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.”

Never-ending reason

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

I have much to be thankful for this month of thanksgiving. My wife and children, grandchildren and all my family, the incredible technology at my disposal, the beauty of creation all around me, the opportunity to serve as pastor of St. John, the leaders and all the people there: all these are things for which I am thankful. God has been gracious to me!

The calling of the psalmist in this Psalm 100 is to express that thankfulness and praise to God with joyful noise and singing. We will do that this morning at St. John – as will many people around the world in many different congregations, large and small.

But today I think of the people in the Philippines. Yesterday, Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest storms on record, slammed into the Philippines. As of this writing, more than 1,200 people are feared dead. Property damage and destruction of infrastructure are sure to be overwhelming.

Their songs today will be of lament and yearning. Some will wonder about how God could allow such a terrible thing to happen to this country. Some will conclude that God is not good. Some will turn away from God in the face of this terrible tragedy.

If the goodness of God is to be seen in these circumstances (and the psalmist urges us to praise God because of his goodness and mercy), it will be seen by the eyes of faith. Many Christians and Christian organizations are already mobilizing to help these people who are in need of the basics of life. Hundreds of thousands of dollars – perhaps millions!- will be sent to help them rebuild.

We can add Christian love and compassionate help to our praise and joy today as we enter God’s house. That would well accompany our thanksgiving.

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One response to “Never-ending reason”

  1. joshuamuchiri Avatar
    joshuamuchiri

    Praise be to GOD.Thank and glory to God.

    Reply

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