The Pastoral Grind

 (Originally written for The Baldwin Bulletin: Pastor's Column April 17, 2024) …Even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter. So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God. Therefore we are c

 (Originally written for The Baldwin Bulletin: Pastor's Column February 14, 2024) …And all who dwell on earth will worship [the blasphemous beast], everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. If anyone has an ear, let him hear: If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints. (Revelation 13:8-10) Yes, here I come interrupting your lovely Valentine’s (or Galentine’s) Day celebrations with some difficult words from Revelation. I honestly had considered writing about Christian origins of today’s consumerist holiday, but I’m not well-versed and Wikipedia seems to do a thorough job. I am currently preaching through the bulk of Revelation at Baldwin Christian Reformed Church. My interpretation is not a strict literal interpretation of the book. I believe it may contain