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.”

Apologies Accepted

Matthew 3:1-3

1In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea 2and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” 3This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
“A voice of one calling in the desert,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’ ”

The west side of one of many churches in Charleston, SC
The west side of one of many churches in Charleston, SC

Sometimes we are clearly aware of a need to apologize. We forget an anniversary. We miss a deadline. We hurt someone’s feelings. But sometimes the offense is so great that we cannot seem to placate the person we have wronged.

When John the Baptist comes on the scene, he calls for the people to recognize the near presence of God’s kingdom and in response to that to repent. Of course this word calls for more than an apology: it calls for a change of heart; a change in the way we are thinking.

Whereas we once may have thought that God is a convenient good luck charm, we are now to recognize Him as a consuming fire. Whereas we may have once done all we could to keep God at arm’s length, now we are to invite His presence. Whereas once we may have believed that we’ve got things well-in-hand, now we are to recognize that we have no power of our own – that God has all power in all things. These, to name just a few; an honest person will have plenty to rearrange in his heart and mind.

The great thing about John’s call to repentance is the Good News behind it: the Kingdom of God is at hand. And the Kingdom of God is a kingdom of grace, mercy, redemption, and salvation. God was setting about to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. God was rescuing us from the grip of sin, death, and Satan. And when people come to Him in repentance through Jesus, God receives them.

Maybe there is someone to whom you owe an apology today. Give it. Sincerely. Perhaps you need to do some “getting real” with God today. Get real. With your whole heart. The Good News of God is that He not only accepts apologies; he receives, welcomes, delights in, and loves all who come to Him through Jesus, and invites us to live in His eternal kingdom of faithfulness, truth and life.

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