The Wilkes Team

A Dad’s Poem To His Sons

The world sings it’s lullabies
Of pleasure and escape
The noise seems so soothing
As it puts you fast asleep

Awake I urge you, awake!
The stakes are much too high
To let one moment of obedience
Ever pass you by

Be vigilant, be sober
The enemy is at hand
He’s trying every port and border
To infiltrate your land

The call of manhood is upon you
The childish things must go
Trust you in the Lord above
And let His glory show

So put you on your armor
The enemy’s pressing hard
Faith, righteousness, peace and truth
Must be the desire of your heart

The road, it will not be easy
Many times you will feel faint
But God will lift you up on eagle’s wings
To strengthen you in His way

For you see, the battle is the Lords
The victorys already won
The sin that caused us to be dead
Is taken away by Jesus Christ, His Son

So I urge and beseech you
Valiant son of mine
To lay aside your fears and cares
And submit to God’s design

That you may stand in that holy line
Of faithful men before you
That paid the price of sacrifice
And stemmed the evil tide

That after you have done your all
And there is nothing left of you
The Lord Himself who is faithful
Will show His promises are true

So fight the fight
Don’t quit the race your on
The prize is set before you
It is Jesus Christ, God’s Son

And when your days are over
And your body is lying cold
What memories will be left behind?
What story will be told?

The people they will stand and shout
O God be praised again
That we lived during a time
When God raised up mighty men

For God has raised you up, my son
To stand before the evil flood
By conforming and transforming you
To bear the message of His enduring love

This lost and dying world’s a mess
Their lot,…. a destiny of Hell
Unless the word of God is preached
By men who have to tell

So I praise God for the man I see
In you today my son
The hand of God is upon you
Your life of service to Him begun

Keep your heart in tune with His
By submitting to His will
His grace and mercy are complete
His ways will never fail

Then answer now God’s call, ….with yes!                       
That your joy and peace may be complete
Knowing your life is hid with Christ in Him
And there…. you will never see defeat!
Copyright 2007 The Wilkes Team

4 Comments » | posted in Family News, Tid Bits

I was recently asked to share on the role of the older brother to a small group of fathers and sons. In spending time preparing, I began to realize how the following principles relate to every relationship where influence is exerted. How can our influence be more effective? What is the Lord’s view on this indispensable responsibility?

Each father and son took out a piece of paper and drew a circle which was to represent their sphere of influence (the small world around them). They quickly jotted down individuals and groups of people who are influenced by their actions. Next a flashlight was drawn with the reference Matthew 5:16 underneath. This is the light Christ shines through us upon our world of influence. Lastly, a line was drawn between the light and the world to represent the veils that refract and distort this Light. Specific veils were written in which included anger, lust, disobedience, fear, selfishness, foolishness, failure to stand alone, worldly ideals, carelessness, etc. Our response to offenses, free time, and peer pressure often manifest any veils that are blocking the Light of Christ in us.

In continuing with the theme of the older brother’s role, it was pointed out that the family should be among our sphere of influence. Heart searching questions were then asked: Have you asked your Dad what his vision is for your family? Are you supporting the family vision? Do you resist having younger siblings copy you? Do you put your schedule ahead of the needs of family? What 3 things take the majority of your time – are these supporting the family vision?

Across America, there is an abundance of successful individuals. What is missing? – Successful families. While the practical outworking of a successful family will vary across the board, we must be wary of upholding worldly models. Our tendency, out of fear of the unknown future, is to jump into the world’s pattern for success. The role of young men in the raising of successful families cannot be too strongly emphasized. The young men were asked, “Are you willing to set aside worldly ambitions? Are you willing to look different than even fellow Christians?” The pressure to conform to the world will increase. A vision must be caught for impacting one’s siblings, their family, friends around, and generations to come. How much money is made, how many letters follow one’s name, how much knowledge is acquired, and where one lives pale in comparison with the impact had on the family and the legacy left behind for future generations.

Sometime ago, Mr. Don Staddon gave me an inspiring word picture which beautifully portrays successful individuals vs. successful families. A flash light, which we began with up above, protrudes only so far before darkness overwhelms the multiple rays emitting from the light. The farthest distance a flashlight will travel is only several hundred yards. Contrariwise, a quality laser light when pointed at the moon will reflect off the moon. Unlike the flashlight, the laser combines all rays of light into one impacting beam. When a family catches a vision of working together, their impact will be felt on generations to come.

May God continue to raise up successful families across our land.

Click here for an account from the annals of U.S. History of one whose light has impacted generation after generation.

6 Comments » | posted in Ministry Reports

Earlier this winter, Mom and I found a home made hot cocoa recipe. We tried it out on the family and there were oohs and ahhs over the delicious taste. After a snowy adventure or game of soccer in the cold outdoors, this recipe is one every one will definitely enjoy!

Homemade Hot Cocoa 

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1 cup of sugar

2/3 cup of cocoa

1/4 teaspoon of salt

8 cups of milk

2/3 cups of water

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Combine the sugar, cocoa and salt in a large pan. Stir in milk and water. Cook and stir over medium heat until thoroughly heated. Remove from heat and stir in extract. Serve in your favorite mugs with a few little marshmallows on top to finish it off. Yields: 10 servings (some of you may have to double it )

10 Comments » | posted in Recipes

Sunday afternoon, Kenan gave an excellent overview on Christ’s command to rejoice (Matthew 5:10-12). He exhorted us to remember that Christ is in control of every situation we encounter. Our response then should be one of joy and contentment. “For I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content (Phil. 4).” Few of us realized the memorable application that was on its way. Monday began as one of the warmest and cheeriest days of 2008 yet. A brisk breeze couple by mid 70 temperatures made the outdoors a desirable place to be. Because of that, the decision was made to go clean up a large fallen limb and carry out minor landscaping work at a piece of real estate we maintain in Alexandria.

Joshua, Daniel, and Kenan drove to the dump for a large load of mulch while just about everyone else headed to the house. Weeding, chain sawing, edging, and trimming were performed with great care and attention to detail. Kenan and Adam scrambled around the tree out front, removing overgrown limbs. Daniel worked faithfully on cutting up the large sycamore branch while the rest prepared garden beds for mulch. Merry tunes, laughs, and hearty conversations went on amidst the progress.

Then it happened….dark clouds began to form. Work continued. The breeze picked up and a cooler temperature settled down on the area. We awaited the inevitable and within a short time, rain began to descend. Sprinkles gave way to drizzle and then a steady, windy rainfall, and the work was still not done. Now a decision had to be made. Circumstances were not about to change. What would be the response? Joy! From Markie all the way up to Dad, smiles were maintained and the diligence continued (even more so with the motivating weather). The work performed in the rain and cold ended up being the most memorable & joyous of the entire afternoon. All tasks had been completed when our wet, cold, but cheery selves hopped in the vehicles for a warm drive home enriched with a scrumptious meal prepared by Sarah and Kenan.

A simple decision within each one to rejoice amidst the uncomfortable circumstances turned a potentially awful afternoon into a profitable, fun filled memory.

8 Comments » | posted in Family News

The power of a letter ought never to be underestimated. People are encouraged, behavior is influenced, and lives are changed through the writing of letters. The secular world recognizes this effect. As a matter of fact, over the next few weeks you will probably notice a rather interesting cancellation stamp on the mail you receive. It reads, “Let us dare to read, think, read, and write (John Adams 1765).” Former U.S. President John Adams and his wife Abigail took the time to write extensively to each other when apart during the early beginnings of America. This simple discipline provided strength in their relationship and an example that continues to inspire many to this day.

Recently, I had the privilege of reading a compilation of nine letters from John Quincy Adams to one of his sons attending school in Massachusetts. Letters received from a father leave a profound impact on his children and even generations to come. John Quincy was apparently impacted by the letter writing of his father. The book, entitled, “The Bible Lessons of John Quincy Adams for his son, shows the love Adams had for his son, the passion he had towards the Scriptures, and the proper balance he had between his time consuming responsibilities and fatherly obligations.

The letters’ contents are rich with doctrine. Many encouraging thoughts were shared by Adams. At one point he describes the three points of doctrine and how in absence of any one, man will have no conscience. One will reject the Gospel if he rejects anyone of these principles. It would be a wonderful list to remember while witnessing.

He further summed up the essence of Christian morality in six practical ways which will make one “superior even to a sense of wrong, or the resentment of injuries.” Adams clearly laid out the fallibility of the flesh but left his son with a key for overcoming. Each of us desire character in our life, yet find the propensity towards evil to be overwhelming. How can one live a life of moral excellence? Adams gave one simple practical statement that, to the degree it is applied, will produce moral excellence in one.

This book was of great inspiration to me as I know it will be to each one of you. I would be happy to lend our copy or feel free to purchase your own here.

I close now with an excerpt from a poem John Quincy Adams wrote at the age of 74 entitled, “The Wants of Man.”

I want a kind and tender heart
For others’ wants to feel,
A soul secure from Fortune’s dart,
And bosom armed with steel –
To bear diving chastisement’s rod,
And mingling, in my plan,
Submission to the will of God
With charity to man.
Par. 18 of 25

4 Comments » | posted in Book Reports, HIS-story