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.”

  • The Second Song of Advent: Zechariah’s Prophecy

    Click here for an audio version of this blog post. 

    And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,

    68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
        for he has visited and redeemed his people
    69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
        in the house of his servant David,
    70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
    71 that we should be saved from our enemies
        and from the hand of all who hate us;
    72 to show the mercy promised to our fathers
        and to remember his holy covenant,
    73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
    74     that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
    might serve him without fear,
    75     in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
    76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
        for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
    77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people
        in the forgiveness of their sins,
    78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
        whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
    79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
        to guide our feet into the way of peace.” –     Luke 1:67-79

    Dogwood Canyon Entrance | Near Branson, Missouri | October 2021

    We just finished celebrating a milestone birthday at my house. I may have been the birthday boy of honor. It was a wonderful affair. Good friends. Kind wishes. Joy shared. Conversations. Food. Drink. Music. Even a trivia game about the birthday boy’s life. “Happy birthday,” wishes were accompanied by other kind words. Thank you, friends!

    I mention this because of the first word in Zechariah’s song. It is translated, “Blessed,” or “Praise be,” or “Let us praise…” And rightly so. But the word might also be “Let us speak well of…” We get the word eulogy, an almost literal transliteration of the Greek. Let’s speak well of God, is what Zechariah is saying. A footnote in the New American Bible offers this insight:

    Like the canticle of Mary (Lk 1:46–55) the canticle of Zechariah is only loosely connected with its context. Apart from Lk 1:76–77, the hymn is speaking of a horn for our salvation (Lk 1:69) and the daybreak from on high (Lk 1:78) applies more closely to Jesus and his work than to John. 

    Whatever the context or focus, the question for us today is whether we will speak well of God. Will we praise him? Will we declare him blessed? Is he set apart in your heart and life? Do your words acknowledge what he has done for you? Are you aware of his grace and goodness to you and to all people? Do you believe that God has raised up a horn for our salvation; a place of strength, hope, grace, love and life? Do you realize that the daybreak from on high has risen? The Daybreak from on high?

    Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied. God opened his mouth to express his praise, and help the people look beyond even this current moment of great joy. After all, John has been born. She who was said to be barren has born a child. And no matter what anyone thought, his name would be John. As good as that was, Zechariah was moved to express praise to God for things reaching far beyond that moment. 

    So now the question is two-fold. Will we speak well of God? And will we recognize any good moment as a blessing from God, but look beyond the moment to the greater blessing of salvation through Jesus Christ? That means that whether we are experiencing God’s immediate blessings, or yearning for them, looking to his ultimate blessing in Christ will move us to speak well of him. 

  • Today’s Psalms

    For your personal edification and reflection on this Lord’s Day…

    Psalm 5:7

    I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,
        will enter your house.
    I will bow down toward your holy temple
        in the fear of you.

    Psalm 35:18

    I will thank you in the great congregation;
        in the mighty throng I will praise you.

    Psalm 65:1-4 

    Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion,
        and to you shall vows be performed.
    2 O you who hear prayer,
        to you shall all flesh come.
    3 When iniquities prevail against me,
        you atone for our transgressions.
    4 Blessed is the one you choose and bring near,
        to dwell in your courts!
    We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house,
        the holiness of your temple!

    Psalm 95:1-7

    Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;
        let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!

    2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
        let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
    3 For the Lord is a great God,
        and a great King above all gods.
    4 In his hand are the depths of the earth;
        the heights of the mountains are his also.
    5 The sea is his, for he made it,
        and his hands formed the dry land.

    6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
        let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
    7 For he is our God,
        and we are the people of his pasture,
        and the sheep of his hand.

    Psalm 125

    Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
        which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
    2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
        so the Lordsurrounds his people,
        from this time forth and forevermore.


  • Praise! God Can Handle It!

    Click here for an audio version of this blog post. 

    46 And Mary said,

    “My soul magnifies the Lord,
    47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
    48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
        For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
    49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
        and holy is his name.
    50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
        from generation to generation.
    51 He has shown strength with his arm;
        he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
    52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
        and exalted those of humble estate;
    53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
        and the rich he has sent away empty.
    54 He has helped his servant Israel,
        in remembrance of his mercy,
    55 as he spoke to our fathers,
        to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” – Luke 1:46-55

    Waterfall | Near Branson, Missouri | October 2021

    During a particularly challenging time of ministry I read something that resonated deeply to me: More pastors die of a broken heart than an over-inflated ego. I’m not certain that is true, for we public people have to possess some degree of ego in order to stand up in front of a group and offer a sermon. Sometimes that can be a healthy ego. Sometimes, however, the ego takes over.

    Sadly, I’ve seen too many pastors whose gifts send them beyond the success that their character can support. Such is the danger of celebrity leaders. Unless sustained by vast amounts of character, celebrity leaders pose the most grave danger to the church and even the faithful. The combination of high capacity leaders who have low character reserves is potentially the most dangerous dynamic in a church. Such leaders are all about self-promotion. 

    Jesus is not only high in character. He is also completely unconcerned with self-promotion. Mary will bring glory to God and magnify his name and fame. She is, however, not a mere carnival barker. She is not interested in gathering a crowd. She is not trying to gin up support or hype God. She is simply extolling God’s glory, mercy, and majesty. She is focusing our attention on the One who can handle the fame – to say the least – and who we need to worship. 

    Mary’s glorification of God is not for his benefit. It’s so we will be directed toward the source of true joy, hope, life, and salvation. We may get distracted by celebrities and led astray by those who lack character. She is focusing our attention and directing our faith toward the Mighty One who has done great things. She is reminding us that the True God casts down the mighty from their thrones, and fills the hungry with good things. He is truly worth being magnified – not for his ego’s sake, but for our faith and devotion. 

    Christy Nockels and Todd Agnew offer this version of the Magnificat…

  • The First Song of Advent: When do you praise God?

    46 And Mary said,

    “My soul magnifies the Lord,
    47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
    48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
        For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
    49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
        and holy is his name.
    50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
        from generation to generation.
    51 He has shown strength with his arm;
        he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
    52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
        and exalted those of humble estate;
    53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
        and the rich he has sent away empty.
    54 He has helped his servant Israel,
        in remembrance of his mercy,
    55 as he spoke to our fathers,
        to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” – Luke 1:46-55

    Caught in the Sun | Cypress Creek Park, Texas | November 2021

    I remember like it was yesterday. Our youngest son had been born 7 weeks premature. And though he was given an “8” (out of 10) on the APGAR scale, there was a grave potential problem. He presented symptoms associated more than 99% of the time with cystic fibrosis. This is a grave disease with many implications. But the symptoms don’t determine the presence of the disease. A sweat chloride test does. On the day of the test, we went to Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Diane was quite calm. I was deeply worried. Then the results came back: Negative. I was elated. Relieved. Thankful. I praised God. 

    Other times come to mind: when our house sold after 6 months of a very dead real estate market. When Diane said, “Yes.” When our family was all together for our grandson’s baptism. All times of great gladness and praise to God.

    There are other times I should have been thankful to God. These might not be as obvious occasions. They were times of challenge and cross-bearing. When I graduated from seminary and was given my first call – far from home and in a situation I knew little about. During some of the difficult years in a church I served that had a history of bad pastor/people relationships. When I first began serving a large church with little staff and more challenges than I realized at the time. These too, are times to praise God. For they force us to relinquish any illusion of control we might have. They force us to rely on God.

    This is what Mary does here. She has been told she would bear the Savior of the world. She has visited her cousin Elizabeth. She has heard the exclamation of joy as Elizabeth’s baby leapt in her womb at the sound of Mary’s voice. But she knows that which is before her is beyond her strength, wisdom, power, or ability to navigate. She praises God because she believes that the Mighty One has done great things in her. And she believes he will continue to bless and keep her in his loving care. 

    When we teach at PLI or in my work with congregations in the planning stage, I like to talk about moving a congregation from a cozy status (lots of invitation and little challenge) to a breakthrough/kingdom-seeking mode of ministry (lots of both invitation and challenge). When you make that move, you go through the “valley of the shadow of death.” That’s the difficult place of discouragement and battle. You want to give up. You see that the challenge is greater than the resources you have. 

    And that’s actually a good place to be if you look to God in those times. We praise the One who sees us through those times, charts a course for our blessing. Provides for our needs, and give us joy in seeing his kingdom come among and through us. This is what Mary does here. She knows her limitations. But she knows and believes more deeply in God’s favor and power to bring her through. 

    Maybe you’re in a difficult place these days. Challenges may be from your family, or within your own sinful flesh. The hills may be steeper and taller than you think you can climb. But if you know God has called you to climb those hills, you can rejoice as you lay aside any presence of your own abilities, powers, wisdom, and strength, and lean on God’s promises, faithfulness, power, grace, and goodness to see you through. 

    Is it time to praise God? Certainly when all is well. But also when we are struggling through the dark valleys that come into our lives. Praise God with me today!

  • The First Song of Advent: The Power of Praise

    Click here for an audio version of this blog post. 

    46 And Mary said,

    “My soul magnifies the Lord,
    47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
    48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
        For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
    49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
        and holy is his name.
    50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
        from generation to generation.
    51 He has shown strength with his arm;
        he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
    52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
        and exalted those of humble estate;
    53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
        and the rich he has sent away empty.
    54 He has helped his servant Israel,
        in remembrance of his mercy,
    55 as he spoke to our fathers,
        to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” – Luke 1:46-55

    Caught in the Sun | Branson, Missouri | October 2021

    It was hymn #1 in the Broadman Hymnal, the hymnal that we used in the church of my youth. I loved the hymn and still do: Holy, Holy, Holy. It is a hymn of praise. Now, however, I have a number of other favorite hymns of praise. This is the Feast, Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, The Lord My God be Praised, When Morning Fills the Skies to name just a few. Of course this song of praise, Mary’s song, is high on that list as well. And there are so many beautiful versions of it. 

    But hymns of praise serve purposes beyond their beauty. They set things in their proper perspective. When we praise God, we acknowledge his majesty, power, goodness, mercy, love, faithfulness, and holiness. He is like no other. And as we sing his praise, we realize – hopefully! – that there is no other who deserves such glory. The best athlete, finest artist, greatest musician, or most famous actor hold no candle next to God. He alone is worthy of all praise. 

    And because of that, we can also put our problems, troubles, pains, fears, and enemies in their proper place: under the reign and rule of God. The difference between us and our enemies, fears, and problems, however, is that we live under the reign and rule of God in a relationship of grace by faith. All those who do not acknowledge God’s grace and goodness, power and majesty, live under his reign and rule, but without hope.  We can look on all those things from the perspective of God’s grace, and place them under him. They do not rule our lives. They do not control us. We do not worship them. We do not serve them. We love, serve, and worship only God. He alone gets the praise.

    By this we are reminded also of our own place. We are not God. Life is not ours to judge. We do not get to tell God what to do or call him to account for his actions. Job tried that and was called to account for doing so. He repented in dust and ashes when God did finally confront him. But take note: repentance is better than bitterness, resentment, anger, and arrogant unbending pride. 

    When we fail to put ourselves in proper perspective before God, we had better hope God does come to us in ways that lead us to repent – even if it must be in dust and ashes. As we do we discover that the God we praise is not only all-powerful, mighty, holy and majestic. He is also merciful, gracious, loving, and good. And true praise acknowledges all those things. It brings us back to God and gives us the kind of joy Mary speaks of in this song. When we praise God, he is glorified, our predicament is put into perspective, and we are reminded of our true place: a place of repentant hope and joy because of who God is. Thanks be to God!

    This VOICES8 version of the Magnificat is beautiful and well worth the listen…

  • The First Song of Advent: God is mindful, mighty, and merciful. (Thanks Alistair Begg)

    Click here for an audio version of this blog post. 

    Mary responded,

    “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
    47     How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
    48 For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
        and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
    49 For the Mighty One is holy,
        and he has done great things for me.
    50 He shows mercy from generation to generation
        to all who fear him.
    51 His mighty arm has done tremendous things!
        He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
    52 He has brought down princes from their thrones
        and exalted the humble.
    53 He has filled the hungry with good things
        and sent the rich away with empty hands.
    54 He has helped his servant Israel
        and remembered to be merciful.
    55 For he made this promise to our ancestors,
        to Abraham and his children forever.” – Luke 1:46-55 [NLT]

    Spring-Fed River | Roaring River State Park, Arkansas | October 2021

    Once in a while I must invoke the Rick Warren Rule. When I was studying at Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, California, we visited Rick – who was also enrolled in the D. Min. program there. He shared some of his insights at that early stage of his church’s development. He told us, “If my bullet fits your gun, shoot it.” I like that image – inappropriate as it may be in these days of gun control and gun rights sensitivity. But the message is a reflection of Ecclesiastes 1:9, “…there is nothing new under the sun.” It’s all been said before. The only truly original One is God himself.

    So when I heard Alistair Begg’s message on Mary’s song, and his title, I decided to grab his bullet. Mary’s witness here is that God is mindful, mighty, and merciful. What a delightfully-powerful combination that is! He is not just aware of our needs. He is not merely powerful. His heart is not only open to us in our time of pain. His mindfulness is not impotent. His power is not ruthless. His mercy is not amorphous. Or put more positively: His mercy is connected to his awareness of our true needs. His mindfulness leverages an immense storehouse of power. And his power is directed thoughtfully. 

    Diane and I are working on mindfulness. Being fully present with each other. Not being distracted with screens or other diversions. I’m reminded of Elijah’s taunt of the prophets of Baal: And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened” (1 Kings 18:27). Idols are mute. They serve only to distract us. They can offer no real benefit. They provide only what we invest in them. 

    God is no idol. He is keenly aware of our needs. He knows our frame (Psalm 103). Not one sparrow falls to the earth apart from his knowledge (Matthew 10:29). God knows our needs even before we ask of him in prayer (Matthew 6:8). Even before we speak he knows our thoughts (Psalm 139:4). God takes notice of the humble (v. 48). God knows and cares about all his creatures. He is present with us. God is mindful.

    “God is not a wimp.” Bruce said that to me years ago and I’ve never forgotten it. And sometimes we try to resolve an inexplicable mystery and paradox: God is all-powerful. God is loving and good. Yet evil exists and intrudes into our world and lives. How do these three go together? Such a question leads us away from God toward doubt. Better we should ask, “What does God do about evil?” (Check out Michael Ziegler’s excellent message about this on The Lutheran Hour podcast.) This is a profound mystery: God dealt with evil by laying aside his power, taking the form of a servant and becoming obedient to the point of death. And in that powerlessness evil was defeated! That is a paradox beyond comprehension.

    God’s heart is also tender to us. He is not just present and powerful. He allows himself to feel our pain – and in no trite manner. His mercy is to those in need, for which we can all say thanks be to God. In fact, we can sing…

    My soul proclaims your greatness, O God, and my spirit rejoices in you,
    You have looked with love on your servant here, and blessed me all my life through.
    Great and might are you, O Holy One, strong is your kindness evermore.
    How you favor the weak and lowly one, humbling the proud of heart.

    You have cast the mighty down from their thrones, and uplifted the humble of heart,
    you have filled the hungry with wonderous things, and left the wealthy no part.
    Great and mighty are you, O Faithful One, strong is your justice, strong your love,
    As you promised to Sarah and Abraham, kindness forevermore.

    My soul proclaims your greatness, O God, and my spirit rejoices in you,
    You have looked with love on your servant here, and blessed me all my life through. – Holden Evening Prayer

     

  • The First Song of Advent

    Click here for an audio version of this blog post. 

    46 And Mary said,

    “My soul magnifies the Lord,
    47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
    48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
        For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
    49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
        and holy is his name.
    50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
        from generation to generation.
    51 He has shown strength with his arm;
        he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
    52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
        and exalted those of humble estate;
    53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
        and the rich he has sent away empty.
    54 He has helped his servant Israel,
        in remembrance of his mercy,
    55 as he spoke to our fathers,
        to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” – Luke 1:46-55

    Dead Tree Standing | Table Rock Lake, Missouri | October 2021

    Walt cracked wise. “It’s the virgin Dave,” he said. He was a seminary classmate. Quite intelligent. A good guy. With a quick wit. I had been chosen to sing the Magnificat for the Seminary Choir’s Advent Concert. I’m not certain how I got the part. We had some excellent altos in the choir. And the range was high for me. But I sang it. We did some beautiful music in that choir. The Magnificat is among the most beautiful. 

    For these four weeks, I will be reflecting on the four songs of Advent: Mary’s Song, Zechariah’s Song, the Angels’ Song, and Simeon’s Song. Luke has them all. All of them have music attached to them – added much later. And, more important, all teach us about God. 

    We begin with Mary. The first promise of a Savior was given to a woman: Eve. The first announcement of its imminent fulfillment is given to a woman: Mary.  In these days of urgent awareness of women’s rights and standing, this fact lays to rest the idea that God is anti-woman. Luke, more than any other Gospel writer captures that truth. We will see women attend to Jesus’ needs, be counted among his disciples, and recognized in their own right all through Luke’s account of Jesus’ life and ministry. 

    Here we have Mary’s witness to God’s greatness, and her commitment to honor him, magnifying him: making him great in the eyes of the world. Mary does not make God great. She recognizes his greatness. Mary does not proclaim herself blessed, she believes God’s message through the angel that she is blessed. Mary does not offer herself as an intermediary between us and God. She offers her praises to God, and claims a place of humility and modesty before God. She calls him her Savior.

    Mary gives witness to God’s grace and greatness. As such she serves as an example to us as a faithful witness to the world. Her assertion, “from now on all generations will call me blessed,” has little to do with her character and everything to do with God’s mighty things done for her. Her song isn’t really that much about her humility as it is about God’s greatness. 

    I may have sung the Magnificat at the seminary. But I am no Mary in any other way. I am, however, blessed by God, a witness to the reach of his grace, and testimony to his goodness, faithfulness, and love. And I will sing his praise with joy as long as I have breath. That’s one of the reasons I love this season. The majesty and grace of God are so beautifully expressed in the songs of the season. I hope you will join me in singing them…to the glory of God and as a witness to the world.

     

  • Today’s Psalms

    For your personal edification and reflection on this Lord’s Day…

    Psalm 28:6-9

    Blessed be the Lord!
        For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.
    7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
        in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
    my heart exults,
        and with my song I give thanks to him.

    8 The Lord is the strength of his people;
        he is the saving refuge of his anointed.
    9 Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!
        Be their shepherd and carry them forever.

    Psalm 58:10-11

    The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance;
        he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked.
    11 Mankind will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous;
        surely there is a God who judges on earth.”

    Psalm 88 

    [Note: This is a Messianic Psalm. Read these words as Jesus praying from the pit in the basement of Caiaphas’ palace. When we visited Israel, I read it in such a pit. At the last words, the guide turned off the lights. It was completely dark. A stunning experience!]

    O Lord, God of my salvation,
        I cry out day and night before you.
    2 Let my prayer come before you;
        incline your ear to my cry!

    3 For my soul is full of troubles,
        and my life draws near to Sheol.
    4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit;
        I am a man who has no strength,
    5 like one set loose among the dead,
        like the slain that lie in the grave,
    like those whom you remember no more,
        for they are cut off from your hand.
    6 You have put me in the depths of the pit,
        in the regions dark and deep.
    7 Your wrath lies heavy upon me,
        and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah

    8 You have caused my companions to shun me;
        you have made me a horror to them.
    I am shut in so that I cannot escape;
    9     my eye grows dim through sorrow.
    Every day I call upon you, O Lord;
        I spread out my hands to you.
    10 Do you work wonders for the dead?
        Do the departed rise up to praise you? Selah
    11 Is your steadfast love declared in the grave,
        or your faithfulness in Abaddon?
    12 Are your wonders known in the darkness,
        or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

    13 But I, O Lord, cry to you;
        in the morning my prayer comes before you.
    14 O Lord, why do you cast my soul away?
        Why do you hide your face from me?
    15 Afflicted and close to death from my youth up,
        I suffer your terrors; I am helpless.
    16 Your wrath has swept over me;
        your dreadful assaults destroy me.
    17 They surround me like a flood all day long;
        they close in on me together.
    18 You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me;
        my companions have become darkness.

    Psalm 118:1-4, 24

    Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
        for his steadfast love endures forever!

    2 Let Israel say,
        “His steadfast love endures forever.”
    3 Let the house of Aaron say,
        “His steadfast love endures forever.”
    4 Let those who fear the Lordsay,
        “His steadfast love endures forever.”

    24 This is the day that the Lordhas made;
        let us rejoice and be glad in it.

    Psalm 148

    Praise the Lord!
    Praise the Lord from the heavens;
        praise him in the heights!
    2 Praise him, all his angels;
        praise him, all his hosts!

    3 Praise him, sun and moon,
        praise him, all you shining stars!
    4 Praise him, you highest heavens,
        and you waters above the heavens!

    5 Let them praise the name of the Lord!
        For he commanded and they were created.
    6 And he established them forever and ever;
        he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.[a]

    7 Praise the Lord from the earth,
        you great sea creatures and all deeps,
    8 fire and hail, snow and mist,
        stormy wind fulfilling his word!

    9 Mountains and all hills,
        fruit trees and all cedars!
    10 Beasts and all livestock,
        creeping things and flying birds!

    11 Kings of the earth and all peoples,
        princes and all rulers of the earth!
    12 Young men and maidens together,
        old men and children!

    13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
        for his name alone is exalted;
        his majesty is above earth and heaven.
    14 He has raised up a horn for his people,
        praise for all his saints,
        for the people of Israel who are near to him.
    Praise the Lord!


  • The first and the last word

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    This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead.
    All the brothers and sisters here join me in sending this letter to the churches of Galatia.
    May God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. – Galatians 1:1-3 [NLT]

    Dear brothers and sisters, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. – Galatians  6:18 [NLT]

    Goldenrod | Bentonville, Arkansas | October 2021

    “Leaders lead. Leaders frame the question. Leaders speak first.” Lyle Schaller was teaching a workshop on leadership for a group of pastors. It has proven to be one of the most memorable continuing education experiences I have attended. He spoke from his notes on 3X5 index cards, and gave us one pearl of wisdom after another. Since that time, I’ve strived to have the first word. But I will usually say, “I want the first word, but not the last word.” I want others to contribute to decisions we make; I don’t want to be a dictator. I want to be a leader.

    Paul has the first and last word in this letter to the Galatian church. More important that who gets that first or last word is the first and last word itself. Grace is the fist wish and the last blessing of this letter. And grace is a powerful word. Grace touches hearts. Grace changes lives. Grace makes it possible for us to know and relate to God. 

    You’ve been disrespected by a family member again and again. Yet you refuse to pay back their unkindness, but return kindness and gentleness. That’s grace. You have an opportunity to help someone who has gotten himself into trouble. It’s his fault. You choose to help. That’s grace. You catch someone in a lie. They are embarrassed. You choose to offer the truth quietly, not pointing out the lie. That’s grace. You’ve been offended, hurt, damaged, and sinned against. The relationship is broken. You choose to go to your sister and ask for a reset. That’s grace.

    Grace looks for opportunities to do good for others. Grace offers kindness even to those who have offended you. Grace is generous. Grace makes us vulnerable. But grace also changes hearts. The person who has offended you purposefully may take advantage of your grace. But if you really want to have a better relationship you will take the risk. 

    That’s exactly what God did for us. He became so vulnerable, taking on human flesh, that he was killed by the very people he was trying to save. But that grace has made it possible for us to live with God. We are saved by grace. We live in grace. Grace is God’s first word to us and his lasting wish for us. Paul reflects that in this letter as well as so many of his letters. That would be a good thing for us to imitate in our lives every day. 

  • Living Beyond the Attitude of Gratitude

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    Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever!
    2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
    whom he has redeemed from trouble
    3 and gathered in from the lands,
    from the east and from the west,
    from the north and from the south.

    4 Some wandered in desert wastes,
        finding no way to a city to dwell in;
    5 hungry and thirsty,
        their soul fainted within them.
    6 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
        and he delivered them from their distress.
    7 He led them by a straight way
        till they reached a city to dwell in.
    8 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
        for his wondrous works to the children of man!  – Psalm 107:1-8

    Green Sprigs of Praise | Branson, Missouri | October 2021

    As I celebrate Thanksgiving today, there are many things that come to mind for which I am thankful. I’m thankful for the opportunity to be with family during this holiday. I’m thankful for the abundant spread of foods that we will enjoy. I’m thankful for the fun we’ll have around the table at the meal, and afterwards as we play Catan with our grandchildren, or other games of their choosing. I’m thankful for family we’ll zoom or Skype with today. I’m thankful for the faith we hold in common, and pray that every family member will one day embrace the faith we hold so dear. I am thankful most of all for the substance and object of our faith: the grace of God in Jesus Christ, and the gifts of the Father, the giver of every good and perfect gift. 

    This psalm is a helpful reminder, however, not only to be thankful for the blessings of God, but to the One who gives these gifts. Our God is a good and gracious God, who has revealed himself in his Son, Jesus Christ, and gave us his Holy Spirit to bring us to faith, keep us in that faith, and propel us to love and good works. 

    An attitude of gratitude is a good thing. It has been shown to be a positive influence on peoples’ emotional wellbeing. There are plenty of people who will this day express an attitude of gratitude. They will also advocate for others to embrace gratitude as attitude especially on this day. That’s a good start. But the fullness of gratitude expresses that thankfulness to God, and calls him by name. 

    Thank you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; one God, now and forever! Amen.