A.T. Robertson and Charles Simeon

Seventy-five years ago today A.T. Robertson died, but not before leaving his imprint on the history of New Testament scholarship. Robertson was arguably The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary's most prolific professor. His classes are legend here at Southern and his influence was wide-spread. His Shorter Grammar was the favorite of Pope John XXIII and congregations across the United States eagerly awaited his arrival to hear him preach. The tragedy of Robertson's life was his inability to engage his own family; his daughter was an agnostic and his son never expressed interest in Spiritual things. It is a stern warning concerning the family life of the proclaimers of God's Word.

Also on this day, 250 years ago, Charles Simeon was born. Simeon is a hero of mine as he was the model of perseverance. He served in the same church for fifty-four years many of which were marked by an extreme dislike for him by his congregation. When asked why he did not move on from the hostile situation Simeon would point to the fact that God simply did not provide any other options. Simeon's persistence and faithfulness to God's Word and to the calling God gave him is an incredible testimony. I identify with Simeon as his early years proved him a prideful man; God clearly had a plan to uproot the sin by giving him such a difficult post.

I would encourage you to seek biographical information on each of these men as their lives can teach us so much about the faithfulness of God.

Rainbows

In the past week, we have had multiple storms and multiple rainbows here in Fargo.





Has anyone ever thought that we are on the right side of the rainbow? Maybe the other side isn't so great? Although an unpopular view to the rest of culture, I am glad I am on this side. Or at least on this side of God's covenant...

Five Reasons Why Today Was A Good Day

1. This morning's sermon was about hope. Hope is the desired end, not absence of trouble. Good reminder.
   
2. I had a wonderful meal with my almost in-laws.
3. It was absolutely beautiful outside. Nice days mean a lot in Fargo because often the wind blows 40 mph and the last of the snow just melted.
   
4. I disc golfed.
5. I know that tomorrow God's mercies are new. His faithfulness is great.
   

An Important Conversation

Last fall I attended the 2007 Desiring God National Conference. Twice over the weekend the speakers sat down and answered questions that were immediately relevant to the theme of the conference, Stand: A Call for the Endurance of the Saints. It was a time marked by transparency and humility and had an immense impact on the way that I view ministry.

Below is a clip from the first of the two conversations. John Piper and John MacArthur answered questions from Justin Taylor. You can also view both conversations in their entirety as well as the rest of the sessions at desiringGod.org.



You will notice that there is nothing earth-shattering about what either man said. However, they were, and still are, faithful to the fundamental principles of Scripture and God has grown their ministries. It is encouraging to my heart to hear faithful servants attribute their success in ministry, not to a magic formula that they applied to their situation or to doing all the right things, but to the faithfulness of God.