The Brownsville Revival began on Father’s Day, June 18, 1995. The historic spiritual awakening broke out at the Brownsville Assembly of God in Pensacola, Florida. Led by evangelist Steve Hill, pastor John Kilpatrick, and worship leader Lindell Cooley, the movement lasted for five years. It drew millions of visitors and recorded over 150,000 conversions to Christianity.

That was then this is now. J. Lee Grady, of CBN wrote the following article titled, What Happened to Brownsville’s Fire? stating: “….my heart is still grieved that the church where this marvelous outpouring occurred is now a burned-out shell. The pastor of the church during the revival, John Kilpatrick, resigned in 2003 and told parishioners he planned to remain at the church in an apostolic role. Kilpatrick installed Randy Feldschau as the new pastor, then this year Kilpatrick shocked the congregation by starting a new church in Daphne, Ala., 50 miles west of Pensacola. Feldschau resigned a few months ago and moved to Texas, and Brownsville’s attendance has dipped below 400. One former staff member told me that a large group of Brownsville members now attend a local Southern Baptist church in the city, while many others don’t go anywhere. “People have been leaving for three or four years,” the pastor told me. “Some are not in church at all, including some who were on staff. I don’t know anyone who has not been hurt.”

What is it about human nature that grows accustomed to the other worldly? The supernatural? The Manifest Presence of God? We criticize the Israelites in the wilderness who grumbled at the supernatural provision of manna, or had the audacity, and presumption to challenge Moses’s leadership. (The one who was meeting with God daily – “talking face to face as friends.”) This same human tendency was manifested during Jesus’ earthly ministry. Religious leaders and common folk alike ridiculed, criticized, and condemned the ministry, miracles and teachings of Jesus eventually crucifying Him for telling them the truth: I AM God! Familiarity breeds contempt. Obviously we become too familiar with an unfamiliar God. BUT…? Often we overlook the manifestations of God in the ordinary; taking them for granted just as Israel had done, and is still doing, with God. What am I referring to? The fathers in our lives. Though they have feet of clay, and have often disappointed, they still reflect the goodness of God in many ways. Yet we live in a culture that blames everything on them. As a culture we will do anything that will keep us from taking responsibility for our own actions, and choices. The most privileged people in the entire world are the least grateful for the everyday things they readily, and freely take for granted. As a young teen all I could do was find fault with my parents, especially my father. But as I grew older, and saw my actions and reflection in his, I realized he was doing the best he could. Recently I was humbled to realize any fool can criticize. But it takes a humble person to acknowledge the good things – the God things that flow from some of the most ordinary places and the most ordinary things. And some of the most ordinary are our fathers. I realized that gratitude and honor were intimately connected. Why didn’t I honor my father as a teen (or for that matter as a young adult)? I failed to be grateful for the things he had given me. I failed to acknowledge that every good thing is from above (it sure isn’t from the devil). As I take stock of those things over the years I realize that even the bad things are what made me who I am today. I realize, and I am grateful that my Dad chose me. (In a day when parents murder their unborn children like they are taking out the trash – that’s something I can honor my Dad for). My Dad worked hard to provide me with food, shelter, clothes, education, water to drink, etc. – everyday. He sacrificed his life in order that I might have life. I can honor my Dad for that. My Dad chose to follow Jesus and led my Mom, sister and I in following Jesus too. My Dad loved the Word of God. I love the Word of God. My Dad faithfully served in the church and faithfully served pastors (still does). My Dad gave me a work ethic. I could keep going but I will spare you the obvious. Maybe you didn’t have the example I did but you had someone. There is someone who may have taken the place of that father. You can honor them.

This Fathers’ Day is THE FATHER’S DAY!  Revival comes to the thankful, the hungry, the thirsty, and those who know they are unworthy. May God revive honor in our hearts for the ordinary, mundane, everyday miracles that walk among us everyday. May God revive in us humble gratitude for the extraordinary kindness of God wrapped up in someone quite ordinary – our fathers. Hey and why you are at it. Pay some respect and gratitude to your spiritual fathers who made this way of life possible. We owe them our lives, respect and gratitude. I’m talking about Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Lincoln just to name a few. And never forget that how you treat those earthly fathers, and spiritual fathers is only a mirror reflection of how you treat your Heavenly Father. Try replacing your criticism with gratitude. Cease to participate with the Prince of the Power of the Air – the Second Heaven. Move beyond the Second Heaven into the Third Heaven and look at things from God’s perspective. Hey, and who knows, maybe this Father’s Day at Bethany Church can be a day we honor our Heavenly Father for visiting us with revival. (Crazy thought)