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.”

Two Moves

Psalm 33:6-9

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
and by the breath of his mouth all their host.

7 He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap;
he puts the deeps in storehouses.

8 Let all the earth fear the Lord;
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!
9 For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.

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God is to be praised by all people. Sometimes we lose sight of that. There is not just a problem with those who do not know God nor worship him. It’s not just that they are unfulfilled. It’s not merely a matter of an emptiness in their soul that yearns to be filled. The reality is that we are all living in God’s world. We’re using God’s resources. We are the result of his creative power.

But we are willful and forgetful. We don’t easily place ourselves under God’s care and authority. We would much rather go our own way. And while we’re at it, too often we simply forget that God is the Lord, and that we are his creatures. We lose sight of his providence – thinking that we are responsible for our lot in life and not relying on him to provide for our needs. We ignore his sovereignty – imaging that we are free agents in the scheme of life.

The fact is that God’s providential care sustains us daily. This is a blessing for which we must give thanks. The truth is that God reigns over all of creation – including each of us. This is a reality that we must acknowledge. In regard to these truths we must repent of our failure to acknowledge them and believe that God’s goodness and mercy avails to us at all times.

When we acknowledge our failure to fear, love, and trust God at all times, we are most able to fear, love, and trust him at all times! Repentance (the acknowledgment of our failures) leads us to faith (doing the very thing we have failed to do).

When you see the beautiful sunset today, or encounter a moment of kindness or peace, thank God. Remember his proper place. Point out to others the reality of God’s place in all of life. Invite others to stand in awe of him.

Psalm 33:1-5

Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous!
Praise befits the upright.
2 Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre;
make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!
3 Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.

4 For the word of the Lord is upright,
and all his work is done in faithfulness.
5 He loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.

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