Posts

The Characteristics of a True Leader

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(Adapted by Randy Howard from an Article by Brian Catanella with Permission) Over the course of my life as a leader, I have a heard a number of alarming statements from those who have declared their aspiration to lead. Statements such as: “It’s not my job. Someone else will do it.” “It can wait, I'm ticked off right now.” “Why I am expected to do all the work, that’s a raw deal.” These are things that people will say without ever thinking about what it really reveals about them. Even though they say they want to be a leader, they indicate by their words an attitude of immaturity lacking the character and qualities of a real leader. It doesn’t mean they can’t change and become a good leader, but there needs to be an eye opening revelation of the heart. Sports is an arena where one is really tested as to being a real leader or not. In a basketball game between Alabama and Houston recently, a young man by the name of Jamal Shead and starting guard on the Houston team showed us real le

Happy Birthday Tammy, My Love and My Life!

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I wanted to try and figure out a way to have as many people as possible wish my sweet Tammy a happy birthday. After all, it is a big one! She is turning 60 on June 9th. Now I know some of you are appalled that I would tell my wife's age, but she is proud of getting old, uh, I mean older. She tells everyone how old she is and can't hardly wait to turn 60. So it's okay! So I would love for everyone to comment on this blog not to necessarily comment on my blog about my wife but to use it as a way to express a 'happy birthday' to her or even share a word about her and what she has meant to you. So please respond below as I would love to sit down and read all of your kind words with her. Now, let me share what she means to me. I met Tammy when I was about 11 years old at church. She and her family were regular members. Me and my family were, at best, occasional attendees. At that time, we were just acquainted with each other never realizing what the future held for us.

Post Election Prophetic Analysis

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(An Article Adapted from a Message  Delivered  by Pastor Randy Howard at the Gate  Church  of the High  Desert on November 8, 2020) It is important, as Christians, that we see beyond our immediate situations and realize that God has a plan that primarily benefits Himself. I know this sounds strange since we think we are the center of the universe and that God is working overtime to comfort and convenience us. But God is about His business and if we align ourselves with Him, we become beneficiaries of His master plan and majestic purpose. So I will attempt to give a Post Election Prophetic Analysis that will not please everyone and will certainly raise some eyebrows. So here goes! The first thing I want to address is ...  THE ELECTION AND OUR PRAYERS   I’m sure that most of you prayed about this election. You probably prayed, like I did, for a certain candidate to win. I’m sure most Evangelical Christians (not all) prayed for our current President to win re-election.  Now, whatever

A Principled Issue: An Election to Make Our Vote and Voice Count

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This is not an election about a person, a personality or even a preference! This is an election about principles that undergird policies.  Therefore, we must make our vote and voice count for principles that support a democratic republic (government by the people through representation) rather than a socialist version of democracy (centralized government overseen by an oligarchy).   We must make our vote and voice count for the principle of life for all including the child in the womb rather than the position that choice is more important than the life of another.  We must make our vote and voice count for the principles that undergird the Constitution of the United States of America as interpreted through the lens of our founding fathers rather than the progressive ideology that is rooted in relativism and digressive morality.  We must make our vote and voice count for the first amendment which gives us the right to gather and worship without any laws restricting such gatherings rath

The Kingdom of God: An Invasion of Heaven's Culture

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“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10  Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’” (Matthew 6:5-10) In the midst of the culture wars that persist in the 21st century, progressive politicians and even liberal theologians consistently proclaim a desire to be on the right side of history. They make these declarations in regard to their social and political age