The Wilkes Team

In our neck of the woods, there was a special nomination for the Republican State Senate seat on December 1st. This ‘Fire House Election’ was to last only 4 hours at one location only about 2-3 miles from our home. After preparing a scrumptious meal to eat upon our return, the whole team prepared for departure. Upon exiting our neighborhood, we encountered a highly populated highway. Thinking this was the residue of rush hour traffic, an alternate route was attempted only to meet with a similar verdict. Inching slowly along, it became increasingly apparent that these cars were not part of NOVA  rush hour but actually a massive convergence upon the polling place – a local school.

Our 3 mile journey took over 45 minutes. Cars were everywhere: pouring in and out of and meandering through the school parking lots. Gratefully, we located a lone parking spot amongst the school buses . Walking through an unprecedented plethora of cars and people, we finally reached the voting line – several hundred feet long. Through  memorable and engaging conversation with fellow voters, local friends, elected officials, and the candidates themselves, we managed to stay warm during the hour long wait outside. Excitement was high amongst the voters as people were seeing a need to stand up and voice concern – voting is one powerful way!

Each of three candidates, all of whom were vying for the  republican nomination, stood on solid conservative principles: pro-life, 2nd amendment protection, the sanctity of marriage, low taxes, and more.

Evil is running rampant in America. But “…when the enemy shall come  in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him (Is. 59:19b).” The Lord is raising up a standard across our land – how are we participating? How are we impacting our communities?

Christians, like the one nominated that night, are heeding the call and making an impact – Let us join in the rebuilding of the wall (Neh. 4:6-19)!

7 Comments » | posted in On the Issues

The following is a Thanksgiving proclamation given by President Washington. It clearly shows the reason for thanksgiving and shows whom we always should be grateful to – every day of our lives.

“WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me “to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:”

NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;– for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;– for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;– and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;– to enable us all, whether in publick or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.”

G. Washington.

“In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1Thessalonians)

2 Comments » | posted in Family News