BTLN UPDATE - DOUBLE POINT NIGHT

Congrats Dolan! This was Dolan's second Helmet of the Btln Season! Mike was there at the end with Dolan, but the guys were not going to let Mike win three out of the last six Helmets!

This week was Double Point Night for the Memory Work. Dolan and Josh each did a passage. Dolan for the fifth year in a row and Josh for the fourth year in a row! Luke also did a passage for the seventh year in a row! It is so good to have all the guys in the room listening as the guys quote Scripture. I am so proud of Dolan, Josh and Luke! Good work guys!

Dolan Weltz - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Josh Martens - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Luke Martens - Romans 8:28-39

The Captain - Romans 8:28-39

The game of the week was Murderball Defender! It was only the second time we have ever played Defender. We add the exercise balls from Mike 23 to the regular dodge balls for Defender. It is very distracting having the exercise balls in the mix. After winning the first two games my team traded Deshawn for Bryce. We lost the third game, but came back to win the fourth, winning the series 3-1!

In the Bible Study our topic was "Wisdom".

Psalm 110:10   The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

Proverbs 1:7   The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

To fear God is to give him the respect and honour that the Creator of the universe deserves! Wisdom demands awe and wonder at God's magnificence. 

James 3:13    Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

James 3:17   But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

The wisdom that comes from God is very different from the wisdom of the world. The wisdom that comes from God is humble, pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy, impartial and sincere.

Ephesians 1:17   I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

Colossians 1:9-10   For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

The wisdom that comes from God will help us to know God better and will help us to live life worthy of the Lord!

THE CAPTAIN



BTLN UPDATE - MIKE NIGHT

Congrats Deshawn! This was Deshawn's third Helmet of the Btln Season! Riley was there at the end with Deshawn, each vying for their third Helmet of the season! In the end it was Deshawn gaining more yardage on the last round to take the win and the Helmet!

This week was the final Mike Night of the Btln year. There were quite a few Mike Night rookies this time around. It is so funny to see the reaction of the rookies, they are almost always overwhelmed.

This time around it was Isaac's Team that was the winner.

Mike Night Final Scores

Isaac's Team - 74

Mike's Team - 63

Deshawn's Team - 61

Riley's Team - 54

Our Bible Study topic this week was "The power of God".

Romans 1:16   For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

1 Corinthians 1:18   For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Colossians 2:13-15   When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

The message of the cross that saves us, is the power of God!

Romans 1:20   For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

Colossians 1:15-17   The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

God's power is clearly seen through everything that he has created. Not only did God create everything, he also sustains his creation.

Ephesians 3:20-21   Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 6:10-11   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.

2 Corinthians 12:8-10   Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it (a thorn in the flesh) away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Not only does God's power save us from our sins, it is also available to us to help us through the struggles of life.

THE CAPTAIN



BTLN UPDATE - THE TRIFECTA AT RILEY'S BIRTHDAY PARTY

Congrats Mike! This is Mike's second Helmet in three weeks! Deshawn and Aiden (Aido Potato) were there at the end with Mike but were unable to last as long as Mike.

This Wednesday it was Riley's birthday. I don't often do anything extra for birthdays, because it is impossible to keep up with all the birthdays. But Riley is one of the Twelves and his birthday actually fell on a Wednesday, so we made an exception this time around.

This week we also gave away two twenty dollar gift cards to Dairy Queen to Bryce and Robbie for bringing five friends to Btln! I love giving these gift cards away! Keep up the good work Bryce and Robbie!

This week we played the Btln Trifecta for the first time in at least a couple years! We started the Trifecta with Fire-Fever-Flood. I think it was Riley that won FFF for Ben's team, to take the 1-0 lead. (If it wasn't Riley it doesn't matter, it was his birthday) In the second leg of the Trifecta we did Btln Sumo for the first time ever! We tried to match up guys of even weight, and it went better than expected for the first time. (We tried it at Stockade the next night and it worked even better after a couple of small changes.) Jason's team won Sumo setting up Extreme Bulldog as the tie breaker! I don't know if my team has ever won Extreme Bulldog, but this week was different. Jason's team pulled off the win to take the Trifecta 2-1!

In Bible Study our topic was "Eternal Life".

Romans 8:38-39   For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, either the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22   Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

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

Hebrews 10:14   For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

1 Peter 1:3-5   Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,  who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1 John 5:11-13   And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

Ephesians 2:6-7   And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:20-21   But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Ephesians 1:13-14   And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

2 Timothy 1:9a   He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.

There is so much in these passages it is almost impossible to summarize, but we will try. We are saved, kept by the power of God, guaranteed an inheritance, citizens of heaven, sealed by the Holy Spirit, made perfect and seated with Christ in the heavenly realms! All of these are ours when we accept the free gift of salvation that Christ paid for with his blood on the cross!

1 Peter 1:18-19   For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

THE CAPTAIN



BTLN UPDATE - WINTERSLAM 14

Congrats to Isaac! Isaac Holitzki is the Winterslam 14 Champion!

There were 25 guys at Winterslam 14! We had 17 Lightweights and 8 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 Cam Voiken and Danny Macmaster. Both Cam and Danny battled hard, but in the end Danny outlasted Cam to win the Lightweight Division! Congrats Danny!

First Round Winners
Danny Macmaster

Cam Voiken

John Becker

Charlie Foy

Final Two
Danny Macmaster

Cam Voiken

Lightweight Champion
Danny Macmaster


In the Heavyweight Division we had three bouts in the first round. Isaac, Mike and Cody all won their bouts in the first round, setting up an epic final round. Cody was the first one knocked out in the final round, leaving Mike and Isaac to battle it out for Winterslam supremacy! This battle was six years in the making. In the end Isaac pushed Mike down to win Winterslam 14 and the Belt! Congrats to both Isaac and Mike! Both can be very proud!


Final Three
Isaac Holitzki
Mike Walkus

Cody Olsen

Heavyweight Champion
Isaac Holitzki


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



THE CAPTAIN



BTLN PREVIEW - WINTERSLAM 14

It is Winterslam 14 (boxing) this week at Battalion! One of the grade twelves should win this year, or will we have a surprise Champion? 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 14 - Wednesday, Feb. 13th (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

 

 

 

THE CAPTAIN



BTLN UPDATE

Congrats Mike! This was Mike's first Helmet of the Btln Season! It is so good to have Mike at Btln and it is good to see him get his first Helmet of the year!

This week we played G*I*T*D Basketball! Anything glow in the dark is visually appealing! It always makes me think of the movie Tron. Team Orange had several opportunities to win when it was next basket wins at the end of the game, but were unable to convert. Team Green sunk the winner after a few tries to take the win!

In Bible Study we looked at Paul's conversion. (Acts 9, 22 and 26)

The question is, why is Paul's conversion recorded three times in the book of Acts? If God is repeating himself, then there must be something very important about Paul's conversion.

 

1 Timothy 1:12-17   I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.


Paul calls himself a blasphemer, persecutor and a violent man. God saved Paul even though he was a terrible man! Paul was not searching for God, but God was searching for Paul! Paul's conversion was an example of God's immense patience, grace and love. None of us can say that we are beyond God's capacity to forgive!




THE CAPTAIN



BTLN UPDATE

Congrats Riley! This was Riley's third Helmet of the Btln Season! Riley has moved back into a tie for second place with Josh in the Winston Standings!

This week we played Handball. I have come to the conclusion that we don't play Handball enough. Have I mentioned how much I love Handball? The game was a close battle, the lead changing multiple times. We ended the game with next goal wins that had close calls on both sides, before the ball bounced off of Mike between my legs for the game winner.

This week Ben was in charge of the Bible Study. Our topic was, "What is our Mission?"

Acts 2:42   They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21   Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Colossians 4:2-6   Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

1 Peter 3:15   But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Our mission has to be devoting ourselves to prayer and study of the Bible. After we have studied we need to share with others what we have learned about the gospel. We need to make the most of every opportunity and always do it with gentleness and respect!

THE CAPTAIN



BTLN BIRTHDAYS - JANUARY

I am finally getting the birthday post done, but January isn't over yet! So many good, pictures, memories and men! I feel so blessed to know each of these men!

Happy Birthday and may God bless you again this year!


JEREMY FEDDERSON - January 2
COURTNEY FRIESEN - January 4
JACOB COLIN - January 8
BRYCE PETERSON - January 9
JASON HAYASHI - January 10
MAXWELL NICHOLSON - January 10
TRISTAN HARVEY - January 15
ALEXEI TUBRETT - January 20
OWEN SPISAK - January 23
GEOFF MARTENS - January 31

THE CAPTAIN



BTLN UPDATE

Congrats Caleb! This was Caleb's second Helmet of the Btln Season! It was fitting that Caleb would win on what was probably his last night of Battalion. Caleb graduated early and will be moving to Kamloops to start his welding apprenticeship! Good luck and God bless to Caleb as he moves onto the next stage of life!

This week we played Mike 23 for the last time this year. The scores rise and fall with each mini game. It is hard to know who will win until the final mini game is over! Nathan's Team had a big early lead but ended up in a distant third!

Mike 23 Final Scores

Ryley's Team - 11

Coady's Team - 10

Nathan's Team - 7

Ben's Team - 6

In Bible Study our topic was Anxiety.

Proverbs 12:25   Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.

Having anxiety is something that we all deal with. We all have differing levels of anxiety. What we know for sure is that anxiety is not good for us according to this passage. I'm sure that most of us can identify with "Anxiety weighing down our hearts". The thing that we need to remember is that we don't have to deal with anxiety all alone!

Psalm 139:23   Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Psalm 94:18-19   When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.

Philippians 4:6-7   Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 5:7   Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

God wants us to cast all of our anxiety on him! He doesn't want us to have to deal with it on our own. We just need to bring him all of are concerns, whether big or small!

THE CAPTAIN

BTLN UPDATE

Congrats Josh! This was Josh's third Helmet of the Btln Season! Josh has now moved into sole possession of second place in the race for Winston!

This week we played Stickball at Battalion. I know that I say this every time, I think that this was the best Stickball that Btln has ever played. Instead of wondering about the rules, the guys have started to figure out strategy for Stickball. The game ended in a three way tie! Isaac winning the tie breaker for his team with a win in rock, paper, scissors!

Stickball Final Scores

Jason's Team - 8

Nathan's Team - 8

Coady's Team - 8

Ben's Team - 4

This week Ryley prepared and lead the Bible Study! The topic that Ryley chose was Sacrifice.

Romans 3:25   God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—

Hebrews 7:27   Unlike the other high priests, he (Jesus) does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.

Ephesians 5:1-2   Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Jesus sacrificed his own life on the cross for our sins! Jesus sacrificed everything for us to save us from the penalty of our sin!

Romans 12:1   Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

2 Peter 2:4-5   As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Because Jesus sacrificed everything for us, the right thing for us to do would be to sacrifice everything for him! We should offer our lives as living sacrifices!

THE CAPTAIN

BTLN UPDATE

Congrats Neighbour! This was Isaac's fourth Helmet of the Btln Season! Isaac is starting to open up a gap between him and the rest of the pack in the race for Winston!

This week we played Murderball for one of the last times this year! We only played three games, but they were all epic! In the first game my team battled back from one man left to win! The next two games were close, but in the end my team was unable to win again, losing 2-1!

In Bible Study our topic was God's Word. We looked at different passages that described God's Word as Eternal, Living, Active and Flawless. We read other passages that told us that God's Word was useful for attaining wisdom, teaching, correcting and able to keep us from sinning.

If God's Word is so important and useful then why would Israel have misplaced the Law?

2 Chronicles 34:14-21   While they were bringing out the money that had been taken into the temple of the Lord, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the Lord that had been given through Moses. Hilkiah said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the Lord.” He gave it to Shaphan.

Then Shaphan took the book to the king and reported to him: “Your officials are doing everything that has been committed to them. They have paid out the money that was in the temple of the Lord and have entrusted it to the supervisors and workers.” Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king.
When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes. He gave these orders to Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s attendant: “Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the remnant in Israel and Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the Lord’s anger that is poured out on us because those who have gone before us have not kept the word of the Lord; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book.”




The people of Israel had lost the God's Word in plain sight! The Law was right where it was supposed to be! It was in the temple! Having our Bible on our night stand and not reading it is like losing it in plain sight! I love what King Josiah did next. King Josiah read the Law to all the people from the least to greatest! We need to do the same!




2 Chronicles 34:29-32   Then the king called together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. He went up to the temple of the Lord with the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests and the Levites—all the people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the Lord. The king stood by his pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord—to follow the Lord and keep his commands, statutes and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, and to obey the words of the covenant written in this book.
Then he had everyone in Jerusalem and Benjamin pledge themselves to it; the people of Jerusalem did this in accordance with the covenant of God, the God of their ancestors.




THE CAPTAIN

13TH ANNUAL BTLN ALUMNI NIGHT

This year we had 31 men at the 13th Btln Alumni Night! One of the highlights of Alumni Night is giving away the Sergeant Jersey. This year it was Courtney Friesen's turn. Courtney was the 10th Sergeant of Battalion 3739. Courtney was the Sergeant for two years. Courtney was Sergeant for the 1995/96 and 1996/97 Btln Seasons. Courtney wasn't able to be with us on Alumni Night. Courtney will be the 22th Sergeant to receive his Jersey in our  "One forward and one back" Sergeant Jersey program! Congrats Courtney!

This year we didn't add any names to the Btln "Ring of Honour". After losing Aaron this year, I felt like we should wait a year before we added any names.

Like any other year we played Murderball. This post is so late that I cannot remember the results. All I know for sure is that it was good times!

We finished the night visiting in the Youth room. It was so good to watch the guys sharing stories and laughing together! I can't wait until next year!

Thanks to everyone that came out to Alumni Night!


THE CAPTAIN