The Wilkes Team

The great attention to detail, order, and beauty within Williamsburg was a real joy to behold during our December visit to Williamsburg. 

It is a testimony to the Word of the Lord when He beheld His creation and declared, “…it was very good (Gen. 1:31).” Why do such manifestations as the golden mean, evenly ordered landscapes, and beautiful floral arrangements strike such awe and wonder to the eyes of the beholder? They are in harmony with what God designated as beautiful.

Furthermore, as was accounted of in a post early last year, beauty and order should be present at our abodes, ”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.” It creates a hospitable atmosphere so that souls may be warmed with the love of and thereby drawn to our Shepherd and Creator, Jesus Christ.

Christmas time in Williamsburg is beautiful!

4 Comments » | posted in HIS-story, Photography

Facts for Patriots – January 2010

I’ve been studying the scriptural basis for patriotism for the last couple of months. I came across a fascinating example of true patriotism solidly built upon faith and love for God. It’s from the Old Testament. May it inspire you as it did for me:

Years upon years had passed. The gloomy scenes seemed steadfast and everlasting. They suffered, some captivity in a strange land, others meagerly living in their homeland; and all under the judgments of God for their past wickedness. Their homeland was torn by war, devastated through greed and avarice, and ruled by selfish men. The walls of their cities were broken down and their temple in ruins. To make it all worse, of all the nations and people, this happened to them, the Israelites, the one nation chosen by God.

How were these dismal scenes to be handled and perceived? Was there any qualified substance worthy to hope in? Answers to these questions are found in the life of Nehemiah. He being the former cupbearer to the King whose nation conquered the Israelites.

Some of the first words we hear from Nehemiah come in the form of a prayer. He heard of the gloomy scenes and it led him to this profitable discipline:

“I beseech thee, O Lord God of heaven.let thine ear be now attentive. both I and my father’s house have sinned.Remember I beseech thee the word.if ye turn unto me and keep my commandment and do them.I will gather them from thence and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there. Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand. Let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant and to the prayer of thy servants.”

Here we see Nehemiah hoping in a truly worthy substance, no, much greater then any substance. He had his hope in the Almighty God. He manifests this hope not only through prayer but also in determined action. Boldly he approaches the king with the situation of his country people, boldly he asks for help in rebuilding it. With permission granted, he wisely plans out his future steps for rebuilding the capitol of his beloved country. Off he then travels to his country. Already, enemies are forming at his homeland. They catch a whiff of someone seeking the welfare of Israel and become determined in halting the effort. Soon after arriving, Nehemiah secretly surveys the broken walls and gates of the city of Jerusalem. With a developed plan for rebuilding the walls and gates he then declares to his fellow country men his reason for coming; that God’s hand “was good upon me” and asking them for their assistance. His enemies hear. They laugh and scorn. Nehemiah boldly withstands them. His fellow Country men rally around him. They accept him as their leader and quickly begin rebuilding. The enemy plans to attack the builders yet Nehemiah hears of their plans and foils them. Before reaching the 53^rd day, the whole wall with all the gates were rebuilt. The enemy was astonished and depressed. God had done a marvelous work through Nehemiah.

Nehemiah doesn’t stop now; he continues the process of rebuilding; this time, not of stone and wood but of relationships and God’s law. Hearing of nobles extorting debts, he reprimands them and abolishes all interest payments. Knowing of the economic difficulties his fellow countrymen were in he refused to enforce taxation, willing to suffer discomfort rather then take from others. Daily the word of God was read for the people and expounded upon. Daily the people were coming to repentance and desiring to obey God’s law.

What motivated Nehemiah to do all this? Was it a desire for fame or wealth? No, it stemmed from his Hope and Faith in God, and a love for his country, He grasped the reality of God at work even in difficult times and willingly banked upon the resource of divine providence to bring restoration to his country.

2 Comments » | posted in HIS-story, On the Issues

Prominently situated betwixt the might James and York Rivers in southern VA lays a living historical monument to the founding of our United States some 233+ years ago. During the early 1900s, a growing Virginia population was threatening to put this once bustling town into extinction. However, one local pastor took the initiative and helped birth a vision for what has become an interactive learning center of American History – Colonial Williamsburg.

Have you ever wanted to meet Patrick Henry, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, or perhaps Peyton Randolph, a British Red Coat, or a 1700 era slave?

What would it be like in a mid 18th century blacksmith, silversmith, gunsmith, shoe peddler, apothecary, printing, or even a colonial coffee shop?

How did American families live in the mid to late 1700s? What would their children be involved with? How did their furniture, clothing, eating, and free time activities differ form or emulate those of today? How did they decorate for Christmas?

Colonial Williamsburg brings history to life through remarkable re-enactments of both historical and daily events which would have taken place around 1775.

On a recent visit to Williamsburg, we participated in such events, including a mock trial. We entered the town courthouse  wherein three cases involving a number of spoiled hog heads of tobacco, a complaint against spoiled meat in the market place, and the legalities of marriage were brought before the panel of justices (in Colonial America, a justice had to be a white, protestant,  land owning, male). It was noted by several of us, the clear Biblical principles used by the actor playing the chief justice as he explained both the responsibilities of men and women in marriage and the purpose of marriage being to raise children.

With so much to see during our day long visit, we only covered a small portion. Stops included the Governor’s Palace, Courthouse, Blacksmith, Printing Press, and town Gaol (jail).

The day was extra memorable as we were able to spend it with dear friends. Each one of us left Williamsburg encouraged as was later testified of during our return trip home.

We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: 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. 78:3-7)

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

This past week, our nation celebrated the Thanksgiving. Our family found great joy in this precious time of yes, gathering with dear family, but more importantly as a time for giving our  thanks to Divine Providence – our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. During the Thanksgiving meal, Grandma had two glass bowls situated on the table. On each plate were 5 kernels of corn (popcorn kernels) in commemoration of the hardship of the Pilgrims in 1620. After hearing the poem, “Five Kernels of Corn by Hezekiah Butterworth,” we were told to drop a kernel of corn into the glass bowls throughout the meal when we recalled something to be grateful for. And so it was that during our joyous conversations around the abundant dinner table, a little ‘ping’ here and there were heard thus providing a divine opportunity to turn our attention heavenward unto the giver of all good things.  

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On the Wednesday preceding Thanksgiving, our President proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving but for what purpose? President Obama says it is set aside, “to express appreciation to those whose lives enrich our own and to share our bounty with others.”

Former President George Bush proclaimed the 2008 Thanksgiving Celebration to be a time to, “give thanks to God who blessed our Nation’s first days and who blesses us today. May He continue to guide and watch over our families and our country always.”

President George Washington gave the first Thanksgiving proclamation in the fall of 1789. He unashamedly declared that, “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 favor.” President Washington went on to give the two purposes for this day: 

1. 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 “

2. 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

(read the entire proclamation in December’s Facts for Patriots)

What an impacting focus for this most significant holiday!

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

One of America’s founding Father, John Jay (1745-1829) played an important role in the birth of America. He was the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Governor of New York, Ambassador to Britain and Spain, writer of many Federalist papers, 2nd President of the American Bible society, and could also be called the penman of the American Revolution. Because of his skill, he was commissioned by the Continental Congress to write letters both to Canada, the British people, and 13 colonies.  Below are excerpts from a letter he wrote and then was circulated through the colonies:

“…And why all this desolation, bloodshed, and unparalleled cruelty? They tell you, to reduce you to obedience. Obedience to what: to their sovereign will and pleasure. Why then you shall be pardoned, because you consent to be slaves. And why should you be slaves now, having been freemen ever since the country was settled? because, forsooth, the king and parliament of an island, three thousand miles off, choose that you should be hewers of wood, and drawers of water for them… For shame! for shame!…You may be told that your forts have been taken; your country ravaged; and that your armies have retreated; and that, therefore, God is not with you. It is true, that some forts have been taken, that our country hath been ravaged, and that our Maker is displease with us. But it is also true that the King of Heaven is not like the king of Britain, implacable. If we turn from our sins, He will turn from his anger…Let a general reformation of manners take place–let universal charity, public spirit, and private virtue be inculcated, encouraged, and practiced. Unite in preparing for a vigorous defense of your country, as if all depended on you own exertions. And when you have done all things, then rely upon the good Providence of Almighty God for success, in full confidence that without his blessing, all our effort will inevitably fail….”

     But if there be any among us, dead to all sense of honor, and love of their country; if deaf to all the calls of liberty, virtue and religion; if forgetful of the magnanimity of their ancestors, and the happiness of their children; if neither the examples nor the success of other nations–the dictates of reason and of nature; or the great duties they owe to their God, themselves, and their posterity, have any effect upon them–if neither the injuries they have received , the price they are contending for, the future blessing or curses of their children–the applause or the reproach of all mankind–the approbation or displeasure of the Great Judge–or the happiness or misery consequent upon their conduct, in this and a future state, can move them;–then let them be assured, that they deserve to be slaves, and are entitled to nothing but anguish and tribulation. Let them banish from their remembrance the reputation, the freedom, and the happiness they have inherited from their forefathers. Let them forget every duty, human and divine; remember not that they have children: and beware how they call to mind the justice of the Supreme being: let them go into captivity… and be a reproach and a by-word among the nations. But we think better things of you–we believe and are persuaded that you will do you duty like men, and cheerfully refer your cause to the great and righteous Judge. If success crown you efforts, all the blessings of freemen will be your reward. If you fall in the contest, you will be happy with God in Heaven.”

- Letter discovered from The Life of John Jay written by his son William Jay.

3 Comments » | posted in Book Reports, HIS-story