This comes, in full, from Commissioner Joe Noland’s blog. It comes with an invitation to join in a little good news spreading. Why not participate?
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Martyred on Christmas Eve!
Just reflecting on the murder of Major Philip Wise on Christmas Eve and the story being upstaged in the media by Obama’s vacation in Hawaii (where we are right now), and the aborted terrorist act on the flight from Amsterdam to Detroit. Had this been a slow news weekend, this story would have gained national, if not international attention because of its emotional ties to Christmas, The Salvation Army being synonymous with Christmas and the fact Wise was in the process of “Doing the Most Good!” – “Heart to God, and Hand to Man” – “Sharing is Caring.” Perhaps even assisting the family members of those who took his life – After the shooting, “The suspects were seen running toward a government-funding housing project” in the same community where the Major was known for his work with disadvantaged children.
It has occurred to me that we have the power of the Internet at our disposal and should use it to get the more important message behind this story out, overriding the boring, overrated, bad-news non-stories that are blocking it. For what its worth, here is my take. If so inclined, copy this News Flash and email it to your circle of friends as a chain letter, asking that the chain not be broken.
News Flash!
Salvation Army Major Martyred on Christmas Eve While “Doing the Most Good!”
Upstaged by an aborted terrorist attack on Flight 253, this story has not received the international media attention it deserves. Read about it at the following link: http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2009/dec/25/majors-shooting-tragedy-community-say-authorities/?latest
Poignant to this story is the following news clip: “The Wises had just adopted their children — ages 4, 6 and 8 — last year, Johnson said. The three were siblings who came from an abusive family. They were receiving counseling after their father’s death.” These children were witnesses to their new father’s shooting.
Further, after the shooting, “The suspects were seen running toward a government-funding housing project” in the same community where “the Major was known for his work with disadvantaged children.”
Sound familiar? It was all beginning to take shape on that Christmas Eve some two millenniums ago. “He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.” “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” “Crucify Him!” “Forgive them for they know not what they do.”
These are Words from Scripture describing the unfolding of Jesus’ journey on this planet, ending with an act of martyrdom. Isn’t this what Philip Wise’s journey is all about? What is the message of Christmas? “Peace on Earth, Goodwill toward men” – Good News! Fox News and CNN have missed this message in their reporting, with an emphasis on the bad news! Let’s make up where they have missed out. Send this News Flash to your circle of friends and ask them to keep the Love Chain going.
JN
13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks Jim. All reading this, let’s keep the chain unbroken. Spread the Word!
Thanks, Joe. I also sent it out to 34,000+ twitter followers.
Thanks, Joe, for your words about Major Wise. We’ve been saddened and shocked by this news. It causes all officers, employees, and our extended families to think again about the daily risk of our jobs. My own family thought about us immediately, and all the years of our Christmas work. Our hearts are with Major Cindy, and the three children. We do not understand the “why” of this situation. God did not bring this about…He allowed it…but He did not cause it to happen. Major Wise is with the Lord now. I find it difficult to pray for the perpetrators. The media is too busy with politics to care about the real people of this world. Thanks, Commissioner Joe, for allowing us a chance to express feelings. God bless you.