I said to her, I trust God to loosen her tongue and she is going to talk and God will get the glory. It was about two weeks later, early on a Friday morning: I went in my prayer room while everyone was fast asleep.
I got on my knees and started to pray until I was lost out of my physical body (similar to when I was getting filled with the Holy Ghost.) I was completely transformed. I received utterance as the Holy Spirit came upon me. I went into the kids bedroom, picked up Roxanne, held her a little above my head with both hands, while I was speaking and praying in tongues with tears running down my face, I then cradled her in my left arm.
The Lord had me to use my right index finger and my thumb. Gently, I held her tongue, (This went on for close to an hour) still crying and praying in tongues. Finally, the spirit released me. When I came back to myself, I put the baby into her bed. Three days later, Roxanne started talking.
My oldest daughter Marion was the first to hear her speak. The evening of that faithful day, I came home. By the time I got through the door, Marion greeted me with a broad smile on her face. In an excited tone of voice she said, “Daddy, daddy guess what?” before I could reply, her next words were, “Roxanne is talking.”
Marion was beaming with excitement. I was excited but in a calm way. It took me a little time to absorb it. Then she said to me that the baby was speaking with a lisp tongue. I asked her, “What more do you want from God? She is still a baby, she will grow it out. It will also go away. God started it and he will finish it.” I picked Roxanne up and gave God thanks. I said, “You have answered my prayer. You came through for me again.
I know that this child’s speech will be fully restored. In a matter of months, Roxanne was able to speak clearly. Oh, I remembered telling Marion, “You have to be careful about what you say or do now around Roxanne.” We both laughed. The following day, I went out and came back home in the evening.
When I got home and came through the door Roxanne came
running to me. She said, “Daddy, Mayon fone.” I laughed and
picked her up as she pointed towards the phone. Marion was laughing as
well. I said, “Remember what I told you.” You have to be careful
about what you do from now on.
The gift and calling is really without repentance. (Rom. 11:29). I remember
a strange miracle that took place before I accepted the Lord.
My last baby O’Zelle (who was under one year old), one morning was struggling to breathe. She started turning blue. My wife Gwendolyn started to panic, as she called out to me, “Howard, Howard, come quickly.”
The baby isn’t breathing. I said, “Don’t panic. Give her to me.” I took the baby from her and held her up a little above my head and looked up to heaven and started talking to God. For some reason, I stopped talking, but within I was asking God to heal the baby. Then I said to my wife, “Go and open the bedroom window.”
She then opened the window and I put the baby through the window as I held her. It was on May of 1985 and for some reason, that day (as I recall) was very cold. In less than five seconds, the baby yelled out and started breathing again normally. There is no doubt this was God’s doing. I was scared; I was calm and very grateful for the instant response from God. Yes, God certainly answered this sinner man’s prayer.
I knew all along that know matter where you go, you would have to come back to the Lord. Out of all my nine children, you were the one that was completely different from the rest. You have been blessed form the womb; I was always hoping and praying to see the day when you returned to the Lord. Now, I can die in peace. Then I replied, “You don’t have to worry because I’m never turning back. You see the Lord has installed his spirit as a reminder deep in y heart” (Matt.12:43-45).
In all thy ways acknowledge him and he will direct
thy path. (Proverbs.3:6). The fifth verse said, “Trust in the Lord
with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. (Ps. 119:9-18
& Ps.37: 97-107 & 135). My son, give me thine heart and let thine
eyes observe my ways. (Prov. 23:26). I will instruct thee and teach thee
in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eyes. (Ps.
32:88).
But the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the father will send
in my name, he shall teach you al things and he shall also remind you.
(St. John 14:26)
I walk by faith and not by sight. (II Cor 5:7). I just don’t trust in my own sight or ability. All my confidence is in God. (Is, 8:3). When Jesus asked Peter, whom do men say that I the son of man am? Peter was the only person that gave the correct answer. Jesus said to him, flesh and blood did not reveal it unto you, but my father which is in heaven. (Matt.16:13-20) & (St. John4:23-24).
The anointing which I have receive of Christ, abides in me and I need no man to teach me. (I John 2:27) & (St. John 14:15-17). But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our lord and savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever, Amen. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before; beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. (II Pet.3:17-18) & (Heb. 2:1-4).
There are several scriptures among many that inspire and strengthen me. (Job 32:6-22), (I Tim 1:6-7), (Jer. 1:3-12), (Ezk. 3:8-10), (St. John 15: 1-11), (Matt. 17:14-21), (I Cor. 2:1-14) & (Gal 1:6-20).
God did not arm me with titles, diplomas or doctorate degrees. He armed, certified and sealed me with the Holy Ghost and fire. (Matt 3:11-122), (II Tim 2:19), (Eph. 1:13), (Zech. 4:6) & (Eph. 6:10-20).
The Salutation of Rev. Howard Ricketts and The Soul Patrol
The Soul Patrol is the winner of
the Gill and Pat Bailey Caribbean Gospel Music Award; receiving four awards
for the years 2004, 2005 & 2006. Karl Moore, one of New York’s
top gospel D.J.; dubs the Soul Patrol New York based Caribbean number
one gospel group.
The Soul Patrol is a genuine, original, Christian group that believes
in originality and not formality. We are not about popularity; we are
all about sincerity, inspiring people on a whole in music, songs and spoken
word. We are not about keeping up appearance. We have a vision and we
are guided by faith in order to fulfill this vision. Wherever we go to
minister, we do it in humility leaving the audience with a full satisfaction.
We are available for Gospel concerts, Crusades, Revivals, or any gospel
related function 100%. The Soul Patrol strives only for excellence because
God is excellent and awesome. We can be reached at MSoulPatrol @aol.com.
Telephone # (home) 718-601-0809.
P.S. Rev. Ricketts is the executive director of the group. He is also an accomplished song writer, composer and producer. We also own our on digital recording studio located at 3425 Boston Rd (Bet. Fish and Seymour Ave) Bronx N.Y. 10469. We do our recording with live music. For booking, please call the above number. We look forward to hearing from you.
By: Sal Baldino. C.E.O. of Christian Musician United; March 1990
