On review: war room
November 4, 2015
13
matthew wigmore
On review: war room
I
dayna
slusar
War Room, the newest Kendrick Brothers movie, is a faith-centered film from the creators of Courageous (2011) and Fireproof (2008) and demonstrates that “prayer is a powerful weapon.” Watching the film with my family, I found that it was not everything I expected. Being familiar with the Kendrick brothers’ work, I expected cheesy lines, predictable plot, and more or less the same message I have heard in church about the power of prayer. Although these
moments were still present, I realized the message went deeper than my initial expectation. The movie is less a story about the power of prayer than it is about complete surrender. The film takes a look into an upperclass American family who seem to have the perfect life. However, although their family appears polished from the outside, they are losing a battle from the inside. The husband (Tony) and wife (Elizabeth) argue in front of their young daughter, and, while both parents have profitable careers complimented by busy lives, neither one is willing to give their daughter time and attention. An elderly African-American woman, Miss Clara, counsels
Elizabeth on how she can fight for her husband Tony rather than with him. One of my favorite lines spoken by Miss Clara is when she leans close to Elizabeth over tea, saying, “Everyone’s always tryin’ to leave Jesus out, which is one reason we in the mess we in.” Miss Clara shows Elizabeth her empty walk-in closet which she calls her “war room” and where she does “all [her] fightin”. Miss Clara shares how she prays to God for the people in her life who are struggling, bringing all her worries and cares before the Father. Miss Clara convicts Elizabeth so deeply that she creates a “war room” of her own. I was struck the most by a line from Tony’s
best friend: “When’s the last time you heard of a woman giving up closet space?” His point made the theatre giggle, but it identified a deeper depth to the film’s symbolism: Elizabeth is not only clearing out the closet in her bedroom, she is clearing out the closet of her life to give God the space He deserves in her heart. C.S. Lewis poignantly describes this surrender: “God doesn’t want something from us. He simply wants us.” When we surrender ourselves, we figuratively “clear out the closet,” disposing our worldly treasures and leaving ourselves, empty, before God. I agree with Bob Goff, bestselling author of Love Does, when he says, “God delights in an-
swering our impossible prayers.” Sometimes we forget God is big enough. When we give Him every dream, care, and thought in prayer, He responds by proving that He can handle anything and everything. This movie reflects the power of prayer, but, more importantly, it is about complete surrender. Surrendering everything from our worries and cares to our time and, sometimes, our closet space. It takes a lot to give ourselves over to God, and War Room addresses this struggle through the transformational journey of one family who surrenders.
Ritual Ice Cream is a boutique creamery in the heart of Fort Langley. Serving quality ice cream and freshly made crepes daily; this little shop takes a modern twist on the design of classic ice cream.
I
sam
rosenau
As I walked into Ritual Ice Cream, with my shoes drenched and hair victimized by the rain, I was greeted by a concrete floor, City and Colour, and a plaid-clad lady. Feeling wet and extremely uncomfortable, I thought a hot drink and a crêpe would compensate for my woes. I shifted my eyes from the plethora of pumpkins decorat-
ing the room to the menu, where I found the prices to be reasonable—reasonable to any middleaged woman with a MacBook Air. To stay within the theme of rainy Vancouver, I ordered a London Fog and a Nutella crêpe. Although the Nutella crêpe did not quite fit the theme, it had Nutella, and that was good enough for me. I experienced a slight nostalgia whilst chowing down; surrounded by white board and batten, old countertops, and pots that were from an era before your parents’, I was brought back to wet fall afternoons at my cabin. The environment of Ritual, while not feeling warm, felt ex-
tremely welcoming. Both the service and food were fantastic, and my London Fog and crêpe were by far the best I have ever had. Other than the indoor plants and clipboard signs, Ritual was not exceedingly hipster. Although welcoming, there is very limited seating, so I would suggest finding somewhere else if you are looking for a place for a dorm date. However, it is the perfect place if you seek solitude or a ring by spring. If you feel like making a friend with a cashier, or simply want to deviate from the contagion that is Starbucks, I recommend Ritual Ice Cream. I give it an 8.5/10.
Photo from @Ritualicecream on Instagram
If you could live in any decade what would it be? “The 80’s, because then I would get to spy on my parents” - Robyn Eggert
14
November 4, 2015
Coming to terms with becky
I
becky
goertzen
I am pretty sure my obsession with vintage clothes began sometime in Grade 9. Something sparked a desire within me to accrue vintage skirts or scarves and apply them to my identity. The idea of wearing something entirely unique and irreplaceable was enticing. I would buy a ratty shirt from a basement on Robson Street only because it was vintage and because people would ask me about it; I knew that I could proudly say with a smug smile, “It’s vintage.” This obsession eventually launched me into a state of vulnerability. I distinctly remember taking the SkyTrain to thrift stores downtown with my mom and my twin sister in order to discover the perfect vintage grad dress. And I did find it. It was a hand-sewn, tea-length, rose-colored gown from the 50s that made me feel like an Audrey Hepburn, a Grace Kelly, or even a Marilyn Monroe. The neckline was strapless with scalloped lace, and there was a pink bow on the back. I was sure that the girl who had worn it before me was definitely as dignified and graceful as Audrey herself. In case you were wondering, I was very cool in high school. I wore it to grad with pride. No one else had the same dress as me,
and everyone asked me about it. Or I may have just told everyone about it. The day had been pretty much perfect until the June sun scorched my pale skin into a pink that matched my dress exquisitely. I was fuchsia from head to toe. It seemed I was the only girl who did
not fake and bake before prom, and I definitely paid the price. After that instance, my perspective shifted radically. The purity of the gown was ruined.
I was no longer the graceful girl with the vintage grad dress but an awkward lobster wearing an old and dowdy dress. The dress had lost its allure to me; it was tainted with my skin’s imperfection and the pulsing pain I felt all over my body. I could not pinpoint why I suddenly didn’t love my dress anymore, but something had changed. I was no longer a mysterious and elegant Audrey Hepburn. I was just a Becky, a normal girl with a normal life. I now realize that I did not buy vintage clothes as an expression of who I was, but as a hope for who I wanted to be. I did not want the reality of who I was: Becky with sunburned skin and a crooked smile. I wanted grace and perfection. I used to buy vintage clothes to be a part of someone else’s story, to be united with an unknown past and gain a more interesting future. Vintage clothes held much more mystery and intrigue than secondhand clothes at Value Village, but I am sure I could have done the same with those clothes as well. The problem was that I would buy clothes, often in tatters, to receive something that was not mine to receive. I was not making the clothes my own; rather, I was trying desperately to attain someone else’s destiny that seemed wilder and more adven-
turous than my own. I could have written this article on the art of celebrating the past by wearing clothes from different decades. I could have written about the redemptive qualities of buying vintage that allows us to reflect upon history while simultaneously
expressing it. But I chose not to because I wanted to write about something real and true about who I was back in the days of slamming lockers
If you could live in any decade what would it be? “60’s” - Matt Bennett
and uneasy glances. I realize now that, for myself, shopping vintage is no longer about acquiring a new sense of self; shopping vintage has been redeemed into an art of expressing who I am over expressing who I could be. An acceptance and
confidence of my self is what I lacked in those fuchsia-filled hours of painful misery and what I am now so thankful to have found.
November 4, 2015
The power of story in SAMC theatre’s the diary of anne frank
I
courtney
brice
Trinity Western’s SAMC Theatre once again goes beyond all expectations with yet another inspiring production: The Diary of Anne Frank. As a committed lover of SAMC Theatre myself, I was taken by this familiar heartbreaking story of Anne Frank, the forever immortal child, and her family’s experience of hiding during the Holocaust. In addition, the cast and crew of this production brought forth a deeper theme in their story: beyond all fear, beyond all despair, there is hope.
Hope takes form through Veronica Hargrave’s spectacular interpretation of Anne Frank. On stage, Hargrave’s embodiment of Anne’s unwavering energy and optimism masters the tension between the knowledge of the story’s tragic ending and the hope that the Frank family will be safe. Upon being asked how she was able to portray such extreme feelings of hope, Hargrave notes that she “didn’t really have anything to go on [for Anne] except joy and hope.” Joelle Wyminga, who plays the spunky Mrs. Van Daan, adds that it is “inspiring to see a character like [Anne]” who inspires many with her “resiliency of human spirit” ( James Faley). Faley, who plays Mr. Frank, brings to light how in the Frank’s situa-
15
tion “no one else” had hope of a good outcome, yet Anne holds to hope throughout the entirety of the show. Her confident faith and optimistic belief are preserved through the pages of her diary, left behind to inspire the world. As we experience these characters and their reality that is so different from our own, we must remember that these “characters” were actually real people. This reminder can instill in us a mysterious sense of hope, despite the story’s lack of a “happy ending.” It is Anne, a young girl who is aware of the horror and despair in the world, who takes this grim reality and transforms it into an expression of hope. In her words, “despite everything, I still believe people are good at heart.”
OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 7 By Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett Tues-Sat 7:30pm | Sat matinees 2:00pm Tickets $10 - $18 Book online at twu.ca/theatre or visit the box office in RNT Questions? Email [email protected]
sotrinitybarbie Halloween Costume Idea! #married-
sotrinitybarbie I love fall! #fall #wearetwu #pinecones
woman #soclose #bestcostumever
#wog
sotrinitybarbie Getting ready to go to my church’s Harvest Celebration! #idontworshipsatan
If you could live in any decade what would it be? “Current Era” - David Hampson
13
matthew wigmore
On review: war room
I
dayna
slusar
War Room, the newest Kendrick Brothers movie, is a faith-centered film from the creators of Courageous (2011) and Fireproof (2008) and demonstrates that “prayer is a powerful weapon.” Watching the film with my family, I found that it was not everything I expected. Being familiar with the Kendrick brothers’ work, I expected cheesy lines, predictable plot, and more or less the same message I have heard in church about the power of prayer. Although these
moments were still present, I realized the message went deeper than my initial expectation. The movie is less a story about the power of prayer than it is about complete surrender. The film takes a look into an upperclass American family who seem to have the perfect life. However, although their family appears polished from the outside, they are losing a battle from the inside. The husband (Tony) and wife (Elizabeth) argue in front of their young daughter, and, while both parents have profitable careers complimented by busy lives, neither one is willing to give their daughter time and attention. An elderly African-American woman, Miss Clara, counsels
Elizabeth on how she can fight for her husband Tony rather than with him. One of my favorite lines spoken by Miss Clara is when she leans close to Elizabeth over tea, saying, “Everyone’s always tryin’ to leave Jesus out, which is one reason we in the mess we in.” Miss Clara shows Elizabeth her empty walk-in closet which she calls her “war room” and where she does “all [her] fightin”. Miss Clara shares how she prays to God for the people in her life who are struggling, bringing all her worries and cares before the Father. Miss Clara convicts Elizabeth so deeply that she creates a “war room” of her own. I was struck the most by a line from Tony’s
best friend: “When’s the last time you heard of a woman giving up closet space?” His point made the theatre giggle, but it identified a deeper depth to the film’s symbolism: Elizabeth is not only clearing out the closet in her bedroom, she is clearing out the closet of her life to give God the space He deserves in her heart. C.S. Lewis poignantly describes this surrender: “God doesn’t want something from us. He simply wants us.” When we surrender ourselves, we figuratively “clear out the closet,” disposing our worldly treasures and leaving ourselves, empty, before God. I agree with Bob Goff, bestselling author of Love Does, when he says, “God delights in an-
swering our impossible prayers.” Sometimes we forget God is big enough. When we give Him every dream, care, and thought in prayer, He responds by proving that He can handle anything and everything. This movie reflects the power of prayer, but, more importantly, it is about complete surrender. Surrendering everything from our worries and cares to our time and, sometimes, our closet space. It takes a lot to give ourselves over to God, and War Room addresses this struggle through the transformational journey of one family who surrenders.
Ritual Ice Cream is a boutique creamery in the heart of Fort Langley. Serving quality ice cream and freshly made crepes daily; this little shop takes a modern twist on the design of classic ice cream.
I
sam
rosenau
As I walked into Ritual Ice Cream, with my shoes drenched and hair victimized by the rain, I was greeted by a concrete floor, City and Colour, and a plaid-clad lady. Feeling wet and extremely uncomfortable, I thought a hot drink and a crêpe would compensate for my woes. I shifted my eyes from the plethora of pumpkins decorat-
ing the room to the menu, where I found the prices to be reasonable—reasonable to any middleaged woman with a MacBook Air. To stay within the theme of rainy Vancouver, I ordered a London Fog and a Nutella crêpe. Although the Nutella crêpe did not quite fit the theme, it had Nutella, and that was good enough for me. I experienced a slight nostalgia whilst chowing down; surrounded by white board and batten, old countertops, and pots that were from an era before your parents’, I was brought back to wet fall afternoons at my cabin. The environment of Ritual, while not feeling warm, felt ex-
tremely welcoming. Both the service and food were fantastic, and my London Fog and crêpe were by far the best I have ever had. Other than the indoor plants and clipboard signs, Ritual was not exceedingly hipster. Although welcoming, there is very limited seating, so I would suggest finding somewhere else if you are looking for a place for a dorm date. However, it is the perfect place if you seek solitude or a ring by spring. If you feel like making a friend with a cashier, or simply want to deviate from the contagion that is Starbucks, I recommend Ritual Ice Cream. I give it an 8.5/10.
Photo from @Ritualicecream on Instagram
If you could live in any decade what would it be? “The 80’s, because then I would get to spy on my parents” - Robyn Eggert
14
November 4, 2015
Coming to terms with becky
I
becky
goertzen
I am pretty sure my obsession with vintage clothes began sometime in Grade 9. Something sparked a desire within me to accrue vintage skirts or scarves and apply them to my identity. The idea of wearing something entirely unique and irreplaceable was enticing. I would buy a ratty shirt from a basement on Robson Street only because it was vintage and because people would ask me about it; I knew that I could proudly say with a smug smile, “It’s vintage.” This obsession eventually launched me into a state of vulnerability. I distinctly remember taking the SkyTrain to thrift stores downtown with my mom and my twin sister in order to discover the perfect vintage grad dress. And I did find it. It was a hand-sewn, tea-length, rose-colored gown from the 50s that made me feel like an Audrey Hepburn, a Grace Kelly, or even a Marilyn Monroe. The neckline was strapless with scalloped lace, and there was a pink bow on the back. I was sure that the girl who had worn it before me was definitely as dignified and graceful as Audrey herself. In case you were wondering, I was very cool in high school. I wore it to grad with pride. No one else had the same dress as me,
and everyone asked me about it. Or I may have just told everyone about it. The day had been pretty much perfect until the June sun scorched my pale skin into a pink that matched my dress exquisitely. I was fuchsia from head to toe. It seemed I was the only girl who did
not fake and bake before prom, and I definitely paid the price. After that instance, my perspective shifted radically. The purity of the gown was ruined.
I was no longer the graceful girl with the vintage grad dress but an awkward lobster wearing an old and dowdy dress. The dress had lost its allure to me; it was tainted with my skin’s imperfection and the pulsing pain I felt all over my body. I could not pinpoint why I suddenly didn’t love my dress anymore, but something had changed. I was no longer a mysterious and elegant Audrey Hepburn. I was just a Becky, a normal girl with a normal life. I now realize that I did not buy vintage clothes as an expression of who I was, but as a hope for who I wanted to be. I did not want the reality of who I was: Becky with sunburned skin and a crooked smile. I wanted grace and perfection. I used to buy vintage clothes to be a part of someone else’s story, to be united with an unknown past and gain a more interesting future. Vintage clothes held much more mystery and intrigue than secondhand clothes at Value Village, but I am sure I could have done the same with those clothes as well. The problem was that I would buy clothes, often in tatters, to receive something that was not mine to receive. I was not making the clothes my own; rather, I was trying desperately to attain someone else’s destiny that seemed wilder and more adven-
turous than my own. I could have written this article on the art of celebrating the past by wearing clothes from different decades. I could have written about the redemptive qualities of buying vintage that allows us to reflect upon history while simultaneously
expressing it. But I chose not to because I wanted to write about something real and true about who I was back in the days of slamming lockers
If you could live in any decade what would it be? “60’s” - Matt Bennett
and uneasy glances. I realize now that, for myself, shopping vintage is no longer about acquiring a new sense of self; shopping vintage has been redeemed into an art of expressing who I am over expressing who I could be. An acceptance and
confidence of my self is what I lacked in those fuchsia-filled hours of painful misery and what I am now so thankful to have found.
November 4, 2015
The power of story in SAMC theatre’s the diary of anne frank
I
courtney
brice
Trinity Western’s SAMC Theatre once again goes beyond all expectations with yet another inspiring production: The Diary of Anne Frank. As a committed lover of SAMC Theatre myself, I was taken by this familiar heartbreaking story of Anne Frank, the forever immortal child, and her family’s experience of hiding during the Holocaust. In addition, the cast and crew of this production brought forth a deeper theme in their story: beyond all fear, beyond all despair, there is hope.
Hope takes form through Veronica Hargrave’s spectacular interpretation of Anne Frank. On stage, Hargrave’s embodiment of Anne’s unwavering energy and optimism masters the tension between the knowledge of the story’s tragic ending and the hope that the Frank family will be safe. Upon being asked how she was able to portray such extreme feelings of hope, Hargrave notes that she “didn’t really have anything to go on [for Anne] except joy and hope.” Joelle Wyminga, who plays the spunky Mrs. Van Daan, adds that it is “inspiring to see a character like [Anne]” who inspires many with her “resiliency of human spirit” ( James Faley). Faley, who plays Mr. Frank, brings to light how in the Frank’s situa-
15
tion “no one else” had hope of a good outcome, yet Anne holds to hope throughout the entirety of the show. Her confident faith and optimistic belief are preserved through the pages of her diary, left behind to inspire the world. As we experience these characters and their reality that is so different from our own, we must remember that these “characters” were actually real people. This reminder can instill in us a mysterious sense of hope, despite the story’s lack of a “happy ending.” It is Anne, a young girl who is aware of the horror and despair in the world, who takes this grim reality and transforms it into an expression of hope. In her words, “despite everything, I still believe people are good at heart.”
OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 7 By Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett Tues-Sat 7:30pm | Sat matinees 2:00pm Tickets $10 - $18 Book online at twu.ca/theatre or visit the box office in RNT Questions? Email [email protected]
sotrinitybarbie Halloween Costume Idea! #married-
sotrinitybarbie I love fall! #fall #wearetwu #pinecones
woman #soclose #bestcostumever
#wog
sotrinitybarbie Getting ready to go to my church’s Harvest Celebration! #idontworshipsatan
If you could live in any decade what would it be? “Current Era” - David Hampson
