BTLN UPDATE - WINTERSLAM 15

Congrats to Josh! Josh Martens is the Winterslam 15 Champion!

There were 28 guys at Winterslam 15! We had 16 Lightweights and 12 Heavyweights. There were four bouts in the first round of the Lightweight Division. In the second round we put the four winners from the first round back in the ring to find our winner! The last two left in the ring in the Lightweight Division were Aiden and Peyton. Both Aiden and Peyton battled hard, but in the end Aiden overpowered Peyton to win the Lightweight Division! Congrats Aiden!

First Round Winners
Aiden Burch
Peyton Beliveau
Caleb Martens

Ashton Finstad

Final Two
Aiden Burch
Peyton Beliveau

Lightweight Champion
Aiden Burch


In the Heavyweight Division we had three bouts in the first round. Josh, Bryce and Mathijs all won their bouts in the first round, setting up an epic final round. Mathijs was the first one knocked out in the final round, leaving Josh and Bryce to battle it out for the Winterslam Championship! We went ropes down once we advanced to the final two. Bryce knocked Josh down first before Josh evened the score by knocking down Bryce! In the end Josh pushed Bryce down to win Winterslam 15 and the Belt! Congrats to both Josh and Bryce! Both can be very proud!


Final Three
Josh Martens
Bryce Findlater
Mathijs Evers

Heavyweight Champion
Josh Martens


Thanks to Ben, Jason, Coady and Luke (And anyone else who helped) for all your help! It would be impossible without you!



THE CAPTAIN


BTLN PREVIEW - WINTERSLAM 15

It is Winterslam 15 (boxing) this week at Battalion! In the fall we had a surprise Champion at the 15th Royal Rumble! Who will win Winterslam 15? I can't wait to find out! Good luck to all!

Remember, there are two divisions. (Grades 7-9 Lightweight Division) (Grades 10-12, Heavyweight Division) Make sure that you are early! Bring a friend!


Winterslam 15 - Wednesday, Mar. 11th (6:45-9:00 p.m.)


WINTERSLAM CHAMPIONS

BEN JEPSEN - 2006
DEVIN CHURSINOFF - 2007
STEVEN FEENSTRA - 2008
STEVEN FEENSTRA - 2009
SAM SCHIESSER - 2010
KALEB HORKOFF - 2011
NATHAN KLASSEN - 2012
AUSTIN SCOW - 2013
JOHN VAN - 2014
NATE KLASSEN - 2015
DYLAN WARWARUK - 2016
DYLAN WARWARUK - 2017
JAKOB BOSCHMANN - 2018

ISAAC HOLITZKI - 2019



THE CAPTAIN

BTLN UPDATE - DOUBLE POINT NIGHT

Congrats Jonathan! This was Jonathan's first Helmet ever! The grade sevens have been trying all year to help each other, so that one of them could win a Helmet. When they realized that Jonathan had won, they all cheered! This Helmet was a win for all of the grade sevens!


This week was Double Point Night for the Memory Work. Josh, Andrew, Ashton, Caleb and Jonathan each did a passage. Josh for the fifth year in a row! It is so good to have all the guys in the room listening as the guys quoted Scripture. I am so proud of Josh, Andrew, Ashton, Caleb and Jonathan! Good work guys!


Josh Martens - Romans 8:28-39

Andrew Friesen - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Ashton Finstad - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Caleb Martens - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Jonathan Martens - Ephesians 1:3-14

The game of the week was Mike! Yes, it was Mike Night on Double Point Night! The game Mike has evolved over the years, only getting better with time! This week Mike lived up to the hype! The scores were very close until the last round, all the teams were within 4 points of each other! Luke's team destroyed the competition in the final round, getting possession of 21 balls!

Luke's Team  47 + 21 = 68

Jason's Team  45 + 13 = 58

Coady's Team  44 + 11 = 55

Isaac's Team  43 + 12 = 55

The Bible Study Topic this week was the importance of God's Word.

Matthew 24:35   Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Psalm 119:89 Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.

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

2 Timothy 3:16-17   All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Hebrews 4:12   For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Psalm 119:97-99   Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.

Psalm 119:9-11 How can a young man stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

This is just a small sample of verses that let us know how important God's Word is!

THE CAPTAIN

BTLN UPDATE

Congrats Josh! Josh Martens has tied the record for the most Helmets in a single Btln year! Josh has seven weeks to set a new record, and at this point it looks like he is going to obliterate the old record!

This week we played Murderball at Btln. In the past we used to play Murderball every second or third week, now we will play Murderball three times in second half of the Btln year. This time around we had three epic games that all lasted a long time, and were very competitive! Jason's team won the first game, but my team battled back to win the last two games, winning the series 2-1!


Our Bible study topic was "Treasures on Earth and Treasures in Heaven".


Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

We all know from experience, that the treasures of this world do not last or give lasting satisfaction. The treasures that are in heaven are eternal and are beyond what we can ask for or imagine! 

1 Timothy 6:17-19 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

When we share what God has provided for our enjoyment, then we will be laying up for ourselves treasures in heaven. We will also be happier here on earth because our hearts will be focused on other people and on God rather than on ourselves.

1 Timothy 6:6-10 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Having nice things is not a problem, it is when we fall in love with the treasures of this earth that we will fall into temptation.

2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

Jesus left all the treasures of heaven to die for us, so that he could give us all the treasures of heaven!

THE CAPTAIN

BTLN UPDATE

Congrats Danny! This is Danny's second Helmet of the Btln Season! All of a sudden Danny has two Helmets in the last four weeks! Bryce has been close the last two weeks, also trying for his second Helmet of the Btln Season! Keep up the good work Bryce!

This week we played "Dog and Bone" for the first time in years at Btln! Dog and Bone has become a regular game at Stockade and now has transitioned back to Btln. Dog and Bone is a lights on version of Mike. Instead of four teams like Mike, Dog and Bone is a two team game. I was actually planning to make Dog and Bone part of the new Btln Trifecta, but it was going so well that we kept on playing. The game ended in a tie, with a Rock-Paper-Scissors tie breaker!

Dog and Bone Final Scores
Luke's Team - 10
Coady's Team - 9

It was so good to have Alumni at Btln! John Van and Dylan Warwaruk both made an appearance!



In the Bible Study this week our topic was "Repentance".


Psalm 38:4   My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.

Psalm 38:18   I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.

Proverbs 28:13   Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

Psalm 32:1-5   Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.

The guilt of our sin will trouble and burden us. The only way to deal with our sin is to confess our sin to God and repent. God knows the mistakes we have made anyway. If we ask, we will always be forgiven!

2 Corinthians 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

1 John 1:8-9   If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

We will never regret confessing our sins to God! If we hold onto our sin, it will eat away at us and make us miserable.

2 Peter 3:9   The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

God wants everyone to come to repentance! God is patiently waiting for us to confess our sin and accept his forgiveness!

THE CAPTAIN

BTLN UPDATE

Congrats Alexei! Alexei has his first Btln Helmet! Alexei has been close in the past, now he has his first! The look of disbelief on his face was memorable. Bryce and Mathijs were there at the end with Alexei, making it a hat trick of grade nines at the end.

This week there was a request for Handball, and if the guys make a request we usually follow through. Handball is a Btln classic. It is always a good game, but sometimes it works better than others. This week it was awesome! The game was very close and competitive. Ben's team winning 10-8!

The Grand Forks food bank gave Btln Goldfish crackers. I wasn't sure of the response of the guys to the crackers was going to be. Ben went full Hype Man handing out the crackers, it was hilarious! So good! It was one of those unscripted moments that you could never duplicate!


This week our Bible study was about "Joy".


1 Thessalonians 5:16-18   Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Romans 12:12   Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

James 1:2-3   Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

When we look at these passages, it looks like we should always be trying to be joyful. These passages do not tell us that it will be easy.

Romans 8:18   I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

I think the key to joy is, looking past the bad things that we have to endure on this earth. We need to focus on the glory that will be revealed in us in eternity! We need to rejoice in the Lord, and in what he has done for us, not in our circumstances good or bad.

Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

When it comes to joy, Jesus set the example for us! Jesus joyfully endured the cross because he knew what he was going to accomplish through his death! Jesus saved us and will bring us to glory through his death and resurrection! Knowing this should bring us joy!

THE CAPTAIN

BTLN UPDATE

Congrats Josh! This is Josh's seventh Helmet! Josh is only one Helmet away from tying the record for most Helmets in one Btln Year! Zach Gobbett's eight Helmets in the 2011/12 Btln Season is the current Btln record.

This week our game of the week was Mike 23! Mike 23 is quite different from the other games that we play at Btln. We play six or seven mini games. The scores rise and fall every round. The lead changes almost every round. The team with the lead one round gets picked on the next.

Mike 23 Final Scores

Coady's Team - 23

Jason's Team - 21

Ben's Team - 18

Luke's Team - 17

The Bible Study topic this week was "Victory in Christ".

1 Corinthians 15:54-56   When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.


On our own we were beaten, but through Jesus we have victory over death! This does not mean that we will not die, it means that we have inherited eternal life through Jesus' death and will spend eternity in heaven with Jesus!

1 Timothy 1:18-19   Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.

1 Timothy 6:11-12   But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Even though Jesus has secured the victory, that does not mean that life is not going to be a battle! Twice Paul tells Timothy that he needs to fight the good fight! Fortunately we are not fighting alone! Jesus is on our side!

Ephesians 6:10-17   Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

God has equipped us for the battle! He has given us Truth, Righteousness, the Gospel of Peace, Faith, Salvation and the Word of God!

THE CAPTAIN

BTLN UPDATE

Congrats Danny! This is Danny's first Helmet of the year and his second Helmet ever in Btln! At the end it was Josh and Danny battling it out for Bulldog supremacy. There were several rounds with just Danny and Josh, before Danny finally won! It is never easy to win the Helmet!

This week we played Stickball for the first time in the second half of the Btln year. This time around we had the closest finish we have ever had in Stickball. When the game is close then the mistakes that are made are more critical. The guys understand the rules, now we need to learn the strategy involved. This time when ended in a three way tie, setting up a Rock-Paper-Scissors overtime! Josh winning with Paper over Rock on both competitors!


Stickball Final Scores
Josh's Team - 10 -
Luke's Team - 10
Jason's Team - 10
Coady's Team - 8


Our topic for the Bible Study this week was "Life is Precious".


Genesis 1:26-27   Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

All life was created by God and humans were created in God's image! Three times in this one passage we are told that we were made in God's image!

Genesis 2:4-7   This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the Lord God made the earth and the heavens. Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground, but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

God formed Adam's body from the dust of the earth and then breathed into him the breathe of life! We were not an accident, we were formed by the God of the universe!

Psalm 139:13-16   For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Psalm 39:4-5   “Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.

Life is precious because we were created by God! Life is also precious because it is so short. We do not know how many days will have on this earth. Even if we are blessed with a long life, it is still short and fleeting, like a breath! We need to make the most of life by living for God who gave us life and wants to give us eternal life!

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BTLN UPDATE

Congrats to Sonny! This was Sonny's first Btln Helmet ever! We have had so many first time Helmet winners in the last two Btln Season's! Sonny has been close to winning several times this year and now has his first Helmet!

This week we played Murderball for the first time since the Three B's. We played four games, ending up in a 2-2 tie. Time was running short so we went to a "One on One" overtime game! Each team selected one player to play in the overtime. Josh was selected for Ben's team and Sonny was selected for Jason's team. The overtime took longer than expected, but in the end it was Josh hitting Sonny for the win! Ben's team winning 3-2! (We might have to work on the details of the overtime.)


In the Bible study our topic was God's Faithfulness.

1 John 1:9   If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24   May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

1 Corinthians 1:8-9   He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Hebrews 10:23   Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Our salvation is completely dependent on God's faithfulness! God is going to forgive and purify us. He will also sanctify and keep us and is the one that brings us hope!

Romans 3:3-4   What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.”

2 Timothy 2:13   If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

Isn't it comforting to know that God's faithfulness does not hinge on our faithfulness? God is the faithful friend that we all need! He is the friend that will stick closer than a brother!

Proverbs 18:24   One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.



THE CAPTAIN

BTLN UPDATE

Congrats to Josh! This is Josh's sixth Helmet of the Btln Season! Sonny was there at the end with Josh, and was running hard, but was unable to last as long as Josh. Josh is on pace to crush the Helmet total for a single Btln Season! Zach Gobbet's eight Helmets in the 2011/12 Btln Season is the current Btln record.

In the past we used to play gym football, but lately the numbers have been to high to play football, until now. It was so good to bring back a Btln Classic! Jason started the scoring with a beautiful pass to Isaac in the end zone. Jason's team had the early 7-0 lead. My team could not sustain a drive and it looked like we would lose 7-0. Suddenly Chris intercepted the ball and ran it back for a touchdown! The game ended in a 7-7 tie, a fitting way to end a close game.


This week our Bible study topic was, "Why do bad things happen to good people?"


Romans 8:20-23   For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.


The reason why bad things happen to anyone in this world is because we live in a broken world. Ever since Adam sinned, the whole earth has been subject to decay. This passage also teaches us that even those that have trusted in God will also experience pain.


Romans 8:18    I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18   Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

The good news is, that the suffering that we endure here on this earth, will not be worth comparing to the glory that is waiting for us in heaven! It will be worth it all! (Paul is the one writing this, and he knew suffering. Read 2 Corinthians 11:24-30)

THE CAPTAIN

BTLN UPDATE

Congrats to Jacob(Greenwood)! It was Jacob's sixteenth birthday on Wednesday Night and it was also his first Btln Helmet ever! What a way to celebrate his birthday! Jonathan was there at the end with Jacob, but was unable to avoid the crowd and last as long as Jacob.

This week we played the Btln Trifecta. We started with Handball first to seven. Luke's team beating Isaac's team 7-5. Next we played Fire-Fever-Flood. The final four were Isaac and Jonathan for Isaac's team and Luke and Josh for Luke's Team. Jonathan went down first and then it was Isaac next leaving Luke and Josh, giving Luke's team the 2-0 win in the Btln Trifecta!


In the Bible study our topic was "Serving Others".

Romans 12:3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves.

1 Corinthians 10:24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

Galatians 5:13-14 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.”

Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

Our culture will tell you to look out for yourself first, but God's word teaches the opposite! We are supposed to honour others above ourselves, seek the good of others and value others above ourselves. The final passage summarizes all the other passages perfectly. The world will always look out for their own interests first. We who are saved by Jesus put others first, because Jesus put our needs before his own when he died on the cross for our sins!

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