The Holiness Dilemma

By Joe Noland

This writer doesn't presume to have all the answers—let's make that perfectly clear right from the beginning. However, in looking back over some eight decades now, all the while prayerfully wrestling with my own personal "holiness dilemma," a number of illuminations have surfaced and settled in my thinking. I use the word "illuminations," as opposed to "revelation" and "inspiration" because I'm not totally clear on the source, often vacillating between the human and divine. I can say, without reservation, that it has been a sincere and honest quest for Truth and that has kept the substance of these mini e-books  (3 in 1) evolving. During this lengthy pilgrimage, it has surprised me to find so many others along the way wrestling with the same "dilemma." And you, dear reader, may be among them. This emerging generation is now joining in on the chorus. Thus, I feel Spirit-led to share the results of this quest, to date, in a mini-series of simple personal holiness illuminations. My hope and prayer is that the reader will also be illuminated likewise.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joe Noland
• Release date: Apr 26, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386677840

Joe Noland

Joe’s ministry can be summed up in three words: Chaos, Creativity and Controversy - three elements implicit in any successful innovative endeavor. Cecil B. DeMille, renowned producer of Biblical epics, once wrote, “Creativity is a drug I cannot live without.” Joe’s mantra reads, “Creativity is my drug of choice.” Look for this creative opiate to make itself increasingly apparent in ongoing innovative endeavors.

Book preview

Endorsements

I loved this book, all three. John Wesley could easily endorse it. Like Wesley, the holiness theology, praxis, and wisdom are earthy. The language is accessible, and the metaphors are witty. The writing style is fun, quirky not quacky. Most importantly, the holiness message is clear and easy to grasp. The author prophetic, appropriately calling out the tendency for obedient faith to drift and the tendency to lower the bar of holy love. BRAVO!

—Jonathan S. Raymond

Author of Social Holiness: The Company We Keep

Professor and President Emeritus

Trinity Western University

In this work, Noland delivers a fresh, energetic, enlightened and inspiring look at the essentials of holy living. His crisp, innovative and engaging style enables understanding by the newest believer to one who has sought daily to grow in grace for a lifetime.

I found it impossible to read the book(s) with a straight face. Invariably, I was either shaking my head in agreement, smiling at the author’s clever descriptions, and often looking away from the page in contemplation. While I hesitate to use an overused phrase, this book is a true page turner – or, in the author’s terms, a mini e-book scroller.

As with the author, let me be perfectly clear. While serving as Chief Secretary to Commissioner Noland, the then Territorial Commander of the USA Eastern Territory, I did not always agree with, but always highly respected the TC. I was (and some would say, remain) Mr. Conservative. The Commissioner was at times somewhere (most often not too far) to my left. I would not have given up this unique partnership for anything. I learned and experienced so much over these all-too-short years together – even to realizing that I could play volleyball and preach in shorts at a corps Sunday morning beach meeting in Hawaii! (I know that my saintly father, who was in Heaven by that time, has forgiven me.)

I highly recommend this innovative, informative and inspirational book. You will not be disappointed. Just read the first chapter, and you will be happily hooked!

—Commissioner William W. Francis

Author of Building Blocks of Spiritual Leadership

Retired Salvation Army Leader

‘Use the language of the culture,’ writes Phil Needham, and intertwine this with ‘incarnational holiness.’

Well, right on cue, Joe Noland gives us his punchy entitled, 3 Books in 1. Here is the timeless message of holiness, phrased and packaged in remarkably contemporary idiom and imagery. Joe sets his GPS with this co-ordinate, and does not, cannot, deviate.

Any book that references ‘high octane holiness’ alongside ‘Instagram, Twitter and Facebook’ has our attention.

‘To serve the present age’ wrote Charles Wesley over 2 centuries ago – Joe Noland does so for us, and our children.

Write on!

—Richard Munn

Director International Justice Commission,

The Salvation Army

In the sports realm we’re exhorted not to take Serena (Williams) and Lebron (James) and Lionel (Messi) and Roger (Federer) and Tom (Brady) for granted. In the salvo realm, let’s not take Joe