NORTHLAND

Dear Readers,


This week has been truly amazing! I along with the Varsity basketball teams have been priviledged to be part of the Northland International University basketball invitational. We left Indy at seven on Wednesday morning and made it in time for a delicious dinner and the evening service with Ken Ham. This man is truly amazing and brings new and exciting evidence for creation every time I hear him speak. We had two, two and a half hour sessions with him which were packed with great info.

The basketball tournament began early on thursday morning and has continued on until today. Colonial Hills has won all their games and will compete in the Championship game this afternoon against Community Baptist, (also from Indiana) which could be called one of our arch rivals!

The campus of Northland is a rather amazing place. Unlike BJU which could be described as a miniature city, this place is literally in the middle of no where! The buildings are all spread out and surrounded by beautiful scenery. It has been sort of like being at Camp Victory once again. Of course, one question people always ask about a college is: "How's the food?' Well, I've enjoyed each and EVERY meal here! A few of the sweet highlights have been the 24 hour soft serve ice cream, the snickerdoodle cookies (Couldn't even tell you how many of those I've had!), and the "Daily Grind." The "Daily Grind" is the campus coffee shop which has amazing smoothies, lattes, and my all time highlight for the week: SUPERMAN ICE CREAM! I used to get that with my dad at baskin robins and I haven't had it in years. . . so it was great.

The Lord is really using this place for his glory. Several of my classmates have confirmed in their hearts that this is where God would have them get their college education. It is very exciting to see a place that takes a stand for the Lord, and enjoys great gospel music. NIU is truly a haven for many. I have personally enjoyed the peace and quiet here. But especially the peace! : )

Please be in prayer for me as I travel back this evening. . . I'll be getting back to Indy at around 2 -3 in the MORNING! So until then. . . "SAIL ON"

The ArmourBearer

Dear Readers,


I was asked to bring a devotional to some teen boys about an old testement character and the choices they made. My, how the list is enormous with people who made wise to very foolish choices. Two unnamed characters of similar occupations caught my attention. I began to study two chapters in I Samuel.

In one chapter I found the story of David and Goliath. This excerpt from I Samuel is commonly known because it is taught to every young child. As God gives the description of Goliath, one man is made mention of in these verses as well. I believe he is called "one bearing his shield." This "one" went before Goliath. Now, though no major details are recorded about this man, we would assume that he was a mighty man of battle himself. He must have been of great strength to bear such a massive protective instrument before the mightiest warrior of the Philistines, and we would not be crazy to assume that he was of great stature as well in order that he might protect this giant. I would surmise that he had been in battle with Goliath before, but something is odd about this particular battle. As the young and ruddy teen boy advances toward this behemoth of a man. . . no armour bearer is found. Where did he go? What caused this protector of Goliath to flee from the presence of an insignificant Jew?

Just a few chapters prior to David's story, the armour bearer of Jonathan is brought into light. In this story, Jonathan takes his armour bearer and tackles a garrison of the Philistines. Jonathan surmised and rightfully so, that God could defeat his enemy by many or by few. So, these two men advanced and began to melt away the Philistine forces of this garrison. The difference between these two armour bearers: Jonathan's trusted the heart of his master.

These men were in a place of protection. Each had a military if not royal assignment to protect valuable assets of each army. Both were in a position of provision. These men had the job of providing any assistance to Jonathan or Goliath that they might require. Both armour bearers protected persons of power, but Jonathan's had a passionate prayer. (And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that [is] in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I [am] with thee according to thy heart.)

The challenge before us today is twofold. First to be a Jonathan. Are you someone who's heart is so intertwined with God's that someone is willing to put their life on the line because the know you will follow God? Be the Jonathan who can lead people into the battle for Christ, and be used in a might way.

Secondly, to be an armourbearer. No, not the kind that Goliath had who turned away at the first sign of trouble, but rather the armour bearer of Jonathan. Stand up and protect those who you know to be servants of God. Don't allow others to shoot arrows at your pastor or such as that. Be a Jonathan to someone today, and be an armour bearer for a servant of Christ today.

Jon 2

Dear Readers,

In Job chapter 2, Satan approaches God and tells him to touch Job's body. Satan's reasoning was, if God will touch Job's body, Job will curse him. Satan may have been correct. But WAIT! God didn't give Satan what he wanted this time. God told Satan that he would allow HIM to touch Job's body. (God didn't do it.) While Satan messed with Job, God stood right there beside him to comfort and protect him. The LORD giveth and taketh away, BLESSED be the name of the LORD. No matter what Satan throws your way, God is in front protecting, behind backing you up, and beside you when you need to lean on him.

God has been really blessing me this year. The school year is going great so far. It's always a joy to be with my friends. We've had some amazing times of revival in our chapel services with various speakers. My favorites are Pastor Regier and Evangelist Mike Manor. God has always used them to give me just what I need during the day. I became the editor of our Yearbook this year along with editor of CCS's newest publication: the CURRENT! The CURRENT is a monthly newspaper that is written and published by the senior class for CCS and CHBC. It has been tons of work, but very rewarding.

We've also had some good times at FBC this fall. We had a great revival with Evangelist Brian McBride. I always enjoy hearing them sing and Bro. McBride preach. But, my major highlight is playing the guitar with their family! I'm really looking forward to preaching while Dr. Groves is gone to Burma this winter. Be in prayer for me as I seek God's face on what message to bring to the people of Faith. Pray also for FBC's R.U. ministry, bus ministry, and thos who God has called to be a part of them.

Through good times and bad, God has always been there. I look forward to what God holds for my life the remainder of this year. Thank you for your prayers. God bless!

Jon Groves, 2

Encouraging and Uplifting

I'm a senior at Colonial Christian School. We have a teacher that is constantly saying "be encouraging and uplifting." My class had always taken this as a challenge to reach out to other students. But, God really gave me someone the other day who was encouraging and uplifting to me. I was going through a rough time and God allowed one of my friends to give me a call. It's amazing how God can use someone to turn your day around. I just want to thank Tim for being my new adopted Big Brother and reaching out to someone a whole state away. So, readers, you never know what you may accomplish in the lives of others by just a simple phone call or a prayer on their behalf. So my challenge to you, as my teacher's is to me: Be encouraging and uplifting!

Quick Update

Dear Readers,

These past several weeks have been a busy, exciting, and trying time
all at the same time. I was able to travel quite a bit with my school
which is always a blessing. Last week we were at Parker's Chapel
Baptist Church for their annual camp meeting. God really moved and
blessed. Each message was right on target and just for me. God has
been so good! Please pray for several thing with me over the next few
weeks. First, for Faith Baptist's Fall Revival with Evangelist Brian
McBride. Secondly, I have an opportunity to visit Ambassador Baptist
college so pray with me that God would work all of that out according
to his will. I'm very thankful for all that God has done over the
past few weeks and am looking forward to what God will do in the future.

School Starts

Dear Readers,

I apologize for the gaps between posts. Our trip to Ohio went very well. We were in the Wednesday evening service at Freedom Baptist Temple. The Lord has blessed us with several new songs, many of which were written by my friend Joseph Habedank.

School has begun and this is my final year. I am a proud member of the class of 2010! To end finish up the first week of school, we will be going to school camp. This is really a school wide revival. Many of the spiritual decisions I have made have been at school camp. To top it all off, one of my favorite evangelists will be there. His name is Mike Manor. He is a combination of other of my favorites. I think he's a mix of Evangelist George Griffis and Evangelist Danny Long. I'm looking forward to seeing many decisions made at school this year.

Pray for me. . .

On the Road Again

Dear Readers,

The summer is rapidly ending...Hope everything is going great. Pray
for us cause we'll be on the road the next couple days. More updates
coming soon!

Jon L. Groves, II
www.faithspianist.blogspot.com