Search results for "What is an open heart"

Results 1 - 365 of 365 Page 1 of 1
Sorted by: Relevance | Sort by: Date Results per-page: 10 | 20 | 50 | All

Undivided Heart

[…]it possible to discern right judgment without knowing the truth? James 1:8 says: A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. Surely, as Christian leaders, our desire is to show compassion with an undivided heart–one that rightly discerns truth with 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 […]

Finding certainty in an uncertain world

[…]is the military life. Many of you are facing multiple layers of uncertainty and the list is endless: Where’s my next assignment? Will I make the next rank? Am I on track for the next rung of the ladder? Will my spouse find a job? What school will the kids attend? Will they find friends there? Adding to that list of uncertainties are our contemporary culture’s changes to the make-up of our military. What will the military lifestyle look like five, ten, twenty or more years down the road from the repeal of don’t ask, don’t tell and the legalization […]

Service Separations

[…]without some problems. Other counselors go even further and say that a separation is always a crisis in marriage. Studies done by the Naval Health Research Center in San Diego during and after Navy men had nine months of sea duty showed, “the initial two months away from home were critical, but it was the first two months back that were even more critical.” Why? What problems can arise? And can they be prevented? One of the most obvious problems concerns the flip-flops that occur in the wife’s role. Her husband goes to sea, and suddenly she is forced to […]

Letter to My Sergeant

[…]you did was wrong, but we care, you matter and life isn’t over. Satan wounded you. But perhaps this is what it will take to get your attention and to open 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 […]

Getting Intentional in Your Marriage

[…]USAF (Ret.) A close look at thriving Christian marriages reveals intentionality–a purposeful plan and pursuit of spiritual growth, revealing its depth in increasing relational service and contentment. At Puget Sound’s recent Climb On! Regional Training Conference for equipping OCF members, we challenged couples to resist going through the motions of marriage and lukewarm service to one another. Christian military marriages thrive when couples purposely: Open the dialogue box-and keep it open Seek to understand your wife or husband’s need, goal, or point of view Commit to caring for the other’s concerns Catch, pray for, and cooperate with God’s vision Serve […]
aa edit-Line-Officer-and-Chaplain-MGySgt-Chad-McMeen-USMC

The Line Officer and the Chaplain

[…]mission, serving in a top secret Air Force assignment, directing the actions of a Marine reconnaissance patrol, contributing to a high-level meeting on Army personnel policy, commanding a Trident submarine, or flying the Space Shuttle! Backed by the prayers of fellow believers, such officers have unique opportunities to share the truth and love of Jesus Christ. The line of decision and command responsibility runs through the line officer. As staff officers, chaplains recommend and advise. Even their spiritual ministry, however, is justified by the military as part of The Command Religious Program. On the other hand, as line officers you […]

Through A Glass Darkly

[…]begin their framework of life without the security and knowledge of a God who’s bigger than any thunderstorm or imagined monster in a closet. Parents wait until they’re older, but no one is really sure when that time is. Suddenly they find out that when Jason or Jessie is older, he’s far too cool to be interested in our Father. As mothers and dads, we have a wonderful opportunity to begin introducing our little ones to our Lord. Bible storybooks aimed at appropriate age levels are a wonderful tool. Tapes and songs and conversations about God in our daily tasks […]

A day in the life of OCF

[…]on deployment and their families.    1000 Hank and Betsy Teuton, U.S. Coast Guard Academy; Bryan and Sherri Burt, U.S. Naval Academy; Tom and Cheri Austin, U.S. Military Academy; Steve and Rita Wade, U.S. Air Force Academy Hank’s dual-purposed, successful plan B worked: the exhausted skunk Hank just scooped out of the swimming pool with a long net is now providing a spiritual lesson for Betsy. Just as the skunk never saw the plywood board put in the pool for him to climb out on, conversely Betsy recognizes that she has been missing God’s outstretched hand offering her rest. The […]
edit-Mortal-Enemies-PO1-Randi-Brown-USN

Mortal Enemies

[…]next four years I was determined to improve upon my Pearl Harbor feat. I saw action in the Solomon Islands, Java, and the Indian Ocean. With the end of the war my military career was over, since the Japanese forces were disbanded. As I got off the train one day in Tokyo, I saw an American distributing literature. When I passed him he handed me a pamphlet entitled, I Was a Prisoner of Japan. A Powerful Testimony What I read was the fascinating episode that eventually changed my life. On that Sunday while I was in the air over Pearl […]

Follow Me

[…]to them, “…’Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men…'” (Matthew 4:19 RSV). As a Christian officer in the military today, I need only look to Jesus for the example to follow. Jesus provides the premier lesson on leadership by focusing on three areas: serving others, doing the will of His Father, and forsaking the world’s view of leadership. Serve Others Serving others may sound like an odd way to lead. If we’re appointed as leaders, people are supposed to obey our orders and follow us. Servant leadership is not new to this age, but can be traced […]
aa edit-Prof-Excel-LTC-Steven-Johnston-USA

Professional Excellence (Durfey)

[…]Guard’s second core value is respect. We as Christians are called to be “need meet-ers.” This is the crux of being a servant leader. If we can put aside our own personal agenda and our own needs, we are much more likely to see others’ needs more clearly and have the time and energy to meet them. Respect, or sensitivity, toward the needs of subordinates, peers and superiors will help a leader better prioritize tasks and guide one in unselfish (or more just) decision making. One becomes “disinterested” in short term personal gain when they sense the value of their […]

Operation Iraqi Freedom

[…]yes, it would have been cold in that stable! And if the restrictive way they treat women in Saudi is anything close to the traditions of Jesus’ day, then it really did go blatantly against the culture when He honored women (such as Mary, the Samaritan at the well, and the woman who touched Him in the crowd). I wish I could describe the feeling of flying across what we called the TE Line in the months prior to “Night 1” of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The TE Line was just south of the Euphrates River and marked the edge of […]

Time, Talent, Treasure: ROTC

[…]into their own children’s spiritual lives—and reinforced by conference center ministry—is what they as “pathfinders” pour into the lives of the ECU cadets, helping them to “follow Christ and integrate their faith into their academic and military aspirations.” Whether mentoring or encouraging them in, or toward, a relationship with Christ, cadet ministry “is first and foremost about being genuine, transparent and relationship-oriented,” said Tim. “Our approach is to be gentle, but consistent supporters in the background, ready to help them be successfully find balance in their lives.”  He and Penny also host occasional dinners, help link up cadets with local […]

Members: Cast your vote now for OCF Council

[…]social and political pressure to keep military leaders from sharing their faith. Along with this issue is the rising view that diminishes the importance of chaplains in the military. We need godly officers to pray, follow the Lord above all else, and be the best professional officers there are.  Nominated by: CAPT Bob Durfey, USCG (Ret.); Maj Jim Groves, USAF (Ret.); CAPT Gerald Hale, USCG; LT Andy Halvorson, USCG; 3/C Joshua Payne, USCG; CDR Vic Primeaux, USCG (Ret.); CDR Hank Teuton, USCG (Ret.)   Lt Col Amanda Birch, USAFR Education: USAFA, BS Mech Eng, Eng Science, 1996; MIT, MS Mech […]

Six Generations: 3

[…]Greg Yahn, Gene Hess, Joe Christopher, Jesse ‘Sal’ Salcedo, Rob Jackson, Steve Harlan and Ted Hooker were plain-talking heroes who gave their all and after Vietnam went about their lives as solid citizens, not asking anything from their country that asked so much of them. Several were severely wounded in ways that profoundly affected the rest of their lives. Joe Christopher suffered from a fragmentation wound to his back during the firefight and then serious injuries to much of his body when the rescue litter he was in dropped from 60 feet up when the evacuation helicopter carrying it was […]

Therefore We Will Not Fear

[…]fight — their first combat experience. As each of us sat there, busy with thoughts and pens, distant antiaircraft fire was heard. We became alert and listened. The new men looked at me; they had not been in an air attack yet. I answered their questioning looks by saying, “We had better get downstairs.” Quickly I blew out the candle, tucked it inside my shirt, and hurried for shelter. We crouched in a little clothes locker directly under the stairs, considering that to be the safest place that could be found in the building. No sooner had we crowded into […]

Time, Talent, Treasure: Retirees

[…]was amped up several decibels from thrill to poignancy: last year John was severely injured in Afghanistan by a 107mm rocket blast that killed several of his soldiers, nearly amputating his right arm while shattering his left foot. Fifteen major surgeries and countless minor ones later, John has gone from “being unable to walk and even care for myself to going hiking and climbing in Colorado.” “John has pushed himself through pain and agony that I have never experienced, “said Joe. “Seeing him do things such as rappelling, rock climbing and backpacking during this time of his healing motivated me […]
aa edit-<span class="bsearch_highlight">What</span>-<span class="bsearch_highlight">is</span>-required-of-me-SrA-Janiqua-Robinson-USAF

What is Required of Me?

[…]no instant recipes, and 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, […]

From Mid to Married to Mom

[…]look to You Lord, set me free,From all my worries enslaving me. For I know and trust that Your plan is best,You’re my fortress, my stronghold, and in You I rest.I thank You Lord for blessing me with suchA wonderful husband who loves me so much! It’s for him I bring these requests before You,And for him I pray, his strength be renewed.Though my flesh and my heart may fail, I neverForget You’re my God, my portion forever. I’m assured that You listen, that You hear my voiceBecause You are faithful, and in You I rejoice!So in peace tonight, I […]

How does the Lord see you?

[…]with His unfathomable love   Not many of us give much thought to that question on a daily basis. And truthfully, some days I may not really want to know the answer. But knowing how the Lord sees us is something we must consider because the answer dramatically affects our calling. First, it is imperative to understand: God sees us through the lens of His unfathomable love. No matter what we‘ve done or will do, He loves you and me so deeply that “he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have […]
aa edit-Man-InBetween-Sgt-Zachary-Orr-USMC

Man of the In-Between

[…]my computer–and smile. There are no sheepskins there. But there is a faded Ranger school diploma and an old set of Vietnamese jump wings. And pictures of young men. Hal Moore said it best, “We were soldiers once–and young.” We were soldiers for a lot of reasons. One of them was the “bully syndrome.” Many years ago, as a young boy in a cozy little neighborhood in central Washington state, I learned a valuable lesson. Our neighborhood bully, Jimmy C., would never stop throwing dirt clods and using strong-arm tactics to terrorize smaller children. Yes, we complained. In fact, we […]

Six Generations: 1

[…]is certain and what is important, though, is that Jon was greatly touched in his heart and encouraged in his faith by a humble janitor who lived out his faith on a moment-by-moment basis. Hank, a middle-aged man when Jon’s brother, Al, met him as a cadet half-a-decade earlier, loved cadets and loved sharing his faith with them. As cadets would come and go to the field house for various athletic events and team practice for track and other sports, Hank would “catch” them individually, either in the locker room or on the field house floor. He would gently but […]
aa edit-Spiritual-battle-plan-LCpl-Dalton-Swanbeck-USMC

Spiritual Battle Plans

[…]vital tasks in a foreign land on behalf of, and in accordance with, the general guidance of a distant Sovereign.   For Christians, this is the very essence of our life on earth. God is our Sovereign and our citizenship is in heaven, but we are commissioned to be His ambassadors and to carry His message of reconciliation to the world (2 Corinthians 5:18-20, Philippians 3:20, Matthew 28:18-20). One facet of godly ambassadorship and of message carrying is godly living. Living a God-honoring life is even more difficult when separated from one’s normal Christian “life-support” structure: Sunday School, Chapel/Church, a […]

Waging Another War

[…]tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). The objective in successfully battling lust was in learning to build three perimeters of defense-with the eyes and in the mind and heart. Two such tactics were “bouncing eyes” (Job 31:1 —I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman), and “taking thoughts captive” (2 Corinthians 10:5 –-we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ). And a third perimeter was in the strengthening of their affections for, and the commitments […]

What Are Parents to Do?

[…]to bring the entire family. Although the time with Darren was short, and we knew the return to Afghanistan would be mentally tough for a period, we remained excited to hear of his work and his challenges. And we prayed, and prayed, and prayed. If you make the Most High your dwelling–even the Lord who is my refuge–then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your […]
aaaa-Junior-Officer-Leadership-SSG-Armando-Limon-USA

Christian Leadership for the Junior Officer

[…]your job well and will be delighted to assist you. All you will need to do is sincerely ask for assistance and then discipline yourself to listen. Ability to Work with People. Nothing is sadder than someone who displays the required knowledge for his or her job but lacks people skills. Do learn names–first names if appropriate. Learn something about your co-workers–where is each one from? What does each one do on his/her time off? Does he/she have a family? Again, learn to listen actively. Finally, avoid discussions concerning politics, and other “touchy” subjects, perhaps including religion, for a time. […]

Know Your Rights!

[…] who needs greater detail. Know what the programs you support are accomplishing. We feel that this is critically important. We try to communicate what the Lord is accomplishing through OCF through COMMAND magazine, thank-you letters, the executive director’s quarterly letter, and other communications. Know that the organization is in compliance with federal, state, and municipal laws. A major help with this is the independent CPA firm that annually audits our accounting methods and procedures. Experienced with not-for-profit organizations, the firm is invaluable in making sure that we comply with all applicable laws. Restrict or designate your gifts to a […]
aaa-Leadership-Q&A-LCpl-Matthew-Navarra-USMC

Leadership Q&A

[…]be so good that it provides proof of your faith. To put it plainly, your credibility as a Christian is on the line if you are a substandard officer. Take pride in your work, walk your talk, and thereby bring glory to God. Q: What are the must-have tools you suggest for keeping sharp as a military officer and as a Christian? A: Every Christian officer needs a friend in the faith to hold him/her accountable, hear confession, offer prayer cover, and encourage us through the struggle. Even Moses couldn’t do it alone (Exodus 17:10-13). He had Aaron and Hur […]
aaa-Leadership-with-Coersion–1SG-Ryan-Matson-USA

Leadership without Coercion

[…]Jim Hougnon, USA (Ret.) A common topic of discussion in military circles lately is how military Christians can demonstrate their faith. Senior officers in particular wonder if they have the right any longer to identify themselves as Christians. In fact, some critics argue that they may not. I think it is possible to do so without creating any coercion or appearance of coercion. In 1991 I took command of a training battalion-the kind with 500 to 600 privates getting their first high-and-tight haircuts, and their introduction to the Army, sixty drill sergeants to give them that introduction, and a handful […]

My Early Christmas Gift

[…]day to come to an end.  His mind wanders again to thoughts of his Dad who is somewhere in Pakistan, serving at an Air Base he couldn’t pronounce, let alone spell.  Although his family recently celebrated Thanksgiving, his father’s absence left a void, robbing him of reliving favorite moments of the past with his Dad:  tossing the football in the backyard; pulling on the wishbone; and snuggling together as they watched and slept through a Cowboy’s game.  With Christmas just a few weeks away, he found it a struggle to get excited. After an eternity the bell rings unleashing him […]

Re-entry Reminders

[…]as routine as possible. Take time to re-adjust to one another. Go slowly. Communicate feelings. Anxiety is normal. Discuss frustrations. Accept that we are all different. Initial discomfort in adjusting doesn’t mean your spouse is unhappy with you or the family. Communicate ahead of your spouse’s return about radical changes in your physical appearance (once a redhead now a blonde). Communicate about changes in discipline of children. Assume you’ve both been faithful to one another unless strong evidence indicates differently. Then seek wise counsel. Be open about changes that have occurred in your life–spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Avoid “who had […]

Test Me!

[…]Covenant. While God may choose to give us material riches as a reward for our faithfulness, and many times He does, I believe its much more likely that in this day and age that He will choose to give us spiritual riches here on earth and/or eternal riches when we will be living with Him forever in His presence. The key issue is – what is your attitude toward your finances? Is God in charge, or are you in charge? The Bible tells us that God owns everything and that we are merely stewards of what God gives us.This includes […]

The Chaplaincy

[…]Marc Gauthier, USA The ministry of a deployed chaplain is captured in one word–incarnational. It is ministry Jesus’ way. Just as Jesus came to earth in human form, chaplains are warrior priests who leave their homes and come to the military in soldier form. Deployed chaplains share in the same sufferings as their troops. They experience the same lacks. They miss the same birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. In a combat zone soldiers can rarely say, “Chaplain, you just don’t know what I’m going through.” Credibility is one of the cornerstones for the effective ministry of a chaplain. Once credibility is […]

The Role of the Chaplain

[…]that place may be. Knows the different religious practices and beliefs of the people in your unit Is an enthusiastic contributor to the mission and morale of your organization, but one who will let you know when there are problems with its mission or morale. Those are some of the basic expectations that should be met by your chaplains. If they are not meeting those expectations, something is definitely wrong. When I was a Marine officer in combat, the chaplains I encountered understood their value to our units. They made significant contributions to our mission and morale. We should always […]

Three Looks

[…]into the shoes of our now-deployed supervisor, Bible study leader, or colleague. As Christian officers desiring to exercise biblical leadership—faced with constant flux and in the process of growing in our capacity to lead—how can we best prepare for our next leadership role? I offer you three “looks.” Look Back Taking a reflective pit stop is critical, especially at our Indy 500 pace. “Experience is the best teacher” is a common, but incorrect, adage. Leadership experts now attest that evaluated experience is the best teacher. Here are a few questions to consider before you move to from one leadership role […]

We Honor Them

  • Relevance: 1%
  • Type: Post
  • Post author:
  • Published date: May 29, 2010
  • Terms:
[…]I don’t want to lose their memory, nor do I want to forget the honor I have to participate in this mission. We don’t know why their lives were taken so early, but we do know why they served-because they were called by their country and they answered the call. They served, knowing they would see danger and they would be away from family and home, but they did it selflessly. Please pray for their families and friends back home, that God will comfort them in their sorrow, knowing that these five soldiers did their duty […]

What Are You Reading?

[…]as a servant leader requires deep humility and the intentional suppression of ego and pride. This is particularly difficult for senior leaders who are afforded significant privileges, deference, and accolades–especially in our results-driven culture. I believe it would be well worth your time to grab at least a few of the following recommended books and study them carefully. You will certainly see things in them that you already know, but I suspect you will find a new perspective, informed by Scripture, and modeled in Jesus’ life that will allow you to grow as a Christian leader. In doing this, I […]

Germany – Kaiserslautern

[…][email protected], Day & Time: Rhema Cafe, open Sun 0900-1800, Mon-Sat 0600-2300. Christian café which hosts 5-10 classes a day, daily events, and training. Have 4 pastors on site. Nondenominational. All helping services are free and funded by donations. Visit us at TheKMRC.com and TWL.org, or look us up on […]

Fervent Desire for Peace

[…]Charles Alley inscribed the following, echoing the sentiments of thousands of other faithful Christians who battled and bled on both sides. Monday, May 1, 1865 News of the surrender of General Johnston and his army–and also all the posts in his department, comprising the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida… Soon again with the blessing of our Heavenly Father we will be at home among friends, our swords beaten into plough shares and our spears into pruning hooks, never, I trust, to learn war again. Thank God for peace; may it be lasting and righteous, the evil cause of it being entirely blotted out. […]
edit-For-all-leaders-MC2-Amanda-Hayes-USN

For All Leaders

[…]sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” If you’re serious about being at your best, this is a must. Don’t hesitate to seek counsel. Even though you are the commander, you don’t have all the answers and should not be shy about seeking sound advice. “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure” (Prov. 11:14). Incidentally, in case you are 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 […]

Home Front Holidays

[…]think that doing more will make it better. If you are a home front spouse this year, decide what is most important to you and just do your best. 3. Determine in advance to keep a positive outlook. Many well-intentioned souls (often including our own families) become especially “sorry for you” during the holidays. It is okay to publicly acknowledge that you would rather have your deployed loved one home, but it is also okay to truly enjoy the season. Honestly tell others that while you appreciate their concern, you have decided to focus on your blessings and the joy […]

How Should a Christian Live?

[…]I am a philosophy major, and as you can assume, I love reading anything from C.S. Lewis and Sproul to Rand and Nietzsche. I am compelled to point out the flaws in the arguments that are presented, which makes me ask a lot of questions. Additionally, I am an Augustinian; I tend to binge on pleasure and then retreat to an almost monastic existence, but it is difficult for me to maintain either state for too long. I have been pegged by some as fickle and by others as just plain unbelievable and insincere. Consistency is a problem for me, […]

Implicit Trust

[…]“He said it,” answered the soldier, pointing in the direction of the Emperor riding in the distance, and immediately he was accepted by the officers as one of them. This was simple faith and trust on the part of the soldier. He believed his Emperor’s word and acted accordingly. Instead of waiting until he felt himself to be a captain, he at once took the Emperor at his word. He believed first, he felt next. He did not look at the private’s uniform he was wearing and say, “Surely I cannot be a captain, I do not even look like […]

It Didn’t Surprise God

[…]as events unfolded. The outpouring of support was incredible. Each step of the way, our Christian and military families lifted us up. Letters, e-mails, and cards poured in. People cooked meals for us. Most important was prayer. We were especially covered by prayer the day of Heather’s surgery. It was an experience of peace, even when Heather was rushed from post-op back into surgery to close a bleeding artery that swelled her neck with blood. But it was far more than just peace in the hospital. Many people have prayed for us and continue to pray for us today. Which […]

Laborers and Laboring as Unto the Lord

[…](1 Timothy 4:10). Unlike 401(k) portfolios that go up in smoke or hard-earned homes that vanish in a pen stroke at foreclosure, God’s promise to those who labor with and for Him is unshakeable. The fruit of their labor is deposited untouchable in heaven’s treasuries ahead of them where, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them” (Revelation […]

Leadership by Example

[…] know how to train and then to adapt that expertise to new situations as we are doing in Afghanistan and Iraq, and they do it well, the best in the world I might add. And, if they do not, then, it goes without saying that the Army will not contribute militarily to subduing the insurgencies in those two locations. But it takes far more than tactical competence to fulfill your obligations as an officer. It takes, secondly, moral character of the highest sort in every commissioned leader, particularly as our Army fights the dirty battles of urban warfare as […]

Leadership Excellence

[…]most importantly, great strength of character. Leaders must understand that the profession of arms is an altogether unique endeavor, a true “calling” and, in many ways, a spiritual undertaking. They must recognize the true nature of the enterprise, acknowledge the spiritual dimension of their service, and appreciate the motives and expectations of their subordinates. Service members are generally distinguished by their deep conviction and sense of duty, and by their confidence in the integrity of the organizations to which they belong. The best units are united by shared beliefs, common values, and a resilient faith in one another, in the […]

Let His Light Shine!

[…]consisted of a firewall, providing a perimeter of defense to keep out the bad guys, and anti-virus software patrolling within the perimeter to ensure nothing had slipped through to do damage, steal information, or render you useless. The last line of defense was the user who employed a password or other measures to encrypt and protect their information.  In the spiritual world, we can draw the same analogy-our defense-in-depth measures include fellowship, which acts as our perimeter defense, surrounding us with brothers and sisters to hold up our hands and protect us from outside evil influences.  Prayer acts as spiritual […]

Making the ‘no greater love’ sacrifice

[…]Dorchester was a converted troop ship taking 902 souls from New York to war in Europe via Greenland. Anyone who’s ever been aboard a troop ship as a passenger, with troops huddled in every nook and cranny of the ship, knows it’s not a Princess Cruises excursion! The sights and smells of huddled humanity aren’t soon forgotten. One day out of Greenland, a torpedo struck the side of the ship, killing all in the blast area, plunging the vessel into total darkness. Terrified and confused, the surviving soldiers scurried in search of exits and rescue boats. Chaplains Alexander Goode, John […]

Part of an amazing lineage

[…]after his death, Jon Shine’s brother, Al, and his wife, Sandra, named their young son Jonathan Anthony Shine. Now, LTC Jonathan Shine, one week after the dedication, assumed battalion command at Fort Bliss. LTC Shine is constantly aware of his lineage. He continues to live up to the legacy of service and calling established by his uncle and by his dad and mother. In late June, I attended Anchor Points, which is OCF’s executive leadership course dedicated to pouring into the lives of OCF’s future leaders. I met a family who has withstood five deployments in fifteen years of marriage. […]
aa edit-Professional-Perspective-MC3-Justin-Whitley-USN

Professional Perspectives for Senior Officers

[…]who follow you away from your true goal. Soon a confusion of commitments takes place, and a crisis arrives. You must set and sustain clear and concrete priorities, both professional and spiritual. Compete according to the rules 2 TIMOTHY 2:5. You may strongly disagree with the written or unwritten rules of the groups to which you have made commitments. When this occurs, you should attempt within the institution to change those rules. If you cannot do so, you may face the decision of whether to remove yourself from leadership, or perhaps even from the institution. In responding to such situations, […]
Read more » Professional Perspectives for Senior Officers

Rescue on the High Seas

[…]the Port of Mombasa. Once safely in port, we spent the next few weeks in Mombasa waiting for the crisis to end. It came on Easter Sunday when Navy SEAL snipers effected the rescue of Captain Phillips. Our “Alabama Eighteen” made a loud scene when we heard the news — extremely happy for having a part in one of the best-coordinated rescues ever conducted at sea. Our voyage was a blessed one. I feel everyone knew that it could have turned out very differently. And as I reflect, I see that in those extraordinary circumstances the Lord prompted me to […]

Share this spiritual gift with your teen

by LTC Philip R. Tilly, USA Brian was 14, a high school freshman and was quickly growing into a young man. Freshman year was quickly passing. A lot of “stuff” filled our moments, leaving less and less time to talk, to laugh, to just be together. Our family first heard about Father-Teen Adventure (FTA) during Leavenworth Week at Spring Canyon (SC) in 2001. A few years later I was looking for an opportunity to grow closer to the Lord, closer to my son, and to offer to Brian a special time for us to share. We reserved two spots for the […]

Situational Awareness

[…]and resources for large organizations. You are in a strategic position. By virtue of your rank and position subordinates look to you to set the standard. The example you portray as a Christian leader has the ability to directly affect the personal conduct and eternal future of hundreds. Those hundreds may eventually impact countless numbers. You may be in a position to advise senior leaders on matters of importance. Seeking God’s wisdom and applying it at the right time can steer the actions and attitudes of thousands. Emotionally your career experience has seen unprecedented change. Your life has spanned the […]

Six Generations: 2

[…]inspiration with his fellow cadets. Again, his firm stance on living unashamedly as a Christian is another example of choosing the harder right over the easier wrong of just going with the flow and not making one’s faith a lightning rod for others to criticize. Special Inspection Graduation was drawing near and preparing for life as an Army lieutenant became the one thing on most Firsties’ minds. While many consider their professional legacies–how people will remember them–when completing a watershed event their lives, the main thing on Jon’s mind at the end of his cadet experience was ensuring the spiritual […]

Soldiers of Faith: Washington

[…]Washington shape the virtue of the army? Early on, he carried strong faith into his public life. This is evident from the following entries in his prayer journal: Let my heart, therefore, gracious God, be so affected with the glory and majesty of (Thine honor) that I may not do my own works, but wait on Thee, and discharge those weighty duties which thou requirest of me. . .Thou gavest thy Son to die for me; and hast given me assurance of salvation, upon my repentance and sincere endeavor to conform my life to His holy precepts and example. These […]

Some Thoughts for Christians

[…]and in situations of clear conflict between the two “we must obey God rather than men.” This is about all I find prescriptive or direct in Scripture about the role of government. There are several roles implied by example of governments set up by God in the Old Testament. But, again, the only clearly prescriptive role seems to be that focused on in Romans 13:1-7 which I would summarize as providing a modicum of justice and order in societies of sinful men. Further, conspicuous by its absence in Scripture, is clear support for a particular form of government. What strikes […]

Stretchmark Sorority

[…]have but want very badly). Cleaning your plate somehow keeps a starving child in a distant country from going to bed hungry that night (think of the starving Martians and eat your spinach!). Developing strange dietary habits throughout the years, moms hide in bathrooms to eat chocolate, and they test out special “treats” on Mother’s Day. I remember the year our girls decided to serve me breakfast in bed; the “cinnamon toast” would have been delicious, except that they thought the can of nutmeg was cinnamon. Between large gulps of milk, I enthusiastically praised them for their wonderful cuisine. Mothers […]

Strong to the Finish

[…]helping you learn more about the love, strength, wisdom, and peace that only He can provide. Dan is the president of Encouragement FM, a former Christian camp director, and a past chair of the CCCA Board of Directors. This article first appeared in the March/April 2005 issue of InSite magazine. Used by […]

Superhero’s Faith

[…]where I can get drunk one more time or make some more superficial friends. What I want more than anything is to be fulfilled in life, and what I’m doing with my life right now is not fulfilling me at all.” Clark Kent is not who I really am, and yet I let him rule in my life everyday. I live as though I don’t even know that Superman exists. Clark Kent lives like everyone else in the world does, going through life almost mindlessly. I don’t want that. Superman, on the other hand, lives life to the fullest-he flies […]
edit-Jungles-of-War-LCpl-Kealii-De-Los-Santos-USMC

The Jungles of War

[…]sure of my calling. Serving at Guantanamo Bay through the ominous days of the Cuban missile crisis brought no particular strain on me personally. We did our job; we returned home. Then came an assignment in 1965 as a battalion advisor with the Vietnamese Marine Corps (VNMC). The VNMC was an element of the “fire brigade” troops for the South Vietnamese government. They were well-trained, loyal and effective combat troops. Because of these factors they were moved into all four Corps areas, wherever the enemy was active, throughout the war. As soon as things cooled down, they were moved to […]

The Lord—your refuge in a high optempo

[…]you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it’” (Isaiah 30:21). Whether you are newly commissioned, deployed, or in a high optempo job, your time is extremely limited. Maybe you have grown restless or you’ve lost the joy in your walk with the Lord. I encourage you to take the opportunity to attend one of our OCF conference centers or an OCF retreat. But even if it’s just for a few moments each day, even in the midst of a high operational tempo, seek […]
aa two-greedy-institutions-TSgt-Austin-Knox-USAF

Two Greedy Institutions

[…]things the officer wants from his spouse: Recognition that his role as an officer-Christian is a calling from God that he must do “heartily as unto the Lord” (Col 3:23). Her input on decision making-real opinions. When possible, a little wind-down time after returning home from work. Time and encouragement to pursue things personal. The similarities in many of the insights from the two groups are not surprising, but also encouraging. Fundamentally, both want to be God’s team in the calling he has for them together. May we seek his grace to live what we believe. Editors note:  The issues […]

What Right Looks Like

[…]often guided by the lessons we learn from past conflicts and operations. Professional development is an ongoing process for any officer, noncommissioned officer, or civilian. Proverbs 23:12 states, “Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.” Our professional development does not stop at the institutional schools but should occur daily. Thus we are able to apply that acquired knowledge to our current job and also pass that awareness on to others. Demonstrate What Right Looks Like Second Thessalonians 3:13 says, “…never tire of doing what is right.” Service in the military is a 24-hour job. People […]
aa edit-Why-we-serve-CWO2-Pete-Thibodeau-USMC

Why We Serve

[…]for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (I Timothy 5:8). While Paul’s instruction at that time pertained to elderly members of the family, the application to your “immediate” or future family seems obvious. We work to provide for those whom God has directly entrusted to our care. But God has also entrusted to us a larger family. This responsibility also requires our service or work. In Ephesians 2:8 Paul said, “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his […]

Will you embrace the Christ of Christmas?

[…]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 about hot-button things: our sin, mankind’s need for a savior, that heaven and hell exist. But He also requires a personal response—from every one of us-to the gift of eternal salvation He extends. A gift that only He could purchase—with His blood at the Cross of Calvary. Now that cooing infant lying […]

With the Love of a Clanging Cymbal

[…]he was still married—the papers weren’t yet signed. Trying to be the “good” Christian, I saw this as my opportunity to point out his transgression. After a brief treatise on fidelity and marriage, I punctuated my comments by calling him, “Mr. Immorality.”  That would make clear the error of his ways and with any luck I would soon be leading him in the sinner’s prayer. I eased back in my office chair with a sense of pride at my work for the cause of Christ. Looking for additional opportunities to “help,” I asked why he was getting a divorce in […]

Our Address

OCF logo
OCF Home Office
4050 Lee Vance Drive, Suite 330
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Phone: 303-761-1984

OCF is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Our CFC number is 10531. OCF is also a member of these organizations:

Subscribe

Our Connected Monthly email will keep you connected with OCF ministry news, events, and more. Subscribe or re-subscribe below.

View our email archives

* indicates required

Copyright © 2000-2023 Officers’ Christian Fellowship. All Rights Reserved.

Subscribe

Our Connected Monthly email will keep you connected with OCF ministry news, events, and more. Subscribe or re-subscribe below.

View our email archives

* indicates required

Our Address

OCF logo
OCF Home Office
4050 Lee Vance Drive, Suite 330
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Phone: 303-761-1984

OCF is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Our CFC number is 10531. OCF is also a member of these organizations:

Copyright © 2000-2023 Officers’ Christian Fellowship. All Rights Reserved.

This website uses cookies and third party services. Settings Ok
Go to Top