BTLN HAT UPDATE

I was back in Kelowna at Lids and I was talking to the guys there and they decided that if any Btln 3739 Member came in and made a Battalion hat that they would give you 20% off the cost of the hat as well as 20% off the cost of the embroidery! Also in about a week you should be able to get the Btln Medallion embroidered on your hat as well! (Minus the Hebrew writing as it would not turn out very good.)

THE CAPTAIN

PINES BIBLE CAMP

 

 

 

Just wanted to remind you that Battalion 3739 totally supports the Pines Bible Camp and we would like to encourage all the guys from 3739 to spend a week up at the Pines this summer. Remember if you cannot afford to pay the registration fees then we would like to pay for you! Please take us up on this offer.(Two guys have already asked us if we can help.)

THE CAPTAIN

SAMMY REPRESENTS!

 

 

 

 

Love this tradition! You made us all very proud today Sam! It takes a man of courage and conviction to carry a flag that states "Bright and keen for Christ". Sammy, you did an amazing job representing Battalion 3739! More importantly, you also did an amazing job representing your God in front of most of Grand Forks! Jason, Devin and Drew can all be proud of the tradition that they have started! Four years in a row!
Sammy, we here at the blog salute you!

THE CAPTAIN

MEET THE NATION - BRUCE JEPSEN

It seems like there is no end to the great lineup of guys for our feature; "Meet the Btln Nation"! This time around legendary figure Bruce Jepsen. Bruce has been a part of Btln 3739 since the very beginning of Battalion in Grand Forks. Bruce was the 3rd Sergeant of Battalion 3739. Bruce is Ben(the 19th Sergeant) and Sammy's(the 23rd Sergeant) dad. (Three Sergeants in one family!) Bruce is married to Katie and lives in Grand Forks.(Bruce and Katie were both honored for their support for Btln 3739.)


RANDOM QUESTIONS
(1)What is your favourite style of music?
(A)80's rock
(2)What would you rather grow? A beard or moustache?
(A)Moustache
(3)What would you rather drive? A big truck or a fast car?
(A)Big truck
(4)Ford, Chevy or Dodge?
(A)Ford
(5)What would you rather wear? A ball cap or a toque?
(A)Ball cap
(6)What is your hat size?
(A)7 1/4
(7)What is more important before you go to bed? Brushing your teeth or watching the sports highlights?
(A)Watching the sports highlights.
(8)What is your favourite G.F. summer activity? Bridge jumping or tubing down the river?
(A)Tubing down the river.
(9)What was your favourite class in school? Shop, P.E. or Band?
(A)Drama
(10)What would you rather watch live? Your favourite band or your favourite sports team?
(A)My favourite band.
(11)What is your favourite sport?
(A)Hockey
(12)If you could be a superhero for a day who would you want to be?
(A)Spiderman
(13)What is your kryptonite?
(A)Katie's eyes(I'm powerless)
(14)What is your dream job?
(A)Baker
(15)Do you have any nicknames?
(A)Jeppy
(16)What is your favourite quote?
(A)"You said you wanted to be around when I was wrong, looks like you got your wish sweetheart." - Han Solo
(17)If I had a million dollars....
(A)I'd have a Ford Raptor, Lance and Jeremy would each have a bulldog and I would sponsor the Memory Work trip with the winners getting to go to the Stanley Cup final game wherever it may be.
(18)Something that you don't know about me is....
(A)I have an extra toe
(19)I have always wanted to....
(A)Write a book
(20)I will never....
(A)Skydive
(21)I really dislike....
(A)Stupid drivers

BATTALION QUESTIONS
(22)What is your M.M.M. from Battalion?
(A)First May Long campout in 1979!
(23)What is your favourite Battalion event?
(A)The May Long Campout
(24)What is your favourite Battalion shirt?
(A)The Boston Bruins "B"
(25)What do you miss most about Battalion?
(A)Playing floor hockey and listening to Tim Martens great stories.
(26)You arrive at the boat launch on your way out to the May Long, when you realize the boat doesn't have enough room for both your tarp and your food. What do you leave behind, your tarp or your food?
(A)My tarp
(27)How do you spend most of your time on the May Long? Fishing or playing cribbage?
(A)Playing Cribbage.
(28)One big block of cheese or the outhouse?
(A)One big block of cheese!
(29)How long have you been a part of the Btln Nation?
(A)33 years, Since 1978!

FOOD QUESTIONS
(30)What is your favourite restaurant?
(A)The Keg
(31)Menu item?
(A)Steak and lobster
(32)How do you like your steak?
(A)Medium rare
(33)What is your favourite vegetable? Beans or potatoes?
(A)Potatoes
(34)What do you like better? Burgers or pizza?
(A)Burgers
(35)What size pizza could you eat in one sitting? Individual, small, medium or large?
(A)Individual
(36)What is your favourite flavour of chips?
(A)Plain
(37)What do you like better? Coke or Pepsi?
(A)Coke

G.S.F. QUESTIONS
(38)Was there ever a time in high school that you would have rather climbed into a cage with a hungry bear than call the girl that you liked?
(A)Yes
(39)Have you ever been shafted by a girl?
(A)Oh and how!
(40)What would you have done on a first date? Dinner and a movie or 4x4ing up moto?
(A)4x4ing up moto

SERIOUS QUESTIONS
(41)What is your favourite book of the Bible?
(A)Acts and Luke, it's a toss up.
(42)What is your favourite verse?
(A)John 15:13 - Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
(43)Who is your favourite Bible character?
(A)Barnabas
(44)Where do you work?
(A)Katie's Kiddie Care
(45)What are your plans for the future?
(A)Camping, reading and trying to remember what I need to take to May Long 2011!

Thanks to Bruce for taking the time to answer all of these questions!

THE CAPTAIN

CREATION 2010

 

It is now less than a month until Creation 2010! Last night I purchased and printed the tickets! As soon as I have the tickets in my hands reality begins to set in, we are going to Creation 2010! I can't believe that this is the seventh year in a row for Battalion 3739! Only 28 days!

"Meet the Btln Nation" with Bruce Jepsen coming tomorrow!

THE CAPTAIN

BTLN - NAME YOUR PRICE

Professional poker player Phil Ivey recently made a one million dollar bet that he could go a whole year without eating meat and he could not do it.

New feature here on the blog. Name your price, how much money would you need to be paid to go a whole year without eating meat. Leave your answers in the comments.

"Meet the Btln Nation" with Bruce Jepsen coming real soon!

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P-DUB

 

With it being Father's Day I figured it would be a good time to look at the relationship between God the Father and Jesus his Son. A couple of the passages from our Memory Work list talk about this relationship.

Hebrews 1:3 - The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

There is so much in this passage, how can you describe this relationship in words? Jesus is the radiance of God the Father's glory. All of God's goodness radiates off of the Son and God the Father is proud of his Son!
Jesus is the exact representation of his being, in other words, Jesus is God. They are separate yet they are the same! Colossians 1:15 says that "He is the image of the invisible God."
Lastly it says that Jesus is sustaining all things, and again Colossians 1:17 says "He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Jesus made all things and he is making sure that they don't fall apart!

Hebrews 1:8 - But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom."

Hebrews 1:10 - He also says, "In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the works of your hands."

In these passages the Father calls the Son; God and Lord, this is amazing! As Father and Son, they created the Universe! And as Father and Son, they will rule the Universe for ever and ever!

There is so much for us to live up to in these passages as fathers and as sons. We need to be encouraged that we have such an amazing example! Don't forget that God wants to help us!

Take the time to read the rest of these passages. Hebrews 1:3-13 & Colossians 1:15-20.

Coming soon "Meet the Btln Nation" with Bruce Jepsen!

THE CAPTAIN

BATTALION MERCH

 

It has been a while since we have had new Battalion merch. We have been working on some new hats with Lids in Kelowna and they now has our logo on their computer. Anyone from the Btln Nation can now go into Lids in Kelowna and have a Battalion 3739 hat made. All you have to do is pick your hat and the color and size of the Btln logo and in fifteen minutes it will be done! If you are going to have a hat made make sure that you get the logo as big as possible as it will look a lot better this way. (I think the biggest that they can make the logo is 2 1/2 inches, the logo on my hat is 2 inches and I wish that it was a little bigger.)

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Bulldog Music: Summer Music Guide

Well Summer is usually a good time to pick up some great albums and i thought i would give you what to look forward to in no particular order!

1. Newsboys: Born Again July 13



First full album with Tait leading the vocals...we'll see how it goes i guess and if i am not mistaken Jesus Freak is a track on this baby...

2. Grits: Quarantine June 22



Grits not on Gotee records? it somehow just seems wrong! and im not sure what i think of track one of this album titled "O.M.G." but Grits have yet to fail me, lets hope this album isn't the first to do so.

3. Ivoryline: Vessels July 27



Finally we get a 2nd album from these boys! i saw them live last summer and i am thrilled to see what they can do after their first album!

4. House of Heroes: Suburba August 3



I have never been a hard core House of Heroes fan but after watching them play at YQ i am sold! these guys are pretty cool and just love playing music! they have some new tracks on their myspace page! http://www.myspace.com/houseofheroes

5. The Showdown: Blood in the Gears August 24



I have one of their albums and its good for a rock out session every once and awhile. i also saw these guys at creation fest and it was well...interesting! haha! this may be an album that is worth checking out!

6. Sixpence None the Richer: Strange Conversation August 24



Will their comeback be any good? time will tell i suppose.

-bent ;)

Bulldog Music Reviews: FM Static-Dear Diary

What does Anchor and Braille, FM Static, The Almost, and Fiction Family have in common? They are all side projects to other bands. Anchor and Braille features Stephen Christian of Anberlin and Aaron Marsh of Copeland, FM Static features frontman Trevor McNevan and drummer Steve Augustine of TFK, The Almost features Aaron Gillespie from Underoath (Now i suppose this is Aaron's main band since he is no longer involved with Underoath) and Fiction Family features Jon Foreman of Switchfoot and Nickel Creek guitarist Sean Watkins. For the most part bands like these put out one album it usually is pretty good and then we never hear from them again! however that is not the case when it comes to FM Static.

This is FM Static's third studio album and there is no sign of them slowing down at all! I don't recall ever seeing them live, however i have seen TFK many times over and im sure the shows are similar! When it comes to their albums i have to say that to this day and likely forever their first album is my favorite! i listened to that baby over and over growing up in high school. that being said the two albums they put out since have been very solid.

When looking at dear diary i feel that they used some of their sounds from their first album which may be why i like this one so much. there isn't a track on this album that i don't like or a track that bores me at all. Starting off with Boy moves to a new town kicks the momentum to a jump start right away, Boy meets girl has a very similar style to their first album and brings me back to high school, and The voyage of beliefs is a personal favorite adding some female vocals for one of the first times on FM Static.

In the end Dear Diary is a very solid album that has a lot of good thought provoking spiritual questions as well as some good ol dance/sing along tracks! FM's newest addition is worth checking out if your a lover of solid Christian albums!

1. "Boy Moves to a New Town With Optimistic Outlook" – 3:52***
2. "The Unavoidable Battle of Feeling on the Outside" – 3:36
3. "Boy Meets Girl (and Vice Versa)" – 3:02***
4. "Sometimes You Can Forget Who You Are" – 3:12
5. "Man Whatcha Doin'?" – 2:07*
6. "The Voyage of Beliefs (featuring Tricia Brock of Superchick)" – 3:13***
7. "Her Father's Song" – 3:23*
8. "Take Me As I Am" – 3:34
9. "Dear God" – 3:47*
10. "The Shindig (Off to College)" – 2:55*

FM Static-Dear Diary:10/10





R.I.P. Dana Key. Half of influential Contemporary Christian Music duo DeGarmo & Key, passed away June 6 2010. In addition to being a singer, he'd also founded ForeFront records and worked with EMI's Christian label. He was 56.

BTLN - MOST LIKELY TO.....

 

 

 

Time again for the Btln "Most Likely To" feature here on the blog. Like before, pick someone from the Btln Nation and leave your answers in the comments. You can give your reasons if you like but it is not necessary.

Who is most likely to hold a Guinness World Record?

THE CAPTAIN

Bulldog Music Reviews: Mute Math-Armistice

Mute Math has been one of those bands that came out of no where and is starting to get recognition across the world! i saw these guys perform before there first album even came out at Youth Quake. Me and Chester took our seats in the Hildebrand Chapel at Briercrest as Mute Math took the stage and blew us away. they put on one of the greatest shows i have ever seen! I got the opportunity to see them live again in a small club in Saskatoon, and due to the size of the stage it wasn't as cool but still pretty amazing!

Their first self titled album was one of my favorites of 2006. Possibly because it took me and most of North America by storm! who knew that Paul Meany previously doing keyboards and background vocals for "Earthsuit" could create such a monster of a band! There out of control/experimental style is very appealing as they go crazy not only on stage but within their songs! however this changes ever so slightly in their latest album "Armistice"

With their second album "Armistice" they stick to most of their Mute Math sound that we heard on their first album but within certain songs they go a little less experimental and go for a less crazy and more mellow sound, like on "Clipping" and "Pins and Needles" and I for one am a big fan! On top of this they put forth a a song or two that has a lot of radio and movie sound track appeal like "Spotlight," "Electrify" and "Backfire." Having songs featured on both the Transformers series and the Twilight series it is obvious that Mute Math is getting a lot of secular recognition. and in my opinion its easy to do so when you don't include the words God or Jesus in your lyrics.

If your looking for a band and album that has a lot of spiritual undertones and meaning then Mute Math is not the band for you. however if you are looking for a fun and clean album with a lot of cool songs and sounds then Mute Math is for you! Both of Mute Math's albums in my opinion are amazing and worth taking a listen!

1. "The Nerve" – 2:58*
2. "Backfire" – 3:22*
3. "Clipping" – 4:05*
4. "Spotlight" – 3:21***
5. "No Response" – 4:01*
6. "Pins and Needles" – 4:05***
7. "Goodbye" – 4:09*
8. "Odds" – 3:01*
9. "Electrify" – 3:49
10. "Armistice" – 3:54*
11. "Lost Year" – 3:13*
12. "Burden" – 9:06*

Mute Math: Armistice-10/10

-bent ;)




I love creativity.

P-DUB

 

With a little more time on my hands I will try to P-Dubbit a little more often.
Over the weekend I was reading from Nehemiah and I got to one of those passages that looks like it belongs in the book of Numbers.

Nehemiah 7:7b-11 The list of men of Israel: the descendants of Parosh 2,172 of Shephatiah 372 of Arah 652 of Pahath-Moab (through the line of Jeshua and Joab) 2,818.

This list continues for most of chapter seven.(72 verses) The thing that struck me was how accurate God's Word is. Part of me wanted to skip over these verses but I'm glad that I didn't. If I was writing these facts I probably would have rounded the numbers up. Is it really important that there were 2,172 descendents of Parosh? Why not 2,100 or 2,200? The truth is, if these numbers were not accurate then could we really trust the rest of the Bible? It is comforting to know that God does not ever cut corners and that his word is always accurate and truthful!

John 17:17b - Your word is truth. (This is Jesus praying to God the Father.)

2 Samuel 7:28a - O Sovereign Lord, you are God! Your words are trustworthy.

Proverbs 30:5a - "Every word of God is flawless."

Psalm 12:6 - And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.

God's word is so accurate that it is called the trustworthy, flawless and the truth!

THE CAPTAIN

BTLN BIRTHDAYS - JUNE

 

Another month has come and gone and it is time again for Btln Birthdays! I love being able to put the spotlight on a different group of guys each month. The Btln Birthdays gives us a chance to remember the Btln Alumni as well as meet the next generation of guys that are at Battalion.

Psalm 118:24 - This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

When God made your birthday he had you in mind! Everyday that we are alive is a gift from God. We should rejoice for every day or year that God gives us!

Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Happy Birthday and may God bless you this year!

Joe Kraftchick - June 5
A.J. Mahonin - June 9
Parker Steadman - June 16
Gerald Nicholson - June 20
Nathan Klassen - June 21
Jordon Walsh - June 27

THE CAPTAIN

P-DUB

 

 

Before we get going on the P-dub congrats to Joe and Heather!

When I think of the Btln Nation, to me it is family. Things done either good or bad by any of the members will affect the rest of the family. That is why when these guys(Joe, Ryley, Tyler or Ben for example.)make good choices I feel like I am blessed.

Exodus 20:5b-6 for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

A thousand generations! Think about the effect our choices can make! We can bless a thousand generations by choosing to follow God and his commands! Your good choices will bless the whole Btln Nation!(And everyone else around you!)

Psalm 103:17,18 But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children - with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.

God has given us the opportunity to leave a lasting godly heritage!

Psalm 61:6 For you have heard my vows, O God; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

THE CAPTAIN