The Wilkes Team

It was family day!!! Dad had us all pile into the car bright and early Thursday morning. He said he had a couple exciting family activities he wanted to do with us today.

Excitement and anticipation was building. We were not sure what to expect but anything would be great as long as we could do it together!

First stop was at the Bagel Bakery where we bought 2 dozen bagels and different spreads. We ate like Kings and Queens.

Second activity was being able to listen to some of the newly published CD’s by Vision Forum on the ‘Reformation 500′ – Very inspiring.

Third we went to the land to gather produce. Tons of Tomato’s, green beans and corn were gathered! While some were harvesting others were mowing down that vivacious grass and checking the honey bees.

The Fourth activity did not work out but no worry’s!! We can come up with something else. Because we can remember that ALL things work together for GOOD!!

So back home we went to one of the most memorable afternoons and evenings!

It all took place in the back yard of the Wilkes Team home!

The highlight of the day was the water obstacle course! And I will let the pictures tell you the rest (click the pictures for more info)!!!

O, the joys of being together!!!

11 Comments » | posted in Family News

• How many octaves below middle C does the sound from the sun make?
• The black hole of one particular galaxy in our universe sings a Bb – any idea as to how many octaves below middle C?

Did you know that the universe we live in is full of sound? Our great Creator designed all of creation to sing forth the praises and glory of God (Ps. 19:1). The more man learns of God’s marvelous creation, the more he is struck by the order and harmony with which it was created.

Last week, Jennifer and I had the joy of attending an extraordinary two day seminar in Pennsylvania put on by Majesty Music – the Majesty MusiCollege. The conference provides ‘two days of thrilling expeditions into the heart of Godly Music.’ Whether you are a pianist, string player, vocalist, music teacher, conductor, pastor, sound operator, or someone who simply enjoys God honoring music, you would find the teaching from the 12 highly skilled music professional just what you need to re-energize and give proper focus to your family or church’s music ministry.

Godly music is under attack. One way satan has creeped in upon the church, seeming undetected, is through the medium of music. Sadly, today it is often difficult to discern between the music of the world and what some would call ‘Christian’ music. For it isn’t just the words that make a song moral or immoral, the music itself proclaims a message of either life or death, light or darkness.

For over 35 years, Majesty Music, lead by Frank Garlock and  Ron Hamilton, has held high the standard of Christ honoring music. These men, like the little boy at Christ’s feeding of the  5000, willingly gave their 5 loaves & 2 fish (talents) to the Lord. Christ took them, broke them, and is now using their talents to impact many! What a profound testimony!

There was so much to learn those two days. Topics included: Basic & Intermediate Conducting, Choir Rehearsal techniques, Vocal training, String pedagogy, Children’s music ministry, Hymn Improvisation, Piano Accompanying, The Nature of Music, Panic-free performing, Video & lighting, and so much more! It was a refreshing couple of days. And making it even more memorable was the opportunity to attend with Lisa & Rachel, good friends from church, and the Neely Team.

We learned so much and are looking forward to the application in the months ahead. Be on the look out for next year’s Majesty MusiCollege!

Any guesses to the beginning questions? I’ll post the answers shortly.

2 Comments » | posted in Family News

An exciting time of fellowship and fun occurred Friday afternoon before the F.E.W. Conference began as families gathered together for a barbecue. After a lively lunch of Hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, and so much more, all families gathered together for a thrilling obstacle course.

As the obstacle course was planned and then participated in there were many powerful analogies made to working together as a family and then families working together in the body of Christ. Each member is important and each member must play their part.

The explanations and instructions…

The obstacle course in action…

One of the most memorable parts of the course: being lead through a portion blindfolded. This required trust, submission, and team work – three important qualities for the family.

An important part of the course was learning one of the Bible’s most difficult Scripture verses, 1Corinthians 12:12 .

Four different teams competed. Families worked together and then collectively with their fellow families to win. The key to winning was in working together as a family and with the other families on the team. Each member was critical to the success of the team. Great job to our contestants!

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain (1Cor. 9:24).

7 Comments » | posted in Family News

Throughout the darkest moments of history, God has faithfully preserved a remnant. A remnant who have not bowed their knee to Baal (1Kings 19:18) – the god of this world. The pressure to conform is intense (Rom. 12:2) and many have turned aside (1Tim. 1:19-20). In our present world, where do we find some of the most concerted attacks directed? Against the Godly family. With such intense pressure, we see families crumbling all around. Losing sight of the vision, they are conforming to the standard of the world only to be pulled apart, watered down, and drained of the power that comes from unity. But there is hope.

When an imperfect and struggling family recognizes their need and turns to the all sufficient Savior, a beautiful work of grace begins. There is hope. God is in the business of redeeming!

Last weekend, families from all over came together for a weekend of encouragement. The purpose of the 2009 Family Encouragement Weekend (FEW Conference) of Virginia was to encourage families to work together in harmony, to impact their local communities for Christ, and to leave a Godly legacy for the generations to come. We see many successful individuals in the world but there is a need for successful Christian families. Families living in harmony, not perfectly, but taking God at His Word.

The conference officially commenced Friday evening (following the Family Encouragement BBQ ) with a message entitled, “The Godly Family – Why there is still Hope.” Over the next 24 hours, we sat under powerful teaching on subjects including, the Heart of Fatherhood, God’s Plan for Marriage, the Impact of Older Siblings in the Family, Lessons on Marriage Oneness, Harmony in the Family, and much more!

The highlight of the conference was three different breakout sessions where families in groups of 4-6 gathered together for prayer. As Oswald Chambers once stated, “Prayer does not fit us for the greater works; prayer is the greater work.” During this time, families were drawn closer together around Christ.

As imperfect families come together around Christ, recognizing that He alone is sufficient, the results will be powerful. Christ will be lifted up, the church strengthened, and revival sparked! Our family left the weekend encouraged and inspired to continue onward in the corner of the world he has placed us.

What a blessing to know there are others out there who are standing for Christ against this ungodly culture among who we have been called to shine as lights (Phil. 2:15).

Praise the Lord for the great things He hath done, is doing, and will be doing through families living in harmony following the Lord Jesus Christ.

For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power (1Cor. 4:20).

For more photos of this uplifting weekend, be sure to read the accounts from the Staddon Family and Hynes Family.

6 Comments » | posted in Family News, Ministry Reports

I came across a fascinating song the other day. The author was John Dickinson. Sadly forgotten in modern America, he was considered one the foremost leaders during America’s birth and infantile years as a nation. Representing Pennsylvania, he was part of the Continental Congress which signed the Declaration of Independence (though not a signer himself considering the document as somewhat rash and impetus), he played a prominent role in the writing of the Articles of Confederations, and he also signed the United States Constitution. During the American revolution he was ranked, by the British ministry as one of the worst rebels. His love for true Liberty guided his life and led him into bold efforts to keep it for himself and future generations. This song he wrote, to motivate his fellow patriots,  is titled the “liberty song”. Here it is (especially read verse 1, 6, &7):

Verse 1

Come, join Hand in Hand, brave Americans all, And rouse your bold Hearts at fair Liberty‘s Call, No tyrannous Acts shall suppress your just Claim, Or stain with dishonor America’s Name. (Chorus)

Chorus

In Freedom we’re born, & in Freedom we’ll live,

Our Purses are ready, Steady, Friends, Steady,

Not as Slaves but as Freemen our money we’ll give.

Verse 2

Our worthy Forefathers let’s give them a Cheer To Climates unknown did courageously steer; Thro’ Oceans to Deserts for Freedom they came, And dying bequeath’d us their Freedom & Fame. (Chorus)

Verse 3

Their generous Bosoms all Dangers despis’d,
So highly, so wisely, their Birthrights they priz’d ;
We’ll keep what they gave”we will piously keep,
Nor frustrate their Toils on the Land or the Deep. (Chorus)

Verse 4

The Tree their own Hands had to Liberty rear’d, They liv’d to behold growing strong and rever’d; With Transport then cry’d, ‘ now our Wishes we gain, For our Children shall gather the Fruits of our Pain.’ (Chorus)

Verse 5

Swarms of Placemen and Pensioners soon will appear, Like Locusts deforming the Charms of the Year;Suns vainly will rise, Showers vainly descend, If we are to drudge for what others shall spend (Chorus)

Verse 6

Then join Hand in Hand brave Americans all,
By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall;
In so righteous a Cause let us hope to succeed,
For Heaven approves of each generous Deed. (Chorus)

Verse 7 All Ages shall speak with amaze and applause,
Of the courage we’ll shew in support of our laws;
To die we can bear but to serve we disdain
For Shame is to Freemen more dreadful than Pain. (Chorus)

Verse 8

This Bumper I crown for our Sovereign’s Health,
And this for Britannia’s Glory and Wealth;
That Wealth and that Glory immortal may be,
If She is but just and if we are but free. (Chorus)

Let me know your thoughts on the song if you have a moment. Do you consider this song worthy and right to sing or does it hold some not so glorious ideals and claims?

3 Comments » | posted in HIS-story