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.”

Wanter Adjustment

Jeremiah 31:14

My people shall be satisfied with my bounty, says the Lord.

2 Corinthians 9:8

God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.

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We have just begun the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University at our church. Although Diane and I have taken the one day Dave Ramsey class, and do have our financial house in order, we want to encourage others who might not be where they want to be with their finances so that they can be more faithful stewards of the financial resources God entrusts to them. Financial Peace University classes offer excellent guidance for people who want to gain peace in their marriages and within their own hearts in regard to their finances.

Moreover, as we become more financially secure, we are able to be more generous with others who are in need. When we see a need, if we have the resources we are able to respond to that need.

If, however, our desires overtake our discipline we are not best able to gain financial security. We cannot be generous, or we may not wish to be generous. We often need a wanter adjustment. Our wanter is that part of our heart that looks at the new car, the expensive jewelry, latest electronic gadget, or bucket list vacation and wants it more than it wants to save for a rainy day, for retirement, or even more than it wants to help someone in need.

God’s work in his people’s hearts is to satisfy us with his bounty. The riches we enjoy are intended to move us to thankfulness and generosity, not to incite further desires for more. The only way that will happen, however, is if we adjust our wanters, dialing them back a bit, we are embracing God’s calling and honoring his intentions for us. If our wanter is out of whack, we will not be willing or able to share abundantly in every good work.

Is it time for you to adjust your wanter?

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