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

Psalm 16:11 says,

" Thou  (God) wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."

Why do we fear the future? Why do we worry about the unknown? We must remember that the thoughts that the Lord has towards us are not evil but peace, to bring us to an expected end. (Jer 29:11)

We can boldly step forward and do what God has called us to do. Not because we feel like we have it all figured out but because we know the one who does! Be willing to do the not so popular thing. Be  men and women of your word. Stand for truth sell it not!

The world is looking for answers. We as followers of Jesus Christ must be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation. Why? So we may shine as lights in the world! (Php 2:15)  This will only be possible once we allow the truth of God’s word dwell in us richly, then apply it to our every day living!

Isaiah 30:21 says, "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left."  Praise the Lord that we have the promises and the truths of God’s word!

These thoughts were spurred by this picture below. We are all on this faith walk together! We must continue to lift each other up in prayer before the throne of grace.

Earlier this month we took a hike with some dear friends through a section of the Shenandoah Mountains known as White Oak Canyon. It was absolutely stunning, and breath taking!

As we were pulling out Dad said " Here we are overwhelmed and delighted by the beauty of God’s Creation, can you even imagine how beautiful this world must have been before the fall?"

One day we will see Him in all of His beauty! What a glorious day that will be!!

9 Comments » | posted in Outdoor Adventures, Photography

“God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the give of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever….”  Thomas Jefferson -

  On two recent tours of DC over the past week, I was profoundly struck again by the overwhelming evidence of Providence upon the founding of our nation. Strolling by the monuments dedicated to those who have gone before, we heard the cries of our Nation’s securers of liberty. Men, who more than self, their country loved. Men who could see beyond the present strife because of an inner hope for In God did they Trust. Upon the dirt of Washington, D.C., their names lie engraved in marble and granite and should be forever etched upon the hearts of every American citizen.

But oh how grievous it was to walk in upon the museum of American History and therein read the modern revisionist viewpoint of history. The 21st century recollection of history is seen in light of economic gain, the civil rights movement, ancient Greek culture, and such vanities as sport and play. Barely was there 6 mentions of God throughout the massive 3 story, multiple acre building, much less the name of Providence or Jesus Christ. As George Bancroft so aptly stated, “There must be a meaning to history or else existence is an incomprehensible enigma.” This meaning described Bancroft, is a Providential viewpoint.

The museum was divested of not a few vestiges of our Judeo Christian founding. But, this blatantly evident divorcement of truth from fact served not as a means of discouragement but rather a stimulus to prayer, to remembrance, and to concerted action. The time to Stand has come – are you ready to join the ranks of the Christian Patriot? We trust not in our economy, our president, man’s approval, but in God alone!

In God We Trust! “Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof (Ps. 46:2-3).”

3 Comments » | posted in HIS-story, Photography

O, the beauty of spring flowers!

I love this time of year when the great outdoors are arrayed in such stunning colors.

Last fall I planted a whole bunch of tulips and have been waiting with great anticipation for their appearance this spring.

It never ceases to amaze me of the beauty of God’s Creation.

There are such neat analogies that can be made between God’s creation and our spiritual walks with Christ.

Can you think of an analogy that could relate to these pictures?

One that comes to mind is bloom where you are planted! You can choose to be excited about what God has you doing right now or not. Remember that He will up and move you to new “soil” if He so chooses. But until then bloom, grow, bless, and bring joy to those that God has placed around you. Peace and contentment will flood your heart and soul if this is your perspective on life.

7 Comments » | posted in Family News, Photography

For those who like to go bird watching or to attract different species of birds to their feeders, here is an idea you will enjoy!

Besides watching the birds, we also enjoy taking pictures of them as they eat and interact with each other. But there was a problem, it is hard to get real close with the birds and our cameras don’t zoom in real far. A couple weeks ago we came up with a creative idea for getting as close to the birds as possible.

We began by first pulling down the window in our bed room and from the roof line above hung a suet and regular seed feeder. Using a small plastic container, we also made a place on the window sill for bird seed. The container keeps the birdseed from flying away. A few branches were also hung off the window so the birds have another place to perch before grabbing a seed. Then off we went to Wal-Mart to grab a bag of seed. After pouring in the bird seed, we waited patiently.

One late afternoon while reading in my bed, lo and behold, a Chickadee jumped on the little feeder and took a seed just before flying off again. Soon after that, many other birds such as the Tuft Titmouse, Cardinals, Nuthatches, Junco’s, Hairy and Downy woodpeckers, Finches, and many other birds.

The neat thing about this was that it made it very easy for us to take pictures of birds. I have been able to take some really close up pictures. It sure is enjoyable to wake up in the morning and watch the many different types of birds near our window. Watching God’s creation in action each day is just amazing.

"The flowers appear on the earth the time of the singing of birds is come… (Song of Solomon 2:12)."

10 Comments » | posted in Outdoor Adventures, Photography