shmicolin

I remember about two weeks into Hebrew 1 when I was quite literally dying and he called me up to the board. As of that moment, I will never ever forget the word, "yad." I do believe though that we are incredibly blessed because we were the last class to get into Hebrew. God's timing in putting us there and putting Colin in our lives cannot be overlooked. I fear to think what we would be like on the backside of college without Colin's wisdom and teachings to mold us and guide us. Not only was he a outstanding teacher, he was simply an outstanding man. His evident love for his wife and children will leave an indelible mark on us as we pursue and grow in our relationships with our wives/future wives. His sense of humor balanced with his immense fear of God remind us of the beautiful symmetry evident in the lives of God's faithful servants. His scholarship manifested itself no only in his giant intellect, but in his humility. I remember when he was telling us about his teachers, and he remarked that all the truly scholarly men he knew were also deeply humble. Surely, Colin's humility did not go unnoticed by his students or his peers. His heart for his students and congregation should inspire us to mentor and impact the lives of others as he did for us. Colin has impacted us more than he would ever have even known. He did not just teach us Hebrew, he taught us to love scholarship and supremely to love God's word. Unfortunately, it has taken his passing to remind me of the Godsend he was. However, I know that Colin is transformed into that final degree of glory with our Savior, Jesus Christ. I rejoice with him and for him. He is home.

Remembering Colin

I would have to echo with Josh the class of the candy corn/apple incident in Ruth/Esther was a very memorable Colin class.

I remember the first time that he called me out in Hebrew class and I pronounced something in Hebrew with an "eh" instead of "ahh". He asked me was I from Upstate/Western NY and I said yes. He then replied, "I am sorry, that accent will be a curse to you for as long as you live!"

I always enjoyed when Colin brought modern culture into our "ancient" language classes. The one class he asked, "Have anyone of you watched 8 mile?" With no response, he continued, "you know the movie aboout Eminem the rapper who grew up in Detroit." He thought it was a shame that we had never seen that movie and asked us what we do with our time anyhow?!?!

Then there were the Colin phrases that will never be forgotten. The one Men's Meeting when he answered the question with, "There are entrances and exits...don't confuse the two." Or when he would be begin to write something and mess up, "OH RHONDA!". Last but not least the comeback for everything that we did not know in his class in which he thought we should have known, "They didn't teach you this is Sunday School?!?!?!"

When thinking of Colin, what impressed me the most was his humility as a servant of God, his faithfulness to the Word, and his relationship with his Savior. He taught his students to develop a love for the Word in which one would ultimately develop a deeper love for the author of the Word.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (In memory of Colin)

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Iysh Gadol

I thought it would be rather appropriate for us to express honor and gratefulness to God for this great man who served us for two particular years of our college lives. His influence in our thinking and living will abide and has been a gracious gift to us. I have recorded a few of my favorite memories, although there are several more. I would appreciate hearing yours as well. We all knew and loved him, and his smiling face and giddy spirit are now being fulfilled in the glorious presence of our Redeemer.


Exegesis of Ruth and Esther was one of his most remarkable classes. I'm glad Paul talked me into dropping homiletics for it. In the fall of that year ('06) he loved eating candy corn. One time during class he had a handful of candy corn while he was writing on the chalkboard with the other hand. He popped another piece of candy in his mouth and then started spitting out what was really the chalk he had been writing with.

Soon after that, someone threw an apple threw the open window of room 224 and hit a student in the back. Colin swiftly picked up the apple, ran to the window and called the villain to "show yourself!"

And then, there was the time he held his grandchild for half of the class while he taught us Ecclesiology in Theo IV. Never did a man more brilliantly harmonize scholarship and love; his mind and his heart both beat for the glory of God, His Word and His church.

Colby Wedding

I know Colby will not be reading this for awhile but I would like to congratulate him on becoming married. It was a beautiful wedding and wonderful people! I love you guys and the discussions we share along with the memorable times. I pray all is well with everyone that reads this and I thank God for the influence that each and everyone of you have had in my life.

God Bless,

Rick