David Bahn – Reflections

Light from the Word and through the lens

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In 1968 Jerry Snell opened a door in the hallway outside our first hour chemistry class. He invited me into what I discovered was a darkroom. Soon I was on the school newspaper and annual staff as a photographer. Later I learned that Jerry was a Lutheran who was planning to become a pastor. A few years later I was not only a Lutheran, but I was heading off to seminary to become a Lutheran pastor, too. Jerry followed a year later and served as a pastor in Missouri until his untimely heart attack and death. I thank God for Jerry and enjoy photography still today – not to mention rejoicing in having served as a Lutheran pastor in congregations in Utah, Colorado, Arkansas and Texas. I’ve retired now and serve part time as a Congregational Support Specialist for the Texas District of the LCMS. I also provide coaching and leadership training through various PLI cohorts and with individual congregations and organizations. David Bahn is a follower of Jesus Christ, husband to Diane, father and grandfather. He is an avid amateur photographer. His photo website is “Flowers by God Photos by David” He also publishes a devotional blog DavidBahn-Reflections.com. He and Diane live in Cypress Texas and enjoy visiting their grandchildren who live in the United States and Germany. He graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary in 1979, and earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1991. Diane, his wife, is now retired from PLI (PLIleadership.org). They have offered presentations on Marriage and Ministry Partnership, Leadership, Changing Your Congregation’s Culture, and Missional Living. They look are working with PLI International training pastors and wives of the ELVD Diocese of the Lutheran Church of Tanzania. David’s personal mission statement is “Leading people to realize Jesus’ calling and plans for their lives.”

The Celebration of God’s Lavish Gift-Giving

God's grace on display as people share His work in their lives by way of "Cardboard Testimonies"
God's grace on display as people share His work in their lives by way of "Cardboard Testimonies"

How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son [emphasis added]. (Ephesians 1:3-6 – The Message)

 

The people pictured above held cardboard signs for all to see at our St. John Celebration Sunday last March. On one side: their story of defeat, failure, pain, discouragement. On the other side a story of God’s lavish gift-giving to them: forgiveness, healing, hope, and redemption. While we were culminating our capital stewardship campaign for a new worship center, we focused primarily on God’s grace to us and the lavish nature of His grace.

The celebration of God’s lavish gift-giving has several important characteristics:

  • There are many people involved. Jesus warns us that the Way to God is narrow and that the road to destruction is wide (and many are taking it). Let’s not get swept away by the rush of modern culture and the visible ways of the world. But let’s also not forget that in the end, there is a great multitude of people from every tribe, language, and people before the throne of the Lamb. There are so many, no one can count them. They are praising Christ in celebration of His lavish gift of salvation.
  • It’s all about what Christ has done for us. We have been saved. And whether we speak of that as a miraculous physical healing, or a rescue from addiction, or a deep sense of God’s forgiveness, or an eternal hope in the Resurrection; we are all celebrating “his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son” Jesus Christ.
  • It is to be seen! No lights hidden under baskets. No secret meetings. No hush-hush clandestine plans. God’s lavish gift-giving is meant to be celebrated. Celebrations, by nature, are exuberant! They’re vocal! They’re expressive.

When you gather for worship this week, make it a point to celebrate God’s lavish gift-giving in a manner that is in keeping with the nature of His salvation. In the end, God could want to be known for his power, might, justice, and holiness. All these are good things. But the focus of God’s intent is that we are struck deeply by his grace and goodness in Jesus; that we join together in the eternal celebration of His lavish gift-giving in Christ Jesus.

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