The Wilkes Team

Birthdays are a wonderful part of family life, and this last one was no different. On the afternoon of Matthew’s 19th birthday earlier this month, most of the Wilkes Team young men headed out of the city for an evening of fishing. No trip would be complete without some sort of memory to recount and this one was to be no different . 

The truck rumbled to a stop at what was thought to be the lake’s location. Fishing gear was unpacked and everyone began a hike through the woods to the lake. After almost a quarter mile, something began telling us we may be at the wrong spot. Matthew dashed back to check the map that we overlooked. Sure enough we were at the wrong spot. Maybe that was why a couple of local farmers who stopped by to see if we had seen a loose bull had a strange smile on their face when we promised to look for the bull once we arrived at the lake :-) .

Anyways, we spent the next 15 minutes or so driving back and forth along the road looking all around for the lake…hmmm. At last, a kind hearted gentleman was ever gracious to point us in the right direction (just beyond where we had been looking) and the fishing began! The ambiance and serenity surrounding the lake was breathtaking. Though no fish tried out the tasty dinner we were offering, it made for an unforgettable birthday evening.

Last week we were finally able to celebrate Matthew’s birthday. Grandpa, Grandma, and even our cousins, Grace & Benjamin came over for the festivities. The effort that each one (from Grace to Benjamin to Grandpa & Grandma and the whole family) put into blessing Matthew that evening is certainly evidence of the impact Matthew has made on our lives. His eagerness to wait on the Lord, strengthen the world’s most important relationships (the family), and faithfully apply himself to the tasks before him is an inspiration to us all. Happy Birthday Matthew!

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There has been a lot of diligent work going on over at our 90 acres lately. I just had to share some of these pictures! Where there is a will there is a way to move big loads of brush and trees from one area of the land to another. I don’t think I have ever seen a truck piled so high before! Great work everybody and now we get to look forward to a huge bon fire sometime this fall!

 Diligence~Visualizing each task as a special assignment from the Lord and using all my energies to accomplish it

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During our time in Colorado, Daddy and I were able to visit some neat parks and mountains. Our first stop on the trip was Colorado Springs. We spent 2-3 days visiting the area. One mountain that we went on was Pikes Peak. It is 14,115 feet tall and is the most visited mountain in North America (the second most visited in the world). We took a 1.5 hour ride on a cog train to the summit. There are only two cog trains in the United States. They are used because of how steep the mountains are. No other train could safely climb to the summit. On our trip up, we sat next to an elderly Christian couple who live in Missouri on a large farm. Hearing about their farm made us look forward to living in the country one day.

Because of the high altitude, we could not stay on the mountain top for more than 45 minutes. Otherwise we would begin to get sick. The weather was much cooler (even in August), but the views were dramatic. There is no way such a beautiful scene could of been formed by evolution.

O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength: lift it up , be not afrad; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Isaiah 40:90 

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The instinctive ways of animals provide a number of insightful analogies and applications for life. We have been blessed over the years by the inspiring animal stories‚ and character applications found within the Character Sketches published by IBLP. The revealed strengths and weaknesses of numerous creatures within this series have provided meaningful life lessons for our family.

One animal that has been the topic of much conversation the past several weeks is the White Tail Deer. Over the recent years of watching deer wander about our land in Culpeper, we have noticed a tendency among this particular creature. The deer selects the path he feels most comfortable with. When faced with the decision of a well trodden path or the thistle thicket, the deer often chooses the well trodden path. We have attempted to use this apprent weakness of the deer’s instinct by creating cleared pathways through dense thickets near our hunting stands.

Humans are by no means free from the similar fault of choosing what feels good. Last week, most of our family engaged in a related study of the phrase: ‘Situational Ethics.’ One definition that resulted was, “Situation Ethics: An opinion used to determine right or wrong based on circumstances and/or feelings.” Answers.com defined it as, “A system of ethics that evaluates acts in light of their situational context rather than by the application of moral absolutes.” Unlike the instinct driven deer, humans have the ability to choose. The flesh drives one to choose what offers the least resistance and provides the greatest pleasure vs. the pathway of discipline (soft choices). It seeks instant gratification and ease of problems over long term resolution.

The point was driven home this week when I found myself involved in an eye opening conversation with an employee from our local Goodyear. In our discussion on the purpose for life, the topic of art came up. I mentioned how a lack of principles in art has resulted in simply bizarr creations. His response was a quote by who I believe was contemporary artist Phil Foglio, “Art is whatever you can get away with.” With no basis for life and the decisions we make, there are no boundaries or reason. Every man does what is right in his own eyes, so long as he can get away with it.

In Christ, the dots of life connect together in a glorious array of meaningful beauty that offers the defining solution to the questions and problems of mankind. John 14:6, Jesus saith unto them, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man commeth unto the Father, but by me.”

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The thrill, excitement, and wonder of hunting has set in upon our household once again. September 1st marked the beginning of Virginia’s hunting period with the commencement of dove season. On that particular afternoon I found myself sitting on an old hay bale searching the tree lines and horizon. Shots could be heard all around as doves flew with great skill and alacrity, dodging hunters and missing BBs. Ah – what a sensation. Sitting there under the bright sunlight, using the gun’s stock to write out a few thoughts, and wondering how to bring the next dove to the ground. Unfortunately, I must admit the BBs in the shells I use don’t find the doves very well . I try to do everything right: aim, pull trigger, whince for the coming jolt, oh and make sure the gun is loaded, but that doesn’t guarantee a harvested dove – hmmmm?

The well known answer comes to mind: ‘Practice Makes Perfect.’ A couple people in our household have become quite accurate shooters. Over the recent months, opportunities have arisen for practice. Slowly several of us are learning the proper ways to aim & fire, but we are by no means accomplished yet.

At times though when a goal, vision, or desire come to mind, we want perfection now! The Word of the Lord to me this morning rings loud and clear, “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise (Heb. 10:36).” Joseph, Daniel, Esther, Nehemiah, Ruth, David, and countless former and present day heroes of the faith would readily acclaim that any success experienced was a result of patiently waiting for the fulfillment of the promise. The key lay in their continual preparation – their faithfulness. They didn’t quit. The results were in the hands of the Lord. As in target practice, piano playing, mastering a skill, and more, there is no one single decision or action that brings about fluency, except a decision to begin. Success is the result of continually advancing towards the goal. As Dad often reminds us, the only time we lose is when we quit!

 
Determination vs. Faintheartedness
Purposing to accomplish God’s goals in God’s timing regardless of the opposition.

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     In this day and age fishing has just become a past time. A time which can bring much enjoyment and pleasure, especially if you bring in a big one. Or it can be tedious, tiring, and frustrating when you’ve tried and tried all day with no success. What is it that determines your out look? In this case it would be circumstances.

This is dangerous! We need to make sure that we are not allowing circumstances, situations, and feelings control our outlook on life. There is a quote that says ” You can’t change your circumstances but you can change your response to the circumstance”  The only way to be able to change your response is to change the source in which you go to to find that joy and contentment. That source needs to be God’s word. Memorizing, meditating, and engrafting it into your life is so vital to following close behind our Saviour.

Secondly we need to deny ourselves the pleasures of this world. Christ says that whosoever will save his life shall lose it, but whosoever will lose his life for My sake, the same shall save it (Luke 9:24). Bring your thoughts, actions, and words under the subjection of Jesus Christ. Do the hard thing, give up those things that will not lay up a crown in heaven. John 12:26 says “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” Serve Him in all that you do today, may our Lord rejoice in the choices that we make!

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One Sunday afternoon, not too long ago, I sat outside on our patio, enjoying the beauties of nature while studying a very interesting book. All was peaceful and calm with hardly any distractions. That is, until I recieved a visitor. Who, because of his singular personality became a close, mind capturing, but unfortunately unfriendly companion.

First I must explain his means of arrival, and to say the least, they were quite unique. Using the powerful force of gravity he situated himself directly in the middle of my book within close proximity to my face. I quickly increased distance from face and book as I looked at this obtrusion to my peaceful setting. My suprise turned to interest as I realized what he was.

A Praying Mantis! The book quickly lost the center of attention as I observed this unique insect. Everything and anything he did filled me with interest. I assumed he must of been perching in the tree branch above me and had decided to enter a new enviroment. So, with a releasing of his powerful leg’s grip he dropped downward, consequently, landing on my book.

As I observed his movements it was easy to see how perfectly created he was for hunting and capturing fellow insects. To begin with, his color was a greenish brown; a perfect color for his usual enviroment. Furthermore, He moved as if he was a blade of grass or a leaf on a tree blowing in the wind. He would slowly manuever his head sideways, upwards, and then downwards, closely studying his surroundings. His every step and every move were stealthily taken, it seemed, with a purpose of finding prey. After a while, in expectation of his reaction, I decided to take a pen and slowly direct it towards his head. He, upon identifing it, poised himself on his hind legs and then with deadly accuracy and speed attacked the pen with a strike from his two powerful front legs.

Later, when he had moved onto a tall flower stalk, I once again took the pen directed towards his face. He quickly but smoothily faced it, held on the stalk with his hind legs and prepared his front legs for what looked like a deadly strike. I kept moving the pen closer and closer when all of a sudden he plummeted to the ground like a rock from a catapult and disappeared into the grass below. I tried to find him again but the search proved fruitless. I went back to my book, amazed at this incredible creation of God but also with a mind contemplating some analogies between the praying mantis and our greatest enemy Satan. 

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 1Peter 5:8

If any analogies came to mind while reading this post feel free to briefly relate as you leave a comment.

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