The Wilkes Team

It is Dec. 18^th 2009 just before the big snow storm that is supposed to dump 10 to 15 inches on Northern Virginia. This morning I went out to make sure we had enough milk, bread and eggs, just in case we ended up being snowed in for a few days. Feeding eleven people three times a day means frequent trips to the grocery store to keep the fridge and pantry well stocked. I took my 8 year old Mark Christopher (also known as Mighty Mark) with me. Upon our arrival at the grocery store around 7:45am I realized that I was not alone in my desire to be prepared. The parking lot was full. Mark and I went in to find shelves diligently being stocked and diligently being emptied. We quickly worked together to get our groceries, found a line that was not to long and began to wait.

One of the things that I have taught my sons is that they are responsible for what they look at and think about. It never ceases to amaze me the junk that we are bombarded with in the check out lines at grocery stores. This time was no different, the magazines and articles presented on a majority of their covers were clearly indicative of a culture that is confused with what is right and wrong and important. We are as a culture fixated with looks, sex, popularity and how we feel. We get caught up in new fads and ideas without any thought as to where they come from or whether they are right or wrong. We have lost our moral compass.

Mark took one look at the shelves and turned away guarding his eyes and his thoughts. I reached out to him, got his attention and praised him for his self control. We talked for a few minutes about the battle we are in as individuals and as a culture. It is a conversation we have had many times and will have many times again. When I talk to my children about their responsibility as moral beings I often remind them that the freedom we have been given is not the freedom to do as we please but the freedom to do what is right.

In our time of talking together I shared with Mark a portion of scripture that I have been trying to memorize and meditate on, it is in Proverbs 2

1…..if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;3 Yea… if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;4….. If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;5 ….. Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

It was then that I noticed the clerk, there at the end of the line checking out the customers before me. She was hard to miss and I observed her with much curiosity. When it was our turn to go through she immediately smiled at Mark Christopher and asked him if he had found everything he needed. He said yes and they went on to have a short and fun conversation. She turned to me, said hello and began to ring up our groceries. I smiled at her and said “I have noticed something about you in the few minutes I have had in line here”. She paused and gave me an inquisitive look. I continued “You are a joyful person aren’t you?” She let out a full laugh and said rather gently “Yes I am”. I followed up, “What makes you so joyful?” She again paused, looked straight at me, lowered her voice so she would not share what she about to say with those who would not understand ”My relationship with God” was her answer.

The world we live in offers many things that it claims will bring satisfaction, joy and peace. I in much regret have tried many of them and found them to be unfulfilling at best. It has only been with Jesus Christ that I have found true peace. Yet it is not peace as the world gives but it is peace that only God can give through His Son Jesus Christ. It is a peace that passes all understanding and it is a peace that is given not earned. It is the assurance that you can be forgiven, it is the assurance of hope, it is the assurance that life has meaning, it is the assurance of eternal life, it is the assurance of unconditional love.

People, things, governments, money, houses, health, churches, denominations, political parties, careers and so on will fail us. Jesus Christ never will, in fact He loved us so much that He gave His life for us.  A bumper sticker I saw a few years ago stated Christians are not perfect just forgiven. I fit that description very well and if you don’t, ask Him to forgive you. He will. May the true peace that Jesus Christ gives to those who ask Him be yours in 2010 through out eternity. Wise men still seek Him.

4 Comments » | posted in On the Issues, Tid Bits

How often have we looked forward with great anticipation towards a scheduled event only to have plans suddenly changed. Of course – we all have! It is in such circumstances that we call to remembrance God’s promise to work all things together for good – He always writes the final chapter.

The ALERT Men’s Chorus traveled from Texas all the way to Washington D.C. area this past week for a series of several local performances, one being the White House.

Last night we had the privilege of hearing them sing at a church in Leesburg. Attired in their Dress Uniform, all 18-20 ALERT men sang a collection of beautiful hymns and carols with passion that spawned great inspiration and joy for all in attendance.

Through our discourse with them, we learned that their group received a potential trial of faith when the opportunity to sing at the White House was lost. Feelings of disappointment were assuredly worked through, but God orchestrated events. He opened up an avenue wherein the choir was able to sing in the rotunda of our Nation’s Capitol and aboard one of the few ships that actually returned fire upon Japanese airplanes in Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941. Joy was further realized when an opportunity afforded them to sing for a 95 year old WWII veteran.

Last night was their final performance on this tour and the joy and passion with which the ALERT Men’s Chorus is known shone through unhindered. An example of great inspiration!

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!!!!NEWS FLASH:

Matthew was the only member of the Wilkes Team not present last evening at the performance. His location is currently classified info . We are finding his absence most noticeable and are eagerly awaiting his return which will bring with it great joy to our hearts and an abundance of thrilling reports on theWilkesTeam.com – stay tuned for details!

3 Comments » | posted in Ministry Reports, Tid Bits

Have you taken the time this week to really think about where you have come from and how much you have been given?

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, our morning Bible reading came from two different chapters: 1 Chronicles 16:8-36 and Psalm 105. Written on the occasion of Israel moving the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem, they are beautiful reminders of how much we have been given and to not take what we have for granted.

1 Chronicles 16:15 says,

“Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations; Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac;”

What was that covenant which was given to us through Abraham?

Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed (Genesis 12:1-3).

The Lord has truly blessed and given us so much. He has given salvation, health, family, homes, hope and the list could go on and on….. But as 1Chronicles 16:15 says we must be mindful and not forget what we have been given. For when we forget, we loose our heavenly perspective on life.

See things from God’s perspective because He works all things together for good! We serve a Lord who brings peace and comfort to one’s heart. He is one who gives hope to the faint hearted. He strengthens the weak then enables them to press on in this faith walk.

May you have a blessed Thanksgiving! May it be a season of rejoicing over what God has so graciously given to you as well as a time of remembrance of where you have come from!

5 Comments » | posted in Tid Bits

Over the past couple weeks, our family has been made aware of two exceptional products being offered by dear friends that we know will be a blessing to your family!

First, a spectacular awe-inspiring 2010 calendar entitled, “The Inspiration of Creation.” With a beautiful touch of creativity, James Staddon has truly brought out the glories of God’s marvelous Creation through the photographs within the calendar. With each passing month, you will come face to face with a breath taking photo highlighted with timely Scripture verses and stanzas from some of the dearest hymns. This resource is a wonderful way to be about, as Paul said in Ephesians, “Redeeming the time for the days are evil. ” And so while you are numbering your days that you may apply your heart unto wisdom, do so with one of these memorable calendars currently available for a discounted price at www.staddonfamily.com/onlines-store .

Secondly, we would like to recommend a Christmas CD that the whole family is bound to enjoy and want to hear, “just one more time.” We have seldom recommended any particular Christmas CD but upon receiving, “Let the Joy Begin” by the Neely Team , everyone would call it their all time favorite. Your heart will be filled with joy as you listen to this dear family sing and play the songs of our Savior’s birth with God honoring music. They are a beautiful testimony of an imperfect family seeking to glorify their Creator through working together in harmony, as a family. The CD is now available and offered for sale at: www.theneelyteam.com/online-store . 

We hope these resources are as encouraging to you as they have been to us!

3 Comments » | posted in Tid Bits

… it was the worst of times…*

The cup was half empty, The cup was half full

The milk dumped all over the floor! There still was a whole cup’s worth in the jar!

The right shoe always seemed to be missing! The left shoe was always in it’s place!

The Car constantly has problems! The Car ran smoothly yesterday!

The weather rained incessantly. The sun peeped through off and on.

The bugs infested the salt shaker. The salt shaker was bug-less plus one.

The tomato was half rotten. Half a tomato was perfectly ripe.

The children hardly ever obey! The children are hardily learning to obey!

For all the effort, it twas only a few solitary pennies. For all the effort, it twas a blessing of pennies.

Oh what a chair – it’s leg just had to give way! Oh what a chair – it lasted for so long!

If there is a God, why do people die? If there is a God, why do people live?

The sinner’s destiny is hell! The sinner’s salvation is Christ!

The Wicked are multiplying like weeds in a garden. The harvest is plentiful and the righteous must be ready!

Sin is always at the door. Christ is always the doorkeeper.

Death is tormenting. Death holds no sting.

No Christ no heaven, Know Christ no hell.

The glory of man is his strength. The glory of God is His strength.

It was the period of languishing. It was the period of rejoicing

Joy emerged. despondency ruled.

Everyone understood. No one understood.

It truly was the best of times and it truly was the worst of times.

How can this all be true?

Because perspective determines the proper response. For example, one individual perceives his life as full of problems and he is sad, yet just change his perspective and the same problems can be the means of bringing tears of joy.

Reader, may your perspective be in accordance with God and his word. May you see as He sees. May his Word lead you and guide you into the understanding of all Truth. May you rest in His holy promise (even when you feel otherwise) that “all things work together for good to them that love God and to those who are the called according to his purpose.”** Yes, situations may seem at their worst  but from God’s perspective they are working according to his best and perfect plan. Trust in him.

*A quote from a book by Charles Dickens

**Romans 8:28

9 Comments » | posted in Sunny-Side Up, Tid Bits

A tree is a beautiful addition to any landscape. Towering above the flora below, the tree serves as a lush backdrop, a source of shade, a means of lodging for the fine feathered fowl, and more.

This afternoon, Matthew and I had the joy of planting two large trees (sycamore & maple) on the farm. Over the course of the day  – picking up the trees (they were free), carefully driving them to the farm, and installation, I recalled a recent sermon from church on the life of Abraham. As did many of the Biblical patriarchs, Abraham recognized the importance of passing on a legacy to future generations.

Throughout history, trees have been planted for memorials – as tokens of the past to preserve the past for the future. Of significance is the fact that shortly after making the difficult decision to send Hagar & Ishmael away and then covenanting with Abimelech, Abraham plants a grove of trees.

And Abraham planted a grove (of trees) in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God (Gen. 21:33).

Its almost as if he wishes this grove of trees to serve as a reminder of the Covenant with Abimelech and even his decision to obey the Lord and so send away his son Ishmael. The grove would be there for years to come and could serve as a reminder of these events unto Abraham and his seed.

God has His own tree of remembrance. One planted close to 2000 years ago. A tree that continues to bear fruit, bringing comfort to the weary and brokenhearted. It was planted nigh the advent of Spring on top the small hill of Golgotha. This was a ‘Tree of Remembrance.’ For upon this tree, God’s own dear Son died. Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed (1Pet. 2:24). But He did not stay dead. 3 days later He arose again thereby showing His victory over death. He alone has the power to save the souls of men.

The cross of Christ is God’s tree of remembrance. And as we go to sleep on this eve of Resurrection Day, let us take a moment to ponder the cross of Christ, His sacrifice, and His love for you – His most treasured creation.

                   Happy Resurrection Day!

5 Comments » | posted in Tid Bits