Resist fear, go with joy
By Bob Docter - To the Joyful Intercessors, the 2017 session of graduating Salvation Army cadets in the Western Territory: Soon, you will be leaving the most beautiful accommodations anywhere. You have lived at Crestmont for the past two years. You’ll
Maydays
“And after winter folweth grene May.” – Geoffrey Chaucer By Bob Docter - The flight school plane engine sputtered and then began to lose
What Easter brings
This April, the most beautiful month of the year, hope is in the air. Choose to feel and act on it. Easter has become a time for celebration, for enjoying the flowers of springtime, the warm greetings of a Sunday morning,
Empathic compassion
His rheumy eyes seemed on the verge of imminent discharge—without spark, listless, lacking in spirit—within ill fitting, almost hollow cavities in a tight, hard living face. He stood before me in the partially lit hallway, unkempt, unclean—unloved. Oh brother, I
Building a family
Diane and I have six children, four girls and two boys. They are all different and terrific human beings. They reveal beautiful care and concern for the “other” regardless of who that person might be. All work in helping professions,
Changes of appointment
By Bob Docter - This is the way I see it. In The Salvation Army, there is certainty in regard to officer appointment change. Newly commissioned officers usually “farewell” (transfer) more rapidly than other officers. High ranking officers move less. As in
The self and gratitude
Giving thanks involves being grateful. Being grateful requires self-awareness—self-definition. Traditionally, the Thanksgiving holiday provides each of us with opportunities to express our gratitude to those around us and to God for his grace, his many mercies, his loving care, his
Boldness
By Bob Docter - William Booth led boldly with a lot more than a “big bass drum.” He modeled action. He didn’t delay, didn’t question his decisions, didn’t hesitate if he made people angry. He demonstrated great flexibility—changing his approach many
To the Messengers of the Gospel
By Bob Docter - The corps of cadets, over 100 strong, entered the College for Officer Training at Crestmont in September for education, training, and to actualize their session names. They are Joyful Intercessors and Messengers of the Gospel. To each
What is good?
He has shown you, O man, what is good… (Micah 6:8a). Mankind pursues “the good life,” always trying to figure out, what it’s all about: how to recognize its presence, how to achieve its content, how to understand its power. If
What comes next?
By Bob Docter - When you start wondering what comes next, before the question can be answered by the searcher, one needs to have a thorough look at the immediate past and then ponder the immediate future. So let’s have a
Docter retires as top editor
New Frontier Publications founder and editor in chief Dr. Robert Docter, O.F., steps down after 34 years. By Christin Thieme - In the back of Miss Schroder’s third grade classroom circa 1936, behind a divider where students stored their lunchboxes, sat Bob