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Strong to the Finish

[…]trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance” (James 1:2-3). When things are at their worst, the one with perseverance is at his or her best. Perseverance reveals itself in one more day of responsibility, one more week of faithfulness, and one more deployment. But if you’ve ever asked, “How long?” you’re in good company. This question was asked more than 50 times by Old Testament heroes. In Psalm 13 David asks, “How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must […]

TTP – Vision and Leadership

[…]we mean, mean what we say, and do the right thing even when no one is watching. From verse 13 of chapter 15 of John’s Gospel, Jesus tells us, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” That illustrates service before self for all time. We pledge to lay down our lives for our friends, our nation. That’s what we do. In addition, according to Paul in his epistle to the church at Ephesus, chapter 6, verse 7, “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men.” Yes, excellence in […]

With the Love of a Clanging Cymbal

[…]angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1). Clanging cymbal—that was a perfect description of my actions as I “clanged” away about a friend’s moral failure without any concern for the how or why. I had no love for him, and it was the one thing that, unfortunately, came through loud and clear. I wanted to show I was morally superior—I knew right from wrong while he didn’t. He was still married and should not be dating.  But I had missed the heart of the issue. What kind of […]

Follow Me

[…]Jesus redefined leadership for His disciples. This redefinition came on the heels of a request by James and John to be seated on the right and left of Jesus in Heaven. Upon hearing of the brothers’ request, the other disciples became upset and began to quarrel. Jesus gathered them and said, “…’whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all'” (Mark 10:44 RSV). Serve others if you want to lead. This new concept was hard to swallow then and still is today, because of the self-focused tendency […]

For All Leaders

[…]evident to all over time. Expect persecution. Jesus warns of this possibility in Matthew 5:11-12; “‘Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.'” Seek accountability from a peer. You’ll need to seek this kind of relationship. No one will come up to you and ask if they can hold you accountable! If at all possible, try to select someone who sees you daily […]

Leadership Came Naturally

[…]He was, in a phrase, “…quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry…” (James 1:19). He was genuine. He wore his faith naturally, without shame or pretense. It was a natural part of him. He didn’t make a point of stressing it. If you got to know him, you experienced his contagious faith. He was “…always prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (I Peter 3:15). Moreover, he was smart enough to know his leadership success depended on people liking and respecting him, and […]

Leadership Moments: Are You Leading?

[…]gesture, Jesus healed the servant’s injury and told Peter to put away his weapon (John 18:10-11). Jesus could have responded to the arresting entourage with a show of His mighty power or through a simple appeal to his Father and the thousands of angels standing by for Jesus’ use. Instead, He identified Himself as the one they sought (John 18:5).  A good leader leads best with actions reflecting decisions arrived at through calm, calculated, inspired thought rather than reckless displays of power. Jesus command to Peter reveals that leaders who use overwhelming displays of power are not always effective at […]

Soldiers of Faith: Washington

[…]to his exact specification, thus ensuring his men could survive the winter weather. Army Surgeon James Thacher wrote, the commander-in-chief, ” . . . whom every soldier venerates and loves, manifests a fatherly concern and fellow feeling for their sufferings, and has made every exertion in his power to remedy the evil, and to administer the much-desired relief . . . In this darkening hour of adversity, any man who possesses less firmness than Washington, would despair of our independence.” Washington’s firmness at Valley Forge paid off. His character impressed all who came in contact with him. To the distinguished […]

The Chaplain’s Role

by CH (CPT) Dell Harlow-Curtis, USA While in garrison or stateside, it is easy for chaplains to plan Bible studies, chapel services, weddings, etc. The location and the soldiers are all in abundance. While deployed to downtown Baghdad, however, with a very active Infantry Unit you can’t get them all together at one time. Patrols go out on the hour. Thirty plus soldiers go “outside the wire” on one shift while the other soldiers are sleeping. Because of the patrol rotations, a chaplain may find himself preaching at multiple services to accommodate his soldiers. This is the life of a […]

The Space Between

[…]cultural, age or religion. This reminds me of the Engel Scale: “The Engel Scale was developed 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, […]

Time, Talent, Treasure: OCF small group fellowships

[…]from a recent Bible study, “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:17). Group leaders LT Flip and Christie Johnson opened Purpose Boutique, a women’s clothing store ministering to both local and global physical needs. The “how you shop can change a life” store features artisanal clothing and accessories created by impoverished women, produced by companies who educate and help them earn livable wages. A portion of the shop’s net proceeds is donated to charities helping women and children escape human trafficking. The boutique also hosted a study of The Purpose Driven Life in […]
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Undivided Heart

[…]reverence and awe of the Lord. As you read the Bible, and especially as you contemplate Psalm 86:11, consider these simple action points: Discern truth–notice what character qualities Scripture reveals about God. Determine to act according to revealed truth. Be sensitive 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 […]

What Are You Reading?

[…]by Max De Pree, Doubleday, 2004. The Making of a Christian Leader by Ted W. Engstrom, Zondervan, 1976. Next Generation Leader by Andy Stanley, Multnomah Book, 2003. Be a Leader for God’s Sake by Bruce Winston, Regent University, 2002. Leading at a Higher Level by Ken Blanchard, Prentice Hall, 2007. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You by John Maxwell, Thomas Nelson, […]

Will you embrace the Christ of Christmas?

[…]of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life, Jesus of Nazareth.” (Dr. James Allan, ©1926)   What often comes across as merely Christmas card captions are there for the quick reading in our holiday mail: “Jesus is the reason for the season.” Or: “He came to pay a debt He didn’t owe because we owed a debt we couldn’t pay.” But while even many non-Christians can tolerate a cute little baby in a manger, it’s when Jesus gets out of his crude crib and grows up that the deaf ear becomes turned. It’s not that He just merely talks […]

Louisiana – Barksdale AFB

Local Leader: Kevin James Email: [email protected] Day & Time: We are blessed to enjoy a senior officer fellowship on a Sunday evening once a month. We share a meal, a short study, and a time of prayer. We rotate to meet in each other’s homes. Our focus is encouraging each other, growing in Christ, and praying for the base. Please contact me for location and other […]

A day in the life of OCF

[…]Bryan and Sherri coordinate their schedules so one parent is usually home when the kids are.    1100 Having received his “marching orders” during his quiet time with God, the Simpsons’ home office is up and running planning the next Spiritually Smart Family retreat, OCF’s family outreach to the military society. Before heading off to an OCF workplace luncheon, Larry reads a thank-you note from a soldier’s spouse considering divorce, “…I still struggle, but now want to grow old with the man I married.”   1200 The key word for the lunch hour is work—as in work out at the […]

Letter to My Sergeant

[…]your heart to God’s plan for your life. I close by encouraging you. Jeremiah chapter 29 verse 11 says “For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” God is there, even in prison. And if you ask, He will begin to heal your wounds. Then look up, and see who God has put in that place to help you choose life. LTC Stu McLennan, USA, served as an OCF area coordinator at Fort Leavenworth, Fort Carson and Fort Hood and […]

Professional Perspectives for Senior Officers

[…]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 this practice, you will need it all the more to maintain His perspective on your situation. If you are a new Christian, and you have not had the opportunity to […]
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Service Separations

[…]a small group. It may be a prayer and fellowship group from church or chapel, such as your local chapter of Protestant Women of the Chapel (contact your chaplain’s office for PWOC information). It may be from the local Officers’ Christian Fellowship (OCF) group, or Christian Military Fellowship (CMF) group. It may be from some Christian friends on the same street. In my case, OCF was the one place I could go by myself and not feel like a fifth wheel! If I was discouraged and frustrated (and no one is immune from this) OCF was the place where I […]

Six Generations: 2

[…]on them. The action quickly turned into a larger fire-fight in which the 3rd squadron of the 11th ACR eventually became decisively engaged. The ground trembled and opened in wide gaping holes as North Vietnamese Army mortar rounds landed nearby the men of Jon’s platoon. The deadly projectiles, lobbed with precision accuracy from perhaps one terrain feature away, were joined by rocket-propelled grenades, arcing into their oblong piece of ground, exploding into hundreds of molten-hot fragments. Man-sized chunks of mud rose from the earth like geysers each time a round landed. NVA 30 mm machine guns and AK-47 assault rifles […]

The Wounded Healer

[…]to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions” (Psalm 51:1).  And sometimes suffering is simply the effect of living in a fallen world where evil can strike anyone. Yet none of the aspects of suffering limit God’s capacity to use pain in a redeeming fashion. Isaiah’s prophesy about the greatest Suffering Servant declares, “By His wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). Jesus’ wounds and suffering are the venue through which we have been redeemed. Believers can rejoice because through our own lives, God uses the mystery of pain and suffering through which His eternal work […]
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