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.”

Mindfulness

Acts 18:12-17

But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal, 13 saying, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law.” 14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint. 15 But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.” 16 And he drove them from the tribunal. 17 And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this.

Highest Praise | Belgrade, Serbia | April 2024

Diane and I are trying to be more mindful. It’s so easy just to lay our phone down without thinking, walk away, and forget where we laid it. No problem, really, when we’re at home, and can use find my phone to locate it. But when we are not mindful of one another, or someone in need of our help, that’s another mater.

Gallio is in a position to intervene in the treatment of Sosthenes, the synagogue ruler, but he pays no attention. Not my circus. Not my monkeys. That’s clearly his attitude. And the innocent ruler is beaten with none to intervene. Paul will stay some time there, but will eventually leave for Antioch. Nothing more is said of Sosthenes, But I’m reminded of the idea that if no one speaks up, evil goes unpunished and continues on its course.

Thank God for those who speak up. I’m thinking of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I’m thinking of Anne Frank. I’m thinking of Peter, Paul, Martin Luther, and others who have not kept quiet. They were mindful of injustice, deceptive promises, and false beliefs. They did not turn away mindlessly.

They were reflecting the character and nature of God. Jesus said that not one sparrow falls to the ground apart from the Father’s knowledge (cf. Matthew 10:29). And this promise: “What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him?” (Hebrews 2:6).

So is God mindful. So should we be.

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