by Emily Howsden | May 7, 2018
This is a topic about which I could go on for days and still not have fully spoken every word on my mind. So, please ask me if you are interested to further explain my thoughts after reading this. Yet for this specific post, I will focus on one, culturally-relevant topic.
There is controversy in the Baptist world that has made it mainstream, relating to controversial statements made by Paige Patterson, a renowned Southern Baptist Leader. I first read this article (click here) by the Washington Post to get one side of the story; then I read this post (click here) by Christianity Today, and many other writings on this topic have since appeared, as well. As with any news story, I recommend you first read as much as you can on the topic before regurgitating anything I—or anyone else—says about the topic.
What I want to talk about most in my post today is a recent post by Beth Moore, a prominent female leader in the Southern Baptist world. On the Living Proof Ministries blog, Moore wrote a blog called “A Letter to My Brothers” (click to read) in which she addresses head on the problems related to the Patterson situation, as well as misogynistic attitudes/behavior in Baptist, or religious circles, in general.
Seriously, stop what you are doing and read the blog now. It is powerful, level-headed, well-thought out, and she comes from a place of love and respect rather than condemnation. I agree with every word she wrote.
As a woman in the Baptist world, not only as a church member but professionally as well, there have been many situations in which I find myself that I often think male co-workers would not encounter.
As Beth Moore says in her blog, these situations do not come as a shock to me. I realize I have to take different things into consideration being a professional in a mostly male culture. Most of the time, any incident that happens because I am a female is minor. However, from time-to-time, I do encounter a male who, from my point of view, has a lack of respect for me as a professional because I am a woman. I find issue with that way of thinking.
One thing Beth Moore said in her blog that resonated with me on this subject is this:
“Scripture was not the reason for the colossal disregard and disrespect of women among many of these men. It was only the excuse. Sin was the reason. Ungodliness.”
In the Bible, in fact, Jesus held women in high regard. He respected women, and Beth Moore points this out:
“The dignity with which Christ treated women in the Gospels is fiercely beautiful and it was not conditional upon their understanding their place.”
“Their place.” This is something that I find myself facing. I firmly believe I have just as much of a right to equal pay, equal opportunity and an equal right to eternity one day. With that set of beliefs, I also believe that I should be held to the same standard professionally as any male co-worker. I don’t want the “easy” way or the “ladies” way out. I am not afraid of hard work.
That being said, I will never find offense to a man holding a door open for me or any type of chivalrous behavior, just as I am okay with doing the dishes at home while my husband always takes out the trash. I acknowledge times that I should submit to my husband, and my ego is not so large that I would strip him of the role of being the leader of our household, as that would be against God’s Word as well.
I don’t find issue with gender roles. I find issue with the sin, disrespect or disregard of any one person.
In any race, gender, nationality, you name it, it is never acceptable to elevate oneself above another. Our Savior humbled himself, as recorded in Matt. 25:40, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
So I challenge you, brother or sister in Christ, to see past gender, to see past race and see past the types of things our world has labeled as “weaker” or “less-than.”
The main issue at hand in Patterson’s case was the topic of domestic abuse.
No form of abuse is ever okay.
No form of superiority due to any of the above listed categories is okay.
As a Christian, it is our duty to stand against such evil things. Today, you can stand against this abuse by voicing your thoughts against it, as well as “talking the talk” should you encounter a situation like Patterson did. Be the voice of truth and reason and, most importantly, be a righteous voice in a world full of nonsense.
Finally, I will leave you with one of the last things Beth Moore said in her blog, and please don’t miss this—
“The irony is that many of the men who will give consideration to my concerns do not possess a whit of the misogyny coming under the spotlight. For all the times you’ve spoken up on our behalf and for the compassion you’ve shown in response to ‘Me too,’ please know you have won our love and gratitude and respect.”
To those men, you are honorable, brave and I applaud you. Thank you for being our voice when we don’t have one. To other men, if you can’t, in confidence, place yourself in that category, now is the time to change.
by Emily Howsden | Apr 30, 2018
I recently traveled to Washington D.C. with a coworker for a conference with the Baptist Communicators Association. At this conference there was an awards gala, in which I received a reward for a photograph I took.
While I was excited about the award, the feedback I received has been the most valuable feedback I’ve ever received on a photo I’ve taken.
The judge said about one of the photos that I submitted that did not place, “Always ask yourself if the photo or photos you’re capturing will communicate the story you’re trying to tell without the assistance of a caption.”
This immediately grabbed my attention in a very, “Why haven’t I thought of that before?” kind of way. Of course, as a journalist, I find there is always a story to be told. Also as a journalist, I have been trained to tell such stories in a concise manner. Why shouldn’t my photographs do the same thing?
This principle can be applied to many aspects of life—you know the whole “walk the walk and talk the talk” saying—so I began to think, would people be able to see Jesus in my life “without the assistance of a caption?”
This is a humbling question for almost every Christ follower to ask of themselves. It’s hard for anyone to ever say they have reached the pinnacle of their relationship with the Lord for no other reason than one perfect person has only ever walked this earth, and that was Jesus Christ in the flesh.
What I can do, however, is in all things, point others toward Christ by my actions. Here comes the “walk the walk and talk the talk” saying again. If I am singing songs that say things like:
“And let the King of my heart
Be the wind inside my sails
The anchor in the waves
Oh oh, He is my song
Let the King of my heart
Be the fire inside my veins
The echo of my days
Oh oh, He is my song”
…don’t you think my actions should reflect those words? He should be the fire inside my veins, the echo of my days, and most importantly he should be the King of my heart.
I am guilty of coming up short of my goal to glorify Him in everything I do. I will freely admit that. The only way to combat my shortcomings is to turn to His Word and live as God says I am to live.
He tells us in His Word how we are to live repeatedly. One of my favorite books of the Bible, Proverbs, is full of instruction and guidance in the areas in which we should point others to Christ through our actions. He also directs us toward the ways of the wise in Proverbs.
1 Peter 3:8-9 says, “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
So, I challenge you to think like the judge, who gave me such excellent advice, and ask yourself the question that I was asked about my photos, but instead, ask about your life and how it would point others towards Christ, “Will my life communicate the story of I’m trying to tell without the assistance of a caption?”
by Emily Howsden | Apr 23, 2018
“The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him'” (Gen. 2:18).
Community has often been on my mind in the past few weeks. Community is something that constantly reaffirms, loves and boosts my spirits as a Christ follower. When He created us, God knew we would need some form of community.
In so many different ways, God has re-affirmed in my life most recently that His plan and His ways are perfect through the people He has so lovingly placed in my life.
Whether it be at an event like the Young Adult Spring Retreat, which I covered for work/attended with the college group from our church, or even in my own family, where I have six siblings, which I believe fully counts as a community (ha ha)—the Lord has proved how much I need the people in my life.
At Spring Retreat, I was blessed to see how many people with whom I mostly connected in college through the Baptist Collegiate Ministry who are currently serving in a leadership position, pouring back into the lives of college-age young adults or students.
When I look across a room and see people who just years ago were students alongside me, trying to seek God’s will for their lives, now serving Him and doing it well, it does my heart good. I am encouraged to know the type of people who are investing in the lives of the immediate future of our state and country.
I just returned from a trip to Washington D.C., where, as a member of the Baptist Communicators Association, (BCA) I attended the yearly BCA workshop and awards ceremony.
While work trips like this one are 99 percent fun and excitement, I find they can be a little nerve wrecking. Thoughts swirled around my head as I anticipated the trip, wondering how I would present myself, would travel go smoothly, what I should wear, what we would be doing etc.
All of these thoughts were put to rest when I began to meet my fellow Baptist communicators. The community of communicators whom I had the pleasure of meeting will forever remain in my mind as I go about my work for the BGCO and the Baptist Messenger.
What an incredible group of people it was. Most of the group had been in the business of religious communication for 10+ years, which meant their knowledge, about what I am just beginning to know, was extensive.
I learned so much from my new friends and colleagues through breakout sessions but also through getting to spend time talking with each of the people I met. I count myself extremely fortunate to be able to call myself a Baptist Communicator, and I don’t plan to stop learning from those who have blazed the trails before me.
Time and time again and I am blessed by my family and extended family. Nothing super special has happened this week—nothing out of the ordinary that makes me point out these incredible people. However, I love words of affirmation, and I think this group deserves constant affirmation for going through life alongside me, no matter the distance between us.
As I have mention before, some significant things in my and my husband’s lives within the past six months are the impending arrival of our first child, Silas Dean Howsden. Our families have wrapped their arms around us as a budding family and provided so much wisdom, care and love. Brothers, Sisters, Aunts, Grandparents, Great-Grandparents, you name it, they have been there for Casey and me since we excitedly announced the arrival of our little bundle of joy. I can’t wait for little Silas to meet these people his parents love so much.
I say all of this to point out an important thing I’ve learned in my 25 years: we need each other. No matter how much of a “loner” or person of solitude you may consider yourself, you need someone.
One person who remains the most constant in my life is my Lord and Savior. He knows my heart, my thoughts, what brings me joy and whatever else there may be to know about me. However, no matter how ugly or flawed my characteristics may be, He chose me and chooses me over and over again.
His love for me (and you) is relentless, unending and perfect. Just as I gushed about the communities which I am a part of earlier in this blog, I need to and should gush about the Lord and His love for me without relent.
Have you told someone how good the Lord is lately? Have you thanked the people in your life for being there for you? Have you thanked your Savior? I encourage you to reach out to all of the above mentioned groups in your life, no matter how your communities may differ from mine, and express your gratitude for each.
by Emily Howsden | Apr 16, 2018
Time and time again I have reported on a special organization with which I am proud to associate myself as an Oklahoma Baptist and trainee of this group.
They are a group of God-professing, selfless, tough, hard-working, joyful people. They are Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief.
When tragedy or disaster strikes, Disaster Relief is there. Most recently, they have served in Houston, and continue to serve there in the wake of Hurricane Harvey which struck last August. They went to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria annihilated the Caribbean country.
They were there after the Moore tornado of 2013; they were there after Hurricane Katrina, and they have served after multiple tsunamis and other natural disasters. No matter what the case or scenario, you can count on seeing those bright yellow shirts and hats going towards the chaos, rather than fleeing in the opposite direction.
This past spring, my husband and I had the opportunity to get DR trained. One might think when training to be on a disaster relief team that the atmosphere would be somber, or even fearful, but what a wonderful group of people we met.
The average age of the room was not Millennials or even Generation X. Nope! Most of those serving in Disaster Relief are Baby Boomers or even some older. Many of those serving have indeed retired and are enjoying their golden years doing hard labor. For what reason you may ask?
Because they can. They are a group of people who aren’t afraid to get dirty in the middle of a home that has burned to the ground or sustained flood waters as tall as they are. They’re a group of people who if they can’t physically serve they’ll serve in any way possible. They’re a group of people whom I want to be around.
Most recently, Disaster Relief sprang to action as wildfires spread across the western Oklahoma prairie, much like the wildfires did earlier this year and last burning hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland from Oklahoma to Colorado.
I have never seen a more organized or well-run organization from top to bottom. When a task may seem daunting or too heavy for the few hands on deck, the Disaster Relief network shows up, and the job is done, beyond anyone’s expectations.
What is their driving force? What keeps them going when they work alongside first-responders for 12+ hours? The sweetest name I know, Jesus!
This group of people shows Jesus everywhere they go, not only by telling others about His love for them but by the fruits of their labor and their actions.
I haven’t seen a better example of what it looks like to selflessly serve and love those in need on this side of heaven than Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief.
I am so incredibly thankful for this group of people, as they gear up time and time again to go and be the hands and feet of Jesus in the wake of tragedy and despair. They are the light in situations that seem hopelessly dark.
Should disaster strike and a massive workforce need-be called up, I hope I have the opportunity to serve along my brothers and sisters in Christ, as I’ve now many times been able to witness with my own eyes. This group of people you see, when they get together and put on that bright yellow uniform, it is a miraculous scene to behold.
by Emily Howsden | Apr 9, 2018
If your social media feed looks anything like mine, I’m sure you’ve see the “Share if you…” posts all too often.
Or if you are in the middle of a historical time, like Oklahoma is with the teacher walkout and all that goes along with it, you’ve seen social media posts go viral both for and opposing the cause. These posts have thousands of shares, likes and comments within hours of being posted.
If you are unfamiliar, teachers (and many from all professions) in Oklahoma began a walkout last week, demanding fully funded education and a competitive pay rate with other states in our region.
Teachers—the people who taught both you and me how to read and write, the people who work well into the evening and most weekends in order to make sure their students have the best chance at succeeding. Their cause has flooded the front pages and opening segments in the news across the country.
Their profession is an important one. Each day as they step into their place of work they have a hand in molding the minds of the future of our state, country and world. They, along with their students are important and should be valued and treated as such.
I know another important man that was called the Great Teacher. Jesus in the flesh, our ultimate Teacher. In His time on earth He equipped people to tell others about the Good News of his Gospel, “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
The Gospel message is simple one, but much like the news we consume daily, it gets twisted by false prophets in the form of “fake news.” I’m here to challenge you to beware of said fake news and false prophets.
As someone who has and currently works in the field of social media, and a consumer of social media, this is something that I see all too often.
More often than not, I want to give a virtual, cyber shake to the people with whom I am friends and ask them, “Did you check the source before you shared that?” or “Did you read the entire article, the page from which it was posted, etc.?”
My virtual, cyber shake also goes for people who spout the first thing they saw on Facebook as if it were absolute truth. I have two words for everyone who DOESN’T think twice before engaging in such activities: Be better.
This was a problem in Jesus’ time as well. He warns against false prophets repeatedly in his word.
Jeremiah 23:16 says, “This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.”
Matthew 24:23-25 says, “At that time, if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible. See, I have told you in advance.”
And 2 Timothy 4:3-5 says, “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”
In ALL things, God calls us to be vigilant and aware of the false prophets and “fake news” that others around us constantly consume and regurgitate. We are called to be not of this world, and that means we are held to a higher standard.
So I say to you fellow believer, study the Word. The phrase “the best defense is a good offense” is an age-old phrase that is applicable to many of life’s situations, but most assuredly when it comes to knowing how to spot a false prophet or “fake news.”
If you know God’s Word and promises front and back, false prophet’s words hold no ground with you. The same goes for how you consume information on a daily basis. I encourage you to think twice before regurgitating something you read on social media or overheard someone say.
Do your own research and form your own offense to the false prophets of the world. Form your own thoughts. I have found many times, that it is far more damaging to the kingdom of God to blindly “like and share” what the world tells us is true, than it is beneficial.