruce L. Fister, United States Air Force, Retired, OCF Executive Director from 2000 to 2010 Co-authored with Colonel R. Michael Tesdahl, USA, Retired, OCF Director of Operations [i] Nouwen, Henri J.M., The Way […]
by COL Doug Mastriano, USA Q: How do you strike a balance between being both an effective military officer and a bold witness for Christ? A: The idea of balance between being an officer and a Christian hints at a bifurcation between the two. I do not believe that we should separate these. The Bible says to do all things as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:17). This means that your work as a military officer should be an extension of your faith. The output of your duties, as such, should be the best possible. The quality of your work and […]
[…]of “Love thy neighbor as thyself?” I learned a very useful technique for achieving this balance in Marine Corps Officer Candidate School. Early in the course, the staff sergeant in charge, our “Sergeant Instructor,” sat us down for instruction on the roles and missions of the various military services. We were expecting a presentation praising the Marine Corps and putting down the rest of DOD. Instead, our Sergeant Instructor presented the different services this way, “The United States Air Force is the premiere air force in the entire world. They rule the sky and are the very definition of air […]
[…]a little shy in this area, most people consider it a compliment when you ask their advice. Seek balance in being “salt and light” in the world, without being “of the world.” Jesus charged the disciples to be the “salt of the earth” and to let their lights “shine before men” (Matt. 5:13-16). However, John cautions us in 1 John 2:15 to, “…not love the world or the things in the world.” John goes on to describe more specifically those things he is referring to. “…the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of […]
[…]environment and duties (discussed in the introduction) can quickly skew your priorities out of balance if you do not maintain a godly perspective. The following study examines biblical priorities. We encourage you to think of them as ever-increasing concentric circles. Your relationship with God MATTHEW 6:33. Your most important relationship is how you stand as an individual before God. This relationship provides the basis and perspective for all your other relationships. Having accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, you know that God’s Word provides several very clear commands that you are to practice in order to maintain […]
