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Service Separations

[…]you to have time to yourself and to experience the company of other adults. We all know we’ll be better mothers to our children if we can get away from them once in a while! Even the most stable mother can become slightly batty if she has no one over the age of eight to talk to, day after day! What is important is that we improve the quality of the time we do spend with our children. Contrary to popular opinion, it’s not enough just to be physically present. If we’re there, but we’re too wrapped up in keeping […]

Leadership Excellence

[…]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 by nearly anyone in a position of authority, but they will follow only those whom they respect, those in whom they have confidence, those in whom they have trust and, ultimately, those in whom they have faith. Leadership, the hard currency of the military, relies upon that faith and […]
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Professional Perspectives for Senior Officers

[…]absolutes on how He expects us to respond. You have two choices, as follows: Will I choose to be obedient to God in living out my faith? A positive response is unquestionably God’s will. This is the most important choice. We are convinced, from almost fifty years of ministering to military men and women, that if you consider your career to be more important than faithfulness to God, you will be unfulfilled. Will I be actively involved in the OCF as I live out my faith? We are asking you to honestly consider this before God. The six sections that […]
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Leadership and the Christian Officer

[…]represent the real man under the rank insignia. Confidence To inspire confidence the commander must be confident. Leaders must firmly believe that they can handle the job, seeing obstacles as challenges rather than a cause for apprehension. The commander must be able to understand and analyze problems, make firm decisions, give clear orders and then forcefully carry out their will despite difficulties. There must be that character which is willing to accept responsibility, to reason out problems, make decisions and then push them through to success. Possessing this basic trait of character, they must then prepare themselves intellectually to face […]
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Professional Excellence (Durfey)

[…]do not give it a second thought. We have been warned! As Christian leaders, it is our duty to be obediently devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ, so that we may speak with His authority and “free the captives.” Christian leaders must remember to acknowledge the Lord in all their tasks and decisions. The bottom line is that we want to go in the right direction-or better yet, follow the Lord as He leads us. The more we get to know the Lord, the more we know He is always right. We also learn over time that He is always […]

Members: Cast your vote now for OCF Council

[…]of Christian officers is a need that continues to exist. The traditional OCF ministry approach must be adaptable to continue assisting officers in successfully exercising biblical leadership in the challenging days ahead. Nominated by: LtCol Todd Ferry, USMC; MajGen Mel Spiese USMC (Ret.); LtCol Mike West, USMC (Ret.)   LTJG Nathan Barnes, USCG Education: USCGA, Mechanical Engineering, 2011 Present assignment: SECTOR New York Ministry involvement: OCF member since 2009, USCGA OCF President, OCF Bible study leader; assisted chaplain (Portsmouth Naval Shipyard prayer breakfast, COC and retirement ceremonies); USCGC TAHOMA lay leader; Seacoast Community Church youth group leader (weekly Bible studies, […]

Operation Iraqi Freedom

[…]night in the middle of winter there. I’d always wondered if it were really cold when Jesus was born, being so near a desert and fairly far south. If He really were born around Christmastime as we celebrate it, 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 […]

You Are Commissioned

[…]be searching for Christian fellowship. Some of you newly commissioned members are, or soon will be, beginning your marriage. Other members are, or soon will be, assuming increasing levels of responsibility in new assignments. For single members, new challenges and assignments may seem even more difficult. Without a built-in family support system that travels with you, you not only have the challenges of military life, but you may have to find a whole new set of Christian friends and new sources of fellowship. Since you are “commissioned” to enter into this battle, you can expect the unexpected. Every battle has […]
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The Jungles of War

[…]time “casting my cares on Him for He cares for me.” (1Peter 5:8) I reflected on 1 Peter 5:9 “Be sober, be vigilant, for your adversary the devil stalks about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” The dilemma of civilian casualties had been met with some failure, some success. My failure; God’s success. Different Insignia; the Same Savior Often in the course of our spiritual and emotional growth and maturity, the resolution of one problem brings with it the harbinger of another. So it was in this instance. A week or so later a sapper force attacked […]

Six Generations: 2

[…] recognizing plebes on graduation day. It symbolizes the break from the tough plebe year to the ranks of the upperclass. It involves shaking the plebe’s hand and calling him by his first name.” Jon then thrust his calloused gymnast’s hand toward mine and said, “Hi Barry, I’m Jon.” Hesitating but happy and relieved, I raised his right hand and firmly grasped Jon’s and our eyes met and a bond was formed that day that only the few who have experienced it can comprehend. But that wasn’t the end of the Special Inspection. Jon then opened and held out his […]

Leadership by Example

[…]informed by the experiences of the millions who have gone before, they can focus on who they must be, and from that character what they must be able to do, to be successful in combat, to meet the officers’ obligations as warriors, as servants, as professionals and as leaders of character. Let me explain. In a few minutes, by swearing to the oath of office, you will assume the awesome responsibilities of your formal commission. The oath itself is simple and deliberately unconditional, a whole of five parts. In sequence you will swear: To support and defend the Constitution of […]

OCF at Garden Tomb

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[…]and back again from1992-1995 at the NATO headquarters in Norfolk, VA. Their son, David, who was born in 1987 in Fairfax County Hospital, plans to be the U.S. President in 2028 when he says there are no decent candidates! Contact the Meryons at [email protected] for more […]

Fervent Desire for Peace

[…]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. Alley’s devout hopes were common to the soldiers of his day. The fervent desire for peace has occupied the thoughts of innumerable warriors through the ages. It is true that few people hate war more than those manning its front lines. No one resting in the comfort of their home fully comprehends the dread of combat which is often the lot of those who […]

What Are Parents to Do?

[…]a summer retreat session at OCF’s Spring Canyon Conference Center in Colorado. We were overjoyed to be able 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 […]

The Chaplain’s Role

[…]his soldiers. This is the life of a field chaplain. Juggling Time, Resources, & Opportunities Because of this awkward schedule, a chaplain must utilize his resources, the soldier’s time, and every opportunity. This is where small Bible studies excel. As a chaplain I have a burning desire to teach my soldiers the Word of God. I want to equip them with Bibles, study books, and counseling so that they can go back to their soldiers and hold small group services while out on patrol. Bible study groups are the only way some of these soldiers will have a chance to […]

TTP – Vision and Leadership

[…]ourselves and our loved ones for the mission requirements we may face. Our business affairs must be in order, our families informed and prepared, and our accounts set straight so that we can focus our energies on putting forth our best effort-anytime, anywhere, on a moment’s notice. Together, we can provide exceptional service and support to all customer agencies to ensure mission success for our unit, our customers, and our nation. We will do this by focusing on training and readiness, all with our basis of performance and behaviors coming from the core values of “Integrity First,” “Service Before Self,” […]

Situational Awareness

[…]people who will bridge the gap and influence this difficult environment with kingdom power. This must be a conscientious decision made by each individual willing to make a difference. you are ready for the challenge or you wouldn’t have read this far. However, I would refer you to Proverbs 24:6 and Luke 14:31 concerning pre-conflict planning-summarized simply as being prepared, standing wisely, and counting the cost. Anyone taking a stand will draw the enemy’s attention. Be spiritually and mentally prepared. There is no substitute for God’s peace and protection in this matter; that, and the security provided by a spiritual […]

Child Evangelism

[…]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, pray for her out loud. There is a good way to pronounce a blessing […]

Lead Your Child to Christ

[…]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, pray for her out loud. There is a good way to pronounce a blessing […]

Six Generations: 1

[…]Grows Jon’s confidence and persistence allowed him to make the gymnastics team his Plebe year and he continued to apply his strong athletic abilities to that endeavor as a Yearling. He was now a high bar specialist and lettered his second year on the team. He also followed suit from his first year by volunteering to teach Sunday School again, this time for eighth graders from families that lived on the installation. Additionally he was a faithful participant in the weekly cadet chapel Wednesday morning program and was selected as the Cadet-in-Charge of that event. Jon was growing in his […]
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Three Words

[…]my Lord and did not want to bring dishonor to His name. In this, as in all other areas, Jesus must be Lord. And as He is Lord, there will be integrity in your life. “Jesus is Lord” will affect your attitude toward your career. Your mission from the Army–and even more from our Lord–is not to reach some particular rank, but to serve your nation and lead and serve your soldiers. Knowing that we are called to this by our Lord frees us from the unreachable drive for personal success, to follow instead the call and example of our […]

Keep the End in Mind

[…]of other men. What an impact you have made in the lives of the men here! Do that at your deployed location. Be consistent in your Bible time; that encourages us greatly and builds you up. Get aggressive with the must do’s (whatever they are). Set goals again–short and long-term–so we can be ready when God shows us what’s next. Memorize Philippians 4:8 on the plane.” The words I wrote to Larry were ones I had to put into practice myself, a decision which made our time apart productive, and insured that we would stay in pace with each other. […]

Some Thoughts for Christians

[…]subordinate to the authority of God, 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 […]

Stretchmark Sorority

[…]burden 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 […]

Therefore We Will Not Fear

[…]said that the platoon of which he was a member needed a scout, and that he had volunteered. Men must usually be assigned to this task. Russell assured me that his confidence was in Jesus to whom also he looked for the strength and courage necessary to undergo the many dangerous assignments which were to be his. I heard later that Russell was the means of leading at least three of his buddies to the Lord. He was killed in the Gothic Linc in North Italy, and as a result of his last moments, when he exhibited great heroism and […]
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Leadership Q&A

[…]of our calling. In taking a stand, you may pay a high price, but in the end, your trust and faith must be in Him. So, as Jesus said, be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16) in these times of challenge.   COL Douglas Mastriano is currently at the US Army War College, a member of the 2010 Class.   This article was printed in the August 2010 issue of […]
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Spiritual Battle Plans

[…]execution of SPIRITUAL planning (1 Timothy 4:7-8). Make no mistake, physical and military training must be done to accomplish the mission, to establish our credibility as professional warriors, and to give the men entrusted to our care the best chance for survival. We must also train as ambassadors with similar vigor. Following our spiritual pre-deployment training and planning, we must then follow through during the deployment itself. As we seek to train for godliness and prepare for spiritually dry times, it is good to start with assumptions about the nature of the spiritual environment at our projected deployed location. After […]

Waging Another War

[…]but your wife.”i God’s standard for sexual purity is straightforward, “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity”(Ephesians 5:3). Once the books arrived, via donations from my church, I began a weekly study at the FOB chapel. With only about three months left in theater, I wanted to help the soldiers prepare to be able to meet their wives with pure hearts. We discussed the previous week’s reading assignment and corresponding questions from the book’s study guide. Four other Every Man’s Battle study groups also started up at nearby […]

War on Spiritual Terrorism

[…]against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” To survive in this battle, our prayer orders become just as important as our operations orders. Major General Ellis W. Williamson, the commander of the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam noted, “Combat is a horrible experience. No commander that is close to it could ever enjoy it. However, all is not on the negative side. A man who has faced death, faced his God and lived properly with his fellow soldiers comes out of combat experience a better man.” The platoon leader mentioned earlier who prayed for his men each […]

God, are you with me?

[…]importance was preserved in the sealed clear plastic bag. The battered and bruised envelope had begun its journey from home too long ago. Only today, days before Christmas, did it arrive to the hands it was intended to touch. The Soldier, shrouded with all his gloom, stepped forward quietly and reached out, almost reluctantly, to the damaged letter that was handed to him. As he walked back to his bunk, he scanned the faces of the other Soldiers who smiled as they sat reading the riveting words of those whom they loved or wanted to love. He sat on his […]

Home Front Holidays

[…]How closely will we stick to our traditions? Do I even feel like “doing” the holidays this year? Thanks be to God that the 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 […]

What Are You Reading?

[…]do not spend sufficient time studying leadership — and many still subscribe to the concept of being born as a leader (or not). Second, servant leadership is hard work and involves significant time and investment in the development of those you lead. Finally, to be truly successful 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 […]
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Christian Leadership for the Junior Officer

[…]day, as I headed for yet another meeting. In all honesty, the fault was mine because I should have been better informed, earlier. After informing the Battalion XO of my mistake, I immediately informed my Battalion Commander (now a General Officer) of my error and my plan to fix the problem. In return for a few minutes of discomfort, I gained the trust of my Commander–and I determined not to mess up again. I cannot guarantee that following these simple principles will bring you career success. But following them will allow you to serve effectively while preserving your good name. […]

Ice Cream in Iraq

[…]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 my family for such a long time. There are some good things about Iraq though. The best thing is the people I have met here. They want to have a country like ours where we are free. 13. Have you ever gotten hurt? I have not been hurt so far and I hope and pray that I won’t get hurt during my time here. I want to come home the same way […]

The Space Between

[…]the process of conversion, and the various decision-making steps that a person goes through before they become a Christian.” (A. Scott Moreau, Harold A. Netland, Charles Edward van Engen, David Burnett Evangelical Dictionary of World Mission, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engel_Scale) In my first active duty unit, the 68th Corps Support Battalion at Ft. Carson, Colorado, the space was shortened by several things. The Lord let me lead a family conference, which helped people get closer to each other and to Christ. Provider and Prussman Chapels were where the Lord let me preach and help people grow in their relationship with Jesus. My unit […]

Part of an amazing lineage

[…]escape and come to America where she met her husband. Through her struggle she knows what it is to be set free and to live a life for Christ. Now a mother of two beautiful daughters, she and her husband are committed to living a life worthy of the call of Christ. With autumn’s arrival on the horizon, as you settle into the routines of school and work, I challenge you to carefully consider where the Lord has you, who He has brought into your life, and then answer if you are living each day for Christ. Rejoice that you […]

Follow Me

[…]and began to quarrel. Jesus gathered them and said, “…’whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all'” (Mark 10:44 RSV). Serve others if you want to lead. This new concept was hard to swallow then and still is today, because of the self-focused tendency of human nature. The key to serving others is to have a humble heart. Jesus provides the example of a humble heart and servant leadership at the Last Supper. “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and […]

Implicit Trust

[…]this was the twelfth time they had murmured against the Lord. How the patience of Jehovah God must have been tried! “Why had they been brought out of Egyptian bondage?” they wanted to know. They complained that they had no bread and no water and they detested the manna that rained daily from heaven. Finally the limit of God’s patience was reached and god sent poisonous serpents among the people. Poisoned by the serpents, the people began to die. As more and more people were struck and died, the people repented and called for mercy. Moses interceded for them and […]
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Man of the In-Between

[…]the bully syndrome–will be with us until Jesus comes back. Hence the warrior spirit must be righteously nurtured. There is a necessary place for it in a liberal arts program. A 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 […]

Unity of Command

[…]other. They follow and trust the leadership of their one commander. So, too, the church: believers must be loyal to Jesus as the one Commander of His Body. The Body of Christ has many different components, and we don’t always recognize or understand each other’s contributions. We are not all the same, but each of us has an important contribution to our joint spiritual mission. As Christians demonstrate loyalty and obedience to Jesus, we unify our efforts. We are one, even as He is one with the Father. How fulfilling it is to follow our CINC, and be a part […]
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What is Required of Me?

[…]you may also be called to serve as a unit commander. In these leadership positions, there must not be even the hint of misconduct or favoritism. Respect for all faith groups and all denominations. You must never allow even the hint of religious partiality in the exercise of leadership. Religious slurs or jokes, favoritism or discrimination, proselytizing, inappropriate use of email and print media, and the use of rank to influence subordinates are not the tools of an ambassador. We can inadvertently offend people of other faiths or those without spiritual convictions. One of the reasons we serve as professionals […]

What you do and how you lead does matter

[…]all times—“Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?” At the same time you’re being bold, be humble. Peters challenges us to act with gentleness, with a settled confidence in our souls. 2 Timothy 2:16 reminds us of the futility of getting sucked into stupid arguments. Our military training emphasizes the importance of the TEAM—battle buddies, the man or woman on our right and left, esprit de corps—in controlling or even banishing fear. The same is true for our spiritual walk, so stay in fellowship! Our OCF link-up services, the “Find OCF Near You” part […]
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Why We Serve

[…]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 own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.” We are all doing something that is not only “useful,” but critical to our Lord and nation. None of us are “stealing” but I hope none of us are robbing God as described in Malachi 3:8. The principle here is to not only serve and work in our military and for your present or future family, but […]

Finding certainty in an uncertain world

[…]being a “lay-led” ministry where “integrating faith and profession” is exhorted to our members. I believe the ability to shine the light of Christ effectively in the most difficult of our military careers’ situations depends upon how well we live out God’s instructions through Paul’s letter to the Philippians. We live in a hurting world of people desperate for answers. As a Christian, you already have the answer—Christ in your heart. If you have successfully guarded your face, heart and mind, when uncertainty strikes those you lead will look to you and find comfort and confidence. And they will also […]

I Only See Green

[…]group of believers praising their Lord Jesus Christ. We Christians need to set an example for non-believers to follow. It’s been said that the most segregated time in America is eleven o’clock on Sunday morning. We, as the faithful body of Christ, need to realize the ramifications of this. In the military we’re spoiled by being able to worship with all races in our local post chapels. Too often when we look off the post in the local community we don’t see the same thing. We need to show the world how wonderful and color blind the grace of God […]

Leadership Came Naturally

[…]November and I was a rising Youngster (Sophomore), just getting used to a little freedom after Plebe year. Officers were like gods. Plebes were trained to salute anything that moved, and I was still in that mode. I’d developed a certain fear of officers, some of whom were certainly deserving of such fear. Not Tom. It was Tom Hemingway that I met, not LIEUTENANT Hemingway. I wanted to know why a robust, confident and clearly capable person like Tom chose to hang out at a Christian bookstore on a Saturday afternoon. Weren’t there more interesting things to do? When he […]

Let His Light Shine!

[…]of the Spirit. Examine these components and I believe 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 […]

My Early Christmas Gift

[…]early! While this scene plays out numerous times across our nation, this particular scenario played out 44 years ago to the month, and the little boy was me.  Many of you have played this scene out more times than you should, and many more of you long for these dramatic, emotional events to come to fruition soon!  During this season of giving and celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, I am reminded of your sacrificial service to your nation and the gift of freedom you deliver selflessly to our nation and the world!  There aren’t enough words to […]

Returning Home

[…]each other. Forgiveness is not forgetting or pretending that nothing has happened. When you remember the hurt, remember your forgiveness. The Hebrew word for forgiveness means “to have anger in one’s fist and to release it.” Some soldiers return home with a critical attitude, ready to inspect, take control, and fix the mess their families have made. Maybe things aren’t running smoothly, but family members have had to cope as best as they could. Returning spouses should respect the decisions made in their absence and be positive about their spouse’s accomplishments. Troops may return home only to discover their spouses […]

Share this spiritual gift with your teen

[…]A few quiet moments near the spring to thank God for this time. Praise You for allowing us to be here, to know You better…to share. Telling Rick thanks. Words fall short. Hugging a new brother. “Chicago” peppers the gathering with humor, we all laugh. Goodbyes are tough. Aaron drives us to Denver later that morning. T-Bar and Robinson (his son), Brian and Steve and me in the truck. Hugs goodbye at the airport. What a blessing. Brian and I pick up a rental and head to Colorado Springs and a visit to the AF Academy. Later, we attend Mass […]

Superhero’s Faith

[…]arms. I want to run across my back yard, barefoot, like I’m faster than a cheetah; I want my bed to be my clubhouse; I want to think there are monsters in my closet, and I want to beat them up with supernatural strength; I want to be held; I want to love without fearing the hurt of loss and accept love from others not based on what I’ve done or who I am but simply because God is Love.5 I want to enjoy God. I want to feel in my heart the shedding of that ugly Clark Kent business […]
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The Line Officer and the Chaplain

[…]work, play, and deploy with members of the command. He needs your support, friendship, and prayer to be fully able to meet the many demands he faces and to represent Jesus Christ faithfully day-by-day. You’ll be able to help him fulfill his responsibility to provide wise counsel to the command on the physical, emotional, and spiritual welfare of the military personnel at your place of duty. These are some of the reasons I believe God may lead you to serve Him through your local chapel. As you are involved in this way, I know God will bless you and your […]

Through A Glass Darkly

[…]giggled), and once he was able to send little treats. But it was, after all, a war, and Dad had to be gone. We began a ritual every night. After dirty sneakers and sticky fingers were exchanged for bubble baths and storybooks, we all got together and prayed for us and for Daddy. And then each of the girls would kiss goodnight the picture of their uniformed dad. So many nights I fell exhausted into bed. Sometimes I cried myself to sleep for want of a partner to help me raise these little ones. I refused to entertain the thought […]

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A day in the life of OCF

[…]to transfer those numbers into the accounting system. But before he can start, other account numbers must first be recorded.  In Texas, Aaron Zook works on a Bible study for today’s discipleship luncheon, and practices his guitar for the Sunday worship service he’ll lead at the chapel.   0900 On a wall in the lunchroom of the home office is a corkboard dotted with photos, cards and notes from OCF leaders, families and fellowships. A transformation has just taken place: a room of chatter and laughter has become a sanctuary. After the daily devotions and prayer, staff members write and […]
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First Bible Studies

[…]of questions – 10% for the application phase. In the Bible study provided, some portions will be labeled “Leader Comments,” for the portions that the leader is likely to tell the participants, and other portions will be labeled “Leader Question,” for a question the leader will ask in order to help the participants discover the information. In italics, and contained within parentheses, will be the general answers you as the leader are looking to elicit from the participants. At times, specific words are desired, especially if they can be found in the text; if not, the leader should settle for […]
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For All Leaders

[…]insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.'” Seek accountability from a peer. You’ll need to seek this kind of relationship. No one will come up to you and ask if they can hold you accountable! If at all possible, try to select someone who sees you daily and can tell you when you’ve blown it. Proverbs 27:17 tells us, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens […]

How does the Lord see you?

[…]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 eternal life” (John 3:16). Once we grapple with and ultimately grasp that eternal truth, we begin to realize He calls us to […]

How Should a Christian Live?

[…]the normal believer struggles in the faith, but there are facets to my struggle that I am sure must not be common. First, 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. […]

Interview with Chaplain Beach

[…]his base and what they are all about. When religious organizations wish to operate on base, they must be subordinate to military authority. This is not restrictive; it opens doors to witness! Military authority at its best is supportive of expressions of faith. Here’s an example of the chaplain fulfilling his military staff role. A sailor sent notice to the command paper of his religious group meeting. He was holding meetings in his home. The commander was furious that a cult operated on his base, and he contemplated official action. Before he took action against the sailor, however, he asked […]

It Didn’t Surprise God

[…]present. I think of Kip, my valued friend, whose wife lost her battle with cancer. I wonder why he must bear that pain while I was spared. I have no human answer-it’s certainly not because I’m more deserving. God sovereignly chose different paths of blessing for me and for Kip. I don’t know why, but I choose to be grateful for the days He has given me with Heather. I trust He will call her home at exactly the right time. Until then, I live the blessing of more days with Heather and I am thankful for the responsibility to […]

Leadership Moments: Are You Leading?

[…]high road when resolving conflicts? (James 1:20, Proverbs 15:1) When project goals are seemingly being thwarted, do you entertain the idea that God can also work through this opposition? (Romans 8:28, Acts 8:1)   More leadership articles on the website Courageous Command: Beyond Battlefield Boldness Lessons in Leadership…from a Squadron Janitor Leadership […]

Ministry Snapshot

[…]commissioned officers into the operational military.  V. Time, Talent, Treasure: Warrior Forge Before Army ROTC cadets can be commissioned as second lieutenants, they must successfully complete what is now known as the Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC), a training event developing their leadership skills while evaluating their officer potential. Once held at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington, LDAC —Warrior Forge—now takes place at Fort Knox, […]

OCF and Leadership

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[…]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 are, “How are OCF members ministering here, and how are you encouraging and equipping one another?” Overall from where I sit, OCF is healthy. There are places and people where we need to do some work, and there are people who will never catch our vision. We can’t fret over them. We just keep casting the vision out there and keep leading. Jim Hougnon is Director of Field Outreach for Officers’ Christian […]

Question Authority

[…]decisions challenged. This is particularly true, I believe, when the pace is fast and compliance must be immediate. In our leaders’ devotion this morning, someone commented, “There are some things you are not supposed to understand.” This was certainly the case with Job. For all of Job’s righteousness, one might question whether Job deserved to suffer and, if he did, should he at least have been given insight as to why. As we strive to live out our faith in our profession, the study of Job prompts a few thoughts to consider: Can we trust God emotionally when our circumstances […]

Six Generations: 3

[…]in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.’ Now I remember this because at that time I was searching the Gospel to find out who this God was. I gave my life to Christ and recognized Jesus as my Lord and Savior 20 July 1996…that Scripture has stayed with me until this day. “There was something different about this man, different from other chaplains I had met previously in the battalion. At the time I didn’t know what it was, but later realized that he had a light that shined. There was […]

Soldiers of Faith: Washington

[…]commander because he acted upon his personal moral convictions, which resulted in his entire Army being victorious against an opposing force that, by all accounts, should have beaten them. Much has been written about Washington the hero, Washington the commander, and Washington the President. Unfortunately, historians have often missed the mark on why Washington possessed such strong qualities of leadership and character. His Christian faith was the most potent force in his life and yet, to read modern history, one could never learn what truly set Washington apart from his peers. Some revisionist historians today even suggest that Washington was […]

Strong to the Finish

[…]thoughts of discouragement and sadness, as his enemies appeared to have gained the upper hand. Maybe, like David, you are experiencing a time when God seems out of reach. Maybe your mind has raced to the worst possible conclusion and you are overcome by worry, disappointment, and fear. You may be at a point at which people are no longer allies but enemies as you fight to faithfully fulfill your responsibilities. Remember, God is at work in the midst of your struggles, helping you learn more about the love, strength, wisdom, and peace that only He can provide. Dan is […]

The Five Myths of Mortgaged Rental Property

[…]will be unoccupied at some point. If a house sits empty for just a few months every couple of years, you could still be left with a big loss.   The how-to of responsiblereal estate investing   Unless you can make a large enough down payment and extra principle payments to be debt free within five-to-seven years, don’t buy anything.  Pay off your principle as fast as possible.  Get a fifteen-year mortgage—the rates are better. If you can’t afford that, you should probably reconsider investing in property. Have an emergency fund for unexpected large repairs. Don’t neglect property maintenance. If […]

The Role of Faith

[…]chaplaincy was the second-most deployed career field in the Air Force in recent years. Who could be better equipped to help you through tough times? God and His representatives stand ready to meet your needs. 1 USAF Chaplain Service Institute, Link, 29. 2 Beach, “Enduring and Prospering in Your Military Calling,” 5. 3 Paap, 29. 4 Ibid, 82. 5 Beach, Captain Stan J., Chaplain, U.S. Navy (Retired). “Praise the Lord Anyway.” COMMAND (Fall 1989) Vol. 38, No. 3: 3. 6 McColl, Denise. “Making the Most of Deployments: A Wife’s Perspective.” COMMAND, (Fall 1989) Vol. 38, No. 3: 12. 7 Roberts, […]

The Role of the Chaplain

[…]cannot–recruit only evangelically-minded chaplains. But all is not lost! I have met some liberal chaplains who have been magnificent combat chaplains, and I’ve met some evangelical chaplains I wouldn’t give a plug nickel for. A chaplain does not have to be evangelical in order to care for your people in an exemplary manner. You should not expect your chaplains to use the same evangelistic techniques. Different denominations employ different ways tof sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. If your chaplains are doing things differently than you assume should be done, look deeper into their operation with an open mind. You […]

Truth and the Christian Leader

[…]as the early church was forming–maintaining a standard of truth and honesty proved to be the bedrock for the church and our Christian faith. Those endowed with leadership responsibility needed to set and safeguard ethical standards. Many are shocked at the decisive, harsh response to the couple’s duplicity. Yet neither Peter nor the disciples brought about this speedy demise. They lied to the Spirit of the Lord. He acted as He saw fit. How might the Christian leader apply the lesson of Ananias and Sapphira to the work place? I can recall saying or hearing others say: “I have to […]
aa two-greedy-institutions-TSgt-Austin-Knox-USAF

Two Greedy Institutions

[…]following is a brief summary of the comments. Obviously, the lists below are not all there is to be said on the topic, but we believe they include some important insights which, to some degree, are applicable to all members of the OCF family: All officers were male except one woman who was both reserve officer and spouse. She met with the spouses. The spouse group was all female, but one USAFA cadet was not married. All who were married had children. From the spouses:  We understand that life in the military is a calling from God, and that we […]
Photo by Lcpl Jacob Barber, USMC

Families should develop a support system

[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/9735878/height-orig/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/custom-color/002b54/height/90″ height=”90″ width=”100%” placement=”bottom” […]

Forum Register

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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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