David Bahn – Reflections

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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.”

Remembering France & Thanking God for Sundays at St. John

Psalm 84:4

Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise.

Hebrews 13:15

Through Jesus, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.

The windows of Saint Chapelle in Paris: Beautiful!
The windows of Saint Chapelle in Paris: Beautiful!

In 2013, Diane and I spent three weeks in France. We were hosted during part of that time by Michael and Valérie Smith at the Manoir du Poul in Brittany. We also spent time in Paris. Highlights of that time there were seeing the beaches of Normandy, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and a Vivaldi concert at Saint Chapelle (the windows of which are pictured above).

Toward the end of that time there, however, a heaviness began to descend on us. We had not been able to gather with other Christians for public worship for three Sundays straight. There are few active churches in France. Fewer still would have services in English – and our French, no thanks even to Rosetta Stone, was barely functional even for buying gas for the car.

I remember vividly how deeply refreshed we were when we were able to worship with our brothers and sisters in Christ once we were back in Texas! The first Sunday back I was nearly in tears when we spoke the words of the Apostle’s Creed.

It is no small thing to be free to gather to worship God. Nor should we need to absent ourselves from worship for three weeks to appreciate that fully. I look forward to worshiping with the people of God at St. John this morning. It is good to be in God’s house. It is “good, right, and salutary, that we should at all times and all places” give thanks to God. His praise is properly always to be on our lips. It is a privilege to confess the name of Jesus who died for the sins of the world and rose from the dead in victorious triumph.

We think today about the recent events in Paris, and the terror of violence and bloodshed throughout the Middle East and cry, “Lord, have mercy!” Our prayers will be lifted before God in behalf of all who suffer. And we will rejoice in God’s eternal savlation, praising the Lamb who was slain and who now reigns for all eternity.

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4 responses to “Remembering France & Thanking God for Sundays at St. John”

  1. Martha Warnasch Avatar
    Martha Warnasch

    Today, Leroy and I know about missing “gathering ourselves together” to worship The Only One Who is Worthy.

    Reply
    1. dlbpandp Avatar
      dlbpandp

      God be with you as you travel, and bring you back safely!

      Reply
  2. Sue Avatar
    Sue

    I have traveled a lot in Europe and have usually been able to worship at a local church, whether it be the American Church in Paris or local ones elsewhere. Even if I don’t know the language, it’s of great comfort to be in the house of the Lord!

    Reply
    1. dlbpandp Avatar
      dlbpandp

      I’m glad for you. Circumstances prevented us from doing so. We did truly enjoy being back in worship once we were able to do so.

      Reply

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