David Bahn – Reflections

Light from the Word and through the lens

recent posts

about

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.”

Security

Hebrews 10:19-25

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25  not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Our standing before God has been secured. We are assured that we may enter the holy of holies – the very most sacred place of God’s presence. We are urged, therefore, to draw near to God with true hearts. This is vitally-important calling. It means that we are to approach God as we truly are, with no dissembling or deceit, no pretense or posturing. We need not be anyone or anything other than who or what we are.

The pressure is off. We need not pretend we have not sinned: we’ve been forgiven by Jesus’ blood and cleansed by baptism into his death. We need not fear his wrath: we’ve been invited by the King of kings into his presence and our high priest is still our advocate.

What a difference this makes in our personal relationships! We need not put on airs: we are just like everyone else. We’ve been invited into the very presence of God. We don’t have to make ourselves more important than anyone else. We can be ever-hopeful without being arrogant for our hope is in God. We need not look over our shoulder to find security by means of our own vigilance. And in the face of insurmountable odds, or discouraging set-back we can have hope. For we look beyond ourselves to God and are invited into his presence “behind the curtain.”

When we look behind the curtain (literally!) we will not find a lever-pulling, monster-machine-running, puffed-up, over-compensating wizard. We will find the living God who is faithful, holy, merciful, life-giving, and good. He has promised good things and his promises are pure and trustworthy.

Discover more from David Bahn – Reflections

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Posted in

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.