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.”

The Radiance of God’s Glory

Hebrews 1:1-4

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

We see glimpses of God’s glory in a beautiful sunset. We see hints of his glory in the smile of a newborn baby. We experience the touch of his glory in the word of kindness spoken by a friend to the heart of our pain. We sense the presence of God’s glory in the Easter Sunday worship as we sing our favorite hymn. The fullness of God’s glory, however, is found only in Jesus.

These words, “only in Jesus” must always be carefully crafted and spoken. For we live in evil times where such ideas are roundly and heartily examined. There is great suspicion toward any claim of exclusivity. We’ve been burned too many times. From toys we got from sending in cereal box tops, to promises made and forgotten when we were being recruited for a new position, to the many disappointments we experience when we dared to hope for something good: we have learned not to put too much stock in promises of superlative excellence.

But Jesus is the only true radiance of God’s glory. He alone bears the imprint of God’s nature perfectly. None other upholds the universe by the word of his power. Only Jesus made purification for our sins and then sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high. So here it is: Jesus is the only way to God. There is no other on whom I will stake my eternity. How about you?

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