Dr. Brian Toews’ Blog

At the beginning of each semester the entire university gathers together for a convocation. It is a chapel service to dedicate ourselves to the Lord and the tasks that are set before us. This year Dr. Williams spoke on Mark 4 and the story of Jesus asleep in the boat while a storm was raging around him and the disciples. One of the lessons of the story is that following the Lord Jesus may mean that he leads his flock through very difficult and trying times. Even though it may not seem that he is present and concerned for our difficulties, his followers should not fear, but believe in him. The Lord is our shepherd .... We should know that the Jesus that had the power and authority to calm the sea can deliver us out of our troubles - in his time.

Posted by Brian Toews at 8:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We are on the brink of beginning a new semester at PBU. With any new endeavor it is appropriate to commit our work to the Lord and ask for his grace to provide for our needs. I often go back to a prayer almost 1000 years old to remind me that study is a spiritual exercise. Thomas Aquinas gave the church these words:

Creator of all things, true source of light and wisdom, origin of all being,
graciously let a ray of your light penetrate the darkness of my understanding.

Take from me the double darkness in which I have been born,
an obscurity of sin and ignorance.

Give me a keen understanding, a retentive memory,
and the ability to grasp things correctly and fundamentally.

Grant me the talent of being exact in my explanations
and the ability to express myself with thoroughness and charm.

Point out the beginning, direct the progress, and help in the completion.
I ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Posted by Brian Toews at 4:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I have just returned from teaching at our international campuses in Kandern, Germany and in Hong Kong. The educational settings could not have been more different. Kandern is a small town nestled in the Black Forest. You can walk to a number of other small German towns on the footpaths. The town is quiet and the pace is slow. Hong Kong on the other hand is a bustling international city with an intricate metro system connecting all the islands and the New Territories. Wherever you go there a people and taxis. The sights and smells are intoxicating. PBU not only provides international education at these two sites, but there is also an opportunity to study abroad with Bestsemester (see bestsemester.com). There are great opportunities to broaden your educational experiences with the Langhorne campus being so close to Philadelphia, New York, and Washington, D.C.

Posted by Brian Toews at 11:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)