The Wilkes Team

The long awaited day finally arrived – September 23rd, 2010. Two families came together to witness the establishing of a covenant through a betrothal ceremony between their children – Joshua & Lisa.

The Scriptures provide a beautiful picture of betrothal through the relationship of Christ and the church. On the night of His betrayal, Christ lead His disciples through the Passover meal. Upon coming to the 3rd cup of the meal – the cup of redemption, Christ paused and said, “Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins (Matt. 26:27b-28).” In stating that this was the beginning of a new testament (or covenant), Christ was symbolizing the betrothal of Himself to His bride – the church. The disciples – a representation of the church – partook of the cup. A covenant was being established. Christ went out into the Garden of Gethsemane and before His Father, submitted Himself to paying the bride price. Soon after, Christ was hung on the cross where He willingly died for the sins of the world and so paid the ultimate price for His pride – His very life (Jn 15:13). The marriage covenant between Christ and His bride, the church, was established. And now, Christ is in heaven where He is preparing a place for His bride. At the time appointed, He will return with great glory and call His bride unto the marriage supper of the lamb where we, the church, will be joined unto our betrothed. Come Quickly Lord Jesus!

The Lord blessed us with beautiful weather on that glorious Thursday afternoon as we climbed a trail in the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains up to a gorgeous waterfall cascading over the rocks above into the stream below. The families, fully aware of what was about to take place, sat down below as Joshua and Lisa climbed up the waterfall to a rock that afforded a view of the falls above and the stream below surrounded by lush fall vegetation and towering trees.

Following this joyous ‘mountain top experience,’ Joshua and Lisa came down and joined their families for a betrothal ceremony wherein they, with the full blessing of parents and in the presence of their precious families, established a covenant before the Lord. And it is now with much joyous anticipation that we look towards the wedding day wherein they will be united together as husband & wife.

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 (Eph. 5:31-32)

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On a recent Saturday I arrived home  from a necessary undertaking. Planning for a time at home, I was unprepared for what was coming my way. This Saturday was different then most for it was a memorial to my physical birth. It also would be the day that I would witness the singular sight of an animal, actually of many animals. Animals which magnify the power of our Creator who so masterfully appointed his creatures with unique characteristics. Animals which have a history of being tremendous in both body and herd size. Holding populations, 200 years ago, in the millions. These animals are known as the American Bison – also called the Buffalo.

Once when visiting the Bad Lands in South Dakota, I witnessed a  wild buffalo bull walk right in front of our Family’s Dodge Caravan while I sat inside the caravan with wonder. To put it simply, a bull Buffalo, which has reached maturity, is gigantic. This one was no exception. I remember it’s towering form slowly lumbering over the dirt road in front of me. If it had thought it appropriate, our car could of been easily destroyed with one fatal charge by this massive creature. Gratefully it chose to continue it’s lumbering.

Back to the recent Saturday: Upon arriving home, I was told that I was to be taken to a particularly wonderful place. Where was it to be? Well, that was kept from my knowledge. I was told it was a surprise. Around 3:00pm, we jumped into the van: Mom, Sarah down to Mark, and myself. I was given the directions and noticed our destination was Cibola Farms. Hmmm… wonder where this journey will end. After a  half hour drive, we noticed an entrance sign: Cibola Farm, Buffalo meat and Jerky  (or something of such likeness). Everyone began to chuckle in the back as the secret was a secret no longer; we were visiting a buffalo farm.

Arriving at the front gate of the farm, we found a call box. Pushing the call button, we listened expectantly;  "Hello" emitted from the device. We responded with, "Hello, we’ve come to tour your farm"  The voice replied, "I’ll be right up to let you in". Few minutes later we heard the rumblings of a tractor coming over the hill and down the road towards us. The driver jumped off the tractor, opened the gate, and with wonderful cowboy flare greeted us and introduced us to the Cibola Farm. After receiving directions of where to walk we departed for a tour of the farm. It was to be a self led tour since Saturdays were not scheduled days for guided tours. As we went our way, the cowboy casually mentioned that the herd of buffalo down in the valley were going to be moved in an hour or so. "If you go up that hill, pass the barn, and stand next to the gate directly following the barn, ya’ll be able to see me move buffalo".

After letting us through the gate, he jumped back on the tractor and rumbled over the hill. It was awesome to see this 300 acre farm, consisting of large rolling hills, sprinkled with trees, and then surrounded by dense forest. As we walked, we saw gardens, geese, chickens, beehives, and a slaughtering house. Yet the highlight, the climax of the drama, the zenith of excitement, began when we arrived at the gate directly following the barn; there below, along the hillside was a herd of buffalo, 150 to 200 strong.  Soon we heard the tractor rumblings and watched as it came up the hill in front of us. Our new friend jumped off the tractor, opened the gate and proceeded to get a four wheeler and prepare for herding the buffalo. While preparing, he shared a few stories and insights about the buffalo. He told us the largest bull in their midst had a head weighing 400 to 500 lbs. Description also was given of the quietness of the Buffalo. You’ll enter a field, no buffaloes around, begin working, turn around 10 minutes later, and the whole herd, much too close, will be suspiciously eyeing you.

Upon finishing his preparations, he opened the gated, closed it, and zoomed down the hill. Going to another gate, 50 to 75 yards away from us he stood gazing over the field with the buffalo scattered over it.  The stillness of the valley was soon broken, with his booming voice, as he bellowed, "Come on Buffalo, Come on Buffalo, let’s go…. come on Buffalo…." At this moment the grazing sluggish animals transformed into a wild running herd. As they approached,  the man swung the gate open and leaped onto the four wheeler. It roared to life and lurched forward,  "Come on Buffalo" continued to echo through the valley, as the buffalo herd charged through the gate and raced after the four wheeler. For that brief moment we caught a glimmer of what it must of been like to witness the herds of the West where thousands upon thousands of Buffalo would be stampeding through the grassy plains.

It was a wonderful scene to behold. It made me realize the importance of observing creation variability. As we realize this we then our filled with  praise and worship to our wonderful Creator. Why do we ever doubt? Why do we fear? Why do we resist His guiding hand? His power is so clearly evident throughout His creation. Whether it’s the spider forming his web or the stampeding buffalo racing across the prairie. Let us never tire from seeing his powerful hand at work. May it embolden and empower us to fulfill the work that he has called us to do.

Leaving Cibola Farms, we all were elated and excited by the wonderful time we experienced. Later on in the evening, dinner was full of wonderful stories as we shared about the wildness of the buffalo and the power of our Creator made evident through His creation.

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God has been so gracious and good to us by giving us a father like you! When we think back over the years of how you have lead our family we are filled with awe and gratitude. Thank you for letting Christ in you influence us.

There are so many ways in which you encourage us!

One being your willingness to take God at His Word and faithfully live it out. Even when it is not popular and it doesn’t “make sense” to the world.

You believe whole heartily in the promises of God and you faithfully exhort us to believe them.

You take time to build relationships. You love spending time with us and encouraging us on in righteousness.

You are not ashamed of the Gospel of peace! People mean so much more to you than money or things because Christ has given you eyes to see their need. You take time to talk and relate to all those you come in contact with. We love hearing the testimonies and talks you have with others. It exhorts us to be about making disciples too.

Dad, we could go on and on. We are so grateful for you. Thank you for being a man of God who does not let his short comings stop him from doing the work of Christ. We all have short comings but the difference between maturity and immaturity is in how you respond to your sin. Your life is a living testimony of Christ to us. We love you!

May the Lord richly bless you as you enter this new year. Happy Birthday!

The Birthday game of speed scrabble!!

One of Dad’s favorite games.

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A Compilation of thoughts on a Biography of E.M. Bounds:

Some desire wealth, others desire fame, while yet another yearns for peace and quietness, but E.M. Bounds loved prayer and the work of God. He truly had his affection set not on the things of this world but on things above where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt and thieves don’t break through and steal. His treasures consisted not in temporal and worldly investments but in eternal and heavenly rewards. Waking up at four in the morning he’d pray till seven, and then numerous times throughout the day would enjoy intimate communication with his Dearest Friend. If God called him to a work it didn’t matter the trials, the fatigue, the obstacles; God called him to do it and therefore he was faithful.

Caught in the midst of the US Civil War, Bounds wouldn’t forsake the family of God even when danger loomed near. In the mid-1800’s, union Forces moved into Missouri bringing Marshal Law with them. Many pastors opted to flee to the south to safety but Bounds chose to not forsake those God had given him to shepherd. He traveled house to house. It was his duty to minister and preach to the family of God. Finally the inevitable arose, Bounds was banished from Missouri for not submitting to a tyrannical measure of the Union Government. He was soon after captured and sent to prison. While in prison he didn’t tire but sought for opportunities to share Christ, the concept of loving your enemies, and the means of salvation from sin.

Once being freed from prison, he ministered as a chaplain in the southern army. Often at the front lines, he’d help the wounded, stand by a solider while he breathed his last, and share the gospel whenever the opportunity arose. Revival after revival sparked in Military camps as Bounds with his colleagues forsook not the assembling of themselves together and preached the word. Living to the ripe old age of 76 years, he never wearied while in the work of God; he preached, he prayed, and ministered whenever opportunity arose. Though definitely not indwelt with perfection, E.M. Bounds was faithful. Because he was faithful God ministered his grace upon him and poured blessing after blessing of rich spiritual insight, deep intimacy with his Creator, and avenues in which to communicate those blessings that he had been given.

Let us follow this worthy example! May we forget the fascinations that this temporal life has to offer and become bound to prayer and the work of God.

“Good Prayers,” Says an old divine, “never come weeping home. I am sure I shall receive either what I ask, or what I should ask. Prayer pulls the rope below, and the great bell rings above in the ears of God. Some scarcely stir the bell, for they pray so languidly: others give but an occasional pull at the rope: but he who wins with heaven is the man who grasps the rope boldly and pulls continually with all his might.”

That is the best kind of bell ringing—ringing the bells of heaven—making a sensation in the world celestial and pulling the power down upon the word terrestrial. Reader, do you know how to handle the bell rope, to pull it vigorously and constantly? We know some that do. Hell trembles when they seize the rope.

E.M. Bounds

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