Welcome to the Borseth Family Cyber Home!
God is always on the move in my life, my family, and the Iowa State ministry that I lead. I will constantly be updating this website so you will know the latest goings on with my family and ministry.
It's time to get eXpelled.
Today is the opening day of a movie that has gotten more criticism and praise by people who have never seen it than any movie in history. Have you stopped to wonder why that is? Why have you, even, had an inclination toward condoning or condemning the movie before you've even seen it?
I was first directed toward the website last year and at first was a little turned off by the facetious nature of the website. I personally don't like it when people make fun of Darwinism (evolution) and, even more so, Darwinists (evolutionists). I don't see the conduct as winning any friends or arguments.
But, after seeing who was behind the movie (Ben Stein), and knowing his own blend of comedy and intellectualism, I tried to get past that and discover what the movie is really trying to say. According to the website and those who have seen sneak previews of the film, the movie does a powerful job of exposing a deliberate effort to suppress intellectual freedom in academia by refusing to publish papers/ documentaries that point to an Intelligent Designer as a casual agent, to denying tenure to professors who hold to such perspectives, to outright firing scientists who express serious concerns about the veracity of Darwinism (macro-evolution exclusively, the molecules to man scenario).
I myself, while taking geology at ISU, took heat for believing in Creation. While serving as the geology club president, I had our Veishea display represent the various views of origins. In the biblical view, I included scientific support for the Genesis model. As soon as the grad students and professors saw it, I was criticized for creating it and told to remove the display. My scientific evidence was not questioned, just the context and conclusion I reached via them.
For those not in the sciences or for those who have accepted Darwinism (neo or otherwise), you may find this notion of suppression of thought to be exaggerated or outright fallacious. But for those science students or scientists who are drawing conclusions contrary to orthodox evolution, it's all too real.
I strongly encourage everyone to see Expelled- No Intelligence Allowed for themselves and judge it by the actual content of the movie. In case you haven't heard, Dr. Guillermo Gonzalez (ISU astronomy professor who was denied tenure for holding to Intelligent Design) is featured in the film and will be answering questions at the Varsity II theater in Ames after the 7:30pm showing today (Friday).
Tom Short has landed!
Campus evangelist Tom Short is here to preach and teach at ISU and Drake. I've heard Tom speak dozens of times and I've always been challenged, inspired, and encouraged by what he has to say and the way he says it... especially when confronting multiple hecklers at the same time. He is a rare and gifted man. Do all that you can to come out and see him. By the looks of the weather, Wednesday may be his only day on campus.
But you can catch him at these other locations too:
Wednesday (4/9)
9 - Noon Hand out “Why Jesus?” magazines on central campus, south of the Library.
12 – 5 Preach on campus, south of the Library
7 Speaks at youth group at Stonebrook Church
Thursday (4/10)
12 – 5 Preach on campus, if weather permits.
8:30 Speaks at Alive at Drake
Friday (4/11)
12 – 5 Preach on campus, if weather permits.
7:30 Speaks at The Rock on "All Religions are not the Same"
Saturday (4/12)
7pm Speaks at Des Moines Downtown Church
Sunday (4/13)
9am and 10:45am Speaks at Stonebrook Church
Heroes
Though you wouldn't think it based on the media's portrayal of the war, there is more than a body count coming out of Iraq. Army Spc. Monica Brown, is one of many to be honored for great acts of heroism. The story of her courage to administer medical aid to severely wounded soldiers while under heavy fire is riveting.
Accounts like this makes me think of all the unsung heroes in the church. Though I've only heard a few stories from the Rock's mission trips over spring break, there are several people that I would love to give a "medal of valor" to.
John Burdine, Jr. - After being encouraged to swing through NIU to see how we might assist whatever God is doing there in the aftermath of the brutal shootings, John and his team stepped foot onto the campus not sure what to do or even where to go. After several hours of awkwardness, God inspired John to just be honest with people. So he led his crew to tell people, "We are from Iowa State and we just spent our spring break in Chicago, and we wanted to swing through here on our way home because we heard about the shootings last month and wanted to give you our condolences and to see if things are going all right."
Upon hearing this, the students were immediately thankful and appreciative, and spiritual conversation was natural after that. With violence and death being such a hard thing to talk about, John and his team demonstrated what real love looks like.
Jenny Larson - Physically scarred from a bout with cancer, Jenny would have every excuse to be reserved and wounded, but that would be among the last things anyone would say about her. While home over spring break to help her family with the chores, Jenny would milk the cows especially early (like 5 am!) so she could drive to Decorah to help the few of us who were surveying the campus to find out what God is doing there and get the gospel out. She was not only bold in talking to people about the Lord, but she aggressively networked with local Christian leaders to help me get the big picture of the needs in NE Iowa.
On the second day of our labors at Luther College, Jenny was pulled aside by security who were concerned about what we were doing on their campus. Security directed us all to the campus ministries center for approval. As we met with Pastor Amy Larson, Jenny initiated by sharing her testimony in 15 seconds flat and proudly identified herself as "born again". Jenny modeled a confidence in Christ with such grace that it put everyone at ease in a very tense situation.
Rex Borseth - At the risk of showing nepotism, I've got to mention how proud I am of my son, Rex. This was his second spring break mission trip with college students, but this one was much more evangelical in nature sharing the gospel both in a mall in Cedar Falls and on campus at Luther. At 14 years of age, it would be very understandable for Rex to stand in the shadows in the face of 18 - 24 year old college students, but he didn't! He boldly took students through the survey and would offer comments during conversations about God and faith.
While sharing with me, Rex complained that he felt useless because I did all the talking and never gave him a chance. Surprised, I went ahead and gave him the survey and he led me and others in bringing up matters of faith in Christ. Rex reminded us all that the Holy Spirit is not hindered by age, education, or experience and neither should we.
All three of these warriors deserve to be honored among God's people!