JAC Online

Interview: Major Willis Howell

Original Publication - JAC #53, February 2008 – March 2008

 

JAC: What is your idea of perfect happiness? 

 

WH: Happiness…?  That’s way too fleeting (although I’ll admit that I really enjoy playing bass trombone in a smoking-hot jazz band!)  But the fact of the matter is that I’d rather focus on joy and satisfaction over happiness any day.  If I use those as a measurement, perfect joy and satisfaction for me are the times when I sense the pleasure of Jesus on me.

 

JAC: What is your greatest fear?

 

WH: Not measuring up to all that I was created to be.  Settling for something less than God has in mind for me.

 

JAC: What living person do you most admire?

 

WH: Not sure that it’s one person, but a kind of person; someone who is unashamedly, passionately, sold out, on fire and on mission for Jesus.

 

JAC: With which historical figure do you most identify?

 

WH: The first person who popped into my mind was Moses. Even though I’ve listed my greatest fear as “not measuring up to all that I was created to be”, I seem to come up with a thousand excuses as to why I’m not qualified to do what the Lord has asked me to do (as if it’s somehow about the skills and gifts that I bring to the table as opposed to what He chooses to do with what has been surrendered to Him).

 

JAC: What is the trait you deplore most in others? 

 

WH: Spiritual apathy and indifference in those who claim to follow Jesus. 

 

JAC: What is your greatest extravagance?

 

WH: Probably the musical instruments I’ve bought over the years.  There haven’t been many of them (a couple of trombones and a couple of guitars), but I’ve always gone for the best quality I could afford.

 

JAC: What is your favourite journey?

 

WH: I’m not sure if you’re talking about travel-and-destination related journeys, or inner, insightful ones.  So I’ll touch on both… On the travel side, I really enjoy any journey that takes me through mountains.  As for inner journeys, I love being able to get off to a quiet place and get to the point where I have a deep sense of the actual presence of God. 

 

JAC: What do you consider the most over-rated virtue?

 

WH: Wow… “over-rated virtue”?  I’m not sure that any true virtue can be over-rated.  Where I live (USA), I think our culture of relativism has turned the whole thing on its head to the point where a lack of virtue is somehow seen as virtuous. 

 

JAC: What talent would you most like to have? 

 

WH: Organization.

 

JAC: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

 

WH: If we’re talking about something other than the desire to be more organized, as mentioned in the previous question, I suppose I’d like to be more intuitive.

 

JAC: What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? 

 

WH: Being possessed by your possessions.  Being owned by all that one has hoarded and accumulated to themselves.

 

JAC: What is your most treasured possession?

 

WH: The knowledge that I am a most treasured possession to Jesus.

 

JAC: What is your most marked characteristic?

 

WH: Hmmm…  I don’t know that I can answer that.  You might do better to get the opinion of people who know me.

 

JAC: Who are your favourite writers? 

 

WH: As for Army writers, the usual names: Catherine Booth, William Booth,  Railton, and Brengle. 

Non-Army folks would include Andy Stanley, Erwin McManus , Calvin Miller and Leonard Ravenhill.

 

JAC: Who is your favourite hero of fiction? 

 

WH: Oooo…that’s a tough one.  While I can’t settle on just one, my list would include Jean Valjean (Les Miserables), Aragorn (Lord of the Rings), and Mighty Mouse.

 

JAC: Who are your heroes in real life?

 

WH: Anyone whose faith is authentic enough to prompt them to Christ-like action.

 

JAC: What is your motto? 

 

WH: Based on Leviticus 6:13.  Keep the altar ready and the fire hot.

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

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