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.”

Citizenship

Philippians 3:17-21

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

For [God's] invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. - Romans 1:20
For [God’s] invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. – Romans 1:20
These words of Paul seem especially appropriate to me today following the Supreme Court’s decisions regarding same sex marriage and the homosexual agenda. Suffice it to say that the biblical definition of marriage as a union of one man and one woman has been set aside by the high court. The social/moral/sexual agenda being advanced by the proponents of the gay and lesbian lifestyle.

Friends and family members alike have applauded the decision. I am deeply saddened by it. And the exhortation above speaks to me and for me: Having been married for 38 years, and committed to one spouse, having sought to raise an intact family who marry and have children, and seeking to honor God in my daily life, I join with Paul in urging you to imitate me. I’m not a perfect example by any means. But I am an example. It is within that context that I would speak to this situation specifically. Simply put, Paul exhorts us to:

  • Set a good example for others as followers of Jesus Christ;
  • Recognize that there are other ways to live, but the end of those ways is destruction; and
  • Remember that our citizenship is not here, but in heaven; and that
  • We look forward to the transformation of our bodies at the resurrection.

These words are important to me – especially as we approach the celebration of Independence Day. I consider the United States of America to be singularly excellent. It is a totally unique nation under the sun. God has blessed us richly. I fear that we may have so turned our backs on him as a nation, that we can no longer lay claim to his favor. I fear the natural results of our turning away from him – a continued “slouching toward Gomorrah” in the words of former and rejected Supreme Count candidate, Robert Bork. Sad.

But since our true citizenship is in heaven, and we await the return of our Lord Jesus from there on the Great Last Day, we live as shining lights in this dark world. Sadly many will ignore our witness. As one writer observed:

One of the underestimated aspects of the one out of five Americans (and one out of three Millennials) who are now thoroughly religiously unaffiliated is that, according to Barna’s research, they aren’t actually seekers. They’re not looking or thinking about being part of a community focused on spirituality, in prayer, fellowship, worship, or anything else. Their exposure to faith is diminished because they want it to be.

In a nation where fewer people truly practice religion, fewer people external to those communities will see any practical reason to protect the liberty of those who do. (The Future of Religious Liberty, realclearreligion.org).

Come Lord Jesus! Come!

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.