Night 1

Well the first night is done. Great to see everyone after summer. We had 5 new guys from Stockade which was awesome! We also had a bunch of alumni/leaders there which was also great.

In Squad meetings we started the first week of a four week study about being a real man. We read about Adam and how he was in charge of the animals, and looking after the Garden of Eden and everything in it. We saw that when the serpent came to tempt them he was with Eve, but didn't step in to stop the sin. Even though it was his responsibility to look after Even and the rest of the garden he didn't act to protect them. One author said "you fully expect Adam to come running with a garden hoe, cut off the serpent's head, and end this heinous approach of evil." Instead Adam chose to go along with Eve and the rest as they say is history.

We also got to read about Jesus and his incredible example to us of not avoiding responsibility. We read about him just before dying for our sins, he was "overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death". Think about that, Jesus, all-powerful was overwhelmed with sorrow! He prayed that God would let him avoid what he was about to go through. In spite of that fear and distress Jesus finishes praying and rises to meet his task head on. I am sure thankful that Jesus accepted his task and didn't respond as Adam did.

As men, often the hardest thing for us to do, is what's right. As real men, christian men, Jesus asks us to choose his ways over what is easy. He asks us to live our lives dedicated to God and his ways, as Jesus did. Matthew 10:39 says "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (emphasis added) Jesus isn't talking about physically dying. Jesus is talking about losing our pride, our ambitions, our priorities, our schedule, our image, and replacing them with his! This is the only way to find out what true life, and true manhood is all about.

Next week Matt is going to be talking about responsibility.

After squad meetings, we played a good round of Bulldog. It was definitely harder with so many guys in the gym. Then we moved on to Murderball. The two Battalion staples, what else would we play on the first night?? Phil's team got their butts kicked in Murderball, I'm pretty sure it was 4-0! We ended with another round of Bulldog. Check out this game of Bulldog!! I think we could give these guys a run for their money.



The verses to memorize for next week are:

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.

Don't forget to pray for Noah this week. See you next Tuesday.

Hawk Nelson!

Hey guys.. Here's an update on Hawk Nelson's new album! This one is the fifth release and revolves around the topic "a need for truth". It was Inspired by Francis Chan’s book Crazy Love.
“Sometimes submerged in a Christian environment, we lose perspective of what Jesus did for us on the cross. We need to wake up and grasp the meaning of what he did; Jesus made something completely unattainable, attainable, and we are called to live in and practice that same ‘crazy’ love." says Dunn (guitarist).

For me the album is sweet to listen to as it sounds sweet, its rock music and has meaning to it. I hereby recommend it...


New music video!!

Winnipeg Free Press Article

Winnipeg Free Press just wrote an article about Nathan Driediger. If you guys want to read it the link is below.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/faith/wings-of-faith-128518728.html

Campout 2011

Well the campout is over for another year. Everyone is home and the gear is put away (almost). Thanks to everyone who came, we had the biggest turnout we have had yet, as well as having the most Battalion guys ever which was awesome. Great to see some new faces and get to know some people a bit better. In the past we have had to go up Thursday night to set up some tents to get the spots we want before they fill up. This year Paul and Ryan and I decided we would just go and stay Thursday night as well. Most of the rest of the crew showed up at various times Friday afternoon and evening. Saturday there was alot of dirt biking and fishing going on, although nobody was having great luck with the fishing. Ranger Ron showed up with dirt bikes instead of his fishing boat this year, he said they needed to change it up. Sunday everyone slowly packed up and headed home, Some more slowly than others. Doug and Nathan and Nolan went out for one last fishing spree and Nolan caught 5 in a couple hours. Not sure how he did it but we figured we better give out the prize for that.

Every year a couple guys say we should do this trip twice a year instead of once so we are thinking about that maybe in the fall having a similar trip. Stay tuned about that. Have a great summer!!