Masland Library Blog

3rd Annual Art Competition!

2012-01-18T09:13:00.001-05:00

What: A university-wide competition featuring students’ art from all genres; Poetry, Painting, Photography, Essay, Sculpting, Weaving, Stitchery, and more.

When: Submissions will be accepted Monday, January 10, 2012 through January 31, 2012. Submission Requirements:Original submissions only. No previously published work. Artwork should be submitted in frames ready for display (Photography). All entries should be submitted to the Library.

Include with submission:Artist/Writer profile with picture,Contact information (phone number and e-mail address),Hometown,Anticipated year of graduation.

Winners will be selected by February 10.
Contact Laura Saloiye at lsaloiye@pbu.edu with any questions and to submit Artist profile.

A tip for incoming freshmen

2012-01-17T08:12:00.000-05:00

Throughout the 2011 fall semester at P.B.U there were a lotof wonderful activities that took place. I had the opportunity to attend a fewof the activities, such as the Agora conference, and "Wars of the Wings" hostedby Heritage Hall Dorms. These were fun and exciting things to do in my sparetime. However, the one activity that I was most interested in was playingbasketball with some of the P.B.U students at 10pm on the weekends. In doingso, I made good friends quickly and easily. As a freshman in college you want tomeet new people and make some new friends. In just a few weeks of playingbasketball with my new friends, I became confident that my years here at wouldturn out very well, now I am thanking God in advance. I am able to call theseguys up at any time to study, go out to eat, join them for thanksgiving dinnerat their homes, attend concerts together, or hang out in the city-the bestthing is that we all get together on the weekends and play ball.

I recommend to all incoming freshmen students that you get out and try newthings, meet new people, and be a part of fun activity that will make you feelgood on the inside. For me it basketball on the weekends, but that is not all.We have inter-mural sports, Christian conferences, social work groupactivities, mountain climbing trips, mission trips, study groups in the library, and so forth. So, enjoyyour Christmas break and News Year’s celebration and come be a part of ourgrowing family here at Philadelphia Biblical University as we continue to serveGod and grow together in the body of Christ.

~Chris Smith

Porcelain Lives

2011-12-21T08:44:00.000-05:00

There’s nothing more beautiful than watching the sun rise above the horizon early in the morning. Asit slowly peeks above the horizon and seeps between the branches of the trees,the warmth it sheds is enough to warm every passer by’s shivering hands.

This semester I’ve had the joy of watching the sun rise as I walk to work inthe library early in the morning . It’s been something that has brought joy andwarmth to my heart and my hands on cold wintry rainy mornings.

As I ponder the little joys in life, like the rising sun, Ithought about our porcelain lives, so fragile and frail… only one crashingwave away from being shattered to peices. Yet with every day I wake and watchthe sunrise, I somehow manage to take it for granted. With every breath, I failto realize His grace in giving me yet another moment.

Another moment to breathe,
to see,
to dream,
to hope,
to grow in godliness,
to smile,
to be His,
to live a Holy life,
and to Love in obedience to His command.

It’s so easy to get distracted by the grandeur of this world andall it has to offer, and I am not immune. But I wonder…what would it look like,if every porcelain life lived wholly dedicated to His purposes? What would mylife look like if in light of my hopes and dreams, I let His light shinethe way and change the path where He sees fit?
Maybe a porcelain life isn’t that bad after all. If it’s shattered by acrashing wave of reality, all it’s pieces will rest in the hand ofthe one who molded it to be in the first place.

C.T Studd put it this way:
Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat;
Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
…
Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say ’twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

~In Honor of the Life of Dr. Hsu, a loved professor at PBU,who went home to be with Jesus on Decemer 2, 2011. Thank you for letting yourPorcelain life shine His light in everything you did. You will be missed bymany, but the legacy that He has formed in you, will continue to live on. ~

1 Thessalonians 4: 13: – 18
Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fallasleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe thatJesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesusthose who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tellyou that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, willcertainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself willcome down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice ofthe archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead inChrist will rise first. After that , we who are still alive and are left willbe caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Andso we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with thesewords.

~Grace Suliman

Loss

2011-12-13T08:30:00.000-05:00

LastFriday, I was informed of the loss of Dr. Hsu and my friend Harry Mikula'smother.

Thisnews was hard to swallow. I did not know what to do. I sat and let the wordssit on me, sway across the air.

Itstill feels weird.

BecauseI remembered the times he would greet me with an"Ahn-nyung-ha-sae-yo" (Korean for 'hello'). I remembered how he hadplayed piano so beautifully for our school.

Theabsences of these two people came so abruptly that I almost did not believe it.

Ionce heard from a friend that she found out more about herself through thedeath of a parent. She said it was like peeling a layer away. I wondered whatshe meant by that.

Theloss of these two people would peel a layer away too. What could be learnedthrough this? What good did these things serve? In my limited humanperspective, I am quick to ask all these questions. Life is fleeting and sofragile. Why does God make us in that way? Through Dr. Hsu's life and hislegacy, I found myself looking to him as an example, I want to live using thegifts God has given me in bringing glory to Him. I want to live for Him... Dr.Hsu did the same - he wasn't in it for the money or fame. He genuinely lovedGod, PBU, and the students. Perhaps this was why he could be used in such ahigh degree. He simply showed love, touched his audiences with the love ofChrist. He did not argue about the correctness of his theology. Hejust...

~Hanah Bae

Looking for a book during break?

2011-12-09T12:07:00.001-05:00

Wow! Where has the semester gone?! It feels like justyesterday that I moved in and got ready for my first semester. Time seems to fly by pretty fast the older we get and as such we lose time to do the things we enjoy doing. I knowthat for me I have found less time to do the one thing I like the most-reading. I have always loved to sit down on a rainy day and delve into theworld of my current favorite author. Icould lose myself for hours in C.S. Lewis’ mythical lands and Jane Austen’sromances. But now all my time is taken up with homework, studying, and hangingout with friends. Don’t get me wrong I like being able to do productive thingsbut reading gives you chance to step out of your world and into someone else’s.Reading provides an opportunity for you to expand your worldview and at thesame time, enjoy the expansion.

When Ifirst started working here at the library, I was amazed at all the books I saw.I was in heaven! (Or something relatively close.) And when I found out that theJuvenile section had books I had loved reading when I was homeschooled, I had ahard time containing my excitement. One particular afternoon I remembershelving some books in the Juvenile section and I came across a book that mymom had read to my siblings and me when we were kids. I remember this book alltoo well because it was a mind game book that I didn’t understand as a child.So I decided to re-read the book and see if I could figure it out. The book, The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin, is astory about a rich business owner who is found dead in his estate. In his willhe invites a seemingly random collection of people to a game of whodunit. Theprize is his mass fortune. Each person is paired up with another “heir” and thecouple is given a set of clues that is supposed to help them figure out whomurdered the rich man. This book is filled with laughable drama and dialogue,mind bending twists and turns, and even a few explosions! I invite all of youto join in the madness to figure out who murdered Mr. Westing and why overChristmas break. It is a short and enjoyable read that allows you toexpand your mind without hurting it too much! It can be found in the Juvenile section under PZ7.R375 Wes 1997.

Have a great break and MerryChristmas!

~Jenny Dunning~

Give thanks for the time

2011-12-05T08:32:00.001-05:00

Time is a funny thing. There are days and weeks that never seem to end, there are times when minutes go past so slowly that you literally feel older just watching the clock tick. Then there are times when you cannot seem to keep track of time, the hands on the clock seem to move at lightening speed ticking away the precious seconds and minutes of our lives. I recently took a trip overseas to Poland and the time change is 6 hours. I lost 6 hours and then regained them on the trip back, and I found that while the plane ride there didn't seem so long at 8ish hours, the trip back at 10:20 minutes seemed to drag out interminably.

I have been at PBU for 10 years this semester. I started my undergraduate work in Fall 2001, I lived in Davis Dorm with a wonderful group of women who loved adventure and had huge goals for the future. It is has been a privilege seeing how their lives have changed and the paths they have taken in the last 10 years. I have remained at PBU to work in the library as my life has always revolved around books, my parents and grandparents fostered this love in me and my work as a librarian here at PBU is rewarding as I get to help students at PBU learn and exceed in their academic studies.

During my undergraduate years a large percentage of my friends consisted of music majors and through them and my cousin in the honors program I was introduced to Dr. Hsu. My first thoughts on Dr. Hsu was that he was brilliant on the keys, he played superbly and yet was one of the most approachable men I have ever met. I worked in the library and it was months before I realized Dr. Hsu and the Dr. Hui's were all related, I think it finally sunk in when I was invited to Ms. Stewart's house for one of the holidays I couldn't get home for that year.

In the last 10 years I have been blessed to know and to learn from Dr. Hsu, not piano (I am a hopeless cause there), but rather in his wisdom and love of the Lord. My roommate for many years was a music major and when several of my classmates and Dr. Hsu's personal assistants had left the area my roommate and I would on occasions take Dr. Hsu home. Those trips were always interesting and filled with grand conversations. I especially remember one trip out to a friend's wedding in Shoamokin, PA when my roommate and I took Dr. Hsu out there so they could play a duet together for the wedding. Dr. Hsu was internationally known and yet he was always so involved in his students and former students lives that he would frequently play at their weddings and events. He is a man who left a deep impact on the people in his church and here at PBU. Even when he wasn't feeling well he would always have a smile and a kind word.

We will miss Dr. Hsu, but we also know that he is with the Savior he loved so well. He spent almost 40 years with the students at PBU, investing and sending them out to the field. I am sure if you asked him how the time went he would say quickly, and yet what a wonderful investment.

~Laura Saloiye

From the PBU Facebook site:

Dr. Samuel Hsu Memorial Visitation Wednesday, December 7, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Dunn-Givnish Funeral Home in Langhorne, PA, the family will receive visitors. Memorial Service Thursday, December 8, 10:00 am at Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, PA. There will be a prelude beginning at 9:30 am with former students of Dr. Hsu playing. The service will also be simulcast at Philadelphia Biblical University in the Chatlos Chapel.

3rd Annual Art Competition

2011-12-01T14:42:00.001-05:00

Join us this year for our 3rd Annual Art Competition! We have loved seeing the entries and look forward to seeing PBU's creative side this next year.

Submission

Requirements:

Original submissions only. No previously published work. Artwork should be submitted in frames ready for display. All entries should be submitted to the Library.

Include with submission:

Artist/Writer profile with picture

Contact information (phone number and e-mail address)

Hometown

Anticipated year of graduation

Those Books

2011-12-01T14:32:00.000-05:00

Over the course of the semester I was privileged inattending two Christian conferences: one for Reformation day, and another onthe Gospel and suffering. At these conferences I was confronted with one of mygreatest weaknesses, copious amounts of books for sale. As I perused the titlesbetween sessions, I was once again reminded of the great heritage thatChristianity has with literature. Not only do we as Evangelicals hold onto Sola Scriptura, but we have amassed anincredible amount of good Christian books to help us understand and study theBible. Now, don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of lousy Christian books outthere too – probably more than not. However, I think as Christians in the 21^stcentury we have the incredible privilege of engaging and learning from greatsaints in the past who wrestled with many of the same issues and texts ofScripture that we do.

I am also reminded of this fact every time I walk throughcertain isle of our library. One of my favorite isles on the second floorcontains shelves of Puritan literature, Spurgeon sermons, books written by DietrichBonheoffer and others, . Sometimes I wish I would walk by and see more spaces inthose shelves, but I fear many people get intimidated bored by reading the olddead guys on theology. While their writing style may be vastly different thanour own, I would strongly encourage you to search out the library, and dig intosome of the great resources therefrom.

We often talk of the fact that we are the church, and that is mostcertainly true, but I think we often forget to think of ourselves in terms ofthe invisible Church. The invisible Church, as most theologians describe it, is the body of God’s people throughout all of human history (or Pentecost, if you don’t include Israel). Regardless, I think it’s important to remember that when we are adopted into the family ofGod we are not by any means the only ones; there are a lot of those old boringdead guys who were bought by the blood of Christ and filled with the HolySpirit too. And, many of them had really helpful things to say.

~Zak Fixler

Fall mornings

2011-11-22T09:25:00.000-05:00

Often times when I inform people of the time that I walk upto the Library in the morning they cringe. The funny thing is that looking backat this time last year I had to get up at least a half hour earlier than I haveon my earliest morning since coming to college; this is just one of the manythings that have completely changed since arriving at PBU. I really enjoymy walk up to the library early in the morning because it is the only time thatI walk on campus and don't see anyone; only the squirrels, birds, geese, and ofcourse our ducks, are out and about. This walk always makes me take a step backand reminds me that I need to take time and appreciate the beautiful creationthat God has made for us. It is so easy to get caught up in all of the work weneed to do and the places that we need to go, but during this walk I am challenged to notice something new, like the last of the vibrantleaves clinging onto their trees or the ducks and geese gliding on the pondssurface.

I know that as Thanksgiving is approachingquickly the work for many students seems to be piling up with assignments dueright before we head home for this much needed break and it forces one towonder if it will all get done on time. My suggestion to you would be that thenext time you make a mad dash to the computer lab ten minutes before class andend up waiting in line to print out your paper because your fellow students areprinting out that same one, take a deep breath. Yes, sometimes the printer maybe a tad bit slow, but give it a moment and it will catch up, also, don’t beconcerned about the fact that you can no longer logout, that was changed sothere would be less printing problems, all you need to do is click Restart. Butmost importantly, remember, take a moment as you rush to get to class andrealize how beautiful God’s creation really is and how incredibly blessed weare to be loved by Him.

~Leia Brunette

Prodigal God

2011-11-16T09:22:00.001-05:00

On October 26, 2011, I had the wonderful privilege of hearing Makoto Fujimura give alecture about his newest project, the Four Holy Gospels Bible, which waspublished by Crossway and released in January 2011. It was fascinating to hearabout his technique, Nihonga, which involves painting with pigments made ofprismatic minerals in multiple layers. One of the paintings he spoke of istitled "Prodigal God", based on the story of the two sons in Luke 15.The title is based off a book by the same title written by Fujimura's pastor,Timothy Keller. I read this book over the summer, and it was very challenging. Inspeaking of the book and his painting, Fujimura explained that in the days ofShakespeare, the word prodigal had a good connotation and meant spend-thrift,or spending everything for a cause. We often label the younger son as prodigal,but the real prodigal, by the Shakespearean definition, is the Father. Kellerstresses this in his book as well. Both of the sons are wayward in their ownways. The younger son runs after worldly pleasure. The older son gets caught upin legalism, and despite both of the sons' mistakes, the father spends all onthem. He runs to meet his youngest, something which was not seen as respectablefor elders to do. For his older son, he leaves the banquet, a great disgrace,to speak to his son and bring reconciliation. Our Father does this too. He sentHis only son, Jesus, to be disgraced for our sake, which is an incrediblepicture of extravagant grace.

Makoto Fujimuraleaves the viewer to imagine their own meaning out of his "ProdigalGod" painting, but there are several little clues he gives to demonstratethis extraordinary grace. First of all, Fujimura used oyster shell pigments,the only opaque, transparent white pigment, to provide a vision of grace, whichprovides a stark contrast to the other side of the painting. And speaking oftwo sides, Fujimura informs his audience that splitting the picture is notrecommended in the art world, but he intentionally employed this split tocreate a problem that humans cannot solve, which illustrates that grace doesnot equal doing stuff for God, but rather accepting His free gift.

I highlyrecommend reading ProdigalGod (found at this call number in the library: BT378.P8 K25 2008)and meditating on its challenge to be a real prodigal who spends all they haveto seek those who are lost in their sin. This is the challenge Fujimura is alsotrying to convey, and I believe it is crucial to embrace this grace and live itout.

~Allison Beyer

Beauty in Tears

2011-10-27T11:05:00.002-04:00

Today's speaker in chapel was Makoto Fujimura, whose artwork has been featured in the PBU
library for a few years now. It was one of the most beautiful messages I have heard and it seemed a lot of people found it to be really encouraging for where they are at and have been feeling. Although his artwork is most definitely fabulous, what touched me the most was the fact that he was able to make the message he shared this morning an art in and of itself.

He spoke on John 11. He focused on verse 11, pointing out that Jesus’ tears in this passage can aid our understanding of the arts and culture. He described three of the people present at the scene including Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. Each of these individuals had very different personalities, mannerisms, desires, thoughts etc. throughout the chapter. Because each of them was so different, the approach that Jesus Christ had to take to reach them individually had to be unique. Fuijimura reminded us that in our suffering and crises Jesus is the ultimate master of helping us uniquely in difficult situations. When life is filled with chaos, we need to be reminded that Jesus wept. He stated that a day will come when our sufferings will not be worth it anymore because we will be reclining with Jesus. Our reaction to this is to be that of love, prioritizing our lives, and truly living in Christ's freedom. Fujimura challenged us to face the world by creating and showing beauty, truth, and goodness. All of this should be done in confidence for God's glory.

Makoto Fujimura’s message displayed such reverence for the Lord, while also pointing out so many aspects of John 11 that I have never noticed. Take some time and check out the passage in light of Fujimura’s thoughts. Also, take some time and stop by the library to check out some of his artwork!

~Christa Joy Ciotta

Library Items by Makoto Fujimura

Makoto Fujimura's website

Image: Fujimura, Makoto. Aijo (Compassionate Love). Digital image. Makoto Fujimua. 1987. Web. 27 Oct. 2011. .

What is art?

2011-10-19T08:55:00.005-04:00

Is art something that has stood the test of time and which displays an immense effort on the part of the artist to display creativity and ingenuity? Or can art be a picture of a paperclip with the word “AND” written below it? Faced with these questions in Lit and Arts class today, I started to ponder how art demonstrates societal beliefs.

The Greeks and Romans were fascinated by humanity, and their statues demonstrate it. The Byzantines were focused on Christ and their churches with mosaics and paintings of Christ at the apse demonstrate this focus. What does our post-modern art say about the era in which we live?

The magazines in the library were my starting point in helping me consider what the world believes is important. I noticed a focus on politics and pop culture. Two areas where the question, “what is reality?” is raised. Pick up a book about modern art and read about Marcel Duchamp’s Fountain or Bottle Rack. What is the standard for art? Who is to say whether these anti-art objects truly are works of creativity, masterpieces in their time?

I challenge you to question the world around you and test it within this framework. What are we saying by endorsing fabricated objects with artist’s names signed to them? Where is our trust and hope? What is art?

Marcel Duchamp's Fountain Jonathan Hardesty's Walter

~Allison Beyer

Smile

2011-10-03T10:13:00.000-04:00

This is my first semester working in the library as it is also my first semester here at Philadelphia Biblical University. As a new face it has been interesting watching people interact with each other in different situations such as in the cafeteria, classroom, or even just passing by in the halls or on the walkway. One of the things I find fascinating is how some people will always smile and say hi even if they don’t know you; while others avoid eye contact altogether… even if we have met once or twice.

As student workers in the library we are encouraged to smile and say hi to people as they walk in and out. It’s been neat to see how people react when you smile at them; it turns a stone face into a warm smile. I have really enjoyed this simple part of my job, just seeing the effect a simple smile has on people brightens my day. So as the semester moves on I would like to challenge each and every one of you to just smile whether it’s a good friend you have had for the past 3 years or if it’s at a new freshman that you will probably never even talk to. Just smile, it will brighten your day and theirs.

~Emily Rush

The Saint John's Bible

2011-09-28T09:41:00.006-04:00

Philadelphia Biblical University was privileged to host a display featuring one of the volumes of the Saint John’s Bible for a month. This display was simply lovely and reminded me just how influential the Bible has been to Western civilization and culture. Before I go into that let me tell you about the Bible. The Saint John’s Bible is a work that has spanned more than a decade. Saint John’s seminary in Minnesota houses a significant number of early pre-printing press manuscripts. When the president of the university and the director of the manuscript library had dinner together they conceived the idea that it would be a marvelous task to create a new manuscript using the old techniques used prior to the print press. It took a number of years to get the team and finances in place, but as of this year the 8 volumes housing the Bible (with Apocrypha) and a volume representing the artistic team and donors is now complete.

The manuscript at Saint John’s is printed on vellum which is made from animal skin, is translucent and is the traditional material that manuscripts were written on in the days before the printing press. They used minerals and gold leaf for their numerous illustrations found throughout the text. The process of constructing the original volume was completed in a scriptorium in Wales however because the volume would permanently reside at Saint John’s the Bible would reflect the flora and fauna of Minnesota. It would also reflect the more worldwide culture and technology that we found in science (DNA is pictured in the illustration reflecting Jesus’ ancestry).

Donald Jackson, the Queen’s official calligrapher, was in charge of designing the script that would grace the pages of manuscript. He was also in charge of the team who worked on the illustrations and final product. Over a year was spent designing the script that would be used, the illustrations, and the sequencing before anything could be placed on the vellum sheets. Once the script was finalized and the illustrations approved they began the laborious process of uniting script and illustrations. For the first time since the printing press the Bible would be handwritten from start to finish using the same methods used at scriptoriums in medieval and renaissance eras.

The Masland Library hosted a copy of the Gospels/Acts volume as well as a number of framed prints from August 26-September 23. The use of paintings and calligraphy is simply stunning even as a reproduction. The first page of each book had a whole page illustration, while similar is style each reflected the tone of the book. To see more of these pages you can view the Bible from start to finish at the following web address: http://www.saintjohnsbible.org/see/explore.htm.

What struck me most about this Bible wasn’t just that it was beautiful, but how the beauty of the illustrations reflects the beauty that God created. If you take a look at the Library’s art, Christianity, and culture section you will see that this section is growing and most of the growth has taken place within the last decade. The protestant church has moved away from the idea that art is separate from their faith and I think that is amazing and proper. Everything we do, everything we produce comes from who we are and the worldview we hold. Therefore as the Bible states we should be more than the world because our God is greater than the world; and after all God created the world for us in all its beauty and mystery. The Bible may not be in the Library anymore, but if you are interested in artistic expression you can still view and checkout books that may inspire you in your creative or spiritual journey. I would also point out that we currently are hosting an exhibit of Jonathan Hardesty’s work in the museum area of the Biblical Learning Center and will be hosting an evening talk/chat with Makoto Fujimura on October 26 starting at 7:00pm.

~Laura

Freeman, Michael. "Inscribing The Word, Photographs." Smithsonian 31.9 (2000): 78. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Print

Ola, Per, and Emily D'Aulaire. "Inscribing The Word." Smithsonian 31.9 (2000): 78. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 28 Sept. 2011.

Crime and Punishment

2011-09-14T11:57:00.003-04:00

By now I am sure all of you have, at least, heard of the book Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Many believe that it is a stuffy old Russian book that is of no interest to exciting college students like yourself. I am here to tell you that you are wrong. This book is even more angst filled than your daily life. When people discover that you have read Crime and Punishment they will assume you are a smarty-pants and respect you. Dostoyevsky spent five years in a Siberian prison camp, this man knows anguish. The protagonist devises a plan to murder a corrupt pawn broker and steal all of her money. He attempts to justify this choice by giving all of the money to people who need it. This book is wrought with dark deeds done for good. Can things as vile as murder or prostitution be justified through good intentions? Can the moral murdered and the pure prostitute find true love?

Please, after you have read this fascinating book I would like you to perpetuate the stigma that it is a musty and monotonous novel. I prefer that people believe we are significantly more intellectual than is necessarily true.

Come to the One Book, One University meeting on September 21^st at 5:30 in the ADR.

~Rosalyn Forbes

Closing time...

2011-05-18T11:00:00.002-04:00

The last week of the semester is here. It’s crazy to think how much has been accomplished or how much work is left to be accomplished, all the events that have taken place, and everyone we have gotten to know a little better these past months. So much has happened and so much has affected the way we think and the way we act. Each occurrence, each lecture, each person has an effect on our lives and it is amazing to look back and see the difference. Whether it has only been a semester or it has been your college career, life changes you and it is amazing how God uses it for His glory. We have talked a lot about God’s power, mercy, and glory in chapels with President Williams has spoken often on how we view God. It leaves us with questions we need to ask ourselves. After your time here so far, how have you changed? How has your view of God changed and what has caused this? After so many lectures, we can either leave completely unchanged or completely renewed and abounding with a great knowledge and love for God. I hope that the time we have spent here has been beneficial and that God’s goodness and hand are seen throughout it all.

~Sara Garms

Poetry and the Library

2011-05-03T08:06:00.001-04:00

As some of you may know, April was National Poetry Month. As I was searching for an interesting poem to write about, I happened to stumble upon one that was written in honor of...You guessed it! A library. What could be more fitting for the Masland Library Blog?! The longer I've been at PBU, the more I have come to appreciate the library. Not only is it one of the only quiet places around campus where I can get work done, but it has the resources I need to conquer all of my research papers that I so enjoy writing. I also find the library workers to be extremely charming and helpful, brightening my dreary load of homework with their cheerful smiles and eagerness to share databases, call numbers, and other delightful tidbits of library information. So without further ado, I present this poem in honor of National Poetry Month and libraries everywhere. Enjoy : )

My Library

by Varda One

It's only a room with shelves and books,
but it's far more magical than it looks

It's a jet on which I soar
to lands that exist no more.

Or a key with which I find
answers to questions crowding my mind.

Building my habit of learning and growing,
asking and researching till I reach knowing.

Here, I've been a mermaid and an elf
I've even learned to be more myself.

I think that I shall never see
a place that's been more useful to me.

With encouraging kind friends with wit
Who tell me to dream big and never quit.

It's only a room with shelves and books,
but it's far more magical than it looks.

When God Doesn’t Make Sense- By James Dobson

2011-04-26T14:56:00.004-04:00

Whether be it today, a month from today, or in ten years, I can assure you of one thing, we will at one point ask God, “ Why?!?” Why me? Why now? And we may even proudly scoff, “I could do better than this! You have NO idea what this is doing to my life.”

As if he didn’t already know what was happening and as if he forgot to wear his glasses today and was too far off to see you crying fountains in your bedroom. Well let me assure you of this: 5 The Lord watches over you- the Lord is your shade at your right hand; 6the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.( Psalm 121: 5-6) He sees everything your going through, and He knows exactly what’s happening…even when it seems otherwise.

Dr. James Dobson makes it clear that he cannot answer the enduring “Why?” But he says this: “God always makes sense even when he doesn't make sense” Often when we are in the midst of trials we feel as if we’ve been abandoned by God. As if he really couldn’t care less about what’s happening with us, and we too quickly lose our faith and write God off as an uncaring and blind God. Our emotions and feelings….honestly, they are not the most reliable. If you’ve ever “followed your heart”, as you know the saying goes, you’ve probably often found yourself wondering why you ever did that. (Jeremiah 17: 9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? ) “Establish your foundation not on ephemeral emotions but on the authority of the written Word. He promised never to leave us (Matthew 28:20).” (When God Doesn’t Make Sense- James Dobson)

So even when God doesn’t seem to make sense to us, He still makes sense… because He is God and we are not, and when we “feel” like He is doing a bad job, we need to stand upon the firm foundation of God’s promise. (Yes, I acknowledge, it is much more easily said than done. But with God’s empowerment….it is possible.)

God told Job…

Job 38: 4-8 ⁴"Where were you ^(E)when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell Me, if you have understanding,
⁵Who set its ^(F)measurements? Since you know.
Or who stretched the line on it?
⁶"On what ^(G)were its bases sunk?
Or who laid its cornerstone,
⁷When the morning stars sang together
And all the ^(H)sons of God shouted for joy?
⁸"Or who ^(I)enclosed the sea with doors
When, bursting forth, it went out from the womb;

And just like Job, our response should be :

¹Then Job answered the LORD and said,
²"I know that ^(A)You can do all things,
And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
³'Who is this that ^(B)hides counsel without knowledge?'
"Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand,
Things ^(C)too wonderful for me, which I did not know."
⁴'Hear, now, and I will speak;
I will ^(D)ask You, and You instruct me.'
⁵"I have ^(E)heard of You by the hearing of the ear;
But now my ^(F)eye sees You;
⁶Therefore I retract,
And I repent in dust and ashes."

Lord, help us to trust your Sovereignty even when we foolishly think we can be more sovereign. Forgive us for our faithlessness and for our relying on ourselves.

~Grace Sulaiman

The book can be found in the PBU Library here: BT732.7 .D628 1993

Life, Leadership, and Steinberg

2011-04-07T15:45:00.005-04:00

Yesterday, April 6, 2011 the Masland Library had the pleasure of meeting the internationally renowned historian, Dr. Jonathan Steinberg. He is responsible for the generous donation of roughly thirteen hundred books to the PBU library, contributing to the University’s efforts of adding a History major to the curriculum.

Upon hearing of Dr. Steinberg’s accomplishments, I immediately wanted to draw from his wisdom. During the near thirty minutes it took me to formulate a question, I reflected on my life. I thought to myself, “what can I ask this highly respected historian about, that will be relevant to me?” I did not want to merely gain knowledge about facts; I wanted to walk away with a new perspective. After finally racking up some courage, I approached him. My question to him was, “In your opinion, what would you consider important qualities for a leader to possess?”

Throughout my life I have been given various leadership positions; whether it be in church, work, or a simple group project, it is always an honor to lead people. So I was eager to hear what Dr. Steinberg had to say. To my pleasant surprise, he gave me more than I even expected. He explained that depending on what you are leading, these necessary qualities may shift. In reaction, I asked him about his experience as the chairman in the history department at the University of Pennsylvania. He mentioned that a leader that is in charge of a board should be able to seamlessly lead a team by simultaneously allowing each member to do what they want to do and being an example of how you desire them to be. It is as almost as if the team can hardly tell that they have a boss. This is due to the fact that their leader actually respectfully works with them, instead of being an overbearing dictator. Dr. Steinberg emphasized the ability to lead by example other than explanation. It was at this point in the conversation that I was enlightened. His statements probed my ideas and thoughts. Dr. Steinberg confirmed my belief that the people I lead should be able to perceive my values and passions by simply examining how I conduct my life.

What is interesting enough, is the direct correlation his view on leadership has with my belief on Christianity; not just in leadership, but in my faith as a whole. In John 13:34-35, Jesus commands believers to love one another. He says, “by this (loving one another) everyone will know that you are my disciples.” In this verse the reader can see that the type of love Jesus is talking about is an active verb. We must literally live to love and by how we live; men should be drawn to us. Think about the people you have authority over in your life; if you never said a word to them, would they still be able to follow your lead? In the broader perspective, think of the unbelievers you come in contact with. Are you a living example of what you want to see in others? As a Christian, we want to see souls be changed by the power of Christ. But are we living as though He has changed us?

Talking with Dr. Steinberg was such an amazing experience. He is the most interesting person to talk to because he does not use his vast background of knowledge to stomp on the intelligence of others. By interacting with him I could clearly sense his genuine interest. It is so refreshing to meet different individuals that are passionate about life and learning. I hope PBU has the privilege to host Dr. Steinberg again.

~Kim Pessoa

For more information on Dr. Jonathan Steinberg: http://www.history.upenn.edu/faculty/steinberg.shtml

For more information on the Steinberg collection at Philadelphia Biblical University.

Library Survey 2011

2011-04-04T15:24:00.002-04:00

Maybe I should have gone to the Library...

2011-03-21T15:07:00.003-04:00

START: You are a PBU student and it is a tiresome Wednesday. You think wistfully about the upcoming weekend but are then crushed by the thought of your project due tomorrow. For the most part you like your classes, except for this one. It is all lecture and you don’t understand the subject matter. It is a beautifully sunny day outside. What will you do?

· You stare out the window at the swirling leaves. (Move on to Number 2)

· You watch the professor diligently and listen to him talk about the Patripassionistic implications of Kierkegaard. (Move on the Number 3)

2. You completely ignore your surroundings and look out the window. You will never completely understand what the professor was talking about but your nerves are significantly more intact. Sadly, you do not catch the announcement about the quiz on chapter eleven next Friday.

· You think about existence itself. I mean what really IS it anyway? (Drift to Number 4)

· You contemplate your day and the conversations you had this morning. (Move to Number 5)

3. You do not learn anything about Patripassionism and become frustrated. It seems like everyone else understands what Dr. Wontlborro is lecturing about. You glance over the other students and you see their riveted faces, you are missing something. The class has ended and you find out about the quiz next Friday. What will you do next?

· You are a little hungry so you decide to go to lunch with your friends. What the professor said probably wasn’t that important anyway. (Continue to Number 6)

· You are too frustrated by the subject matter to remember that you are hungry. You walk back to your dorm carrying a terribly attitude. (Move to Number 7)

4. END: You look out the window and wonder about the finer details of existence. The invisible swirling wind forces you to consider the social schemas that govern every living creature. Both are invisible yet they affect us so drastically. You decide to write this down in your notebook and study it more. After class you rush to the library and pour yourself into research about philosophy. You change your major to liberal arts and spend all your free time writing a comprehensive book on the similarities between society and wind. The book is called Blustery Society: Better Grab a Jacket! It sells millions and you become famous. It is a good thing you went to the PBU library.

5. END: You narcissistically consider your own life and do not do anything that does not fulfill your selfish needs. After class you return to your room at take hundreds of pictures of yourself to post on Facebook. Your mother notices this obsession and confronts you about your obsession. You are incapable of seeing her side so you shut her down by insulting her fashion. She, in turn, stops paying for college because of your rude behavior. You must now get a job in order to support yourself. Maybe you should have spent more time in the library rather than the mirror.

6. Your friends rally your spirits by discussing their favorite celebrity look alike. Eventually the conversation bends toward today’s lesson. It is all over you head. What do you want to do next?

· Admit that you don’t understand the topic and get help but confess that you are not as smart as they are. This may hurt your pride. (Continue to Number 10)

· You are bored by the subject and you overhear someone talking about driving to the beach. They are some of your best friends and the next thing you know you are riding with the windows down to the Jersey coast. You promise yourself that you will read a little at the beach. (Continue to Number 11)

7. As you enter your dorm you see your roommate. They smile and you scowl at the floor then resign yourself to sitting on your bed dejectedly. What should you do next?

· Read the Wikipedia page for Patripassionism then start your project.(Move to Number 8)

· Talk to your roommate about all of your school woes. (Move to Number 9)

8. End: Your relationship with your roommate is scarred forever. There was no way you could have known that they were having a terrible day and that a simple smile could have lifted them out of an everlasting spiral of depression. You barely understand the topic but you start anyway, handing in something is better than doing nothing. Right? You misspell the word “Godhead” every single time and barely pass the class. But you do pass after all. Thank you, Wikipedia. Maybe you should have gone to the library for a more reputable source.

9. End: Your roommate sympathizes with your pain and you become better friends because of it. They treat you to Chick-Fil-A which completely changes your mood and wipes the project from your mind. You stay up till three drinking hot-cocoa and talking about your lost childhood. It was pretty fantastic. At about four in the morning you bolt upright in bed and remember your project. The library is closed by now so you can’t get any books. Luckily your roommate has a few books that kind of relate to the subject. You write half of the paper but are unable to finish it on time. Your professor is not amused, at least you have friends. Try picking up your books from the library ahead of time.

10. End: Your friends joke about your ignorance then realize that you are serious. They backtrack furiously but you can tell that they are mentally reassessing your intelligence. One friend slowly explains the concepts to you and even shares what book really helped them. You walk to the library and check out the book. Your pride is hurt but you are a better person for it. Good job!

11. You go to the beach and spend the whole day doing nothing but building sandcastles. You sleep on the beach that night (which is significantly colder than you expected) and watch the sun rise. When you walk back to your car you realize that it was towed during the night, the New Jersey police would have preferred if you had fed the parking meter. You spend the day searching for your car and getting it from the impound. You do not hand in the project and you end up failing the class (better luck next year!). The beach is not a good place to study, might I suggest the library?

~Rosalyn Forbes

Seven Reasons to Appreciate the Library

2011-03-10T13:10:00.001-05:00

1. People are nice here. Seriously, we are. We like books, so as long as you aren’t bringing open cups into the main library or sneaking cookies from the MAC, we’ll continue to be nice to you. (Yes, we DO see you eating your Cheez-Its back there. Don’t even think that you can hide in one of the workstations, because the Library Police WILL catch you.)

2. We possess the secrets to limitless knowledge, better grades, and unstable amounts of pure awesomeness. It’s a fact, and you would know about it if you bothered to come and research the Periodic Table in the library.

3. Come on, people. It’s FREE! Books cost money. If you do your research for that big paper here instead of buying lots of books you’ll only look at once, you’ll have more money to spend on food. Which you’ll have to leave at the desk. Don’t eat in the library.

4. The library transcends these four walls. Because of this library, you have access to hundreds of databases and e-texts filled with all that scholarly information that your professors love. Give them what they want, and do your brain a favor. You don’t even have to get out of your pajamas, though I suggest leaving that Diet Coke a good distance away from your Macbook.

5. Printing. You can use your student ID's here for a fixed amount of free prints every semester so that you can save money on ink when you have to print out that thesis four times. Take advantage of the computers and the printing. Besides, you’ll make some lonely computer lab worker’s day just by showing up.

6. We have an entire room filled with childrens books! Spending half an hour with a stack of old favorites from your childhood can be a great way to take the edge off being an adult with responsibilities.

7. It’s quiet in here. Our study areas are wonderfully non-distracting, and it’s really easy to get work done when you don’t have to listen to your roommate’s Toby Mac CD blasting at full volume in the background.

That being said, I would really like to encourage you to take advantage of the resources made available to you through the library. You just might be surprised at what you can find.

See you soon!

-Gabrielle Cerberville

The evangelical argument

2011-03-04T09:50:00.004-05:00

Last night Philadelphia Biblical University hosted a chat with Dinesh D'Souza which was highly entertaining and challenging. Mr. D'Souza is an apologetist who has written a number of books including "What is so great about Christianity", a biography on Reagan and one on Obama. He also is known to be outspoken on his views and therefore is frequently on the debate circuit defending Christianity to "New Atheists". New Atheists differ from the intellectual atheists of the eighteenth century in that they no longer ignore the issue of faith but are forcibly against it. According to CNN, "What the New Atheists share is a belief that religion should not simply be tolerated but should be countered, criticized and exposed by rational argument wherever its influence arises." Due to this harsh and critical stance it is necessary for Apologists to stand up and create meaningful and accurate responses. Therefore Mr. D'Souza's lecture covered 3 main questions.

What has Christianity/Christendom done for the world?
Does Science disprove Christianity?
Is Religion or a Belief in God responsible for the majority of the world's murders/genocides?

The first question was an interesting one. Atheists, especially the New Atheists frequently stand up for charity, human dignity, compassion and a plethora of moralistic values. Their argument lies in the fact that Classical Western thought and ideas created these intrinsic human values, however if you study Greek and Roman philosophy you will note that Socrates and the Romans didn't subscribe to these ideals at all. Compassion for ones enemies was seen as a weakness, the Spartans left their weak and in-firmed lying in the open so that they could die of the elements or from being eaten by wild animals.

Slavery was also a common practice in ancient antiquity, the only group that protested slavery was Christendom (and slaves). Christendom was the first protesters who talked about human dignity or the rights of men to own other men. Democracy was built on the idea that no man can be master over the other without having his permission.

The next question was regarding whether or not Science disproves Religion. Mr. D'Souza's position is that not only does it not disprove religion, but due to most of the scientific discoveries during the twentieth century, religion and most especially a belief in a creator is proved by the discoveries. How? There are certain rates that must stay constant, sound, light, mass, gravity, otherwise the universe as we know it would literally not exist. Stephen Hawkings admitted as much, and most people agree with him that our universe is built like it is to maintain human life and the universes' dimensions.

The final topic we covered was whether or not Religion is/was responsible for the majority of warfare and genocides in the world. Mr. D'Souza's argument is that no, religion is only a valid main talking point in Islam, not Christianity/Christendom. In the 1100's the Crusades were violent and about Christianity, but in more recent history the Inquisition had about 2000 people killed during 350 years, and the Salem witch trials had less than 20. And while that was still wrong, the numbers or the concept has been blown out of the water. Israel/Palestine, Turkey/Pakistan are all about land, not religion.

Instead the crimes of Atheist rulers/leaders and their numbers is what is truly horrendous. Stalin, Hitler, China's Communist history have been responsible for more deaths than any other all in the name of no god, but man.

What Christians really need to do is to be informed and to stand up for their beliefs, wish-washy relativism is useless in the face of these learned men. They will not back down from their hostility of God, so we cannot back down from our faith in God. Become informed, and learn to critically think through an argument on faith and reason. Work in the media/publishing centers of the world if you want to make a difference in the world, otherwise we will only continue to give up ground. If Christendom were to stand together and stop fighting each other we might have a chance to truly counter the remarks of the enemy and change the "public" opinion and laws.

~LAS

Hooper, Simon. "The rise of the New Atheists". CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/11/08/atheism.feature/index.html. Retrieved 2010-03-16.

Global Missions Week!

2011-02-21T16:06:00.002-05:00

Did you know that it’s almost PBU’s Global Mission Week? Ever since I was a little kid I loved hearing missionaries speak about their various missions and what it is like to serve God in that particular field. I always found it so exciting to hear all the different stories from the Amazon, Africa, China, urban cities, and the rest of the country and world. There are so many great people who have given their lives to serve God in all of these fields and they have such interesting stories about how God called them and how he is using them. Reading their stories can be such a great reminder and encouragement that God uses us just as we are to do great things for his wonderful purposes.

Recently I just returned on the PBU trip to Kenya over JTerm. What a great experience! It was my first time in Africa and it was nothing like I expected it to be. Funny how God always blows our expectations out of the water, right? It shows just how powerful he is! Have you ever considered taking a mission trip? Maybe it’s something that God is calling you to step out in faith and obedience to do. Need some encouragement? Come to the library and check out our great resources on this topic! There is a small section set up on the magazine stand and more in the stacks in the BV section. Prepare your heart to be challenged this Global Missions Week!

~Christa Joy Ciotta

What is Art?

2011-02-18T08:15:00.003-05:00

Dictionary.com defines art as “the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance” (Dictionary 1), but can all these terms truly define what art is? Does art have to be considered beautiful and have more than ordinary significance? Can we assume that art may be something that stimulates a large group of people’s emotions? If so, could we conclude that art is defined as something that is of more than ordinary significance due to its popularity? In other words, can something be considered out of the ordinary even if no want appreciates it?

I believe art can only be defined by an individual’s perspective. For example, I believe that Jackson Pollock’s “Untitled #3” is a work of art while other believes that it is just a bunch of paint splattered randomly on a canvas. In addition, it can also be seen that art can be considered something that stimulates our way of thinking. When I look at this painting, I think of a variety of things. For example, I think of the hardships of life. The splatters represent the random and sporadic hardships that an individual faces daily each day in life while the black base represents us as individuals trying to prosper through the hardships that constantly build if we attempt to avoid them. In other words, I believe that this painting represents what happens to those who run from their hardships. It becomes so much chaos that all of the small hardships of life have accumulated and transformed into one big issue that can only be resolved by gradually sorting through and resolving each individual hardship that created this monster of an issue.

In conclusion, I believe that our individual perspective of what is beautiful and what is of interest defines what art is. I also believe that art can also be an appreciation of something that we are unable to do. For example, some people are able to appreciate the fact that Muay Thai is not just a system of combat but an art. In conclusion, I believe that art is something that is able to define us as well as God about who we are.

~Dan Champa

Purpose

2010-12-15T14:59:00.004-05:00

If it is true that nothing even remotely compares to knowing Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:8), and I believe that is true, then how does a follower of Christ handle literature? Why do we promote learning other things to such an extent? Why are we not simply studying the Scriptures constantly? It is them that point to Christ after all (John 5:39). These are questions that have hounded me for a good portion of this semester, and I am finally ready to approach an answer to them – from the example found in Acts 17.

Once we have traveled 16 verses into Acts 17, we find Paul hanging around in Athens. He was just sent away from Berea because of the angry Jewish mob that had been chasing him, and he is now waiting for Timothy and Silas to catch up. Since Paul never made a habit out of wasting time (something I need to learn from), he immediate started, “preaching Jesus and the resurrection” (17:18, ESV). Paul’s teaching apparently caught the attention of some Greek philosophers, and from verses 18 – 32 we can listen in on their dialogue. During the course of this discussion, Paul both uses their own sculptures (vv. 22-23), and quoted from a couple of their own poets, the [1]Cretan poet Epimenides, and the Cilician poet Aratus (v. 28). This should tell us two things: firstly, that Paul knew the current poets of his time, and secondly, that Paul used those poets as a door to reach people with the gospel.

This has convicted me personally, both with the amount that I interact with literature, and with what I do with it. Here at the library, we have a massive supply of books ranging from literary classics to biblical commentaries. I believe, as good stewards of the time God has given us, that we should engage ourselves deeply in both. During our time Philadelphia Biblical University, we have an incredible opportunity to gain knowledge about Christ, and the world He has called us to minister in. Let’s engage carefully, and thoughtfully, in literature. That way, when the time arises, we can be like Paul and use the world around us start conversations about Jesus – the only knowledge that truly matters.

[1]Constable, Dr. Thomas L. Expository Notes on the Bible. Galaxie Software, 2003.

~Zachary Fixler

ARTstor

2010-12-07T16:21:00.004-05:00

Did you know that PBU recently added another database to our collection? If you are in Lit and Arts this semester this could be the perfect database for you as you finish up all those projects. And even if you aren’t, it could be beneficial to look this new database over beforehand so you know how to use it when due dates start approaching far too quickly, as they often do.

The new database is named ARTSTOR. Its' digital library is made up of more than one million images. Although a database of images may not seem entirely helpful when your task is to find how culture and values are represented in various art pieces, I found it to be extremely beneficial.

Last weekend I was working on my project studying Greek art. Using JSTOR, another helpful database, I found the sculpture that I planned to study, but I could not find a picture of it in color anywhere on JSTOR. Since I needed to print the picture in color for the assignment, I immediately felt frustrated and wondered if I would have to pick a new art piece altogether. Thankfully, I decided to take a quick peak on ARTSTOR and I am so glad I did. Within seconds of typing my sculpture’s name into the search bar I was given many choices of my sculpture IN COLOR! I even squealed a little bit in excitement…or maybe it was relief.

So, go on the library website, click online databases, click ARTSTOR, click “go” on the pop up, type in your subject, and get going! There are even fancy little pamphlets at the library front desk if you want some more information.

Worry no longer, my friends about those Lit and Arts projects. ARTSTOR can save the day.

~Christa Joy Ciotta

Sikyon, Euthychides Of. Tyche of Antioch. Digital image. ARTstor. Italian and Other European Art (Scala Archives). Web. 7 Dec. 2010. .

Holiday break woes

2010-11-30T09:26:00.004-05:00

Has the thought of not being able to use the library over the holiday break got you down?.....

It’s hard to believe it, but the holidays are approaching ever so quickly. To most students, this means finally being able to catch all of those ZZZZ’s that were missed during the semester. However, there are a few who just can’t seem to get rid of the school bug. For those of you who just have a hankering to do some sort of research over the break (holiday related maybe), I have some FANTASTIC news for you! The PBU Online Databases are AMAZING!!! I’m sure by now you are extremely tired of hearing about online databases and how beneficial they are…blah, blah, blah. It is a topic that has almost worn out its welcome. I am here though, to tell you that the online databases, JSTOR in particular, have been my lifesavers throughout this semester. I was assigned many projects this semester that required art pictures as well as analysis of them. I was at a loss to know how and where to find them until I stumbled across JSTOR. We as students at PBU have so much knowledge and information right at our fingertips, but I find that we don’t often use it. This is just another reminder that the online databases are WONDERFUL, and should be used for any type of research!

One last note on these resources…Did you know that some database platforms will formulate a citation for you?! One that I have found that does this is EBSCO Host. This is just another one of the many reasons why you MUST try out the online databases! Have fun with it!

~Denae

Why I am Thankful

2010-11-16T13:53:00.002-05:00

During this time of Thanksgiving, one of the many things I’m thankful for is the…

Multitude of resources which

Aid with research projects and

Study sessions on

Long, stressful nights

Alone or with a group of friends.

Never a dull moment surrounded by

Dozens of books, papers or maybe sitting at one of the

Lab stations trying to finish up the last few sentences of your paper before you print it.

I love working at the library

Because I

Really enjoy helping others,

And I get to work with all the many

Rich resources our library holds.

You never know what surprises might be waiting for you on those shelves!

- ~Allison Beyer

Veteran's Day

2010-11-11T12:10:00.003-05:00

Veterans Day, what is it and how did we come to make it a national holiday? As this holiday was approaching I wondered what people thought of it and if they really knew what it was. Do people actually acknowledge this day or is it just another day that has some benefits for us? Can we say that we truly know what this holiday is and what it represents? To be honest I did not really know what it was until last week. I knew it was a holiday to celebrate those who had fought in wars but nothing more than that, which is a shame. For that reason I researched it some more.

Our country has been in many wars and many men and women have given their lives for the freedom and liberty that we have in the United States. It is amazing how many people fought for the country and cause that they believed in whether it was in the World War I or II, Vietnam, the Gulf War, or even the war we are in now. People see a cause that they want to stand for and they want to protect the rights and freedom of their fellow citizens and so they fight. Veterans Day is not only about those who died or only about the veterans still alive but all veterans past and present. It was first created for those who fought in World War I and even then it was not a national holiday nor was it called Veterans Day but rather Armistice Day. President Wilson declared November 11, 1919 the first Armistice Day saying,

"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride

in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the

victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the

opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the

councils of the nations…"

This is definitely something to reflect on and to be thankful for that people were willing and are willing to put their lives in danger for this country, a cause, and for people they may not even know. That is why we celebrate the veterans of the wars because they have fought for the freedom and liberty that we now have and even for other countries that may not have had it. They fought against an injustice in order to make the situation right.

So I challenge you to not take this holiday for granted. Acknowledge Veterans Day for what it really is, a day to remember those who fought for the freedoms and liberties we have so freely.

~ Sara Garms

P.S. If you want to find out more about notable American and see if they were veteran's you can check out American National Biography.

Imagine...

2010-11-10T08:33:00.005-05:00

Imagine having to write a paper on a book of the Bible and the only source you had was a Bible in a language that you couldn’t read. How would you complete your assignment?

Imagine going to church and all you can understand of the Scripture being read is the pastor’s interpretation, if you’re lucky. You may not even have that because your pastor doesn’t speak a language you understand very well.

Imagine the joy and excitement you would experience when you heard God speaking in your own language. Imagine the enthusiasm that would well up in you as you were able to hold the Word of God for the first time in your language and read it for yourself!

We are so blessed to have the Scriptures in our own language. The library carries multiple versions of the Bible, and then hundreds of commentaries to supplement your individual study of a particular passage. Many of us have multiple Bibles at home as well and yet there are hundreds of people who have never heard God speak in their own language.

Next time you have to write a paper for your Bible class and you come to the library to research using one of the commentaries that we have, think about this and praise God for how He’s blessed us. I will try to remember to do that too. I know that this kind of thinking totally changes my perspective on my work.

- Allison Beyer

Iconography

2010-10-27T11:09:00.008-04:00

In the library this summer we waited breathlessly for a piece of art to be displayed. Maintenance came and prepped the walls, and we waited...finally while I was away on vacation it came. The piece is dramatic and huge measuring near 10 feet by 5 feet. It wasn't what I had expected, and from the vantage point of my desk it was quite distracting for the first week, a random blur of skin tones and black. Eventually it stopped being seen from the corner of my eye, making me look for a student or faculty member awaiting my assistance.

I believe the first time I saw the art work that my response was "Oh my". I wasn't sure what to do with it, it didn't fit in my protestant frame of reference. Religious art with Christ on the cross just wasn't part of my religious life. Luckily as my father was Catholic I knew how the Catholic and Orthodox traditions used religious art as part of their worship, but still it struck me as misplaced. And as a Librarian I do not deal well with misplaced items, they must be fixed or organized into something that I can process. After the piece had been up for about a month, I went to a friend's wedding, which was to be held at an Orthodox church. This in itself was a first for me, I have been to Catholic weddings, but never an Orthodox one. The art (icons) were everywhere as was the scent of incense; there was an atmosphere of worship and hushedness about the place. Now I am a very old-fashioned person, I love old churches where the pews are hard and the architecture of the church focuses your attention upward, and this Orthodox church did center your attention upward.

With our new artwork, I had to try and really view contemporary Christian art, not Thomas Kincaid or the Footsteps prints available at national Christian bookstores, but art that is a throw back to the classical masters. It makes you think, it strikes a cord with whatever experiences you have had; and it isn't safe.

Please join us on Friday after chapel to meet and chat with the artist of the Library's piece "One Body, One Church". Peter Jelinek will be in the Library lobby from 11 am to 12 pm for questions and dialogue. Stop by, drink some coffee and experience art.

~LAS

A couple of wonderful articles from Relevant Magazine on Art.

Art isn't suppose to be safe by Cole NeSmith. http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/deeper-walk/features/23211-art-isnt-supposed-to-be-safe

Why Art should matter to Christians by Melissa Kircher http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/worship/features/22942-why-art-should-matter-to-christians