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.”

It’s no secret

The work of God is a mystery; it’s not always obvious, nor is it easily understood. Often we see the reason for his work in our lives only in retrospect.

Cables and Bolts
Cables and bolts are ready to be secured to the steel framework to add strength to the structure.

Matthew 13:31-35

[Jesus] told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches.”

33He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

34Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. 35So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet:
“I will open my mouth in parables,
I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.”

It was after Jesus’ death and resurrection that even his disciples understood what his ministry was really all about. It was after his trip to Damascus that Saul began to understand how God truly was at work in Jesus, and that he was completely wrong in his persecution of the early Christians. It was after he had denied Jesus three times that Peter realized how true Jesus’ words were and how far he had fallen.

But in each case, God was calling people back to himself, inviting repentance and faith by revealing the fuller context of his workings. Jesus was, by his teaching in parables, revealing God’s truth and ways. Matthew and the other Gospel writers were all touched so deeply by Jesus’ life and ministry and the truth he revealed that they recorded his words and deeds.

We should reflect on these words and deeds of Jesus, seeking to understand and apply to our lives the eternal truths of God that he has revealed.  We should also seek to understand God’s working in our lives today, and seek to apply the truth of God’s word to us today. The things hidden from the creation of the world have been revealed. God’s eternal goodness, mercy and grace has been seen and heard. What may yet be revealed is God’s working in your life today, and how his goodness is yet to be displayed in your life.

While it may be a mystery, it is no secret: God’s will and intent is good and his lovingkindness endures forever.

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