Military Families - Cru Military

Being Thankful in ALL Situations

Our first Christmas without dad is fuzzy. He had left the desert of West Texas for the sandstorms of Iraq three weeks before. What I do remember is the sinking feeling of loneliness. It was a month into deployment and the realization that this was not just a training exercise had hit. Our children were […]

The Art of Marriage Ops

Date: October 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020

Location: Multiple Locations

The Art of Marriage Ops Marriage is the most important commitment that a man and woman can make. When the pressures of military service threaten the marriages of military couples, it often takes outside forces to keep that commitment strong. The Art of Marriage Ops campaign was created for this very reason. FamilyLife and Cru […]

The Power of the Weekly Small Group

Date: October 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020

Location: Multiple Locations

We were created for community, and that community “happens” powerfully in the small group setting. The opportunity for fellowship and sharing at the deep heart level occurs when we have the chance to get to know one another in a small group setting. HomeBuilders Bible Studies We recommend HomeBuilders small group Bible studies as well […]

We Grieve Alone

By: Missy Bearden G R I E F As a military spouse for 22+ years I became very familiar with grief. Learning how to grieve missed relationships once we PCS’ed was my first challenge. The military does such a great job of preparation briefings for your next assignment however no one ever mentioned to me […]

Vertical Marriage

Date: July 24, 2020 - July 25, 2020

If you are married or preparing for marriage, you do not want to miss this FREE virtual event for military families. Vertical Marriage authors and marriage coaches Dave and Ann Wilson share their secret to a healthy and vibrant relationship. Reserve your spot today! https://tinyurl.com/ydevw2z2

How To Pray For Your Spouse When They Are Deployed

When your spouse is deployed, it is normal to feel anxious and for them when they are away from home. One of the best ways to honor them is to pray for them. You can use scriptures as a guideline to call on God’s promises. Here are a few scriptures you can pray over your […]

Spiritual Battlemind for Military Wives

“Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life” (Prov 4:23 NCV). The Army has a plan for training its soldiers to have self-confidence, courage and mental toughness so they can courageously face fear and adversity in combat. It’s called “Battlemind Training.” This training involves a mindset that helps them survive and succeed […]

Weekend to Remember Marriage Getaways

Date: January 10, 2020 - December 31, 2020

Location: Multiple Locations

Cru Military in partnership FamilyLife wants you to know they understand the added struggles of military life. Because they appreciate your service, they want military couples to attend at a discounted military rate. And at select getaway locations you will find an emphasis on military marriages with a special greeting on Friday evening, a project […]

A Purpose Everywhere You Go

‘’For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.’’ – Ephesians 2:10 Have you ever felt completely and totally lost? Not in a geographically sense but more of a “what in the world am I doing here” type of feeling. As a […]

Fatherhood: For Everything There Is A Season

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 3 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: 2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; 3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to […]

Children’s resource

“These books are amazingly full of practical tools! I would highly recommend these books to military families who are dealing with Combat Trauma.” This series of books was written by Sherry Barron, a Cru Military staff member, for children whose parents may have combat trauma. Christ-centered, positive and practical tools and information are creatively set […]

The Joys and Challenges of Military Children

By: Hope N. Griffin I find myself thinking of what it has meant to my small children to be military kids. My soldier is now retired and as I reflect back on his time in the military I can’t help but be thankful for the environment in which my children were raised. Challenges Faced by […]

Double deployments, double challenges

You helped a military couple overcome . . . Their marriage was a battlefield. Now Spencer and Margaret* volunteer with the Military Ministry of Cru® to help other couples. Marriage can be especially challenging when both parents are active duty. Spencer and Margaret can tell you firsthand. Spencer serves in the Air Force. Margaret is […]

Building Strong Military Families

An All-Too-Familiar Cycle Military life today revolves around an all-too-familiar cycle of deployment; the preparation for deployment phase, the during deployment phase, and the reintegration phase (returning home). With the intense reality of this cycle being repeated throughout a military career, it is no surprise that military couples have challenges to reestablish normal or even regular routines for the family. Cru Military, in […]

Weekend to Remember Military Marriage Getaways

Cru Military in partnership FamilyLife wants you to know they understand the added struggles of military life. Because they appreciate your service, they want military couples to attend at a discounted military rate. And at select getaway locations you will find an emphasis on military marriages with a special greeting on Friday evening, a project […]

Art of Marriage Ops

The Art of Marriage Ops Marriage is the most important commitment that a man and woman can make. When the pressures of military service threaten the marriages of military couples, it often takes outside forces to keep that commitment strong. The Art of Marriage Ops campaign was created for this very reason. FamilyLife and Cru […]

What Not to Say When Someone’s Spouse is Deployed

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. – Colossians 4:6 What Not to Say I’ve made a list of things people hate to hear when their spouse is deployed. Perhaps you could add to this list, but these are the statements about which […]

Parenting During Deployment

“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” —John 7:38 Start With Faith Parenting well during a deployment begins with our faith—which begins with belief in the truth of Scripture. Being “plugged in” to our source of faith, the Lord Jesus, allows us […]

Weekend to Remember Three City Initiative

Our minitsry has expanded its successful ministry partnership this year with FamilyLife regarding a special project called “The Three City Initiative”. FamilyLife and Military Ministry of Cru have invested more resources for Weekend to Remember promotion, marketing, and follow-up at three strategic cities: Jacksonville, FL; Dayton, OH, and Phoenix, AZ. Military Ministry of Cru is […]

A Victorious Military Marriage…In Spite Of Challenge

What Would It Look Like… New words and phrases keep coming into our English language—some better than others! On the “bad” side, I am distressed at the new use of the word “whatever.” Being one who loves Philippians 4:8, from which this devotional is named, the word “whatever” leads me into thinking of things that […]

What Does A Military Kid Say About PTSD?

What Does a Military Kid Say About PTSD? Q. What does your father do in the military? A. “My dad is a chaplain in the Navy and he has been deployed several times since our family became a military family.” Q. You were recently chosen to do a critique of the book Helping My Hero!! […]

Steps to Keeping Your Military Marriage Strong

There are many blessings to family life—but, at times, many challenges. Perhaps you are experiencing a sweet season in your relationships right now, and would like to see them grow even stronger. Or perhaps you are struggling and would like to have some answers and help. We recommend all husbands and wives, no matter the season they are in, consider taking the initiative to build into their marriage.

Betrayed and Feeling Helpless, This Military Wife Trusted God

Betrayed and Feeling Helpless, This Military Wife Trusted God Purposeful Love and Grace We first encountered the young Marine who was assigned to the Wounded Warrior Battalion when we volunteered to bring goodies during the weekly Bible study the chaplain had every Wednesday evening in their barracks. This Marine was the one leading the Bible […]

PTSD From a Child’s Perspective

PTSD from a child’s perspective: What is happening with my daddy? “We used to go to the park a lot before Daddy went away for such a long time,” said Cody to his mom. “When will he be home so I can play catch with him? I really miss having him here to say goodnight […]

Advice For Military Dads

Looking back over my military career, I can honestly say it was easier carrying out my duties on the job than it was being a good father to my two children. In part, this was because my professional training prepared me for the demands I’d face at work, but I learned about being a dad […]

Stepfamily Bootcamp

Military stepfamilies face unique stressors. We call these stressors the 3D’s of Demands, Distance, and Deployment. Combine these stressors with a rigid military lifestyle and you have a unique and challenging environment in which to try to blend a family. Until now, there have been no definitive helps for either blended families struggling with these […]

The Military Stepfamily- Living Life in 3D

Military Stepfamilies – Living Life in 3D Service members marry, divorce, and remarry earlier than the general population. And the proportions of divorced and remarried service members are greater, particularly among younger age groups and women. 42% of military service members in a remarriage had children from a previous marriage and formed stepfamilies. 49% of […]

Introducing the Bridges to Healing Children’s Series

“How does one explain combat trauma to small children whose hearts are already hurting?” – Jocelyn Green In answer to her own question, Jocelyn wrote,“‘My Hero’s Home!!’ is an inviting, easy-to-use tool full of stories, cartoons, activities, and more, all designed to gently guide and encourage young children whose parents may have combat trauma. Invaluable.” […]

My Hero Hurts!!

Cost: $12.99

A Guide for Teenagers Whose Parents May Have Combat Trauma

My Hero Hurts!! is a study guide for teenagers whose parent may have combat trauma. This book tells the stories of military families and their experiences dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

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Helping My Hero!

Cost: $12.99

Helping My Hero!! is an early-reader book for 4th-6th grade children, whose parent may have combat trauma. This book tells the story of two military families and their experiences dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Christ-centered solutions are presented for the issues the families face.

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My Hero’s Home!!

Cost: $10.99

A Guide for Young Children Whose Parents May Have Combat Trauma

Cru Military introduces Book 1 of 3 for children whose families are experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress. My Hero’s Home!! is a coloring book for K-3rd grade children, which tells the story of Cody and Carrie as they discover how and why combat trauma is affecting their family.

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The Military Family

Cru Military loves the military family! We recognize the well-equipped military family, as a unit, must respond to every challenge which comes their way. And Cru Military resources provide this vital unit with a comprehensive set of studies and seminars which speak to their specific needs for unit-y. The military family works best when they […]

Weekend to Remember: Remembering Why They Fell In Love

Learn more about Weekend to Remember getaways for military couples.

Preemptive Prayer

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. —Romans 12:12 When did you learn to pray? Was it in Sunday School at church? or at home around the dinner table? or saying your bed-time prayers with your parents? or in Vacation Bible School? or in a youth group? or with an athletic team? […]

Buddy Care for Your Marriage

Strengthening Our Marriages Together “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” —John 15:13

Getting Connected

Finding Community Near You MilitaryBeliever.com MilitaryBeliever.com allows you to connect, serve and grow with military believers, churches, and ministries around the world. Use it to search for fellow believers, events that meet your needs and interest, as well as opportunities for service in your area. The Cru Military App Download the Gloo app here to […]

Prayer Wars

“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven: May your holy name be honored; may your Kingdom come; may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need. Forgive us the wrongs we have done, as we forgive the wrongs that others have […]

Combat Trauma Healing Manual

Cost: ~~$19.99~~ $17.99

This manual offers spiritual solutions for your struggles with PTSD.

It combines the latest insights of the medical and counseling communities with the timeless principles of God’s Word.

Purchase

Volume discounts will be automatically applied for orders of 10 or more books.

When War Comes Home

Cost: ~~$23.99~~ $21.59

This book offers comfort and practical help to the wives of combat veterans struggling with the hidden wounds of war, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Insights from the medical and counseling community are wrapped in biblical principles and the shared experiences of other military wives.

Purchase

Volume discounts will be automatically applied for orders of 10 or more books.

Loving Your Military Man Small Group Study

Cost: ~~$19.99~~ $17.99

In this ten-part study, author Bea Fishback shows military wives how to help build lifelong marriages that leave strong, stable legacies for their children and grandchildren.

Purchase

Volume discounts will be automatically applied for orders of 10 or more books.

Making Your Marriage Deployment Ready

Cost: ~~$9.99~~ $8.99

Making Your Marriage Deployment Ready uses time tested marriage principles and prepares military couples with the necessary tools to counter deployment challenges and bring hope and victory to active duty, Guard and Reserve families.

Purchase

Volume discounts will be automatically applied for orders of 10 or more books.

Defending The Military Family

Cost: ~~$4.99~~ $4.49

Taking time-tested principles you will find this study to be a practical and enlightening way to gain great insight into how to deal with the issues you face in raising your children while in the military.

Purchase

Volume discounts will be automatically applied for orders of 10 or more books.

Defending The Military Marriage

Cost: ~~$9.99~~ $8.99

Your Marriage—defend it with honor, guard it with vigilance, preserve it with love.

Purchase

Volume discounts will be automatically applied for orders of 10 or more books.

Care & Counsel for Combat Trauma: Certification Workbook

Cost: Free!

The Care and Counsel for Combat Trauma Certificate Training Program Workbook is no longer available. The videos are available on YouTube and you can purchase the Care & Counsel for Combat Trauma Workbook for Audit Only. We no longer provide certification for this course. Note that we will grade tests for current owners of the materials until December 31, 2020.

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Marriage Commitment Coin & Covenant Certificate

Cost: $14.99

This 1-3/4-inch coin consists of two parts which fit together to complete the design—symbolizing the completion that takes place between a husband and wife in marriage. It comes in a classic black velveteen box with a covenant certificate.

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Quest: a Kid’s Journey through Deployment

Cost: ~~$6.99~~ $6.29

Quest is a 30-day devotional booklet aimed at 6-to-10-year-old kids with a military parent who on deployment.

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Surrounded by Fear

Surrounded! And, yet… Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4) I love the sci-fi and fantasy shows where demons take form and the heroine leaps in center-stage to vanquish them. […]

Love Your Chaplain

Chaplain? Father Mulcahy! For many, the only chaplain they’ve seen is Father Mulcahy on the TV show M.A.S.H. A kind-hearted, wise and faithful priest, he was a key supporting character. In watching all the episodes that feature the father, you begin to get a sense of the breadth of duties he was responsible for. But […]

Cancer and Deployment

Deployment. Here you go again. Or, maybe this is your first experience with a military separation. Regardless, the level of stress increases as you face this time apart. The uncertainty is scary no matter how many times you’ve ticked the box of deployments. You’ve heard, or you’ve already experienced, all the things that are supposed […]

Harambee in Marriage

Teamwork A sure formula for success in sports and in the workplace. Teams that know how to collaborate and unite are most effective in reaching their objectives. Teamwork is also an imperative for marriage. Harambee Years ago, my wife and I had the privilege of traveling to Nairobi, Kenya, to conduct a seminar for military […]

Ghillie Suit

It all started with a question. Abby, the wife of a RECON Marine, asked, “Sherry, do you know how to sew?” Abby explained that her husband, Cody, had just been selected to attend sniper school and he needed to make a Ghillie suit. You may have seen camouflage suits like this in military-based movies. They are […]

He Said “Press”

I may never get it exactly what Your plan was when You took him home. And the pain remains For You made my wife’s heart to beat with my husband’s. But You show me How even the pain can remind me of Your bigger plan. And I finally rest As I let You be God, […]

On a Quest

Military brat. These are words of honor, not disrespect. I grew up in a military family. Our frequent moves were normal for us kids. Didn’t everyone move every year or two? Dad was occasionally gone on TDY. Didn’t everyone’s parent leave for extended trips? My dad did not serve in a combat zone, but today […]

Military Love Languages

There’s a big difference between being “in love” and truly loving your spouse. Being “in love” is a euphoric experience. We’re emotionally obsessed with one another. We feel we belong to each other, that we can conquer any problems that come our way. Unfortunately, this isn’t real intimacy; it’s only an illusion. It’s also temporary. […]

I Want To Go Home!

“Oh Mom, I want to go Home!!” Three days after Jim and I exchanged our wedding vows, bits of rice and confetti could still be found in our clothing from the well-wishers who bid us farewell at our wedding reception. Now I found myself sitting next to my Prince Charming on a hot, sweltering bus […]

Who am I without him?

“Vinnie was gone from this life with us—gone. We were supposed to say, ‘I’ll see you later,’ but it sure felt like ‘good-bye’ to me… There was a short-lived crowd of friends to comfort us, but a few weeks later, the loneliness set in. There were fewer phone calls; the grandchildren and the girls went […]

Defending the Military Marriage

Servicemen and women get top-notch training to complete their mission to defend life and liberty. But they sometimes find that they’re ill-equipped to complete the lifelong mission spelled out in their wedding vows, especially while facing the unique challenges, pressure, and transitions of military life. To help military couples cope with, and even thrive, in […]

Deployment and Children

I can already sense the difference. I’ve been told that each deployment brings with it new challenges and that no two are the same. This time, I’m pretty sure, is going to be all about the children. Daddy left for a month. And they fell apart. We entered the world of baby talk, bed wetting, and […]

Deployment Marriage Mobile

“Joe” was home again, having finished his deployment to Iraq. Everyone was very glad to have him home, but it wasn’t long before everyone was stressed and angry. You see, while he was deployed, “Jane” and the children had learned to share chores that Joe had always done around their small farm. Jane was managing […]

What happened to my husband?

Lauren’s Journal… “Where is my husband? Who is this man that they sent home to me? There must be some mistake! I pick up the morning paper and read the names of the fallen. Jason’s name is not listed among the dead, and for this I am eternally grateful. Yet, I ache for myself. My […]

Go ahead. Shoot me.

Have you ever wondered if God really cares about what happens to you as you live life? Quite frankly, the thought had never entered my mind while living some of life’s most difficult experiences. Instead, I was thinking, “Now what?” It wasn’t until later in my life after truly taking the time to reflect was […]

Jesus at the Laundromat

Bonnie, mother of three was visiting her daughter in Washington DC this spring. One day, helping her daughter out, she toted the laundry off to be washed. It was at the laundromat that Bonnie saw herself step out in faith and share Jesus with those around her. “I have never been one to feel comfortable […]

Take the Deployment Dare

Have you read the book “The Love Dare” or watched the movie “Fireproof”? You may have had the thought, “What good is it to do ‘The Love Dare’ when we’re so far apart during this deployment?” Actually, in some ways, The Love Dare is easier to do while separated! Don’t let Satan deceive you into thinking […]

Challenges of Deployment

Case Study: Al and Marie are young newlyweds in the military who moved into the home next door a few months ago. Everything is new to this young couple–being away from home, learning to depend on one another–all complicated by the fact that this is their first duty assignment. Al came home today with some […]

Run to the Pain

I have always known, as has anyone who knows us, that Rick and I have very different in personalities. We clearly share the same faith, convictions and values, but the ways we react and interact to almost every event in the world are almost diametrically opposed. We recently took a test called StrengthsFinder for our work with Cru […]

Where do we go from here?

The year was 1940. The French Army had just collapsed under Hitler’s onslaught. The Dutch had folded, overwhelmed by the Nazi regime. The Belgians had surrendered. And the British Army was trapped on the coast of France in the channel port of Dunkirk. Two hundred and twenty thousand of Britain’s finest young men seemed doomed […]

Pray for Your Family During Deployment

…that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches […]

The ABCs of Long Distance Parenting

“I’m not there! What can I do about it?” If you’ve ever heard those words from a deployed service member, you know the frustration they offer up to the one at home. So here are some thoughts to help—they’re so simple we call them the “ABCs” of long-distance parenting.