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.”
49 Week Bible Challenge Day 213 – God’s Kindness in the Face of Our Utter Depravity

49 Week Bible Challenge Day 213 – God’s Kindness in the Face of Our Utter Depravity

Today’s readings are Romans 2; Psalm 62; Isaiah 52; Jeremiah 4; Joshua 5. I’ll be away for the next few weeks. I will, however, attempt to post a link to the readings for the 49 Week Bible Challenge so you can follow the plan easily. During this time there will be no audio versions of these blog posts.

Romans 2:1-5

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

Southern Lapwing-2 | Uruguay, South America | December 2025

We humans are a conundrum, a paradox in our being. We are created in the image of God, glorious and noble. Yet we are fallen creatures: sinful, rebellious, and blind to our own depravity.

The clearest expression of the latter is our propensity to see ourselves as righteous, justified in our actions and good in our core, while seeing the faults and failures in others. Self-righteous and other-condemning.

Paul leans into this here in Romans 2. In chapter 1 he mentions obviously deplorable behavior – sexual indecency of every kind. But right along with that list of deplorable behavior he lists disobedience to parents and even a failure to thank God and honor him as we should. There is no one righteous. Not even one (cf. Psalm 53:1-3).

Yet God is kind. Kind! Loving. Gracious. Abounding in steadfast love. Merciful and good. All this should lead us to repentance. Every one of us needs to repent of our sins. And everyone of us can be certain of God’s mercy, grace, forgiveness and kindness in the face of our repentance. When we turn to God we need not worry about facing further chastisement.

God welcomes all who come to him in repentant faith. I hope you will go with me in that spirit today.

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