The Wilkes Team

There are 3 types of people each one of us should have in our lives: a Timothy (those we disciple), a Barnabas (fellow comrades who support us on The Way), and a Paul (those who disciple & challenge us). Earlier this month  an opportunity was provided to be around these three different types of people. A ‘Paul’ in my life is Dr. Andrew Voell. He is a wise and understanding father here in Northern Virginia who desires to lead his family in the way which God would desire. I have been challenged many times by his Godly, steadfast example.

On this particular evening we gathered with other fathers in a special time of celebration for Dr. Voell’s son Zechariah. Zechariah is turning 13 and thus stepping into the role of manhood. This brought back to mind the charges Dad has given our family. The charges to reject passivity, seek the eternal reward, and lead courageously. Our world has come to define the years between 13 and 20 as the teenager years wherein rebellion and foolish behavoir are almost expected. Dr. Voell has taken leadership in his family by giving his children a different vision. Every man present shared a charge with Zechariah, exhorting him to put away childish things and embrace the call of manhood. It was a meaningful time for the young men present to have the vision of manhood renewed and an inspiration to fathers to lead as God, not the world, would direct.

May the Lord bless your Zechariah, and may you faithfully stand in the gap as the Lord continues to search to and fro for the ones He can show Himself strong and mighty through.

2 Comments » | posted in Family News

August 3rd, 1949 President Harry S. Truman signed an act of congress designating June 14th as ‘National Flag Day.’ While certainly not a day for worshipping the flag, June 14th is a time of remembering what our nation stands for, as clergyman Henry Ward Beecher aptly said, the principles, truths, and Providential history.

One meaningful moment in the Providential history of America was the famous flag raising on Iwa Jima. A couple weeks ago when down in North Carolina, several of us were honored to meet our first ever Iwa Jima World War II army veteran (Mr. Glen). He was on the islands of Iwa Jima during the fateful month of February, 1945 (just 4 1/2 years before the first official Flag Day proclomation) and saw the marines who raised the flag on Mount Surabachi (did you know that famous Iwa Jima photo was actually the second flag to be raised that day?). He graciously invested into our lives amidst failing health. We will treasure that visit and the memories he shared for years to come.

What does a flag represent? Identity and a cause worth fighting for. Our marines set an example that bitter February day when the banner of America was raised. Out of a love for America, they willingly gave their lives for the principles and truths the flag stood for.

So as we raise our American flags today, let us be aware of the war raging against the Truth and boldly raise the flag of Truth. It requires a death to self. Our greatest tactic against evil in the world, will be the love of Christ (Song of Solomon 2:4, “…His banner over me is love”). “Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah. (Psalms 60:4)”

Excerpt from Ronald Reagans 1989 Flag Day Flag Day Proclomation.

….The American clergyman Henry Ward Beecher conveyed the full meaning of the flag when he wrote, “A thoughtful mind, when it sees a nation’s flag, sees not the flag only, but the nation itself; and whatever may be its symbols, its insignia, he reads chiefly in the flag the government, the principles, the truths, the history which belongs to the nation that sets it forth.”

When we honor our flag we honor what we stand for as a Nation ”freedom, equality, justice, and hope. Flag Day and National Flag Week are our traditional means to commemorate the Nation’s beliefs as symbolized by the Stars and Stripes. In more recent times, the twenty-one days from Flag Day through Independence Day have been set aside as a period to honor America during which Americans reflect upon the Nation’s character, heritage, fortifying principles and future well-being…..

In case you have some questions pertaining to the presentation of our flag, check out several of the official American flag presentation regulations.

4 Comments » | posted in HIS-story

Last week I began to draw a maze. While I was doing it I really had to keep the lines pretty clear. John 14:6 says, “I am the way the truth,and the life no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” There is only one way to get through the maze, just as there is only one way to heaven. That way is Jesus Christ. So have fun doing it.

5 Comments » | posted in Family News

One of the ways our family receives encouragement is through fellowshipping with like-minded believers. On our recent family vacation we stopped by to see the Neelys.

While there I was overwhelmed by the HOSPITALITY they showed. Their willingness to do all the cooking and cleaning with big smiles for three whole days was a blessing. 

Some of the fun highlights were fixing the trampoline, playing a family game of soccer, launching water balloons, and trying out a funny game called whop with long foam noodles. Thank you Neely Team!

Just yesterday we were blessed to have the Neelys over to our home while they were on their way to a family reunion up north. The Neelys will be going to Lithuania this summer on a family mission trip. So we decided to make Wordless Book key chains for them to give to the little children over there. Let’s keep the Neelys in prayer as they prepare to follow the Lord to Lithuania in July.  

7 Comments » | posted in Family News

        A while back I was reading a book about Francis Scott Key. Besides, being the author of the Star Spangled Banner, he wrote hundreds of other poems. There is one I’d like to share with you all. It’s actually a riddle. See if you can figure it out.

A Riddle

I made myself, and though no form have I,

Am fairer than the fairest you can spy:

the sun I outshine in his mid-day light,

and yet am darker then the darkest night;

Hotter am I than fire, than ice more cold,

Richer than purest gems or finest gold;

yet I am never neither bought or sold.

The man that wants me never yet was seen;

The poor alone possess me; yet the mean

And grudging rich oft give me to the poor,

Who yet are not made richer than before

the blindest see me, and the deafest hear,

Cowards defy me, and the bravest fear:

If your’re a fool,your know me

if you grow in knowledge, me you soon will cease to know.

Get me–and low and poor thy state will be;

forget me–and no equal shalt thou see.

Now catch me if you can–I’m sometimes caught,

Though never thought worth catching, never sought,

Am I still hid? Then let whoever tries

To see me, give it up, and shut his eyes.

 WHO AM I?

I hope you enjoy figuring it out. The answer will be given at a later time. 

6 Comments » | posted in Outside the Box

The Creation Museum of Kentucky proved a worthy stopping place for the Wilkesteam clubwagon and its occupants. It was refreshing in two ways. First, a nice long break from sitting in the car, and second, touring a museum dedicated to expounding science on a bibical foundation. Ken Ham and His ministry did an incredible job!
A couple years ago Dad and I visited the Smithsonean Natural History Museum. The first words I remember reading were something like this “Come meet your ancestors” the first ‘ancestor’ I met was a rat like creature sculptered from some type of metal in a clear glass box. It was truly disheartening to see the lies of evolution presented as 100% fact. Never was God mentioned once.

The Creation museum is the complete opposite. Statements such as: In the Begining God created… or the Earth began around six thousands years ago, are everywhere. Many times
Christian will water down the Gospel message to gain more exceptance. Ken Ham and his minisitry did not do this. They upheld the integrity of God’s Holy Word. They even presented the eleventh commandment (Thou shalt not touch please).

The Museum presents a powerful message. At the beginning you see fossils,

Galapagos finches,

and unique reptiles.
Here, they also present both views, evolution and creationism. They don’t say one is true and the other false. They only present the facts and leave the decision for the tourist’s mind. As you continue going through the Museum it takes a decided turn towards bibical Christianity. Here, we met incredible real looking sculpters of Methusalah (when he was 969), Noah, Adam, dinosuars, birds, etc. At the end it led to a movie with an awesome plan of salvation. Incredibly well done! Outside of the theatre, the Creation Museum staff stood with bibles ready to share Christ with any who were ready to recieve him.

After finishing the interior, we walked around outside on pavement sidewalks, which meandered by rushing waterfalls, a pond, and beautiful freshly designed landscape.

We all definitely enjoyed the Museum and we were encouraged and motivated to share our faith and be ready to sow seeds for God’s Kingdom. Pray that this Museum can be a powerful tool in leading the unsaved to the Throne of Grace.

5 Comments » | posted in Family News