The Wilkes Team

In the year 1776 a group of men made some very important decisions that drastically changed the course of History and greatly impacted your life. Because of these men, their decisions and their commitment to their cause, today we enjoy the privilege of a form of government that, although not perfect, has allowed the governed to experience a level of safety, prosperity and hope never before witnessed in History. As Americans we have been given the responsibility of choice. We can choose our leaders and therefore choose the laws and policies that govern us. Study History and you will find the idea of the governed determining how they are governed almost non existent in any culture before the United States of America.

The significance of this has not been lost on the rest of the world. Since our independence from tyranny over 200 years ago we have been studied and emulated by many countries throughout the world. They were trying to figure out what made the US work.

The decisions made by our founding fathers were so firmly rooted and grounded in a common foundation that we still benefit from them today, over 200 years later. The stability of America has been incredible even amidst difficulties such as the Civil War, the Great Depression and more recently Bush vs. Gore and 9-11. In Bush vs. Gore we saw a country sharply divided over who was to be president. Yet, as soon as the law of the land was upheld and the decision made, the majority of Americans accepted that our government had operated the way it was designed and put it behind them. They accepted the rule of the laws of our country even if they did not agree with the outcome. This amazed many in the rest of the world who may have experienced a different outcome in their countries.

Consider also that our form of government, a constitutional Republic (not a democracy) has lasted over 200 years. This is a major accomplishment. However, join this together with the continuation of the ideal that all have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and we have a miracle. Yes there have been failures and mistakes yet today even amidst the problems, the ideal still stands as stated in our Declaration of Independence that all are “endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness”.

Sadly though, the incredible magnitude of success experienced by the United States is being taken for granted by those who benefit from it the most. We Americans live our lives focused on the next paycheck, the weekend, our next promotion, the new media room and so on, that we have no clue of the incredible gift we have been given. We live in America, the land of the free. We must remember, we must not forget where we have come from, what we have been through and the dynamic future we can still have.

Forget? Unfortunately we have. We have forgotten what compelled our Founding Fathers to make the decisions they made over 200 years ago, decisions which cost them their lives, their fortunes and tested their sacred honor to the breaking point. What motivated these successful and prosperous men of the 1700’s to risk all that they had against incredible odds so that we could live free. If we understood this, America would soar again, children would feel safe, crime would disappear, terrorism would be stopped, poverty would decrease and psychologists would be looking for new careers.

Part 2 to Follow

3 Comments » | posted in HIS-story, On the Issues

Yet will I leave a remnant, that ye may have some that shall escape the sword among the nations, when ye shall be scattered through the countries. Ezra 6:8

But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Romans 11:4

By no accident has the Lord allowed these verses to stand out as recent rhemas. The Lord is indeed preserving and preparing a generation of young people who, under the authority of parents with a desire to rear a Godly seed in an evil culture, are being raised to influence a world desperately in need of a vision – the impact of having a personal and dynamic relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. “…happy is that people, whose God is the LORD (Ps. 144:15b).

Over this past weekend, the powerful truth of Isaiah 59:19b was brought to remembrance once again how that, “…When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.” Families with a passion for Jesus Christ, a recognition of their need for vision, and a desire for exhortation from like-minded believers gathered for a ‘Family Encouragement Weekend (FEW).’ The purpose of which was, “To encourage families to work together, impact their local communities, and leave a Godly legacy for the generations to come.” There are many successful individuals in our country, but what our culture is in need of are successful families.

Over the years, our family has been greatly blessed by the Godly example of the Staddon family. During a season of life where God is using their children to impact people all around the world and time together as a whole family is limited, the entire family graciously and eagerly came to Virginia last week to share at the Family Encouragement Weekend. Their goal was to give testimony of how by God’s grace & mercy they are standing against an ungodly culture while giving their children hope and a vision for a different way of life: To remain unspotted from the world.

We learned that each person has 5 areas of responsibility which include living as a Godly Person, a Godly Proclaimer, a Godly Provider, a Godly Partner, and a Godly Parent.  In lieu of these 5 areas, Mr. Staddon exhorted each father to lead their family in drafting a family vision. Specific questions were given the fathers to assist in discovering the Lord’s leading:

- What do you see as your kingdom role?

- What Scripture(s) has the Lord used to encourage your family?

- How has He designed you? What talents? What giftings?

- What specific needs are around you?

- What burdens do you have?

In all this, the charge was given to follow the principle of Matthew 6:33 to, “Seek (ye) first the kingdom of God.” Further insight into a family vision can be found in Luke 4:15-22 where a powerful vision from a father to his son is recorded.

God has a specific purpose for each family that fits in to His divine call upon all creation to bring Him glory (Is. 43:7) and disciple all nations (Matt. 28:19) while loving Him with all their hearts (Matt. 22:37-38). What an inspiration it was to be around families who love the Lord, love each other, and desire to impact the small corners of the world they have been called unto. God is doing a great work across this nation.

The wonderful news is that God “…hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began (2Tim. 1:9).”

A big thank you to Tim Hynes for supplying several quality photos of the weekend. Read their family’s report of F.E.W. here.

8 Comments » | posted in Family News, Ministry Reports

In Genesis 1:2, when the earth was without form, empty and void, God performed an incredible action–His Spirit moved upon the face of the waters. Why is this so incredible? Because this action is not finished with a period and never heard of or seen again.  It’s not a one time occurrence. The same Spirit Which moved upon the face of the water also moves upon individuals and places today, in this present world.

Last weekend, let it be forever recorded and remembered, God’s Holy Spirit moved again. It was nothing of man’s doing or accomplishing. It only occurred because God willed it to be. From Friday night to Saturday night, families, from Tennessee, West Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Virginia, gathered together to be encouraged in their walk of faith.

Mr. Don Staddon and his family, Shared principles from God’s word and testimonies from applying it, which energized and exhorted all auditors. In many households of America, the average family is falling a part at the seams or has already ruptured. This needs to be counter attacked and defended against by Christian families truly fulfilling the call God places on their lives. Mr. Staddon shared about the importance of having a family vision. Not just a motto, but a written vision to direct and guide.  A proverb of Solomon reads like this, "without a vision the people perish…" This Proverb has rung true in households all across America yet it is not too late to recover. It starts with a personal decision.

What was so amazing about last weekend was how the spirit of God moved upon the gathered families to fervently develop and act upon a family vision. The world must see that there is answers to basic questions: Why Am I here? What is the reason for life? and so on. It’s hungry for answers. Last weekend answers were given and testimonies were shared of the joy, peace, and hope that those answers give. The Holy Spirit of God definitely moved powerfully and it’s truly humbling to realize that he which spoke the world into existence condescends to work in our lives. Praise his name for it and may we never take it for granted.

6 Comments » | posted in Family News, Ministry Reports

Last year, I gave Jennifer a birdhouse for her birthday. After her birthday, the two of us painted the little house yellow and burgundy. It was all ready for a family of birds. We put it in the crepe myrtle in our front yard.

A Daddy and Mommy chickadee found the house around the beginning of May. They worked hard to make a little nest for the babies that would come shortly. Before long, two baby chickadees hatched and began chirping every day for food. The nest was located close to the place where Jennifer likes to have her morning devotions.

A couple days after we arrived home from Nashville, TN, Jennifer found one of the baby chickadees sitting in the crepe myrtle. She went slowly up to the tree, but the bird flew into the neighbor’s yard. The bird stayed right where he was and Jennifer picked him up. He was so cute. Soon after, the Daddy and Mommy chickadee became alert to their missing baby and began chirping for it. We let it go after taking a few pictures.

The Bible says to, "Behold the fowls of the air (Matt. 6:26a)." I have been enjoyed taking the time to watch birds with my older brothers and the Staddons. One lesson that the birds teach me is to be attentive to the younger and needy ones.

I am glad Jennifer was alert and saw this little baby chickadee. Now it looks like a family of Wrens may be checking out the same nest.

4 Comments » | posted in Outdoor Adventures, Photography