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.”

Show-off!

Ephesians 2:4-7

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

We’ll call him Roger (not his real name). When I think of person who was a show-off, I immediately think of Roger. My mother told me that a show-off was insecure. But I didn’t believe it at the time. I was simply in awe. When he crashed a party I gave I was actually impressed: Roger actually showed up at my party?!? Wow, that almost made me cool. But I lived in his shadow; he was cool. I was a nobody.

Imagine the surprise I feel to know that not only was my mom right about show-offs, but you and I and all who believe in Jesus are being shown as evidence of God’s goodness, love, and salvation. We’re not show-offs; we are being displayed as trophies of God’s grace. He is a show-off — but not the kind that my classmate was. For God is not insecure (Roger was – more than I knew). His display of us as trophies of his grace is not self-serving; it is testimony of his goodness so that all may see his grace and believe and have the gift of life.

I feel sorry for Roger; I don’t think he was headed in a good direction. I suspect that unless he changed his way, that his life is litered with broken marriages, estranged children, empty relationships, and lots of money and outward success. There is no security in that. But as a trophy of God’s grace we have an eternal security, a rich inheritance, and a glorious future – all in Christ Jesus. That’s better than having to be a show-off any day.

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