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For(e)ward… CHARGE! - Editorial Introduction
By Commissioner Joe Noland
wis·dom: Accumulated knowledge of life or in a particular
sphere of activity that has been gained through experience
(Encarta World English Dictionary).
shelve: 3. to dismiss or withdraw somebody or something from
active service (Encarta).
Retirement is really a misnomer, isn’t it? As is the term
“active service,” especially in TSA circles. I’m as active and
productive as I’ve ever been (a beginning septuagenarian at
this writing), and my creative imagination is as fertile as
ever, perhaps even more so. You do not turn off “accumulated
knowledge and experience” like a water spigot; it keeps on
flowing with two possible outcomes: Down the drain or, like
the water flowing through Hoover Dam, channeled into power –
creative, productive energy.
Within the retired officer ranks there is a vast Army array of
this power – “accumulated knowledge in a particular sphere of
activity that has been gained through experience.” The purpose
of this JAC edition (Expanded book edition to follow,
hopefully) is to expose this “power” to you who are present
and future Army leaders (or any evangelical leader for that
matter), via the modern-day innovation of cyberspace and the
Salvosphere.
Whilst we cannot change the past, this accumulated, collective
generational wisdom can be channeled into the Army’s future as
a modern day continuation of the Apostle Paul’s ongoing
Biblical counsel and charge to us through Timothy
(paraphrased):
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I
am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in
me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a
pattern to those who are going to believe on him for
everlasting life… This charge I commit to you, future Army
leader, according to the prophecies previously made concerning
you, that by them you may wage a good warfare, having faith
and a good conscience…” (1Timothy 1:15-19).
Or as beautifully paraphrased in The Message: “Here’s a word
you can take to heart and depend on: Jesus Christ came into
the world to save sinners. I’m proof—Public Sinner Number
One—of someone who could never have made it apart from sheer
mercy. And now he shows me off—evidence of his endless
patience—to those right on the edge of trusting him forever…
I’m passing this work on to you, my future leader. The
prophetic word that was directed to you prepared us for this.
All those prayers are coming together now so you will do this
well, fearless in your struggle, keeping a firm grip on your
faith and on yourself. After all, this is a fight we’re in.”
We asked each contributing writer to make this Scriptural
passage foundational to his/her “Charge!” along with the
following instruction:
“If I were starting over… or the five things I would do
differently… or five words of counsel (expanded) I would give
to a future officer leader on the eve of her/his
Commissioning. Or any officer taking up the mantle of
leadership, no matter how far he/she is along the way.”
Throughout nearly 50-years of officership, I’ve kept the
following quote on my desk as a constant reminder: “God
doesn’t mind a little “show business,” so long as it gets the
Message across!” These pages are filled with a bit of purely
motivated “show me off” business, designed to channel this
collective, accumulated knowledge and experience (Wisdom =
Power) with but one purpose in mind – to get His prophetic
Message across.
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