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.”

Thanks and Prayers

Ephesians 1:15-23

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 Ido not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Sunrise over the Gulf
Sunrise over the Gulf

The people of Ephesus believed in Jesus and love his followers. So Paul expresses his thanks to God and continues to pray for them. His prayer for them is not only instructive, it is a model for us as well. It’s all about God, and Paul’s desire that the people would know God, embrace his wisdom, appreciate his gifts, appreciate his power; connecting it all with Jesus’ resurrection from the dead and his reign at the right hand of God. He prays that they would experience, comprehend, appreciate, and embrace the glory of Jesus.

On the one hand this is a “n0-duh” comment: Jesus is Lord. He is over all. The fullness of his being is worthy of note. These are, after all, the opening thoughts of a letter to the church and Paul wants to get things in order, setting the foundation for what is to follow. But there is surely more to this than polite reminders. The reality Paul describes has profound implications.

Our family will gather in Galveston for three days this week. It will be a wonderful time of remembering, celebrating, fun, and conversation. We’ll get our grandchildren fix for a while – all too short a time! But it should be a wonderful few days; we all love each other!

These words and thoughts will shape my prayers for my family this week. I thank God for them and their faith! I pray that they would know Jesus better and lay hold of the implications of his being, power, grace, and glory. There will always be needs and times of trial and challenge that will focus my prayers for them. Those prayers will be pointed and focused on their particular needs. But those prayers will be in the context of Christ’s being, glory, power, and the riches of our eternal future in him.

Thank you, Lord, for my family. Bless them with strong faith in Jesus, deep knowledge of Him, and a strong orientation toward his eternal blessings!

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