Rev. Patrick Baldwin:
LWML WY District Senior Pastoral Counselor
Lenten Message - 3/5/2025
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In these words chosen to be the theme verse for the coming convention, St. Peter encourages us to grow in grace. On the one hand, growth is something that all of us as Christians desire for our faith. No one would ever say, “I wish my faith would wither a little bit!” No, we desire to grow, and rightly so!
Yet on the other hand, sometimes growth, or the things needed for growth, can be unpleasant. Our Lord Jesus says, “Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” Jesus is here describing the action of His Father, the vinedresser, as He cares for Christians, those branches joined to Christ, the true vine.
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It is a stern saying of judgment that our Lord takes away those branches that do not bear fruit. Yet also difficult can be the second part of the verse, where the Father prunes those branches that do bear fruit. As Christians, we might wonder why God sends us hardship or loss. We’re being faithful! We’re bearing fruit! Why is He doing this to me?
Why? Because He loves you! In this life, even the most fruitful branches, the most faithful Christians are still sinners, still having places in our lives that are afflicted by the blight and mildew of sin. Sometimes we can’t see those places. Sometimes we choose to turn a blind eye to them. Sometimes we try to justify the sins, saying that, while that place might not have lots of fruit, the leaves are so nice and green. But our Lord knows better – perfectly, even! And in love, He comes and cuts those parts off, to keep the rest of the branch from becoming diseased. Will this hurt? Probably. But is it for our good? Without a doubt! Our Lord prunes our lives in love, getting rid of idols and temptations that would lead us away from Him.
When the devil would tempt you to doubt this love of God in pruning, then look to the cross of Jesus. There, the Son of God was afflicted far beyond any pruning or discipline we might endure. God’s wrath was poured out on Jesus there on Golgotha. And yet from the side of Christ came forth blood and water, which go into the soil of our hearts and are used by the Holy Spirit to made the word planted there grow and bring forth faith and all its fruits.
As you enter into the season of Lent, think about this pruning of our Lord and how it is a blessing. Spend time in God’s word, and don’t be afraid when you come to those parts that are uncomfortable, that would call you to repent and turn away from sins in your life. Pray that God would show you those areas that need to be pruned, and ask for His strength to do so. And as you feel the sting of the pruning shears, remember that it is a sign that you are connected to the true vine, our crucified and risen Savior. He will continue to grow you through His Word and Sacraments, that you bear fruit of eternal blessing.
The Lord be with you,
Pastor Baldwin
Winter 2024-2025 Website Article
(Posted 12/12/2024)
It always catches me a little by surprise when I notice how it’s dark so much earlier this time of year. The darkness, combined with the cold, can make winter a little dreary. And yet, the darkness makes the light seem all the brighter. The moon and stars seem clearest and brightest on those cold winter nights. The light coming through the church windows feels warmer and more inviting when we pull up for Advent evening services. The lights shining and blinking on the houses on our street appear all the more cheerful against the snow and night. The gift of light is one that God gives to us to remind us of Himself and His love, ever
present for us in Christ.
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. - Genesis 1:3
Light was the very first thing God spoken into existence. Into that inky void, His voice sounded, and immediately brilliance erupted, pushing back the darkness. That light would shine as God gave order to chaos, shaping the earth and filling it with life. In that light, the Lord would make those who would bear His image, man from the dust, and woman from man’s side. That light was good, illuminating a world that was very good.
In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. - John 1:4
Though creation would be plunged into darkness through the sin of man, the God of light would not let it remain so. He Himself would come, bringing light and life once more. Heavenly light would blaze as angels declared divine peace and good will to humble shepherds. The light of a miraculous star would guide Gentiles to worship before the King of the Jews. And in the early morning light, faithful women would be told, “He is not here, for He has risen, as He said!”
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. - Psalm 119:105
Enlightened and inspired by God the Holy Spirit, holy men of God would be carried along to write down God’s word. Through this word, light is brought into our hearts, casting out the sin within us. The light of the word gives us hope in a world increasingly given over to darkness. It shines with warmth to comfort us when confronted by sadness and death. It illuminates our path, showing us how to walk as children of the light, that the world may see and give glory to our Father in heaven.
During this season when the darkness last longer, give thanks for the extra luster it adds to the light. Gather together with fellow Christians around Christ, the light of the world. Read the light of His word in your homes, and sing it in the wonderful hymns we’ve been handed down, such as “Come, Thou Bright and Morning Star” and “The Day Thou Gavest.” And in all things, remember the wonderful news that “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
The Lord be with you all,
Pastor Baldwin
July 2024
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” This was the theme verse chosen
for the Twenty-seventh Biennial Convention – and what a fitting verse it was! There were
many reasons for rejoicing there in Powell: time spent in fellowship with friends old and new,
hearing about various ways in which our Lord is using even little mites to spread His Gospel
and care for His people, and of course gathering to be fed by Him through Word and
Sacrament in the Divine Service. Of course, these are just a few of the many reasons we
were given to rejoice; I’m sure you can think of many others. (Maybe even surprise donut
walks that caught certain pastoral counselors unaware!)
But what about times where the reasons to rejoice aren’t as obvious – if you can see
them at all? Both convention speakers, Mrs. Rosanne Muncy and Deaconess Stephanie
Wilde, talked about occasions where worldly joy was hard to find. For individuals in prison
and children suffering from traumatic experiences, causes for rejoicing may seem completely
obscured by sadness and pain. And even in our own lives, times of trial – big or small –
would seem to take away our ability to rejoice. Where do we turn in these times?
As our theme verse reminds us, we turn to the Lord and rejoice in Him. Both Mrs.
Muncy and Deaconess Wilde made this point in their excellent presentations. And even
more, we heard this truth in the hymn beautifully sung by the ladies of the Divine Service
Choir. In the words of “Rejoice, My Heart, Be Glad and Sing,” the great Lutheran hymn writer
Paul Gerhardt reminds us that God Himself is our source of joy. Whatever happens, we can
cast our cares on Him. In times of gladness and in times of joy, we know that our Lord in
wisdom is using them to bring about a blessed ending. In every hour, God is our true
treasure, joy, light, life, Lord, counselor, shield, and great reward, and therefore these things
cannot be taken from us!
Because God has made us His people in Holy Baptism, we are never without a reason
to rejoice. In the coming two years that I get to serve as Senior Pastoral Counselor for our
district, I hope to share in many more occasions of rejoicing. And even when those draw to a
close, we know that the greater rejoicing is still yet to come!
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Baldwin
