OCF Crosspoint Podcast

Today, you’ll hear audio from the conclusion of a speaking session by CH(MAJ) Jake Snodgrass, USA, this past fall at Spring Canyon’s Aspentime Retreat. If you’re new to OCF and you’ve never heard of Spring Canyon, it’s OCF’s western conference and retreat center located near Buena Vista, Colorado. And if you’ve never heard of Aspentime, it’s a weekend getaway at Spring Canyon for Christian military members and families, and it features teaching and small group sessions led by a speaker like CH Snodgrass. Participants at the weekend retreat explored the profound concept of spiritual formation through the lens of renowned authors such as John Mark Comer, Dallas Willard, John Ortberg, and Donald Whitney, and they uncovered principles and practices that challenge contemporary ideals, emphasizing the necessity of community in the pursuit of spiritual growth. There were also interactive discussions, activities, and real-life applications in which leaders discovered how to build and sustain a vibrant military ministry while fostering personal renewal in an increasingly secular world and military. About CH(MAJ) Jake Snodgrass, USA Chaplain Jacob Snodgrass is a native of Ames, OK, and graduated from the University of Oklahoma and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Applied Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City. He was commissioned from ROTC in 2002, and has served as a Chaplain since 2009, endorsed by the Southern Baptist Convention. He currently serves as the 10th Special Forces Group Chaplain and as the lead pastor of Agape Carson, Fort Carson, CO. Chaplain Snodgrass has served numerous assignments as a chaplain, pastor, and church planter, including Camp Humphreys, Korea; Fort Lewis, WA; and Kandahar, Afghanistan. He was named U.S. Army Chaplain of the Year in 2019. Chaplain Snodgrass has been married for 18 years to the former Heather Dostal of Leakenheath, UK, and they have six kids: Manuel 24, Karmen 22, Gage 15, Boyce 14, Jovie 11, and Bennett 8.

Today, you’ll hear audio from Part 2 of a speaking session by CH(MAJ) Jake Snodgrass, USA, this past fall at Spring Canyon’s Aspentime Retreat. If you’re new to OCF and you’ve never heard of Spring Canyon, it’s OCF’s western conference and retreat center located near Buena Vista, Colorado. And if you’ve never heard of Aspentime, it’s a weekend getaway at Spring Canyon for Christian military members and families, and it features teaching and small group sessions led by a speaker like CH Snodgrass. Participants at the weekend retreat explored the profound concept of spiritual formation through the lens of renowned authors such as John Mark Comer, Dallas Willard, John Ortberg, and Donald Whitney, and they uncovered principles and practices that challenge contemporary ideals, emphasizing the necessity of community in the pursuit of spiritual growth. There were also interactive discussions, activities, and real-life applications in which leaders discovered how to build and sustain a vibrant military ministry while fostering personal renewal in an increasingly secular world and military. About CH(MAJ) Jake Snodgrass, USA Chaplain Jacob Snodgrass is a native of Ames, OK, and graduated from the University of Oklahoma and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Applied Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City. He was commissioned from ROTC in 2002, and has served as a Chaplain since 2009, endorsed by the Southern Baptist Convention. He currently serves as the 10th Special Forces Group Chaplain and as the lead pastor of Agape Carson, Fort Carson, CO. Chaplain Snodgrass has served numerous assignments as a chaplain, pastor, and church planter, including Camp Humphreys, Korea; Fort Lewis, WA; and Kandahar, Afghanistan. He was named U.S. Army Chaplain of the Year in 2019. Chaplain Snodgrass has been married for 18 years to the former Heather Dostal of Leakenheath, UK, and they have six kids: Manuel 24, Karmen 22, Gage 15, Boyce 14, Jovie 11, and Bennett 8.

Today, you’ll hear audio from a speaking session by CH(MAJ) Jake Snodgrass, USA, this past fall at Spring Canyon’s Aspentime Retreat. If you’re new to OCF and you’ve never heard of Spring Canyon, it’s OCF’s western conference and retreat center located near Buena Vista, Colorado. And if you’ve never heard of Aspentime, it’s a weekend getaway at Spring Canyon for Christian military members and families, and it features teaching and small group sessions led by a speaker like CH Snodgrass. Participants at the weekend retreat explored the profound concept of spiritual formation through the lens of renowned authors such as John Mark Comer, Dallas Willard, John Ortberg, and Donald Whitney, and they uncovered principles and practices that challenge contemporary ideals, emphasizing the necessity of community in the pursuit of spiritual growth. There were also interactive discussions, activities, and real-life applications in which leaders discovered how to build and sustain a vibrant military ministry while fostering personal renewal in an increasingly secular world and military. About CH(MAJ) Jake Snodgrass, USA Chaplain Jacob Snodgrass is a native of Ames, OK, and graduated from the University of Oklahoma and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Applied Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City. He was commissioned from ROTC in 2002, and has served as a Chaplain since 2009, endorsed by the Southern Baptist Convention. He currently serves as the 10th Special Forces Group Chaplain and as the lead pastor of Agape Carson, Fort Carson, CO. Chaplain Snodgrass has served numerous assignments as a chaplain, pastor, and church planter, including Camp Humphreys, Korea; Fort Lewis, WA; and Kandahar, Afghanistan. He was named U.S. Army Chaplain of the Year in 2019. Chaplain Snodgrass has been married for 18 years to the former Heather Dostal of Leakenheath, UK, and they have six kids: Manuel 24, Karmen 22, Gage 15, Boyce 14, Jovie 11, and Bennett 8.

Got an idea for a guest or topic? If you would like to share your own story, complete the form on OCF’s “Be a Guest” webpage. Alternatively, if you have an idea for a guest or topic I should consider for a future episode of the show, send an email to podcast@ocfusa.org. Show Notes: Today’s guest is Col Jassen Bluto, USAF, (Ret.), a 32-year veteran who commanded four squadrons, served in combat in Iraq, and oversaw physical security and anti-terrorism policy and training at Air National Guard headquarters. He also gained extensive leadership experience in academia and then in law enforcement, where he served on three separate police agencies before retiring as a detective from an agency in Los Angeles County. Pulling from decades of experience in enlisted and commissioned roles, Jassen shares three leadership principles–trust, respect, and caring–principles that inspired his short book titled Three Leadership Principles for the Christian in the Military. While the military certainly provides ample leadership training and experience, Jassen shares about the importance of leading from a Christ-centered life, Bible verses that shape his leadership style, and more. >Check out these resources mentioned in Jassen’s interview: Three Leadership Principles for the Christian in the Military Leadership Essentials Podcast >Study questions for this episode As you listen to this conversation with Jassen, here are a few questions to ponder in your personal time, with a small group, or with a mentor:

Got an idea for a guest or topic? If you would like to share your own story, complete the form on OCF’s “Be a Guest” webpage. Alternatively, if you have an idea for a guest or topic I should consider for a future episode of the show, send an email to podcast@ocfusa.org. Show Notes How do emotional intelligence (known as EQ) and leadership go together? What does EQ have to do with leading in the military? How does EQ line up with scripture? Noble Gibbens, also known as the EQ Gangster, joins me on the podcast to answer these questions. An Oklahoma-born West Point graduate who served in the U.S. Army in the 82nd Airborne Division, Noble combined his entrepreneurial spirit and experience with his passion for emotional intelligence to become a certified emotional intelligence practitioner, corporate speaker & trainer, and executive leadership coach. After growing up in a home where he “learned absolutely nothing about conflict resolution” and realizing his emotional dysfunction in his own home as an adult, Noble met with a counselor and began his emotional fitness journey. In this episode, he defines emotional intelligence, shares experiences with leadership in and out of the military context, talks about David and other biblical examples of emotional intelligence, and more. Check out these resources mentioned in Noble’s interview: Emotional Intelligence 2.0EQ-i 2.0 EQ Gangster podcast, Episode #273: Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting Out of the Box Running on Empty: Overcome Your Childhood Emotional Neglect Running on Empty No More: Transform Your Relationships With Your Partner, Your Parents and Your Children As you listen to this conversation with Noble, here are a few questions to ponder in your personal time, with a small group, or with a mentor:

Got an idea for a guest or topic? If you would like to share your own story, complete the form on OCF’s “Be a Guest” webpage. Alternatively, if you have an idea for a guest or topic I should consider for a future episode of the show, send an email to podcast@ocfusa.org. Show Notes So many conversations within the OCF community circle back to this question: How ought Christians in the military integrate their faith and profession? One week after graduating from high school, CW4 Rich Smith, USA (Ret.), embarked on 24 years of military service that provided him experiences that answer that very question. Upon retiring from the Army, Rich has developed a passion for encouraging other service members not to camouflage their faith in Christ during their years in the military. In this episode, we discuss what hinders and helps Christians live out their faith in the military, his personal experiences with Christian fellowship during years on active duty, and more. He also shares about his book, Camouflaged Christian, which provides a deeper dive on the topics he discussed on Crosspoint. Rich now resides in his hometown of Rome, New York, with wife Teri and granddaughters Amerie, Elodie, and Maisy. As you listen to this conversation with Rich, here are a few questions to ponder in your personal time, with a small group, or with a mentor:

Got an idea for a guest or topic? If you would like to share your own story, complete the form on OCF’s “Be a Guest” webpage. Alternatively, if you have an idea for a guest or topic I should consider for a future episode of the show, send an email to podcast@ocfusa.org. Show Notes: After graduating from West Point in 1989, Ricky Preciado served in the Army on active duty for five years then as a reservist for an additional five before shifting into business operations for a variety of manufacturing companies. Since 2017, he’s been working for Chick-fil-a, and he currently works for them as an owner-operator in the San Diego area. Ricky joined USS Somerset OCF for a day to share about one of his favorite topics, servant leadership, with Chick-fil-a in tow, of course, and he joined Assistant Director of Communications Courtney Taylor on the podcast to discuss the very same topic. He breaks down what can often seem to be a “Christianese” term in the church, shares what he’s learned about servant leadership via his work with Chick-fil-a, and recaps his visit with USS Somerset OCF. To find a small group fellowship similar to the USS Somerset OCF group Ricky visited, check out the OCF directory online. As you listen to this conversation with Ricky, here are a few questions to ponder in your personal time, with a small group, or with a mentor:

Got an idea for a guest or topic? If you would like to share your own story, complete the form on OCF’s “Be a Guest” webpage. Alternatively, if you have an idea for a guest or topic I should consider for a future episode of the show, send an email to podcast@ocfusa.org. Show Notes What is resilience? Is there a correlation between resilience and the prevalence of suicide in the military? How do you know if you’ve become resilient? Minutes after leading a session about the topic of resilience during OCF’s annual Local Leader Conference held at Spring Canyon earlier this year, Col Tim Hale, USAF (Ret.), sat down with me in the dining hall of Hartley Holmes Lodge to address these questions and others. Raised in a military community near Scott AFB, Tim began his own career in the Air Force after completing Air Force ROTC at St. Louis University. Throughout his decades of service, Tim’s command positions at a variety of levels, bolstered by post-retirement experiences as a cabinet secretary for the New Mexico Department of Veteran Services and as an elder at his church, enabled him to see the importance of resilience firsthand. Tim now resides in Oklahoma, where he serves as OCF’s Area Coordinator for Central Oklahoma, Southern Kansas, and Northern Texas. Check out the various resources mentioned throughout this episode “March or die”: Turning to Christ & community in times of trauma, Path to Resiliency Days of Anguish, Days of HopeThe Resilience Trilogy As you listen to this conversation with Tim, here are a few questions to ponder in your personal time, with a small group, or with a mentor Path to Resiliency

Got an idea for a guest or topic? If you would like to share your own story, complete the form on OCF’s “Be a Guest” webpage. Alternatively, if you have an idea for a guest or topic I should consider for a future episode of the show, send an email to podcast@ocfusa.org Show Notes: Earlier this season, Nicole Breining spoke about her husband’s pornography addiction that resulted in betrayal trauma and a serious strain on their relationship. But what impact does pornography addiction have on the rest of the family? Do kids experience a similar type of trauma when they learn parents struggle with a problematic sexual behavior? How should parents respond if and when they discover their children are viewing pornography? In this episode of Crosspoint, Dr. John Thorington addresses these questions. John is a licensed professional counselor and certified sexual recovery therapist, and he has a private practice in Huntsville, Alabama, called Restoring Hearts Counseling. If you haven’t already, listen to his first episode with Crosspoint from its first season, titled “The Theological Implications of Addiction.” John talks about how parents might navigate a conversation with kids when a parent is struggling with problematic sexual behaviors, how to set boundaries in recovery, and what resources to use in next steps. We then flip the script to talk about how parents can move forward when they learn their child is the one struggling with problematic sexual behaviors, turning to God’s design rather than the world’s during ongoing conversations. Check out the various resources mentioned throughout this episode: Restoring Hearts CounselingPure Desire MinistriesBe Broken Ministries Treading Boldly through a Pornographic World: A Field Guide for Parents Honest Talk: A New Perspective on Talking to Your Kids About Sex The Porn Phenomenon: The Impact of Pornography in the Digital AgeFocus on the FamilyCovenant Eyes: Screen Accountability™ Sexpectations: Helping the Next Generation Navigate Healthy Relationships Pure Teens: Honoring God, Relationships, and Sex As you listen to this conversation with John, here are a few questions to ponder in your personal time, with a small group, or with a mentor:

Got an idea for a guest or topic? If you would like to share your own story, complete the form on OCF’s “Be a Guest” webpage. Alternatively, if you have an idea for a guest or topic I should consider for a future episode of the show, send an email to podcast@ocfusa.org. Show Notes: On the heels of several episodes on the topics of pornography and sexuality with CAPT Brent & Nicole Breining, USN (Ret.), Dr. Joy Skarka joins me on the podcast for a similar conversation, except we’ll approach this topic from the perspective of single or dating women. Joy currently serves as the director of discipleship at Authentic Intimacy, a ministry devoted to teaching on God's design for intimacy and sexuality. Joy discusses the meaning behind and value of a phrase that contains two words we likely wouldn’t expect to go together: sexual discipleship. She then shares her own story with pornography addiction and how God turned a source of brokenness, pain, and trauma into a passion through which she helps other women navigate similar struggles. You can connect with Joy by following her on Instagram: @joyskarka. Check out the various resources mentioned throughout this episode: Authentic Intimacy, the ministry Joy works for that offers online groups, resources, and more Java with Juli, Authentic Intimacy’s podcast with the ministry’s president and co-founder Juli Slattery Rethinking Sexuality: God's Design and Why It Matters by Dr. Juli Slattery The Girl Defined Show: Freedom from Porn & Sexual Struggles for Women with Joy Skarka As you listen to this conversation with Joy, here are a few questions to ponder in your personal time, with a small group, or with a mentor: Quoting Juli Slattery’s book Rethinking Sexuality, Joy says, “Every sexual question is ultimately a spiritual one.” Do you agree? Why or why not? How might a lack of education from the church result in a poor or even harmful understanding of sexuality? Joy talks about how addiction to pornography can start so subtly. What are some ways we can proactively guard against developing such addictions? If we truly understand that the point of being a Christian is to be made more like Christ, how does that understanding affect our contentment in Him alone, regardless of relationship status, circumstances, etc.? Who are the trustworthy mentors in your life with whom you can discuss heavy topics like the ones covered in today’s episode?

Show Notes: CAPT Brent & Nicole Breining, USN (Ret.), return to the podcast today to continue our series on pornography and sexuality. If you haven’t listened to the first three episodes in this series, I encourage you to check out those episodes first and then return to hear today’s episode as we discuss the three parts of the healing process, resources for recovery, and more. The Breinings break down the three parts of addiction recovery—breaking denial structures, understanding the addictive cycle, and accessing the wound. We then address why we can feel so discouraged by the time and effort required to heal, the value of understanding the nature of addiction regardless of personal experience, and the importance of addressing these sin struggles for the purpose of restoration rather than rejection. Check out the various resources mentioned throughout this episode: Pure Desire MinistriesUnraveled: Managing Love, Sex, and RelationshipsSexual Integrity 101Unwanted: How Sexual Brokenness Reveals Our Way to HealingCovenant Eyes: Screen Accountability™ If you would like to share your own story, complete the form on OCF’s “Be a Guest” webpage. Alternatively, if you have an idea for a guest or topic I should consider for a future episode of the show, send an email topodcast@ocfusa.org As you listen to this conversation with Brent and Nicole, here are a few questions to ponder in your personal time, with a small group, or with a mentor:

Show Notes: CAPT Brent & Nicole Breining, USN (Ret.), return to the podcast today to continue our series on pornography and sexuality. If you haven’t listened to the first two episodes in this series, I encourage you to check out those episodes first, get to know Brent and Nicole’s story, then return to hear today’s episode as we explore the concept of betrayal trauma in the context of marriage and romantic relationships. In this episode, we discuss how the symptoms and effects of betrayal trauma present uniquely in different individuals, then Brent and Nicole share their personal experiences with betrayal trauma. The Breinings remind us that this betrayal trauma falls under the category of inevitable struggles Jesus promised we’d face in this life, but they remind us of our hope we have in Him. Check out the various resources mentioned throughout this episode: Your Sexually Addicted Spouse: How Partners Can Cope and Heal by Dr. Barbara Steffens Struggle Well by Ken Falke and Josh Goldberg Pure Desire Ministries, through which Brent and Nicole help men and women heal from unwanted sexual behaviors and their repercussions If you would like to share your own story, complete the form on OCF’s “Be a Guest” webpage. Alternatively, if you have an idea for a guest or topic I should consider for a future episode of the show, send an email to podcast@ocfusa.org. As you listen to this conversation with Brent and Nicole, here are a few questions to ponder in your personal time, with a small group, or with a mentor: Have you experienced hurt that has prompted you to question God’s goodness? How did you work through that doubt? How might a desire for control over your own life be connected to betrayal trauma? How do traumatic experiences shake your understanding of your core beliefs? What is the value of processing past traumatic experiences to better understand your reactions to present circumstances that might result in trauma? Nicole shares several things she found helpful in her recovery from betrayal trauma: finding community she could trust, practicing self-care, educating herself about sexual addiction and betrayal trauma, not rushing into big decisions when working through betrayal trauma, and creating boundaries for safety. What practical ways within those categories might you be able to work through or help a loved one work through betrayal trauma?

Got an idea for a guest or topic? If you would like to share your own story, complete the form on OCF’s “Be a Guest” webpage. Alternatively, if you have an idea for a guest or topic I should consider for a future episode of the show, send an email to podcast@ocfusa.org. Show Notes: CAPT Brent & Nicole Breining, USN (Ret.), return to the podcast today to continue our series on pornography and sexuality. If you haven’t listened to the first episode in this series, I encourage you to check out that episode first, get to know Brent and Nicole’s story, then return to hear today’s episode as we dive into the nature of addiction. We discuss statistics and real-world case studies regarding the pornography industry that reveal the magnitude of its harmful effects on society and on individuals alike. Brent and Nicole then unpack terms and concepts such as the cyclone of addiction, the shame cycle, and neurochemistry of the brain that all point to God’s intricate design for His creation. Check out the various resources mentioned throughout this episode: · Restoring the Soul podcast: Part 1 with Tony Anderson, and Part 2 with Tony Anderson · Fight the New Drug · The Social Dilemma · Pure Desire Ministries, through which Brent and Nicole help men and women heal from unwanted sexual behaviors and their repercussions As you listen to this conversation with Brent and Nicole, here are a few questions to ponder in your personal time, with a small group, or with a mentor: How does the pornography industry harm our perceptions of others as individuals made in the image of God? Why might “rigid, disengaged homes,” per Brent’s description, often become an environment in which many individuals become sex addicts? What habits can you establish to “live in this world of technology… but do it in a healthy manner,” as Brent says? What sin struggles have prompted you to feel shame and hide from God and from fellow believers? Loads of Additional Resources on this topic Problematic Sexual Behavior (Men): Books: Laaser, M. (2004). Healing the Wounds of Sexual Addiction (3rd ed.). Zondervan. Roberts, T. (2008). Pure Desire: How one man’s triumph can help others break free from sexual temptation. Regal. Roberts, T. (2021). Seven Pillars of Freedom (5th ed.). Pure Desire Ministries International. Stringer, J. (2018). Unwanted: How sexual brokenness reveals our way to healing. NavPress. Podcasts: https://puredesire.org/podcasts/ Stumbo, N. & Winsor, T. (Hosts). (2021, January 19). What If My Betrayed Spouse Doesn’t Want Healing? (No. 185) [Audio podcast episode]. In Pure Desire Podcast. https://puredesire.org/podcasts/what-if-my-betrayed-spouse-doesnt-want-healing/ Stumbo, N. & Winsor, T. (Hosts). (2022, March 8). How To Help Your Spouse Heal From Your Sexual Betrayal (No. 244) [Audio podcast episode]. In Pure Desire Podcast. https://puredesire.org/podcasts/how-to-help-your-spouse-heal-from-your-sexual-betrayal/ Stumbo, N. & Winsor, T. (Hosts). (2022, November 22). The Impact of Sexual Addiction w/ Dr. Adrian Hickmon (No. 281) [Audio podcast episode]. In Pure Desire Podcast. https://puredesire.org/podcasts/the-impact-of-sexual-addiction-w-adrian-hickmon/ Video Series: Kolb, H. [Editor]. (2020). Sexual Integrity 101 [Video series]. Pure Desire Ministries International. Ward, G., Wiles, J., & Wiles, T. [Executive Producers]. (2013). Conqueror Series: The battle plan for purity [Video series]. KingdomWorks Studios. Problematic Sexual Behavior (Women): Books: Kolb, H. [Editor]. (2019). Unraveled: Managing love, sex, and relationships. Pure Desire Ministries International. Stringer, J. (2018). Unwanted: How sexual brokenness reveals our way to healing. NavPress. Podcasts: https://puredesire.org/podcasts/ Stumbo, N. & Winsor, T. (Hosts). (2020, October 20). The Female Addict and Unraveled (No. 172) [Audio podcast episode]. In Pure Desire Podcast. https://puredesire.org/podcasts/the-female-addict-unraveled/ Stumbo,...

Got an idea for a guest or topic? If you would like to share your own story, complete the form on OCF’s “Be a Guest” webpage. Alternatively, if you have an idea for a guest or topic I should consider for a future episode of the show, send an email to podcast@ocfusa.org. Show Notes: In January 2023, Pensacola OCF hosted a one-day workshop to discuss sexual brokenness and unwanted sexual behaviors like pornography addiction and to introduce solutions for healing and wholeness. CAPT Brent & Nicole Breining, USN (Ret.), led sessions throughout that one-day workshop, and they join me today on the podcast as we begin a series of episodes focusing on similar topics. Brent and Nicole share their story and the impact that porn had on their marriage in this episode, and their remaining three Crosspoint episodes will cover topics such as the nature of addiction, the shame cycle, and the neurochemistry of the brain. Having reached a breaking point in their marriage in 2012 and recovered since then by God’s grace, Brent and Nicole talk about why that addiction placed such a strain on their marriage, how God worked through accountability partners in their healing process, and more. Above all, their desire is for listeners to understand there is hope and that God can restore anyone struggling with problematic sexual behaviors. Brent retired from the Navy in 2017 after a distinguished 27-year career, and he currently serves as a Foursquare Institutional Chaplain with Pure Desire Ministries, through which he helps men walk in sexual purity and break free from unwanted sexual behaviors. Nicole received a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from the University of Illinois and a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Illinois at Chicago, going on to work as a hospital pharmacist for 25 years. Nicole also has been working with Pure Desire Ministries, leading their betrayal and beyond groups for spouses for about three years. Both Brent and Nicole are accredited pastoral professionals. As you listen to this conversation with Brent and Nicole, here are a few questions to ponder in your personal time, with a small group, or with a mentor: Brent refers to Ephesians 5:25, which says “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” How does this verse shape your view of emotional intimacy in marriage? Brent talks about the iPhone’s contribution to an increased accessibility to pornography in recent years. What steps can you take to ensure your own devices aren’t contributing to addictive behaviors? How does our freedom in Christ set us free from the shame of our secrets? Nicole talks about realizing her husband’s struggles with pornography prompted her to react in sin as well. If you’ve been hurt by someone else’s sin, what’s the value of not using their sin as license to sin in response? If you’re struggling with addictive behaviors, sexual or otherwise, what positive habits can you establish to replace those behaviors? Why is assessing your heart posture in all things so critical? Loads of Resources on this topic Problematic Sexual Behavior (Men): Books: Laaser, M. (2004). Healing the Wounds of Sexual Addiction (3rd ed.). Zondervan. Roberts, T. (2008). Pure Desire: How one man’s triumph can help others break free from sexual temptation. Regal. Roberts, T. (2021). Seven Pillars of Freedom (5th ed.). Pure Desire Ministries International. Stringer, J. (2018). Unwanted: How sexual brokenness reveals our way to healing. NavPress. Podcasts: https://puredesire.org/podcasts/ Stumbo, N. & Winsor, T. (Hosts). (2021, January 19). What If My Betrayed Spouse Doesn’t Want Healing? (No. 185) [Audio podcast episode]. In Pure Desire Podcast. https://puredesire.org/podcasts/what-if-my-betrayed-spouse-doesnt-want-healing/ Stumbo, N. & Winsor, T. (Hosts). (2022, March 8). How To Help Your Spouse Heal From Your Sexual Betrayal (No. 244) [Audio podcast episode]. In Pure Desire Podcast. ...

Hi friends! We’re putting the finishing touches on the next season of the podcast, which should be ready to go by the week of May 8. For at least the first 6 episodes, we’re going to be discussing the topic of pornography, sexual addictions, and problematic sexual behaviors. We’ll spend time discussing this topic from the perspective of men, women, married couples, families, and singles (in particular, single women). Yes—it’s a really heavy dose of a really heavy topic. But this is an issue that affects everyone, both inside and outside the church, regardless of relationship status or gender. These sorts of problematic behaviors have also ended up destroying the careers of some very successful military leaders. Also, this might be an issue affecting you. Right now. Here are a few questions to challenge you and make you think a little deeper on this topic between now and when we start the next season in a couple of weeks: · Is pornography addiction just a guy’s problem? · What should the church’s role be when discussing sexuality and these sorts of topics? · If you’re single and have a porn or sexual addiction, OR if you are dating someone and find out they are struggling with this issue, what should you do? Break up? Continue the relationship? · If you’re a parent, and you find out your child or teen is looking at porn, what should you do? As always, if you have ideas for guests, topics, or stories you think we should consider on a future episode of the show, you can send an email to podcast@ocfusa.org or fill out our short podcast guest form located online at https://www.ocfusa.org/podcastguest. Thanks for listening, and we’ll be back in a couple of weeks.

Show Notes: For the finale of our three-part series on leadership, Brig Gen Robert “Gwyn” Armfield, USAF (Ret.), former OCF executive director Lt Gen Bruce Fister, USAF (Ret.), and current OCF executive director Col Scott Fisher, USAF (Ret.) discuss how to navigate matters of conscience–circumstances where your job and your faith seem to be at odds. Gwyn, Bruce, and Scott begin this conversation by referencing scripture to shape the way we approach such circumstances, serving as a “biblical blueprint” of sorts. Speaking from personal experiences and conversations with friends of all ages, they remind us not be surprised by the tensions we see around us today, but rather to look back and learn from past examples regarding matters of conscience. Above all and in all things, these leaders exhort us to keep Christ at the center of the challenging choices that are sure to come. In today’s episode, Scott mentions OCF’s Pray-Discover-Obey model, which we invite you to use as a means to be still before God and ask Him for wisdom and direction before future actions are planned out. For an additional resource on the topics we covered throughout this three-part series, consider ordering Gwyn and Bruce’s recently released book, Lead to Serve and Serve to Lead: Leading Well in Turbulent Times. If you would like to share your own story, complete the form on OCF’s “Be a Guest” webpage. Alternatively, if you have an idea for a guest or topic I should consider for a future episode of the show, send an email to podcast@ocfusa.org. As you listen to this conversation with Gwyn, Bruce, and Scott, here are a few questions to ponder in your personal time, with a small group, or with a mentor:

Show Notes: Today’s episode is the second in a 3-part series on leadership, featuring guests Brig Gen Robert “Gwyn” Armfield, USAF (Ret.), former OCF executive director Lt Gen Bruce Fister, USAF (Ret.), and current OCF executive director Col Scott Fisher, USAF (Ret.). The topic that’ll be discussed is failure and how to deal with it as a leader in the high-stakes military profession. As my guest Bruce Fister points out, “We’re all going to fail at one point … But you have to deal with it because otherwise no one is going to learn from it.” Some of the aspects of failure that Bruce, Gwynn, and Scott touch upon include how leaders can create a culture of trust by “being real” about their failures, the importance of setting up those you lead for success—and the space to fail, how smart leaders understand their strengths and weaknesses and rely on others for help, and what can happen when you act too quickly in decision-making without taking it to prayer. If you would like to share your own story, complete the form on OCF’s “Be a Guest” webpage. Alternatively, if you have an idea for a guest or topic I should consider for a future episode of the show, send an email to podcast@ocfusa.org. Here are a few questions to ponder in your personal time, with a small group, or with a mentor:

Show Notes: This episode begins a three-part series featuring Brig Gen Robert “Gwyn” Armfield, USAF (Ret.), former OCF executive director Lt Gen Bruce Fister, USAF (Ret.), and current OCF executive director Col Scott Fisher, USAF (Ret.). Speaking from nearly 90 years of combined service in the Air Force, these three leaders share their personal stories as followers of Christ and as military officers. On this first installment, Gwyn, Bruce, and Scott discuss 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. Gwyn and Bruce’s recently released book, Lead to Serve and Serve to Lead: Leading Well in Turbulent Times, inspired today’s roundtable conversation and the two to come. Gwyn describes his and Bruce’s book as a “discipling guide on how to lead things and get things done in a way that honors Christ with a tactical-level implementation,” written for people of all ages and walks of life. If you would like to share your own story, complete the form on OCF’s “Be a Guest” webpage. Alternatively, if you have an idea for a guest or topic I should consider for a future episode of the show, send an email to podcast@ocfusa.org. As you listen to this conversation with Gwyn, Bruce, and Scott, here are a few questions to ponder in your personal time, with a small group, or with a mentor:

Show Notes: Today’s episode takes us back to the topic of small groups. If you've listened to some of the more recent episodes of this podcast, you might be asking, “Haven't you guys said enough about small groups already?” In this episode, however, we're going to hit that topic from a slightly different angle as LT Will Parker, USN, and LT Sam Alexander, USN, sit down to talk about their experiences while serving aboard submarines. They discuss the challenges of such a unique environment, the challenges of beginning and maintaining a small group Bible study aboard a submarine, and practical applications for similarly isolated environments. They also get into the importance of seeking out fellowship with others wherever you can, whether that’s through an OCF small group, a local church body, or with a few peers at work. If you would like to share your own story, complete the form on OCF’s “Be a Guest” webpage. Alternatively, if you have an idea for a guest or topic I should consider for a future episode of the show, send an email to podcast@ocfusa.org. As you listen to this conversation with Will and Sam, here are a few questions to ponder in your personal time, with a small group, or with a mentor:

Show Notes: Today we're going to talk about a topic that pops up from time to time on the podcast, and that topic is trauma. In this episode, we're going to consider this overarching question: What's a biblical approach to dealing with or healing from trauma? Here to help me answer that question is Jeremy Stalnecker, who served as an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps. He currently serves as the executive director of the Mighty Oaks Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping America's military warriors and their families suffering from the unseen wounds of combat such as post-traumatic stress. Raised in southern California as a pastor’s kid, Jeremy watched his parents serve in the church and was convinced the Lord would ever call him to serve in ministry. Nonetheless, Jeremy’s parents taught him the importance of service, prompting him to pursue a future as a Marine. Commissioning in 1999 and serving in Kuwait and Iraq, Jeremy returned to the States, left the Marine Corps, and, despite his earlier assertions he’d never go into ministry, joined a church staff shortly thereafter. His service as a Marine and the years to follow have given Jeremy opportunities to deal with and heal from his own trauma, resulting in a passion for helping others, particularly within the military community, do the same. In our conversation, he unpacks a functional definition of “trauma,” its relationship with identity, the impact of spiritual resilience, and next steps to take when you or a loved one are dealing with trauma. Check out the various resources mentioned throughout this episode: Mighty Oaks Foundation March or DieMarch or Die The Anatomy of Courage: The Classic WWI Study of the Psychological Effects of War If you would like to share your own story, complete the form on OCF’s “Be a Guest” webpage. Alternatively, if you have an idea for a guest or topic I should consider for a future episode of the show, send an email to podcast@ocfusa.org. As you listen to this conversation with Jeremy, here are a few questions to ponder in your personal time, with a small group, or with a mentor: