The Unconditional Love of a Father
Father's Day is the perfect venue to consider those who first loved us--especially our Father in heaven.
Stoking the Fire
Got fire for the Lord? Keep it burning by stoking your flame. We must tend to the fire-to the love relationship with our Lord. Anything less is abandonment. Remembering, repenting, and returning stokes that fire and results in peace and power.
Visiting Those in Prison
Prison visits are powerful ministry opportunities for OCF small group fellowships.
Heroes
So how do you become a hero--or at least a good leader?
Starting an OCF Small Group Fellowship
So you are thinking about starting an OCF group. Good for you!!
Advent in Iraq
A deployed chaplain shares his thoughts leading up to Christmas.
Being a spiritual point man
There may be times when you're discouraged, when your spiritual strength and confidence may be shaken, or when you grow tired from the high spiritual operational tempo. Do not lose hope!
Some Thoughts for Christians
What is the relationship between Christians and politics?
Two Greedy Institutions
Balance the roles of Christian officer and Christian spouse.
Of Trash and Treasure
Things that I plan to leave for my children seem petty compared to the enduring legacy my heavenly Father has left to me.
So You’ve Been Passed Over
I found being passed over to be the most freeing thing that has happened to me in my walk with Christ
Welcome to the Desert
The Lord has brought you to this place for His purpose, and He will not rest until you are fully prepared.
Keys to a Godly Marriage
Four keys to a godly marriage.
The Full Armor of God
In our haste to don armor and build obstacles and barriers, however, we must not forget that prayer is the essential element for our security and salvation.
Two General Orders
As we seek a warrior's ethic for today we can reasonably look back 3000 years to another man of arms—arguably the greatest soldier ever to serve the nation of Israel, David, youngest son of Jesse. The ethic of David may be seen as consisting of two general orders: Do the Right Thing and Trust in God.
Staying Up Late
A chaplain shares his insights about young, deployed service men and women.
The Chaplaincy
In a combat zone soldiers can rarely say, "Chaplain, you just don't know what I'm going through."
Persist in prayer, and know God more deeply
As Christians in the military, we ought to see the parallels between persistence in life and persistence in prayer.
Leadership Q&A
Jesus has called us to take a stand in such a time as this. Laying low, and compromising are outside of our calling.
Wrestling with Depression
Keep these thoughts in mind when facing depression.
What’s Your Altitude
Did you know that your altitude determines your attitude? Jesus, the highest being there ever was and ever will be, voluntarily lowered Himself.
The Chaplain’s Role
Because of the patrol rotations, a chaplain may find himself preaching at multiple services to accommodate his soldiers. This is the life of a field chaplain.
The Space Between
The Lord has helped me shorten the space between my warriors, their families, and God.
Christian Leadership for the Junior Officer
To be successful as a junior leader at your first unit, here are six core elements to consider.
How Should a Christian Live?
Food for thought for young Christians in the military.
Soldier and Christian
Your duties as a soldier are consistent with the highest Christian values.
TTP – Competition
How does the Christian leader achieve and promote healthy competition while maintaining an atmosphere that fits within the boundaries of "Love thy neighbor as thyself?"
War on Spiritual Terrorism
When we go to war, we are fighting both a physical foe and a spiritual enemy.
What Right Looks Like
With the ability of the media to reach out to all corners of the globe and to report on the conduct, or misconduct, of soldiers, leaders have an even greater responsibility than ever to demonstrate what right looks like.
Professional Perspectives for Senior Officers
OCF finds it appropriate to help senior officers meet the spiritual demands and opportunities of their important positions.
Six Generations: 1
What can happen when men and women commit to be and make disciples for Christ.
Six Generations: 2
Leading Bible studies in the barracks.
Six Generations: 3
A final act of courage.
Changing Demands
You must remain trained and always ready to face the perils of war.
Follow Me
The key to serving others is to have a humble heart.
Leadership and the Christian Officer
The effectiveness of a unit depends to maximum degree on the leadership ability of the commander.
Leadership by Example
Moral character is the one thing the Army cannot give to you; you have to develop it within yourself.
Professional Excellence
The Christian officer should strive to be the very best professional officer possible within his abilities, and he or she should do this in accord with Christian faith and conduct.
What is Stewardship?
In Part 1, we ask: What do you think of when you hear someone mention stewardship? Money, talents, or ownership? For many, money is the first thing on their minds and that often leads to uncomfortable feelings.
The Science & Art of Personal Finance
In Part 2, knowledge and tools are great for your head, but you also need a heart to shape experience into judgment and wisdom. Learn to understand the numbers and balance them with what you value in your heart.
Creating Your Financial Plan
In Part 3, financial goals are the basis of personal financial planning. A great many people are working hard to save and invest, but do not have a plan, or at least not one sufficiently specific to assess progress.
Phases of Planning and Portfolio Theory
In Part 4, the essence of planning is found in your knowing the return you need and the risk you can accept.
Investing & Markets
In Part 5, to get beyond tithing and on to gifting you need to multiply His blessings. This is the purpose of investing, and the better we do it, the more we can give back to His work.
Smart Christian Giving
In Part 6, God expects us to use what we need then multiply and return the rest. The blessings of stewardship are in the giving. Knowing when and how to do it is our responsibility.
Predicting the Future
Life insurance plays an important role in a sound financial plan for the future.
Wealth: Friend or Foe?
God gives us the power to become rich, but it may be in terms of our riches in eternity with Christ Jesus and not in our human, earthly terms. What is important is what drives us.
What Works for New Officers?
Ten habits of highly effective Second Lieutenants and Ensigns
Returning Home
The adjustments families need to make can be improved by a good understanding of the stresses of separation and a strategy for thriving.
Situational Awareness
If you're in your thirties, you are living in a generational, social, and professional gap by no choice of your own. This positioning brings tremendous professional and spiritual challenges; and opportunities.
Spiritual Battle Plans
I didn't realize what a difference my weekly Bible study and chapel service made until I went nearly four months in Iraq without them.
I Only See Green
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.
Share this spiritual gift with your teen
A military dad shares what he experienced at Spring Canyon's Father Teen Adventure.
What Are Parents to Do?
Each themselves military officers, what's it like as a Mom and Dad to watch your child deploy?
Christians in Combat
If we are called to embark on a campaign that we believe to be righteous, whether it be moral high ground, dangerous missions work, lifestyle evangelism, or a military campaign, then tragedy or cost cannot tarnish the truth associated with that calling.
Demonstrating Christlikeness
The Body of Christ must embody godly attributes in order to reflect Christlikeness (2 Corinthians 3:18) to the watching, waiting world.
Competition
Promote healthy competition while encouraging others to “Love thy neighbor as thyself."
Conversation With a Chaplain
The chaplaincy is an incredible opportunity to present and represent the claims of Christ, but it is not a calling for the faint hearted. Carrying forward spiritual battle in the midst of physical battle is an extreme challenge.
Daddy’s Letter to Son
LTC Frank Gray's letter to his son explaining why he is back in the Army.
Impact Your Military Community!
The contrast between civilian churches and the military chapel can be significant, making the decision on where to fellowship difficult.
Against the Flow
We talk about tough, but we don't know tough.
Leadership without Coercion
Using common sense and sensitivity, it is possible to be an ambassador for Christ in uniform.
Three Words
Jesus is Lord! These three words can mark what you should, can, and will be in your life.
