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The Young Barth...

Lucas Wright — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 06:11:07 +0000

An impossible video not to like : )

From Capitalism To Socialism

Paul Chong — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 03:19:43 +0000

By Paul Chong Sunday, 29 November 2009

New Socialist Flag?

Søren Aabye Kierkegaard (b. 1813, d. 1855), philosopher, theologian & psychologist, was a profound and prolific writer in the Danish “golden age” of intellectual and artistic activity. He said: “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” Thus, if not for any other reasons, this fact alone is sufficient for us to dwell on history in order to understand the present & serves as a guide towards the future.

Until about 400 years ago, Western Europe was largely a feudal society – one that valued service & chivalry. The turning point in history arrived with the discovery of a new hierarchy of values. Feudalism was then replaced by capitalism - an economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately or corporately owned and development is proportionate to the accumulation and reinvestment of profits gained in a free market. Wealth became the measure of success, and everyone was set in a frenzy for cash. The cult of money replaced all other values, including religious.

Capitalism turned the western world topsy-turvy. Making money was the be all and end all of objectives. This system turned out to be extremely efficient in terms of production of goods, services, and comfort. America benefited from the system the most, and decided that the rest of the world has to adopt it as well. Underdeveloped countries, if unable to appreciate the benefits of capitalism, would even be forced to do so.

However, after all the glories & excesses of high living, America is now facing the collapse of the illusion – the illusion of power & might, of conquest & dominance, of grandeur & sheer luxuries. In a word the collapse of capitalism.

We are either fortunate or unfortunate to be living in an era witnessing the unfolding of the old & the making of new history. We are on the threshold in time to see an unprecedented event that will transform the global geopolitical landscape.

This transformation will be in transition – slowly, steadily & most certainly. Philosophers & economic analysts maintain that capitalism is driven mainly by the striving for hard cold cash & the consumption of these goods. It’s this obsession that breeds greed, avarice & the inherent covetous nature of man that is the root of all the present day problems.

There is a lack of spirit in the power mind of the capitalist. There is no soul. A society that was built on the premise of “In God We Trust” is now doing away with God, throwing Him out of the schools, institutions & public places – forbidding the preaching & practice of anything religious.

With moral degradation setting in, a near collapse & breakdown in its economy, an unemployment of the highest in excess of 10%, a dollar currency that’s steadily losing its value & hallmark, America is now further faced with the dilemma of the emerging power in the East.

American’s values are exhibiting flaws, and the appeal to adopt them would be madness considering that the system is in crisis. Pragmatic Americans will soon realise they are no longer “boss” of the world to continue to impose its will upon billions of other nationalities, where traditional values & spirit are held in high esteem.

Globally, people are amazed by the economic miracles & achievements of China. Nations are flocking to learn of its wonders & adopting its system of development.

Signs are everywhere that Obama & his administration is shifting in the US policies bringing about changes that are possibly hard to believe:

From confrontation to negotiation & mitigation in its approaches to Iran & North Korea
Obama’s decision not to build the Missile Defence System in Poland & the Czech republic
Obama’s acceptance of his controversial Nobel Prize Peace Award as a “call to action”
Obama’s bowing gesture to the Saudi King & Emperor Akihito of Japan.

Has America, the bulwark of capitalism, grown tired of imposing its rules on others? Is America feeling the importance of friendship with other nations – rich or poor? Does it need to dominate to subjugate? Perhaps, as evidenced by the above actions, America is finally convinced that there are more to pursue than just power & money. If this be the case, we will soon be witnessing another turning point in world history with US embracing more elements of socialism.

‘Calvin for Armchair Theologians,’ by Christopher Elwood

Particular Kev — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:30:14 +0000

I have now started to read ‘Calvin for Armchair Theologians,’ by Christopher Elwood. I have to admit that I come to this book with a very doubtful attitude. The front cover illustration of John Calvin and the many ‘comic-like’ illustrations throughout the book worry me. I just don’t get a sense that this book is a serious treatment of John Calvin. That is the impression that presents when just looking at the book – I hope to be proven wrong for having ‘judged a book by its cover.’ The illustrations in the book are by Ron Hill, who is apparently a freelance illustrator and cartoonist.

I have to admit that the ‘armchair theologian’ part of the title also gives me a poor impression of the book – it sort of gives me the picture of a guy who loves to watch sport on the TV while sitting in his armchair, while not really taking the sport seriously in his actual life – has nothing to do with it in reality, in that he doesn’t play sport. This is the idea that ‘armchair theologian’ paints for me, which is an approach to theology that is far removed from the Bible’s idea of involvement with the truth.

But, as I said, I hope to be proven wrong for having ‘judged a book by its cover.’

Lifestyle Theology

Kraig Krempa — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:23:13 +0000

“Every Christian is a theologian. Whether consciously or unconsciously, each person of faith e

Christian AND Agnostic-Atheist?

ABFaith — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:35:47 +0000

Just when you think you’ve heard it all, somebody “emergent” comes along and you r

Meaning behind "Nobody's Perfect" by Destiny Hope Cyrus.

Jeremy Shum — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:53:38 +0000

“Everybody makes mistakes”

The song starts. A former attendant of TPC (the abbreviation for The People’s Church), a Church belonging to the Southern Baptist Convention in Nashville TN, Destiny, now known as “Miley”, makes a philosophical statement in her song.

“It might be crazy; I do it anyway”

What she says is echoing the Apostle Paul’s statement where he says:

“I do what I don’t want to do; but I don’t do what I want to do. For when I try to do what I want to do, I can’t; but rather, do what I do not want to do.”

- Romans 7:14-15

He is of course, explaining the inherent nature of what we know today, as “Sin”.

“If I’m not doing so well; why be so hard on myself.”

Modern Christian theologians have widely agreed that the worth of a person is not on what they do (“who” they are), but rather what they believe in (“whose” they are). This belief in inherent dignity can be expounded in the analogy of a hundred dollar note. No matter how much I pound the hundred dollar note, step on it, flush it down the toilet, its inherent value still remains at $100. Go to any store, and that is the value you are offered. This is because the creator of the change valued the note at $100. The definition was provided by its creator. Furthermore, if it attempted to be anything else other than its intended creation, for instance, if you tried to use it as toilet paper… It’s utility is, well, let’s say, not as useful as it could be! Thus, it follows, all things being equal, that since our value is determined by the fact that God created us and loves us It doesn’t at all depend on what I do, but what God has done. So yes indeed, I shouldn’t “be so hard on myself”!

“Again and again and again and again”

I really like this statement because it indicates to the listener this idea of hyperimprovement. An important part of the Product Development Life Cycle in Engineering is this idea of hyperimprovement. This is how the latest and greatest technologies are invented.

“No problem can’t be solved”

The inherent nature of God is his invincibility; I mean, the fact that he can do all things. As the BIble says, “All things are possible through God“, who makes them possible! It still surprises me the correlation between the greatest inventors in the world in the past (Edison, etc etc), and their faith (in God!). But… correlation does not equate causation **winks** LOL!

“If things don’t turn out the way you plan, don’t stay down… try again!!!!”

The Apostle Paul (the greatest missionary in Christianity) was once greeted with persecutors who beat him, he was shipwrecked, he was starved, etc etc, and this was a lot to deal with for a great Jewish lawyer of his day! As he says though, nothing could stop him from the prize that Christ Jesus had prepared for him at the end

As Hilary Duff says

“BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!!!”

Sorry I’ve wanted to do this all my life, see what I look like with H Duff

Yeah it’s pretty hot LOL!

To Hell and Back

The Armchair Antichrist — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:34:21 +0000

A few days ago I went to a presentation by “The Embassy” a student ministry at a nearby university. The topic of discussion was Hell. Here was what I found out about the event on their website beforehand:

Skeptics Welcome:

Nov. 09/09 – Go To Hell
The concept of Hell is hard to swallow – that a large number of people will spend their afterlife in a place of eternal torment and unquenchable fire. At The Embassy, we want to take a good, hard look at where this idea came from, expose the myths associated with it, and make some suggestions that might just surprise you – whether you’ve been attending church your whole life or have spent an equally long time avoiding it.

And judging by this material I had the impression that this group would be more progressive and rational than other church groups. On the flyer it said that “the concept of Hell is hard to swallow” and I jokingly commented that they would try to make me swallow it. Unfortunately, that was exactly what happened.

When I walked into the small auditorium I was surprised to see band equipment on the stage. I believed that this was going to be a thoughtful discussion. However, I was surprised once more when I had to endure three terrible Christian rock songs before they got to the substance of the discussion. This involved me sitting down while the faithful stood up, some with their arms in the air (maybe even waving them like they just didn’t care).

The first speaker talked about what Hell might be like. He quoted some theologians and apologists and came to the conclusion that we don’t exactly what kind of place Hell is, but it is not a place you want to be. What I thought was going to be a thoughtful discussion was actually a sermon. I was being preached to. This part wasn’t all that bad. The speaker did assume that the Bible was the true word of God and that Hell existed, but I couldn’t have expected much more from a church group.

It was the next part that really surprised me. The main pastor came up on stage and talked about why Hell exists in the first place. He said that God created Hell for Satan and the other fallen angels who rebelled, but made no connection to human afterlife.

He also said that heaven would not be heaven if all the bad people could get in. And he said that these bad people would be getting what they wanted anyways, to be away from God. However, he still maintained that God was still omnipresent because only the compassionate part of his nature would be missing in Hell (also known as a cop-out).

Furthermore, the pastor said that qualifying for heaven has nothing to do with the amount good things or bad things you did. He said that all that was required was belief in Jesus Christ. But, it is never answered what happens to people who have never heard the Gospel. It is also never explained how a belief in a deity has to do with being a good person.

In addition, he ends up contradicting some of the statements he made earlier about it being easy to imagine Hitler, Osama Bin Laden and other evil people being in Hell because he labelled them as evil solely by their actions. It is very arguable that Hitler who was Christian is in heaven. It is even arguable that Bin Laden is in heaven because for all we know he may have been a believer in Christ.

During the sermon we could text questions to the pastor to be answered at the end. Two of my questions came up at the end. The first one was: What if you don’t believe in the concept of Hell? They basically answered me as a Christian and said that the Bible makes it clear that Hell exists. But, I guess that’s the basis of Christian apologetics: assumptions and more assumptions.

My second question (more of a comment) was: An omnipotent God is capable of infinite rehabilitation especially a loving one. And for this they answered me as if I was a Catholic and which consisted of the concept of Purgatory being attacked.

The pastor also said that when you force your will on a person it is the same as rape. So, sending people to Hell in the first place doesn’t count as imposing on someone? And he also made the point that some people might not want to reform. This logically implies that given the option of heaven or hell that some people would actually choose Hell (which is both a very disgusting and fallacious suggestion).

At the end of the sermon, the conclusion they came up to was “God is not loving in spite of Hell, but because of Hell.” By that time I was already thoroughly annoyed, but I still had to endure some Christian rock music as I exited the auditorium. Overall, I felt I was deceived into believing I would hear some rational discussion. Instead, it just ended up being like any other sermon; it was meant for indoctrination, not education.

Brengle, Samuel Logan

separateholy — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:25:47 +0000

Brengle, Samuel Logan

…Every thoughtful studious, prayerful Christian becomes his own theologian…but his theology is really limited to those article of faith which vitalize his life, guide…his conduct, mold his spirit…purify his nature and kindle his hope for the future… – Resurrection Life and Power (London: Salvationist Publishing and Supplies, LTD, 1925), 40.

(1 June 1860, Frederickburg, Indiana – 20 May 1936)

Married Elizabeth Swift, 19 May 1887

First Group of "Traditionalist" Anglicans in Britain Votes to Enter Catholic Church

Particular Kev — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:53:14 +0000

By Hilary White ROME, November 6, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) – In a move that is a surprise to no

George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards (part 1)

Lex Loizides — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:30:27 +0000

When he was just 25 years old, the English Evangelist George Whitefield visited the American town of Northampton, the town made famous by a revival in the 1730’s.

The Princeton Theological Review (Vol 2, No.4, 1904), speaking of the impact of the Great Awakening in both Great Britain and America, declared that ‘The chief personal bond between the two branches of this evangelistic movement was George Whitefield’.

New Friends

One of the great joys of this visit, and of real interest to us, is the meeting and subsequent friendship of Whitefield and Edwards, the Evangelist and the Theologian.

Whitefield describes their meeting in his journal:

‘Friday, October 17, 1740
When I had taken a little Refreshment, we crossed the Ferry to Northampton, where no less than 300 Souls…were savingly brought Home to the dear Lord Jesus about 5 or 6 Years ago.

‘Their Pastor’s Name is Edwards, Successor and Grandson to the great Stoddard, whose Memory will be always precious to my Soul, and whose Books…I would recommend to all.

‘Mr. Edwards is a solid, excellent Christian, but at present weak in Body.

‘I think, I may say I have not seen his Fellow in all New-England. When I came into his Pulpit, I found my Heart drawn out to talk of scarce any Thing besides the Consolations and Privileges of Saints, and the plentiful Effusion of the Spirit upon the Hearts of Believers.

‘And, when I came to remind them of their former Experiences, and how zealous and lively they were at that Time, both Minister and People wept much; and the Holy Ghost enabled me to speak with a great deal of Power.’
(George Whitefield Journals, unedited version, Quinta Press – but see here for Banner of Truth edition)

And so, these two giants in their fields met and became firm friends.

More next time…

So Larry David Peed on Jesus

ektachrome — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:14:49 +0000

…to be more accurate, a painting representing Jesus – and this act of urination for comedic purposes is seen as an insult to Christianity, its symbols and “miracles.”

The whizzing in question takes place on Larry David’s hit TV show (HBO) Curb Your Enthusiasm. Larry (plays a TV version of himself) is taking some pill that that increases urine flow and, like so many times before in Curb, Larry is caught in an awkward situation of having to relieve himself with no or (in this case) little (as in small) facilities available. (NOTE: Anyone who has ever watched Seinfeld or Curb Your Enthusiasm will recognize this common Larry David plot convention – the more socially awkward, the better.) Larry ends up splattering on a Jesus painting – later, the pissed-on painting is seen as a miracle because it looks as though the portrait of Jesus is crying, à la, The Weeping Virgin, et al.

Deal Hudson, author and publisher of InsideCatholic.com, said he doesn’t find any humor in the episode.

“I don’t think it’s funny,” Hudson told Foxnews.com. “Why is it that people are allowed to publicly show that level of disrespect for Christian symbols? If the same thing was done to a symbol of any other religions — Jewish or Muslim — there’d be a huge outcry. It’s simply not a level playing field.”

Hudson said an apology from the show’s producers and writing team should be issued.

“Somebody should [apologize],” Hudson said. “When is it going to stop? When is common sense going to dictate that people realize this willingness of artists to do to Christianity what they would never do to Judaism or Islam?” ~ Foxnews.com, 10/28/09

Obviously, Mr. Hudson has never watched Seinfeld or Curb Your Enthusiasm and is unfamiliar with Larry David’s style and shtick. Since Seinfeld’s first airing in 1991, there hasn’t been a minority, a nationality, a disease, a physical infirmity, a sexual orientation, a social situation, a holiday or a religion that hasn’t been made fun of! Judaism included; for example, the Curb episode where Larry David torments a fellow Jew by having an orchestra play Wagner outside his window (“Trick or Treat”, Season 2, Episode 3).

Now – as far as I know, Islam hasn’t been treated to Larry David’s sense of humor. Why? In spite of all of its notoriety, Islam just isn’t that familiar to most people. It’s hard to write good comedy about a subject that the majority of the viewing audience is unfamiliar with. Good comedy comes from a familial relationship with the subject – there’s an element of truth in the joke. How can we laugh at Islam when most of us have no idea what the truth is? (A priest, a rabbi and an imam go into a bar….just doesn’t work – on so many levels…)

Another thing – Islam guards its Holy Prophet better than Christianity guards Jesus, Mary or any other Biblical Holy One. Islam prohibits depiction of the Prophet Muhammad.

On the other hand, Christianity has turned Jesus into a commodity. Mel Gibson is praised for beating the living daylights out of Christ in his film – Jesus is graphically crucified on a daily basis at The Holy Land Experience in Orlando, Florida – televangelists regularly invoke the “name of Jesus” to raise donations and expand their religious empires – Contemporary Christian Music uses rock-n-roll and Jesus to sell albums – Christian writers sell books by claiming they have insight into the “mind of Christ” – apocalyptic-end-time preachers use Jesus to build an audience and laugh all the way to the bank – there are Jesus Fish, Jesus bobble-heads, Jesus cartoons, Jesus in Cheetos, Jesus-is-my-home-boy clothes…

…according to Christian doctrine, we, each member of the human race – we are responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus. Being imperfect, Jesus had to die for us.

Makes peeing on a painting seem pretty mild in comparison.

Maybe that’s what Mr. David was trying to tell us.

Larry David — theologian for the Common Man.

Brengle, Samuel Logan

separateholy — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:06:20 +0000

Brengle, Samuel Logan

…Every thoughtful studious, prayerful Christian becomes his own theologian…but his theology is really limited to those article of faith which vitalize his life, guide…his conduct, mold his spirit…purify his nature and kindle his hope for the future. - Resurrection Life and Power (London: Salvationist Publishing and Supplies, LTD, 1925), 40.

(1 June 1860, Frederickburg, Indiana – 20 May 1936)

Married Elizabeth Swift, 19 May 1887

Sketsa Kemanusiaan Seorang Calvin

Jian Ming Zhong — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:33:38 +0000

by: Lisman Komaladi Banyak tulisan sering menggambarkan John Calvin sebagai seorang manusia yang san

John Bowring, Sir - birth, Oct. 17, 1792

separateholy — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 17:29:24 +0000

In the cross of Christ I glory,
Towering o’er the wrecks of time;
All the light of sacred story
Gathers round its head sublime.

When the woes of life o’ertake me,
Hopes deceive, and fears annoy,
Never shall the cross forsake me,
Lo! it glows with peace and joy.

When the sun of bliss is beaming
Light and love upon my way,
From the cross the radiance streaming
Adds more luster to the day.

Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure,
By the cross are sanctified;
Peace is there that knows no measure,
Joys that through all time abide.

In the cross of Christ I glory,
Towering o’er the wrecks of time;
All the light of sacred story
Gathers round its head sublime.

John Bowring, Sir, was born this date, 10/17/1792, at Exeter in Devon, England. He was a statesman, was active in Parliament and then governor of Hong Kong. He was knighted by the Queen 1854.

Bowring was a linguist – mastered five (5) languages by age sixteen (16) and could converse an hundred (100) languages before he died – try to imagine that. John was also a merchant, a theologian, and the author of a total of sixteen (16) volumes. Sir Bowring however is best known for this good hymn “In the Cross of Christ I Glory.”

We ought to be very jealous, very precise, very anxious, that even in the minutiae of our Saviour's laws, we may obey, having our eyes up to Him as the eyes of servants are to their mistresses. But if you do this, you will find you are not tolerated, and you will get the cold shoulder in society.

Dead Guy Blog — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:17:06 +0000

There is free toleration in this country to everything—permit me to say—toleration to everything but Christ. You will discover that the persecuting spirit is now as much abroad as ever. There are still men at whom it is most fashionable to sneer. We never scoff at Christians nowadays; we do not sneer at that respectable title, lest we should lose our own honour; we do not nowadays talk against the followers of Jesus under that name. No; but we have found out a way of doing it more safely.

There is a pretty word of modern invention—a very pretty word—the word “Sectarian.” Do you know what it means? A sectarian means a true Christian; a man who can afford to keep a conscience, and does not mind suffering for it; a man who, whatever he finds to be in that old Book, believes it, and acts upon it, and is zealous for it.

I believe that the men aimed at under the term, “sectarians,” are the true followers of Christ, and that the sneers and jeers and all the nonsense that you are always reading and hearing, are really aimed at the Christian, the true Christian, only he is disguised and nicknamed by the word “sectarian.” I would give not a farthing for your religion unless you sometimes win that title. If God’s Word be true, every atom of it, then we should act upon it; and whatsoever the Lord commandeth, we should diligently keep and obey, remembering that our Master tells us if we break one of the least of His commandments, and teach men so, we shall be least in His kingdom. We ought to be very jealous, very precise, very anxious, that even in the minutiae of our Saviour’s laws, we may obey, having our eyes up to Him as the eyes of servants are to their mistresses. But if you do this, you will find you are not tolerated, and you will get the cold shoulder in society.

A zealous Christian will find as truly a cross to carry nowadays as in the days of Simon the Cyrenian. If you will hold your tongue, if you will leave sinners to perish, if you will never endeavour to propagate your faith, if you will silence all witnessing for truth, if, in fact, you will renounce all the attributes of a Christian, if you will cease to be what a Christian must be, then the world will say, “Ah! that is right; that is the religion we like.” But if you will believe, believe firmly, and if you will let your belief actuate your life, and if your belief is so precious that you feel compelled to spread it, then at once you will find that there is no room for Christ even in public sentiment, where everything else is received. Be an infidel, and none will therefore treat you contemptuously; but be a true Christian, and many will despise you.

Perhaps you know the legend, or, perhaps, true history, of the awakening of St. Augustine.

He dreamed that he died, and went to the gates of heaven, and the keeper of the gates said to him, “Who are you?”

He answered, “Christianus sum: I am a Christian.”

The porter replied, “No, you are not a Christian. You are a Ciceronian, for your thoughts and studies were most of all directed to the works of Cicero and the classics, and you neglected the teaching of Jesus. We judge men here by that which most engrossed their thoughts, and you are judged not to be a Christian but a Ciceronian.”

When Augustine awoke, he put aside the classics which he had studied, and the eloquence at which he had aimed, and he said, “I will be a Christian, and a theologian”; and from that time he devoted his thoughts to the Word of God, and his pen and his tongue to the instruction of others in the truth.

Oh! I would not have it said of any of you, “Well, he may be somewhat Christian, but he is far more a keen money-getting tradesman.” I would not have it said, “Well, he may be a believer in Christ, but he is a good deal more of a politician.” “Perhaps he is a Christian, but he is most at home when he is talking about science, farming, engineering, horses, mining, navigation, or pleasure-taking.” No, no! you will never know the fulness of the joy which Jesus brings to the soul, unless under the power of the Holy Spirit you take the Lord your Master to be your All-in-all, and make Him the fountain of your intensest delight.

— Charles Spurgeon

Food for the Day 071009

meipeng10 — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:00:36 +0000

“If we live good lives, the times are also good. As we are, such are the times.”

- Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430)

N.B. Augustine of Hippo (Latin: Aurelius Augustinus Hipponensis) (November 13, 354 – August 28, 430), Bishop of Hippo Regius, also known as St. Augustine or St. Austin, was a Berber philosopher and theologian.

A Short Refutation of the Kalam Argument

The Armchair Antichrist — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:43:49 +0000

This is an argument that pseudo-intellectual theologians like William Lane Craig and others like him have used. And it goes something like this:

Premise 1: Everything that begins to exist has a cause.

Premise 2: The universe began to exist.

Conclusion: Therefore, the universe must have a cause.

Premise 1 is correct to an extent because it seems obvious that everything that begins has a cause. However, the term created would be closer to what these pseudo-intellectuals actually mean. But, really everything that we see created is only a rearrangement of pre-existing atoms, so nothing is actually created. So, yes everything has a cause, but there was no creation because everything already existed to begin with.

Premise 2 is completely wrong. You cannot deduce facts from inside the universe and apply them to the universe as a whole. This is a fallacy of composition. Furthermore, causality itself is a property of the universe that as far as we know only applies to things within the universe. We do not have knowledge of other universes coming into existence so it is not correct to make that assumption.

Since both of the premises are incorrect, logically the conclusion must also be false.

August 23, 2009 Danish Immigrant Museum Elk Horn, Iowa: Author Joy Ibsen signs books “Unafraid” and Songs of Denmark”; Genuine Danish open-faced sandwiches among the treats

yoopernewsman — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:08:12 +0000

Author Joy Ibsen of Trout Creek, MI signs her book “Unafraid” during an August 23, 2009 reception at the Danish Immigrant Museum in Elk Horn, Iowa. (Photo by Kevin Nelson, reporter for the Danish Villages Voice newspaper)
Video shot on August 23, 2009 by Donald Lenef at the Danish Immigrant Museum Elk Horn, Iowa

In the video, Author Joy Ibsen signs books Unafraid and Songs of Denmark.” It was a truly Danish event as poular and tasty genuine Danish open-faced sandwiches were among the treats

Author Joy Ibsen holds her book “Songs of Denmark” while sitting at Victor Borge’s first piano on August 23, 2009 at the Danish Immigrant Museum in Elk Horn, Iowa. The piano was restored for the Victor Borge Centennial Celebration. (Photo by Kevin Nelson, a reporter for Danish Villages Voice newspaper)

(Elk Horn, Iowa) – The sounds of Danish American entertainer and pianist Victor Borge’s piano filled the air as Michigan author Joy Ibsen led a late summer songfest at the Danish Immigrant Museum in Elk Horn, Iowa.

About 70 people sang at the 30-minute songfest on August 24 that was followed by a PowerPoint presentation and a reception for Ibsen to present her latest book Unafraid.

What a thrill to play Victor Borges piano, Ibsen said. What an incredibly rich sound.

The event was co-sponsored by the Danish Immigrant Museum and Danish Brotherhood Lodge #341.

Lovingly called the Clown Prince of Denmark, the piano donated by Borge was restored this past winter after falling silent for 22 years.

The piano, the first owned by Borge, was restored through a gift from Iowa Danish Royal Consul Lowell Kramme and his wife Marilyn. Lowell Kramme is Ibsen’s second cousin.

The Victor Borge centennial celebration at the museum runs through March 8, 2010. Before being donated to the museum, the piano was severely damaged in a hurricane at the Borge home in St. Croix.

Ibsen could feel the spirit of the comedian known as the Unmelancholy Dane.

I felt like falling off the piano bench like Borge did but decided not to try it,’ Ibsen joked.

Songs included Evening Star, Han Skal Leve, Up Little Hans and Theres No Grandma Just Like Mine.

Everyone had a great time singing favorite Danish songs ranging from folksongs to children’s songs, said Ibsen who served 1999-2005 on the museum board of directors and as president in the final year.

For those who do not know the Danish songs, their lyrical simplicity make them easy to learn and they are so beautiful, said Ibsen, who spent her childhood in nearby Kimballton, IA. We ended by singing the Danish hymn, ‘Unafraid,’ which inspired the naming of my book, and I was so glad to hear several sing it in Danish, ‘Altid Frejdig.’

In his introduction of Ibsen, Danish Immigrant Museum Executive Director Dr. John Mark Nielsen said Ibsen’s love for Danish history and wide-ranging career including being a teacher and a development director brought her to the attention of the board in the late 90s.

Ibsen said she was thrilled to attend the museum event that included a book signing. She read portions of Unafraid that take place when the Ibsens lived in Kimballton.

Refreshments included delicious Danish open-faced sandwiches, wine and cookies, Ibsen said.

What a treat that many of my childhood friends are still here and remember me and my family, she said. Im so proud of the museum and all it has accomplished in preserving the Danish Heritage.

Presenting my book ‘Unafraid’ at the Danish Immigrant Museum was especially meaningful for me, because I lived in nearby Kimballton as a child ages 2-8, said Joy Ibsen,who is a writer, lay minister, and musician in the tiny northern Michigan hamlet of Trout Creek.

When I come back to the (Kimballton) area, I feel a little like a little kid again, Ibsen said. This was where I learned to read and roller skate.

Unafraid is co-authored by her late father Rev. Harald Ibsen, who pastored six small churches in four Midwest states including six years (1942-1948) at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kimballton.

At her mother’s home, Ibsen rescued the sermon notes that had Danish symbols and letters because her father used an old Danish typewriter.

The 225-page paperback book is published by Wipf and Stock Publishers of Eugene, OR.

Each of the 36 chapters in Unafraid starts with one of her father’s sermons written during the 1940s, 50s and 60s followed by autobiographical and fictional account how Rev. Ibsen’s message affected parishioners and their lives.

Both Ibsen’s are graduates of Grand View College (now Grand View University) in Des Moines, IA.

Born in South Dakota, Harald Ibsen moved to Denmark at the age of six (1904) with his mother Mathilda, siblings after the death of his father Lars from tuberculosis.

While living in Denmark for 20 years, Harald Ibsen was a member of the Danish Royal Guard stationed at Amalienborg Palace.

Rev. Ibsen’s forthright sermons – delivered in a time often called everything from the Golden to the Atomic ages – reflect the community-first messages of N.F.S. Grundtvig, a 19th century philosopher-theologian.

Several of the sermons featured in the book were given by my father at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, she said.

Well-known Christian author Dr. Walter Brueggemann of Cincinnati, OH, and others who have read Unafraid, have commented on how the post-depression issues that Rev. Ibsen preached are amazingly similar to issues in the 21st Century including the bad economy, war, child-rearing difficulties, terminal illness, death of spouse, career choice, marital problems and loss of faith.

Brueggemann described Ibsen’s father as fresh in his thought, puckish in his style and grounded in faith during his endorsement of Unafraid.

We may thank the daughter for letting us know her remarkable father, Brueggemann wrote. Harald was unafraid as an (Danish) immigrant who lived in a venturesome way.

The hymn Unafraid appears in her first book Songs of Denmark that has 48 songs in both Danish and English.

Published in July 2005, Songs of Denmark was presented to Danish Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary by Grand View University President Kent Henning during a ceremony in March 2009, according to an article in the Des Moines Register.

Ibsen is the editor and columnist for Church and Life, a publication of the Danish Interest Conference through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

The hymn Unafraid was sung in the Danish Resistance during World War Two a time of terrible danger, said Ibsen, an original member of the interfaith Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper environment group in northern Michigan.

Nevertheless one can live with confidence, and hope, said Ibsen, who holds arts and humanities degrees from Grand View College and Shimer College in Chicago. Today’s society is bombarded by all kinds of fears and we need to learn to live unafraid.

Other endorsements of Unafraid were written by St. Olaf College (Northfield, MN) religion professor L. DeAne Lagerquist and Danish-American Bishop Emeritus Harry Andersen of the ELCA Northern Great Lakes Synod.

I am mightily moved and impacted by the insightful sermons and the stories that follow, Rev. Anderson wrote.

Anderson stated Unafraid is a powerful testimony to the richness of each individuals unique spiritual journey.

Anderson stated “Unafraid” is a powerful testimony to the richness of each individuals unique spiritual journey.

Lagerquist wrote that pastor Harald Ibsens sermons demonstrate that Grundtvigian happiness was not blind to sorrow or suffering or social ills, but neither was it defeated by such trials.

Reflections from his hearers bring the gospel into the realities of farm life, child rearing, marriage, and disease, Lagerquist stated.

Joy Ibsen contact info:

Joy Marie Ibsen
P O Box 43
Trout Creek, MI
49967

Call:

906-852-3479

email Author Joy Ibsen

Author Joy Ibsen official website

Joy Ibsen social and photograph websites:

Author Joy Ibsen on Facebook

Author Joy Ibsen on Twitter

Author Joy Ibsen on myspace

Author Joy Ibsen on Word Press blog

Author Joy Ibsen on bliptv

Author Joy Ibsen on youtube

Author Joy Ibsen on Flickr

Author Joy Ibsen on Photobucket

Wipf & Stock Publishing: Unafraid by Joy Ibsen and Rev. Harald Ibsen

Wipf and Stock: Author Joy Ibsen bio

Wipf and Stock: Harald Ibsen bio

Joy Ibsen, Editor of “Church and Life”

Joy Ibsen bio on “Church and Life“

Danamerica is the official website of Ibsen’s first book Songs of Denmark: Songs to Live By with color photographs by National Geographic photographer Sisse Brimberg. Produced 70 minute CD by the Grand View College Kantorei

Nikolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig:

Joy Ibsen writes about four principles of Grundtvigianism

Nikolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig aka

N.F.S. Grundtvig, Danish bishop and poet info on Wikipedia and Britannica websites:

Pine Mountain Music Festival:

Joy Ibsen serves as vice president of the Pine Mountain Music Festival board of directors
—
Media coverage 2006-2010:

Omaha World-Herald Preview story on 8-21-09 about Author Joy Ibsen talk to the Danish Immigrant Museum in Elk Horn IA

L’Anse Sentinel newspaper preview story on Author Joy Ibsen book signing on July 30, 2009 at North Wind Books in Hancock, MI

Superior Chronicle story on Unafraid on 6-18-09

Iron Mountain Daily News brief on upcoming book signing at Finn Fest 2009 in Covington, MI

Joy Ibsen honored in her childhood home newspaper Yankton Press-Dakotan in July 2008 during annual Danish Days festival for first book Songs of Denmark“

Joy Ibsen first book Songs of Denmark is mentioned in story by Des Moines Register because book was presented to Danish Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary by Grand View University President Kent Henning during a March 2009 ceremony. The story “Danish royalty pay visit to Grand View” by Cynthia Reynaud appeared on 3-25-09 (requires subscription to read)

The book Unafraid is sold online by publisher and numerous Windows Booksellers website and other sites:

Target

Tower Books

Boone Bridge Books

Amazon.com UK

Amazon.com UK: Harald Ibsen listing

Amazon.com UK: Joy Ibsen listing

Amazon.com UK: “Unafraid” listing

New & Used copies of the book “Unafraid“ on Amazon.com

Cokesbury

Kirjasana

Antiqbook

Biblio

Internet BookShop (IBS)

Other websites related to Denmark, Author Joy Ibsen or information in the story:

Danish Imigrant Museum

Danebod Family Camps & Folk School

Danish American Heritage Society publication “The Bridge”

Danish Royal Family on Wikipedia

Danish Royal Family on Danish Royal Watchers blog

Grand View University, (formerly Grand View College) a four-year, liberal-arts college affiliated with the ELCA in Des Moines

Grand View University on Wikipedia

Shimer College

University of Chicago

Paul Tillich, German-American theologian, Christian existentialist philosopher on Wikipedia

Paul Tillich on theology website

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)

Wikipedia page on the ELCA

Friends of Author Joy Ibsen:

Rev. Dr. Lynn Hubbard and Rev. Dr. George Cairns founded the nonprofit Turtle Island Project in 2007 to foster respect for indigenous people and cultures and to promote what they can teach us about caring and repairing the environment.

Rev. Hubbard is the executive director of the ELCA-related Navajo Lutheran Mission in Rock Point, Arizona. Rev. Cairns is a Chicago Theological Seminary professor who founded the nonprofit Celtic Christianity Today.

Read the Spirit, an online spiritual magazine with inspirational stories and book reviews created by David Crumm, the longtime religion editor for the Detroit Free Press
.
Crumm established ten pinciples for his work that all people with a religion should read.

The many interfaith and youth-related environment projects founded by Rev. Jon Magnuson of Marquette, MI under the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute.

Magnuson’s CTI co-founded the EarthKeeper Initiative, and founded the Earth Healing Initiative, Manoomin Project and the Zaagkii Wings & Seeds Project.

Zaagkii Wings & Seeds Project –

Native American and Marquette area teens protecting pollinators project:

Zaagkii TV on youtube

Zaagkii Project Story Part 1 Indian Country Today newspaper

Zaagkii Project Story Part 2 Indian Country Today newspaper

Zaagkii Project hailed as success by U.S. Forest Service

Zaagkii Project blog on wordpress

Non-profit Interfaith

Earth Healing Initiative: Numerous environment projects across the Great Lakes Basin in cooperation with the EPA, American Indian Tribes and local governments

Earth Healing TV on youtube

Earth Healing TV on bliptv

Earth Healing Initiative was part of the first EPA Great Lakes 2008 Earth Day Challenge with youtube and bliptv videos.

EarthKeeper TV on youtube has EarthKeeper and Manoomin Project videos including stories and a Manoomin Project music video & more

Manoomin Project story in Indian Country Today

Manoomin Project Story in World Magazine

Author Joy Ibsen encourages everyone to live their life “Unafraid”

August 2009 Danish Immigrant Museum Elk Horn, Iowa: Author Joy Ibsen plays late great comedian Victor Borge's restored piano

yoopernewsman — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:07:59 +0000

In the video, Author Joy Ibsen plays late great Danish comedian and pianist Victor Borge’s restored piano