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The Jungles of War

[…]a devastated village in Viet Nam. Moral dilemmas are by no means the private territory of men at war. However, wars do provide acute crises in moral and ethical decision-making. During two tours as an infantry officer in Viet Nam, as well as service in Cuba, Malaysia, Cyprus and Northern Ireland, I encountered several such dilemmas. I’ll examine a couple of them in this article. First let me establish that a military career had not been my choice early in life. The second of three sons born to a Marine who held every rank from private to major (some twice!), […]

Waging Another War

[…]has been at war against the enemies of our nation. Our soldiers have also been waging another war with another enemy, an unseen one–sexual temptation. It comes in many forms, leaving in its destructive wake adultery, divorce, discipline problems, and low moral conduct and morale. I saw many soldiers caught in the claws of sexual impurity during my deployment to Iraq. It grieved my spirit to see these things affecting the soldiers of my Forward Operating Base (FOB), fueled by the rampant availability of pornographic items. I decided to make a difference by starting a Bible study on sexual integrity […]

War on Spiritual Terrorism

[…]military leaders all talk about which exists in our physical world. We are engaged now in a global war against this form of terrorism. This is a new application of an ancient form of warfare devised by our adversaries to counter our greater conventional strength. Many of us will be directly involved in training, equipping, employing, planning, and leading soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines to fight this new adversary. But in order to “win” in this protracted conflict, we must recognize that there really is a fight between good and evil. Irregular warfare has been raging since the fall of […]

Spiritual War

[…]intelligence is limited, his time is limited, and his arrogance is unlimited. 3. We do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. Our weapons have Divine Power to demolish strongholds. 4. Satan is overcome by the Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. 5. Kindness is the greatest weapon in kingdom warfare. It is the major weapon of God in leading people to repentance. 6. The Word of God is our offensive weapon, “. . . the sword of the Spirit.” 7. Unity in the battle is essential. Unity […]

War Eagle, Iraq

[…]doing this, a sniper took aim and fired. The bullet penetrated the Kevlar helmet of the unaware soldier from the back of his head. The helmet exploded by the impact of the bullet, but the intended killing-round ricocheted through the helmet, above the soldier’s head, exiting through the front of the helmet, only grazing his scalp! The time of the shooting at Ur coincided exactly with the prayer of the soldiers at War Eagle! While some might call this good luck, coincidence, or good fortune, one thing is certain; prayers were being made at the very moment that incident occurred. […]

Ice Cream in Iraq

[…]telling us where they are hiding. That has made our job a lot easier and a lot safer! 11. What is war like? War is no fun at all. I wish there were no wars anywhere. If there was no war, we would all be happy and Soldiers would be home with their families. It’s too bad there are so many bad guys out there who want to have wars against the good guys. 12. Do you like it in Iraq? Honestly, I do not like it here much. The main reason is because I have to be away from […]

Fervent Desire for Peace

[…]train for war anymore” (Isaiah 2:3-4). Today the world finds itself in the midst of a global war against terrorism. The enemy’s cowardly forces avoid facing an armed adversary, preferring to wage war on the defenseless. And once again, we are vividly reminded of a lasting truth. Only when our Lord returns to usher us into the fullness of His Kingdom, will we be free to lay aside–for all time–the weapons with which we now defend peace. In the meantime, in my office I have a precious reminder of this comforting Messianic promise. It is a weapon– turned tool– now […]

Service Separations

[…]service. How your family adjusts is important! Are You Expecting Orders? OCF has a useful resource just for you! Thriving Not Just Surviving contains articles on military family separations. It is designed to help you as you face separations due to military assignments. In this book, military family members reveal how they have learned to cope with service separations. Order this OCF book now – and join others who have received help and encouragement from reading it. Contact the OCF home office at: [email protected] or 800.424.1984 Beverley Moritz is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute and has written for Moody Monthly, […]

Leadership by Example

[…]At one of our first meetings, I asked him what my duties were. Mind you, he was a World War II and Korean War veteran with six Silver Stars and Five Purple Hearts; he had fought from Omaha beach to the Ruhr and later for two years in Korea. Needless to say I was a bit apprehensive, but his answer was profound. He said, “Let me tell you first what my duty is. It is always to conduct myself so that every officer in this brigade wants to be like me and, some day, to be in my position. And […]

Making the ‘no greater love’ sacrifice

[…]what our boys are about to face. They need me.” In a letter to his dad Chaplain Poling wrote, “Just pray I shall do my duty… that I shall never be a coward.” Every chaplain who has come after them understands the risks assumed in becoming battle buddies to the warriors they accompany on their journeys through the valley of the shadow of death—many also making the same “no greater love” sacrifice as this brave quartet. — Ben, a Navy veteran, ministers as a chaplain to chaplains for Adopt-A-Chaplain. He also authored two books, God I’ve Got A Problem and […]

Soldiers of Faith: Washington

[…]his lengthy treatise On War Carl von Clausewitz stated that most of the subjects on the theory of war were half physical and half moral. “We might say the physical are almost no more than the wooden handle, whilst the moral are the noble metal, the real bright-polished weapon,” he wrote. While he concluded that the realm of the talents of the commander included virtue of the army and national feeling, he missed the chance to capture by historical example a general that embodied such moral force in action. George Washington was a great commander because he acted upon his […]
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Professional Perspectives for Senior Officers

[…]Bible study and coordinated other spiritual activities across a number of units responded, “It just seemed the thing to do. What should be your attitudes toward the spiritual dimensions of position, authority and rank? What principles can you identify in God’s Word? How can you apply them in your duties? Study and meditate on the following Scripture notes as you answer these questions. Psalm 75 Who really is in control of all events? If an excellent record results in promotion, who is the primary source of the abilities and gifts that enable a person to attain high rank? Consider the […]
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A day in the life of OCF

[…]for the new summer conference center brochure and an upcoming radio interview for Brig Gen David Warner has awakened director of communications Michael Edwards two hours before his alarm is set to go off. He sketches out the list he and his Comms team will tackle in a few hours: the brochure, radio interview, OCF website changes, Facebook posts and the upcoming command magazine deadline. He commits the list to the Lord, asking for wisdom.  The sixteen wooded acres surrounding Shepherd’s Fold serves as training ground for USCGA’s Sandhurst Military Skills Competition squad. Camping outside as part of their training […]

Six Generations: 2

[…]compromise of Lt. Shine taking a flanking position, when the firing started. The Lt. ran forward, with Sgt. Roberts following, towards his platoon, and leading them on a flanking position from where our main group was set. The jungle was thick, from anywhere just off the path, and made visibility of the enemy past 10 meters impossible to detect without observing muzzle flash. As he rallied his troops to move to our right, they maybe made about fifty yards progress, when he was cut down by machine gun fire.” Rob “Doc” Jackson, Jon’s platoon medic–and now a pastor in Maine–unhesitatingly […]

Heroes

[…]hero, but you are to those of us back home. The mere fact that you joined the military in time of war makes you a brave person, if not a hero. So how do you become a hero—or at least a good leader? Take care of your soldiers and they will take care of you. Talk to them. Show interest in them. Take notes if you need to, but get to know your people personally. Soldiers don’t want you as a friend; they want you to be their leader. Train hard. Lives may depend on how hard you train your […]
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Mortal Enemies

[…]camp in California. When the radio announced the demolition of Pearl Harbor he shouted, “Jap, just wait and see what we’ll do to you!” One month later he volunteered for a secret mission with the Jimmy Doolittle Squadron—a surprise raid on Tokyo from the carrier Hornet. On April 18, 1942, DeShazer was one of the bombardiers filled with elation at getting his own revenge. After the bombing raid, they flew on towards China but ran out of fuel and were forced to parachute into Japanese-held territory. The next morning, DeShazer found himself a prisoner of Japan. During his long confinement, […]

Situational Awareness

[…]up tempo of the 1990s peacekeeping and stability operations, and now the frenzy of the Global War on Terrorism. More than modernization, your byword is transformation. Each branch of service is undergoing major shifts in organization and culture. The impact of continuous change can leave service members and their families mentally adrift and stressed to the breaking point. You have great opportunities in this environment to provide the stability that only a relationship with Jesus Christ can bring.Standing Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for gap leaders 1 – Establish security.Living in the gap does not necessarily equal standing in the gap. […]
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Three Words

[…]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. It’s only the “well done, good and faithful servant,” of our risen Lord that matters. Jesus is Lord! Let these three words mark what you should be, what you can be, and what by God’s grace and your persistent decision, you will be. “Therefore, my dear brothers,”–my brothers and sisters just embarking on an […]

You Are Commissioned

[…]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, how prepared will you be to deal with crisis? Will you react under your own strength or will you call upon the Lord to carry you through His plan for your life for His purposes? You were called by God for a purpose in our military and that purpose […]

How Shall We Pray?

[…]challenge to Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coastguardsmen, and their families is the Global War on Terrorism. The GWOT is real, dangerous, long, hard, and critical to the defense of our nation and the freedoms it represents. Add to this the personal challenges of sickness, the loss of loved ones, difficulties with a child in school, conflict with those with whom or for whom we work, and relational issues with those we love. And then there are the challenges involving relationships with the Lord, both from inside the body and from the culture in which we live. Each day in the […]

Members: Cast your vote now for OCF Council

[…]I claim the earliest salvation of Christ as seen in Psalm 22:9-10. Throughout my life in two wars and three fronts the Lord has been my rock and shield. I trust in Christ alone.  What is the biggest challenge you see currently facing OCF right now? To continue our partnership with chaplains while boldly standing for Christ and the gospel in a military that becomes ever more anti-Christian. As soldiers and leaders we must learn to exemplify the virtues of Christ through action and deed so as to cause the lost around us to notice. We must not compromise our […]

Operation Iraqi Freedom

[…]or praise band, or church, we agreed that we didn’t really feel much like a part of the war. We came home and slept in warm beds in air-conditioned rooms. Granted, there were three or four people per room, and some even lived in the storage room down the hall, but that was hardly considered hardship compared to how the Army troops and Marines lived. So, like many of you, we supported them the best way we could–in prayer. It really meant a lot to me to see the picture of a group of people–arms around each other–gathered in prayer. […]

Through A Glass Darkly

[…]was to prepare for the fact that our baby wouldn’t even know her daddy when he returned. She’s just too young to remember, they warned. Don’t expect too much, another said. It’ll take time, but they’ll start all over again. With that advice, I purposed in my heart to be different. I would do all I could to give my girls a sense of having a father, even if he wasn’t with them for months on end. Each day we talked about Daddy. We sent artwork and cookies to him and even made a tape or two. When the mailman […]

Share this spiritual gift with your teen

[…]Adventure is not just for fathers and their sons. Daughters can come, too, and they have just as much fun and grow just as close to their dads. FTA is special. It is a journey with your child. It is physically challenging and fun, emotionally exhausting at times and yet refreshing, and it is a spiritual gift that you can share with your teen-and with the Lord. I encourage you to think about it. Make the trip. Do it for your child. Find the way. The following are excerpts from our trip. Day 00 Day 01 Day 02 Day 03 […]

Six Generations: 3

[…]spiritual development of his contemporaries is reiterated annually in preparation for this award ceremony. Recent recipients of the award include Bryan Groves, an infantryman serving at Fort Bragg, NC; Mike Stone, a tanker serving in Germany; Marie (Roush) Hatch, an AG officer currently serving at Fort Campbell, KY; and most recently, Riley Post, an infantryman who just graduated from Ranger School and is enroute to graduate studies at Oxford [as a Rhodes Scholar]. Jon is also a recurring topic of discussion during the annual West Point-specific Rocky Mountain High rotation at Spring Canyon, Colorado, where Fort Shine is named after […]

Leadership Came Naturally

[…]with their families and to prepare themselves in other more relevant ways before going off to war. He was ambitious but principled. He was goal oriented but the end never justified the means. He was a servant leader who prayed for his people, held them accountable, and helped them achieve their goals. He 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 […]
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Professional Excellence (Durfey)

[…]can gain much more from any experience if “extra” time can be taken. Food shared at the wardroom table with friends in conversation is much more of a meal; an inspection of the spaces interspersed with small talk with those who did the cleaning is much more productive. Commuting on a bike, one will see things never seen from a car. Leaders must force themselves to slow down. Prayer is designed by God to do just that! Prayer also puts things into perspective-God’s perspective! The Lord does not over-schedule our days. He does not demand so much of us that […]

Finishing Strong, in Iraq and Life

[…]army. Our soldiers are professional, dedicated, strong, and compassionate. Yes, they looked forward to getting home to their families and lives on American soil. But in Iraq last summer, morale was upbeat-considering they still had to take cover when sirens sounded “incoming rocket fire” from insurgents. My view is our soldiers knew they were finishing strong because they understand what was started and what the ending result should look like. As New Testament Christians, we are aware that God desires His children to finish strong-in our daily endeavors and all the way to our last breath on this side of […]

Some Thoughts for Christians

[…]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 me is that these matters which seem so very important to us seem not so to God. God knows the human heart, and though not unconcerned with the structures we set up to govern and interact with each other, He is far more concerned with our relationship to Him and the work of His Church. Knowing […]

The Lord—your refuge in a high optempo

[…]a major league farm club after being challenged by his players to try out. But the simple joy of just playing baseball begins to fade in the minor league world of travel, low pay, and concern for his struggling family’s welfare. On the verge of giving up, Morris’ wife dissuades him from quitting by recounting their young son’s glowing, joyous face of watching Dad play just for love of the game. His joy returned! “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”?(Psalm 46:10). Some of you, […]

WSS Winter Retreat #4

[…]#4 speaker, and will speak on “Living the Christian Life Unbalanced.” Description: An Air War College student declared this year that there are no good New Testament role models for how to live a balanced life in the military. He said that the apostles and writers of the NT books all seems to be a bit extreme. That got me thinking about what I encourage students and permanent staff and retirees to pursue. I am usually found reminding believers to not be ashamed, to share in suffering, to endure everything for the sake of the elect, and to preach the […]
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For All Leaders

[…]an outstanding example in Psalm 144:1, “Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.” David demonstrated excellence as a warrior and glorified God in the process. Let those you lead know early on that you are a Christian. You can do this in several ways. Symbols in your office can reflect your faith, but your words and actions will make your Christian character 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 […]

Leadership and the Christian Officer

[…]noted historian S.L.A. Marshall rated as the best division in the European Theater during World War II. Later, he was Chief U.N. Negotiator at Panmunjom, Korea, and subsequently served as Commander-in-Chief of the Caribbean Command. General Harrison served as president of Officers’ Christian Fellowship from 1954 to 1972, and as president emeritus until his death in […]

Leadership Excellence

[…]in the unit, in their leader, and in God. Faith is the powerful phenomenon that has sustained warriors throughout the ages. In order to succeed, a leader must capitalize on that faith, in all its manifestations, including his subordinates’ faith in their leader’s moral fitness. Leadership is, at heart, a social contract–a sometimes tenuous agreement between the leader and those he leads that must be jealously safeguarded. Although it may be politically incorrect to discuss moral authority, it nevertheless remains the true underpinning of leadership and the key to its preservation. Subordinates may be supervised, directed, managed, cajoled or compelled […]
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Leadership Q&A

[…]is that despite the forces arraigned against him, he was open about his faith. Daniel was no coward, even though he knew that the cost could be high–even death. As modern day Daniels, we can’t be covert about our faith, and must not be ashamed of the name of Jesus. Using wisdom and discernment throughout our lives, we are told to be bold and courageous. Jesus has called us to take a stand in such a time as this. Laying low, and compromising are outside of our calling. In taking a stand, you may pay a high price, but in […]

Let His Light Shine!

[…]you can see these weapons as fellowship, prayer, and the Word. I remember a different kind of warfare from my active duty days–cyber-war, in which we would initially defend against by employing “defense-in-depth.”  This defense-in-depth 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 […]
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Man of the In-Between

[…]thousand years after David faced the giant at Elah, the greater son of David demonstrated the warrior spirit when he climbed a piece of high ground called calvary and faced off with the champion of evil, the bully of all bullies. Warrior that He is, our Christ stood between us and all that would destroy us, deliberately taking the full fury, and shedding His own blood for the rest of us. And, while the outcome was secured at calvary, our Savior’s days in battle are not over. On a day still future, the Lion of Judah will don a blood-spattered […]

Part of an amazing lineage

[…]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. How have they done this? By living a life worthy of the call, staying on their knees, immersed in the Word, and […]

The Role of Faith

[…]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 looking to God for help. Faith gives people the hope and courage they need to get through trials. The realization that you have no control over your circumstances may draw you to God for the first time, or possibly back to God. “The power is in the Person to whom faith clings. . . […]

What Are You Reading?

by Col James R. Downey, USAFR (Ret.) When I was on the faculty of the Army War College one of my favorite questions to ask of visiting senior leaders, especially general officers, was “What are you reading right now?” That open-ended inquiry was usually quite telling as to how engaged those leaders were in their own continuing growth and professional development. Those who said they were too busy to read had let the tyranny of the urgent capture them. The ones who were engaged impressed me with the breadth and depth of what they were reading. Some even suggested that […]
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What is Required of Me?

[…]to be good news and to bring good news. You are an officer commissioned to prepare for and 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 […]

Wrestling with Depression

[…]Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, we are reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:17-21) and the 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 […]
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Speak my language

[…]But my thought when I got back home after a few weeks out at sea was, “Oh great, I’m just a handyman now.” And I’m not very handy! If she had taken care of those chores without me—even if that meant hiring a plumber or electrician—I would have felt much more loved. She just didn’t understand my love language.   Now that we understand our love languages, Rob makes a point to spend consistent quality time with me, and I am more than happy for him to have guy nights without me. In turn, I manage the household and cook […]

How Should a Christian Live?

[…]a cadet Dear Cadet, Thanks for the note. First of all, philosophy is not a bad thing. There were just as many great thinkers who were strong Christians and/or otherwise good people with good intentions, as there were others who were destructive. The search for truth, the meaning of life (and death), the understanding of good and evil, and the intrinsic nature of man is not only a worthy exercise but also an essential one. It establishes your worldview, the particular set of lenses through which you filter things, judge events and people, and make decisions. Whether you see man […]

Implicit Trust

[…]of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” Just as Moses raised up the brass serpent upon a pole, so Christ was raised up on a cross. There Christ bore the full judgment of our sin. He suffered, bled, and died in your place and in mine, the Innocent One dying for the guilty. Isaiah said, “… he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isa. 53:5 KJV). This Good News of […]

Therefore We Will Not Fear

[…]Christ and what He means to me. As I looked for an excuse, I could find only that I had been “just too busy,” I vowed then and there that the first thing I must do if I ever got out of that locker, was to witness to those men. As soon as the men had settled themselves a little, I began, “I want to talk to you new men for just a few minutes.” I had made it a practice shortly after being in combat to tell my new men what I believed and to encourage them to read […]
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Time, Talent, Treasure: OCF small group fellowships

[…]Guard officers, spouses and kids helped build a house. “There was a lot of manual labor, but just to be able to meet the gal that was going to be living there made it more meaningful,” said leader Jennifer Corbin. “It was just a neat experience to be a part of.” In the life of the active duty family, it can be easy to focus solely on service to our country, but Christ reminds us that our service to Him includes those closest to us: our shipmates, our neighbors and our communities in need, “For even the Son of Man […]
Read more » Time, Talent, Treasure: OCF small group fellowships

Child Evangelism

[…]God’s gift of salvation to Christmas gifts–we don’t earn them or pay for them; we just accept them and are thankful for them. 3. Bring the child to a definite decision. Christ must be received if salvation is to be possessed. Remember, do not force a decision. Ask the child to pray out loud in her own words. Give her some things she could say if she seems unsure. Now be prepared for a blessing! (It is best to void having the child repeat a memorized payer after you. Let her think, and make it personal.)* After salvation has occurred, […]

Do you have a PCS sponsor—to heaven?

[…]existence beyond the grave? Is there a heaven, hell, some other place or state of being? Or do we just cease to exist? We never think it will happen to us, but the reality is that each of us will someday receive our final PCS orders to stand before the Lord. Do you have a spiritual sponsor for that coming day? Jesus Christ offers to be your spiritual sponsor now to help you through all those military moves, every moment of your life, and whenever your eternal PCS orders arrive. As Stephen was being stoned as the Church’s first martyr, […]

Home Front Holidays

[…]can both still hold their joy for spouses, children, and the deployed soldiers, too. Can it be just the same as if they were home? No. Can it be joyful? With God’s help, yes. As families who have faced this holiday scenario, here are a few lessons we learned: 1. Pray, pray, pray. Pray that the Lord will sustain you and that your heart will be drawn to your Savior and your spouse in a new way. Pray for all of the deployed service men and women, and for their families. Search the Scriptures and claim God’s promises for your […]

It Didn’t Surprise God

[…]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 as we walked the road of cancer treatment. Along the way, God gave us abundant life. The earliest available date to remove Heather’s thyroid allowed us to go ahead with the ski trip to Canada we had planned. It was great! God allowed us to put our fears aside and fully enjoy our children’s first ski trip. Soon, the doctors removed both sides […]

Lead Your Child to Christ

[…]God’s gift of salvation to Christmas gifts–we don’t earn them or pay for them; we just accept them and are thankful for them. 3. Bring the child to a definite decision. Christ must be received if salvation is to be possessed. Remember, do not force a decision. Ask the child to pray out loud in her own words. Give her some things she could say if she seems unsure. Now be prepared for a blessing! (It is best to void having the child repeat a memorized payer after you. Let her think, and make it personal.)* After salvation has occurred, […]

OCF Groups and You

[…]life. For those of you who just commissioned—hallelujah! You’re already at or are looking forward to your first assignment. While some have completed ACSC, while others are PCSing. Many of you left a great OCF group behind, but there’s no OCF study where you are or else the Bible study is very different. Now what? What should an OCF fellowship group look like in this new place? An OCF fellowship group can look like a lot of things—there is no “authorized” cookie-cutter model. However, sometimes it involves changing one’s perspective from merely a consumer to that of an owner. Many of […]

Six Generations: 1

[…]and Scripture memorization. He was investing time in Jon’s life that would reap eternal rewards. Paul also took me under his tutelage and spent quality time, over many weekends, sharing and modeling Christ for me and for other first year cadets. He also spent much of his free time with the more senior cadets who would be leading the ministry at West Point and then beginning their own ministries once they got into the Army. Jon then took me and several others as his charges (a fourth generation of believers), maturing believers who wanted to learn about and grow as […]

Stretchmark Sorority

[…]of passing these “truths” on to their children. For example, every child must be warned that if you cross your eyes, they will sooner or later stick just like that and stay crossed for the rest of your life. Children need to learn at an early age that clean underwear is a must, in case they are in an automobile accident and have to go to the hospital. Surely they understand that there’s an official in the emergency room who divides patients into “clean underwear” and “dirty underwear” categories. Only the former receives prompt medical attention. And there are principles […]

Superhero’s Faith

[…]make myself feel good. I finally thought, “There has got to be more to life than living each day just to get to the next weekend 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 […]

The Chaplaincy

[…]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 established, ministry doors open wide. Ministering incarnationally earns us the right to be heard. […]

Time, Talent, Treasure: Retirees

[…]school schedule. Ask how you can pray for them—then do it. Take time to be their friend, not just their mentor. Jeff Silliman: Don’t hang back when ministry opportunities present themselves. Pray that you will do the right things in the right ways for the right reasons and press forward trusting God for the results. Joe Orosz: Find and team up someone your age and with your passion, and start or further the ministry of OCF at a university’s ROTC or an installation with a need for OCF presence. Start with a Pray, Discover and Obey session. John Orosz: With […]

TTP – Competition

[…]and I had to correct individuals from time to time, but the concept caught on quickly. We worked just as hard, we were just as successful, but never at the expense of a fellow Marine. Instead success came within an atmosphere of cooperation and mutual respect. I still receive comments from former company members about the wonderful command climate which we had experienced. There’s no secret to our success. All we did was love our neighbor. Major JoCephas Rozier, his wife, Deltha, daughter, Grace (11) and son, Isaiah (8) are currently stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp, Lejeune, North Carolina. […]
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Two Greedy Institutions

[…]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 other roles and if we are married, none is more important than that of spouse/parent. Both institutions, the military profession and the family, are greedy; both demand an almost overwhelming commitment of time, thought, and physical and emotional energy. On this morning […]

Walking

[…]that the two of you can move it properly. Thus, Martha’s request (Luke 10:40) was for more than just a little help. She was not asking for something she could manage on her own. The work was more than what she could cope with. It is very interesting that the Lord has used the same word in Romans 8:26: “Likewise the Spirit also Helps our infirmities; because we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He who searches the hearts knows […]
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What Works for New Officers?

[…]prayer and praise. TIP: You can facilitate a study with those who are of higher rank than you. Just stay disciplined, and keep it professional (2 Tim 3:16, 17). 5. Set a GOOD EXAMPLE morally. Live in a way that is right. Treat people fairly, give respect to everyone, and listen to all ranks carefully. TIP: Improper language doesn’t cut it. What we say is what we are. Jesus talked about this in Matthew 12:34-37. Unless someone holds you accountable, you will pick up words you wish you hadn’t. 6. As a leader, PRAY DAILY, especially for wisdom (Phil. 4:6,7). […]

What’s Your Altitude

[…]voice when it warns us, “Altitude. Altitude.” But as Christ’s followers, this is not a warning we are getting too low. It is a warning we are getting too high! When you hear that prompting through life’s challenges, consider it a warning that you are getting too high on yourself. Your attitude right now is not like Jesus’ attitude. Lower yourself, push forward on the stick, and get yourself back to “nap of the earth” flying where Jesus Himself flew as the chief servant. Remember why we just celebrated Christmas. It is all about a great God who willfully humbled […]

With the Love of a Clanging Cymbal

[…]was coming through loud and clear. A squadron buddy in the process of getting a divorce had just finished telling me of a weekend with his new girlfriend. Technically, 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 […]

Massachusetts – Joint Base Cape Cod

[…]Information: We are happy to host anyone coming through the area for a night or two, or even just a meal and coffee. Please note, a CAC is needed for access to the military base. Pets can be considered on a case-by-case basis. Feel free to reach out, even if you just have questions about the […]

OCF/Valor ROTC Retreat

[…]of seasoned Senior Officers. White Sulphur Springs is beautiful in the winter. You can look forward to outdoor actives such as hiking, ice skating (weather permitting) as well as climbing wall, an ice cream social or just sitting by the fire with time to read your […]
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First Bible Studies

[…]for a group Bible Study, the leader should first proceed as though studying the passage just for him or herself. Then, when you have studied the passage adequately, you must decide what information to tell the group–usually because it would not be realistic for the group to discover this for themselves in the time allotted–and what information you should have the group discover for themselves. (Discovered truth is always more meaningful than “lectured” truth!) It is for this latter aspect that the leader designs questions to facilitate the group’s discovery. The final part of the preparation is to consider and […]

Further insights from Mike and Angie Moyles

[…]verses God… No one told me there were well-reasoned objections to the Christian faith. That’s just something I’ve learned after over two decades of study. It became an intriguing challenge to reconcile my unshakable faith with my firm commitment to science. I’ve been very pleased to find, however, that there is no contradiction. Understood accurately, the two cannot contradict each other. If you see a conflict between what you observe in nature and what you read in Scripture, you’re doing one of those two things incorrectly. …Suffering… There is a temptation to think you’re suffering because it’s something you did. […]

I Only See Green

[…]what race we are, we all come from the same blood (Acts 17:26). God wants to save all mankind, not just one race or two. Jesus showed in many ways that race did not impact His thinking. For instance, He did not hesitate to show love to a Samaritan woman with whom he as a Jew should not have associated. The Son of God is many things to me, but racist is certainly not one of them. I see only green, my Savior sees only hearts. 1LT (P) Kevin Polosky, USA, was commissioned as an infantry officer in March 1998. […]

Letter to My Sergeant

[…]here, and they have added urgency on the spiritual battlefield. You should know that your soul is just as precious to God as anyone’s, even after all you have done. It may be difficult to see now, but God is working His plan of justice and mercy through the pain and sadness. I don’t know where you are in the cycle of sin we see in the book of Judges (sin, suffering, seeking, salvation), but hopefully you noticed the witness of the Christians in your chain of command. We didn’t put you in a box. Rather, we encouraged and supported […]

My Early Christmas Gift

[…]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 into a sunny afternoon.  Making a beeline to the playground, he imagines a familiar voice calling 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 […]

OCF and Leadership

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  • Published date: June 29, 2009
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[…]for Officer Training School at Maxwell; when ROTC cadets drive across states to attend the Fort Stewart LEAD!; when OCF midshipmen buy 1000 tickets to get people to go see “The Passion of the Christ.” That is all effective ministry. It all happened because of small groups. If we have effective ministry without small group Bible studies, we are getting the job done. If we have small groups without effective ministry, we are failing. In most cases, effective ministry will die off without effective small groups, so we must continue to encourage that. But, the questions for the local leader […]

OCF Combined Federal Campaign

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  • Published date: December 2, 2009
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[…]or benefits person for the code number for Officers’ Christian Fellowship. In some cases you can just write our name on your pledge form, but be sure to check with your employer for the correct […]

Predicting the Future

[…]short-term versus the long-term perspective always gives us a different aiming point. Focusing on just today, tomorrow, or next year may pull our eyes off the long-term race we run. King Solomon had it right when he said all this is meaningless. He said our lives are like a blade of grass, which soon withers and disappears. Jesus brings order out of disorder…wholeness out of brokenness. Codes, from whomever the ancient secular author might be, are man’s attempt at ordering the future and removing the unknowns. God’s insurance plan is simple … it comes in the form of God’s Son […]
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Preparing for Active Duty

[…]2 Chronicles 1:10) Stewardship An individual who demonstrates proper balance in his or her stewardship of resources. (1 Corinthians 4:2, Luke 16:11) Outreach An individual who can carry the gospel message through the medium of ordinary relationships within the military community. (Romans 1:16-17, 1 Peter 3:15-16) Ownership (Ministry) An appreciation for and a commitment to the OCF vision, purpose, and mission. (Ephesians 4:11-13, Colossians 3:23, Acts 4:13) Air Force Academy “firsties” sometimes ask: “Why should I have to attend the Basic Course at Maxwell? It just  rehashes what I’ve spent four years learning.” Not true! You will build relationships that […]
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Spiritual Battle Plans

[…]ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), grow, and demonstrate to God that we can be trusted as faithful stewards of His insights. Additional, Intentional Steps toward Spiritual Preparedness and Maintenance: Pray for and seek out Christian fellowship (in any form). Email prayer requests to family and friends. Lean on them. Take advantage of Technology. Listen often to Christian music (MP3 Players, etc). Use the Web to listen to Christian radio. Have someone send recorded sermons and listen to a few minutes of them here and there, as you get ready for bed or have time. Have pastors and Bible study leaders send […]

Spiritual Success

[…]way that you are a Christian. Do not preach to them; you are not paid to do that. Just inform them of the “stuff” that helps you make decisions. Be physically fit and try to set the standard in military bearing and professionalism. Remember God will never give you a mission you can’t handle. Like Joshua, be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go (Josh. 1:9). LTC Randy Carey USA (Ret.) has a passion to see young officers get hooked up with OCF. His last active duty assignment was at Wheaton College, preparing […]

Starting an OCF Small Group Fellowship

[…]My house, Tuesday, 7 o’clock. Bring your Bible!” Many a successful OCF group has started with just those simple words. Here are a few things, besides your valuable initiative, to consider: Before the First Meeting 1. Find a wingman. It may be your spouse or another couple if you are 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 […]

The Five Myths of Mortgaged Rental Property

[…]borrower is slave to the lender” by planning to pay off mortgage debt early. In addition to warnings about being a debtor, the Bible also instructs us about actually having the resources to finish what we start, “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?”(Luke 14:2). Aaron has a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the United States Military Academy and is a 2007 winner of the USMA Distinguished Thesis in Economics Award. To contact Aaron for more information on […]
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The Line Officer and the Chaplain

[…]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 make decisions influencing the lives of everyone in your unit. I praise God for Christians like you who provide leadership both for mission accomplishment and to help the personnel in your unit. Our nation needs leaders like you to make command decisions — and so does that portion of Christ’s Church within the military! Why God May Lead You to be Involved in Chapel Ministry I’ve served as […]

The Role of the Chaplain

[…]a Christian chaplain. The U.S. Constitution provides for the free exercise of religion — and not just the Christian religion. So you may have a chaplain who is not of a Christian faith group, and you have no warrant to complain if that is the case. But whether the chaplain is Christian or not, he or she should still meet the expectations listed above, and of course must provide you with Christian worship leaders and space for worship. You should not be surprised if your chaplains, even though devout Christians, are interested in caring for non-Christians and atheists. You should […]

The View from the Top

[…]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 much more than that, it was a close-up encounter with God and a great time with fellow Christians. I met God on the mountaintop. […]

Time, Talent, Treasure: ROTC

[…]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 churches and church services, and send letters to cadets during their stressful summer training events.   Rob says the VT cadets, always observing the ever-growing morally confused, anti-God culture around them, most […]

Was it Failure or Success?

[…]a chance to help others live productive lives, but we also get to show that we are more than “just another Joe.” We are a part of God’s plan to draw others to Him. As someone also said, “He is teaching us to fish.” To me that means, have courage to take a godly stance in our 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 […]

Ways to Give

[…]about this option. If you need a blanket allotment code or anything else you’re unsure of, just give me a call. Combined Federal Campaign #10531Many members and non-members give through CFC, which also has the advantage of taking the contribution out of your pay account. So the next time the CFC campaign rolls around, remember to fill out #10531 on your CFC pledge form. Electronic Bank DebitThis is popular with members, whose monthly contribution is taken out of their bank account electronically. I administer this personally, and target the fifth day of the month to debit the bank accounts of […]

We Know This Place Too Well

[…]every breath we breathe. We’re settled in like machines for another day, because our goal is to just get through it. Dare I say…we even think we know God. We can predict what He will do next. Surely He’s satisfied with our halfhearted glances toward holiness. We have everything mapped out-our lives, our futures, those really annoying people, our friends, our school, and our God. We are so wrong. Yes, we  know God personally, but we could never comprehend every facet of His personality nor know Him in the way that He knows us. There are still cool and different […]
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Why We Serve

[…]for a future family are probably top priorities. Serving the Lord in our military and receiving just compensation for that service is right and necessary. Paul said to Timothy: “If anyone does not provide 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 […]

Will you embrace the Christ of Christmas?

[…]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 in the manger has gone from preaching to meddling. But what to do about Him? Nearly two millennia have passed since His brief life on Earth, and all the attempts to silence […]
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2018 OCF/VALOR ROTC Retreat

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  • Published date: December 4, 2017
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[…]Panel and a Senior NCO Panel. White Sulphur Springs is beautiful in the winter. You can look forward to outdoor actives such as hiking, ice skating (weather permitting) as well as climbing wall, an ice cream social or just sitting by the fire with time to read your Bible. COST: $95 Cadet/Midshipman, $176 Single adult, $310 Cadre couple (10% discount company grade) RSVP: Fill out the online registration form at the White Sulphur Springs website. Or call the White Sulphur Springs office at (814) 623-5583 or email […]

Virginia – Williamsburg

[…][email protected] Additional Information: Willing to provide either a meal if you’re just passing through or overnight stay. Can accommodate 4 guests. We have 4 children, no pets. Sleeping accommodations are based on available beds, but we have the flexibility to host more if needed. TRACEN Yorktown and Fort Eustis are equidistant from our home, but I am actually stationed at USCG Base Portsmouth. Contact me for directions and more […]

Alabama – Montgomery

Hospitality Home: Hous & Tami Waring Email: [email protected] Phone: (334) 467-7275 Additional Information: Willing to provide either a meal if you’re just passing through or overnight stay. Our acreage has a pool, a dog run area, and parking on site. Space and bed configuration varies, so please give us a call or […]

Colorado – Monument

Hospitality Home: David and Lori Warner Email: [email protected] Phone: (719) 314-5002 Additional Information: Willing to provide a meal for those just passing through or an overnight stay if needed. We have 4 bedrooms. We have a very grouchy dog who doesn’t play well with small children and other dogs. Contact us for directions and more […]

Colorado – Colorado Springs

[…](505) 514-8073 Additional Information: Willing to provide either a meal if you’re just passing through or overnight stay. Can accommodate 5 people. Families and Ladies welcome. No single or unaccompanied men. Garage parking. No pets. No smoking. Contact for directions and more […]

Kansas – Leavenworth

[…](913) 306-5411 Additional Information: Willing to provide either a meal if you’re just passing through or overnight stay. Can accommodate 6-12 guests. Contact for directions and more […]

Texas – Austin

[…]USA (Ret) Email: [email protected] Phone: (512) 718-9302 Additional Information: Located just about 25 minutes east of Austin. We can provide an overnight stay (up to 4 guests) AND a meal. We have two bedrooms with queen sized beds, and space for an RV with hookups. Kids are […]

Illinois – Scott AFB

[…](321) 271-0343 Additional Information: To anyone desiring a place to relax, eat a warm meal, an overnight stay (up to 6 guests) or looking for fellowship, you are welcome to stay in my home. Whether PCS-ing in/out of Scott or just a TDY, families, children, pets, and single ladies are all invited! My pet bunny and I would be glad to have you! There’s plenty of parking space, washer/dryer, keyless entry, and wifi. I enjoy cooking and can provide a meal for any type of dietary restrictions. If you would prefer to cook yourself, the kitchen is yours! The house […]

Virginia – Clifton

[…]for up to 6 guests (two queen beds and two twin-sized mattresses on the floor) in our small farm just outside of DC. We have plenty of space for children and parking. Please coordinate before bringing […]

Nevada – Nellis AFB

[…](702) 217-0391 Additional Information: We welcome guests for an overnight stay or just a meal. Our home can comfortably accommodate up to 5 guests. We have two cats; any dogs coming along will have to remain […]

Utah – Hill AFB

[…]Information: We welcome up to 6 guests for a meal and/or an overnight stay. We are just east of Hill AFB in Mountain Green, UT. Please note that we have two German Shepherd dogs and three […]

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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:

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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.

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