[1]

THE BEACON

My dear Crandallites, if you saw Ben today, knocking dudes around shooting hoops, you’d probably never guess just a few months ago he broke his back in four places. Had it not been for a s e r i e s o f v e r y f o r t u n a t e coincidences (courtesy of God) he wouldn’t be the healthy 22-year-old he is today. 

In 2009, Ben went on his first mission’s trip with Campus for Christ. He realized that this was his passion and decided to go for a second mission’s trip in the summer of 2010—this t ime serving as a leader. 

The group leaders met a few days before the other students would arrive, at a lodge just

outside Cowansville, Quebec. A few days into training, on the 28th of April, the group was given an hour to go off on their own for rest. Ben decided to walk down the dirt road to talk to God and admire His creation.

On his way back, Ben realized that the best way to admire the beauty of God’s creation would be to get a better view. How? By climbing a tree.

He went into the woods a little ways and saw an evergreen tree with long needles and fairly thin branches. (He knows now this tree sucks for climbing.) Without further ado, he made his way up the tree.

02.10.11

BEN’S BACK

PUBLICATION OF THE CSA

By: Taylor Stever

Don’t forget that today is the last day to vote.

[2]

For those of you who havenʼt noticed or read in the news, there is a chance that there will be a federal election coming up this spring. The threat is looming, but no one wants to call the election because they know that the Canadian people are kind of tired of them.

And maybe you feel as if it isnʼt such a big deal to have an election - I mean, all you really have to do is go out and vote. And theoretically, you are right - elections are a good thing, and a positive sign of the strong government we have here. But elections also cost a lot of money. It was estimated that the 2008 federal election cost $300 million. This is not taxpayer dollars, but - at least in my opinion - $300 million could most definitely be used in much better ways. And I especially feel that way if the results are going to be similar to what they were in the last election - the same as before . I f you don ʼ t r e m e m b e r t h e 2 0 0 8 election, let me help refresh you. We went into the election with a Conservative minority, and came out of the election with a Conservative minority. Is it really worth 300 million dollars?

I am a true supporter of the democratic process. I am not hyper involved in politics, but having two close relatives who work for different levels of government, I try to keep myself

informed. And I think that there are times when elections are necessary. The issue is that I am not convinced right now that there is a leader anywhere in these parties that is charismatic enough to get us out of this rut.

My primary concern in politics is typically the world scene - how are we faring with the rest of the world? I realize there are a kajillion other issues to be thinking and worrying about, but for me - who is typically set on a global perspective - this one ranks at the top. One major embarrassment tha t happened this year was Canada losing the spot on the UN Security Council to Portugal. If you happen to look it up, you will notice that experts believe that there were three major reasons why we lost the seat. But no matter the reason, it was a disappointing day for our nation. And not that I think a leader can change everything, but I am almost positive that if we had a more charismatic leader, maybe we could at least envision change? I believe that a charismatic leader would not only help us on the world scene, but I imagine they could also help us on the national level - to help restore the Canadian peopleʼs sense of hope and pride.

I love my country, and I am very grateful to live here. That

being said, I am disappointed in myself that I am not as proud of my country as I should be. I think it is hard to be proud though, when we

are not making bold decisions or leaving an imprint on the

international scene. I think that if we are going to put out $300 million for an election, we might as well at least have an option for significant change in that list. And I am not convinced that we have that in our candidates right now.

CONTENTSPage 1

Ben’s Back

Page 2

The Spin

Page 4

Ben’s Back Continued

Page 5

The Jesus who Forgives and

Confronts

Page 6

Hoping for a Better Tomorrow

Page 7

Department of Eagles

Page 8

The Three Keys to Wooing a Girl

Bieber Tweeter “Who wants a call

on Valentines Day??”

“How are we faring with the

rest of the world?”

The Spin By: Amy Pike

[3]

NEW TOYS!!

! “Some other folks might be a little bit smarter than I am: Bigger and stronger too, maybe but none of them will ever love you the way I do. It's me and you. And as the years go by, boys, our friendship will never die. You're gonna see it's our destiny. You've got a friend in me.”! This song has been around for eleven odd years and has touched the lives of many children, teens, and adults alike. It starts off with the conflict between the brand new Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) and olʼ reliable Woody (Tom Hanks). They teach that one needs to overcome conflict in order to thrive as they make it to the moving truck as it goes to Andyʼs (John Morris) new home. The next movie is all about the crew finding Woody as he has been ʻtoy-nabbedʼ by a toy collector. This movie is all about finding new friends and deciding what is right. Finally we have the latest movie.! Andy is going to college (boy how the years fly) and he has to decide which of the toys heʼs going to take with him, and which ones he puts in the attic. He ends up deciding that heʼs going to take Woody and the others will be going to the attic.

However, Andyʼs mom ends up putting those toys at the curb. Through the perils that these old toys are used to, they manage to escape and get into the donation box. Now they are at Sunnyside day care and faced with the rule of ʻLotsoʼ Bear (Ned Beatty). Can they toys and their new friends escape? Will they ever see Andy again?

! Toy Story 3, in my opinion, is the perfect way to end the heart warming series. These toys influenced me as a child and helped my imagination to grow. There have been many a time, as a child, and even growing up, where Iʼve found myself remembering Woody and the gang. While it was not specifically my favourite of the movies, it was one that was close to my heart. I was scared to watch it at first for fear that it would have changed the characters. However, they stuck with the main theme and the main core values. This movie moved me to tears as that chapter, like so many other chapters, was closed.

!"##$%&'"##'()*+,%)(----Take 20 minutes to !ll out an online student satisfaction survey.

./01Because you are our most important people and it can change the university!

Everyone who completes a survey will have their name entered in a prize draw.

./,2,'+3'03*'&,)'$%431You can !nd survey pass code info at the Welcome Centre.

DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 15

Brought to you by and Noel Levitz

!"##$%&'"##'()*+,%)(----Take 20 minutes to !ll out an online student satisfaction survey.

./01Because you are our most important people and it can change the university!

Everyone who completes a survey will have their name entered in a prize draw.

./,2,'+3'03*'&,)'$%431You can !nd survey pass code info at the Welcome Centre.

DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 15

Brought to you by and Noel Levitz

By: Brianna deJong

[4]

For a few moments he saw the majesty of the forest like a bird might see it. Of course, an even better view lied at the very top. And so, Ben carefully made his way to the very tip of the tree. But before he could even process the incredible vista before him, Ben fell from the top of that 25-foot tree.

To this day he’s not sure how exactly he fell. He didn’t know why, but the fact stood that he was plummeting spread-eagle backwards towards the earth. After a few moments he realized just how high he was falling and realized that this fall could kill him.

There had been a freak snowstorm in the area recently. In late August, there was never snow on the ground, but when Ben slammed to the earth, his fall was slightly cushioned by a small 6-inch-deep patch of snow.

Upon impact, Ben broke four vertebrae. L1, L2, L3 and T12—which are in the lower back. The fall crammed his L2 70% of the way into his nerve canal.

He immediately asked God for help, and slowly made his way towards the lodge 400 meters away. Ben somehow still had a sense of direction, and he instinctively got up and made his way back onto the path. When he was halfway through the field, (about 250 meters to the lodge) the pain that had been somewhat hidden by adrenaline started to reveal itself. He found himself hunched over in excruciating pain and the idea of laying down right there

was all too tempting. But in this desperate time, again he relied on God and began to repeat the words, “I

am weak, You are strong.”

Step after grueling step, he finally made it to the lodge and collapsed on the lobby floor. After a few moments, another volunteer found him, and called for the director, Brad. Ben laughs as he

recounts his frustration when Brad asked if he needed an ambulance, “ ‘Yeah! Are you serious?!

Do you know what kind of pain I’m in?!’ It was obvious to me that I needed one.”

Considering they were in the middle of nowhere the ambulance got there quite quickly. The paramedics demanded over and over to know how he got form the forest to the lodge. Ben, doesn’t remember, but Brad later revealed Ben’s only response was, “Jesus carried me.”

When they got to the hospital, Ben asked for his Bible. When Brad returned, he read aloud from Revelation. I asked Ben why he would chose such a book, to which he

responded, “I really wasn’t sure if I was going to make it, and Revelation has some nice descriptions of Heaven.”

The doctors made some amazing discoveries. Had Ben’s L2 been just a few millimeters deeper into his nerve canal, he would have been paralyzed from the waist down for life.

Then came Ben’s freakishly quick recovery. After about ten short days in the hospital, Ben could make his way around and was released with a back brace. That summer, he was even hired at Circle Square Ranch in Manuels, Newfoundland as first aid attendant. 

Just three months after his accident, Ben took off his brace for the final time, fully healed like nothing had happened. Ben would like to thank all the people who prayed for him—he’s still meeting them to this day.

The motto of the mission he was supposed to go on was, “Be satisfied in God.” I hope everyone takes this message to heart—even when you’re limping through a field with a broken back.

Today, Ben’s back is healthy as ever, (I know, I tackled him myself).

“Jesus carried me”

Ben’s BackContinued

[5]

At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

“No one, sir,” she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:2-11).

Think about what you just saw and heard. What did Jesus do?

He didn't condemn the adulterous woman. Instead, he came alongside her and freed her from the condemnation of the religious leaders. The Pharisees had no right to condemn her; they had to deal with sin in their own lives first. This is a classic example of Jesus coming alongside and caring for a needy person – someone in need of forgiveness.

But we can't overlook what Jesus said: “leave your life of sin.” See, Jesus came alongside the broken, the weary, the outcast, the forgotten, the sinners. But when he took them in, he told them to stop sinning. On the one hand, he offered grace and forgiveness and love, but on the other hand, he told them to leave the life of sin behind. To be quite honest, how can one continue on in the thing that so abhors God, the thing that He finds utterly repulsive, when we come to know Him? If we love God, ought we not love what He loves and hate what He hates?

The Pharisees and Jesus had two different approaches to dealing with the woman's sin. The Pharisees wanted to condemn her, but

Jesus dealt with it in a way that would make her free from it.

Yet I find that many times, when we talk about the gospel, when we talk about Jesus, we gloss over the topic of sin l ike we're really uncomfortable with it. I hear that we ought to love people the way that Jesus did – especially the outcasts. I agree wholeheartedly. But I believe that that's only part of the picture. If we don't talk about the heart of the gospel – that Jesus came to offer us salvation from the life of sin and give us real life and peace with God, then we're missing the point.

I've heard it said that we should let God do the convicting of sin. And, in all reality, it is Him who does the convicting. Does that mean that we should ignore it altogether? Are we afraid of offending people? Jesus was highly offensive – to the people who wouldn't listen to him, like the Pharisees. It's God that convicts – but he uses people to be His voice, I believe. And do we do Him justice when we leave the parts of His message out that make us feel more uncomfortable?

I think we have this misconception that talking about sin – especially pointing out sin – is being what we'd call judgemental and condemning people, just like the Pharisees in the story. That's why we're so uncomfortable with it. We soften it up by calling our sins “mistakes.” No! They're serious felonies against God and needed to be treated as such, and not swept under the carpet! That's why we need to

consider how we can deal with it out of love, with the goal of restoration and

re c o n c i l i a t i o n . I s i t re a l l y judgemental if it's out of a love and a desire to bring them back to God and something that's good for them? To tell them what they need to be saved from and what they are

saved for? It's good news, if you ask me!

So how do we approach the gospel today? In ages past, evangelists weren't afraid to preach the fire and brimstone, and we see the great revivals happening in their time. They preached the gospel. So what is the gospel? And are we getting all of it? Because ultimately, it is about bringing acceptance and love to the outcast, the poor, the needy – because throughout the New Testament, they were the ones who recognized their poor estate and their need for a saviour – not only from their physical problems, but their spiritual problems too.

MIDNIGHT

Come on out on Saturday, February 12 for Crandall’s

own midnight showing of The

Dilemma starring Vince Vaughn and

Kevin James.

It starts at 12:00 am and ends around

3:00 am.

AND THE BEST PART?

It only costs $5.00!

“Are we afraid of offending people?”

The Jesus Who Forgives and Confronts

By: Alexander Scott

MOVIE

[6]

The Bible tells us that “there is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off” if we have faith. (Prov 23:18)Politics are about ideas and remember that with our CSA elections this week, a mediocre idea generating enthusiasm will go farther than a great idea that inspires no one. In politics there is an element of hope for a better tomorrow. Our faith can also be a tremendous part of change in this world and the earlier we understand that God’s work must be the work of our own hands, we can truly comprehend that this world we live in yields difficultly to change.

In politics, we so often become entangled in partisan issues that divide us and look at candidates and ask the question, who's right? We must begin by asking ourselves what is it we believe in our own hearts to be right, and then seek the candidate or political party that best suits our beliefs. Finding our social voice is not always easy but it can be accelerated through listening to dissenting and disagreeing opinions, through debate and engagement; not by sitting on the fence.

You must first ask yourself what do I care about or what do I believe in? Your belief system is central to your background, your socio-economic status, age, race, gender, sex, and religion. You must let these factors be a part of what influences you; however, it can be dangerous to weigh all your decisions on one aspect or element of your life. No matter what political path you choose, people will always have dissenting opinions and will disagree with your position. Do not let that fear stop you in making a choice and standing up for what you believe in – whether it may conflict with what your family, church, or school may tell you is right.

Do not be afraid to listen to those whose beliefs are different from your own. The common mistake people make in trying to adhere to certain beliefs is that they label anyone who disagrees with them as wrong. That is the first mistake we all make when discussing controversial subjects and we must not be fearful to engage our friends, family, professors, and politicians who disagree with us. It

is only through that discussion and debate that we are able to strengthen our own positions. Chances are you will not change the other person’s point of view, but by knowing and understanding both sides of an issue it can create a sense of confidence in your own position.  

Finally, the real problem that lies with our generation and most people who do not vote, is the common question of “what can one person really do?” Once you have decided what you believe in, live it out to the best of your abilities. There is a great saying:“think global, act local”. The choices we make on a daily basis can make a difference of whether we think it or not. If the environment is your issue, make a conscience effort to recycle and conserve energy. You do not only vote at the ballot box but you can do so with the purchases you make through supporting stores whose labor practices align with your beliefs or who may promote green practices. Remember you don’t have to be an activist or a radical in order to be political.

So not only do I urge each and every student at Crandall to vote in the CSA elections, but I insist that you get involved and take on civic responsibility! Vote in the next municipal, provincial, or federal election, or if you have never voted, find out how to register and do so!

When hoping for a better tomorrow Barack Obama said that “Hope is that thing inside us that insists despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us if we have the courage, to reach for, work for it and to fight for it. Hope is the belief that our destiny will not be written for us but by us; by all the men and women who are not content to settle for the world as it is, who have the courage to remake the world as it should be.”

“Our faith can also be a

tremendous part of change in this

world”

By: Adem CampbellHoping for a Better TomorrowKevin and Taylor at the voting box.

[7]

Department of Eagles

Have you grown tired of the bleak winter months? Need a mental vacation from the slush, the biting wind and the daunting work load? Look no further; Department of Eagles’ album In Ear Park is a musical ode to the warm evenings of summer. Their sound is very natural, with lyrics which cover images of cheer and nature. Yay! While tracks such as “Waves of Rye” and “Floating on the Lehigh” come across as powerful noise rock songs, the band is equally proficient at playing soft and melodic tempos like the ones found in “In Ear Park” and “Balmy Night”.

In between the band’s two styles lies a third, quirkier element; sound sampling. By tastefully splicing up old ballroom

piano ballads and dark baroque pieces, Department of Eagles add an entirely fresh layer to the all too common style. They not only do sample melodies, but also more abstract noises like whistling kettles a n d p e o p l e c h a t t i n g . T h i s experimentation led to a few seriously busy tracks such as “No One Does i t L ike You” and “Teenagers” which are both riddled with noises that to this day I can’t identify.

Now, if you mix the soft and the loud with the sampling, you have Department of Eagles; a wonderful band who know how to write a catchy song in a different

kind of way. In these hard months treating yourself

to a bit of new and interesting music can help you take your mind off its stresses!

!

Thanks to the dedication of a few, Crandall has an

ice rink. Check it out

HOCKEY ANYONE?

“with lyrics which

cover images of cheer”

By: Matthew McGraw

[8]

Melissa Moore makes a couple of good points in her article about the relationship between Guys and Girls. The conclusion I got from it is pretty much that guys are douche bags in every context imaginable and when you take a look at any relationship you can count on the guy being an oblivious moron and the girl a patient miracle worker. I agree with you Melissa and even if I didn’t, I’m just an oblivious moron so what do I know? Right now I’m going to discuss the concept of ‘wooing’ girls in an effort to win their affection and potentially their courtship. Every guy should attempt to woo a girl because, like Melissa Moore said, we’re all a bunch of morons who couldn’t possibly survive without the angelic presence of a woman. The first key to wooing a girl is to stay loose. Girls get uneasy around guys who are obviously uncomfortable and the best way to prevent this uneasiness is to stay loose. Staying loose is easy. Every time you look in the mirror make sure you look loose and then try to keep that posture the rest of the day. Staying loose also helps diminish pit sweat so that’s a bonus. The second key to wooing a girl is to play bass. Nothing gets the love veins pumping in a Girl like a guy who

plays bass. Whenever you’re near a girl who you would like to court just casually d r o p i t i n c o n v e r s a t i o n s : “Hey what are you ladies talking a b o u t ? O h gender equality? Did you ladies know that I play bass?” It’s nice if y o u k n o w s o m e musical terms to back up your bass playing as well: “Did you ladies know that my favourite key is B? It’s because it’s the first letter in the word beautiful which always makes me think of you.” Pick up a bass and the courting won’t stop. The third key to remember when wooing a girl is to be sensitive. Whenever I go to a Pixar movie there is always one blubbering buffoon crying and he always has an attractive lady on his shoulder telling him that she can’t wait to hear him play bass again. The major lesson I got from this is that if you want to woo a girl, learn how to cry. Now there are times to cry and times to man up and these scenarios are different for everybody. If you’re about to be attacked by a coyote,

that’s a time to man up; if you’re watching a movie about Buzz Lightyear being given away to a daycare, that’s when you bring the water works. Now there are cool ways to cry and there are lame ways to cry. The cool way is to get a little quiver in your voice and then turn away. The uncool way is to cry until your nose starts running and you can’t tell what are tears and what are globs of snot. Wooing a girl takes practice, just like playing the bass or crying or staying loose. It’s every guy’s responsibility to master the skills and then give it a shot. You may fail, you may succeed, but if you follow my principles you’ll succeed, guaranteed.

THE THREE KEYS TO WOOING A GIRLBy: Thomas Morehouse

“The ice is still a little bumpy...”

“Another winter birthday?”

“Mitchell or Daniel???”

“Five bucks for a frosh kit and t-shirt? Sweet!”

“25 DAYS UNTIL MARCH

BREAK!!!”

“And they plan on putting

the next 10 cm where??”

“I love the Beacon. It rocks.”

“Be Mine?” :)

Q “Why can't Keith Bodner teach every class at this university?” A “That is physically impossible, bud.”

“Wooing a girl takes practice, just l ike playing the

bass or crying”

overheard at crandall