December 7

Well I went to get the pictures I took this week and realized that I still had the ones from last week on the camera. I included a couple of them in the collage.

We had a fun week this week. We started with some box hockey, which was a popular one. Seems as though one or two of the guys must play it elsewhere because they were quite good. Ranger Laird had some games for us, including two variations of steal the bacon, and the memory game.

In post time we learned 1 Peter 4:10, "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms," I like that last part about " faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms", we all have different gifts and when we use the gifts that God gives us it looks different for each of us but the result should always be God's grace being seen through what we do. We also talked about bridges and our post even saw some pictures of some famous bridges. We also learned how Jesus dying on the cross is like a bridge for us to be able to get to God.

In story circle Ranger Ed, showed us an experiment with a salt and some water that produced heat. Ranger Ed talked about how he likes to try to figure things out and so as a chemist he gets to explore some of the things that God has made and how they work. After post time we had more box hockey and a demonstration from Ranger Ed that turned a solid directly into a gas!! Ask you son about that one, as you can see from the pictures it was GREAT!

Remember next week is the last Stockade before Christmas. January 6th will be the first meeting of the New Year.

November 25

Well I am a little late this week getting up a post about Stockade this week. As you can see we played floor hockey this week as well as a game where you had to ask questions with "yes" or "no" answers to figure out who was on your back. It was a great time. The Builders were doing some sort of obstacle course during their post time. The Sentinels had a story and also were talking about our theme verse this week which was 2 Corinthians 8:21, "We are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men."

We also had a planning meeting with the Rangers this week. We have a few events coming up in the New Year that will be great, stay tuned for that!

Ranger Dan

Remembrance Day

Well even though it was Remembrance Day we still had Stockade. We were short a few guys but we had a great time anyway. We had a tug-of-war during game time and also played a fun animal action game. In post time we talked about integrity and what that means. We heard several stories and talked about how the people in all those stories had many opportunities to do the right thing, but they had to make a choice. Our theme verse was from Proverbs 20:11, "Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right."

Hope to see you all next week. Remember to pray for Ranger Ed, Caleb, and Simon who couldn't be with us because of the flu. Also stay tuned for a special event coming up soon!

Ranger Dan

November 4th

So tonight was another week of Stockade. We had a couple Rangers missing but a good evening none the less. Thanks to Ranger Trent for saving my bacon on the games, don't ask. Anyway I think the guys only made it part way across the Sea of Peanut Butter, maybe we will have to try that sailing again.

Tonight we reviewed the verses that we had learned up until this point. They are:

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Philippians 2:3

Live in peace with each other. Make sure nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. 1 Thessalonians 5:13+15

They devoted themselves to the apostle's teachings and to fellowship and the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42+47

The Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. Deuteronomy 4:39

He is the Rock, his works are perfect and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. Deuteronomy 32:4

So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Deuteronomy 5:32

My post had to work quite hard to remember them, maybe some of you other guys did better?

Remember to come to Grace on Sunday morning if you can. Church starts at 11:00am and we want to get everyone there IN UNIFORM to show off to the church. Hopefully even you guys who don't come to Grace can join us this week. Hope to see you all next week.

Ranger Dan

Welcome Home Chief Ranger

Well this week was extra special because after two weeks of being gone Chief Ranger Laird was back. Sounds like he had a good trip even though he didn't get all the way to the ocean. You an ask him about that if you like. I think we were all happy to see him again. Ranger Ed shared with us one week about how Stockade is kind of like a family in some ways and how we can stick together and help each other out. Anyway as with a family when somebody is gone and they return I think it makes us all happy.

This week our theme verse at Stockade was Deuteronomy 5:32. "So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left."

Also a quick bit of information: next weekend, Sunday November 8th, we are having a Christian Service Brigade emphasis in the 11:00am service. We are hoping to have as many of our Stockade and Battalion guys at church as we can. If you can come make sure you wear your Stockade shirt. We would love to see all you guys and your parents out.

Ranger Dan

Well first off my apologies for missing a post last week.

This week was another great week at Stockade. I didn't actually count but I think we had 15 guys out. The pictures are from the week before though because I didn't bring my camera this week. That was unfortunate because we played steal the bacon which Ranger Ed told us is one of his favorite games. I agree it is one of my favorites to. Anyway Ranger Cliff told us a story about two brothers who were trying to row a boat together and how they were busy fighting about where to go and not getting anywhere. After some time the boys got it figured that if they didn't work together they would get anywhere or enjoy it much either. Once they started rowing togehter they actually starting having fun together as well.

Our theme verse for the week was Deuteronomy 4:39, "The Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other."

What a good reminder that God is God no matter what. It doesn't matter who we are or where we are he is still God and he is constant.

Hope to see you all next week.

Ranger Dan

Year Two

Well the second year of Stockade at Grace is well under way. We have had a lot of the same guys out again this year as well as some new faces as well. We are excited to have Trent, a new recruits Dad also coming out this year. As you can see we are in full swing already. Last week I believe we had 14 boys out. Ranger Cliff talked to us about working for the Ambulance Service and how you work with a partner and how you have to work together with your partner as well as with other people like the police. We talked about teamwork and how to be a good team we have to learn not to be selfish and put others ahead of ourselves. Our theme verse was from 1 Thessalonians 5:13, 15 which says, "Live in peace with each other. Make sure nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else."

We also got to have some relay races in the gym and work on the travel game. Ranger Ed told us a story about Dave and Jon who were two good buddies even though Jon's Dad wanted to hurt Dave. We learned how Jon was able to help his friend out even though it meant he might get in trouble himself.

Lots going on. Can't wait to see you all this week. Remember Chief Ranger Laird is going to test us to see if we can tell how long a minute is without a watch. He also wants to see if we can figure out how a fly lands on the ceiling, I tried to find out, Did you?? See you Wednesday.