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.”

What doesn’t work…and Who does

Acts 7:2

And Stephen said: “Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran…

A church, town hall, and grocery store may be seen in this aerial photo of a small town Texas.
A church, town hall, and grocery store may be seen in this aerial photo of a small town Texas.

Stephen’s speech to the Council, recorded in Acts 7 is a lesson in Jewish history. But a careful reading of that history shows it to be a lesson in what doesn’t work with regard to religion and life with God. From Abraham and the Patriarchs, to Moses and the Exodus, to the prophets, God’s chosen people never quite got things right. They always managed to get distracted by temptation and fall into sin. So, at the end of Stephen’s speech Luke records:

“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, 53 you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.

54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:51-60)

To know not only what does not work but also what does work in religion and life with God is a vitally important thing. Stephen sees the glory of God as he is being stoned to death, and testifies to the fact that Jesus is standing in that glory at the right hand of God. In the face of death, injustice, and the horror of being stoned, Stephen looks to Jesus, confesses him as Lord, and asks that his persecutors be forgiven.

If I am to take this reality seriously I will look to Jesus whenever life is difficult. That is a great comfort to be sure. But Jesus is also the one who “works” when life is going well. That means that in the face of good fortune, and great times of joy, I need to keep in mind that Jesus is at the right hand of God. He reigns over all. He is exalted above all. The grave mistake that the Israelites made throughout their history was to lose sight of God’s proper place in their lives. They abandoned the one who gave them all they had and chose them to be his own people.

I thank God that he is faithful, good, merciful, and loving whenever I fall, struggle, or face challenging times. But I need to remember God when things go well, and I succeed, and experience joy and blessing. How about you? Is this a time to look to God for help or to praise and honor God in the midst of blessing?

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.