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.”

What would Jesus do?

Psalm 71:12-16

O God, be not far from me;
O my God, make haste to help me!
13 May my accusers be put to shame and consumed;
with scorn and disgrace may they be covered
who seek my hurt.
14 But I will hope continually
and will praise you yet more and more.
15 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,
of your deeds of salvation all the day,
for their number is past my knowledge.
16 With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come;
I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.

On the one hand, we would rather not have to pray this psalm. We would rather all people love and appreciate us; that we have no accusers pointing the finger, suffer no scorn, nor experience any hurt. On the other hand, if that were the case in this fallen and crooked world it would be a sign of utter chameleon-like and two-faced behavior of which even the most shrewd politician would be ashamed.

Clarity of character and behavior has consequences, one of them being that someone is going to be seeking our ruin. This is no call to paranoia. But as the saying goes, “Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not all out to get you!” So ought the saying go, “Just because you try to go with the flow doesn’t mean you’re going the right direction. There are times we ought to stand against the tide, tilt against the windmills of the prevailing culture, and sit in disapproval of that which is receiving a standing ovation.

The psalms of the Old Testament give voice to the life and faith of Christ; he lived these things out in perfect faith and obedience. So if I want to do what Jesus did, I will look at these verses and seek to imitate him in my daily walk. I will meet those who oppose me and seek my downfall (Satan, the world, my enemies) with relentless faith and trust in God.

I will entrust myself to God when the hardships come and people stand in my way. Sometimes I will do so with a sadness of heart because some of those who are against me are fellow sinners – redeemed to be sure, but sinners nonetheless. Sometimes I will do so with a resolute conviction that will not back down because the lines are drawn so very clearly.

In the end I will entrust myself to the Lord and lead with his mighty deeds in mind. I will remind myself and others of his righteousness, and his righteousness alone.

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.