Saturday, May 31, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
The Revival of the Broken
The Revival of the Broken. - Rev. Richard Perry
This is a 30 minute recording of the radio show, "The Shepherd's staff."
The audio is sporadic, but hopefully it will minister to you.
The Revival of the Broken
This is a 30 minute recording of the radio show, "The Shepherd's staff."
The audio is sporadic, but hopefully it will minister to you.
The Revival of the Broken
Friday, August 24, 2007
Joy For the Journey
“Joy for the Journey”
Gladys hung up the phone with a sigh and for a moment stood frozen. Then the shock finally forced its way into her conscience and she moaned; “this can’t be happening.” The silence that followed returned her thoughts to the phone call that left her in such fear. Her son was in Jail. The sheriff explained that he was to be detained until all the facts were in, but right now the charges were kidnapping and flight to avoid prosecution.
Her husbands name and his career as pastor at the church, their grandchildren, and their home all were in jeopardy by this travesty. She must call the church and speak to her husband. Quickly, she reached for the telephone, but as her hand closed around the receiver, it began to ring. She jerked her hand away as if it were shocking her, only to feel relief at an opportunity to include someone else in her private nightmare.
“Hello,” she whispered. All she could hear were whimpering sobs on the other end.
“Hello,” she repeated, only louder this time.
“Sister Owens?” The soft voice panted.
“This is she,” Gladys returned.
“I’m sorry to disturb you, but this is Debbie. I’m so sorry; I have some bad news for you.
Anger rose up in Gladys because Debbie was the source of so much heartache in her life. She was her daughter-in-law. She had single handedly stolen their dreams for their sons ministry, ripped their family apart with lies told against them, and dragged their son away from God by vicious behavior directed at the church.
“Can I help you?” She condescended icily.
“Please help me,” she responded hesitantly. “They’ve taken my children away…they’re driving away and there is nothing I can do…please help me.”
All the emotions penned up inside her began to rip her apart. Her love for her grandchildren, bitterness over her son’s condition, obligation to her ministry, her behavior, her husband, “Oh God help us.”
“I’ll be over there in a minute, just hold on till I get there.”
Gladys turned to the sofa and knelt down to pray realizing just how helpless she was against this dilemma. “Father in heaven, help me.”
A door shutting outside in her driveway snapped her back to reality. She gathered herself together and reached for the blinds to see who the visitor was. In the drive was the local florist delivery truck. As she tried to locate the driver, the doorbell rang. Gladys attempted to compose herself and glided over to the door, finally reaching for and pulling the knob.
“Praise the Lord,” the habitual greeting just sort of slipped out.
The embarrassed, squeamish delivery boy reached forward and spoke. “Just sign here.”
As she took the delivery ticket, the driver bent over and handed her the most beautiful bouquet of roses she had ever seen. He quickly turned to leave as she continued to stare at the beautiful arrangement. Standing in the door as the truck left, she turned the card over and read the inscription. “To the most wonderful Pastors wife in the whole world;” it was signed; “the flock of Calvary Pentecostal Assembly.”
She had forgotten that it was her fifth year anniversary. But suddenly, with this reminder, all of her tormented emotions began to realign themselves into proper, eternal perspectives. God was not through working in her family’s life. This temporary collapse might just be the way god will rebuild the future. With that thought she gathered her purse and car keys and headed for the garage. There was a journey she must take to do the Lord’s work and she better get busy.
When news came to King David that the hearts of the men of Israel were after Absalom, he prepared to leave Jerusalem. Many others gathered to flee with him because of Absalom’s vow to take the kingdom from his father. David had won their hearts by his willingness to serve. His anointing had come long before his crowning. He had always behaved himself honorable before God’s anointed leaders. So King David’s leaving was a shame many in the city could not bear. Thousands chose to leave with him. The loyal, the noble and the courageous faced the challenge to begin again, away from their home.
David climbed the hill of Olivet that was across the brook Kidron. He climbed to the top, still in view of his beloved city and found awaiting him saddled asses and provision for the journey. Gifts were brought from the servant of one whose life was touched by the mercy of David.
God is ever mindful of our journey. His expressions of love and compassion is evident in every time we become swallowed up in the vortex we call life. As long as we serve Him, His identity presses forth for expression in our needs by providing us with emotional as well as physical strength.
Anytime we face the unknown abyss called tragedy, or our life winds dangerously around our throat, squeezing the breath and hope from us. Somewhere from above will come a wagonload of blessing, loosening the grip and uplifting our vision. Hope remains as well as faith to continue because God is an ever-present help in times of trouble.
Gladys hung up the phone with a sigh and for a moment stood frozen. Then the shock finally forced its way into her conscience and she moaned; “this can’t be happening.” The silence that followed returned her thoughts to the phone call that left her in such fear. Her son was in Jail. The sheriff explained that he was to be detained until all the facts were in, but right now the charges were kidnapping and flight to avoid prosecution.
Her husbands name and his career as pastor at the church, their grandchildren, and their home all were in jeopardy by this travesty. She must call the church and speak to her husband. Quickly, she reached for the telephone, but as her hand closed around the receiver, it began to ring. She jerked her hand away as if it were shocking her, only to feel relief at an opportunity to include someone else in her private nightmare.
“Hello,” she whispered. All she could hear were whimpering sobs on the other end.
“Hello,” she repeated, only louder this time.
“Sister Owens?” The soft voice panted.
“This is she,” Gladys returned.
“I’m sorry to disturb you, but this is Debbie. I’m so sorry; I have some bad news for you.
Anger rose up in Gladys because Debbie was the source of so much heartache in her life. She was her daughter-in-law. She had single handedly stolen their dreams for their sons ministry, ripped their family apart with lies told against them, and dragged their son away from God by vicious behavior directed at the church.
“Can I help you?” She condescended icily.
“Please help me,” she responded hesitantly. “They’ve taken my children away…they’re driving away and there is nothing I can do…please help me.”
All the emotions penned up inside her began to rip her apart. Her love for her grandchildren, bitterness over her son’s condition, obligation to her ministry, her behavior, her husband, “Oh God help us.”
“I’ll be over there in a minute, just hold on till I get there.”
Gladys turned to the sofa and knelt down to pray realizing just how helpless she was against this dilemma. “Father in heaven, help me.”
A door shutting outside in her driveway snapped her back to reality. She gathered herself together and reached for the blinds to see who the visitor was. In the drive was the local florist delivery truck. As she tried to locate the driver, the doorbell rang. Gladys attempted to compose herself and glided over to the door, finally reaching for and pulling the knob.
“Praise the Lord,” the habitual greeting just sort of slipped out.
The embarrassed, squeamish delivery boy reached forward and spoke. “Just sign here.”
As she took the delivery ticket, the driver bent over and handed her the most beautiful bouquet of roses she had ever seen. He quickly turned to leave as she continued to stare at the beautiful arrangement. Standing in the door as the truck left, she turned the card over and read the inscription. “To the most wonderful Pastors wife in the whole world;” it was signed; “the flock of Calvary Pentecostal Assembly.”
She had forgotten that it was her fifth year anniversary. But suddenly, with this reminder, all of her tormented emotions began to realign themselves into proper, eternal perspectives. God was not through working in her family’s life. This temporary collapse might just be the way god will rebuild the future. With that thought she gathered her purse and car keys and headed for the garage. There was a journey she must take to do the Lord’s work and she better get busy.
When news came to King David that the hearts of the men of Israel were after Absalom, he prepared to leave Jerusalem. Many others gathered to flee with him because of Absalom’s vow to take the kingdom from his father. David had won their hearts by his willingness to serve. His anointing had come long before his crowning. He had always behaved himself honorable before God’s anointed leaders. So King David’s leaving was a shame many in the city could not bear. Thousands chose to leave with him. The loyal, the noble and the courageous faced the challenge to begin again, away from their home.
David climbed the hill of Olivet that was across the brook Kidron. He climbed to the top, still in view of his beloved city and found awaiting him saddled asses and provision for the journey. Gifts were brought from the servant of one whose life was touched by the mercy of David.
God is ever mindful of our journey. His expressions of love and compassion is evident in every time we become swallowed up in the vortex we call life. As long as we serve Him, His identity presses forth for expression in our needs by providing us with emotional as well as physical strength.
Anytime we face the unknown abyss called tragedy, or our life winds dangerously around our throat, squeezing the breath and hope from us. Somewhere from above will come a wagonload of blessing, loosening the grip and uplifting our vision. Hope remains as well as faith to continue because God is an ever-present help in times of trouble.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Counterweights.
When a weight becomes too overwhelming because of its bulk or awkwardness oftentimes a counter weight is applied to shift the balance and ease the strain of operation.
Disillusionment; The moment that your expectations or image of a particular dream or desire is shattered by the realization that your high regard for someone or something is false or misled.
When your bubble is popped.
It happens to all of us.
Somewhere along our dreamy path of high expectations, our highly esteemed and revered vocation is disillusioned by the realization that our neighbor, Brother, fellow-servant is not what he should be, or what you thought he was. Maybe he was unethical. Maybe he counseled a saint or disputed a doctrine openly in front of your people. Maybe he spread untrue rumors against you. Took your saints, or turned your friend against you. Maybe he was the cause of your church split. The weight this burden brings to the man of God can sometimes be too heavy to carry.
We need fellowship. We need help to strengthen our hands. We need loyal support. Sometimes the revelation that those we trusted were not trustworthy sends us into a tailspin.
This weight can affect our prayers, our faith, and greatly hinder our ministry. We know this and sometimes substitute busyness, or sacrifice, or distractions that make us forget the feelings while they fester and grow within. Our prayer life grows distant, our worship mechanical, our preaching listless.
So we fire ourselves up with counter weights. We become zealous disciples of philosophies or standards that contradict our opponents. We become ambassadors for renegades who follow the harmonious thoughts and attitudes that embrace our feelings of anger. And before we know it we’re preaching things we really don’t believe. And have a zeal for things we used to shun or avoid. Fire returns to our delivery. Our prayers become as the hypocrite’s. (Thank you Lord I’m not like them.) And our Christ identity becomes our support group’s flag waving.
A balance will keep Christ first and the anointing fresh and pure. The only way to avoid the dangers of counter weights is to pray for them that hate us. Do good to them. Pray earnestly for their souls and success. This will connect us to the lifeline of Christ, and allow us to heal without false weights, and keep our balance. To shift our priorities to any cause other than Christ’s will bring a dearth of the anointing from above.
Disillusionment; The moment that your expectations or image of a particular dream or desire is shattered by the realization that your high regard for someone or something is false or misled.
When your bubble is popped.
It happens to all of us.
Somewhere along our dreamy path of high expectations, our highly esteemed and revered vocation is disillusioned by the realization that our neighbor, Brother, fellow-servant is not what he should be, or what you thought he was. Maybe he was unethical. Maybe he counseled a saint or disputed a doctrine openly in front of your people. Maybe he spread untrue rumors against you. Took your saints, or turned your friend against you. Maybe he was the cause of your church split. The weight this burden brings to the man of God can sometimes be too heavy to carry.
We need fellowship. We need help to strengthen our hands. We need loyal support. Sometimes the revelation that those we trusted were not trustworthy sends us into a tailspin.
This weight can affect our prayers, our faith, and greatly hinder our ministry. We know this and sometimes substitute busyness, or sacrifice, or distractions that make us forget the feelings while they fester and grow within. Our prayer life grows distant, our worship mechanical, our preaching listless.
So we fire ourselves up with counter weights. We become zealous disciples of philosophies or standards that contradict our opponents. We become ambassadors for renegades who follow the harmonious thoughts and attitudes that embrace our feelings of anger. And before we know it we’re preaching things we really don’t believe. And have a zeal for things we used to shun or avoid. Fire returns to our delivery. Our prayers become as the hypocrite’s. (Thank you Lord I’m not like them.) And our Christ identity becomes our support group’s flag waving.
A balance will keep Christ first and the anointing fresh and pure. The only way to avoid the dangers of counter weights is to pray for them that hate us. Do good to them. Pray earnestly for their souls and success. This will connect us to the lifeline of Christ, and allow us to heal without false weights, and keep our balance. To shift our priorities to any cause other than Christ’s will bring a dearth of the anointing from above.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Escape to the Garden
“Escape to the Garden”
Let not your heart be troubled; Ye believe in God, believe also in me… With these words Jesus began one of His greatest messages. It has been coined His farewell address and rightly so, for it was here that He takes His disciples from prophecy to exhortation, to a prayer of protection. After passing the mantle of oversight to the Father above, the weight of what He was destined for was lain squarely upon His shoulders. When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the brook Kidron where there was a garden. In the mountains of Virginia atop one of the Appalachians, stands the manor of Thomas Jefferson. He named it Monticello for it was a “little mountain” to him. The state of Virginia preserves the estate today in pristine condition. Entering the front door you see so much of the personality of Mr. Jefferson. Although he is remembered as a statesman, it becomes clear that he was an inventor at heart. In the magnificent entry stands a clock that not only kept the time, but by his invention kept the day of the week. He also by his intuitiveness devised a way to connect the wind-ward above the house measuring the direction of the wind to a ceiling instrument beneath. The walls were lined with intricate maps. Through his study other inventions are revealed. The first duplicator ever used that consisted to pulleys and rods that mimic the movement of the writer’s hand. From the parlor to the dining room, from the kitchen to the bedrooms, each place had his signature of inventive thinking. The kitchen was in the basement and connected to it was a tunnel. This tunnel ran the entire length of the home place and was the entry for the servants. At one end a pebbled walkway winds a course through the surrounding foliage, eventually leading to a garden. This peaceful escape was the personal expression of Mr. Jefferson. His hands designed every pathway. He spent hours snipping each hedgerow, planting and cultivating until he reached the desired effect, a place where he could escape the pressures of a birthing nation and the responsibilities of leading where no man had gone before. In middle Tennessee, near Columbia, stands a mission christened with the name “Rattle and Snap.” It was named after the dice game in which the antebellum home was attained. Throughout the home the ugly scars of the civil war could be seen. From war o neglect, from fire to decay, this home survived a bicentennial of history. As you exit through the rear door you can follow another pebbled pathway to another garden. This one was the expression of the family of James Polk. This garden is strikingly familiar to the gardens built years before or after. The manicured hedges, the fountain centered, all expressed peace to the human spirit. From war to catastrophe the families had an escape from the struggle to a place of solace. The garden of Gethsemane, until the entrance of Jesus was just an olive garden. The equipment and tools of the olive pickers remained scattered about in expectation of the next season. But, when Jesus entered there it was transformed to his private chamber. He never dug the soil, or trimmed the hedges, but His personal expression remains even until today. You can walk the pebbled pathways past the same olive trees of two thousand years ago. The smell of olive oil still hangs in the air. Pleasant shadows providing shade from the sun and the peaceful serenity still remain for all who walk there. But beyond the physical miracle of preservation, there appears even a greater miracle, the miracle of His presence. This garden travels with Him. Whenever His children experience turmoil or pain, whenever their world is turned upside down with tragedy or loss, this escape is there anytime you call on His name. What a peace settles over your soul. A miraculous detachment from our struggles is provided for us. You can almost smell the olive oil of healing carried on the breeze of contentment, while feeling the cool shade of protection. Jesus cultivated this garden to his specifications. Each walkway along with every plant was placed by Him so that His children would benefit when they entered there. This all, He provided for you because He knew that you would have to walk through times of trial. He knew that the fires of time would try your soul, painful trials and times of confusion, trials of faith that would carry us to the place of escape. But Jesus teaches His disciples to escape to the garden with Him.
Let not your heart be troubled; Ye believe in God, believe also in me… With these words Jesus began one of His greatest messages. It has been coined His farewell address and rightly so, for it was here that He takes His disciples from prophecy to exhortation, to a prayer of protection. After passing the mantle of oversight to the Father above, the weight of what He was destined for was lain squarely upon His shoulders. When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the brook Kidron where there was a garden. In the mountains of Virginia atop one of the Appalachians, stands the manor of Thomas Jefferson. He named it Monticello for it was a “little mountain” to him. The state of Virginia preserves the estate today in pristine condition. Entering the front door you see so much of the personality of Mr. Jefferson. Although he is remembered as a statesman, it becomes clear that he was an inventor at heart. In the magnificent entry stands a clock that not only kept the time, but by his invention kept the day of the week. He also by his intuitiveness devised a way to connect the wind-ward above the house measuring the direction of the wind to a ceiling instrument beneath. The walls were lined with intricate maps. Through his study other inventions are revealed. The first duplicator ever used that consisted to pulleys and rods that mimic the movement of the writer’s hand. From the parlor to the dining room, from the kitchen to the bedrooms, each place had his signature of inventive thinking. The kitchen was in the basement and connected to it was a tunnel. This tunnel ran the entire length of the home place and was the entry for the servants. At one end a pebbled walkway winds a course through the surrounding foliage, eventually leading to a garden. This peaceful escape was the personal expression of Mr. Jefferson. His hands designed every pathway. He spent hours snipping each hedgerow, planting and cultivating until he reached the desired effect, a place where he could escape the pressures of a birthing nation and the responsibilities of leading where no man had gone before. In middle Tennessee, near Columbia, stands a mission christened with the name “Rattle and Snap.” It was named after the dice game in which the antebellum home was attained. Throughout the home the ugly scars of the civil war could be seen. From war o neglect, from fire to decay, this home survived a bicentennial of history. As you exit through the rear door you can follow another pebbled pathway to another garden. This one was the expression of the family of James Polk. This garden is strikingly familiar to the gardens built years before or after. The manicured hedges, the fountain centered, all expressed peace to the human spirit. From war to catastrophe the families had an escape from the struggle to a place of solace. The garden of Gethsemane, until the entrance of Jesus was just an olive garden. The equipment and tools of the olive pickers remained scattered about in expectation of the next season. But, when Jesus entered there it was transformed to his private chamber. He never dug the soil, or trimmed the hedges, but His personal expression remains even until today. You can walk the pebbled pathways past the same olive trees of two thousand years ago. The smell of olive oil still hangs in the air. Pleasant shadows providing shade from the sun and the peaceful serenity still remain for all who walk there. But beyond the physical miracle of preservation, there appears even a greater miracle, the miracle of His presence. This garden travels with Him. Whenever His children experience turmoil or pain, whenever their world is turned upside down with tragedy or loss, this escape is there anytime you call on His name. What a peace settles over your soul. A miraculous detachment from our struggles is provided for us. You can almost smell the olive oil of healing carried on the breeze of contentment, while feeling the cool shade of protection. Jesus cultivated this garden to his specifications. Each walkway along with every plant was placed by Him so that His children would benefit when they entered there. This all, He provided for you because He knew that you would have to walk through times of trial. He knew that the fires of time would try your soul, painful trials and times of confusion, trials of faith that would carry us to the place of escape. But Jesus teaches His disciples to escape to the garden with Him.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Embracing the vision.
Above the exposed roots mired in the swamp of the everglades, standing steadfastly atop the skeletal winter branches of the cypress trees, perches the oblong silhouette of the Florida Bald Eagle.
Still and patient, the lofty domicile hunter awaits the briefest motion that will betray the movements of the unsuspecting conquest.
Within his view float the ignoble, predatory and insatiable alligators, heads barely above the surface, floating and menacing as they patrol their self-proclaimed dominion.
Far off the professional fisherman barges carelessly across the wilderness waters, killing as many as they catch by their thoughtless pattern of looking for the trophy, and discarding the rest.
The Eagles interest is fulfilling the need of his nest and protecting his own in the process.
Suddenly there is a piercing shriek. The alligators floating barge tactics stilled, the fisherman’s reel quieted as the unsuspecting meal routinely jumps the surface into the awaiting talons of the noble bird.
The eyes of the eagle see much farther and clearer than most wild birds. They can spot their prey from heights into the hundreds of meters. They just must learn to deal with the distractions of the host of competition.
When God gives the man of God the eyes of an Eagle, they stand as watchman, still and patient, looking for the event or action that will meet the needs of the flock God has entrusted to them.
They often spot the ignoble predatory carrion awaiting the chance to fill their bellies on the unsuspecting innocent, their motivations impure. They see the careless fishermen leaving a trail of the skeletal pieces of the undesired many, because of their callous, selfish agenda.
Our vision at times is distracted by our ability to see far off. We understand what tomorrow holds because we see the predators and uncaring fisherman. But our ministry is not to the multitudes, but the needy. God called us as fisher of men, but also keepers of the flock.
As we sit, atop the wall of the city we have been sent to, we must embrace the vision of those Christ has given us, and not ever be distracted by the tragedy of the times.
The final lesson of priorities given to His disciples was found in John 17: that as Jesus had received from the Father so He desired the same exchange to those God had given to Him. There must be a prioritizing of our purpose and never a neglect of our calling.
Still and patient, the lofty domicile hunter awaits the briefest motion that will betray the movements of the unsuspecting conquest.
Within his view float the ignoble, predatory and insatiable alligators, heads barely above the surface, floating and menacing as they patrol their self-proclaimed dominion.
Far off the professional fisherman barges carelessly across the wilderness waters, killing as many as they catch by their thoughtless pattern of looking for the trophy, and discarding the rest.
The Eagles interest is fulfilling the need of his nest and protecting his own in the process.
Suddenly there is a piercing shriek. The alligators floating barge tactics stilled, the fisherman’s reel quieted as the unsuspecting meal routinely jumps the surface into the awaiting talons of the noble bird.
The eyes of the eagle see much farther and clearer than most wild birds. They can spot their prey from heights into the hundreds of meters. They just must learn to deal with the distractions of the host of competition.
When God gives the man of God the eyes of an Eagle, they stand as watchman, still and patient, looking for the event or action that will meet the needs of the flock God has entrusted to them.
They often spot the ignoble predatory carrion awaiting the chance to fill their bellies on the unsuspecting innocent, their motivations impure. They see the careless fishermen leaving a trail of the skeletal pieces of the undesired many, because of their callous, selfish agenda.
Our vision at times is distracted by our ability to see far off. We understand what tomorrow holds because we see the predators and uncaring fisherman. But our ministry is not to the multitudes, but the needy. God called us as fisher of men, but also keepers of the flock.
As we sit, atop the wall of the city we have been sent to, we must embrace the vision of those Christ has given us, and not ever be distracted by the tragedy of the times.
The final lesson of priorities given to His disciples was found in John 17: that as Jesus had received from the Father so He desired the same exchange to those God had given to Him. There must be a prioritizing of our purpose and never a neglect of our calling.
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