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.”
  • 49 Week Challenge – Day 58: Jesus’ Call We Must Heed Each Day

    49 Week Challenge – Day 58: Jesus’ Call We Must Heed Each Day

    NOTE: I will have limited access to internet for the next two weeks. Be assured, however, that even if I don’t post here I am keeping up the 49 Week Bible Challenge. I encourage you to join me in this discipline. I am using the YouVersion 49 Week Bible Challenge for these devotions. Today’s readings are Mark 8; Leviticus 8; 1 Chronicles 23; Psalm 105.

    And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

    Backyard Daylily – 10 of 10 | Cypress, TX | April 2025

    It is remarkable to me how Jesus treats different groups of people. He chastises his disciples for failing to understand his teachings and grasp the implications of his miracles (cf. Mark 8:21). He calls Peter Satan when he tries to tell Jesus he need not die (cf. Mark 8:33). Then, here in these verses he challenges even the multitudes, telling them they must deny themselves, take up their crosses, and follow him.

    I take too little note of this hard teaching of Jesus. But I recall one man who did take note of it. Dr. John Brandish (not his real name) was a member of the church I served there. He came to me once really struggling with the meaning of this verse, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” At that time I thought it was about understanding, and I tried to explain it to him. But now I’m not so sure. I believe he understood it and was trying to comprehend how to do it. It challenged him greatly.

    Jesus challenged the crowds so that they would not simply be fascinated by his miracles, but so they would understand the depth of his love and the extent of his claim on us. It’s something we ought to take note of these hard sayings of Jesus and consider how we are to apply them to our lives.

    Fortunately that is not all, however. For Jesus immediately promises, “whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.” The call to follow Jesus is a call toward life, not away from it. It’s a call away from self, and toward God. It is a call we need to heed again and again each day. 

  • 49 Week Challenge – Day 57: Insights from a Subordinate Clause

    49 Week Challenge – Day 57: Insights from a Subordinate Clause

    NOTE: I will have limited access to internet for the next two weeks. Be assured, however, that even if I don’t post here I am keeping up the 49 Week Bible Challenge. I encourage you to join me in this discipline. I am using the YouVersion 49 Week Bible Challenge for these devotions. Today’s readings are Matthew 16; 2 Chronicles 6; Psalm 42.

    “If [your people] sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you are angry with them and give them to an enemy, so that they are carried away captive to a land far or near, 37 yet if they turn their heart in the land to which they have been carried captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their captivity, saying, ‘We have sinned and have acted perversely and wickedly,’ 38 if they repent with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity to which they were carried captive, and pray toward their land, which you gave to their fathers, the city that you have chosen and the house that I have built for your name, 39 then hear from heaven your dwelling place their prayer and their pleas, and maintain their cause and forgive your people who have sinned against you. 40 Now, O my God, let your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayer of this place.

    41 “And now arise, O Lord God, and go to your resting place,
        you and the ark of your might.
    Let your priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation,
        and let your saints rejoice in your goodness.
    42 O Lord God, do not turn away the face of your anointed one!
        Remember your steadfast love for David your servant.”

    Backyard Daylily – 9 of 10 | Cypress, TX | April 2025

    I wrote the other day about the incredible impact of a sermon I heard based on Jesus’ promise that he would never turn away anyone who comes to him. I recall, also, an impactful message based on Isaiah 43:4, “You are precious in my sight, and I love you.” Such good news. Those direct promises are powerfully important. And there is such a promise in the reading from 2 Chronicles 6. (More about that later.) 

    But sometimes an offhand comment, or a clause in a sentence can convey a powerful truth. It can even be more impactful than a direct message. In this case the subordinate clause in 2 Chronicles 6:36, “for there is no one who does not sin,” carries a weight beyond its few words. There are other places in the Bible which speak of man’s sinfulness. I think of Romans 3:23, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Or 1 John 1:8, “If we say we are without sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” I also recall this from Romans 3:10 “there is no one righteous; not even one,” which is a summary of Psalm 14:1–3 and Psalm 53:1–3. It’s clear that everyone sins. There are no exceptions.

    Why then, does this clause impact me so? Because it’s stated as a fact that less than an accusation. It’s not as though Solomon is pointing to people accusingly: “You sinners!” Sinners we are. But here Solomon says something profoundly true and important. But he says it not to us, but to God. He is speaking to God about listening to the prayers of his people, and forgiving those who call him in repentance.

    Many years ago, a family had been ripped apart by divorce, and the 10 year old son was particularly wounded. In some ways his response was more healthy than someone who denies the pain and pretends nothing is wrong. He was hurting horribly. When his mom took him and his sister to a divorce recovery gathering, he was greatly relieved to learn that he wasn’t alone in his pain.

    When you sin, or your conscience bothers you, remember, “there is no one who does not sin.” And in repentant faith (not in a self-justifying everyone-sins-spirit), turn to God with the confidence that whoever confesses his sin finds mercy, grace, and forgiveness. For “there is no one who does not sin” is truly only half the story. The other half of the story is Jesus on the cross – the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

  • Today’s Psalms for June 29, 2025

    Please pray these psalms with me on this Lord’s Day

    Psalm 29

    Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
        ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
    2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
        worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.

    3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
        the God of glory thunders,
        the Lord, over many waters.
    4 The voice of the Lord is powerful;
        the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

    5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
        the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
    6 He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf,
        and Sirion like a young wild ox.

    7 The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
    8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
        the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

    9 The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth
        and strips the forests bare,
        and in his temple all cry, “Glory!”

    10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
        the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.
    11 May the Lord give strength to his people!
        May the Lord bless his people with peace!

    Psalm 59

    Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;
        protect me from those who rise up against me;
    2 deliver me from those who work evil,
        and save me from bloodthirsty men.

    3 For behold, they lie in wait for my life;
        fierce men stir up strife against me.
    For no transgression or sin of mine, O Lord,
    4     for no fault of mine, they run and make ready.
    Awake, come to meet me, and see!
    5     You, Lord God of hosts, are God of Israel.
    Rouse yourself to punish all the nations;
        spare none of those who treacherously plot evil. Selah

    6 Each evening they come back,
        howling like dogs
        and prowling about the city.
    7 There they are, bellowing with their mouths
        with swords in their lips—
        for “Who,” they think, “will hear us?”

    8 But you, O Lord, laugh at them;
        you hold all the nations in derision.
    9 O my Strength, I will watch for you,
        for you, O God, are my fortress.
    10 My God in his steadfast love will meet me;
        God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.

    11 Kill them not, lest my people forget;
        make them totter by your power and bring them down,
        O Lord, our shield!
    12 For the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips,
        let them be trapped in their pride.
    For the cursing and lies that they utter,
    13     consume them in wrath;
        consume them till they are no more,
    that they may know that God rules over Jacob
        to the ends of the earth. Selah

    14 Each evening they come back,
        howling like dogs
        and prowling about the city.
    15 They wander about for food
        and growl if they do not get their fill.

    16 But I will sing of your strength;
        I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.
    For you have been to me a fortress
        and a refuge in the day of my distress.
    17 O my Strength, I will sing praises to you,
        for you, O God, are my fortress,
        the God who shows me steadfast love.

    Psalm 89

    I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever;
        with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.
    2 For I said, “Steadfast love will be built up forever;
        in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness.”
    3 You have said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one;
        I have sworn to David my servant:
    4 ‘I will establish your offspring forever,
        and build your throne for all generations.’” Selah

    5 Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord,
        your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones!
    6 For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord?
        Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord,
    7 a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones,
        and awesome above all who are around him?
    8 O Lord God of hosts,
        who is mighty as you are, O Lord,
        with your faithfulness all around you?
    9 You rule the raging of the sea;
        when its waves rise, you still them.

    Psalm 119:1-8

    Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
        who walk in the law of the Lord!
    2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
        who seek him with their whole heart,
    3 who also do no wrong,
        but walk in his ways!
    4 You have commanded your precepts
        to be kept diligently.
    5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast
        in keeping your statutes!
    6 Then I shall not be put to shame,
        having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
    7 I will praise you with an upright heart,
        when I learn your righteous rules.
    8 I will keep your statutes;
        do not utterly forsake me!

    Psalm 149

    Praise the Lord!
    Sing to the Lord a new song,
        his praise in the assembly of the godly!
    2 Let Israel be glad in his Maker;
        let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!
    3 Let them praise his name with dancing,
        making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!
    4 For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
        he adorns the humble with salvation.
    5 Let the godly exult in glory;
        let them sing for joy on their beds.
    6 Let the high praises of God be in their throats
        and two-edged swords in their hands,
    7 to execute vengeance on the nations
        and punishments on the peoples,
    8 to bind their kings with chains
        and their nobles with fetters of iron,
    9 to execute on them the judgment written!
        This is honor for all his godly ones.
    Praise the Lord!

    The Holy Bible, English Standard Version.
    ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by
    Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

  • 49 Week Challenge – Day 54: The Whole Counsel of God

    49 Week Challenge – Day 54: The Whole Counsel of God

    NOTE: I will have limited access to internet for the next two weeks. Be assured, however, that even if I don’t post here I am keeping up the 49 Week Bible Challenge. I encourage you to join me in this discipline. I am using the YouVersion 49 Week Bible Challenge for these devotions. Today’s readings are Matthew 15; Exodus 21; Lamentations 2; 4.

    Matthew 15:1-11, 19-20

    Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” 3 He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ 5 But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,” 6 he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. 7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:

    8 “‘This people honors me with their lips,
        but their heart is far from me;
    9 in vain do they worship me,
        teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

    10 And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: 11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” 

    19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”

    Backyard Daylily – 8of 10 | Cypress, TX | April 2025

    One of the key elements of Bible interpretation is placing the passage in it’s full and proper context. We look at the book as a whole, when it was written, by whom, and under what circumstances. Then we consider the outline of the book as a whole. What is the progression of the thoughts being laid out, of the arc of the story unfolding. Is this wisdom literature, narrative, history, or letters to the Early Church? Context matters.

    The greatest abuse of context is when people rip things out of context. So now, “Judge not lest you be judged,” becomes a free pass to do anything you want without censure. Or someone rides his eschatological hobby horse off the cliff of absurd claims about the end times. Some may also wish to make Jesus’ lack of speaking to a specific issue a free pass to redefine marriage or sexuality.

    Even more dangerous, however, was the Pharisees’ misuse of Old Testament laws and requirements. These false emphasis on rituals, considerations of clean and unclean based solely on outward appearances set aside God’s true intent and purpose.

    So Jesus sets things straight. It’s not outward piety that recommends us to God. Our faith recommends us to God; for faith sees the goodness of God, his pure grace and truth in Jesus, and his command that we love him first and our neighbor as ourselves.

    We may want to highlight one sin over another, find an excuse for one behavior and not another, or dismiss something because it is inconvenient or difficult. But God’s call is always a call to repentance and faith. So we continually must say, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).

  • 49 Week Challenge – Day 53: What a Promise!

    49 Week Challenge – Day 53: What a Promise!

    NOTE: I will have limited access to internet for the next two weeks. Be assured, however, that even if I don’t post here I am keeping up the 49 Week Bible Challenge. I encourage you to join me in this discipline. I am using the YouVersion 49 Week Bible Challenge for these devotions. Today’s readings are John 6; Nehemiah 9-10; Job 9.

    John 6:35-40

    Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

    Backyard Daylily – 7 of 10 | Cypress, TX | April 2025

    I’ve probably recounted this here before, but the impact of the incident – brief as it was – has stayed with me for 48 years.

    I served my vicarage at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cheyenne, Wyoming. It happened one Sunday at the end of the service as people were filing out, shaking hands with the pastor and me. “Oh pastor,” she said, “that was the most wonderful message. I so needed to hear it.”

    His text was from John 6:37 where Jesus says, “Whoever comes to me I will in never cast out.” It was one of four or five sermons I can recall hearing over the past many years. But it left a lasting impression. The pure good news of God’s grace and forgiveness in Jesus Christ is sweet to the ear and salutary to the soul. It obviously impacted her greatly.

    Just now, thinking about it, I wonder whether there is another promise in these few verses that is profound and impactful – if we but take it to heart. For the promise of being received by Jesus requires that he be gracious, forgiving, and loving. What’s more, it is necessary for the second promise to come to pass. For Jesus promises to raise us up – we who come to him – on the last day.

    Eternal life is sometimes little thought of. Too often we think it’s little more than pie in the sky in the sweet by and by. But if you take the idea of life to the fullest, it’s more than just existing, breathing, eating, sleeping and having as much fun as you can. Life in the fullest sense – Jesus calls it life in abundance – is a full experience of every good thing God has to offer.

    Today’s readings included a chapter from Job. Job makes a point of lamenting the unapproachable nature of God. There is no way we can defend ourselves before God.

    “Truly I know that it is so:
        But how can a man be in the right before God?
    3 If one wished to contend with him,
        one could not answer him once in a thousand times. – Job 9:2-3

    Then comes Jesus. “Whoever comes to me, I will never cast out.” That’s quite a promise. And a second is remarkable as well: “Everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” What a promise – both of them!

  • 49 Week Challenge – Day 52: The True Source of All Things

    49 Week Challenge – Day 52: The True Source of All Things

    NOTE: I will have limited access to internet for the next two weeks. Be assured, however, that even if I don’t post here I am keeping up the 49 Week Bible Challenge. I encourage you to join me in this discipline. I am using the YouVersion 49 Week Bible Challenge for these devotions. Today’s readings are Luke 9:1-27; 2 Kings 4; Ezekiel 10.

    2 Kings 4:25-37

    When the man of God saw [the widow] coming, he said to Gehazi his servant, “Look, there is the Shunammite. 26 Run at once to meet her and say to her, ‘Is all well with you? Is all well with your husband? Is all well with the child?’” And she answered, “All is well.” 27 And when she came to the mountain to the man of God, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came to push her away. But the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for she is in bitter distress, and the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me.” 28 Then she said, “Did I ask my lord for a son? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me?’” 29 He said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment and take my staff in your hand and go. If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not reply. And lay my staff on the face of the child.” 30 Then the mother of the child said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he arose and followed her. 31 Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the face of the child, but there was no sound or sign of life. Therefore he returned to meet him and told him, “The child has not awakened.”

    32 When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed. 33 So he went in and shut the door behind the two of them and prayed to the LORD. 34 Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm. 35 Then he got up again and walked once back and forth in the house, and went up and stretched himself upon him. The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. 36 Then he summoned Gehazi and said, “Call this Shunammite.” So he called her. And when she came to him, he said, “Pick up your son.” 37 She came and fell at his feet, bowing to the ground. Then she picked up her son and went out.

    Backyard Daylily – 6 of 10 | Cypress, TX | April 2025

    My grandson gave me an executive summary of the Harry Potter storyline. There are many parallels to biblical themes of the forces of evil, the spiritual powers in the world, and even the resurrection. As I listened to him, I remarked that it is easy to understand why some people look at the Bible as a collection of fairy tales, myths, and superstitions.

    The record of these encounters with Elijah might be candidates for such conclusions. A servant is to lay his staff on the dead boy as though it might heal him. Elijah’s elaborate actions – laying on top of the boy, walking around the house, laying on him again, and the child sneezing seven times all cause me to wonder what’s really going on. You might easily dismiss all this as superstitious shenanigans.

    But I see a couple different themes here, and it’s not just some sort of literary finesse. The servant’s staff doesn’t do the trick. The healing will come from a much more intimate encounter with God’s servant. I notice also that Elijah prayed to the LORD. He knew that neither the staff or he himself was the source of life.

    And that’s the point. God is the source of all things. Life over death. Righteousness over sin. Faith over fear. Hope in the face of despair. Some people want to pick everything apart. Some will even make a big deal out of the staff and Elijah’s act of laying on top of the boy. I’m not so inclined. I’m much more willing to admit that I don’t understand some things in the biblical narrative. There are plenty of things I do understand and which call me to faith in God who is the source of life, hope, forgiveness, love, and salvation.

  • 49 Week Challenge – Day 51: Forgive us, Lord, for Feast that Knows No Fast

    49 Week Challenge – Day 51: Forgive us, Lord, for Feast that Knows No Fast

    NOTE: I will have limited access to internet for the next two weeks. Be assured, however, that even if I don’t post here I am keeping up the 49 Week Bible Challenge. I encourage you to join me in this discipline. I am using the YouVersion 49 Week Bible Challenge for these devotions. Today’s readings are Mark 6:24-56 and Esther 7-10.

    Mark 6:30-44

    The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. 35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. 36 Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. 42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.

    Backyard Daylily- 5 of 10 | Cypress, TX | April 2025

    Forgive us Lord, for Shallow Thankfulness, is a hymn with deep expressions of confession (“forgive us”) and exhortation (“teach us”). We enjoyed a time of great celebration last Saturday, with feasting of many kinds. It was a time for true and deep thankfulness to God – not only for the gifts, but to the giver – God himself.

    Jesus’ act of feeding the 5000 is an example of a feast unlike any other worldly feasts we might experience. It’s certainly different from the feast at which Herod would foolishly put himself in a position to have to behead John the Baptist. It is dramatically different from the feast at which Haman experienced a turn of fate that no one would ever wish to encounter.

    It was also different from most feasts we would consider as such. Fish and bread! That’s it?!? Can’t you do better than that? The only thing similar to most feasts these days is that there were leftovers!

    We are a sated lot. We Too often and too easily complain when the steak isn’t cooked to our liking, our coffee is not piping hot, or the dessert doesn’t meet our expectations. But rather than needing a different entree, we need a new “wanter” – that part of us that sets expectations and presumes to wish for things our eyes find appealing but our character cannot handle.

    Jesus fed the 5000 and they were amazed and no doubt thankful. Perhaps we need to sing the hymn – or at least pray it today:

    Words By William Watkins Reid Sr.

    Forgive us, Lord, for shallow thankfulness,
    For dull content with warmth and sheltered care,
    For songs of praise for food and harvest press,
    While of Your richer gifts we’re unaware:

    Teach us to thank You, Lord, for love and grace,
    For life and vision, for a purpose clear,
    For Christ your Son, and for each human face
    That shows Your message ever new and near.

    Forgive us, Lord, for selfish thanks and praise,
    For words that speak at variance with deeds;
    Forgive our thanks for waling pleasant ways
    Unmindful of a broken brother’s needs:

    Teach us, O Lord, true thankfulness divine,
    That gives as Christ gave, never counting cost,
    That knows no barrier of “yours” and “mine,”
    Assured that only what’s withheld is lost.

    Forgive us, Lord, for feast that knows not fast,
    For joy in things that meanwhile starve the soul,
    For walls and wars that hide Your mercies vast
    And blur our vision of the Kingdom goal:

    Open our eyes to see Your love’s intent,
    To know with minds and hearts its depth and height;
    May thankfulness be days in service spend,
    Reflection of Christ’s life and love and light.

    Words © 1965, Ren. 1993 The Hymn Society (admin. Hope Publishing Company)

  • 49 Week Challenge – Day 50: For Such a Time as This

    49 Week Challenge – Day 50: For Such a Time as This

    NOTE: I will have limited access to internet for the next two weeks. Be assured, however, that even if I don’t post here I am keeping up the 49 Week Bible Challenge. I encourage you to join me in this discipline. I am using the YouVersion 49 Week Bible Challenge for these devotions. Today’s readings are Mark 6:22-23; Esther 4-6.

    Esther 4:10-14

    Then Esther spoke to Hathach and commanded him to go to Mordecai and say, 11 “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law—to be put to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter so that he may live. But as for me, I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.”

    12 And they told Mordecai what Esther had said. 13 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

    Backyard Daylily- 4 of 10 | Cypress, TX | April 2025

    Diane and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary yesterday and what a celebration it was. So many family members. So many friends. So many church members! And the food! WOW! Great job Dana Bahn! She outdid herself. We had a great time.

    And it was time to be sure. For Such a Time as This was the name of a stewardship campaign we undertook several years ago. The phrase comes from this passage in Esther – the only book in the Bible where God is not mentioned(!). But the providence of God is all over every turn of the plot of this delightful account of Queen Esther’s bravery and Haman’s duplicity.

    As the story unfolds we see a dramatic turn of events as God orchestrates things in such a manner that greed, deception, and pride run their self-destructive course toward ignominy.

    Esther interceded in behalf of the Jewish people. They were saved from destruction at that time.

    In the New Testament we learn that Jesus was born at just the right time (Galatians 4:4-5). God’s insertion of himself into the drama of our redemption has resulted in the ultimate deliverance. Our sins are forgiven. Death has been swallowed up in victory. Satan is defeated. We have been eternally spared.

    For such a time as this: perhaps you will have an opportunity to step into the breach in behalf of God’s grace and truth to thwart the work of the evil one.

    For such a time as this: it’s more than a slogan. It is the way of God who offers kairos moments and sets up divine appointments (cf. Ephesians 2:10). For his glory and our neighbor’s good and our eternal joy.

  • Today’s Psalms for June 22, 2025

    Please pray these psalms with me on this Lord’s Day

    Psalm 22

    O Lord, 

    My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
        Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?
    2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,
        and by night, but I find no rest.

    3 Yet you are holy,
        enthroned on the praises of Israel.
    4 In you our fathers trusted;
        they trusted, and you delivered them.
    5 To you they cried and were rescued;
        in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

    6 But I am a worm and not a man,
        scorned by mankind and despised by the people.
    7 All who see me mock me;
        they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;
    8 “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him;
        let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”

    9 Yet you are he who took me from the womb;
        you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts.
    10 On you was I cast from my birth,
        and from my mother’s womb you have been my God.
    11 Be not far from me,
        for trouble is near,
        and there is none to help.

    12 Many bulls encompass me;
        strong bulls of Bashan surround me;
    13 they open wide their mouths at me,
        like a ravening and roaring lion.

    14 I am poured out like water,
        and all my bones are out of joint;
    my heart is like wax;
        it is melted within my breast;
    15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd,
        and my tongue sticks to my jaws;
        you lay me in the dust of death.

    16 For dogs encompass me;
        a company of evildoers encircles me;
    they have pierced my hands and feet—
    17 I can count all my bones—
    they stare and gloat over me;
    18 they divide my garments among them,
        and for my clothing they cast lots.

    19 But you, O Lord, do not be far off!
        O you my help, come quickly to my aid!
    20 Deliver my soul from the sword,
        my precious life from the power of the dog!
    21     Save me from the mouth of the lion!
    You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!

    22 I will tell of your name to my brothers;
        in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
    23 You who fear the Lord, praise him!
        All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,
        and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
    24 For he has not despised or abhorred
        the affliction of the afflicted,
    and he has not hidden his face from him,
        but has heard, when he cried to him.

    25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
        my vows I will perform before those who fear him.
    26 The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied;
        those who seek him shall praise the Lord!
        May your hearts live forever!

    27 All the ends of the earth shall remember
        and turn to the Lord,
    and all the families of the nations
        shall worship before you.
    28 For kingship belongs to the Lord,
        and he rules over the nations.

    29 All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship;
        before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,
        even the one who could not keep himself alive.
    30 Posterity shall serve him;
        it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;
    31 they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn,
        that he has done it.

    Psalm 52

    Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man?
        The steadfast love of God endures all the day.
    2 Your tongue plots destruction,
        like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit.
    3 You love evil more than good,
        and lying more than speaking what is right. Selah
    4 You love all words that devour,
        O deceitful tongue.

    5 But God will break you down forever;
        he will snatch and tear you from your tent;
        he will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah
    6 The righteous shall see and fear,
        and shall laugh at him, saying,
    7 “See the man who would not make
        God his refuge,
    but trusted in the abundance of his riches
        and sought refuge in his own destruction!”

    8 But I am like a green olive tree
        in the house of God.
    I trust in the steadfast love of God
        forever and ever.
    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

    God has taken his place in the divine council;
        in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
    2 “How long will you judge unjustly
        and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
    3 Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;
        maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.
    4 Rescue the weak and the needy;
        deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

    5 They have neither knowledge nor understanding,
        they walk about in darkness;
        all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

    6 I said, “You are gods,
        sons of the Most High, all of you;
    7 nevertheless, like men you shall die,
        and fall like any prince.”

    8 Arise, O God, judge the earth;
        for you shall inherit all the nations!

    Psalm 112

    Praise the Lord!
    Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
        who greatly delights in his commandments!
    2 His offspring will be mighty in the land;
        the generation of the upright will be blessed.
    3 Wealth and riches are in his house,
        and his righteousness endures forever.
    4 Light dawns in the darkness for the upright;
        he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.
    5 It is well with the man who deals generously and lends;
        who conducts his affairs with justice.
    6 For the righteous will never be moved;
        he will be remembered forever.
    7 He is not afraid of bad news;
        his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.
    8 His heart is steady; he will not be afraid,
        until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.
    9 He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor;
        his righteousness endures forever;
        his horn is exalted in honor.
    10 The wicked man sees it and is angry;
        he gnashes his teeth and melts away;
        the desire of the wicked will perish!

    Psalm 142

    With my voice I cry out to the Lord;
        with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord.
    2 I pour out my complaint before him;
        I tell my trouble before him.

    3 When my spirit faints within me,
        you know my way!
    In the path where I walk
        they have hidden a trap for me.
    4 Look to the right and see:
        there is none who takes notice of me;
    no refuge remains to me;
        no one cares for my soul.

    5 I cry to you, O Lord;
        I say, “You are my refuge,
        my portion in the land of the living.”
    6 Attend to my cry,
        for I am brought very low!
    Deliver me from my persecutors,
        for they are too strong for me!
    7 Bring me out of prison,
        that I may give thanks to your name!
    The righteous will surround me,
        for you will deal bountifully with me.

    The Holy Bible, English Standard Version.
    ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by
    Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

  • Special Edition: Rejoicing Along the Way

    Special Edition: Rejoicing Along the Way

    Romans 12:9-12

    Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

    Yes, That’s us 50 years ago!

    On June 21, 1975, Pastor Robert Lange preached our wedding sermon based on Romans 12, focusing on the verses I’ve included above. His theme was, “Rejoicing Along the Way.” He emphasized the need for hope, prayer, and love as we walk with Jesus, along the Way. The Way was first used to describe the earliest followers of Jesus, and he encouraged us to remain true and faithful to Jesus throughout our lives.

    We’ve had our fits and starts Along the Way, but Jesus has been our constant, and he has never failed us. We arrive at our 50th wedding anniversary deeply thankful for each other, committed to each other, and ever more thankful for his commitment to us and his perfect faithfulness to us.

    To that end a prayer and a verse…

    Dear Heavenly Father we join today in giving you thanks and praise for your great love and faithfulness toward us through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. By his faithfulness we have weathered some difficult times, faced some great challenges, and overcome some hard obstacles. But our overwhelming praise to you is for the years and years of blessing, love, and joy we have experienced together as husband and wife. I would never even have made it through seminary without Diane. And Diane might list blessings she has experienced from me. But we both rejoice in the four sons you have given us, their wives, and children: ten grandchildren and one great grandson! And the people you have sent into our lives over the years! Church members we have grown to love, church staff we have bonded with, friends all over the world – such a gift, blessing and joy! As we celebrate today we give you the honor, praise, and glory even as we rejoice in our mutual love for each other. Thank you for all these gifts, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

    In Christ Alone – with apologies to Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

    In Christ alone our way is made;
    He is our hope, our strength, each day.
    Our lives are his, his joy is ours –
    He gives us grace and staying power.

    His love sustains, his mercy binds,
    Our boundaries drawn with pleasant lines.
    We praise him for gifts from his hand;
    Here in his grace and love we stand.

    In Christ alone our future’s sure.
    We walk with him – safe and secure –
    Not in our strength or in our might;
    We need his grace to walk in light.

    His grace and strength to carry on,
    Forgive each one the other’s wrong,
    Give us true hope and confidence;
    We thank him for our love and bliss.

    So here and now, we celebrate
    Christ’s love and ours on this gold date.
    For fifty years we’ve sung this song,
    Loving each other kind and strong.

    What joy is ours, what grace divine!
    Dear God above let your love shine
    Into our hearts and lives so we
    May sing together eternally!

    – David Bahn
    June 20, 2025