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.”

  • Worth it! Real. Unassailable. Worth it.

    1 Samuel 14:6

    Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.

    Matthew 6:33

    Strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

    "Courtyard Cross" - Bejing, China
    “Courtyard Cross” – Bejing, China

    God’s reign is real – whether embraced or denied. He is enthroned above all powers and has all authority. He does not ring his hands in anxious worry at the latest disaster, natural or otherwise. This is certainly most clearly expressed by Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Through the suffering and distress Jesus endured, he never gave up faith in God. God never wondered what he would do. Satan may have thought he had won the day, but his victory was actually his defeat, and God’s apparent defeat was actually the victory of faithfulness, righteousness, justice, and salvation. Jesus won by dying; he lived by losing. He was vindicated by his resurrection from the grave, and reigns at God’s right hand on high.

    In the case of Jonathan (1 Samuel 14), the victory was outrageously ill-advised, humanly-speaking. But Jonathan went up against the Philistines in the strength of God, and God prevailed. In our case, the challenges are often more subtle. We don’t always take on armies single-handedly. We don’t often have our battles cut out so clearly for us. But when we strive to embrace God’s reign in our families, work-places, schools, and leisure activities, we can all-too-easily be challenged. We are easily tempted to hold a grudge. Others often seek our ruin as a means for their gain. Satan can release his minions against godly pursuits.

    In those moments we must lean into the promises of God, and seek his reign and righteousness. That reign is one of grace in our hearts. That righteousness is one of faith in the ways and love of Jesus. That’s worth striving for, seeking, pursuing and embracing.

  • Donald Trump and Chris Christie Notwithstanding (This is not about politics.)

    1 Samuel 9:27

    Samuel said to Saul, “Stop here yourself for a while, that I may make known to you the word of God.”

    James 1:19

    Let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.

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    Whether or not you like either man or his politics, neither Donald Trump nor Chris Christie are known for their slowness in speaking! Quick to listen? Not so much. But before we launch into any kind of diatribe on their bent toward verbal effusiveness, it would be good to apply this word from James. We are to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. James goes on to say, “For the anger of man does not accomplish the righteous things that God desires” (James 1:20). That is a great reminder for me!

    Having said that, notice Samuel’s word to Saul; his desire to make the word of God known to Saul. It strikes me that we are to be quick to listen especially to the Word of God. That calls for slowing down, recalculating our priorities and agenda, and even a bit of discipline. It might mean that we watch a bit less TV, or waste less time in general. It will certainly mean that we give some time to reading God’s word.

    One plan for doing so is to read the Psalms. This prayer book of the Old Testament is a treasure trove of insight about God, expressions of emotions, professions of faith, and confessions of sin and hope. It may even be that through the regular encounter with the Psalms (or any other part of God’s word) we will discover a peace, and patience that allows God’s work to be more fully embraced and experienced. But it won’t happen if we’re too busy bashing others, bloviating about our political pet peeve, or running on in our own pursuits.

  • Satisfaction & Exaltation

    Isaiah 53:11 (NIV)

    After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied.

    Philippians 2:8–9

    Christ humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him.

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    Attaining a sense of satisfaction is a counterintuitive process. Getting more and more food, alcohol, drugs, excitement, or money seldom satisfies. Most often attaining a good measure of those things leads to a desire for even more. A job well done, a successful project completion, or completion of a challenging physical fete will often give one a strong sense of satisfaction. It comes with a worthy goal and a desire for something greater than our own pleasure or happiness.

    Isaiah wrote 750 years before Christ of a satisfaction that would be experienced by the Suffering Servant. There would be a time of suffering, and even death (see the fuller context of this incredible chapter of Isaiah!). But in the end, he would be alive – and satisfied. We see today, through the eyes of faith, that Isaiah was speaking of Jesus of Nazareth. Isaiah was pointing toward the redemption that would come through the Messiah; the Son of God.

    Paul reflects on this after the fact, but says the same thing: Following his suffering and death, Christ was exalted, glorified, and honored above all others. His is the name that is above all other names. This great hymn, found in Philippians 2:4-11, expresses a truth about the glory of Christ, but also conveys a calling for his followers. Our attitude is to be the same as his. Obedience, humility, faith, and faithfulness are the hallmarks of those who would be like Jesus.

    Although it is never to be done so that we may boast, or in a self-serving quest for smug satisfaction, we will find great fulfillment in following in Jesus’ way. For now, however, we honor Jesus Christ. For we never fully embrace his perfect obedience, love and faith. And – glory be to Jesus! – he is our righteousness, our King, and our Savior. To him belongs the greatest, truest, and deepest satisfaction, and the glory and praise for all eternity!

  • Poor English. Great Theology

    Genesis 18:14 (NASB)

    Is anything too difficult for the Lord?

    Mark 5:36

    Do not fear, only believe.

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    He lay in his bed at the nursing home in Springfield, Illinois. I would visit him on a regular basis while I was assigned to that home during my seminary training. He had some form of congenital disease, much like cerebral palsy. He could barely move. His speech was slurred and difficult to understand. But his witness to me has stuck with me for nearly 40 years. He has the answer to the question asked by the messengers of God, “Is anything too difficult for the Lord?” Joe’s witness: “There ain’t nothin’ God can’t do.” Poor English. Great theology. Garbled speech. Clear witness.

    Whom shall we, therefore, fear? Of what event should we be afraid? How do we proceed in the face of threat, challenge, or danger? We move faithfully forward into the unknown (to us!) future. For that future has been secured by God. We take up the battle against sin, Satan, and death itself, for we need not fear, and we serve a God who is able to do far more abundantly than all we think or imagine.

    “There ain’t nothin’ God can’t do” That’s not in the Bible per se. But it is the witness of a faithful man of God who witnessed to me nearly four decades ago and whose witness might help any number of us face the battles and challenges of the day.

  • Do you not know? Have you not heard?

    Isaiah 40:28

    Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.

    Romans 16:27 (NIV)

    To the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ!

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    There are times when God’s reign over all things is obvious and pleasant. A business deal goes well. Investments make a good return. A medical test comes back with a favorable result. A child is allowed access to a great scholarship program. God is on his throne, and he has drawn the line in pleasant places (Psalm 16:6).

    Then there are those times when God’s reign is neither obvious nor pleasant. His goodness and rule is dimmed by harsh realities like cancer, financial failure, war, famine, and disasters of many kinds. Is God good when my life is falling apart? Is God reigning when evil so clearly has the upper hand?

    Two thousand years ago on a Friday afternoon God’s very Son hung on a cross outside of Jerusalem. The sun was darkened. Every outward indication was that the powers of darkness had overcome the light of the world. Was God not reigning in that moment? He certainly was – even in that moment. In his wisdom and might he was sacrificing himself for a greater glory and victory. Jesus’ death would bring life and salvation to all who believe in him.

    We can wonder about God’s plans. We can yearn for better times when things are going poorly. But God’s wise rule and powerful wisdom never waiver. In fact we may need to be reminded: “Do you not know? Have you not heard?” Our God reigns. May we sing his praises and rejoice in his glory through Jesus Christ now and forever.

  • Justice True and Tempered

    Psalm 75:7

    It is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another.

    Revelation 16:7

    Yes, O Lord God, the Almighty, your judgments are true and just!

      

     “No justice; no peace!” So goes the chant, and rightly so. Whether or not those who call for such justice is legitimate or true justice, the truth remains: peace does not come to us apart from true justice. For example, we all want to be treated justly at work, in financial dealings large or small, in travel arrangements, seating at a restaurant, checking out at the grocery, or getting into the HOV lane on the highway.
    And when it comes to legal troubles, civil lawsuits, child welfare, or matters of medical need, the issues of justice and truth are even greater. How much more so when it comes to our very being throughout eternity! God is perfectly just and wholly righteous in his ways. 

    That, however, would be very bad news were it not for God’s grace and mercy, foriveness and redemption. Truth be told, we have all sinned and stand under the condemning judgment of God because of our sins. So while we want judgment – especially if we are not being treated fairly according to our understanding of justice – there are other dimensions to our desire for justice that may not be so appealing to us. 

    But the justice of God has been satisfied  by his Son. Jesus perfectly obeyed God and offered his life as the atoning sacrifice for ous sins. Through Jesus Christ our desire for justice is a totally pure and good. 

    Perhaps, however, as we seek justice from others, we would do well to remember that God’s justice has been mediated through his mercy and grace on Jesus. Because of that justice will be served mingled with God’s grace and love. We can do better than to reflect that justice tempered by grace and love to those who seek justice from us.  

  • Two Three-Cord Strands

    Psalm 25:5

    You are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.  

    Colossians 4:2

    Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.

      
    How good are you at waiting? What about praying? I’m not great at either; I’m inclined to be impatient, and my prayer life is no where as consistent or robust as it ought to be. Consider how these two are related: waiting and praying. As we wait for God we are to pray.

    Waiting, hoping, and trusting are the three-cord strand of a deep connection to God. Praying, watching, and thanksgiving are the outgrowth of that three-cord strand. We wait for God’s salvation, praying to him with his ultimate deliverance in mind. We hope for God’s deliverance even as we watch in altert anticipation of God’s work in our lives. We trust in God as we give thanks to him for all his gifts.

    Perhaps a hope recalibration is in order. Maybe we need to trust God more fully. Certainly we may all learn to pray more earnestly. Without a doubt we could be more alert to God’s presence and work all around us. We could all definitely be more thankful. 

    But the key to all this lies not only in our repentance and commitment to doing these things. The key to all this is the salvation of our God. He has saved us. He has acted in our behalf. He is the God of our salvation who is at work in restoration of all things, our redemption from our futile short-sighted hopes, and the reorientation of our desires by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

    God is worth waiting for, trusting in, watching for, hoping for, in thankful prayer. His salvation is at hand. His deliverance is near!

  • How Good is this News – Really?

    Jeremiah 30:11I am with you, says the Lord, to save you. 

    Philippians 1:6
    Paul wrote: I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. 

      
    A few questions this morning…What if we really, really did need to be saved? What if our sins and our sin was actually so bad that only the intervention of God in the affairs of the world could deal adequately with them and that condition? What if the things we know and feel – guilt, shame, discouragement, loneliness, doubt, and the like – were only the tip of the iceburg that is our sinful, fallen nature? What if God really is holy, righteous, just, and all knowing? What if our sins actually separate us from God so that he does not hear when we pray?

    Those rhetorical questions may seem silly and unnecessary to those who read this blog. They speak to the reality of our sinful, fallen nature. We know these things to be true. We know we are part of the “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) reality. We confess this regularly. 

    God, however, knows all that and has committed himself to our redemption and salvation. He has intervened in the affiars of the world in Jesus Christ and appeased his own wrath through Jesus’ death on the cross. As if that isn’t enough, he then vindicated Jesus, raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand. And those who look to him have the promise of abundant, eternal life. 

    This bit of good news reported to us from Jeremiah and reiterated by Paul is more precious than we can even imagine. When we do encounter the reality of our fallenness and need for salvation, and then the joy of God’s mercy and grace in Christ, we at best get only a glimpse of how profoundly good this news really is. 

    God has saved us. And he won’t give up on us until the saving is done. That will certainly be some Day! In the mean time, however, as we encounter the reality of our sinfulness, let us rejoice even more in God’s love, redemption and eternal commitment to our glory and joy in Jesus. 

  • More than an Attitude of Gratitude

    Psalm 75:1 (NKJV)

    We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks! For your wondrous works declare that your name is near.

    Colossians 1:12

    Joyfully give thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.

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    I recall the deep sense of relief and thankfulness on the day that we learned the results of the sweat chloride test. Negative: Our son did not have cystic fibrosis. Diane was less worried about the outcome; she knew he was healthy. I was worried; I was thinking of the implications of the terrible disease: CF. No cure. Expensive medications. Extensive treatments each day. We would have gladly and faithfully provided all we could for our son, but it would have been a life-changing moment, and a challenging few decades. My heart goes out to any who must battle this terrible disease.

    We are thankful for our son’s health and wellbeing today – and the two delightful granddaughters he and his wife have given our family. We have reason to be thankful, also, for other blessings we have received. From our other seven (7) grandchildren, to delightful and edifying travel experiences, to church health, together with all the blessings of this life we give thanks. But the deep-felt sense of relief and sincere gratitude at the news of those test results are worth reflecting on in light of these verses.

    Although gratitude and thankfulness may be a healthy lifestyle choice, there is an urgency in these verses easily overlooked. The psalmist is thankful for his wondrous works. Paul urges the Colossian Christians to give thanks for their ability to share in the inheritance of the saints. Asaph says, “Look with thankful hearts at what God has done for us!” We have been rescued. The verdict in the face of our sin and shame has been overturned and we are free. God has provided a remarkable gift – better than dodging the bullet of a grave medical diagnosis.

    I notice, too, that we are called to more than an attitude of gratitude – as good and salutary as that may be. We are called to thank God specifically and explicitly. His works declare his name. The Father has enabled us to experience eternal salvation and join the company of the faithful in eternal light. This isn’t a matter of karma, good luck, or happenstance. This is the gracious gift of the King of the Universe; this is the grace of God whose fatherly goodness and mercy has been expressed in his Son and who deserves that we should thank, praise, serve, and obey him.

  • Love Does

    Psalm 17:7

    Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge. 

    1 John 3:16 (NIV)

    This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. 

    Bob Goss has written a book titled, Love Does. He has taken the title to an extreme in his personal life, doing acts of kindness, and organizing his life around this simple principle: if I say I love someone, I must show that love or prove myself to be a liar. I’m sure Bob would admit to failing in some attempts – after all, he is limited by time and space, and even though he is a wealthy man, he is also limited financially.

    But the One who owns “cattle on a thousand hills,” to whom all the gold and silver in the world belongs, and who is the Creator of time and space is not limited in resources nor desire to show love. He is the One who first showed the world that “Love Does”. 

    With everything at his disposal – all the world’s resources, all the necessary time and space, God chose to give his Son as the testimony of his love for us. Jesus laid down his life for us so that we could have eternal life and salvation through faith in him. 

    For God, Love Does is more than a book title – good as that title and book may be. It is a reality that gives us the riches of his glory and the gift of abundant eternal life.