Bonus episode: Finding God’s purpose in suffering
In this bonus episode, get the conversation in its entirety as CH Michael Will talks about why we experience hardship and suffering as believers.
Part 1: Being a leader of character / Lead to serve, serve to lead
Our panel discusses how leaders can approach employing God’s Word effectively, integrating the calling to serve in uniform and the calling to serve the Lord, and leading in times of crisis. The cornerstone of being an effective leader who can do these three things well, they assert, is being a leader of character.
Liliane Delva: “I always use my experience as a testimony to help other people”
Liliane talks about the significance of the 9/11 attacks on her Army career, how she struggled with comparing herself to others, and how trauma from a molestation as a child had a profound impact on her life before she followed that gentle nudging from God to get help and healing.
Karis and Ben Meier: “God really opened my heart through what I’ve suffered”
Have you ever been in a situation where it seemed like God was using affliction to draw you to Him? In the face of a chronic illness that seems to have no end, Karis Meier chooses to respond in this way—give thanks.
Amanda Yashack, part 2: “God is healing me and he is giving me my life back”
In this episode, Amanda concludes her story by sharing how God began to radically heal her heart and change her life through a series of events.
Amanda Yashack, part 1: “That morning at PT something inside me just completely broke.”
Capt Amanda Yashack, USAFR, talks about how her life spiraled out of control when she was in ROTC, largely as a result of the trauma she experienced after a sexual assault, and then how that led to burnout, compartmentalizing her pain, and as she calls it…rock bottom.
Chris Thompson, Gold Star Mother: “God wants you to keep on living”
Chris shares her story of military life at the intersection of faith, family, and profession by telling the story of her daughter, Betsy, and offering insights on life as a Gold Star Mother.
Becky Haggerty: “God, why don’t you care?”
Becky’s story is one of battling through anxiety and self-worth. It’s a story that tells of her journey to be in a right relationship with her Heavenly Father even when it seems like life sometimes has more valleys than mountaintops, even when it seems like God just doesn’t care.
Chipu Chu: “I was broken. I needed a savior.”
(Season 2, Episode 1) In this episode, you’ll hear the story
A Question of Identity
The following stories are not just accounts of people who endured the process of rediscovering their identity in Christ, but they are also stories of a heavenly Father who loves his children enough to show them a far more abundant life.
Crushing the Idols of Identity
We can know pure joy in our struggles when we allow God to do His work in us. He gives and takes away as He works in and through us and this broken world that we may know and trust Him.
53. Carlos and Sara Estevez: Purpose and perspective in the face of tragedy
Have you ever been invited to do something only to wonder…why did I agree to that? My guest today went through something like that, and ultimately, it might have saved her life and the lives of her children.
51. Col Darren Duke: Examining a life transformed
Col Darren Duke, USMC, talks about personal transformation and what a life transformed by God might look like for believers serving in the military.
45. Nick Koza: Was blind, but now I see
Episode 45 show notes The story of Captain Nick Koza, USMC,
44. Brigit Jogan: Experiencing God on the mountaintop
First Class Cadet Brigit Jogan, a senior at the United States Coast Guard Academy, hiked the summit of Mount Antero in Colorado’s Collegiate Peaks during her time at Rocky Mountain High this past summer, and it was during that physical climb to the mountaintop that she experienced the Spirit of God moving in a mighty way. Today, Brigit is going to talk about that experience as she shares her story.
42. Jeff Struecker: Trusting God in All Things
Jeff Struecker's book, "The Road to Unafraid," is the centerpiece for today's conversation. Although several perspectives or themes can be found in the book, Jeff and I focused on trusting in God. In the face of fear and uncertainty at certain times throughout his life, I asked Jeff to talk about how God asked Jeff to trust Him and what that looked like in his life, particularly his military career.
41. Michelle Qureshi: Incredible hope amidst suffering
Michelle Qureshi's story of military life at the intersection of faith, family, and profession is one that deals with such topics as stress, hardship, and discouragement, but more importantly, it’s a story of how she has experienced what she calls “incredible hope amidst suffering.”
40. You Are Your Brother’s Keeper
November 23, 2014. Does that date ring any bells for you? For my guest this episode— Col Rich Tatem, USAF (Ret.)—that date will forever be etched into his memory as the day his son, Brennan, committed suicide.
39. Why is Wisdom So Important?
My guest today is Pastor Keith Peck. He has over 40 years of pastoral ministry experience, and recently retired as pastor emeritus of Broadneck Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Annapolis, Maryland, where he served for 27 years. Keith offers his insights on the application of wisdom.
A conversation with Chris Plekenpol | Episode 38
In this episode, Crosspoint host Josh Jackson chats with pastor and author Chris Plekenpol, who recounts an incident with a suicide bomber in Iraq and also talks about God's word, God's spirit, God's people... finding God's will.
The Great Commission as a warrior’s discipline | Episode 36
Whether you’re in the group who has never heard of the Great Commission, or if you know the Great Commission backwards and forwards—while reading it in Greek—stick with us today as our guest, CH LTC Dan Holcomb, USA (Ret.), talks about how the Great Commission relates to what he calls “Disciplines of a Warrior.”
Is spiritual warfare real? Episode 35
Today, we’re talking about spiritual warfare, and our guest is MG Kurt Fuller, USA (Ret.). MG Fuller served 26 years as a paratrooper, 12 years in the Ranger Regiment, and 6 years in combat, including Grenada, Panama, Desert Storm, Haiti, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
A difficult story of God’s goodness | Episode 33
Today, you’re going to hear from Major Tim and Kimberly Tormey, USMC (Ret.), as they share a story of God’s goodness and kindness to them. Their story centers around part of Tim’s difficult deployment to Iraq in 2014 that ultimately ended in tragedy.
Indivisible, the story of Darren and Heather Turner | Episode 28
CH Darren and Heather Turner share the details of their struggles surrounding deployment individually, spiritually, and as a couple. It’s a compelling story— especially if you or a loved one have been deployed.
The Theological Implications of Addiction | Episode 23
What does scripture say about addiction? Can a Christian have an addiction? What does a biblical approach to recovery look like? Isn't Jesus enough? Our guest is Dr. John Thorington—a licensed professional counselor and is also certified as a Sexual Recovery Therapist by the American Association of Sex Addiction Therapy.
What Fuels Your Engine? | Episode 022
In this episode, we chat with Dr. David Kim, a physician, founder, and current CEO of Beacon Christian Community Health Center in New York, and discuss the emotion-fueled train vs. the truth-fueled train; the effects of social media on both of these trains; 3 questions every Christian should able to answer, as well as learning more about how Dr. Kim’s ministry model at Beacon Health relates to integrating faith in all areas of your life as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces.
The Scars of Moral Injury | Episode 014
Former OCF director of field operations LTC Tom Schmidt, US Army (Ret.), sat down with COL Dave Batchelor, USA (Ret.), in the faculty lounge of the US Army Command and General Staff College, where COL Batchelor shared the candid story of his personal struggle with moral injury.
Growing your affections for Christ | Episode 007
LTC Tom Schmidt, USA (Ret.), chats with CH(MAJ) Mark Winton, USA, on the topic of “affections for Christ.” Our affections are typically rooted in our answer to this question: “What are our heart longings for?” As CH Winton suggests, our answer ultimately shows what drives our hearts and where our affections lie.
Developing your character muscle like SGT York | Episode 006
The topic of today’s show is character, and our guest for this episode likens character to a muscle that must be continually developed if we’re going to conduct our lives as Christians in a way that pleases and honors God.
Thriving in the Unbalance | Episode 005
When it comes to the various parts of your life—family, military profession, friends, relationships with others, and your relationship with God—should you be striving to find a balance among all those things? Or should you learn to thrive in the unbalance?
What’s So Amazing About Grace | Episode 003
In this episode, OCF Managing Editor Karen Fliedner chats with Col Art Athens, USMC (Ret), about amazing grace—specifically, the four-part message Col Athens shared at a weekend retreat at White Sulphur Springs in 2004
How do you handle success?
We all love success. It feels good—certainly better than failure. But success can easily become a stumbling block if not handled humbly and wisely.
A Salve for the Scars
So much of today’s culture dwells on victimhood, on wounds that seem resistant to heal. Christ-followers don’t deny the wounds but come alongside the struggling wounded to offer the salve secured by the scarred, yet now Risen Lamb’s victory over sin and death.
Avoid Cursor Creep in Your Life
For His disciples, God gives direction. Develop a habit of checking your tendency to slide off the course He sets. Seek and find that direction in all parts of life: personal, family, professional, and community.
Building on a Foundation with a God’s-eye View
Every planner for ground tactical combat operations knows the value of seeing the area of operations from above. Looking down on the terrain, you see risks, opportunities, and new ways to achieve your objective that cannot be seen from the ground.
Seeing Around Corners, Part I: A Sure Foundation
A particularly effective leader sees the ends amidst the overwhelming hubbub of the present. Opposition, complexity, danger, and distracting opportunities threaten to paralyze or draw the leader off course.
A hitch in our giddy-up
We all have hitches in our giddy-up. Most are wounds within our soul: bitterness, deceit, fear, shame, guilt, and others. They hinder us; they limit us in our service with and leadership of others.
How have you set your sails?
All leaders experience both fair and foul winds. The Christ-honoring leader has been given stewardship of people, missions, and things for the Master’s gain and pleasure.
Sometimes, There is No Plan B
If you are a leader, perhaps you are the one God appointed to initiate and lead a local fellowship, or you may be the one leader Christ has chosen as His ambassador in a unit or staff.
The Slippery Heart
Men and women of authority, education, and influence are particularly susceptible. Their gifting, potentially so helpful in service and leadership, spills over to coat the heart with ill-placed personal pride and assurance.
Calling all Daniels: Stand firm in the faith
What does that look like today? How are you courageously standing firm personally and in your family? Are you modeling an integrated life of faith, family, and profession to your family, those around you personally, and in the workplace?
Calling All Daniels: Do You Know God?
The world desperately needs to hear about Jesus, and we’ve been called to share Him. I encourage you to become competent in your knowledge of Him. Draw people through your professional excellence. Be prepared through your life and words to shine His life-saving light.
From Fort Knox to the foot of the Cross
My 2015 experience in Kentucky brought me to the foot of the cross, saving my soul in a way words cannot explain.
Three tenets to dreaming for ourselves
Do you know how to dream? There are three tenets to dreaming for ourselves with a greater chance of realizing those dreams.
Further insights from Mike and Angie Moyles
Here are some more insights shared by Mike Moyles and his wife, Angie, during their interview with COMMAND.
Hope does not disappoint us
When he was diagnosed with cancer in 1999, Mike says he worked through the usual questions and doubt—why me? what did I do?—but it was the continued struggle through multiple rounds of chemo, radiation, and surgeries that caused him to take a deeper look at the testimony God was preparing him for.
Worrying or waiting?
Life in general is complicated. Life in the military is extremely difficult and challenging and carries with it an increasing amount of angst with the operations tempo, separations, threats to life and limb, and the increasing challenges from within our own nation.
Allow God to heal the hidden wounds
We leaders often cope with stress by trying to survive our wounding rather than allow God to heal and refresh us to fully live. God doesn’t want us to simply survive. God’s mission field, after all, is your heart and mine.
6 strategies to avoid becoming a spiritual casualty
Given the description in Ephesians 6 of the spiritual battle raging around us, what can we do to prepare for the moral ambushes upon us from the enemy and avoid becoming a spiritual casualty? This article explores 6 tactics to help you avoid becoming a spiritual casualty.
Part of an amazing lineage
Don’t you love it when the Lord reveals something new through His Word? I have read Matthew many times. And I’ll admit that I usually skim past the genealogy to get to the “meat” proclaiming the birth, life and good news about our Savior. Recently, however, my eyes were opened to two truths that penetrated my heart, ensuring that I will never again fast forward past these verses and forever ponder my lineage and legacy.
God’s restoration for the wounded soldier, healing warrior
Since warfare in and of itself is ultimately the warfare of our soul and spirit, we have the choice of allowing our healing to proceed through our spiritual maturation instead of succumbing to substance abuse to mask problems. Ultimately our ability to be healed, or at least cope with our issues, is based upon spiritual healing.
God, are you with me?
The following short story was written by OCF member MAJ Mario Miglietta, USA. It is based on a story told during an OCF Bible study that he attends. A person in the Bible study told of a Soldier from his battalion who had fallen on hard times, but who found encouragement and hope from a letter he received from his little sister. Mario says he was inspired by that story and wrote about what the Soldier had gone through—"how I imagined the story evolved."
How does the Lord see you?
Not many of us give much thought to that question on a daily basis. And truthfully, some days I may not really want to know the answer. But knowing how the Lord sees us is something we must consider because the answer dramatically affects our calling.
Jesus shows us 3 keys to fulfilling a godly responsibility
Christian officer, leader—how important is prayer to you? As Christians serving in the military, do we recognize what and for whom we should be praying for in our leadership roles? Godly officers and leaders pray.
Encouragement: A Powerful Tool Against the Enemy
Combating Satan's tool of discouragement requires confident faith in Jesus Christ, that unutterable trust of knowing He is always standing with us through all life's bewildering fires.
Do you have a PCS sponsor—to heaven?
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?
The Lord—your refuge in a high optempo
As Christians, we have the privilege of serving the King of kings and Lord of lords. But He also invites us to come aside and just enjoy being His children. That time will stoke the brightness of His light within us and our faces will reflect that glory He gave us! Where’s your refuge?
Leaving a legacy of faith
by Larry Simpson, Colonel, USAF (Ret) "And fixing his gaze on him and being much alarmed, he said, 'What
Celebrating the Empty Tomb of Jesus Christ
Go back in time as we explore the places and events, through the lens of Scripture, shaping the most dramatic event in the history of the world-the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Lessons in Leadership…from a Squadron Janitor
William Crawford was an unimpressive figure, one you could easily overlook during a hectic day at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Will you embrace the Christ of Christmas?
Soon, Christmas nativity scenes and all the Christmas season trappings will be packed away into storage for another year. But the unopened package-the Christ of Christmas-remains for the taking, offering lasting hope and future beyond our often dreary, heart-breaking world.
The Ultimate Freedom of an Uncaged Eagle
Victory over adversity. It's something Dick Toliver knows well, this great-grandson of a slave, who grew up in dark days of the pre-civil-rights-era South. Despite the shackles of poverty, racism, injustice, he fought to become a highly decorated and accomplished Air Force pilot.
Let His Light Shine!
How's your Christ light shining?
Expecting God’s Unexpected
Christian leader, the narrow road of discipleship—a road the Lord travels with us—is full of unexpected, difficult turns. Prepare earnestly, lead well. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
Waging Another War
Waging war against sexual impurity starts in the battlefield of the mind.
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.
Undivided Heart
Do you allow the "spiritual self" or the "old nature" to dictate your decisions?
Compliant Clay
How do you respond to shaping?
Faithful Leadership
What enables Christian leaders to maintain the charge when others give up?
Practice Makes Perfect
The Word of the Lord penetrates the heart and compels an obedient response.
Question Authority
So should we question God's authority?
Reignited Service
What is your synonym for fear?
Battle Rhythm
How are you doing when it comes to sorting through the competing priorities in your life? What's your battle rhythm?
Reality Check
Every day is a good time for a reality check.
Any Volunteers?
What mentorship lessons might we learn from Paul and his heartfelt concern for Timothy?
On The Rock
Deep down inside most of us generally have a sense of how to respond to adversity and challenging circumstances.
Prayer Sometimes Involves Fasting
The benefits of fasting shouldn't be overlooked.
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!
It Didn’t Surprise God
Imagine--the same God who fashioned the heavens and earth, and made man in His image--knew this would occur.
Leadership Came Naturally
Leadership was a natural result of who Tom was.
Superhero’s Faith
"Follow me!" sounds like an adventure--the full life that Jesus brings!
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
War Eagle, Iraq
The time of the shooting at Ur coincided exactly with the prayer of the soldiers at War Eagle!
Strong Tower
Proverbs 18:10 is a marvelous verse. It describes both protection and direction. "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."
Pray, Discover & Obey (PDO)
Make important decisions with the confidence that God has revealed His direction.
Striving
There are no guarantees that any of us will be promoted. But we do have the assurance that we can rest in Him.
Centurions in the Conflict
We face a formidable enemy who continues to plague the human race.
Spiritual War
There are a number of weapons and tactics in spiritual warfare.
War on Spiritual Terrorism
When we go to war, we are fighting both a physical foe and a spiritual enemy.
The Challenge of Distress
Life is full of disappointments, difficulties, and distress. It comes in many ways: relational conflicts, job issues, financial concerns, illness, injury, tragedy and a host of other predicaments. It is challenging, even as a Christian, to respond positively to these trials.
A Charge for New OCF Graduates
Live out the commission God has given you and you will shine in a dark world.
How Should a Christian Live?
Food for thought for young Christians in the military.
Unity of Command
Do the military principles of war apply to Christian living?
Strong to the Finish
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.
The Wonder of Worship
It's beautiful to contemplate the nature of deity and to bask in His glory.
