The Wilkes Team

Since the Presidential race of Al Gore, and George W. Bush, the dislike for the Electoral College has slowly been rising. The critics proclaim the need for true democracy and that those 538 members of the Electoral College hamper the purity of the people’s will. Unfortunately, these are just the beginning of a long list of reasons for the overthrow of this constitutional function.

Discerning the attacks, Dr. George Grant, a professor, lecturer and writer, wrote a book titled  The Importance Of The Electoral College. In this book, Grant eloquently presents the intent and the need for the Electoral College. Initiating with  the full text of Article II; Section I, amendment XII, and Amendment XX, of the U.S. Constitution he lays the building blocks. Next, he manifests how the reasons for destroying the Electoral College are lame and foolish. They were purely developed from a lack of understanding of good government. Furthermore the numerous benefits from the Electoral College truly outweigh any possible defects.

With resolve and purpose, Grant then launches into these beautiful benefits by relating the long history of the Electoral College. He explains how it protects the essence of a federalism; a joining together of sovereign communities for the goal of a greater good while never losing their distinctiveness, it protects America from anarchy, and it produces true respect for all parts of the United States whether it’s  the farmer in Iowa or the merchant in New York City.

Building his case, Grant creates the seriousness of revolutionizing America’s Political System. He holds up the illustrious Founding fathers as individuals worthy of imitation. Calling them “reluctant revolutionaries” to their Mother country, Grant, pleads for the same application to the perception and handling of the Electoral College.

Slowly but surely the foundations of America are being eaten away. The destruction of the Electoral College will be just another step in the slow surety. The only hope is in followers of Jesus Christ defending what they hold dear. They only can do this through preparing themselves by delving into God’s principles and knowing how the principles relate to government, politics, business, etc.

Herein lies the importance of Dr. George Grant scholarly work. He’s helping fill a void by assisting other’s in their preparation to defend America’s most cherished beliefs. He declares the founding principles, he presents the proper applications, he persuasively leads to the correct conclusions.

4 Comments » | posted in Book Reports, On the Issues

O, the beauty of spring flowers!

I love this time of year when the great outdoors are arrayed in such stunning colors.

Last fall I planted a whole bunch of tulips and have been waiting with great anticipation for their appearance this spring.

It never ceases to amaze me of the beauty of God’s Creation.

There are such neat analogies that can be made between God’s creation and our spiritual walks with Christ.

Can you think of an analogy that could relate to these pictures?

One that comes to mind is bloom where you are planted! You can choose to be excited about what God has you doing right now or not. Remember that He will up and move you to new “soil” if He so chooses. But until then bloom, grow, bless, and bring joy to those that God has placed around you. Peace and contentment will flood your heart and soul if this is your perspective on life.

7 Comments » | posted in Family News, Photography

A late 20s self-declared atheist, a 38 year old affluent contractor, a 30 year old salesman on the millionaire track, two young 12/13 year olds reared in Christian homes, and a late 20s newly wed ‘christian in name only’……….

What do each of these six individuals, in the circumstances herein described, share in common? They were, in such a state, awakened to their need for a Savior. Quickened by the Holy Spirit, they called upon the name of the Lord and were henceforth gloriously saved from eternal condemnation. Now with eyes fixed upon Christ, they courageously lead their families in the straight and narrow way (Matt. 7:13-14).

Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). When was the last time you took a moment to recall the day that you were saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-9): that day wherein you were made partakers of Christ (Heb. 3:14) being miraculously delivered from the punishment of sin?

Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip (Heb. 2:1).

Yesterday, during the time of testimony and song, our church received the rich blessing of hearing each father recount his salvation testimony. It was a joyous hour as each person listened in rapt attention to six beautiful testimonies of Christ’s saving power – each different but by the same Faith. Children heard the testimony of their fathers. There was no doubt in the mind of any upon Whom each of these Patriarchs were resting. They had thrown their lot in with Christ – praise be to God!

How about you, what summarizing details or perhaps key Scripture verse(s) were instrumental in bringing you to a saving knowledge of Christ?

Let’s take a moment to remember from whence we’ve come!

That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:

That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: Ps. 78:6-7

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

A tree is a beautiful addition to any landscape. Towering above the flora below, the tree serves as a lush backdrop, a source of shade, a means of lodging for the fine feathered fowl, and more.

This afternoon, Matthew and I had the joy of planting two large trees (sycamore & maple) on the farm. Over the course of the day  – picking up the trees (they were free), carefully driving them to the farm, and installation, I recalled a recent sermon from church on the life of Abraham. As did many of the Biblical patriarchs, Abraham recognized the importance of passing on a legacy to future generations.

Throughout history, trees have been planted for memorials – as tokens of the past to preserve the past for the future. Of significance is the fact that shortly after making the difficult decision to send Hagar & Ishmael away and then covenanting with Abimelech, Abraham plants a grove of trees.

And Abraham planted a grove (of trees) in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God (Gen. 21:33).

Its almost as if he wishes this grove of trees to serve as a reminder of the Covenant with Abimelech and even his decision to obey the Lord and so send away his son Ishmael. The grove would be there for years to come and could serve as a reminder of these events unto Abraham and his seed.

God has His own tree of remembrance. One planted close to 2000 years ago. A tree that continues to bear fruit, bringing comfort to the weary and brokenhearted. It was planted nigh the advent of Spring on top the small hill of Golgotha. This was a ‘Tree of Remembrance.’ For upon this tree, God’s own dear Son died. Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed (1Pet. 2:24). But He did not stay dead. 3 days later He arose again thereby showing His victory over death. He alone has the power to save the souls of men.

The cross of Christ is God’s tree of remembrance. And as we go to sleep on this eve of Resurrection Day, let us take a moment to ponder the cross of Christ, His sacrifice, and His love for you – His most treasured creation.

                   Happy Resurrection Day!

5 Comments » | posted in Tid Bits

The effort, the time, the energy, Hmm… is cleaning garden beds really a profitable undertaking? Getting the hands dirty, pulling nasty weeds, transplanting, planting, mulching, working with the shovel and rake – why do it all?

This may be the thought crossing the worker’s mind when the garden beds look more like the green lawn, the weary mind is carrying too heavy of a load, and the tired hands seem to be covered with plump tiny cherries. The gardener considers: Why not let God’s creation take its natural course  – isn’t there such a concept as wild and natural beauty?

Yes there is beauty in God’s creation, but unfortunately the world we live on is controlled by a law from which deviations cannot occur. It’s titled the law of entropy: best defined as all things are moving from a state of order to disorder.

We, as a family, had an eye witness account of this law being enforced a couple days ago when observing the landscape of our home dwelling. For the flower of yesteryear was now a brown stalk, the once pretty green leaves now a welted gray heap, and the freshly laid mulch a sun bleached disappearing woody mass. This is why natural beauty is not enough. God’s creation needs the Godly stewardship of human brawn and thought. The eye witness account proves this and therefore resulted in good wholesome labor.

Now the question, “Spring cleaning – why?” is answered, but only in part. The rest of the answer lies in a particular period of the lives of Rev. James Bruce and his wife,  Eliza Bruce. Scottish folks from the 1600s were they: He, a faithful and powerful minister of the gospel: she, a mainstay and helpmeet.  Once, upon moving to a new pastorate, Mr. Bruce and his wife, as usual, took up the dwelling of the former pastor. It was an old run down place, broken glass was patched with boards and the landscape horrible; *”To the walls too, clambered the dock and the nettle…the little plot… was so overgrown with brushwood and weeds of every description… the inside of the house was in no better a state…spiders and other vermin had long taken up their abode…. (Yet,) under Mrs. Bruce’s care every thing about the manse soon assumed a livelier and more handsome appearance”

Here we see, while the husband was faithfully ministering to those of his church, his wife was faithfully preparing her home For what purpose? Why was she cleaning up her garden beds and beautifying the landscape? *”So…That the traveler would not have passed it, without wishing to see it’s inhabitants: and the weary wanderer would have approached the door, in confidence of a kind welcome to nourishment and repose. ” Here is the other part to the answer – hospitality.

So, next time the garden needs spring cleaning remember why it’s being done; to develop an hospitable atmosphere from which strangers would deem it a delight to be entertained by.  “For some entertain angels unawares” (Heb 13:2)

*Excerpts taken from The Persecute Family, a narrative of the sufferings of the covenanters in the reign of Charles II By Robert Pollock, A.M. (First published in 1859, last published by Sprinkle publications)

8 Comments » | posted in Family News, Farming 101, Outdoor Adventures