Vol. 53, No. 3
International news, missions and perspectives Hammocking on campus? Page 3
Fall fun in Tulsa Page 12-13
Roughin’ with rugby Page 17
Tulsa, Oklahoma • October 12, 2018 • www.oruoracle.com Photo by Gabriel Jaggernauth
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Corrections The Oracle strives for accuracy and integrity in all content. If you find a mistake, let us know. Letters to the Editor Have a thought or story idea you’d like to share? Send us an email at oraclechief@oru.edu. 2 • Oracle • October 12, 2018
ORU Student Association and administration are working on getting new hammocking poles for students.
Photo by Josh Crow
Hang in there for hammocking on campus by Grant Holcomb and Lauren Brewington @GrantholcombORU and @laurenmonique_
Hammocking has become a popular modern pastime, especially among ORU students. But there’s one problem— hammocking isn’t allowed on campus. Yet. Students have been reaching for their ENOs, itching to hang them between ORU trees, but due to lack of designated hammocking spots and posts, they’re going to have to hang on. Since last year, approval of this leisure activity on campus has been in the works. Former Student Body President Emily Bishop and current Student Body President Titus Schmitt have been working alongside administration and ORU President Dr. William M. Wilson regarding this issue. “It is a good way for the student body to have personal time with God while getting away from noisy or busy parts of campus,” said junior Global Ministry and the Marketplace major Davis Dewar, who even started an online petition to speak out on behalf of those who wish to hammock on campus. More than 300 students have signed the
petition—highlighting the demand among ORU students. Schmitt has seen the petition but contends hammocking was already on the administration’s radar. “Administration was very open to it right off the bat,” Schmitt said. “They didn’t need to see proof to see that students were behind it, but I had it ready to go.” “ The student association is working with facilities to order the hammocking poles and get them installed,” said Stephanie Hill, Director of University Relations. “We don’t have a timeline yet but ever yone is working hard to get this done.” Schmitt says two areas on campus were being considered for the hammocking location and he believes they’ve settled on an area near the disc golf course. “I agree that areas like the prayer gardens,
GC, LRC and chapel should be reserved for more serious academic and spiritual inquiries,” Dewar said. “Therefore, communicate to the student body that hammocking is allowed in its designated area that isn’t easily seen by visitors to ORU, and whoever hammocks in restricted areas will be told to leave as security does now.” Dewar is thankful for Schmitt’s work and hopes he can help make a change. Dewar wants to prioritize courtesy while making his voice heard. “Besides hammocking, any change needs to be respectful to authority,” he said. “We live in an age where cynicism is so cool, but the best way to show respect and honor is to show it and be the example.” So hang in there, ORU students, there is possibility between the poles. Administration is working on it.
“Everyone is working hard to get this done.”
October 12, 2018 • Oracle • 3
An update around the globe by Kendall Brown @oruoracle
More Tariff Drama China and the United States have recently imposed new tariffs on each other’s goods. They have a bitter trade history and neither side seems to be giving room for compromise. China accused the United States of bullying other countries to agree to American deals. These tariffs include $200 billion worth of Chinese goods and retaliatory tariffs by Beijing on $60 billion worth of U.S. products. China has recently pulled out of negotiations, citing the American midterm elections as a potential shift in strategy for crafting new trade policy. The United States administration is continuing the strategy of being the aggressor in trade talks, siding more with protectionist policies rather than decades of Republican dominated free-trade. Europe’s withdrawl from Iran Deal After the United States announced their withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, European Union officials are trying to save European investments in the Islamic country. EU-Iranian trade is running at $2.35 billion a month in 2018 but is expected to fall as big
European companies pull out and Iranian oil exports are choked off by U.S. sanctions. European countries could pay Iran directly for oil in Euros and go around the U.S. financial system. Berlin, Paris and London “don’t have the political strength and time to be able to offer Iran anything serious or significant,” said Sanam Vakil, a senior associate fellow at Chatham House, a London-based international think tank. U.S. not concerned by Iranian accusation Also in Iran, an attack at a military parade left 25 dead, including a dozen members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, supreme leader of Iran, is speculating the killers were people paid by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Khamenei also insinuated the United States had a part to play and that all parties will deal with severe punishments. In response, United States Defense Secretary James Mattis did not feel threatened by Khamenei’s accusation. “We’ve been very clear that they shouldn’t take us on like that. And I am hopeful that cooler, wiser heads will prevail,” Mattis said. Tariffs have sent the world into trade negotiations. Photo by Alejandro Contreres
Got milk? What about lactase? by Rejoice Christisking @rejoiceck3
According to Dr. William Ranahan, breast cancer researcher and professor at ORU, 70 percent of adults deal with adverse effects from consuming dairy. Lactose intolerance means your body no longer produces lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose. Lactose is found in any dairy product including cheese, milk, cream, ice cream and milk-based beverages. Ranahan says everyone is born with the gene that creates lactase. However, if lactase isn’t utilized in the body, it stops being produced. People often become lactose intolerant from halting the consumption of dairy. “If you suddenly stop making
4 • Oracle • October 12, 2018
lactase, you would experience immediate and extreme discomfort,” Ranahan said. The gene determines whether or not lactase gets produced to break down lactose. Ranahan claims that if someone keeps dairy in his or her diet then lactase will continue producing. Yet, for some people, that’s not an option. “There are people who are genetically disposed to being lactose intolerant,” said Ranahan. “We don’t have the scientific technology to turn genes off and on, although there are ways that we are becoming aware of changing gene expression, but they are very much in their experimental phase.” One experimental technique is called Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic
Repeats (or CRISPR). This method has given doctors and scientists the ability to change or modify specific codings in a DNA sequence. “That will create the re-initiation process to make mRNA. We know that is the problem. If you were making mRNA, you would be making protein [lactase],” said Ranahan. “This is totally possible. You just have to hit a bunch of cells with CRISPR.” Rachel Budavich, ORU biolog y instructor, clarified a common misconception. “One needs to distinguish between lactose intolerance versus food allergies,” she said. “Food allergies are very difficult to figure out. It could be something inside the cereal, not necessarily the milk itself.” Ranahan and Budavich encourage
people with a reaction to monitor the symptoms, time and circumstances surrounding the event. “If you’re lactose intolerant, my assumption is that you will cut out dairy,” said R a n a h a n . “If you don’t cut out dairy, you’re going to increase inflammation which is a direct correlation to cancer.”
Weird stories for dinner conversation by Nina Lange @ninaforshea
Japan lands rovers on moving asteroid Japan has successfully become the first nation to land rovers on an asteroid. On Sept. 21, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency landed two rovers on a space rock dubbed Ryugu. On Sept. 23, footage was captured by Rover-1B, showing the Sun move across the asteroid’s sky. While there, the rovers will collect temperature samples and take pictures of the asteroid. The rovers trekked across the “dumpling-shaped” asteroid and measured the 2,953 feet diameter. Both rovers are barely three pounds and can bounce up to 49 feet into the air due to weak gravity. The rovers’ mother ship, Hayabusa 2, will later release a larger rover and lander as part of the mission. Hayabusa 2 aims to make three touch-and-go landings to gather samples of the rock for research purposes.
The first landing is scheduled to take place in October. Hayabusa 2 was launched on Dec. 3, 2014 and traveled almost 2 billion
miles to land on June 27, 2018. It is expected to leave in 2019 and arrive to Earth towards the end of 2020. 26,000-pound dinosaur found in South Africa A fossil belonging to a 26,000-pound relative of the brontosaurus has been discovered in South Africa. Researchers have named the beast Ledumahadi mafube, meaning “a giant thunderclap” in Sesotho, a South African dialect native to where the dinosaur fossil was found. “The name reflects the great size of the animal as well as the fact that its lineage appeared at the origins of sauropod dinosaurs,” said Jonah Choiniere, study author and paleontology professor at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. “It honors both the recent and ancient heritage of southern Africa.” In 2012, Blair McPhee, a graduate student, uncovered the bones. Over the course of several years, the team worked on uncovering the bones of the adult dinosaur. The Ledumahadi was most likely related to the sauropod and walked on four legs and ate plants like the brontosaurus. The Ledumahadi was one of many dinosaur species in that area and Choiniere and his team are
continuing their search for fossils from the Triassic and Jurassic periods in South Africa. Extinct animals are predicted to walk the earth again in 10 years Science hopes to clone certain extinct species from preserved DNA and eventually reintroduce them to a remote area in Russia. The DNA was found preserved in permafrost in Yakutia. “Today, technology is developing at an explosive pace, and what yesterday seemed to be scientific nonsense, today is an absolutely clear prospect for scientists,” said Aisen Nikolaev, regional leader of Yakutia. After Vladimir Putin hosts an investment meeting next month, more information will be released about the “world class paleo-genetic scientific center.” The center will “aim to study extinct animals from living cells — and to restore such creatures as the woolly mammoth, woolly rhinoceros, cave lion and breeds of long-gone horses,” reported The Siberian Times. The preserved DNA will be merged with mammals such as elephants in an attempt to bring them back to life. Harvard geneticist George Church and his team use a genetic engineering technique where they can “cut and paste” DNA into the elephant cells to create a mammoth embryo. They will grow the embryo in an artificial womb instead of a surrogate mother. “We are focusing on reviving mammoth genes and making a mammoth/elephant hybrid and help them spread to vast wild, arctic climates,” said Church to Sun Online Graphic by Alejandro Contreras
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Alumnus offers the Uber of tutoring
by Chae Woon Yoo @chaewoonyoo
With students struggling in class and so much information available on the internet, students can grow frustrated not being able to find or receive personalized help when they need it the most. Even with a professor and teaching assistant, some students are unable to receive help due to scheduling conflicts, often leaving questions unanswered. Jacob Hallman, co-founder of StudyGate, a new online tutoring platform dedicated to quick help, had similar problems. While attending ORU as a music composition major, Hallman found himself wanting to ask questions among 600 other students. “It wasn’t really practical to raise your hand. You just kind of had to wait until they had the separate module,” said Hallman. By the time he got to a discussion group, Hallman often forgot his questions, before he could have them answered. It was then that his passion for helping students began to override even his love for music. Out of his frustration, Hallman came up with the
idea of StudyGate, a 24/7 online tutoring company available for students who want to connect with qualified tutors and study with their classmates online. “StudyGate, for me, was a response to that,” said Hallman. “How can I help others that really want to learn and might not have the tools to connect with the people best equipped to help them when they need it most?” Hallman co-founded the company alongside Daniel Zhao who shared the same zeal for helping students. Zhao also crafted SimpleTense—a similar platform geared toward helping Chinese students—which helped pave the way for StudyGate. Hallman said his primary source of traffic comes from college students, but explains that the program also provides help for students in all grades. StudyGate offers thousands of tutors from a wide variety of disciplines including engineering, Adobe software, computer technology, music and
many more. The program is free to sign up and the feature to study with other classmates is also free. Hallman described StudyGate as “the Uber of tutoring services.” “So many times in school, you get an A if you get the right answer, not if you ask the right questions in class,” said Hallman. “So I want to assist the students with that opportunity to understand the answer and then be able to ask good follow up questions later when they’re sitting in class.” With StudyGate, students only have to pay the hourly fee set by the tutors themselves. If a student only spends 15 minutes with a tutor, that is all they will have to pay. It is a pay-as-you-go system. The fee varies among tutors, but the average rate is around $15-20 an hour. “The biggest thing that inspires StudyGate is efficiency,” Hallman said.
“How can I help others that really want to learn?”
Photos provided by Jacob Hallman
Photo by Cicely Rubottom
6 • Oracle • October 12, 2018
ORU alumnus Jacob Hallman (top) and Daniel Zhao (bottom) co-founded StudyGate.
October 12, 2018 • Oracle • 7
Come sea the aquarium’s new exhibit by Cicely Rubottom @cicelypixely
Think shipwrecks, coral reefs, dozens of Nemos, bull sharks, huge (like, massive) turtles. Wish you were touring the Caribbean now? Why? There is no need to drain your saving’s account when all that and more is right around the corner at the local Oklahoma Aquarium. After adding several new projects and events, the aquarium is now more colorful than ever before. On Saturday, Sept. 22, a packed-out crowd gathered together to observe the aquarium’s brand new collection of sea creatures. The exhibit was more than a year in the making. The Oklahoma Aquarium unveiled more than 70 species of South Pacific reef fish in brand new tanks. The opening of the reef doubled as a celebration for the 15-year anniversary of the aquarium. As Tulsans sipped
their festive tea and munched on their sweet (oh, so sweet) rolls, Chief Operating Officer Kenny Alexopoulos and his team cut the ribbon of the new Polynesian exhibit. What is now the Polynesian Reef was previously a Caribbean exhibit that had been built more than a decade ago on a much smaller budget of about $15,000. “We came when this was just kind of grass and trees and mud,” said Alexopoulos, who has been working at the aquarium for about 18 years. Over time, their facility and budget has grown large enough to be able to support the new reef and plans for more. With staff keeping a tank-half-full mindset, the aquarium grew into a vibrant economic driver and touristic hotspot. During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the aquarium staff emphasized the importance this reef has to the second word in their mission statement–
education. As several children ran around the aquarium and sat perched atop the shoulders of their parents to witness the unveiling of the reef, it was apparent that the aquarium has truly fostered a learning environment. The tank features a collage of interesting creatures like the juvenile green dragon wrasse that can camouflage into algae. There are also soldierfish and squirrelfish that sport night-vision powers, rabbitfish who are armed and dangerous with their venomous spines hidden in their dorsal fins and, of course, the unicornfish that looks exactly the way one would imagine. Hard to miss in the corner of the exhibit is a giant moray eel weaving in and out of a man-made shipwreck. Its
predatory nature is even better enjoyed when accompanied by the “Jaws” theme song–after all, it does carry a second set of jaws within its throat to help pull the prey into its stomach. While money has always been an object for this nonprofit, they aim to continue building new exhibits, and their mission is “to educate and inspire conservation of our aquatic world through interactive discovery.” “I really want to thank the city of Jenks for believing in this facility and standing by us and allowing us to grow and allowing us to do our thing,” said Alexopoulos. “I know they’re not going to regret this.”
“I know they’re not going to regret this”
The Oklahoma Aquarium’s newest exhibit showcases 500 colorful fish.
Photos by Josh Crow
8 • Oracle • October 12, 2018
Pictured from left to right are: Michael Omokaro, Joseph Campbell, Mark Omokaro, Tobi Sanusi, Manny Okenye, Emeca Okoroafor and Jerry Mateola. / Photo provided by Jerry Mateola
Seven Nigerians. One YouTube. Lots of goals. by Staci McCoy @stacerslynn
The next time a group of seven, proud, voguish, soccer-devoted and comical Nigerians are spotted strolling along the campus sidewalks, it is safe to assume they are the “Kozy Gang.” A better place to find them, perhaps, would be the couch on which they fiercely play FIFA or a white wall in front of which they snap many photos. The friend group formed one by one as they each clicked with the others, and, ironically, they all happened to be Nigerian. Although only three of the members, Joseph Campbell, Manny Okenye and Emeka Okoroafor, were born and raised in Nigeria, all of them have Nigerian parents and accents. Others grew up in London or the U.S. but managed to obtain distinct accents from their families. “We became friends by roasting each other,” joked Manny, who is referred to as “Manny The Goat.” It became clear that the friends could not go unnoticed on campus as ORU students coined the terms “the Africans” or “the Nigerians” when referring to them, whether they knew them or not. In an attempt to have their own distinct name, they first titled themselves “Dead Guys,” for no apparent reason. “Everyone just called us ‘the Africans.’ There are
too many Africans here for only us to be called ‘the Africans,’” laughed Joseph. “We had a Snapchat group and decided we needed to come up with a name.” After a short time, the group jumped from “Dead Guys” to “Kozy Gang,” and the name stuck with them. The group shares an Instagram account called “TheKozyGang” and plans on releasing a line of merchandise in the near future. There are various personas in the group: Jerry Mateola is “The Blabber Mouth,” Tobi Sanusi is “The Jokester Who’s Low-key Sketchy,” Michael Omokaro is “The Complainer Who Does Nothing,” Manny is “The Drama Queen” who thinks “everyone is out to get him,” Joseph is “Jay the Dreamer,” Mark Omokaro is “The Lazy One” and Emeca is “The Godfather.” Two play on the ORU men’s soccer team, two write and produce music and three pursue fashion. They are each “killing the game” in their different areas, according to the group. After a brotherhoodlevel relationship solidified the Kozy Gang, they started a YouTube channel with videos that primarily promote fashion trends alongside their entertaining antics. They admitted that they wish they could dedicate more time and effort to make it as great as they believe it could be. “We started a YouTube channel because we are an
interesting mix of people, and we know we’d do well if we really try,” said Jerry. “One of our goals is to get a video on chapel where we’d do Bible pick-up lines.” They hope to accomplish more than simply catching attention on campus. though. The Kozy Gang also looks to launch a “Kozy Scholarship” that requires participants to spend a day with the group at the beginning of a semester. The gang would choose a student to whom they would present a scholarship of $500. In theory, this fund would increase as the scholarship grows more popular over time. The Kozy Gang also seeks to create an event aimed at styling up less fortunate children. Each member would choose an article of clothing they treasure and give it to a child who cannot afford nice clothes. The Kozy Gang truly elicits the word “kozy” in the way they support one another and those they do not yet know, according to those who do know them. ORU has an immense variety of students, and while most connect with those similar to them, there are also opportunities to relate with students from around the world. Although they may appear intimidating, the Kozy Gang enjoys the company of new friends and wants others to know they are relatable and friendly.
October 12, 2018 • Oracle • 9
Pop some tags, only got $20 in my pocket by Kayley Forshey @mybestfriendjo
They looked like any old pair of boots, sitting all by their lonesome on the dingy thrift shop shelf: brown, sturdy, hand-bonded leather, a little worn and yet still in excellent condition. But when Maggie Parsons spotted them on a rainy fall day in Springfield, Missouri, she instantly knew they were worth more than the $12 tag stamped on the leather. “I cleaned them up a little bit and I did some research. I actually found a vintage ad for them. They were from the 70s, they were like 43-or-something year old boots, and they looked great,” Parsons said. She sold the Frye Leather Boots at a $50 profit on eBay and her newfound hobby took shape. She thought, “If I could find these, how many other things can I find? What else is hidden away in shops like these?” Parsons is just one of millions of people participating in thrift shopping or “thrifting.” Thrifting is shopping in a store that is comprised of mostly donated goods and often gives a portion of their proceeds to charity. Examples include The Salvation Army and Goodwill, and antique shops are often included in this category. According to the National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops, the
multi-billion dollar industry has consistently risen seven percent in the last two years alone. This year’s revenue totals $14 billion, according to the Thrift Stores in the US Industry Mark Research Report from this year. It’s popular, especially among college students, and for Parsons it’s become “a side hustle.” After finding the pair of Frye Boots and selling them at a profit, Parsons spent her summer thrifting and selling. “I like to shop. It’s something I enjoy and I see things on sale that are dirt cheap, but maybe it’s not my style. Or it’s not my size. . . It’s not for me but someone else would really like this, so that’s where it really kind of started building,” Parsons said. She finds on-trend brands, like Lululemon and Free People, buys them for the thrift store price and sells them for what they are worth on sites like eBay. Her favorite find so far was a brand new Versace teacup; she bought it for $34 and sold it for over twice as much. “I’m a college student and my opinion–if you’re a college student without a side hustle then are you really living your best life? I’m all about the side hustle,” Parsons said. After a few months of thrifting, she established her brand and audience. “If you want it to be a side hustle, you have to learn
how to skim. If you’re taking every single object, piece by piece–thrift stores are huge. I would say learn what market you’re wanting to look for, what style you’re wanting to cater to and really only search for those kind of pieces,” Parsons said. Part of the key is researching the items to make sure they aren’t fake and are worth their resale value. Parsons suggests a quick scroll through eBay or Google if she feels on the fence about findings. For most though, thrifting is a fun hobby, an extension of shopping and an option for spending time with friends. Even so, Parsons has tips for leisure thrifting rather than a money-grind. “Shop smart; go on the half-off days. We’re all college students, and we gotta ball on a budget. Have fun, and don’t take yourself too seriously,” Parsons said. Tulsa is full of thrift stores. There are two Salvation Army locations on Garnett, one on 71st and another on 31st. Go on a Wednesday for 50 percent off on all clothing. Other Tulsa stores that often hold good thrift finds are Goodwill and Quality Thrift Store. Scan the aisles for the diamond in the rough, the ballin’-on-a-budget find, the someone-else’s-trash because it could be your treasure.
#RoommateisWeird best tweets
10 • Oracle • October 12, 2018
October 12, 2018 • Oracle • 11
How to land a great fall
It’s the great pumpkin, Charlie Brown!
Nina Lange @ninaforshea
Whether you’re sipping a pumpkin spice latte everyday in your 8:50 a.m. or have little pumpkins scattered in odd places throughout your dorm, pumpkins are the backdrop to October. Tulsa offers a variety of places to pick your perfect pumpkins, from your local Reasor’s to the pumpkin patch. However, I recommend the pumpkin patch for some good pumpkin pickins’. For the past 42 years, Carmichael’s Pumpkin Patch has faithfully served Tulsa County with fresh jam, camel ride and, of course, pumpkins. Carmichael’s is open seven days a week at varying times throughout the month of October. Admission is free and all the activities are five dollars and under. The patch is located on the southeast corner of 171 St & Mingo Rd. Carmichael’s offers a wide array of pumpkins and promises to give you the perfect orange pumpkin you desire (or white, if that’s the aesthetic you’re going for).
“Siri, find the best seasonal coffee near me.”
Cicely Rubottom @cicelypixely
In the words of Lane from Gilmore Girls, “I thought you might like some coffee, since you always do.” So, here are some of the seasonal drinks that just dropped at your favorite coffee houses. Shades of Brown is serving up several shades of autumn-inspired drinks this season from the Peach Cobbler, a chai latte with peach to the Heartbeet, a beet and candied orange cortado. Further downtown, Foolish Things Coffee Company has crafted the Wake and Flake Latte with steamed cornflake milk and the Aurelia Latte with seasonal spice mix and homemade cashew milk. At 918 Coffee, you can find seasonal drinks like the Vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte and the Caramel Apple Latte. Or, you know, just go Keurig.
12 • Oracle • October 12, 2018
Hay, hay, hay rides
Staci McCoy @stacerslynn
Close your eyes and imagine this: the sun is setting as a cool, fall breeze slips through the holes of your Anthropologie wool sweater. The one on whom you are currently crushing is snuggled beside you, and the both of you have hot chocolate cupped between your hands— just the right amount of marshmallows float atop the steamy drink. What’s that? Something is poking into your back and thighs. The tiny strands of dried hay compiled into the bench you sit upon have betrayed you. Thick pants and dense sweaters are no match for the fiendish pokers, yet you are bumping up and down in the back of a trailer for another 10 minutes. Does this image entice you? If so, Tulsa is the place for you this autumn. Tulsa offers a plethora of options for hayrides, corn mazes and other hay-filled activities during the fall season. With prices ranging from $5 to $10, places like Carmichael’s Pumpkin Patch, Fiery Trails Group Hayrides, Pumpkin Town and Shepherd’s Cross Pumpkin Festival promote activities day and night. Don’t be “that guy” who acts like they’re above seasonal outings and events. Grab your boo-thing and a blanket and find your way through a 10 foot corn maze or hop on a three foot pony.
A guide to fall fashion
Cicely Rubottom @cicelypixely
Fall fashion is like an ogre. It has so many layers. Giant hoodie with leggings? Throw a collared or colorful top underneath. For guys and gals alike, jean jackets and parkas are pretty much the holy grail of fall fashion. Whether you need to hide the pumpkin spice latte stains on your t-shirt or shield yourself from the brisk autumn air, jean jackets have got you covered. Fall 2018 has already seen lots of digital blue, cherry red, lavender and sapphire yellow sweaters and dresses. When it comes to shoes, Doc Martins are the key to feeling kick-butt and fashionable this season. Key places to get fashion inspiration this fall include Express (for professional attire), Free People (for boho style) and Urban Outfitters (to peep the college discount). But nobody wants to break the bank just to look in season, so for those of us trying to stay within the college budget, I’ve got three words for you: thrive on thrift (see page 10). And just as a reminder: wearing pants under skirts is still not okay. Change my mind.
Recipes of pumpkin spice and everything nice
Zoe Rubottom @sterlinzo
You’ll be dancing around the kitchen to your indie-folk playlist after chowing down these scrumptious fall recipes. (Challenge: try not to eat all the dough before the cookies are made. It’s an extreme sport.) Pumpkin No-Bake Cookies No oven? No problem. Combine ½ cup milk, ½ cup pumpkin puree, two cups of sugar and melted ½ cup butter in pot over medium heat until boiling. Remove from heat and stir in nuts and oats until fully coated. Spoon clusters onto wax paper sheets and refrigerate for an hour. Eat. Enjoy. Repeat. White Chocolate Pumpkin Snickerdoodles Here’s to the proud oven-owners. First, whisk together ½ cup granulated sugar, ¼ cup brown sugar, ½ cup melted unsalted butter, 1 tsp. vanilla and 6 tbsp. pumpkin puree until smooth. Grab another bowl and mix together 1 and ½ cup flour, ¼ tsp. salt, ¼ tsp. baking powder, ¼ tsp. baking soda, 2 tsp. cinnamon and 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice. Unite the wet and dry ingredients and fold in ½ cup white chocolate chips. Refrigerate for at least half an hour and preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Slightly flatten each ball of dough and coat with cinnamon-sugar mixture. Bake for 8-10 minutes; let them cool and enjoy.
Photos by Zoe Rubottom
October 12, 2018 • Oracle • 13
Bixby’s bridge myth by Staci McCoy @stacerslynn
The car lights flicker off and shrieks emit from the girls as the midnight darkness surrounds them. Scrambling, they shine their iPhone flashlights and huddle into packs, preparing to walk the long, dirt road ahead. They draw closer and closer through the autumn air until they reach what caused their frightful anticipation. Hope Ngo, a junior pre-physical therapy major, faced a Tulsa myth during October of her freshman year at ORU. In order to embrace the “spooky season,” Ngo’s friends decided to visit a spot they had heard mentioned numerous times. Hidden deep in the heart of Bixby, OK., is a bridge nicknamed “Cry Baby Bridge,” where an old legend draws those curious for adventure. “They wouldn’t tell us where they were bringing
us,” said Ngo. “It was a secret, but they said we would have fun. When we finally parked, my friend whispered, ‘Cry Baby Bridge’ and told us to get out.” The path to the bridge stretches from a creaky gate on the side of a road, 20 to 25 miles away from ORU, according to Ngo. The three girls screamed into a cluster and let the two guys lead the way over the gate and onto the patchy road. While they crept closer to the mysterious bridge, Ngo tried to block out the folklore whispered by the two guys. Rumors surrounding the bridge tell of a woman and her baby on the night of Friday the 13th, 1924. Supposedly, a terrible storm came over the night as the mother and child rode a horse and carriage to their home on the hill. While crossing the Boggy Creek Bridge, now nicknamed Cry Baby Bridge, a strike of lightening frightened the horse, causing it to tip the carriage into the river. The mother
searched for her baby but could only hear its cry, leaving her to search until they both died. Bridges with the name “Cry Baby Bridge” exist throughout almost every state, each with a different story concerning a mother and her child. No evidence supporting the tales has been found, except of people claiming to have heard ghostly cries after yelling, “I found your baby.” “The only weird thing that happened was that we heard an old lady scream. After we heard it, we sprinted back to the car, but Blaine wouldn’t unlock the doors so we kept banging on the windows,” said Ngo. Fall season calls for late-night outings and spooky stories, which is why Ngo tempts her friends to walk the long path to Bixby’s Cry Baby Bridge, if for nothing more than curiosity, which, come to think of it, killed the cat.
Food review: Antoinette’s pie night by Hannah Nelson @avidr3ader
Normally, I would not be in downtown Tulsa on a Friday evening, especially while it is raining. But on this particular Friday, I was craving some pie. After parking, I popped my umbrella over my head and crossed the street to Antoinette’s Bakery. People in rain jackets ducked their heads and strolled quickly, coming in and out of the neighborhood shops lining Tulsa’s Art District. Every Friday and Saturday night from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Antoinette’s Bakery hosts a “Pie Night.” On these special nights, Antoinette’s serves $5 slices of pie, baking dozens upon dozens until the customers are satisfied. People funnel in on pie nights excited for dessert, according to the
Illustration by Alejandro Contreras
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Friday Pie Night manager, Amy Bennett. “It’s fun to give people something they are excited about,” said Bennett. Choosing between anything from Butterscotch Meringue to Black and Blue Ginger Lemon with Cornmeal Crumb, I ordered a slice of the vegan lemon raspberry pie and sat down in a booth underneath dim lighting. Other people stationed themselves at the circular tables under a chandelier or at the bar seating by the window. My pie had over an inch of lemon
filling and on top it was layered with cream and sprinkles of tart, dried raspberries. But pie isn’t the only thing Antoinette’s serves. They have breakfast, lunch and brunch menus alongside a wide variety of baked goods. They also have a baker who specializes in macaroons, according to Bennett. “This is about to sound really snobby, but outside of Paris, these are the best
macaroons I’ve had,” said Bennett. While I was enjoying my slice, multiple customers filed in, their eyes brightening at the sight of the unique desserts. Customers picked out cakes lined with macaroons, hefty slices of pie and French-tributed pastries. On top of Pie Night, Antoinette’s also has “Cake Night” where they serve cake by the slice on the last Thursday of every month. On Oct. 6, the bakery celebrated six years in business with multiple specials. The street-side bakery is sure to draw in any sweet tooth with its sugary aroma filling the street. Whether you’re craving tasty desserts, chatting with friends or working on homework, Antoinette’s is the place to go. To keep up with all the new items and specials at Antoinette’s Bakery, follow their Instagram @antoinettebakingco.
Being Jane Doe on the missions field by Staci McCoy and Allie Murray @stacerslynn and @alliemurray27
Graduates of ORU scatter all over the world. Most accept secure careers while few land in careers that are only safe when they remain anonymous. A certain ORU alumna, who will be referred to as Jane Doe, evangelizes in South Asia where current laws make spreading the gospel and converting to Christianity extremely dangerous. Jane says she felt God calling her to missions when she was 12 years old, so she stayed involved in her church’s missions programs and, eventually, joined ORU Missions. When Jane signed up for ORU Missions, she was initially disappointed when she was placed on an education team to Thailand. Looking back, she is grateful for the experience because it is when she fell in love with South Asian culture. “Trust the Lord,” said Jane, in regards to ORU Missions. “It might not be what you had imagined, but it will be what the Lord has in store for you.” In 2016, she graduated with a degree in elementary education. After talking with the mission’s director at her church, an interest sparked within her to join No Place Left International Coalition. “I just fell in love with it and really saw the practicality of it. You can easily empower local believers in other countries,” said Jane. The No Place Left movement gets its motivation not only from the Great Commission, but also from the Parable of the Growing Seed in Mark 4:26-29. The parable tells of a farmer who sows his seed and watches it slowly grow over time. Jane explains that the goal of No Place Left is the same: to sow seeds and watch them grow. She puts it in terms of “four fields,” a method used by No Place Left to share the gospel. The first is “entry,” which is going out and finding people who don’t know Jesus. The second is “gospel,” which is like planting the seed of God’s word. The third is “discipleship,” which is watching that seed grow in someone and nurturing it as it grows. The last is “church,” which is what eventually forms when enough people come to know Christ, according to Jane. No Place Left gives the power to Christians around the world to partner with other Christians and work toward discipleship programs.
“The first level of training makes you comfortable with evangelizing. You identify those in your own life who might not know Jesus,” explained Jane. “You practice discipleship together in the way you will be doing with others. It’s working together with everyday Christians and passing it on to others.” Alongside the vision of No Place Left, Jane and her boyfriend partner together in making disciples through house churches that are based on accountability, which boils down to each person praying for those in their life and seeking the lost to disciple. No Place Left is not a single organization but is an organic, everyday Christian movement fulfilling the great commission, according to Jane. After years of missions work, Jane encourages students who feel called to missions not to wait until they are overseas to begin sharing the gospel. The entire world is a mission field and that includes neighborhoods and workplaces in hometowns. If a student cannot cross the street to share the gospel, there is no way they will cross an ocean, according to Jane. One of Jane’s favorite encounters over seas was when she prayed with a family and each one came to know Christ. While praying with them, she avoided leading a prayer for them to recite, due to the culture’s belief of words holding sacred powers. A man simply prayed in his own language, “Jesus, make me like you,” and all he knew was the simple gospel. Countries in South Asia require checks on Visas every time one goes in and out, making it crucial for Jane to avoid any noticeable connections with Christianity, even on social media accounts. Throughout her mission’s process, Jane’s family found peace with her call to share the gospel in a dangerous area. “I am not worthy of redemption, but He did it anyway,” said Jane. Jane plans on moving indefinitely to South Asia in 2019, following personal life events. Her passion and sensitivity will not waver even though her methods must change due to the country’s laws. As she prepares for a total life change, Jane encourages others to make the most of each mission field God places them in.
“If a student cannot cross the street to share the gospel, there is no way they will cross an ocean”
Illustration by Hyunjin Bae
October 12, 2018 • Oracle • 15
It’s almost time to ball, y’all by Hillary Hurst @hillary63033596
ORU WBB Official practices are underway and the women’s basketball team is gearing up for the season. The roster features players who have gained experience on the court over the past few years—they are prepared to lead the new players brought in over the summer. Adjusting to the college game can be challenging for any new players. From high school to college, there is an increase in the intensity levels of physicality, speed and weight training. As the level of play increases, so does the skill and commitment necessary to perform at such a high level. Head Coach Misti Cussen is excited about the progress the rookies have made in becoming acclimated to the division-one game. “There’s been great growth in all four of the new players,” said Cussen. “The transition from high school to college is a tidal wave at times, but I think they’re starting to really manage it well.” Cussen described the overall focus for the women preparing for the season as “fitness and conditioning,” assuring that the speed and stamina would reflect in the team’s style of play this year. With more depth at all positions this season, the coaching staff is expecting the women to make improvements on both ends of the court. Summit League competition requires the players who start the game and the players who come off of the bench have a collective standard required throughout the game. “We’ve got more people that we can sub more often and maintain the pace we want to play,” Cussen said. “We are going to set a higher tone defensively because we can play deeper this year.” This will be a big advantage for the squad in both non-conference and conference play. Cussen describes this year’s team as “mature and growing,” despite losing key players from the past few seasons, like Faith Ihim and Maria Martiañez. A fast-paced game will likely be the key to success for the team this season. With less than 30 days until the season tips off, the coaches and players alike are looking forward to the start and the pursuit of the Summit League Championship title.
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ORU MBB The men’s basketball team has a big goal for the upcoming season—to win a championship. With eight new players and five returning players, the team will look very different than they have the past few seasons. Preparation is essential to performance, which means the offseason is important for the men’s team. While planning for the new year, head Coach Paul Mills and his coaching staff knew there would be a lot to digest for the new players. Coach Mills said the offseason focus was to “get everyone to understand the value of each other and the value of each other when we are united.” With a vision of championships in mind, the team is taking steps to make sure that happens. 24/7 Sports ranked the ORU incoming players as the number one recruiting class in the Summit League. The coaching staff was intentional when deciding who to add to the squad. “There is a level of talent you have to have in order to compete in Summit League conference play. At the end of the day, you have to have attributes that lead to winning rather than accolades,” Mills said. The team is also spending time off the court to promote team chemistry. In September, the men brought in “The Program,” a group of former marines who led the men through a workout. Mills describes the biggest takeaway from the experience as learning “your job is to accomplish the mission and to add value to the team.” The time spent with “The Program” is something that Coach Mills believes is applicable to life outside of basketball. “The lesson is something that will carry on with them forever,” Mills said. “You need to make sure that whatever you’re doing, because of your presence, you’re adding value and demonstrating how you need each other in order to accomplish the mission.” Although the team looks very different this year, the standard Mills and his coaching staff demand remains the same. A vision of unity combined with high-level talent is a recipe for success for the upcoming season.
Aggressive by nature, rugby by sport by Hillary Hurst @hillary63033596 Think: football and soccer in a blender with a spritz of lacrosse or soccer for cavemen. That’s rugby. Since the implementation of the ORU Rugby team last fall, the aggressive sport has become popular on campus. The team’s first season was impressive, considering they had never played together before and it was the first year an ORU Rugby team formed. The squad showed great potential last season not only by defeating teams who were in the conference but also by playing big-name teams, like OU, into extra time. The conference includes member schools John Brown University, Wayne State University, Washburn University and Pitt State University. Rugby is a sport with both a fall and a spring season, and the spring season features playoffs to determine a champion. In the fall season so far, the men have defeated Pitt State University, John Brown University and Washburn University, with their only loss coming against the Tulsa Rugby Club. On Oct. 27, the team will head to Pitt State for a tournament. ORU sophomore and member of the Rugby team Jonathan Wrona said the team’s culture is rooted in
valuing one another. “We’re all about honoring others, whether that be with each other or making sure that we behave in such a way that we earn it from our peers,” Wrona said. A successful team typically has great chemistry among teammates, which is often fully evidenced off the field. The rugby team is no different. “We eat, workout and study together,” Wrona said. “We all have a very strong bond.” The team features men from many different backgrounds, cultures and races, demonstrating the universality of sports. The theme of honor is especially obvious in the bond the team has forged in the short time they have been together. Wrona described rugby as a “global brother/ sisterhood.” He continued to emphasize how special the sport can be by saying “me and a guy from South Africa, with almost nothing in common, became friends off of just sharing our experiences in rugby.” Rugby is not a sport for the faint of heart. The sport is played with no protective pads such as those required for football—all that is required is a mouthguard and a pair of cleats. The physicality of the game and the strength required to outlast the
LBJ, #23 and B. Bunny, #1 by Hillary Hurst @hillary63033596 Rumors have long circled about the production of a sequel to the 1996 classic “Space Jam,” but many people felt like the movie was a sure thing as soon as LeBron James made his decision to join the Los Angeles Lakers. They were right. Spring Hill Entertainment has announced that “Space Jam 2” will feature LeBron as the star of the TuneStars with Bugs Bunny as his point guard. More than twenty years after the original Space Jam was released, the sequel is much anticipated. The 1996 version featured Michael Jordan as the star of the team, after the TuneStars recruited him to defend the planet from the invading Monstars. Jordan starred in the film along with other NBA stars such as Larry Bird. Popular picks for LeBron’s teammates include Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul with possible appearances from Kevin Durant and Steph Curry. No other basketball player of the past twenty years has been better suited for the roll, and the film has yet again sparked the debate between Michael Jordan and
opponent is demanding. Combining last year’s success with a strong start to this season, the team expects to continue to rise to each challenge they face throughout the remainder of their schedule.
The ORU rugby team is in season and will play their next game against Pitt State on Oct. 27 Photo by Oral Roberts University
LeBron James for who is the best to ever play the game. LeBron’s decision to move to LA is controversial among many basketball analysts. With a young and inexperienced squad surrounding LeBron, just how much better the team will be remains unclear. The Lakers fans expect the team to contend for championships every year, something that has certainly been lacking the past few seasons. Regardless, LeBron has already etched his name into the record books. While the basketball decision may not make complete sense to all, the business decision certainly does. James has been drawn for some time to the Los Angeles area after buying his second home in the city last December. He also co-founded Uninterrupted, which creates videos and podcasts about professional athletes, with his business partner in LA and started Springhill Entertainment, the company set to produce the “Space Jam” sequel, located in LA as well. Business and basketball continue to side together as LeBron prepares for his 16th season in the NBA. Even more highly anticipated than the upcoming season though may be Space Jam 2, which is set to be released in early 2021.
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On your mark. Get set. Walk. by Hillary Hurst @hillary63033596 Speed, strength and stamina are essential skills of track and field athletes. The ORU track team is no exception. With strong performances from both male and female members last year, ORU has proven to be a contender in both the Summit League Conference and at the national level. The team posted record-breaking numbers last season. ORU hosted its first-ever track meet in March where two school records were broken. The men claimed the first-place title for the meet while the women came in third behind South Dakota and Oklahoma State. The squad continued to break records throughout the season, leading to 15 members of the team being named to the All-Summit League team and producing 12 qualifiers for the NCAA West Preliminary Rounds. At the NCAA meet, two qualifying members were named second team AllAmerica to finish the season. With indoor season approaching, the team is expecting even better performances this year. Their goals include placing higher in the conference and sending a large contingency to the
NCAA first-rounds. While the team members are pushing their bodies to the limit and maximizing their speed during the offseason, they are also preparing in an atypical way—by walking. Since Aug. 26, the track team has been participating in a student-athlete led night of prayer each Sunday starting at 6:30 p.m. From the team as a whole, from the athletic department and to the entire student body, all pray for unity and collective wellness. A typical evening consists of 30 minutes of prayer in small groups or as individuals, followed by one lap where everyone joins together and walks. The idea began with Josh Tabla, a sophomore on the team, whose vision was to promote team chemistry as well as shared spiritual development. Other athletes, including both men’s and women’s soccer players, have joined the team for the walk. It seems contradictory that athletes who have the ability to move at such incredible rates of speed would choose to walk as a part of their training. But with records to be broken and championships to be earned, the team is preparing in every way, even by walking.
Every Sunday the track team takes a walk and prays together. / Photo by Hannah Turner
Calm down. Brees isn’t the GOAT, yet.
Miqueas Barreiro Columnist On Oct. 8, New Orleans Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees was 3rd in all-time NFL passing yards. In the second quarter of the game, Brees threw a 62-yard touchdown pass to Tre’Quan Smith, pushing him from third to first all-time, passing Peyton Manning and Brett Farve for the record. Along with now holding the all-time passing yards record, Brees also holds the record for most career completions (6,370), highest career completion percentage (67.2%), most completions in one season
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(471 in 2016) and most 5,000–yard passing seasons (5). Since Brees claimed the record, many are advocating Brees should be included in consideration for all-time greatest quarterbacks. But that may be a bit premature and sensationalist. A quarterback doesn’t become the GOAT (greatest of all time) just because of good stat lines. The argument against Brees begins in the Saints conference, the NFC South. The conference is not known for strong defenses. Brees’ numbers would be quite different if he were consistently facing teams with tough pass-defenses. He has also accomplished these numbers in a more passfriendly NFL whereas both Manning and Farve played during a time when quarterbacks were not offered the same level of protection. From a fan’s perspective, Brees doesn’t have the spunk or personality that other great quarterbacks have. Farve was a gun-slinger, firing bullet passes across the field. Manning was a no-huddle strategist calling plays from the line. Tom Brady has a focused, play-to-dominate attitude. Compared to those quarterbacks, Brees seems
very basic. Each of the other contenders have something unique about their playing style that sets them apart. More than anything, the reason why Brees isn’t the greatest, or even in top five, is because to be the best you can’t just win. You have to win championships. Apart from the 2009-2010 season when the Saints won the Super Bowl (with the help of a cheating defensive coordinator and illegal hits to the other teams’ QBs), the team has been largely absent from the playoffs. Aaron Rogers, has only won one Super Bowl but has had many deep playoff runs. Tom Brady has five Super Bowl Rings. Yes, New Orleans has had a chance at the title last year, and they do seem to have a chance this year. However, without consistent playoff success, it’s hard to say that Brees is an alltime great, considering what other quarterbacks have accomplished. So, congrats Brees. The record is a tremendous accomplishment. But let’s just let him win a couple championships before we carve his name into plaques.
Creating a worthwhile character
Olusiji O Oluloto @sijiloto New York Times columnist David Brooks argued in his book “The Road to Character” that we have two opposing sides to our nature–Adam I and Adam II. The two represent our core human nature through a metaphor from the book of Genesis. Adam I is the career-focused, ambitious side of our nature. This is the external Adam that produces “résumé virtues.” Adam II, on the other hand, is the
character-focused, moral side of our nature. This is the internal Adam that produces “eulogy virtues” (what our loved ones will say about us when us die). The motto of Adam I is “success and accomplishment,” while the motto of Adam II is “love, sacrifice and redemption.” Adam I wants to conquer the world and secure victories. Adam II wants to serve the world and secure compassion. To nurture Adam I, we cultivate our strengths. To nurture Adam II, we must confront our weaknesses. We can’t live a life completely devoted to Adam I in exclusion of Adam II, or vice versa. We need both natures. Adam I and Adam II will always be in conflict, and we must learn to live in the tension of that conflict. We live in a culture that celebrates and rewards Adam I. We work hard at building our “résumé virtues.” We spend large amounts of time and resources getting an education so that we can have a successful career. To be clear, there is nothing wrong with desiring external success. The problem begins when we start
valuing our “résumé virtues” more than our “eulogy virtues.” We forget to spend time cultivating deep and intimate relationships with our friends and family because we busy ourselves trying to promote and advertise ourselves to the world. In the next 10 years, you may be in a different career than you anticipated. But your character, developed or not, will remain with you in all circumstances. Brooks proposes you invest in as many resources, if not more, in developing a deeper inner life as you do your external life. You most likely have some plan for what you want your future life to look like. Do you have a plan for developing your character? Is it part of your daily, weekly, monthly or yearly goals? Developing good character takes deliberate effort. We should have a vision of the kind of inner life we want to emulate and a road map for how to get there. I don’t believe there is a single plan for developing character that works for everyone. You need to find what works for you. Find people—dead or alive—who embody the character you desire to have. Study them; engage
Living life holi-daily
Miqueas Barreiro @oruoracle Jan. 12 is National Kiss a Ginger Day. That’s right. There is a day dedicated to loving red heads. There’s a day dedicated to toilets (Nov. 19), lima beans (April 20) and two–yes, two–days dedicated to mutts (July 31 and Dec. 2). These are only a few of the many holidays that are, in some form or fashion, observed by people across
the country and, in some cases, around the world. With all this celebrating, one begins to wonder: if all days are special, then are none of them special? What is the point of holidays to begin with? The answer I found came to me in the teachings of a now-rare Christian denomination called the Quakers. They forbid their adherents from celebrating holidays because they believe that every day in a Christian life is a holy day and should be lived as such. Sectioning off certain days for holy practices would infer that all other days are “unholy.” I still didn’t fully understand this concept until Mother’s Day this past year. My mom’s love language is “acts of service,” so when it comes to making Mother’s Day special, it’s hard to find gifts to give her, and opportunities to
serve her don’t always come along. It was then that I figured it out. Mother’s Day isn’t the one time of the year that we do nice things for our moms. It’s the day that we are reminded of all that our moms do for us, and that all year long, we should be doing things to make them feel special. Apply this to Christmas or Easter and the conclusion is the same. Easter Sunday isn’t (or at least, shouldn’t be) the only day that we celebrate Jesus’ death and resurrection, and Christmas shouldn’t be the only time that we wish “Peace on Earth and good will to men!” These holidays should be reminders so that everyone who observes them can reflect on how they spent the past year and how they want to spend the next. I ended up not celebrating Mother’s
Day this year. Rather than fall into a mad panic next Mother’s Day trying to find a good gift at the last minute, I will use it as a reminder to continue making honoring my mom a habit every day. Next time you celebrate a holiday, try this experiment: ask yourself why you are celebrating it and how you can bring that holiday into your daily life. If you celebrate Veterans Day, then remember to honor the veterans you encounter and be grateful for their sacrifice everyday. If you celebrate Independence Day, then remember to take pride and joy in exercising your freedom all year long. And don’t limit yourself to loving your significant other on Valentine’s Day or just petting your dog on National Pet Day. You’ll find yourself having so much more to celebrate come the holiday season.
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Are millennials longing for liturgy?
Kayley Forshey @mybestfriendjo In this postmodern age, I think many young Christians are searching for a connection to something greater than themselves within their faith. At least, I know I am. According to an article in the American Conservative called “Why Millennials Long for Liturgy,” Grace Olmstead explains the sad fact that, in their search, many young people are leaving the church. Still, she said, “amidst this exodus, some church leaders have identified another movement as cause for hope: rather than abandoning Christianity, some young people are joining more traditional, liturgical denominations—notably the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Orthodox branches of the faith.” I am one of those young people. Growing up in a non-denominational, charismatic church, I didn’t hear much about the traditions of the ancient church. As a result, I formed some very wrong ideas about tradition and liturgy. It takes conscious effort for me not to associate the word “ritual” with something dark and futile. James K. A. Smith describes this phenomenon in his article “Redeeming Ritual,” saying, “We associate ritual with dead orthodoxy, ‘vain repetition,’ the denial of grace, trying to earn salvation, scoring points with God, ‘going through the motions’ and various other forms of spiritual insecurity.” Though I cannot completely fault my home church for my own ignorance of church history, I think there is a misplaced fear of tradition in many non-traditional churches. I often hear people claim that tradition restricts the Holy Spirit, inhibits a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, prevents people to think for themselves. And a small glance at Christian history can explain why—“to an extent. As a result of the Protestant Reformation,
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Protestant Christians broke from the rigidity and control of the Catholic Church. However, I think many of our churches have strayed too far from traditions in their search for spiritual freedom. I think that in the important and necessary reform crept an arrogance that the Church had gotten it completely wrong until Luther hammered his Ninety-five Theses to the heavy church doors. I won’t pretend liturgy, ritual, tradition aren’t restricting. But I think that’s the point. They are just often misinterpreted and can be misused, as evidenced throughout Christian history. However, these aspects of the Christian life don’t restrict the Holy Spirit; they restrict us. In the liturgical services I’ve participated in, I’ve noticed how attentive and focused I am on God, his Word and his Church throughout the service. I’ve noticed how healing and holistic the entire participation is to the aching in my heart for some sort of ancient and holy structure in my spiritual life. The standing while we read the Bible alerts my body to listen, to wake up, to understand that something important is being read. The communal confession of sin reminds me that I am not alone in my sin, I am not alone in my confession and I am definitely not alone in my being unworthy of God’s pardon. When the minister publicly proclaims God’s forgiveness and grace over my sins, the verbal affirmation washes over me in a way stronger and deeper than when I pray and remind myself silently of his mercy. Each aspect of the liturgy is purposeful, communal and meaningful. Not one moment or action in the service is practiced in vain. This external process of sitting, standing, kneeling and communal participation becomes a comprehensive spiritual practice for me. It’s like I’m practicing being a Christian, practicing becoming more like Christ with other believers, practicing my own spirituality. The ritual is not something monotonous (though I won’t pretend it cannot become monotonous, but so can spontaneous worship; the posture of your heart is most important). But rather it is something I’m training my body, mind and heart to be consistent in. I’m teaching my
heart its correct posture, much like practicing good bodily posture—like practicing the piano or shooting free-throws, like any other “ritualistic” behavior. You can’t get good at something unless you practice and it’s no different with your spiritual life. Smith puts it this way: “Spirit-charged rituals are tangible ways that God gets hold of us, reorients us and empowers us to be his image-bearers. They are ways for the Spirit to meet us where we are—as embodied creatures.” I understand these aspects of Christianity aren’t for everyone, but I would encourage all believers to at least try them. Do not shy away from them for the sake of remaining “independent” or for fear of ruining your “personal” relationship with Christ. Assuming these holy actions “restrict” the Holy Spirit is a gross oversimplification of their purpose. Church traditions are rich with history, understanding and connection; they point our bodies and hearts to the cross, literally, and provide a mode of worship that includes the church throughout time and space. And they’ve been tried and practiced by Christians who were just as connected to God in their day as we are now with our fog machines and colorful lights. Because when I sing the doxology or receive a benediction, my heart is postured toward Christ and my mind imagines singing and receiving with Christians from the first century and Christians across the globe today simultaneously. Olmstead ends her article by discussing the yearning for sacramentality, explaining that this generation is searching for true meaning in a world that screams “make your own meaning!” I’ve felt that ache and God answers with his Word, his Spirit, his Son and his Church. Smith asserts, “We need not be afraid of ritual. If we appreciate that God created us as incarnate, embodied creatures, then we will recognize his grace lovingly extended to us in ways that meet us where we are: in the tangible, embodied practice of Spirit-charged rituals. Reframed in this way, we might be able to redeem rituals as gifts of God for the people of God.”
“The standing while we read the Bible alerts my body to listen, to wake up, to understand that something important is being read.”
Chisom Favour Uche-Onyilofor @chysom_u As an international student, I have been living in America for a year. Being international comes with its ties, but everything I had dreamt about turned out to be a figment of my imagination. Many people back in Nigeria believe that this is the land of milk and honey and that your dreams will come true. And they will–once you dig past the surface. Getting off the plane a year ago, I thought I was going to see tall buildings and a busy atmosphere. Instead, vast green fields greeted me. For a split second, I thought I was in the wrong country. Every American movie I had ever watched only mentioned places like New York, Los Angeles and every other big city. Was I disappointed? Yes. I honestly thought that every state in this country looked like the stereotypes I’d seen on television: big cities, bustling streets. Then once I got to America, all I ever saw on CNN were
black individuals being shot by the police only to be later found innocent after death. Just like that, I realized I was not here on a twoweek holiday with my family and cousins. Instead, I was left alone with my conscience to get me through the next four years of my life. I did not know how I was going to be treated and was hoping I would not be judged by my color or appearance. However, being here I realized I have nothing to be ashamed of and there is always something individuals should embrace about themselves. Long story short, my experience during the first week was not the greatest, but I decided to make the most of it. I have formed excellent relationships here. I got plugged into a local church and met my best friends there. The key is to put yourself out there. Join clubs, go to various events, find a job and learn new things. Just get out of your comfort zone. There is so much to do at ORU if you just get engaged. Once I learned that nobody is expecting me to fail—not just in school, but in life—I decided that I should be the best I can be. The memories and experiences you gain here will last a lifetime. Knowledge is power; it does not take long before you see it. I hope to graduate as a better version of myself—Chisom 2.0. I like being here. And only time will tell if I will stay after my college years. It doesn’t matter what the future holds; just make sure you are prepared to face every obstacle thrown at you.
My journey to the GLC Let’s get one thing straight: the sidewalks at ORU aren’t. Each morning that I walk through the parking lot in front of towers, over the geese poop, around the prayer garden and through the maze of perfect, 40-degree-angle islands right in front of the GC, I become just as tangled up in my thoughts. At least they make the view pretty, though. Seriously, have you seen that perfect hedgery? Unparalleled. The trek to the GLC (especially in the Oklahoma heat) is no easy feat. It requires substantial concentration, a couple podcasts and at least one cliff bar. And, hey, can you blame me that my mind starts to wander? I wonder if it’s faster to go around Claudius and by the GC than going through the prayer garden. (It’s 20 seconds faster to cut through the prayer garden, by the way.) Who does this incredible landscape? I guess I should know. I’m the journalist. I kind of enjoy the mystery, though. One morning you wake up and there’s a perfectly-carved bush duck cheering you on to your 7:50 a.m. class. Godspeed, you perfect, random work of bush art. Oh! I forgot this saga sugar cookie was in my pocket. What a good day. Don’t look at your reflection in the prayer tower. Don’t look at your reflection in the prayer tower. Oops. Siri, why are geese so mad? Walk faster or move over, punk. Oh, look. The globe is spinning today. Why is everyone staring at me? Where’s my professor? It’s Tuesday. And.... I’m late for HPE.
To read about Culture Fest visit oruoracle.com/news/culturefest. Photo by Gabriel Jaggernauth
October 12, 2018 • Oracle • 21
Photo and story by Cicely Rubottom
Ututu Oma, America!
Asnwer for last issue’s sudoku.
Try an easier one.
22 • Oracle • October 12, 2018
October 12, 2018 • Oracle • 23
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