My Friend Doug Howey
10/13/06 - 6th Day - Before Breakfast. As most of you who read this journal know, our good friend Doug Howey was killed in a car crash on Sunday evening outside of Fredericksburg, Texas. If you did not know that, read about it here, and here.
I wanted to share some of the things I liked about Doug Howey, and why I call him my friend. Now, I have some friends who do not do the things Doug did, who are not obedient to God, and about whom, if they were to die suddenly like Doug did, I would have serious concerns. I do not mean to hint to y'all out there that if you do not do the things Doug did, you are not my friend. One of the greatest things any man can say about you after you are gone is that they would like to be more like you were. It is not socially correct today to want to be like someone else. Situational ethics and "self-esteem" programming has taught the world that they should just want to be like themselves, since "who could possibly be as great as I am?" "I follow no man" spiritual anarchy and arrogance is the mantra of the modern Christian, and every little mini-pope with the name of Christ on his lips wants to make sure that no one thinks he is following a man. Too bad the Bible says differently:
Heb 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
2 Thess. 3:6-9 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
While you still may be my friend and be living in disobedience to the commands of God, I would suggest that you, if you desire to die in peace and to leave comforted friends and family behind you, choose to follow the faith of Doug Howey. I know that I will.
1. Doug was a separatist. As it says in the preceeding verses, he withdrew himself from those who walked disorderly. Because of his faith, and because of the commandments of the Bible, Doug had very little contact with his earthly "family". He loved his wife, and he loved the Church of God, and he told us on many occasions that we were his family. In this, Doug followed after Christ and obeyed Christ.
2. Doug was anti-Antichrist. He was an enemy of the Antichrist papist church and was at war against that man of sin continuously. Even those of us who were very well known enemies of Romanism (and Romanist products, like the Charismatic movement) had to tell Doug to "ease up a bit" in his intensity. He was surrounded by Romanists all the time, and he earnestly desired their salvation and repentance. He was a zealous warrior against Popery, and for this I admired him greatly.
3. Doug hated unrighteous and illegitimate government. Doug hated tyranny and lies, and he did so because he knew God and desired righteous and benevolent government.
4. Doug was a man. He taught his wife in the word. He provided for her and led her. You can be assured that you have done well as a man when your widow says, "He was my head. He led me in everything and he taught me and guided me". This is what Doug's wife told us when we arrived at the hospital to help her.
5. Doug was obedient to the command of God. Not only in separation, but in love. Doug was one of the very few who regularly donated to the ministry, and in abundance. Doug was NOT rich or wealthy. Far from it. Doug did not throw in a few coins that he wouldn't miss; Doug gave abundantly and regularly because he believed in the message and because he believed that God commanded it. Any time I sent out a message with a ministry or personal need, I could be fairly certain that the first response would be from Doug. Just last night as I was pondering this, I received a donation from Doug (4 days after his death). Doug had made a donation a few days before he left Canada to come down for Ranchfest. Due to the fact that it was by "e-check" and because it was from a foreign bank, it took until the 12th to clear. As the donations were rolling in to pay for Doug's burial and expenses, it was fascinating (and gave me joy) to see that one of the donations was from Doug himself. I can tell you this... If any one out there who is reading this had died, and we had put out a call for donations for burial expenses, the first name on the donation list would have been Doug Howey. Doug and Sarah Howey never once withheld what was needful, even if it was sacrificial for them to give it. Many have been benefited by their obedience, and I praise God for that; and Doug didn't just give ceremonially or just on special occasions. Doug gave us food and raimant and water to drink, and for that I believe he will be rewarded in heaven.
6. Doug was joyful. Doug was one of the funniest men I have known. He knew how to keep people in good spirits, and he never was bitter or immoderately angry. Doug communicated with me regularly by email, and he sought counsel on important issues. He always had a funny line or a joke to share. I never saw Doug when there wasn't a glint of fun in his eye, and his laugh was infectious. I liked being around Doug, and I always looked forward to his emails. During Spring Ranchfest this past March, after the normal teaching and talk was over, many of the men would stay up until early in the morning, sitting around the campfire telling jokes or just making each other laugh. I remember going to bed "early" one night (around midnight) and hearing the guys laughing hysterically until 2 a.m. One night, we recreated virtually the whole script of Monty Python's "Holy Grail", and I literally was hurting from laughing so hard. Most people this fall were not saying, "Where is Michael Bunker?"... they were saying, "Where is Doug" and "when does Doug get here?".
7. Doug was humble. Doug never lifted himself up or looked down on others. Doug was not immune to rebuke and correction, and in every case he received it positively and honestly. Doug sought guidance and counsel, and he never shied away from asking for advice. I really don't think Doug cared what other people thought of him, so long as he was being obedient.
8. Doug heard from God. I have no doubt in my mind that Doug was sensitive to the voice of God. Doug had wrestled with selling his farm to move to Texas. But when the time came to do so he moved without regard to opinions, expediencies or "circumstances". Doug was an Agrarian in his heart, and wanted to live this life more than anything. Doug wanted to make the farm in Canada work, but he also wanted to obey the command of God that we live in fellowship and communion with other believers. He knew that that would likely never happen in Canada. When he decided to move here to Texas to be in fellowship with us, he didn't hesitate to do what was necessary to make that decision a reality. When an offer came on the farm, Doug moved quickly, and when the purchaser wanted to speed the closing, Doug did what was necessary. Because of that, he was able to close on the farm a week before he died, and he had received the funds and had them put into his wife's account under her name so that the funds became available only a few days after he died. You would have to be blind not to see God's hand in that. Also, if you will remember and read the earlier post (entitled "Tomorrow?"), Doug spoke as the Holy Spirit motivated him when he told us that God had not promised us tomorrow, and that we should be obedient today... and he said that less than 24 hours before he was killed by a reckless driver.
So Doug Howey was my friend, and I already miss him. I know that he is with God, because God promised that those who come to Him (which is to love Him AND OBEY HIM) will in no wise be cast out. Doug was a man whose faith I desire to follow, and lest anyone think that I dishonor God by lifting up a man, make no mistake... I praise God and give Him all the Glory for His servant Doug Howey, and I thank Him for sending this prophet to us in these days. I pray that more men will hear Doug through this testimony, and will put aside stupid and worldly hindrances, and will obey God today while it is called TO DAY.
May we all learn and follow the faith of God's faithful.
Your servant in Christ Jesus,
Michael Bunker
I wanted to share some of the things I liked about Doug Howey, and why I call him my friend. Now, I have some friends who do not do the things Doug did, who are not obedient to God, and about whom, if they were to die suddenly like Doug did, I would have serious concerns. I do not mean to hint to y'all out there that if you do not do the things Doug did, you are not my friend. One of the greatest things any man can say about you after you are gone is that they would like to be more like you were. It is not socially correct today to want to be like someone else. Situational ethics and "self-esteem" programming has taught the world that they should just want to be like themselves, since "who could possibly be as great as I am?" "I follow no man" spiritual anarchy and arrogance is the mantra of the modern Christian, and every little mini-pope with the name of Christ on his lips wants to make sure that no one thinks he is following a man. Too bad the Bible says differently:
Heb 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
2 Thess. 3:6-9 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
While you still may be my friend and be living in disobedience to the commands of God, I would suggest that you, if you desire to die in peace and to leave comforted friends and family behind you, choose to follow the faith of Doug Howey. I know that I will.
1. Doug was a separatist. As it says in the preceeding verses, he withdrew himself from those who walked disorderly. Because of his faith, and because of the commandments of the Bible, Doug had very little contact with his earthly "family". He loved his wife, and he loved the Church of God, and he told us on many occasions that we were his family. In this, Doug followed after Christ and obeyed Christ.
2. Doug was anti-Antichrist. He was an enemy of the Antichrist papist church and was at war against that man of sin continuously. Even those of us who were very well known enemies of Romanism (and Romanist products, like the Charismatic movement) had to tell Doug to "ease up a bit" in his intensity. He was surrounded by Romanists all the time, and he earnestly desired their salvation and repentance. He was a zealous warrior against Popery, and for this I admired him greatly.
3. Doug hated unrighteous and illegitimate government. Doug hated tyranny and lies, and he did so because he knew God and desired righteous and benevolent government.
4. Doug was a man. He taught his wife in the word. He provided for her and led her. You can be assured that you have done well as a man when your widow says, "He was my head. He led me in everything and he taught me and guided me". This is what Doug's wife told us when we arrived at the hospital to help her.
5. Doug was obedient to the command of God. Not only in separation, but in love. Doug was one of the very few who regularly donated to the ministry, and in abundance. Doug was NOT rich or wealthy. Far from it. Doug did not throw in a few coins that he wouldn't miss; Doug gave abundantly and regularly because he believed in the message and because he believed that God commanded it. Any time I sent out a message with a ministry or personal need, I could be fairly certain that the first response would be from Doug. Just last night as I was pondering this, I received a donation from Doug (4 days after his death). Doug had made a donation a few days before he left Canada to come down for Ranchfest. Due to the fact that it was by "e-check" and because it was from a foreign bank, it took until the 12th to clear. As the donations were rolling in to pay for Doug's burial and expenses, it was fascinating (and gave me joy) to see that one of the donations was from Doug himself. I can tell you this... If any one out there who is reading this had died, and we had put out a call for donations for burial expenses, the first name on the donation list would have been Doug Howey. Doug and Sarah Howey never once withheld what was needful, even if it was sacrificial for them to give it. Many have been benefited by their obedience, and I praise God for that; and Doug didn't just give ceremonially or just on special occasions. Doug gave us food and raimant and water to drink, and for that I believe he will be rewarded in heaven.
6. Doug was joyful. Doug was one of the funniest men I have known. He knew how to keep people in good spirits, and he never was bitter or immoderately angry. Doug communicated with me regularly by email, and he sought counsel on important issues. He always had a funny line or a joke to share. I never saw Doug when there wasn't a glint of fun in his eye, and his laugh was infectious. I liked being around Doug, and I always looked forward to his emails. During Spring Ranchfest this past March, after the normal teaching and talk was over, many of the men would stay up until early in the morning, sitting around the campfire telling jokes or just making each other laugh. I remember going to bed "early" one night (around midnight) and hearing the guys laughing hysterically until 2 a.m. One night, we recreated virtually the whole script of Monty Python's "Holy Grail", and I literally was hurting from laughing so hard. Most people this fall were not saying, "Where is Michael Bunker?"... they were saying, "Where is Doug" and "when does Doug get here?".
7. Doug was humble. Doug never lifted himself up or looked down on others. Doug was not immune to rebuke and correction, and in every case he received it positively and honestly. Doug sought guidance and counsel, and he never shied away from asking for advice. I really don't think Doug cared what other people thought of him, so long as he was being obedient.
8. Doug heard from God. I have no doubt in my mind that Doug was sensitive to the voice of God. Doug had wrestled with selling his farm to move to Texas. But when the time came to do so he moved without regard to opinions, expediencies or "circumstances". Doug was an Agrarian in his heart, and wanted to live this life more than anything. Doug wanted to make the farm in Canada work, but he also wanted to obey the command of God that we live in fellowship and communion with other believers. He knew that that would likely never happen in Canada. When he decided to move here to Texas to be in fellowship with us, he didn't hesitate to do what was necessary to make that decision a reality. When an offer came on the farm, Doug moved quickly, and when the purchaser wanted to speed the closing, Doug did what was necessary. Because of that, he was able to close on the farm a week before he died, and he had received the funds and had them put into his wife's account under her name so that the funds became available only a few days after he died. You would have to be blind not to see God's hand in that. Also, if you will remember and read the earlier post (entitled "Tomorrow?"), Doug spoke as the Holy Spirit motivated him when he told us that God had not promised us tomorrow, and that we should be obedient today... and he said that less than 24 hours before he was killed by a reckless driver.
So Doug Howey was my friend, and I already miss him. I know that he is with God, because God promised that those who come to Him (which is to love Him AND OBEY HIM) will in no wise be cast out. Doug was a man whose faith I desire to follow, and lest anyone think that I dishonor God by lifting up a man, make no mistake... I praise God and give Him all the Glory for His servant Doug Howey, and I thank Him for sending this prophet to us in these days. I pray that more men will hear Doug through this testimony, and will put aside stupid and worldly hindrances, and will obey God today while it is called TO DAY.
May we all learn and follow the faith of God's faithful.
Your servant in Christ Jesus,
Michael Bunker
posted by Michael Bunker at 10/13/2006 04:20:00 AM
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