The Wilkes Team

The constellation of fifty stars, the thirteen strips, a cloth of red white and blue, rippling from wind’s touch, flying high to be seen of all, is the flag of the United States of America. Signifying a patriotism that has passed from generation to generation for 234 years. Causing remembrance of a momentous occasion when 50 or so stalwart patriots gathered together to bring a group of people into the sphere of nations. Henceforth, establishing themselves to operate according to certain Biblical principles without arrogant tyranny halting their steps. The flag, the occasion, the patriots, all made possible by Divine Providence are the reasons the fourth of July is a holiday. Let them never be forgotten!

Therefore, so as not to forget, the Wilkes Team piled into the van for a quick trip to the city of Culpeper. Being our first fourth of July in both county and city of Culpeper we decided to discover and explore. Joshua did some quick research on the internet, found some interesting events to go to, we looked them over and decided our destination.

Our destination turned out to be right next to the Culpeper courthouse. The Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) were there, the city mayor, and the vice chairman of the city board. The centerpiece of the event was the reading of the Declaration of the Independence.

  Dad had the opportunity of speaking with the gentlemen who helped coordinate the event. The gentlemen actually was from Africa and had only been living in the United States for nine years. When he began figuring out how this nation was started he was inspired and became deeply motivated to remind Americans of their heritage. This was one of the reasons for coordinating the reading of the Declaration of Independence on the court house lawn. From the conversation we were encouraged by a man, not even born in America, holding up those principles and ideals so integral to the founding of America.

The same call is upon the rest of Americans but even more so upon Christian patriots. For too long the principles of God’s word which established this country have been hid behind the curtain and thrown under the rug. The confusing political drama of the last few years has effectively shown the result of such a seeming minor cover up.

Let us do our part so that the joy of seeing the US flag fly, the excitement of celebrating the fourth of July, and the effort of our forefathers won’t be lost to the preceding generations. 

Leave a Comment » | posted in HIS-story, Proclaiming the Truth

The family is the building block of society. Undermine the family and society will grow unstable. Stability in family life comes from purposeful decisions to maintain relationships.

Grandpa and Grandma have long been an example of loyalty and faithfulness. They have helped to impart to their children the building blocks of strong, Biblical families.

We always enjoy the opportunity to be together with our extended family. Dad’s siblings have younger families. Watching them grow up and seeing their love for God grow is a blessing and truly a testimony to the grace of God and the faithful prayers of Grandma.

For the June birthdays, we had one large celebration here at the farmhouse. Two of Dad’s siblings with their families and Grandpa and Grandma made it out.

Our time together was truly precious. Just before opening gifts, there was a meaningful time of remembering God’s grace upon the Wilkes family in preserving Grandma from cancer. Through a series of miraculous events in 1991, the Lord halted the inevitable death that stage four cancer would have resulted. Now almost 20 years later (next year), the cancer has not returned. Grandma has lived a vibrant life these past 19 years, has had the joy of seeing the birth of her 20th grandchild, and abundantly blessed the lives of untold hundreds through her loving and servant’s heart.

As we counted our many blessings this year and celebrated the births of Grandma, Aunt Summer, Sarah, Kenan, and Joshua, there was also much joy over the preservation of Grandma’s life.

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The majority of the move was now complete. Thanks to our first class team of movers, the majority of our belongings now resided in Culpeper. And so as we looked towards turning our home over to the new owners and the dust began to settle, we realized that a significant cleaning operation was looming on the horizon. How could this be overcome? The answer – 12 Blessings from North Carolina. Though they had to of been wearied after a week of intense work in service to their Grandmother living in upstate New York, the Neely Team offered to invest themselves into our family. Furthermore, our home was lacking furniture and other usual comforts of hospitality but this did not bother the Neely Team. They arrived with gracious, energy giving spirits and hearts ready to serve.

Following a scrum-dilly-licious breakfast Saturday morning, vacuums roared to life, spray bottles began to discharge, paper towels scrubbed, and dust began to disappear. Dirty nooks and crannies from top to bottom were identified, attacked, and eliminated. Windows began to sparkle, trim to glisten, and bathrooms to squeak. A task of ponderous proportions was promptly performed with an overflowing abundance of joy, laughter, and fellowship.

After much diligence, the two teams rallied to the vans for a trip to Culpeper and a tour of the construction sight and our temporary housing.

Grandpa and Grandma along with a couple cousins, blessed us with their presence later on that evening when we had a birthday celebration for Kathryn, Jessica, Grandma, Joshua, Kenan, and Sarah.

The day came to a fitting close as everyone sang and praised our Lord and Savior around the pianos.

Thank you Neely Team for blessing our home!

Click here for the Neely Team’s report & more pictures

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There is no doubt that America stands currently under the judgment of God. For too long, we have neglected those Biblical principles upon which our nation was founded. God will not be mocked, and sin has its consequences.

Nevertheless, amidst the great atrocities of evil and the oppressive power of darkness, there are signs of reformation within our land.

During the month of June, our family had the joy of attending a day conference hosted by the Scott Brown of the NCFIC.

He came bearing a message of hope and a challenge to the Biblical family. It is time for families to live Biblically. As Thomas Manton once put it, ‘family is the seminary of church and state.’ Lawful worldly amusements must be exchanged for intense family worship. Our time is an indicator of where our priorities lie. Lukewarm Christian families are unsavory to our Lord. But amidst these challenging words, the hope comes from focusing not upon our failure but upon repentance and following our Savior. The steps will be little at first but through perseverance it shall yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness.

Pastor Brown exhorts that, “When the focus of our churches or our families is anything other than the glory of God we should expect them to be cursed rather than blessed.

If we change the focus of our families for our own sakes and because we want a better family, we have missed the mark…….

….Has God changed your heart so that it desires to glorify God? Do you believe He is your only hope? Is it He the one you truly admire? This is the heart of all true reformation.”

Pastor Brown and his team have purposed to travel across and around our nation to exhort, challenge, and edify the local body of believers. Our family left the day conference encouraged and with an even greater desire to reform through conforming our lives unto the image of the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Comment » | posted in Ministry Reports, On the Issues, Proclaiming the Truth

The long awaited day arrived all of a sudden – the time had come for our family to leave once and for all our home of 21 years.  This has been the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous in our eyes (Ps. 118:23). He has laid before us enough light for the next step which we are seeking to walk in by faith.

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were full days of packing up our home. Wednesday evening the moving truck arrived along with a team of energy giving Halbach family members and Tim Hynes. Ready to help, ready to serve – even if it involved matching socks .

Members from three of four more families graciously arrived the following day. And though the move has been potentially stressful, we have found much peace and joy stemming from the love and support of the body of Christ.

Thank you to each and every precious family – Grandpa, the Thrashes, Halbachs, Hynes, Potters, & Butlers -  who gave up time to invest into our family! We are overwhelmed by the giving hearts which have abounded toward us.

See the Hynes family blog for another report & more pictures!

5 Comments » | posted in Family News

During their childhood, Mom and her four siblings lived on a couple acres in the Maryland countryside. Throughout the years, we have enjoyed hearing the rich stories of the adventures they encountered – how a garden established a meaningful relationship between a pastor and Mom’s Dad, Mom’s successful produce stand along her busy little country road, caring for wild horses and crazy dogs , maintaining farm equipment, etc. Whenever Mom’s siblings are together, there is bound to be another memorable trip down history lane.

Such was the case just recently when several members from Mom’s family joined us for an afternoon down in Culpeper. We toured up and coming barn. While walking around the construction site and through the gardens and across the property, we were able to share the purpose for which God is moving us to Culpeper.

The blessing of extended family who love the Lord is not taken for granted. Our time together was full of much fellowship, laughing, eating, and encouraging one another in the Lord. It was our first of what we hope to be many family get-togethers here in Culpeper.

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Much joy was had in all the labor (Eccl. 2:10) of the weekend. Our time camping together culminated with a blessed day of fellowship with almost all the families from church.

There is something special about singing songs like ‘How Great thou Art’ while standing beneath the whispering sounds of blowing leaves, the friendly chirps of the birds, and the babbling creek.

Our hearts were drawn closer to the Savior while sitting on rows of hay bales beneath the welcomed shade of the trees. The day further emphasized the fact that church is not the building but rather the body of Christ gathered together for worship before our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

5 Comments » | posted in Family News, Outdoor Adventures