Many of you that have seen my tweets and post this morning may be wondering what has prompted my fervor to challenge and inspire men to turn back to their families. This morning, I was listening to Paul Washer speaking on “Gaining the whole world and losing your children”, which prompted me to reflect over the years with my children that have already passed me by.

Over the course of the past 18 years, I believe I have been a good father in my provision and training of my family. I not only spoke God’s word to them and over them, I have endeavored with great pain to live it before them. My children have watched me endure many trials, pain and persecution for what I believe. They have seen me pray tears of anguish and fight the good fight. I have spent many hours away working a secular job and traveling in the ministry. I cherish the time I have with them. However, as I reflect on the little time I have been able to spend with them, especially my oldest son Stephen; I find that I am a failure.

It isn’t that I didn’t provide or train them the best I could or knew how. It’s not even that I haven’t tried to maximize the amount of time I had to spend with them. It’s that I failed to do something of value and life changing with them during this time. I am so exhausted and beat down on my days off that I have absolutely no energy to go anywhere or do anything. I convinced myself that as soon as I make more money or the ministry grows, I will have more time to spend and invest in them.

Now my son Stephen is 18 and attending Texas A&M. I look back and see that we did some things over the past 18 years, but mostly we did nothing as father and son outside of work or ministry. I tried to spend quality time with my son while I worked in the ministry. Don’t get me wrong he did learn a lot of good things, but it also exposed him to some very ugly things in the ministry.

My dad took me fishing, hunting and camping. He taught me how to build things, repair cars and work hard. He was tough, but everything had purpose. I didn’t always agree with him, but I see now he was teaching me to the level he was able. He taught me the more practical things of life that have shaped who I am. Christ has taught me all the spiritual things in my life. The two combined complete my character as a man, father and husband. Sadly, I have taught my son the spiritual side and failed to teach him the more practical side of life. I feel like I have sent him out in to the world spiritually prepared, but practically crippled because I did not pass on those very gifts my father taught me.

My challenge now is to insure that I endeavor to seize every moment to pass these things on to Brittany and Chris while they are still under my authority, and pray I will still have enough influence and impact to teach and train Stephen in these things while he is a grown man.

Men, you don’t have to give yourself a “FAIL”. Seize every moment to teach your children the practical things you learned and may even despised growing up. They are valuable and profitable to developing the whole person of Christ in your children. If you don’t know those things, then discover them together. We have a very limited amount of time with them. Don’t waste it. This is my “Burnt Flesh” moment.

The smell of “Burnt Flesh” is the only thing that pleases God. It is our will aligning with His, and He gets all the praise, honor and glory. Have you “Burnt Flesh” today?

I was going to post a summary of this topic based on this teaching, but felt that I would not do it any justice in my own words. Therefore, I thought it more fitting to just post the video here for you to watch for yourself.

Paul Washer teaches out of Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Enjoy!

“From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.” ~ Matthew 11:12 ESV

I want to preface this short post first by saying…I AM NOT A DOOMSDAY, END TIMES or APOCALYPTIC PROPHET! I just want to stir the body to be vigilant in prayer, spiritual discipline and discernment. Yes, I believe we are drawing closer to the moment in time spoken of in the scripture, but I would be a fool to call that moment. The one thing I know for sure is we must remember the “Lesson of the Fig Tree” in Luke 21:29-33

“And he told them a parable: Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

All the things that are going on around the world, even here in our own country, are supposed to take place. There isn’t really much we can do to change it and the purpose for us to recognize the “when you see these things taking place” moment, is to draw us closer to Christ and farther away from our sin. Yes, we can pray and mobilize our cause to prolong the inevitable; however, that’s why it’s called the inevitable. All things written will take place. It is up to us, the elect, the sure and the faithful to endure to the end.

So don’t be afraid of the things going on around us. Be faithful, mighty and vigilant in Christ! Draw near to Him and He will see us through to the end. I leave you with this passage of scripture to resound in your spirit:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. ~ Ephesians 6:10-20 ESV

The smell of “Burnt Flesh” is the only thing that pleases God. It is our will aligning with His, and He gets all the praise, honor and glory. Have you “Burnt Flesh” today?