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.”

  • Worthy of more intentional consideration

    Lamentations 3:25

    The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him.

    1 Peter 2:3

    Indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

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    There is a delightful encounter from CS Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, in which Aslan (the Christ figure in the allegorical children’s tale) is described.

    “Aslan is a lion- the Lion, the great Lion.” “Ooh” said Susan. “I’d thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion”…”Safe?” said Mr Beaver …”Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

    Randy Alcorn has taken up the challenge of defending the goodness of God in his book, If God Is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil. The Lewis quote and Alcorn’s book team up to highlight a truth well worth more intentional consideration: God is good. God’s nature is not just holy and righteous. You can be those and yet uncaring and unkind. The goodness of God, however, brings great benefit to those who trust him and seek his favor.

    One might be good a golf, crossword puzzles, or real estate negotiations. But the goodness of God goes to his nature and being. God isn’t just good at running the universe or answering prayer. He is good in his essence. For that we may be very thankful and quite confident in times of challenge and times of deliverance.

  • Good News…even if you’re not St. Paul

    Isaiah 40:29

    He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless.

    2 Corinthians 12:10

    Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

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    These two verses are at least challenging, if not completely out of reach for most people. Paul was certainly an incredible servant of the Gospel. His life and commitment to the mission of God testifies to the truth revealed to Ananias (the man who came to Paul and healed him from his blindness, cf. Acts 9:10-19). When Ananias was told to go heal Paul from his blindness God reveals Paul’s future to Ananias: “this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles and kings and the people of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name” (Acts 9:15-16).

    Paul lived out the prophecy of God – that hard path of pain, suffering, hardship, persecution, and insults. And he was content with all that. He had learned that in his weakness God was strongly at work in him. He learned that Christ and his mission was worthy of even the most severe suffering. 

    But that’s Paul, not David, Tom, Sarah, Daryn, or [insert your name here], right?!? Truly that is the case. Paul was a singularly significant servant of Jesus Christ. He embraced the truth of Isaiah’s testimony. God gives power to the weak, and strength to the powerless. Perhaps, however, that is exactly where we can be more like Paul than we might imagine. We are powerless to live a life like Paul. We are too weak to take on years of missionary journeys and the rigors of foreign mission efforts.

    Into that weakness God pours strength, grace, power and mercy. In those places of failure and hopelessness God’s love, forgiveness, and redemption finds a sweet repose. If we did not need a Savior, salvation, and rescue from sin and Satan, Isaiah’s words would be meaningless. But we who are able to acknowledge our need may rejoice in God’s provision. Thanks be to God!

  • Right Reasons for Wrong Decisions and Wrong Hearts Hidden by Outward Actions – God Knows & Will Act

    Daniel 2:22

    God knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with him.

    1 Corinthians 4:5

    Do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart.

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    God’s eyes are not closed to our actions, nor is he unaware of our motives.

    Many years ago I was struggling over whether to accept a Call to a new congregation. I remember a friend and colleague advising me: “You can make the wrong decision for the right reason, and God will honor that.” I’m not totally certain of that advice, but it seems at least plausibly true. Certainly God knows our motives and the imaginations of our hearts.

    We may think we know what others are thinking; their motives may seem clear to us. But that is a dangerous path to take. Indeed, judging others’ motives is precisely about which Paul warns the Corinthians above. God will bring to light things hidden in darkness and disclose the purposes of the heart. Those things may remain forever hidden to us.

    This is both a comfort and a challenge. It is comforting to know that what may appear outwardly to be wrong to others may be known to God as righteous and true. Our refusal to speak up or take action may stem from an awareness of deeper issues than those obvious to others. On the other hand, our outward actions may also cover an unbelieving heart. In fact, the most outward and obviously good deception may never be discovered by humans. God will bring both to light: the pure motives for questionable (to others) actions, and the seemingly-good deeds motivated by impure desires.

    We may make the wrong decisions for the right reasons. We may make the right moves with impure motives. The constancy of God’s pure justice and perfect insight into the hearts of men and women is the great corrective and constant comfort for those who seek his ways.

  • The Hidden God

    Isaiah 45:15

    Truly, you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, the Savior. 

    Luke 18:32–34

    Jesus said, “The Son of Man will be handed over to the Gentiles; and he will be mocked and insulted and spat upon. After they have flogged him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise again.” But the Twelve understood nothing about all these things; in fact, what he said was hidden from them. 

      
    I’ve never seen gravity, but I certainly have experienced its results! I’ve never seen a watch factory, but I wear a watch that I am quite certain was made in a watch factory. I’ve never seen the wind, but I’ve seen dust carried along by the wind and the results of hurricane-force winds. 
    I’ve never seen God either, but I’ve seen the evidence of his presence, and experienced the influence of his love. God hides himself because he does not need to be seen in order to be loved, believed in, or called upon. 

    God is hidden behind the curtain of eternity, transcendence, holiness, and glory. We cannot behold him and live. He is not our errand boy. He is not one who shows up at our beck and call. But for a time, God showed up and was seen: the only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. And when he was here on earth, seen by any who would pass his way, he was treated shamefully, and we didn’t understand what he was doing or what the impact of his visit would be. 

    Today, however, we believe that God showed himself in Jesus. And when he did, it was a show of mercy, love, grace, forgiveness, faithfulness, and righteousness. Thank God he has not hidden himself from us, but revealed his nature and essence in Jesus!

  • God’s Place in Difficulty and Deliverance

    Nahum 1:7 (NKJV)

    The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows those who trust in him.

    Philippians 2:27

    Paul wrote: Epaphroditus was indeed so ill that he nearly died. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, so that I would not have one sorrow after another.

    Our visit to Mount Rainier was a marvelous encounter with the awesomeness of God's creation and the favor of wonderful weather!
    Our visit to Mount Rainier was a marvelous encounter with the awesomeness of God’s creation and the favor of wonderful weather!

    Sometimes our witness is most strong and impactful in the midst of difficulty and trouble. A light always shines brighter against a dark night. Certainly this is true of our Lord Jesus, whose faithfulness through suffering and death not only earned him the name above every name, but also shines as a witness to God’s faithfulness. Difficulty is not an indication of God’s absence.

    There are times, however, when an answered prayer witnesses very clearly to God’s goodness and faithfulness. We may be greatly comforted by the goodness, compassion and comfort of God in the face of difficulty. But the favor of God’s mercy is writ large when the healing comes. When a spouse is spared from a debilitating disease, a job offer comes at the right time. or a wandering child returns to family and faith, we may be truly grateful for God’s mercy.

    Whether the lines have fallen in pleasant places for us, or we are in the throes of challenge  and trouble, God is our stronghold, source of help and mercy, and the one to whom we may turn. When we see his answer, we will know that our trust in him is never in vain.

  • Hallowed be His Name

    Ezekiel 11:19

    I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them.

    Romans 8:15 (NKJV)

    You received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

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    I’ve not heard the Father’s name used in vain in any way near the way the name of the Son of God is profaned. Movies, TV shows, comedians, and everyday people will offer up the name of Jesus as an expletive, a verbal punctuation mark that offends the ears of those who call Jesus Lord. It may be just a matter of time before that occurs with the name of the Father, but I pray it does not become the case.

    There may be many reasons for this phenomenon, but one thing is clear from the above passage from Romans: those who have been adopted by God call out to him, “Abba, Father.” The Reformation Study Bible notes that:

    believers are taken into the family of God and are inwardly persuaded by the Spirit that they belong there. The cry of the believer, “Abba! Father!” (the Aramaic word Abba was used by Jesus Himself for God, Mark 14:36) indicates how vividly union with Christ was realized in the experience of the New Testament church. The cry is an expression of an assured awareness of sonship.

    Some make “Abba” akin to “Daddy”. I’ve made that point in the past. It seems not to be certain, however, that such is the case. And though there is sentimental reason to make that point, it is not borne out by any linguistic evidence. It is clear, however, that our relationship with God is an intimate one, marked by God’s grace and goodness toward his children, and our loving appreciation for his daily provision and care.

    Next time you are tempted to use Jesus’ name in vain, perhaps it will be helpful to remember that through Jesus’ redemption and the Holy Spirit’s gift of faith we call God, “Abba, Father.” May his name be ever hallowed among us all!

  • Talk is…

    Proverbs 10:19

    When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but the prudent are restrained in speech.

    Matthew 12:37

    By your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

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    Several years ago I had the great blessing of connecting with a group of black pastors. The town in southeast Arkansas in which we lived had become a near powder keg of racial tension. The two ministerial alliance groups in town – one black and the other white – decided that we needed to meet together and work toward racial understanding and harmony. One particular conversation lives on in my mind all these years later.

    One of the black pastors asked if he could listen to one of my sermons. I obliged, giving him one of what I thought to be my best. (The reader will know where this is going!). When he returned it, he said, “So that’s how you preach.” What he kindly didn’t say was, “That was really boring and flat.” If you have ever heard a black pastor preach, you’ll understand: they bring it! A good black pastor will engage you, challenge you, bless you, bring you to tears and make you shout “Amen!” Their cadence, tone, alliteration, and emotional gravitas makes the word come alive. That’s not how I preach.

    On the other hand, some consider a more restrained style to be preferable. No fluff, spin, slick tricks, or silver tongues are necessary for them. In fact, sometimes too many words, too much rhetoric, emotions too strongly expressed belie a less strong truth or an ulterior motive.

    Words matter to God. Too many words are all too often tools of obfuscation rather than communication. Wise people are often the least vocal. The fuller context of Jesus’ words above reveal a powerful warning and challenge:

    Matthew 12:34b-37

    For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

    Talk may be cheap. But our words can show what is in our hearts and express a truth about the presence of Christ or his absence. My prayer: May the Holy Spirit fill your hearts so that Christ reigns there by his grace. And when you discover that you have cast him off his rightful throne, repent and believe the Good News: Jesus forgives and his reign is one of grace and goodness. Then speak words of grace and truth centered in Jesus Christ.

  • Better than Nearby

    Psalm 91:9

    You have made the Lord your refuge.

    John 17:15

    Jesus prays, “I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one.”

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    I would personally like to believe that I have no enemies; that there is no one who is out to get me. I would like to live in a world where people just need more information, a better appreciation for my point of view (and I of theirs), and that there is not an evil element at work that is at odds with my wellbeing.

    I do believe, however, that Satan is real, that he is the evil one – the thief – who wants to steal, kill, and destroy (cf. John 10:10). The Bible describes him as the prince of this world, a roaring lion seeking to devour, the father of the lie, and the evil one. In fact a better or at least equally valid translation of the seventh petition of the Lord’s prayer, “deliver us from evil” would probably be, “deliver us from the evil one.”

    Our protection from this one who would deceive us into sin, undermine our relationship with God, and kill us is in God alone. We may have a strong moral compass, a resolute will, or a strong conscience, but though these will help in our battle against sin and Satan, only God will protect us.

    That means we must draw close to God, lean on his word and promise, seek his presence in our lives, and embrace his calling and ways. That means we take seriously who we are in Christ – not just near him. That means we acknowledge that the god-forsaken places of our minds and cities are to be avoided unless we are on a rescue mission or seeking a change of mind by the power of the Holy Spirit, and bringing the light of God’s love and truth to the darkness.

    If there is danger at hand, it is not enough to be near a place of safety; we must be in the place of safety. This world’s prince lurks. Thanks be to God that he is a refuge for all those who come to him.

  • Powerful Love

    Psalm 147:5

    Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. 

    Romans 8:28 (NIV)

    We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.

      
    We have all experienced the unfortunate encounter with someone who thought they understood you but decidedly did not understand you. The more she talks, assuring you all along that she understands your plight, the more you realize she does not understand you at all. The more he explains how he has had the same experience the more your realize that he is consumed with his own issues and completely misunderstands what you’re facing. Sad. Hurtful. 

    But those times when someone really does understand you. She listens well and reflects clearly what your are feeling. He asks questions that allow you to express your deepest feelings. But even the greatest counselor, closest friend, or most caring empathizer who understands you but has no power to help can take you only so far. 

    Think of this: God perfectly understands us…and he is God! The King of the Universe knows our frame and is able and willing to work for the benefit of those who love him. Powerful love: it’s a beautiful thing!

  • Faith-Building

    Joshua 24:14

    Therefore revere the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served, and serve the Lord.

    Romans 16:19 (NIV)

    I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

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    Many years ago, while in college, I was struggling with my faith. When I talked with my pastor about that he suggested that I pray for something specific. Great idea! I prayed for a letter from my girlfriend. Diane was living and studying in Germany for a semester, and we were carrying on a long-distance relationship. I went home to find a letter from her in the mail box. I was doubly happy about that: hearing from the young woman who would one day be my wife, and experiencing God’s answer to my prayer. He even knew about that before I asked!

    Most often our faith is bolstered by seeing or experiencing God’s deliverance. But there are other times when we are moved closer to God; and especially more toward following him and serving him. That happens when we are in the battle, and part of the advancement of God’s reign in the world. That, in particular, is the context from which Joshua is writing. His call to fear and serve the Lord is a follow-up to his reminder of how God had cleared out the Promised Land for his people: something in which they had played a significant role.

    If we are to experience God’s deliverance fully, we will be in the battle. The front line soldier has a greater perspective on the joy of victory than the people back home. Both may benefit, but the soldier knows the spoils of victory. Paul expresses it this way: “I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ” (Philemon 4).

    I am happy to say, also, that in sharing my faith, I have discovered an even greater sense of God’s faithfulness. Perhaps that is due in part to having a less selfish purpose in sharing my faith than in having a prayer answered. Once we’ve been part of the realization of God’s kingdom in this world, we are emboldened to serve and fear him more fully. We need not know about evil, but truly wise about the good that God would bring to those who fear and serve him.