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WORD ON THE STREET MAGAZINE (WOTS) is a UW-Stout affiliated
publication released twice per semester and has been in publication for
16 years. WOTS is written, laid out, and printed by members of Street
Level Ministries on UW-Stout and UW-Superior campuses. We also print
a version of the magazine on Cebu Island in the Philippines. We’re Christians who
love Jesus and want to write about life, God, and college.
The WOTS crew can be found on campus each Monday while school is in session at
Street
Level
Ministries’
student
organization
meetings.
Visit
streetlevelministries.com for details. We hope the magazine is funny, challenging
and encourages you to have a strong relationship with Jesus Christ.
Avegail, Cebu, Philippines
Laura, Menomonie
Lauren, Menomonie
Chelsey, Superior
Nick, Menomonie
Dana, Superior
Annie, Menomonie
Jason, Superior
Claire, Menomonie
[email protected]
ReadWots.com
Kelsey, Superior
Ben, Menomonie
Susie, Menomonie
FEATURED ARTICLES
STOUT EXCLUSIVES
JUST FOR FUN
Flooded: Fiction
Stout Triple Stack
Get a Free Bible
page 6
page 4
page 9
God and Dating
One Girl’s True Story
Nick the Hick
page 8
page 10
page 14
What are you Streaming?
Local Events Calendar
Movie Review: Noah
page 20
page 16
page 15
Waterpots
Beatnik ’ s Corner
From our Philippines staff writer
page 17
page 22
STOUT
TRIPLE
STACK
How to Move
Frazzled family members crammed into hallways, a jab in the
ribs from the passing football player carrying your desk lamp, a
soft spring breeze bringing a slight whiff of body odor – it can
only mean one thing: dorm move-out day. Besides finding your
missing Chemistry 201 homework under the futon, you also get
to transition into a brand new (to you) apartment or rental offcampus. Getting through this day is hard enough; here’s how to
ace your move off-campus.
If you manage to maneuver through the chaos of traffic, watch
the curbs on the way to your apartment. Many houses have
mounds of cast-off furniture sitting in the unspoken free spot.
You may end up finding a new desk for your bedroom, but any
experienced sidewalk-picker will always warn you to avoid the
mattresses. Once you make it to your apartment, whip out your
Smartphone and take pictures of the entire place before you
bring anything inside. This will help you remember what it looks
like so you can get a return on your security deposit if you keep
it in good condition. So when your roommate proposes painting
the living room a robust orange, reference the photos.
Any skilled mover may also advise packing snacks for your
hungry parents and siblings who will be huffing your belongings
from the 4th floor of Froggatt into your rental. Recruit your
already-moved-in friends to come help, especially the ones who
can gingerly lift your flat screen out of the minivan. When
you’re all moved in and you’ve kissed Mom goodbye, kick back
on the couch and let it sink in: you’re out of the dorms.
Cherry Berry Frozen Yogurt
First, there was the push-pop, then came the infamous
fudgesicle; hand-dipped ice cream had its time, and now we’ve
entered the age of frozen yogurt. Menomonie is finally in on
the Froyo movement, and the new Cherry Berry is just minutes
away from campus. Here, you’ll never get the same options
twice. If you’re indecisive, be warned: Cherry Berry has over 50
flavors and 50 toppings that are rotated through the store.
Picking your yogurt flavor is the easy part; the toppings are
where it gets tricky. Granola, fresh fruits, chocolates, candies,
sprinkles, nuts, and other specialty items line the rows of this
Froyo bar. The only thing not included is free puppies and hugs.
yogurt depends on the weight of what you put into it. This can
be pretty steep when you fill it overflowing with gummy bears
and peanut butter cups (packing it down won’t help, despite its
appeal). Cherry Berry is a hike from campus if you’re on foot,
but don’t let that deter you. Hop on the bus, get a ride from a
friend, or take your bicycle out for its first ride of the year. You
can stop by on your way to Walmart; Cherry Berry is at 2321
Hwy 25 N #305, right next to Papa Murphy’s Pizza on the north
end of town. Menomonie’s location has its own Facebook page,
or you can visit the store’s official website for a full menu,
combination ideas, and card deals.
If you’re like me, your first frozen yogurt experience went
something like this: intense excitement over countless choices,
choosing every topping possible, only to find it’s weighed at the
counter. For the inexperienced customer, the price of your
Sources:
www.facebook.com/CherryBerryMenomonie
www.cherryberryyogurtbar.com
Chia’s Market & Restaurant
You’re in college – which means you’ve memorized every takeout menu in town and can rattle off the specials for each day of
the week at Jeff’s. But if you’re done with tacos and pizza and
looking for something different, we’d suggest you check out
Chia’s Market and Restaurant. They used to be located up by
Jimmy John’s in north Menomonie, but this family business has
since moved and expanded. In addition to a larger selection of
Asian food in their mini-market, Chia’s has also morphed into a
full-fledged Hmong restaurant. Prices are college-friendly, with
eggrolls at only $1.00 each! Their main dishes are all between
$4.00 - $7.00. For tea-lovers, this has now become the one-and
-only place in town where you can score bubble tea; $3.00 will
get you a strawberry, coconut, mango, or taro flavored tea.
Warning: Once tasted, impossible to stop. The menu is full of
noodle and rice dishes with shrimp, chicken, and pork, but it’s
the sauces that’ll drive you back for more. Sweet, spicy, salty,
peanut-y – whatever your preference, it’s somewhere on the
table. Curried noodles, pork belly and bok choy stir fry, fried
rice, and green curry are some of the menu choices; the
hardest part is making a decision.
Chia’s is within walking distance from campus, about 10
minutes, right by Family Video and Lammer’s Food Fest. The
market is open every day of the week from 10 am to 7 pm,
and the restaurant is open from 11 am to 7 pm Tuesday
through Sunday. Chia’s can be your key supplier for those
chocolate-filled Panda cookies, instant noodles, or bags of
squid shreds – whichever fits your budget and palate best.
I put lace over the
table to cover my stains. All I
own is stained except for that lace. My
friend, Kaye, gave it to me after everything
was destroyed. Gifts from friends are sweet
- the fact that they think of you even when
you’re not a great friend to them. She knew
my table was blemished. I tried everything
to get it out, like bleach and 409, but that
defiant imperfection stared me in the face.
I complained to her about it; how every
time I walked by, the imperfection followed
me around the room like some puppy dog
begging, except this was a rabid ferocious
beast of dog. Kaye knew I had blemishes;
that’s why she gave me the lace. I put the
lace over the table to cover my stains.
There, much better. So clean and pretty
and spot-free. Perfect. Now, I just need to
buy some new chairs.
My table was stained the night of the flood.
At first it was just a storm. We see them all
the time: trees swaying in the wind and
rain pouring down. Then, the sun comes
out the next day and all is well. But the sun
didn’t come out this time; it took many
days until the sun dared to grace us with its
divine rays. When it did come out, my eyes
remained clouded -- no more light shining
in. My home, my street,
my town and my soul were all darkened
that night.
The waters rose inch by inch, and there was
no escaping. I hunkered down on my porch
waiting for someone to come rescue me. I
waited for hours as the waters slowly crept
up the steps; finally, it was up to my ankles.
I told that vicious water that I had enough
of it; I was done with it. But the water
refused to leave. Then, as I was about to
surrender, I saw the lights of a rescue boat
headed my way. I was so relieved to see
them; they saved my life that night but my
soul stayed behind. We found our way to
dry ground and stayed at a shelter over the
next couple days.
I couldn’t sleep at night. Every minute that
went by felt like a day, wondering if my
home would be swept away by the
powerful flood. Water can be such a lovely
thing, so pure and refreshing. I remember
floating on my back as a child, waving my
arms back and forth in a lake nearby. It was
like the water was protecting me on all
sides, holding me up as I gazed into the
blue sky. How could something so beautiful
one
minute
have such forceful destruction
the next?
After a few days, the water finally retreated
to its place in the rivers and lakes. The once
disparaging water became calm. I walked
back to my house, alone. I saw pieces of
furniture, rotting food, broken pictures,
waterlogged books and moldy blankets
scattered about my disgraceful oak floor.
The walls of my home slouched, waiting for
a reprieve from the weight of the flood. I
plummeted to the middle of the floor and
cried. I could never fix this place up again to
how it used to be; it was beyond repair.
After a while I couldn’t sit there anymore; I
was also very hungry. I wandered my way
down the street, or path, I should say,
between the rubble. Even on the street, I
spotted what might be my things buried
under pieces of junk, branches, leaves, dirt,
wood and shingles; memories all rotting
away together. People were roaming
around with clouded eyes looking for their
loved ones, crying out
through the rubble hoping to find their
family. I wanted to help, but it seemed…
hopeless. The Red Cross came and were
handing out food, water and hygiene
packages. The sun, still faint in my eyes,
beat down on my shoulders as we waited in
line. I was so grateful that they would leave
their homes to come and help me, but even
with all people surrounding me, I still felt
alone.
Kaye was in town with her family giving out
clothing. I stopped by to talk to her and
thank her for being such a great friend.
That is when she gave me the lace along
with some other clothes that fit me. She
knew I liked to decorate, so she saved this
lace just for me. Everyone was moving
away to go live with their relatives for a
while until they found a job and got back
on their feet. Me, I had no relatives except
for some distant uncle in Illinois who I met
when I was little. I couldn’t move anyway; I
had lived
here all my life.
Kaye wished me well
and told me I needed to
move on. She said I could always
move back here after I saved up some
money and let the disaster relief groups
clean up. She knew I wouldn’t move, but
she had to try. I appreciated all she had
done for me, but she didn’t understand
what I was going through. Her home was
untouched by the flood waters; she lived
out of town on high ground. If she was
faced with the same thing, would she be
able to practice what she preached? Kaye
offered a way out as she stood on her high
ground, but she didn’t know my suffering. I
don’t blame her, but she can’t relate. Only
people with clouded eyes, who have been
through what I have been through, can
relate.
For the next few weeks, I salvaged what
wasn’t rotten and tried to cover up my
stained walls with vibrant paint, but mold
soaked through and stained them again. It
looked good for a while. The green, blue,
and purple walls made me feel better.
Green made me feel like I was in the
meadow and blue calmed down my nerves.
Purple is the color of royalty, a gateway to
wisdom and spirituality. I learned that from a
book. Sometimes I would just sit there and
admire the purple wall, hoping to find God or
hoping to be rich someday so I wouldn’t
have to paint my walls to feel better;
someone else would paint them for me.
I invited Kaye to come over so we could have
tea. She politely declined my invitation; I
knew it was because she didn’t want to see
or smell my rotting home. Kaye tells me that
I have to get out of that house, because I
might get Mycosis from the mold. She is
trying to scare me so I will move out, but this
is what I know. This is my home, stains and
all. I guess Kaye won’t come over, so I will
have tea on my own. I only have one cup as
it is.
Hebrews 12:1a-3, “Let us lay aside every
weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares
us, and let us run with endurance the race
that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the
author and finisher of our faith, who for the
joy that was set before Him endured the
cross, despising the shame, and has sat down
at the right hand of God. For consider Him
who endured such hostility from sinners
against Himself, lest you become weary and
discouraged in your souls.”
God and
Dating
Is it possible to date God’s way
without being weird?
I
magine you’re on your way to your
favorite class. It’s so enjoyable to you,
that you can’t even believe it’s an actual
class. While you walk, you’re thinking of
your destination: the homework, latest
reading assignments, upcoming tests,
and so on. Suddenly, you find yourself
walking right alongside another person.
Turns out they are headed for the same
class and share your passion for it. You
begin talking about what you’ve been
learning and how much you love the
subject. The more you get to know this
individual, the more attractive they
become, but the main factor in your
decision to walk with them was the
shared direction. Your similar passions
then kept you happily walking together
towards your common goal. When God
designed love relationships between a
guy and a gal, He had a great plan in
mind. He wants them to share passions,
interests, laughs and God-given purpose
in a committed, loving bond. These days,
dating is a big part of the initial process
of discovering whether a particular
person is someone you’d actually want to
end up with. Does the Bible shed light on
how to navigate these sometimes-tricky
waters?
Define “Dating”
In our culture, the term “dating” can
mean entirely different things to
different people, ranging from hooking
up on a whim to changing your status on
Facebook. While the Bible doesn’t
directly mention the process of switching
from ‘single’ to ‘in a relationship’, it does
have a lot to say about relationships. God
has a really high opinion of marriage and,
since He created it, knows how it works
best. Think about it: He created Adam and
Eve and pointed them to each other for
companionship, in order that their
enjoyment of God’s creation could be
even greater together than it was when
Adam was alone. In God’s pattern, getting
to know members of the opposite sex
should help us decipher whether this
person is someone with whom you can
find companionship and shared enjoyment
of and appreciation for God. While this is
ideal, there are a couple potential pitfalls
wrapped up in the entire process.
Living in Your Head
It’s entirely possible to have a perfect,
strong, movie-screen relationship with
another person that exists only in your
mind. Girls and guys may deal with the
issue of fantasizing a bit differently (guys
tend to dwell more on physical fantasies,
while girls linger more on emotional
fantasies) but both lead to unrealistic
expectations. Fantasies can put an undue
amount of pressure on your initial
connections with the person you’re
interested in. Instead of getting to know
their personality, soul, and relationship
with God, you may be bringing a year’s
worth of mental buildup into your first
date.
Sometimes, we make things too serious
and decide that all our self-centered
imaginings about a person are really God
speaking to us and telling us to marry
them after a first hangout. This can lead to
weirdness and hinder your ability to just
enjoy their company and the process of
getting to know them.
On the other end of the spectrum, maybe
we’ve been thinking so much about how
hot a person is, that on a first date, we
miss the fact that they have a dull
personality. We pursue a relationship even
though there’s no real connection or
companionship. This physical attraction
that lacks any real friendship is often how
dating couples end up having sex, even if
they want to wait until marriage. The
relationship is shallow, so physical
intimacy steps in to fill the void. In this
case, there’s usually a lot of regret because
the relationship is based more on physical
needs than friendship and shared goals.
Who knows—you may find that the hottie
you wanted so badly is actually hot in a
different way… like a fowl temper. A really
attractive person could be completely selfcentered or aspire to living in their
parents’ basement until they are 40.
Fantasizing too much often leads people to
assume that “hot” = good choice, and then
their mate pursuit only focuses on self and
sexuality. Physical attraction is a good
thing, but only a small part of who the
person really is.
Get to know their personality, their soul, their
interests, and what their relationship with God is
like. Who are they when no one is watching? Are
they annoying to you? Do you annoy them? What do
they want in life? Are they rude or selfabsorbed? Can you laugh together? Do you enjoy
spending time with them?
Getting to Know You
To date does not mean that you’re suddenly “in a relationship.” We often
treat a date like it’s the end-all. In reality, if you’ve been around someone in
a group setting and are interested in further getting to know who they are, a
date can be a great way to sort through a few questions. Who are they?
What do they like? Are they annoying to you? Do you annoy them? What do
they want in life? Are they rude or self-absorbed? Can you laugh together? If
you’re a Christian, do they also love Jesus and are they following Him? Do
you even enjoy spending time with them? These questions can’t be
answered on a first date. It may take some time, and so you need not fall
into the idea that, “We went to coffee, so now we’re officially in a
relationship.”
Time spent together is the best way to determine if the bond between the
two of you should be elevated or should remain at a friendship level. It’s a
good idea to spend time with them in contexts that give you an idea of who
they really are, not just who they want you to think they are. Do they treat
their friends and family well? Do they help others even when they don’t
know anyone else is watching? Are they a good student and a good worker?
These things give you clues to the person’s character, not just their
personality. It’s a great idea to spend time with this person in a group of
friends, and to hang out in public places so you won’t be tempted to allow
things to get physical. Dinners, walks, movies, going to sporting events,
going out for coffee and working on projects together are a good place to
start.
Wait for it…
If you’ve yet to find someone you’d like to get to know better, or who would
like to get to know you better, it’s OK! There’s no need to compromise, or
date someone who’s not following God if your intention is to pursue a
relationship with God as a priority. Take a deep breath and don’t force the
issue. God knows everything about you and He cares about you a ton. He
knows your favorite flavor, how to totally knock your socks off, and exactly
what circumstances will help you develop into the person He’s created you
to be. This means He’s got your whole story planned out. You don’t have to
hunt for the perfect mate, and you don’t have to audition to prove yourself.
You are free to cultivate a relationship with God and to get to know other
people as people, not merely as potential “catches.” While you wait for God
to lead in the area of relationships, you can joyfully serve, love, and give
your life to Him and to others. Then, maybe as you’re walking this direction,
someone will come alongside you who shares the same passion and goal.
Amy’s
True
Story
Amy O’Hara is currently
overseas working as a
missionary in Amsterdam.
Read about her
reconnection with God.
Hi Everyone! My name is Amy O’Hara, I’m 25 years old, and I’m from
Boise, Idaho. I grew up in a Christian home where we regularly went to
church, prayed at home, and talked about God and Jesus. I became a
Christian when I was 7 years old, and I was baptized when I was 10. I
remained involved in Christian activities throughout high school and college
– but to be honest, a lot of the time my involvement was for social reasons,
or just because I didn’t know anything different. I always believed in Jesus
and God; that God loves us and sent Jesus to cover the gap created by our
sin; but most of the time it was just head knowledge, and I lived a Christian
lifestyle because it was the only lifestyle I knew.
I graduated from college when I was 20, in December of 2008. I moved
back home to Boise and started working as an accountant. I had gone to a
private Christian college, and up until this point I rarely had contact with non
-believers. I was content in my happy, isolated Christian world. It was at this
point in my life that I began to backslide, as they say.
I always believed in Jesus and God...but most of
the time it was just head knowledge, and I lived
a Christian lifestyle because that was the only
lifestyle I knew.
I became friends with a group of people who were not believers. At first
I thought it was a fine idea – that I could be a good influence on them and
maybe draw them closer to God. I should have listened to the proverb, “Bad
company corrupts good morals.” I began trying to fit in with their group –
drinking, using foul language, complaining, gossiping, partying, etc. In the
beginning I struggled with feelings of guilt, but over time these activities
became normal for me.
One night at a party, God saved me. Surrounded by godlessness, I
suddenly had a vision. I was watching myself from an aerial view, watching
how fruitless my life was, and how no one in the
world was benefiting from my actions.
I
immediately left the party, drove home, and
repented and spent the rest of the night talking
and reconnecting with God. That was in May of
2011.
Fast forward to spring 2014. Now, I’m
volunteering for a Christian youth hostel in
Amsterdam, Netherlands, sharing the gospel with
thousands of travelers while providing a safe,
loving environment for guests, and trying to love
them daily with God’s love. It’s not always easy. I
am homesick sometimes and often tired. But it’s
so worth it to see someone hear about Jesus for
the first time, or come to a Bible discussion
because they are curious about what it means to
be a Christian.
If you’re in college now, I want to encourage
you to think about living your life in a “nontraditional” way. Getting a degree, having a
career, house, and family is great, but there’s also
a big world that needs the gospel and desperately
needs love. God will provide for all your needs if
you just step out in faith and let Him lead you
where He will. I will be praying for you all that
you are encouraged and strengthened in your
faith and that we all become willing to lose our life
so that we will find it in the end.
JF
BELIEVERS
THE BLIND MUNCHIES
MUSIC & COFFEEHOUSE
Concerts
B-Movie Nights
- Study Saturday Breakfast
Gourmet Coffee
621 Wilson Ave + 715.235.9300 + theblindmunchies.com
“For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while
we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.
So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our
Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.” (Romans 5:10, 11, NLT)
W
hat’s the difference between a friend
and a stranger? The difference is
clear when you’re in their presence.
When you’re with a stranger, you’re
reserved, guarded and maybe even a bit
apprehensive. However, when you’re
with a friend, it’s a different story.
There’s an element of comfort,
vulnerability, and ease. Friendships are
filled with complex knowledge about the
other person, inside jokes, struggles,
highs and lows. In contrast, you can’t buy
a stranger a shirt in their favorite color,
bring over a bottle of their favorite soda,
surprise them on their birthday, or bust a
gut with them about the time you fell
down the stairs in a crowded mall. The
way you feel and behave in someone’s
presence is a true sign of the type of
relationship you have with them.
The leap from stranger to friend is pretty
drastic. We all have relationships that
would fit better in the “in between”
category. For example: acquaintances.
We have plenty of these with the help of
social media. Our hundreds of Facebook
friends will never visit our home, cry with
us, laugh with us, watch the game with
us, help us with homework, or be there
to listen and straighten us up when
we’ve had a rough day. There is no deep
connection there; we just bump into
each other once in a while, “like” an
occasional status update, or say hello in
passing, and then we are on our way and
back to doing our own thing again. It’s at
a fairly surface level: talking about the
weather, discussing sports, and
lamenting busy schedules. If you had to
put them in the category of ‘friend’ or
‘stranger,’ they may very well fit better
with the ‘strangers’ in our life.
AVOIDING YOUR BFF
This all makes perfect sense to us when
we’re talking about our interactions with
others. Why, then, do we dismiss this
way of thinking when considering our
relationship – or lack thereof – with God?
We could ask ourselves the following
questions: “What would it be like if I sat
down in God’s presence? Would my
interactions with God be those of a
stranger, an acquaintance, or a close
friend?” Here are a few other filters that
can help us see how we relate to the God
who loves us.
How does the thought of spending time
with God make us react? Are we at home
in His presence? Do we look forward to
time spent reading the Bible, talking to
Him in prayer, listening to Him or going
through the day with Him?
How often do we go to church? Once a
week, clocking in and out? Maybe we
refer to ourselves as ‘CEOs’ of church:
‘Christmas-Easter-Only.’ Is church a place
that we just drop by, or does it feel more
like a second home – a place where we
spend time with those we most enjoy
being with in the world?
Do we spend time with other Christians?
Do we really know them and do they
know us? There are numerous verses in
the Bible specifically mentioning “one
another” referring to God’s people, the
church. Our lives are to be transparent
with one another in the church. We are
not supposed to wear a mask of
perfection and pretend everything is
okay.
Do we talk to God like a child relating to
their father – someone we both respect
and enjoy? Do we pray not just when we
need something, are in trouble, or have
eaten too much ice cream or drank too
much alcohol? Just as we have daily
conversations with our friends, do we
likewise have daily conversations with
God?
It’s possible to go through an entire
lifetime settling for much less than the
rich, close friendship God desires to have
with you. Maybe your answers to the
above questions reflect a life that’s
estranged from God – one that’s trying to
avoid being near Him. Maybe your
answers reflect a life that’s content to be
an acquaintance of God – one that holds
Him at a religious arms-length. Perhaps
you had a past friendship with God but
have lost touch as life got busy and
responsibilities piled on. Whatever the
case, God has made sure to explain to us
in the Bible that His aim – His master plan
- is to have us as friends, not
acquaintances or strangers. What, then,
are some of the pitfalls we encounter
that would keep us from our best Friend?
CHECK PLEASE!
Oddly enough, in today’s world it seems
most people prefer occasional
connections and the relative ease of
following a few rules once in a while as
opposed to having a real relationship.
Let’s be honest—a checklist is way
easier than having a relationship with
someone. It’s less personal, it’s easy to
maintain for a little while, and it makes
us feel like we’re really accomplishing
something. We would rather just go
with the 10 commandments and call it
good. “Give me 10 things I should try
really hard not to do, Steph, and then
we will be close friends.” How about the
premise behind Lent? “I gave up
chocolate for you, Bill, so now we’re
friends, right?”
SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED
True relationships are messy. They
cause us to be real and transparent with
each other, which is hard. God got
messy for us in order to make it possible
to have a close relationship with Him.
Jesus willingly dove into a pit of our own
mess to save us, but our general
response is to try real hard not to swear,
to attend church. One cause of our
distance from God is our desire to avoid
the mess and work it would take to keep
a relationship with Him. We know He’ll
tell us the truth about ourselves – a
truth we’d often rather not hear. We
know He’ll rearrange our priorities and
want us to spend time with Him. Instead
of seeing how very “worth it” this
relationship-building is, we only see the
inconvenience and shy away from the
work. We enjoy calling the shots and
prefer to keep the friendship on our
terms. The problem with this attitude is
that, although we think we’ve got things
under control, God is the one who
determines what the relationship is really
like.
GIVE UP CONTROL
As much as we try to give God our list of
deeds we’ve done or checks we’ve
marked, God is ultimately the One who
deems whether we have a relationship
with Him, not us. If some random person
approached you and stated, “Hey man!
Can I come into your house? We are best
friends!” How do you think that would go
down? In Matthew 7:21-23 we see a
picture of this. God’s response: “Depart
from me, I never knew you…” We can’t
convince God to be our friend. He
offered us acceptance and friendship
through ONE pathway only: faith in Jesus’
sacrifice on our behalf when He died on
the cross and rose from the dead. He’s so
sure that a close relationship with Him is
the only answer to all our problems that
He sent Jesus to die for our sin in order
to make that relationship possible.
Thankfully, God is open to new friends.
Although we can be crappy friends, God
is the best friend, and His goodness
covers our severe lack. If you knew
True relationships are messy. They cause us to be real and transparent with each
other, which is hard. God got messy for us in order to make it possible to have a
close relationship with Him.
continued on the next page...
If we find ourselves in the “rules” spot, it’s okay, because at some point all of us
do. We have all eluded God and have been (or will be) faced with what to do
about that. We just have to go to God like we would a friend. “Draw near to
God, and He will draw near to you…”
someone that loved you enough to die
for you even though you continually
treated them as if they were an enemy,
and still that person would not budge on
their affections, they would be a true
and trustworthy friend. Gratitude and
thankfulness would be natural
outcomes, resulting in a desire to spend
more and more time with them, not
merely following a list of rules.
NICK the
HICK
If we find ourselves in the “rules” spot,
it’s okay, because at some point all of us
do. We have all eluded God and have
been (or will be) faced with what to do
about that. We just have to go to God
like we would a friend. “Draw near to
God, and He will draw near to
you…” (James 4:8) This experience of
drawing near to Him and having Him
draw near to us makes us more than a
stranger or acquaintance in God’s
presence: it makes us friends. Will we
live our lives as a true friend of God
through Jesus, or try to avoid Him and fit
Him into our life when it’s convenient?
TWEET THIS!
Today I looked at what was trending
on Twitter, Why? Don’t really know
why but I needed to have something
to write about. So I threw on my
thinking cap, the one that holds two
Mountain Dews, fired up Windows
XP and wrote what I believe to be
one of the finest short stories this
left hand has penned. My inspiration
came from 5 of the top 10 Twitter
topics on March 7th, which included
#HappyBirthdayJustinBieber,
#WeAllLoveIndonesia,
#thebuzz,
#MeandMyGirls, and #Bizzle.
Me and my girls were traveling down
main street the other day when we
was taken by all the buzz a happenin
by the Toys R Us. So we walked up
there to get a closer look and found
out it was a party for a young egg
throwin drag racing boy. A flashy sign
read Happy Birthday Justin Bieber.
Just then the young man came out
with drooping sun glasses and a
hipster smile. It was all the Bizzle. We
have still not defined Bizzle yet but
we are getting there. Figures. Our
crack research department did a bit
of digging and it looks like it is being
traced back to a artist named Snoop
Dogg, Later known as Snoop Lion.
Anyhow, we ate the pizza, shared a
few laughs and made our way to the
air port because we all love
Indonesia.
boatload of animals, an impending storm and Hollywood.
Due to its modern-day handling of a tale that is several
millennia old, Noah, an upcoming 2014 American epic, is more
of a beautiful rendering of the epic account of Noah and the ark
rather than a meticulous retelling. It is written and directed by
Darren Aronofsky, who also directed Black Swan and Pi. There’s
also a splendid cast, not least of which includes Russell Crowe
(Noah) and Emma Watson (Ila – Noah’s adopted daughter).
Try this word on for size: phantasmagorical. It’s the best way to
describe the types of creatures that convene upon the ark. The
125 million dollar budget for this film was not spent on tiger
handlers or giraffe corrals, because, similar to Aronofsky’s
handling of Pi, no animals were used in the making of this
movie. It contains “the most complicated digital effect shots
ever produced by Industrial Light & Magic (ILM)” 1 due to the
effort to reflect not-of-this-world creatures. They were initially
dreamed up in the 2012 graphic novel, NoE that Aronofsky cowrote with Ari Handel prior to beginning this film.
“We basically went through the animal kingdom and
pinpointed the body types we wanted: some pachyderms,
rodents, reptiles and members of the bird kingdom. We chose
the species, and they were brought to life with different furs
and colors. We didn’t want anything fully recognizable, but not
completely absurd either,” said Aronofsky.1
There is a familiar vein threading through the movie that
illuminates what is traditionally accepted about Noah and the
flood. This story many of us know well: one man chosen by God
out of the entire world to be saved from imminent global
destruction. For this to happen, he is given the task of building
an ark in a land that is bereft of any righteousness since every
man is bent on evil and selfish gain. Just like in the Bible, when
the floodwaters come Noah, his family and the animals are
swallowed into the ark, and the world is literally drowned.
But that’s where the similarities end and the invention begins.
There is a huge back-story that is not found in the Bible, and
this hyperbole ends up taking up the majority of the film to
recount. These embellishments include rabid warlords and
clans, global drought, six-armed angels, and a 1,000 year-old
grandpa. Noah is even portrayed as an environmentalist who is
in more in tune with nature and the animals than he is with his
own kind. Some critics argue that he’s more of a madman than
a leader worth following.2 The flood scene recedes into an
afterthought, albeit a dramatic one, at the end of the film.
While this movie is beautifully filmed, don't’ let it turn into your
new idea of how God spoke to Noah, or how these events went
down. If you’re curious about where the line is between history
and Hollywood, you can read the exact account of Noah in the
Bible in Genesis 6-8.
1: screenrant.com/noah-movie-darren-aronofsky-special-effects-animals/
2: screenrant.com/darren-aronofsky-noah-movie-controversy-discussion/
LOCAL
EVENTS
CALENDAR
SPRING-SUMMER 2014
APRIL
MAY
1[tues]: Baseball vs. UW-La
3[sat]: Baseball vs. UW-Stevens
Crosse (DH), 1pm
Point (DH), 12pm
/Open Fishing Season Across
Wisconsin
2[wed]: Softball vs. University of
Northwestern (MN) (DH), 5pm
DON ’ T MISS THESE
/ Advisement Day, No Classes
4[fri]: PLAY: 110 in the Shade,
4[sun]: Baseball vs. UW-Stevens
Mabel Tainter, 7:30pm—9:30pm
9[fri]: Classes End
10[sat]: Commencement
11[sun]: Graduate
th
5[sat]: 9 Annual Lamming Time
at Govin’s Farm at Govin’s
Meats & Berries,10 am-4 pm
9[wed]: Baseball vs. UWSuperior (DH), 5pm
11[fri]: Baseball vs. Maranatha
Point (DH), 12pm
Commencement
12-16[mon-fri]: Finals Week
15[thurs]: Cannon Tube Starts
Renting Tubes for the Red Cedar
River Tubing Season
12[sat]: UW-Stout Fashion
17—18[sat + sun]: Menomonie
Without Fabric Show, MSC, 8pm
Archery Club 3D Target Shoot,
Archery Club House, Time TBD
Superior (DH), 12pm
18[fri]: Friday Night Races Begin
at Red Cedar Speedway, 7pm
22[tues]: Baseball vs. UW-La
FREE
FEATURED
EVENTS
Willow/Walnut, MSC
Restoration Ministries
Thursdays 7pm
Blind Munchies Coffeehouse
621 Wilson Ave
Jesus Fellowship
of Believers Church
Sundays 10:30am
Wednesdays 7pm
Baptist Bible College (DH), 2pm
13[sun]: Softball vs. UW-
Street Level Bible Study
Mondays 7pm
621 Wilson Ave
Menomonie, WI
Real Breakfast
Saturday Morning, 9am-12pm
Lunch at 11:00am
Academic Year
Blind Munchies Coffeehouse
621 Wilson Ave
Menomonie, WI
($2 with Student ID, $3 without)
THE BLIND MUNCHIES
MUSIC & COFFEEHOUSE
Crosse (DH), 1pm
23[wed]: Softball vs. UW-River
Falls (DH), 5pm
25[fri]: Menomonie Theater
Guild: Lost in Yonkers, Mabel
Tainter, 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
/ Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Bowl
For Kids Sake, Broadway Bowl,
5:30 pm- 10:30 pm
26[sat]: Softball vs. UW-La
Crosse (DH), 2pm
27[sun]: Softball vs. UWPlatteville (DH), 12 pm
Friday, April 25th, 7pm
29[tues]: Softball vs. Hamline
Live Music
University (DH), 4pm
30[wed]: Baseball vs. UW-
MARAH IN THE MAINSAIL
Blind Munchies Coffeehouse
Superior (DH), 1pm
Menomonie, WI
Friday, April 4th, 7pm
B-Movie Nite
KING OF THE ROCKET MEN
Blind Munchies Coffeehouse
Menomonie, WI
BEATNIK’S CORNER
AWAKE
The sight of the brave sun is far too bright
for me to depend on these weak ankles
that claim to walk in their might.
My heart has been shot and is now tranquil.
I lie on the rug of shame until dusk
when the sun is going to rest his eyes.
The hands I used to hold fragile, now dust.
The heart that felt and lied at last now cries.
The fiery ball shows up again, no.
Can’t you see I may not be up for this?
Fell swoop, strength upon me, I can now grow.
Sky and ground meet in the middle and kiss.
Many are clear now, yet there is much left.
An abundance like this, it feels like theft.
Picture Sources:
Cover and pages 12-14:
-goodbyemailbox.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/
Flooded:
-fc01.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2012/148/d/7/water_splash_png_by_starlaa1-d51fsqk.png
-simonwinnall.com/blog/wp-content/simonwinnall_reflection.jpg
God and Dating:
-designworkplan.com/wp-content/symbol-sign-male-female.png
Movie Review:
-michaelbuckingham.com/noah/
-wp.patheos.com.s3.amazonaws.com/blogs/lookingcloser/files/2014/02/Noah-RussellCrowe.jpg
Awake:
-story.yeaoh.com
-thewilltochoose.com
Mission of Fishin’:
-previewcf.turbosquid.com/Preview/2011/04/09__23_27_12/
SA_HD_Fishing_Bobber_1.jpg4d4b3dfe-3361-4622-96d4-691b6cbe180aLarge.jpg
What are you streaming:
-dnok91peocsw3.cloudfront.net/product/440338-610x610-1374185925-primary.png
Water Pots:
-deanlbailey.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/clay-jars1.jpg
-http://galenf.com/india/rajasthan154.jpg
Take a deep breath. Summer’s almost here. The geese are flying north, your nose
hairs are finally defrosting, and there’s another color in the landscape besides white.
The staff at WOTS wanted to know if there were any Stouties doing something
unusual with their summer break. Get out the sunscreen and lather up as WOTS
brings you the results of our student poll.
Danielle
HD: Senior,
Information
Communication
Serena: Freshmen,
Retail Merchandizing
and Management
Ryan: Senior, Game Design
Who are you most excited about spending
time with this summer?
HD: Probably my Korean family.
Joe: Nobody. I am a hermit.
Danielle: My family.
Serena: Family and high school friends back
home.
What or who is playing a major role in
what you’re doing this summer?
Ryan: I’m just trying to find an internship
for the summer.
HD: Nothing.
Joe: Summer research at Stout.
Serena: I will be working a lot at
Gymboree, a kids’ clothing store, and then
maybe getting a waitressing job. WOTS: Is
this what got you interested in retail in the
first place? Serena: First, I worked at Guess,
the accessory store, and then Gymboree.
Working at those places help put me on
track for my major.
What are you trying this summer that’s
outside your normal comfort zone?
Ryan: Perhaps my internship.
HD: Going to my country, Korea.
Joe: Trying to do summer research with a
professor. I might be doing research with
Dr. Ghenciu from the mathematics
department at UW-Stout. The research will
be on finding new ways to do math and
explaining the theories of math. This would
involve coming up with formulas and
finding new ways to use formulas that
already exist, expanding upon areas like
Joe: Senior, Mathematics
symbols and coding, and finding new ways
of writing code besides binary. I found out
about this research by going and talking to
the professors. I told them that I wanted to
do this research and asked if they would be
interested in working with me.
Danielle: Volunteering, but besides that,
nothing.
Serena: If I get a job as a waitress that
would put me out of my comfort zone since
I have never worked in an environment like
that before.
about these places? Italy because it is really
pretty and Ireland because some of my
family is Irish, and I think it would be cool
to check out.
How will you help someone out this
summer?
Ryan: Don't know where I will live for my
internship, which makes it hard to know if I
will help someone out.
HD: I usually volunteer, but I will not have a
chance to do that this summer.
Danielle: Volunteering in Milwaukee
around the community.
What are your favorite hobbies during the
summer?
Ryan: Seeing friends that I don't normally
get to see throughout the year.
HD: Playing soccer around the community.
Joe: I try jogging every summer. I hang out
and sometimes play video games.
Danielle: I like taking pictures of the
scenery around me and also senior pictures
of friends.
Serena: I like being out on a boat.
If you could go anywhere for summer
vacation, where would it be and what
would you do there?
Joe: I would like to go to Japan. WOTS:
Would you go there to study the culture?
Joe: I have already studied the culture and
some of the language and I think it would
be fun. There are a lot of beautiful places in
Japan—it’s like going to Hawaii.
Danielle: Australia.
Serena: I would like to go to Italy or Ireland.
I haven’t been anywhere before. WOTS: Is
there something that draws your attention
What does the best summer day look like
to you?
Joe: It’s a day where I don't do anything…
hang out in the sun.
Danielle: Hanging outside and swimming
Serena: Relaxing by a pool, tanning,
hanging with friends… listening to music
Mission accomplished. Now that your mind
is thawed out (hopefully not into a puddle)
we encourage you to think outside the box
this summer. What will you do this summer
that will be memorable? Are there any
opportunities in your community to help
someone else? Whether you are doing
something big or small, take time to both
enjoy this summer and make it count.
WOTS out.
Mission of Fishin'
Men’s men and tough gals throughout Dunn County are fans of fishing. Sadly, many
Stout students do not know where to cast a rod other than the pea-soup-colored Lake
Menomin. Fishing is an age-old tradition that has slowly become a past time, but a
little time and effort can make it an affordable and relaxing hobby. It is good
for your brain and sanity to take some time to enjoy God’s creation
while you fish. If another fish-less year of college is about to
pass and you want to go, choose a place from our guide
for fishing on local rivers. These top spots are just
waiting for you.
The Red Cedar River between Menomonie and Irvington is a
great place to fish. You can follow the Red Cedar Trail and fish
from shore, or you can rent a canoe (from Stout Adventures if
you wish) and make the trip. Small mouth bass fishing is best
with just a night crawler. If you have a boat, you can use it in
the deeper waters by Riverside Park. If sucker fishing is your
thing, pull up a chair any place along this stretch, break a twig
from a nearby tree, and rest your pole for a relaxing afternoon.
In the spring time, Walleyes will be up by the dam right by
North Campus. For these guys, you could throw a minnow or
some leeches if they are available.
The South Fork of the Hay River between Boyceville and
Connorsville is a swell place to trout fish. It can be accessed
from multiple spots (Tiffany Town Hall, multiple bridges
throughout, Chimney Rock Public Land on Hwy 79 between
Boyceville and Connorsville). Here, you can expect to catch
average-sized brook trout on a worm or small spinner bait. If
wading is your thing, you can step in the icy water and increase
your chances of catch around fallen trees and tall weeds. Legal
size for keeping brook trout is eight inches, but for references
to other Wisconsin fish consult your fishing regulations hand
book.
The Rush River is a class A trout stream where you can snag
some Brown or Brook Trout. Your chances are higher here to
run into some bigger trout. For locations, Google towns like
Martell and El Paso to find out where the Rush is or visit
www.kiaptuwish.org/rush-river for a detailed description of the
river. There are plenty of spots to fish off shore or wade in.
Here you will notice that the scenery is very exceptional, even if
you don’t catch much, you are sure to enjoy the experience.
If you have never had a fishing license or have not purchased
one in two years, you can pick one up for $5.00. If you do not
have a fishing pole, you can get one for really cheap at WalMart. Fishing licenses can be purchased from Bait on
Broadway. Get out there and enjoy the wilderness while the
weather is great; you can watch the tube when there is snow
on the ground!
Red Cedar River
Rush River
It’s 10 pm on a Thursday, and you’re fried. You’ve had a constant stream of professors’ lectures, Pandora, and people’s complaints flowing
through your ears all day long. All that noise, but you’re longing to hear more about God. Have you ever delved into the world of biblical
audio teachings? The web and the world of smart devices makes it easier than easy to get solid, biblical teaching from godly teachers any
time you want. Here’s a quick list to help you get started and to help you avoid stumbling on anything too wacky or off-base. A good way
to deepen your relationship with God and your brothers and sisters in your church is to listen to audio teachings. However, it is not wise
to just listen to the first shiny-haired guy in a dress coat you may find. You must take caution and use your head as to who you are
listening to. See if they are teaching from the Bible or if their goal is to pass along their own agenda. We have gone out and done some
footwork, and ear work, to find good Bible teachers to pass along to our readers. Whether you are sitting down to study, have some idle
time, or are escaping from your friends singing Kelly Clarkson, check out one of these Bible teachers today and see what God has for you.
MINISTRY: Mars Hill Church, Seattle, WA
CONNECT: www.marshill.com
KNOWN FOR: Hard hitting, plain-language sermons that don’t beat
around the bush. He isn’t afraid to tackle taboo topics. Don’t let this
ex-fraternity member fool you – his biblical knowledge is nearly
unparalleled in modern Bible teaching. This guy loves Jesus, his
church and his family.
KEY TEACHINGS TO START WITH:
“Ten Commandments, Set Free to Live Free” is a sermon series that
focuses on life under the protection, wisdom and goodness of a
Father who loves us. Mark breaks downs each commandment so
that through the understanding God gives us we would find
application for our lives. You will also find videos from various
conferences.
QUOTE: “I don't leave a lot of things open-ended theologically. I
believe there's one God. I believe that Jesus is the only way to
heaven. I believe we're all sinners. I believe in a real hell and a real
heaven. So, I'm a Bible guy, for sure. I don't make any apologies
about that.”
MINISTRY: The Church at Brook Hills, Birmingham, AL
CONNECT: www.brookhills.org
KNOWN FOR: David Platt reminds you a lot of that nice guy from
high school who couldn’t hurt a fly, but when he preaches, he speaks
straight to the heart and with authority. An Atlanta native, he and his
wife, Heather, made their home in New Orleans until they were
displaced by flooding following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The Lord
led them to Birmingham the following year, where they have served
The Church at Brook Hills since 2006.
KEY TEACHINGS TO START WITH: “Threads” — a teaching series that
will unpack five different threads of the gospel and discover how
each thread can be woven into the fabric of our everyday lives and
ministry.
QUOTE: “My biggest fear, even now, is that I will hear Jesus' words
and walk away, content to settle for less than radical obedience to
Him.”
MINISTRY: The Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas
CONNECT: www.thevillagechurch.net
KNOWN FOR: Matt Chandler is an exciting listen. He, like
the others, is founded on Scripture and does not beat
around the bush. Chandler is a really gifted teacher with a
knack for taking complex topics and simplifying them so
the simple mind can understand.
KEY TEACHINGS TO START WITH: “The Book of Acts” is an
excellent teaching series to start with. Matt lays out the
history of the church and God’s plan for the church that is
written in the book of Acts.
QUOTE: “This avoidance of the difficult things of Scripture
— of sinfulness and hell and God’s notable severity — is
idolatrous and cowardly. If a man or a woman who teaches
the Scriptures is afraid to explain to you the severity of
God, they have betrayed you, and they love their ego more
than they love you.”
MINISTRY: Jesus Fellowship of Believers in Menomonie,
Wisconsin
CONNECT: www.jfbelievers.com
KNOWN FOR: Tim is a straight shooter who cares deeply
about the power of the God all Christians claim they serve.
He is very aware of the facts of the Bible and the battles
we face as humanity.
KEY TEACHINGS TO START WITH: “Hearing God’s Voice in
a Noisy World” is a four-part sermon series from Pastor
Tim that gets you thinking about what exactly you are
hearing and doing. You will ask yourself questions like,
“Am I really hearing from God?” “What am I created for?”
“What is weighing me down?” Hopefully at the end you
find yourself closer to God and working toward fulfilling
His plan for your life.
QUOTE: “It’s not enough that Christ is all-sufficient unless
we apply that fact to our lives. What place does Jesus have
in your lives?”
Although audio teachings cannot and will not replace the experience we have with our church family, they help us understand more of life
and God, essentially giving us tools to use in our Christian life. You may also notice that the message you hear in the audio teaching could
very well match up with the sermon you heard last Sunday, the conversation you had with that person the other day, or the book you are
reading. More than likely, it is not a coincidence. The more you’re listening to God instead of only streaming your surroundings, the more
clearly you’ll begin to hear His voice.
Instant Wine: Just Add Water
mir·a·cle /ˈmirikəl/ (noun) - interference with nature by a supernatural power.
An event that appears inexplicable by the laws of nature.
To make wine, you need grapes, yeast, and time for fermentation. However, at
one epic moment in history, one man skipped the whole fermentation process
and created the top-quality wine in a matter of seconds. In John 2:1-11, Jesus
and His disciples were invited to a wedding in a village called Cana in Galilee.
During the feast, Mary, the mother of Jesus, came to Jesus and told Him that
they were out of wine. In the context of their time, the wedding was an
important social event, and running out of wine would be public humiliation
for the newlyweds. They may have been in a panic at this point, worried
about their wedding becoming a disgrace.
After telling Jesus about the problem, Mary gave the
servants excellent advice: “Whatever Jesus tells you
to do, do it.” We can learn from her faith. She knew
that Jesus would do what was best. When the
problem presented itself, her faith led her to walk to
Jesus because she believed with all her heart that
there was nothing that He could not do. In our own
lives, in times of need, whether it’s about family,
finances, school, friends and relationships, exams and
opportunities, etc., we need that kind of faith. Faith
that will lead us to talk to God and ask for His
guidance first, not make Him our last option when all
else fails.
Jesus told them to fill the jars with water, and the
servants did what Jesus said. Then He told them to
draw some out and take it to the master of the feast,
and when the master of the feast tasted it, he called
the bridegroom and said, “Everyone serves the good
wine first, and then the cheaper wine when the
guests have become drunk. You have kept the good
wine until now!” This was the first public miracle that
Jesus did.
There were six stone water jars that were used for
Jewish ceremonial washing, each jar holding 20-30
gallons. Jesus told them to fill the jars with water, and
the servants followed Jesus’ instructions. They had a
total of 120-180 gallons of water. That is a lot of
water, but what they really needed was wine! Who
knows what they were thinking at that time? We can
learn from the servants’ obedience. Though they
probably were wondering why they were filling the
jars with so much water, they did not question Jesus.
In our own journey, there will be times when we do
not understand His methods but rather must obey
God and trust that He knows best.
The problem must have seemed impossible to solve.
Then Jesus told them to draw out some of the water
and take it to the master of the feast. Can you
imagine how nervous they must have been while
their master took that first sip? They knew it was
water, they filled it themselves! Jesus provided what
was needed at the moment. The newlyweds were
rescued from social disgrace in the grandest, most
mind-blowing way imaginable.
Miraculous events showed the incredible power of
Jesus Christ. The deeds and the works of Christ tell us
that He is God. His miracles revealed that He was God
in control of nature and in control of all the forces of
the universe. He did them so that men might believe, even as the
disciples did (John 2:11). The disciples already believed Him, but their
faith was deepened that day. Similarly, when something great happens in
our lives, our faith is increased. Our God is unstoppable and powerful.
Just as He turned water into wine, Jesus is able to take the ordinary, plain
and common and with His power make them full of flavor, fragrance,
strength and beauty. He can do the same to us if we let Him. He can turn
our weaknesses, fears and failures into strength, courage and victory.
With faith and obedience, God is going to surprise us more than we could
ever hope or dream of. He can turn our pain into pleasure and our
sorrows into joy. He can transform our broken lives and give them
meaning. It is when we confidently stand in this truth that we put
ourselves in a position ready to witness and experience miracles.