Howdy all,
We're off to a good start on Winter Camping/Backpacking and the basic information we've gone over so far will make sure everyone has a good foundation to build from. Good news! I've heard from Lt. Tallman and he'll be joining us the last week before we break for Christmas and his classes next semester won't interfere with Tuesday nights. PTL! I'm really excited by how the food drive is going and you all have put out a good effort. Remember, Tuesday the 9th is the last week to have donations counted toward your squad so make an effort. You can, of course, donate beyond that date purely as a service to your community. Man, I really enjoyed Lt. Anderson's talk this past Tuesday. I must have said the Watch Word a couple hundred times and after awhile it can become just words. Thing is, they are pretty special words and tie us to a vision and mission that has spanned a long time. Have you been "bright" this week? Did you light up the rooms and halls you inhabited with the gospel of grace and peace that comes from God? Do you remember how, in our last memory verse, the scripture told us that our bodies were "temples of the Holy Spirit"? Well guess what was one of the furnishings that God mandated to be in the temple? If you said, "Lamp Stand" you'd be right on. We are God's holy temples lit from within by the fire of the Holy Spirit. That's a great privilege! "This little light o mine, I'm gonna let it shine...". In case you don't know it, here's the prayer or "Watch Word" we say at the end of each meeting.
Now we trust in God to keep us bright and keen for Christ
because we love him and we want to serve him until we
see him face to face.
Hey, candy for anyone who brings in something for the food drive this week.
Blessings,
Capt. Hayden
Friday, December 5, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
CMTS Trip, Novermber 14-16
A group of 12 brigadiers and adult leaders traveled to Christian Missionary Technical Services near Reading, Pa on the evening of the 14th. We were anticipating a good weekend of work at what has become one of our favorite places to serve. This was our fifth year to work at CMTS and the timing couldn't have been better. We met Missionary Evan Williams who is originally from Ireland but after 24 years of missionary service around the globe, is being called to set up a ministry in Honduras to train men to serve as Pastors in their home towns. Many Pastors in Honduras have not had the opportunity to study in an organized setting and Mr. Williams is working to make that a reality for them. We were tasked with transferring his belongings and items for the church from two U-Haul vans along with 2000 bibles from a third van to a 40 foot sea container that will be loaded onto a ship for Honduras. We also unloaded books from a bus that will be loaded with other supplies and heading for Haiti. The bus and its contents will be shipped to Haiti to benefit a church community headed by Pastor Joshua whom we also met. A number of other moving and clean-up jobs rounded out our Saturday. Once again, the staff at CMTS was impressed and grateful for the work accomplished and the spirit of fun that was evident throughout the weekend. Checkout the pics thanks to Mr. Dean.
November 18th
Well guys, it's been more than a month since I last posted something here and a lot of water's gone under the bridge. Mostly though, I've been kind of lazy so please forgive me. A faithful brigadier reminded me last week that I wasn't doing my job very well and I needed the push. So, what's been going on? My wife and I had a wonderful trip to Europe (my first) and there were many things I enjoyed about it. None more though, than getting home to the good ole USA. For all of Europe's charms, I'm still glad I live here and the wisdom of our founding fathers is more clear to me than ever. I pray that as we debate the issues of religious freedom, we never set aside the foundation of God's soverienty upon which our government rests. Next, a couple of the adult leaders and almost all of the Non-comms participated in a leadership conference at Camp Hickory Hill in New York. We included a sight seeing stop at Niagra Falls which is a truly awesome sight. I'm really proud of the spirit of service among our Non-comms and their willingness to improve the way they serve the Battalion was evident at the conference. These are good guys to follow. The following weekend was our trip to CMTS and I've got a separate blurb on that so I won't go into it here. We also finished up the Physical Fitness Activity and I think nearly everyone improved in at least one area so congrats to all. Set new goals for yourself and keep it going! We'll be transitioning to Winter Camping now and working toward our trip in January to try out our new skills. We'll have new character and leadership traits and a new verse to memorize. Speaking of memorization, here's a test to see if you got our first memory verse in your long term memory. Tell me the verse next Tuesday night (the 25th) and I'll have something sweet for you.
Blessings,
Captain Hayden
Blessings,
Captain Hayden
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Notes from October 14th
Hi parents and Brigadiers,
We spent a little time learning to shoot a basketball tonight though you guys may have been scratching your heads thinking, "what in the world are we doing?!" Well, there's a little method to my madness and what we did more than anything was to give you some easy drills to get a feel for the ball and good shooting form even though we never actually shot at a basket. It's all about control of the ball and our bodies. Lt. Anderson made a great point tonight about how shooting a basketball can illustrate what sin is. Sin is missing the mark and anyone who's ever shot the Bball knows what that's like. I even remember an exercise from one of the Stockade Blockhouses that used that example. So if sin is "missing the mark", then what is the "mark" to begin with? Well for that we look to the perfection of our great God and it's clear to any honest person that we just aren't going to make it on our own. And that's what's so amazing about God's grace. His only son takes what we deserve, for missing the mark, and we're seen as having hit the mark perfectly, like Jesus, when we trust Him as our Lord and Saviour. That's good news! I'll see you when I get back from my trip Lord willing.
Blessings,
Capt. Hayden
We spent a little time learning to shoot a basketball tonight though you guys may have been scratching your heads thinking, "what in the world are we doing?!" Well, there's a little method to my madness and what we did more than anything was to give you some easy drills to get a feel for the ball and good shooting form even though we never actually shot at a basket. It's all about control of the ball and our bodies. Lt. Anderson made a great point tonight about how shooting a basketball can illustrate what sin is. Sin is missing the mark and anyone who's ever shot the Bball knows what that's like. I even remember an exercise from one of the Stockade Blockhouses that used that example. So if sin is "missing the mark", then what is the "mark" to begin with? Well for that we look to the perfection of our great God and it's clear to any honest person that we just aren't going to make it on our own. And that's what's so amazing about God's grace. His only son takes what we deserve, for missing the mark, and we're seen as having hit the mark perfectly, like Jesus, when we trust Him as our Lord and Saviour. That's good news! I'll see you when I get back from my trip Lord willing.
Blessings,
Capt. Hayden
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Thoughts from October 7
Hi gang,
We got some good information for our quest to better our physical fitness this week. We've all got goals to shoot for now and practical ways to get there...if we act. Remember, there's some prizes out there for showing you are working your plan. You know, having a plan is important for many areas of our lives. I talked some this week about our being more diligent about regular devotions whether that occurs using our Adventure Trails books or by some others means. The key again is to have a plan. Plan your work then work your plan. Do you have a time each week you can devote specifically to your relationship with the Lord? I like to read the paper while I eat my Frosted Mini-wheats each morning. But, you know, the news ain't that great these days and I'm convinced I'll find better news in the pages of my Bible. That's a time I could make a change. Which brings me to the story Lt. Lutz told us this week. Shadrach, Mishshach, and Abednego had a very telling moment in their lives, a moment to stand in faith or to crumble. If you read the beginning of the book of Daniel, you find that these young men were faithful to God from the beginning and he in turn gave them knowledge and understanding. They were young men of action and planning and because of that, they were prepared when a test of faith came. It was neat to learn that Lt. Lutz actually came to know Jesus as his savour as Stockader some years ago and he shared that CSB Ministries’ mission is to win and develop children and youth to be leaders for Christ. That mission hasn't changed. I think you are in the right place. Did you know Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego weren't their original names? Tell me their original names and I'll have something for you at the next meeting.
Blessings,
Capt. Hayden
We got some good information for our quest to better our physical fitness this week. We've all got goals to shoot for now and practical ways to get there...if we act. Remember, there's some prizes out there for showing you are working your plan. You know, having a plan is important for many areas of our lives. I talked some this week about our being more diligent about regular devotions whether that occurs using our Adventure Trails books or by some others means. The key again is to have a plan. Plan your work then work your plan. Do you have a time each week you can devote specifically to your relationship with the Lord? I like to read the paper while I eat my Frosted Mini-wheats each morning. But, you know, the news ain't that great these days and I'm convinced I'll find better news in the pages of my Bible. That's a time I could make a change. Which brings me to the story Lt. Lutz told us this week. Shadrach, Mishshach, and Abednego had a very telling moment in their lives, a moment to stand in faith or to crumble. If you read the beginning of the book of Daniel, you find that these young men were faithful to God from the beginning and he in turn gave them knowledge and understanding. They were young men of action and planning and because of that, they were prepared when a test of faith came. It was neat to learn that Lt. Lutz actually came to know Jesus as his savour as Stockader some years ago and he shared that CSB Ministries’ mission is to win and develop children and youth to be leaders for Christ. That mission hasn't changed. I think you are in the right place. Did you know Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego weren't their original names? Tell me their original names and I'll have something for you at the next meeting.
Blessings,
Capt. Hayden
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Thoughts from our September 30th meeting
Greetings all!
September has come and gone and we are off to a great start in Battalion. The consistency of our attendance each week is really encouraging and even this week we had a guy come who we hadn't seen since last spring. We've got a great group. Well, how did you like the basketball lesson? It was clear everyone was working pretty hard at the drills and you guys are good sports. Everyone did very well and, like the fitness programs, it's consistent practice that gives real improvement. For some, playing a game is a more rewarding way to get and stay in shape so you'll have that opportunity over the next couple weeks. Well you all heard from Ethan Criss this week. He's one of our newest Lieutenants but he's not new to Battalion or even to 6468. Ethan's been involved as a Brigadier and Non-com and has joined us again now that he's graduated from Washington College. I'm thankful he's here. What he didn't tell you is that if you need some help with American History, he's your man. He shared with us some wisdom he gained in his experience at college and it's advice we'd do well to heed. If you're human, and I assume you are, you know how tough it can be to break a habit. We try and fail, try and fail again. It can get pretty discouraging! But discouragement is the last thing God wants for us. In fact, He's made the greatest sacrifice to give us not what we deserve but himself through Christ. He doesn't require us to get our act together before he accepts us. That's what we call grace and that's good news! Let me know if you have any habits you're working to change at our next meeting and I'll have something for you.
Blessings,
Capt. Hayden
September has come and gone and we are off to a great start in Battalion. The consistency of our attendance each week is really encouraging and even this week we had a guy come who we hadn't seen since last spring. We've got a great group. Well, how did you like the basketball lesson? It was clear everyone was working pretty hard at the drills and you guys are good sports. Everyone did very well and, like the fitness programs, it's consistent practice that gives real improvement. For some, playing a game is a more rewarding way to get and stay in shape so you'll have that opportunity over the next couple weeks. Well you all heard from Ethan Criss this week. He's one of our newest Lieutenants but he's not new to Battalion or even to 6468. Ethan's been involved as a Brigadier and Non-com and has joined us again now that he's graduated from Washington College. I'm thankful he's here. What he didn't tell you is that if you need some help with American History, he's your man. He shared with us some wisdom he gained in his experience at college and it's advice we'd do well to heed. If you're human, and I assume you are, you know how tough it can be to break a habit. We try and fail, try and fail again. It can get pretty discouraging! But discouragement is the last thing God wants for us. In fact, He's made the greatest sacrifice to give us not what we deserve but himself through Christ. He doesn't require us to get our act together before he accepts us. That's what we call grace and that's good news! Let me know if you have any habits you're working to change at our next meeting and I'll have something for you.
Blessings,
Capt. Hayden
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Thoughts from the September 23rd Battalion Meeting
Hi all,
Well, we've got a lot of information on exercise programs. We learned how they benefit us, what they should include, target heart rates, aerobic and anaerobic exercise, etc. My fear is that the only thing working out so far is our brains. Have you started? Are you "just doing it"? All the knowledge about fitness and workouts won't make us stronger or better conditioned. We have to do something with what we've learned. I hope you will. You know, fitness knowledge is to fitness what knowing about Jesus is to knowing Jesus. We have the Bible to tell us all about who Jesus is, why he came, and why we need him so badly. But if it only goes as far as our head, we may end up like those fellas in Mathew 7:21-23. They may have known about Jesus but didn't "know" Jesus and Jesus didn't know them. James talks a good deal about faith that is all head knowledge and no action. Lt. Anderson used a great illustration to show us the difference in believing something is true about a thing and actually laying hold of that thing to make it ours. In that same Chapter of Mathew, Jesus tells us to ask, to seek, and to knock. Those are action words. Take action. Jesus is waiting. Let me know how you've taken action this week and I'll have something for you at our next meeting.
Blessings,
Capt. Hayden
Well, we've got a lot of information on exercise programs. We learned how they benefit us, what they should include, target heart rates, aerobic and anaerobic exercise, etc. My fear is that the only thing working out so far is our brains. Have you started? Are you "just doing it"? All the knowledge about fitness and workouts won't make us stronger or better conditioned. We have to do something with what we've learned. I hope you will. You know, fitness knowledge is to fitness what knowing about Jesus is to knowing Jesus. We have the Bible to tell us all about who Jesus is, why he came, and why we need him so badly. But if it only goes as far as our head, we may end up like those fellas in Mathew 7:21-23. They may have known about Jesus but didn't "know" Jesus and Jesus didn't know them. James talks a good deal about faith that is all head knowledge and no action. Lt. Anderson used a great illustration to show us the difference in believing something is true about a thing and actually laying hold of that thing to make it ours. In that same Chapter of Mathew, Jesus tells us to ask, to seek, and to knock. Those are action words. Take action. Jesus is waiting. Let me know how you've taken action this week and I'll have something for you at our next meeting.
Blessings,
Capt. Hayden
Thursday, September 18, 2008
STOCKADE
Chapelgate Presbyterian Church's Chistian Service Brigade Stockade 6468 program is for boys grades 3rd through 6th grades who want to have fun while growing in knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Along with fun and games, the boys participate in activities that involve exciting growth experiences: physically, mentally, socially and spiritually. The Stockade Boys are grouped by grade in Posts and lead by 2 or 3 Christian men. The Tuesday (7pm-8:30pm) weekly meetings are a time of games, stories, achievements and a regular challenge from the Word of God. In addition, the boys will participate in some special events such as Camping, Service Project, Talent Show, Shape N Race Derby, and a Rocket Launch. Contact Chief Ranger Gene Siggins at 410-795-6782 with any questions.
Chapelgate Presbyterian Church's Chistian Service Brigade Stockade 6468 program is for boys grades 3rd through 6th grades who want to have fun while growing in knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Along with fun and games, the boys participate in activities that involve exciting growth experiences: physically, mentally, socially and spiritually. The Stockade Boys are grouped by grade in Posts and lead by 2 or 3 Christian men. The Tuesday (7pm-8:30pm) weekly meetings are a time of games, stories, achievements and a regular challenge from the Word of God. In addition, the boys will participate in some special events such as Camping, Service Project, Talent Show, Shape N Race Derby, and a Rocket Launch. Contact Chief Ranger Gene Siggins at 410-795-6782 with any questions.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Week of September 16th
Well it was another good turn out this week and good to see everyone. Looks like everyone recovered from our fitness test so now we can set about the business of improvement. I hope you'll seize the opportunity to develop a simple routine of exercise to see what you can accomplish over the next six weeks. I think you may surprise yourself. A great point that Kyle and Trevor made in their presentation last night is that exercise is necessary to get in shape but also to keep or maintain a level of fitness. Our relationships are like that too. When we practice or "exercise" our relationships with others, they get better and when we continue in that, our relationships with parents, friends, etc get even stronger. The one relationship that really sets the tone for all others is our relationship to Christ. Have you "exercised" that relationship lately? It shouldn't be hard. The scriptures tell me He's particularly fond of you and seeks a relationship with you. He actually pursues you. Lt. Heckman talked some about this last night when he mentioned our "connectedness" to Christ. Let us fix our eyes on Him (like a finish line) and run the race He sets before us. That's a fitness program we can all use. Do you remember the verses from Hebrews Lt. Heckman talked about? Let me know at the next meeting and I'll have something for you.
Blessings,
Capt. Hayden
Blessings,
Capt. Hayden
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
The Bike Trip Was Great!
Hi all,
Well the weather cooperated and we had a fantastic weekend on the C&O Canal. We were dropped off in Harpers Ferry and traveled 44 miles on Saturday to Swains Lock and only experienced one flat tire. The scenery was great and the miles slipped past. We pulled into camp around 6:30 ready for a good meal and some rest. Sunday, we spent some time in worship after a hardy breakfast (good pancakes Dan!) then headed for Georgetown stopping at Great Falls to take in the sites of the river. We made it to the Mile 0 post then met up with our driver, Dan Both. Dan gave up his weekend to get us to and from the drop points and to make sure our camp gear was there when we needed it. We couldn't have done it with out him and we're greatful for his service to the CSB. Hope you enjoy the pics.
Blessings,
Capt. Hayden
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