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.”

Today’s Psalm

Psalm 112:1, 4

Praise the Lord!
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
who greatly delights in his commandments!
Light dawns in the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.

IMG_4110
Suzie with our mom, Evelynne Bahn, less than a month ago.

My mother is in the hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. She fell again the other day, injuring her head, and my sister is there with her now. She did not recognize Suzie yesterday, nor could she name the color of the pink shirt Suzie wore. This is difficult.

This morning – as I do most every Sunday morning – I posted quotes from five Psalms based on the day of the month. This being the 22nd, I posted quotes from Psalms 22; 52; 82; 112; and 142. This particular quote from Psalm 112 seemed especially appropriate. I am praying that the light will dawn for my Mom very soon. She is 92 years old and has become ever more feeble in rapid pace over the past two weeks.

I have determined that I hate cancer, the disease that took the lives of my dad, of Niki, our daughter-in-law, and Barbara, my sister. I’ve decided just now that I hate death. It so seldom comes when we want it, and intrudes too frequently in moments it’s not welcome. And when it does finally come for our mom, it will be as though the dying has stopped. And we will have that sad combination of feelings: grief, sadness, relief, hope: all mixed together.

That’s why this passage is so welcome now: Two thousand years ago light dawned in the darkness of a borrowed tomb of the man from Galilee: Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior, Lord. I thank God for that victory and look forward to celebrating it on the Great Last Day, and hold fast to that hope now as we live in this vale of tears and shadow of death.

Yes, Lord, let the light dawn in the darkness for my Mom, for my sister, for me, and for all who face the darkness of sin and death. Thank you Jesus!

BTW, here are the other Psalm quotes I shared this morning.

Psalm 22:1-5 (Jesus quoted v.1 from the cross, so we don’t have to experience being forsaken by God. This is very good.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,
and by night, but I find no rest.
Yet you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
In you our fathers trusted;
they trusted, and you delivered them.
To you they cried and were rescued;
in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

Psalm 52:9
I will thank you forever,
because you have done it.
I will wait for your name, for it is good,
in the presence of the godly.

Psalm 82:3-4
Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;
maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.
Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

Psalm 112:1, 4
Praise the Lord!
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
who greatly delights in his commandments!
Light dawns in the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.

Psalm 142:5
I cry to you, O Lord;
I say, “You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living.”

Discover more from David Bahn – Reflections

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Posted in

3 responses to “Today’s Psalm”

  1. Casey Avatar
    Casey

    💕

    Reply
  2. Karen Neitzke Avatar
    Karen Neitzke

    Prayers for you and your family as you go through this difficult time.

    Karen

    >

    Reply
  3. Carmen Avatar
    Carmen

    I think not of death, but more of a door opening to welcome wide the beloved spirit who is released from its physical limitations and challenges to pass peacefully into the awesome presence of God in his beautiful kingdom. So many family members, who have been dearly missed for years, are there to welcome the soul of their loved one and anoint them with abundant love and joy. Disease indeed does shorten the lives of our family and friends, but it also serves to be a testimony to others, and encourage people to be truly thankful for their many blessings. Disease is hard to deal with, but sometimes it is somewhat harder when lives are cut short for unfathomable circumstances which may never be understood. The heart issues have been with me since I was 9 years old, and after living the 5 stages of grieving (for not having a healthier heart), God has used my circumstances to open my eyes, and be able to empathize more with others as they walk the paths of less than perfect health or other issues presented in every day life. God has shown me how close heaven is every day, and that it is warm, comforting, and filled with love that completely fills and surrounds you, and time is timeless. My experience is that death, or transition to heaven indeed can come in an instant, without warning or colors or any sensation whatsoever. Thus, energies can go towards just indwelling in each moment, for it is a present, and pray to transform anxieties or anger to peace and joy, while walking in the midst of a storm. The love for your Mother, and your sweet family members and Niki is evident. I pray God will shower you all with His love and healing, and His perfect healing for your Mother in the days to come, that all will be well with your souls ,and you may all walk in His peace.

    Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.