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.”

Love is stronger than death.

John 5:24

“I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.

This tiny flower – against all odds of being choked out by the surrounding grass and weeds – persists in growing and blooming.

Our family has experienced the sting of death in bold and challenging ways these past weeks. With the death of Nici, our daughter-in-law, on November 29, we had the great joy of experiencing the love of family, the hope of victory in Christ and His resurrection at her memorial service, and the comfort of God’s love through it all.

A more recent death in the family did not afford us those same comforts; there was no funeral or memorial service. But the love of God and our Christian hope sustained us as we gathered with family to express His love and ours, and to encourage each other along the way. This was a more difficult experience for us all.

But the same love that took us to north Texas for Nici’s memorial service took us to Missouri to be with family during that time of loss and sadness. And the same love that gives us hope for our eternal future, compels us to live in hope today.

Henri Nouwen writes of this love that is stronger even than death:

Let us claim the truth that we are loved and open our heats to receive God’s overflowing love poured out for us. And living fully each day let us share that love in all our relationships, responsibilities and passages.

The greatest tragedy of life is when someone knows the love of God in Jesus Christ, but empties it of its power by ignoring the deep truth of that love and living as though it means nothing at all. If our eternity has been secured; if we have passed over from death to life; we must take hold of that truth here and now. Then when our last hour comes we will not be in despair, but hopeful and confidently filled with joy in anticipation of the “full realization of our identity as God’s veloved children and to full communion with the God of love” (Nouwen).

Again, Nouwen:

Jesus walked the path ahead of us and invites to choose the same path during our lifetime. He calls to us, “Follow Me.” He assures us “Do not be afraid.” This is our faith.

Amen.

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