David Bahn – Reflections

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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.”

Again?!?

Psalm 113:1-3

 Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
praise the name of the Lord!

2 Blessed be the name of the Lord
from this time forth and forevermore!
3 From the rising of the sun to its setting,
the name of the Lord is to be praised!

The kindergarten girl folded her arms over her chest. She stomped her Sunday shoes and shook her head, hair and ribbons flying back and forth. Her pretty Sunday dress was a stark contrast to her stubbornness: “I don’t want to go to church. I don’t want to say the Lord’s Prayer again!” She had said the Lord’s Prayer once in Sunday School, and in her mind that was enough. Not again!

Sometimes we may feel similarly about the constant call of the Psalms: “Praise the Lord!” Again? I just did that yesterday. Again! I just did it before breakfast.

But the Lord’s name is to be praised from the rising of the sun to its setting. The Lord is to be blessed, honored, praised, worshipped, and served. Why? Because the Lord is mighty, merciful, good, exalting the humble and giving the needy blessing upon blessing. How richly all that came together in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection!

If you’re not humble you won’t want to praise God – for any number of reasons. But the two most outstanding reasons are because praise requires humility, and God favors the humble. Grace is not needed by the high and mighty. The kings of the earth make no room for a greater One.

If you are not inclined to praise God today, perhaps it is time for a spiritual inventory: are you too busy running your own world and too little in need of God’s grace? Do you have the world by the tail and do you consider God an imposition? If so, repent and believe the Good News. The Kingdom of God is at hand; he reigns over all the earth. The humility of repentance leads to the joy of praise! From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised. Again and again.

 

Psalm 113

Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
praise the name of the Lord!

2 Blessed be the name of the Lord
from this time forth and forevermore!
3 From the rising of the sun to its setting,
the name of the Lord is to be praised!

4 The Lord is high above all nations,
and his glory above the heavens!
5 Who is like the Lord our God,
who is seated on high,
6 who looks far down
on the heavens and the earth?
7 He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
8 to make them sit with princes,
with the princes of his people.
9 He gives the barren woman a home,
making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the Lord!

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2 responses to “Again?!?”

  1. Kari Breckon Avatar
    Kari Breckon

    I was out and about and saw a sign that said, “What if today you woke up with only the things that you thanked God for yesterday?”
    Makes you think and thank a lot more often!

    Reply
    1. dlbpandp Avatar
      dlbpandp

      That’s a good one Kerry. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply

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