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posted by Michael on 12/18/10

While America’s people feel the pressure of a government that thought it could pay people to not work, the president of France seems to have given us a good example!

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posted by James on 12/16/10

. . . the 2010 IBLP Christmas Conference!

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posted by Donald on 12/14/10

Have you noticed how often the simple act of giving a good-natured: “Merry Christmas!” makes it more of a “merry Christmas” for you yourself as well? Why? Because a cheerful greeting is one of the most basic forms of giving.

Last weekend our family was strengthened and encouraged at the IBLP Christmas Conference. So many “perfect greetings” were given. What an exchange of enthusiasm, gifts, talents and fellowship.

“And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect [readily generous to everyone who is around you], even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:47-48).

This Christmas, God bless us with the joy of giving!

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posted by Esther on 12/13/10

This morning we read Psalm 133 about the beauty of brethren dwelling together in unity. At breakfast we all talked about what has helped us in our efforts to be best friends.

Michael:
One thing that has helped me build good relationships with my brothers and sister is realizing that it is my fault if I feel tension because nothing can take away my joy when it is coming from the Lord. Tension is a signal that I need to examine myself. Once, someone was talking about a fantastic revelation from God that I already knew. I started judging them and wondering why thy thought that was so new and profound. So I prayed. God seemed to say, “Michael, you could afford to be reminded of that.” My attitude began to change and I was glad they had discovered that truth and the tension left.

Jonathan:
Just knowing that  my brothers and Esther are trying to be friends really helps us feel like friends. I know we all want to accept and like each other. A big thing is being glad to see each other after a time of separation. Another thing is coming to the rescue for each other. Once we were all talking and I said something really embarrassing. Instead of saying, “”Oh Jonathan!” one of my brothers said something that covered it up and made it look like a joke. It saved me from a embarrassing moment!

David: 
I like my siblings because they are fun to be around. A big part of it is yielding rights instead of being selfish. I appreciate how when I tell them how excited I am about something (like the fact that its snowing) they are excited too instead of ignoring me. Their example makes me want to yield my rights and be fun to be around too.

Donald:
A  key of sibling harmony is to not give up when you are struggling in your relationships. Expect imperfections and be willing to communicate to resolve misunderstandings. Perfection is a long term project. When we get up late (like this morning) it seems like the day is messed up already. In this situation, the first step was to confess that I didn’t get up when I first woke up. Then I decided to leave it in God’s control and start doing what needed done. Moving forward instead of dwelling on the fact that we had messed up helped me to keep the situation from getting in-between me and others.

Esther:
Becoming familiar with the love languages has helped me to channel God’s love to my brothers, just like I would to build any other friendship. My brothers have often done this for me. Donald helps me with my housework very often, Jonathan and I send each other chat messages even if we are sitting on computers next to each other in the same room (It’s just fun, that’s all), David and I played a game in the car on the way home from Indianapolis yesterday. While pealing apples or washing dishes, Daniel and I have had deep discussions on debatable things we’ve heard. Robert is so willing to bail me out if I’m in a pinch (like when I thought I had bought a plane ticket home and I really hadn’t, he used his bonus miles to buy me one!). Gifts, words of encouragement, physical touch, quality time together, and acts of service are the most common ways of communicating love.

A theme that runs through all of these is the important realization that as a Christian family we are all on the same side of the struggle. Lots of you are reading this and maybe it’s triggered an idea on what has built family unity in your home. Leaving a comment about your thought would be very much appreciated! May the Lord bless you all with the selfless joy of the Christmas Season today and all through the year!

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posted by Donald on 12/9/10

Two whirlwind weekends in a row! How can we summarize such a wonderful time?

November 20th was a large Craft Show in Fairfax, Virginia. It was the largest craft show we had ever been a part of and all together with the Wilkes we had close to fifty different things for sale. Each one was unique and people showed a lot of interest, particularly in Michael’s pure West Virginia honey.

Saturday evening we had the chance to go and see the progress on the Wilkes’ barn. With eyes of faith, they shared the vision God is giving them for using the property to it’s fullest. From the highest story in the barn we looked out to see the sunset over the mountains to the west and afterwards enjoyed HUGE s’mores around the bonfire under a bright full moon. (Perhaps best of all we were there as witnesses when the good news came that Matthew had brought in a big doe. Daniel helped him track it down and we assisted with the field dressing.) On Sunday we joined the Thrashes and Halbauchs for a message from Luke and uplifting fellowship. The Lord united our hearts.

The week of Thanksgiving flew quickly by. Robert, James and Daniel came in from Chicago along with our friend Barak Lundberg. His initiative and availability helped us throughout the week processing our deer meat and tending beehives. Thanksgiving Day finally arrived and we were happy to celebrate with Grandma Brown, Uncle George and Aunt Joyce. There has been so much for which to be grateful.

With Friday came the Wilkes! and their enthusiastic everyday-type-of-encouragement. They joined us for our first visit to Pruntytown, working with the Glick Family in their prison ministry: singing, playing instruments, and sharing words of encouragement with the men. That night we sang even more for our church.

On the way home in the car that night we couldn’t stop singing and finished out the time with some grand Christmas caroling. May it continue as we enter this joyful time of remembering the inestimable gift given to us in the birth of Christ. Thank you for ministering with us Wilkesteam! “Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord” (Psalm 150:6).

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