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.”

Turning Points

Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. 35 And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. – Acts 9:32-35

20170331-DSC05980
Another tractor which caught my eye. Photo taken at The Flower Fields in Carlsbad, CA | March 2017

It might be as simple as a run of bad experiences with a certain brand of clothing. It could be as major as a complete loss of trust with your doctor. Sometimes it’s a visit to the doctor and the words, “You’ve got diabetes.” It can be a real turning point. Often they are brought on by more negative events: illness, loss of job, breakdown of a relationship.

But once in a while these turning points come as a result of a very good turn of events: you meet Mr. Right. You get a large promotion and pay raise. You discover that you are an heir to a fortune of which you had no previous knowledge.

Such is the case in these few verses from Acts 9. Peter encounters Aeneas and brings God’s healing power to him. His life is changed. He’s standing upright. His future is not to be lived from the sickbed any longer. God has come calling in a dramatic way.

Whole towns can be changed by these turning points. In this case it was Lydda. When the people there saw Aeneas healed and well, strong and upright, they were amazed. They turned to the Lord. Their outlook was changed because Aeneas’ outlook was changed.

I wonder what we might examine more closely that would yield a new outlook toward God ourselves. Have we seen someone’s life changed by God’s intervention and healing? Have we overlooked some great work of God in a friend’s life and failed to grasp the extent of God’s grace and how it is meant to turn us to God?

God works in people’s lives not only for their own good, but for the good of all people. His desire is to bring us close to him, to ground us in the truth of Jesus Christ and the grace of forgiveness. When we see him at work in others, we do well to turn to him in thankful faith.

Discover more from David Bahn – Reflections

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Posted in

One response to “Turning Points”

  1. Quilting Crosses with Threads of Hope Avatar
    Quilting Crosses with Threads of Hope

    Being permitted to have an upclose look as God’s hand is moving through others is a real gift. His attribute of faithfulness to his creation is visible in his lovingkindness even in discipline – a powerful thing to witness.  When it happens to us, we can push him away or embrace him with all our being; there is a choice for us at this juncture! It is HIS healing power that changes lives; getting us off our sickbeds and standing upright again. 

    Thank you, also for the comforting reminder that Jesus desires us to be close to him. It is a fine thing to be desired by the Creator God, himself.

    Tractors

    Big, strong, powerful;
    Beckoning, “Come to me! In me you will find rest, for your burden is light to me AND I have many nice wheels, gears and buttons!”  
    I AM fantastic! 
    Boy toys 🙂
    I’ll bet Jesus loves tractors, too. They have much in common.

    Reply

Leave a comment

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