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.”

Eye on the Prize

Psalm 21:1-7

O Lord, in your strength the king rejoices,
and in your salvation how greatly he exults!
2 You have given him his heart’s desire
and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah
3 For you meet him with rich blessings;
you set a crown of fine gold upon his head.
4 He asked life of you; you gave it to him,
length of days forever and ever.
5 His glory is great through your salvation;
splendor and majesty you bestow on him.
6 For you make him most blessed forever;
you make him glad with the joy of your presence.
7 For the king trusts in the Lord,
and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.

I will share the message this afternoon at the Lutheran Campus Center Chapel of Hope at SEMO University. I am looking forward to the occasion with some amount of timidity. I am not worried about the Word of God; that’s settled and secure in its truth. I’m not worried about the people who will be there; they are the ones God has called to be there this afternoon, and he has a message for them – through me, the hymns, or liturgy. I am not even worried about what I will say; me message is from the word (Hebrews 6:19 to be precise). My concern is that I will take my eye off the prize.

Several years ago some friends came to worship at St. John. They had joined us for the evening before and we were heading out after the service for a couple of days in Galveston. I was excited. I also took my eyes off the prize. As I began my message I was thinking about Galveston. I was already down the road. And the train came off the tracks. I lost my place in the message (that had never happened before!). I had to stop and say, “I need to pray…” And I did pray. And God heard and answered the prayer. The derailment was re-railed and we finished the message and service with my eyes on the prize – fully and firmly.

I’m not worried about losing my place. I’m not worried about messing up. But I know how easily it is to lose sight of the prize that is in Christ the King. He is the one who has all glory, life and salvation. Nothing else in all the earth can touch his splendor, majesty or might. Those who trust him will not be moved. We will stand forever alive and eternally joyful. That is our truest hope!

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