The Wilkes Team

“And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp…”(Numbers 1:52)

So also did the Wilkes family pitch their own tents in the fields of Culpeper. Other families also joined in this task concluding with numerous tents pitched under the shade of trees.  The proceeds from this initial task were quite bountiful to say the least.

Roofs were built

Doors were hanged

The Bush hog and lawnmowers were put to work

Waves of hay were transformed into bales of Hay

Satisfaction developed from good wholesome meals

Old fashion discourses on the word of God were given with creation being the auditorium, campfire and flashlights bringing light, and hay bales situated to provided optimum pews.

Young men endured thrilling hunts

Soccer and volley balls were employed

Fellowship heavily sprinkled with discipleship and joy helped round out all the rough edges creating a memorable event centered around reviving the spirit of Christ within us.

Sunday was definitely the climax with a timely exhortation from one of the fathers and later from one of the young men. The former on the life of Joseph and his family on how God kept them set apart while still allowing them to keep in the world and be involved with it. The latter communicated on the importance of Flexibility.  

The Creator God is definitely magnificent and awe inspiring. He works in such amazing ways that forever magnify his presence and name. Witnessing His beautiful creation in the fields of Culpeper impressed this deeply on many minds.  Whether looking at the stars, a setting sun, spider webs, freshly raked hay, or singing around the campfire, we were provided with overwhelming evidence of the one powerful God working His will in His creation.

Pitching tents is a grand task. Sleeping in them and
living around them is even better. Best of all is being overwhelmed with God’s work and will in his abundant Creation.

7 Comments » | posted in Family News, Outdoor Adventures

“I have no way of judging the future but by the past.” Patrick Henry

“History is God’s providence in human affairs.” Daniel Webster

For over 270 years, beginning in 1630 with William Bradford’s Plymouth Plantation and continuing until 1900, history was told as it happened and therefore viewed through the  perspective of God’s Providence in human affairs. Historians like unto George Bancroft (1800-1891) boldly declared that, “God’s providence in history is as important as the historical events themselves.” The result was a religious and morally abiding society.

As said Charles Coffin in his book, “The Story of Liberty“,

You will notice that while the oppressors have carried out their plans and had things their own way, there were other forces silently at work which in time undermined their plans – as if a Divine hand were directing the counter-plan. Whoever peruses the story of liberty without recognizing this feature will fail of fully comprehending the meaning of history. There must be a meaning to history or else existence is an incomprehensible enigma.

With the advent of the 20th century, a change commenced. Men with viewpoints like unto Robert Ingersol (1833-1899), who taught that American government has been secular from the very beginning, began entering the scene. Organizations such as the American Liberal Union came on the scene whose purpose was to remove God from political affairs, public knowledge, & text books.

By 1920, Historians such as, Charles & Mary Beard, W.E. Woodward, and Fairfax Downey, published writings with the following titles, “The economic Basis of Politics, The economic basis of the Constitution, The economic basis of the Revolution, etc.” When 1960 hit, historical education was delivered through the filter of economics. Whereas before the 1900s, much of the history taught by historians included non-economical history, an economic viewpoint dominated the 1960 history education.

What have been the ramifications? Wait for tomorrow’s pending part 2!

Pictures from wikipedia.com

3 Comments » | posted in HIS-story

This months ‘Facts for Patriots’ involves a range of quotes dealing with God’s Sovereignty, Dedication, & Leadership. You will be encouraged and inspired!

But here I cannot but make a pause, and stand half amazed at this poor people’s present condition:.If they looked behind them, there was the mighty ocean which they had passed, and was now a gulf separating them from all civilized parts of the world.as for the season it was winter.What could they see but a desolate wilderness, full of wild beast and wild men:.What then could now sustain them but the spirit of God, and his grace? Ought not the children of their fathers rightly to say: Our fathers were Englishmen who came over the great ocean, and were ready to perish in this wilderness: but they cried unto the Lord, and he heard their voice, and looked on their adversity.Let them therefore praise the Lord, because He is good, and His mercies endure forever. Yea, let them that have been redeemed of the Lord, show how He hath delivered them from the hand of the oppressor. When they wandered forth into the desert-wilderness, out of the way, and found no city to dwell in, both hungry and thirsty, their soul was overwhelmed in them. Let them confess before the Lord his loving kindness, and his wonderful works before the sons of men! ~ William Bradford

It is true I have a difficult task, but God is all-sufficient, to whose almighty protection I humbly commit myself. I give to Him my soul and body to be disposed and worn out in his labors as he shall think meet. I do hence resolve, by his assistance.to lead a stricter life than ever, to give myself to prayer and study of the scriptures.God give me my health, if it be His blessed will.I give myself wholly to him! ~ George Whitefield

From the faith equaling the size of a mustard seed God builds the kingdom of his dear Son. In the midst of human frailties and wickedness, he continues building upon the faithfulness of his chosen Children. A faithfulness they can’t contrive but which wholly comes as a gift from Jesus Christ. ~ David Livingstone

The political leaders with whom we are familiar generally aspire to be superstars rather than heroes. The distinction is crucial. Superstars strive for approbation; heroes walk alone. Superstars crave consensus; heroes define themselves by the judgment of a future they see it as their task to bring about. Superstars seek success in a technique for eliciting support; heroes pursue success as the outgrowth of their inner values (thoughts shared in review of the life of Winston Churchill). ~ Henry Kissinger

3 Comments » | posted in HIS-story

How the world seeks to taint that which is holy and of God. We see concerted efforts to do away with any vestige of Christianity in our country, to pollute American youth with evil  from a young age, to pull apart the family, and to redefine the  institution of marriage.

But it is in these times of great darkness, that the pure and holy Light of the eternal Godhead shines brightest! How beautiful is the Light. Amidst its constant harassment and scathing rhetoric, the world actually stands in awe and wonder when it beholds the beauty of the Light. Yet, once the Light penetrates through their eyes and into their heart, the Light is rejected for man is brought face to face with his depraved and helpless nature.

Over the past couple months, we witnessed two beautiful demonstrations of Light through the God ordained institution of marriage.

Despite a culture that seeks to fulfill the lust of the flesh, lust  of the eyes, and pride of life, there is a remnant who have not ‘bowed their knee to Baal.’ Who are committed to doing things God’s way. Who are dedicated to letting their Light shine before all men so that others may see their good works and glorify their Father which is in heaven (Matt. 5:16). Such  was the case with these two weddings. Purity, Fidelity, Chivalry, Patriarchy, Charity, Sacrifice. These are words that come to mind in describing the weddings of these two dear couples. And while both weddings were to honor the two becoming one, there  was also a pervading presence of Christ that brought great glory to the  Lord and showed a picture of Christ and His Church – Praise God for those through whom the Beautiful Light of Christ doth shine!

Though it requires a denial of self and fleshly passions, things done God’s way produce abundant fruit that draws many to the Vine (John 15:5).

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. (Eph. 5:31-33)

2 Comments » | posted in Family News