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.”

Stopping God

I wouldn’t suggest it. There is such a thing as an unstoppable force and an immovable object. God is either and both.  But having said that…

Cemetery Marker - IHS Cross
This cemetery marker – a granite cross – is a reminder of the source of our salvation; not just of death.

Matthew 13:53-58

And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there, 54 and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? 56And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” 58And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.

How is it that the Son of God did not do many miracles in his home town? Matthew tells us that it was because of their unbelief. The reality is that Jesus can do all things – anything he wants to do. Heal diseases, walk on water, raise the dead, still the stormy seas: these are the markers of his ministry on earth.

But the words of Matthew are a warning against unbelief. Mark says that on this occasion Jesus, “could do no mighty work there,” (Mark 5:6 [emphasis added]) and he marveled at their unbelief. We don’t really prevent God from doing what he wants to do by our unbelief. But we do prevent ourselves from enjoying the fullness of his work in our lives when we do not believe. God is the unstoppable force. Our lack of faith, however, is the immovable object that stands in our way.

Jesus’ reminder, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:23), is a call to repentance for our unbelief. It is also a call to faith. Pray for the Holy Spirit to fill you with faith. Keep reading his word, praying, and seeking God. The unstoppable force of his grace and love will delight you and bring you an ever growing faith.

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