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.”

  • Remembering Bob Honoring Christ

    Psalm 95:2–3

    Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God.

    1 Timothy 6:15–16 (NIV)

    The King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see—to him be honor and might forever.

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    Today we will gather in Saint Charles, Missouri at a memorial service for Robert Edward Dolan, Diane’s father. Bob died rather suddenly sometime after Diane spoke with him in the evening of August 25. He is remembered as a sincere man of strong convictions and values, a faithful Lutheran, thoughtful gentleman, committed father and husband, good neighbor, and humor-adding resident of Breeze Park retirement home.

    Knowing the family and those who are in charge of the service today, I am confident that as we remember Dad Dolan, we will even more rejoice in the promises of God, the faith which Bob confessed, the hope of the resurrection, the joy of Jesus’ victory over the grave, the glory of the Church Triumphant, and the comfort of God’s promise of eternal life for all who believe – among whom we also count Jenny, his wife, who died in 2010.

    It is such a great comfort to me personally that while we will remember Bob, we will honor Christ. We will be thankful for all the blessings Bob was to his family and friends, and give those thanks and praises to the King of Kings and Lord of lords. The One who alone is immortal, the Great God, will be praised. For we all realize God alone deserves the honor and glory, praise and thanksgiving. That was secured when Jesus of Nazareth offered himself for the sins of the world, dying on the cross, resting for three days in the grave, rising triumphantly to life, ascending to the right hand of God, coming again on the Great Last Day to judge the living and the dead, and welcoming all who are his into his eternal kingdom of light and life.

    We remember Robert Edward Dolan today. And we honor the King of kings and Lord of lords, the great God, looking forward to the day when we will join Bob, Jenny, Louis (my father), Barbara (my sister), Nici (our daughter-in-law), Kathy (my sister), and host of others before the throne to give God the honor and glory forever and ever.

  • What Matters Most

    Jeremiah 14:21

    Do not spurn us, for your name’s sake; do not dishonor your glorious throne.

    1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)

    The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

    The rendering of flowers represents an effort to reflect Claude Monet's approach to art. Flowers by God. Inspiration by Monet. Image by David. I hope you enjoy it.
    This rendering of flowers represents an effort to reflect Claude Monet’s approach to art. Flowers by God. Inspiration by Monet. Image by David. I hope you enjoy it.

    There are at least a dozen important things that call for my attention today. There are boxes yet to be unpacked in five of the eight rooms of our new home. We need to get some specific plans for landscaping our back yard. I am working on a photography portfolio for the Northwest Houston Photo Club of which I am a member (and president). I would love to work in the garage and hang my tools on the wall, and install shelving so that we can get both cars in the garage. There’s the important issue of golf: I have a 10:03 tee time. Even more important is the situation with Diane. She has an early morning pain management doctor’s appointment. And we leave tomorrow morning for her dad’s memorial service in Missouri.

    Through all of that, however, the presence, grace, help, and blessing of God is essential. Whatever else must go on, whatever I need to do, whatever appointments need to be kept, or schedules need to be kept, if God’s presence, grace, help, blessing and salvation are taken from us, all is for naught. Without God all is lost.

    Thanks be to God that is not up to me. It’s not a matter of my dire need. It’s certainly not a matter of my great character or vital importance to him. It’s not because I am a pastor, write a blog, take photos of flowers, or even seek to be a good husband that God gives his good attention to me. It is a matter of God’s character, name, and glory that God looks upon any of us with lovingkindness and favor.

    Seen fully in Jesus Christ, God’s love has been revealed as essential to his glory. He has called us to an eternal glory. Salvation has been won. And although that salvation starts at our conversion (we have abundant life now), it will be fully and finally experienced on the Great Last Day when Christ returns and all of the appointments, to-do’s, projects, and responsibilities will fade away. We will be gathered before the throne of Christ, and experience the fullness of his grace, love, presence, and blessing. It will be ultimately glorious!

    Whatever else you may face today; whatever else you may need to do; whatever else troubles your spirit; whatever else beckons for your attention; keep God’s presence, love, grace, goodness, blessing, and favor foremost in your heart. That is truly what matters most.

  • In God’s Pocket

    Psalm 139:5

    You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.

    2 Thessalonians 3:16

    Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with all of you.

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    When I want to be especially careful with my wallet, I will put it in my front pocket and put my hand in that pocket and on the wallet. It is safe and secure there, and I am very aware of its presence. This is the image of Psalm 139:5. We are hemmed in (in God’s pocket), and his hand is upon us. We are secure and God is keenly aware of our presence. We belong to God. We are his treasured possession.

    In the middle of the stormy night a child may scurry to his parents’ bed. Being with mom and dad brings peace, security, and comfort. When we face stormy times, God’s presence does the same. His presence brings us peace. God is called the God of peace.

    The presence of God in our lives, however, is not always appreciated. Too often we would rather have the gifts he gives more than the giver. Too seldom do we realize that God’s presence brings the truest peace, joy, and comfort. Sometimes we would rather depart from God’s presence so that we can entertain other pursuits. It’s easy to think of God’s presence as oppressive and limiting rather than freeing and liberating.

    In those moments it is good that God hems us in and lays his hand upon us so that we are not removed from his presence. God’s faithful, loving, and gracious protection, and his perfect peace is a gift of his presence which we truly need. Thank God we are in his pocket.

  • Who Reigns in Your Heart?

    2 Kings 19:15O Lord, you are God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth.

    Revelation 11:15

    The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign forever and ever. 

      
    One classic definition of the Kingdom of God is, “The gracious reign of Christ in the heart of the believer.” This is a great definition for at least two reasons. First of all, the word “reign” is a better word than “kingdom” insofar as it helps us understand, perhaps, that this is not referring to a political territory, but a realm of influence. Secondly, it emphasizes both the grace of God as well as the place of faith in the reign of God. His is a gracious reign, and it is by faith, and in our hearts.

    There is another facet of this that is also worth noting: Martin Luther speaks of this in his explanation to the Second Article of the Apostle’s Creed: “…that I may be [Jesus Christ’s] own and live under him in his kingdom, and serve him…” The purpose of Christ’s redemption is not just so we go to heaven, it is so that we experience his gracious reign in our hearts now as well. 

    The question, “Who reigns in your heart?” is important, for one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. We who believe in Jesus, and who call him Lord will rejoice on that day. Until then, we can also rejoice in Christ’s reign of grace in our hearts. He is a deeply and profoundly good king!

  • The Pathway of Faith and Good Courage

    Genesis 12:4

    So Abram went, as the Lord had told him.

    Hebrews 11:8

    By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and set out, not knowing where he was going.

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    A beautiful prayer, inspired by Abram’s faithful example:

    Lord God,
    you have called your servants
    to ventures of which we cannot see the ending,
    by paths as yet untrodden,
    through perils unknown.
    Give us faith to go out with good courage,
    not knowing where we go,
    but only that your hand is leading us
    and your love supporting us;
    through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    We seldom head out to places unknown, without an itinerary, or clear sense of destination. Our commute may be challenging. Our path may be circuitous. Our road may be lonely. But we seldom trek out with no end in mind. Or so we think.

    Diane and I recently moved to a new house. We are busy trying to make it our home. We are also discovering certain realities about it that we did not fully appreciate when we chose and purchased this house. It’s small back yard is really small. The construction nearby, and the proximity to the street behind us are greater factors than we had anticipated.

    I am comforted by the fact that God’s hand is leading us. I am also comforted by the truth that God has chosen the exact places where people live so that they may seek him and find him, worship him and follow him where he leads (cf. Acts 17:26-27).

    We may think we know where we are going. We may believe we have sufficient resources to face every peril. We might have insurance for every loss. But unless we go our way each day with faith and good courage, following the hand of God as he leads us, we are entrusting ourselves to a false God. The better path is delineated by God and supported by his love.

  • We have a Deliverer!

    Psalm 16:10 (NIV)

    You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead.

    Romans 7:24–25

    Paul wrote: Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

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    As we have been looking closely at Greg Finke’s book, Joining Jesus on His Mission we have seen again and again that the mission of God is indeed God’s mission. He is the One who is saving lost people. He is the One moving people’s hearts to faith. He is the One who has redeemed us. We are agents of his grace. We are carriers of his word. We are messengers of his Good News. How that Good News, redemption, and grace is received, embraced, or (sadly) rejected is something over which we have no control. God is the great Deliverer.

    As such, however, God used a human agent – Jesus of Nazareth – to bring about our deliverance. He was delivered over for our sins, mocked, scourged, crucified, dead, and buried. All that came upon him as if he was the worst sinner of all time; which he was certainly not. Through it all Jesus remained faithful, trusting in God, entrusting his spirit into the hands of the Father in his final hour.

    Jesus was laid in the grave, but he was not abandoned to that realm. He was raised from the dead by the power of God. He was delivered from death by God and reigns over all now, at the right hand of God. We can embrace this truth with joy and confidence: we have a Deliverer. When we face our final hour, we have a deliverer. When we struggle against sin and it seems to have the upper hand, we have a deliverer. When all seems lost, we have a deliverer. Jesus who was delivered from the sharpness of death now delivers us.

    Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

  • Remember. Recalibrate. Rejoice.

    Psalm 86:11

    Give me an undivided heart to revere your name.

    2 Timothy 2:8

    Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead.

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    One important aspect of worship has to do with remembering Jesus Christ, his life, death, resurrection, and promise to come again. Worship allows us to recalibrate our memories, adjust our moral/spiritual compass, and rejoice in the hope of the resurrection and the promise of the life of the world to come.

    As we remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, we are able to put all injustice, pain, suffering, difficulty, and failure into proper perspective. Jesus has conquered all those, and more. He has conquered sin and Satan. He has conquered death. We have a hope that nothing will destroy. Remember: Jesus has risen; and those who look to him may rejoice in hope. Those who are set against him and his ways and works have only dread and fear to embrace in the face of that truth.

    Sunday is an opportunity to remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead. It is a day to seek God’s help to have an undivided heart (a life-long struggle for which we will continually need God’s help), and a time to rejoice that Jesus Christ is our righteousness. His heart was perfectly undivided. Our hope, life, salvation, and every good thing is in him.

    That is worth remembering, repenting of our sins, and rejoicing in his salvation. I look forward to that today. I pray that you do as well.

  • Thank God. He Has Landed.

    Malachi 3:6

    I the Lord do not change.

    Revelation 1:8

    “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

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    I had a friend who was described to me as one who “never lands.” What I think that meant was that this particular person would talk, and talk, and talk, and never reach a firm conclusion. He had a difficult time of landing on a particular idea or conviction without many, many, many equivocations to his main point. “He never lands,” seemed at the time to describe this man to a tee.

    That’s definitely not God. God never changes. God is the One who is, and who was, and who is to come; the same yesterday, today, and forever and evermore (Hebrews 13:8). He doesn’t change; he is no shifting shadow. God is the rock. He is the one who is – totally apart from anyone’s acknowledgement. He is the one with whom we all will have to do.

    This is good news. For God’s changeless nature means that his promises are completely reliable. It means that there will not be a whimsical last-minute default or a failure of nerve in the face of challenges or inconvenience. It means that if we give our lives for the sake of the Gospel, or look to God’s ultimate vindication instead of easy, short-term benefits, we will not be disappointed.

    Malachi goes on to say that because of the changeless nature of God we are not consumed. God has landed on this truth: whoever believes in him will be saved. We can count on that, and rejoice in hope of his salvation.

  • Hands & Hearts in Praise to God

    Lamentations 3:41

    Let us lift up our hearts as well as our hands to God in heaven.

    Hebrews 4:16

    Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

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    Several years ago I learned that especially for the Hebrew nation worship is not only a matter of voice and song, but a whole body experience. Joy is expressed not only in smiles but also in clapping, dancing, and raising of hands. Hebrew believers were expressive in their whole bodies. Sometimes we staid and reserved types are hesitant to become too expressive. Remember how Micah expressed her disdain over David’s exuberant dancing when the ark of the covenant was returned to Jerusalem.

    While I am not a “holy roller,” I have more recently given in to the urge to raise my hands, or clap when moved with joy or thankfulness to God in times of worship. Some times are more appropriate than others to be sure. But just as tears of contrition or grief are appropriate when we experience loss or are made aware of the depth of our sin, so are raised hands and applause for God when we recognize the greatness of his gifts. There is something to be said for actually acting on good impulses, rather than stifling them.

    There is yet another issue even more important than whether we dance, raise our hands, or clap our hands in worship. That is the attitude of our hearts before God. God looks not (only) on the outward appearance, but looks upon the heart. When we approach with boldness and faith, we will find grace and help in our time of need. That is a great promise. Perhaps that will lead us to give praise to God with uplifted hands, but more important, with our whole heart.

  • War Room

    Proverbs 21:31
    The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.
    Ephesians 6:12

    For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
    War-Room
    I just came from the movie War Room. This Kendrick Brothers production was enjoyable, heart-warming, and well directed, acted, and edited. It may be a bit direct, sometimes preachy, and not terribly nuanced. But I was engaged the whole time, emotionally-touched, and thankful for the manner in which Jesus’ name was used throughout – no cursing here, just praise, prayer in Jesus’ name. The prayers were for marriage restoration, forgiveness, moral clarity, and godliness. Difficult to complain against that!
    The movie synopsis offered online pretty well sums up the plot:
    With great jobs, a beautiful daughter (Alena Pitts) and a dream house, the Jordans seem to have it all. Appearances can be deceiving, however, as husband Tony (T.C. Stallings) flirts with temptation and wife Elizabeth (Priscilla Shirer) becomes increasingly bitter, crumbling under the strain of a failing marriage. Their lives take an unexpected turn for the better when Elizabeth meets her newest client, Miss Clara (Karen Abercrombie), who encourages the couple to find happiness through prayer.
    But the movie is not just about prayer; it is about God’s power, Jesus’ victory, and the reality of Satan’s desire to steal, kill, and destroy. It is about a husband and wife who seek God, and turn from their own selfish ways, to God and resolve to do the right thing – no matter the costs. We all know that life isn’t ever as neat as Ward and June Cleaver, Wally and the Beaver. Nor do couples’ troubles go away as quickly as the Jordan’s troubles seem to evaporate. But how we wish they did! The ultimate resolution to all our ills – physical, social, marital, familial, spiritual, and vocational – will be experienced fully only in the Resurrection on the Great Last Day. It is a good thing, however, to seek a foretaste of those great joys and to pray for God’s kingdom to come among us now, even as we wait for the fullness of those joys in the land of the living.