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.”

Experiencing and expressing Jesus’ love: that’s living!

John 13:34-35

[Jesus says,] “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Tiny Purple Beauties
Tiny Purple Beauties

We are in the second of three weeks series on spiritual markers – those pulse and blood pressure type measures that might point out areas of our spiritual health and vitality that need attention, or perhaps that we are even unaware of. Today we will consider the ways in which we show love to one another within the body of Christ. Last week was celebrate. Next week is share. This week is live. When we experience Christ’s love and express that same love to others we are most truly and fully alive.

Christ’s love inspires our love for one another. John says, “We love because he first loved us.” That love is powerfully compelling (2 Corinthians 5:14). When we experience Jesus’ love amazing things happen. For one we are undone. Stunned. Awed. Freed. Something about Jesus’ redeeming love and his unconditional grace to us: There’s nothing like it for it is framed within the truth of our being and God’s justice. It is perfect and powerful.

When we express that same love to others we give testimony of Jesus’ love and our discipleship. Some would say that a pious life is proof of our discipleship. Others would say that true doctrine is the test of our discipleship. Still others would say a certain manner of dress or mode of worship, or missionary zeal proves that we are disciples of Jesus. Jesus says, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Both our experience and our expression of Christ’s love glorifies the Father shows the work of the Holy Spirit within us. What a beautiful way to honor God: Love one another: just as Jesus has loved us, we also are to love one another. Sounds like a great challenge and wonderful adventure!

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