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The Vanity Fair 'style' Interviews
- Major Willis Howell
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
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.
What is your greatest fear?
Not measuring up to all that I was created to be. Settling
for something less than God has in mind for me.
What living person do you most admire?
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.
With which historical figure do you most identify?
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).
What is the trait you deplore most in others?
Spiritual apathy and indifference in those who claim to
follow Jesus.
What is your greatest extravagance?
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.
What is your favourite journey?
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.
What do you consider the most over-rated virtue?
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.
What talent would you most like to have?
Organization.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it
be?
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.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Being possessed by your possessions. Being owned by all
that one has hoarded and accumulated to themselves.
What is your most treasured possession?
The knowledge that I am a most treasured possession to
Jesus.
What is your most marked characteristic?
Hmmm… I don’t know that I can answer that. You might do
better to get the opinion of people who know me.
Who are your favourite writers?
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.
Who is your favourite hero of fiction?
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.
Who are your heroes in real life?
Anyone whose faith is authentic enough to prompt them to
Christ-like action.
What is your motto?
Based on Leviticus 6:13. Keep the altar ready and the fire
hot.
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