The Wilkes Team

Prior to Resurrection Day, our family had the joy of celebrating two different Jewish Seders from a Christian’s perspective. Several other families participated with us in this family focused event which centers on remembering the Israelites’ journey out of Egypt and the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So many analogies and meaningful insights abound through out the course of the two-four hour meal/service that is hard to give it justice in just a few sentences here. 

The meal consists of 4 different glasses of grape juice representing Sanctification/Freedom, Deliverance, Redemption, and Thanksgiving/Hope. Scattered throughout the meal are symbolic foods ranging from parsley to charoset to horse radish , lamb, roasted/boiled eggs, and of course Matzah bread.

This year, the element of the Seder meal that inspired our family the most was the relation between the traditional communion services celebrated by churches across the world and the meal. The third cup (cup of Redemption) of the Passover meal accompanied by the broken pieces of Matzah bread (unleavened) are the elements spoken of in each Gospel and are what churches’ partake of during communion.

In Luke 22:15 Christ said, “With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” Why such passion? Filled with the spirit of God (true enthusiasm), Christ was looking forward to fulfilling the message of the Passover. For hundreds of years, the Israelites had performed this ceremony in expectation of future deliverance. Christ had come with the gift of salvation and so culminated the message of the Passover.

According to Jewish tradition when a young man prepared to marry a young lady, both fathers and the son would gather together to discuss the bride price. Once agreed upon (often rivaling the price of a house), the young man would take a cup full of wine and offer it to the young lady. At this moment, she could either reject or accept the proposal. Acceptance would solidify the betrothal. In like manner during the Passover meal (the cup we drink of during traditional communion), when Christ offered the third cup the night before His betrayal, He was in a sense inviting the disciples to become His Spiritual bride. Thus when we, as the Spiritual bride of Christ, partake in communion and drink the fruit of the vine we are once again acknowledging our acceptance of Christ’s marriage proposal. Furthermore, we accept all He has to offer, good or bad in our eyes. He will only allow that which is necessary to sustain us.

The Seder or Passover meal abounds with so many other meaningful analogies. Our family would highly recommend participating in a Seder meal from a Christian perspective and would love to do so with your family. Should this not work out, we have provided a script compiled and edited by Dad as a result of researching several different sources. This tool will be available in our Project Remember section. May the Lord bless each one of you as you seek to learn more of our meek and lowly Savior.

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

Let’s take a meaningful trip down history lane into the time when Christ physically walked the earth. Recently, our family had the joy of hearing an inspiring message by Ray Vander Laan in his DVD series, “That the World May Know.” In this particular episode we accompanied Mr. Vander Laan on a tour amidst the ruins of Chorazin and Bethsaida. Over 2000 years ago, these two villages along with Capernaum made up a triangle of communities along the Sea of Galilee where much concentrated study of the Torah took place. According to Jewish history, young children would receive training at local ‘schools’ on subjects pertaining to writing, reading, math, history, etc. From there, the young men had the option to take up the rigorous discipline of studying the Torah. This was no light task but required arduous work and a desire to learn. While under the tutelage of the wise Rabbis, some of these students would develop a desire to walk in the steps of a particular Rabbi. After seeing his style of teaching, his system of beliefs, and order or life, the student decided to approach the Rabbi. Upon relating his desire to follow in the Rabbi’s steps, the Rabbi would then ask a series of questions to determine the student’s devotion. The ultimate deciding factor for the Rabbi was whether or not he felt this student could indeed become like him. If permitted, the student would leave all behind and learn all the Rabbi had to follow. He would become a Talmin (a disciple).

Christ came through these same towns and had disciples. However, he went about choosing them in a different way. He approached the town of Bethsaida along the Sea and called 5 men most, if not all, of whom were fishermen. This meant they had not gone through the rigorous discipline of studying the Torah. But He called them. And in so doing, meant, by his call just like every other Rabbi of His day,  that He thought they could be like Himself. In a sense it was as if He said, “I think you could be like me. Come follow me.” From that point on, those five with seven to follow spent all day every day with Jesus learning His ways.

As a chosen follower of Christ, there are several points for application:
- Do we have a burning passion to be like Jesus?
- Do we understand that He believes we can be like Him?
- Do we spend time with Him?

May we, as Christ’s disciples, rejoice in the fact that our Perfect Rabbi has chosen us, not because of who we are, but because of His love and His desire to make us like Him!

Pictures from: http://www.bibleplaces.com/ and http://www.ancientsandals.com/

7 Comments » | posted in HIS-story

What a glorious day it was! The Lord could not have given us better weather. We were all together along with Grandma, Grandpa, and part of the Roche family. But the reason it was such a special event was because we had the privileged to go with one of the greatest little brothers in the world – MARKIE WILKES
We saw such wonderful, and unique animals. From the Sloth bear to the smelly mann wolf which really lets you now you are near him The speedy and fierce cheetah to unique species of ducks that waddle right around you!
 Markie truly enjoys animals and being at the Zoo brought great joy and excitement to him! If you were to ask him what his favorite animal is you might be surprised to hear what his answer would be. It’s color begins with the letter P, and its name begins with the letter P. Any guesses?? It is no other than a Pink Pig!
  So for his cake he wanted a big pink pig!!!  We had a great evening eating pig cake and ice cream cake. As well as being with Markie and making a memory that will last forever! We love you Markie and look forward to watching you fulfill the plans that God has for you!

 As I look back over the year and see how you have grown spiritually I praise the Lord. You are grasping what it truly means to be a young man after God’s own heart. The example of leadership that you show and desire to disciple those that are younger and older than you encourages and inspires us all. But most of all it brings great honor and glory to God. Keep your eyes on Christ and follow close behind Daddy and your wonderful older brothers. You are a blessed young man to have such godly role models.

5 Comments » | posted in Family News, Outdoor Adventures

One day last month our family went to visit our cousins who work on a farm in Fauquier County, Virginia. They blessed our family with a bountiful dinner of pizza, hot chocolate, hot cider, and much more!

After dinner, they took us to a very large barn where our cousin Kevin works. Earlier that day, before we arrived, a baby bull was born. They thought the mother cow had only one calf but when we went to the barn we found a second baby calf. But it had died. The first calf was very cold and weak. It needed milk, but was having trouble sucking. We all helped Kevin move the mother cow into an open space and forced her down a long channel to a holding place. The cow was then locked into a position where she could not move. Kevin tried to milk the cow so we could feed the baby calf, but she did not have much milk and kept trying to kick Kevin. We would have to make some.

Most of us went with Kevin to his shop and made a bottle of milk. Joshua and Daniel stayed behind and kept trying to bottle feed the baby bull with the little bit of milk Kevin had gotten out of the mother cow.

Even though it was very late and cold, everyone kept good attitudes, prayed, and helped wherever they could. Kevin brought the new bottle of milk to the baby bull. It started to suck on the bottle. We were so excited. God saved the little calf.

3 Comments » | posted in Farming 101, Outdoor Adventures

The eighth day after the birth of a son holds special meaning to the Jewish community. Beginning with Abraham of the Bible some three to four thousand years ago, every Jewish boy was circumcised on the eighth day in remembrance of the covenant made between God and Abraham.

February 29th marked the eighth day after the birth of our new little cousin, Caleb Donald Roche. We were overjoyed when Uncle Jay said he would like to have a baby dedication ceremony for Caleb. Schedules were cleared and preparations made to follow this beautiful tradition instituted by God. While the ceremony of the 8th day is no longer required (1Cor. 7:19), when God’s people step out by faith to follow the Word of God blessing is sure to result!

No one really knew how the ceremony would transpire…..but God did. Uncle Jay’s parents, the Wilkes Clan, and Grandpa & Grandma were present. While the purpose of the evening was to dedicate new little Caleb, the focus became the rededication of ourselves to the Lord and His will. Both Grandfathers prayed over Caleb Donald. This was followed up with each father praying over his family in what became a very touching hour and a half. Galations 5:24 says the law is a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. Through fulfilling the tradition of God’s Word to dedicate Caleb, our eyes were turned towards Christ and the extended family was drawn closer to one another.

Through the birth of Caleb and the desire of Uncle Jay and Aunt Nicole to honor the Lord, many were drawn to Christ. What a picture of a family working together! May God continue to inspire each of our families to step out by faith and take God at His Word.

2 Comments » | posted in Family News, Ministry Reports

This past week we, as a family, experienced through reflection a less familiar, but truly colorful battle of the Civil War. The experience took place last Thursday out in the county of Culpeper. First, some work needed to be done on our apple trees at our property but then we pulled out direction to begin a driving/ walking tour of a fascinating segment of Civil War History. As we went through the tour we became sober at the understanding of what occurred, inspired by the display of heroism, and encouraged by analogies made to our Christian Walk.

The Union called it The Battle of Brandy Station, the Confederates—The Battle of Fleetwood Hill. It took place June 9th 1863; sandwiched in between the two great battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. This engagement holds the title of the largest Calvary battle in the history of the Western Hemisphere with combined engagement forces being 17 thousand Calvary and 3 thousand infantry.
The war began with Union General Pleasanton, in the early morning, sending part of his troops through a ford on the Rappahannock River. The Southern commander of this battle, Major General J.E.B. Stuart, had thought the river impassable and therefore was surprised upon hearing that the Union soldiers had crossed. This complacency of Stuart helped Pleasanton more then once. Not only was he coming at Stuart from the front but he also was able to secretly maneuver his troops and take the small town of Brandy Station a mile or two behind Stuarts main headquarters. Never before had Stuart’s Calvary been in such a desperate position. His forces were being attack in front, though defending themselves, and now he was soon to be attacked from behind. It was the moment which demanded the right action. If not handled correctly the Virginian Calvary would be defeated, future plans frustrated, and many of the fruits gained through the sweat and blood of thousands of confederates would be lost.

Though surprised twice, Stuart didn’t lose his bearings but instead quickly commanded his Calvary to race to the top of Fleetwood hill, the highest point in the area. If not reached in time the Union would take it and tighten the vice around his forces. Unknown to Stuart the Union Calvary received the same command to take Fleetwood Hill. It was now a race. Both were coming from opposite sides, without each other knowing. Whoever reached the summit first would very well be the victor of the whole battle.
The Union Calvary, a couple thousand strong galloped towards the hill with sabers glistening off the sun and faces set like flint. So far the battle had for the most part been in their favor—would it continue so? The hill came into view—completely undefended? …No, one 6 pound Howitzer sat on the hill. A confederate staff officer also stood near. He saw the enemy and then glanced at his comrades coming from the other side. Who would reach him first? Quickly he loaded the cannon and fired at the enemy. Slight confusion came, but not enough to stall them.
Up went the Union Calvary now only yards from the cannon and staff officer. The race was almost over.  At that moment, the front ranks of the Confederate Calvary crested giving them the upper hand. This climax was followed by an incredible and severe engagement. Finally the Union Calvary received orders to retire and the Confederates watched as opponents left the field of battle.
It was awesome to be at the places where this battle actually took place, picture what had occured, and to ponder upon how we a Christians must be handling our Spiritual Battles. There are three things to take from this Civil War Battle, First we must not be complacent, but insteadattentive. Second, let the Lord direct and be ready to do what others say is impossible. And third, never give up even when surrounded by the enemy.

It was an encouraging day for the whole Wilkes Team and I now conclude with an OORAAAH for the South .

10 Comments » | posted in Family News, HIS-story