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.”

  • I’m a Fixer

    Acts 8:14-25

    Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 for he had not yetfallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” 24 And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”

    25 Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.

    Antique Rose Emporium - Brenham, Texas

    I try to look for solutions; yes, I’m a fixer. That’s mostly a good thing in my humble opinion. But that’s not always the case. Sometimes it would be better if I just listened, didn’t try to fix others or things, but just listen and empathize. Such an approach validates the other person. Such an approach allows the other person to work through and solve his own problems.

     

    Another unhelpful approach to problems is to criticize. Even if you have told your daughter not to go out with a particular guy, when he dumps her, it’s probably not helpful to tell her she was dumb for falling for him to begin with. Even if you have warned your co-worker not to ask the boss about certain company policies, it’s not likely to be helpful to ridicule him when he gets chewed out for asking an inopportune question at a staff meeting.

    Sometimes, however, things need fixing. Sometimes we have to act. When the family cat gets stuck in the tree, no amount of validating the cat or the child who is worried will do; you have to get the cat out of the tree. When the car is on the side of the road, the flat needs to be changed. When the flight is missed new travel arrangements must be made.

    In the case of Simon the sorcerer’s request for Holy Spirit-giving power there was need for criticism and immediate no-holds-barred correction. Peter lambasts him for his wrong thinking and his wrong heart. It’s interesting to me, however, that in the case of the unauthorized preaching to the Samaritans, and the Jesus’-name-only baptism, the approach was not confrontation or criticism of either the new converts, nor those who preached to them. In fact, the response was simply to fix the problem. Peter and John were sent to lay hands on and pray for the Holy Spirit to be given to these new converts.

    Too often – for it ought never be – we exchange unfriendly fire within the church. We too easily criticize those who disagree with us, or those who have taken a wrong tact. Too easily we resort to criticism rather than loving and patiently-gracious correction. There are times, to be sure, that we need to correct. There are times when error needs to be pointed out. But our first move ought not to be to criticize our own brother or sister in Christ. Our first move ought to be to alleviate the burdened conscience of those wrongly taught. Our first move should be to free the one entangled in sin.

    As the famous preacher, Kirbyjon Caldwell, is said to have commented on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20), saying that there is no armor for the back side, because Christians ought not be stabbing one another in the back. Our witness to the truth is never advanced by unloving criticism, no matter how it is cloaked. I sincerely hope to keep that in mind as I encounter brothers and sisters in Christ along the way.

  • Threats and the Kingdom’s Advance

    Acts 8:1-8

    And Saul approved of [Stephen’s] execution.

    And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.

    4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6 And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was much joy in that city.

    This first college building of the Lutheran Church became also the first seminary of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.
    This first college building of the Lutheran Church became also the first seminary of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.

    The name “Acts of the Apostles” is sometimes given to this fifth book of the New Testament which most often is now referred to by the simple title, “Acts.” But the legacy of the phrase, “of the Apostles” is strong and even a somewhat significant point regarding the mission of God and the leadership of the Church. I was taught at seminary that the miracles and outpouring of the Holy Spirit were done only by the hands of the apostles. The assertion seemed plausible, and I gave it little thought. It seemed clear to me, also, that the Apostles were the chief mission officers of the Church.

    I should have looked closer, however, at passages such as this. For here it is clear that the spread of the faith occurred not by means of the Apostles, but by the witnessing and evangelizing of all the scattered people – everyone “except the apostles.” Not only so, but Philip – one of the newly-elected deacons – is performing miracles and proclaiming Christ.

    It might be an overstatement, but it might also be worth considering that the greatest means by which the mission of God is advanced is by means of persecution. Here persecution scatters believers and they share the Good News of Jesus: and the church grows. In China, Chairman Mao expelled all the Christian (Western/foreign) missionaries and threatened any who follow Christ: the church went underground and grew. In Ethiopia, in the face of Islamic threats and nearby violence in Sudan and Somolia, the Christian Church is growing. In fact, the largest Lutheran Churches in the world (outside of Sweden) are in Tanzania and Ethiopia – each with more than 5.3 million members. Both of these countries have strong Muslim populations. (cf. The ten largest Lutheran church bodies, blog post by Gene Edward Veith)

    If the church is to grow and the kingdom is to expand, it seems that God’s plan is for that to be accomplished by a larger group than the official leadership of the church. The apostles were vital to the direction and authentication of the church’s message in the days of the Early Church. Church history strongly suggests that each of the twelve – except John – went on to face a martyr’s death, having refused to abandon the faith. Bartholomew and Thomas are said to have gone to India with the message of Christ. Andrew is said to have preached in what we know today as Georgia and Bulgaria. But the spread of the Word of God occurred by the mouths of many who were not officially called Apostles. And God used those many to bring others to faith.

    If we see the Church as a “Larder of Grace” – a place where we come to get our spiritual cups filled for the week, administered by officially-designated providers – we will likely not be inclined toward mission. If, however, we see the church as the sustainer of God’s people in mission we will be much more likely to be part of what God is doing to advance his kingdom in the world. Such is, in fact, our calling.

    When persecution and hardship comes to the church God is no less on his heavenly throne than when our churches are filled with Christmas and Easter celebrants. In fact, the mission of God is not so much a matter of getting people to church as it is to move God’s people from the church into the world to announce and demonstrate the reign of God in Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.

    I’m trying to understand and embrace that truth these days. Are you with me in this regard?

  • What doesn’t work…and Who does

    Acts 7:2

    And Stephen said: “Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran…

    A church, town hall, and grocery store may be seen in this aerial photo of a small town Texas.
    A church, town hall, and grocery store may be seen in this aerial photo of a small town Texas.

    Stephen’s speech to the Council, recorded in Acts 7 is a lesson in Jewish history. But a careful reading of that history shows it to be a lesson in what doesn’t work with regard to religion and life with God. From Abraham and the Patriarchs, to Moses and the Exodus, to the prophets, God’s chosen people never quite got things right. They always managed to get distracted by temptation and fall into sin. So, at the end of Stephen’s speech Luke records:

    “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, 53 you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.

    54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:51-60)

    To know not only what does not work but also what does work in religion and life with God is a vitally important thing. Stephen sees the glory of God as he is being stoned to death, and testifies to the fact that Jesus is standing in that glory at the right hand of God. In the face of death, injustice, and the horror of being stoned, Stephen looks to Jesus, confesses him as Lord, and asks that his persecutors be forgiven.

    If I am to take this reality seriously I will look to Jesus whenever life is difficult. That is a great comfort to be sure. But Jesus is also the one who “works” when life is going well. That means that in the face of good fortune, and great times of joy, I need to keep in mind that Jesus is at the right hand of God. He reigns over all. He is exalted above all. The grave mistake that the Israelites made throughout their history was to lose sight of God’s proper place in their lives. They abandoned the one who gave them all they had and chose them to be his own people.

    I thank God that he is faithful, good, merciful, and loving whenever I fall, struggle, or face challenging times. But I need to remember God when things go well, and I succeed, and experience joy and blessing. How about you? Is this a time to look to God for help or to praise and honor God in the midst of blessing?

  • Everyone knows that!

    Acts 7:1-10ff

    And the high priest said, “Are these things so?” And Stephen said: “Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, and said to him, ‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you. ’ Then he went out from the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran. And after his father died, God removed him from there into this land in which you are now living. Yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot’s length, but promised to give it to him as a possession and to his offspring after him, though he had no child. And God spoke to this effect—that his offspring would be sojourners in a land belonging to others, who would enslave them and afflict them four hundred years. ‘But I will judge the nation that they serve,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out and worship me in this place. ’ And he gave him the covenant of circumcision. And so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day, and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs. “And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before…

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    There are times when we are tempted to say, “I know all that…” dismissing the information as old news or no news at all. We all know that George Washington went to Valley Forge and prayed with his troops, that he crossed the Potomac River, and that he was the first president of the United States of America. That knowledge becomes important not just in a game of Trivial Pursuit, or on a history exam, but in times where leadership, the importance of sacrifice, and the significance of compassion on the part of leaders comes into play. More important, however, is that these facts are more important and significant that the mere fact that they happened. They shaped our nation and help us discern greatness.

    History is more than a recitation of facts. History as a chain of dates and facts is not only boring; it is not really history. History is best understood as “His Story” – God’s story. It has a beginning, middle, climax and will have an end. So when Stephen begins his speech before the council and begins to recount the history of Israel, many of the people there realized that he was doing more than stating facts. He was leading somewhere. And that place was to a stinging word of judgment and condemnation:

    “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”
    Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

    There is always a point to history. In the case of Stephen’s recounting of Israel’s history, the point was that God had acted in behalf of the Jewish people  again and again, yet they had rejected him again and again. The ultimate rejection was of Jesus, the Righteous One whom they rejected and murdered.

    Sounds very much like us today. We don’t need a lesson in Jewish failure and rejection of Jesus; we need a lesson in our own rejection and disbelief in God’s salvation and the way of life. Next time someone begins to tell you a story, listen carefully: it may be about you. God may be wanting to call you back to himself in repentance and faith. Sadly the response of the Jews was significantly different. They killed the messenger. Will we do the same – literally or figuratively?

  • Angels descending and ascending on the Son of Man

    Acts 6:8-15

    And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.” And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

    http://fbgpbd.smugmug.com/Other/2013-NWHPC-Portfolio-Review/32285786_KDjn8L#!i=2808994842&k=24wRM5q&lb=1&s=X3

    In his initial encounter with Nathaniel Jesus told him that he would see the angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man. The language recalls Jacob’s dream of a stairway to heaven with angels traveling up and down on it. Jesus is the Son of Man, and the means by which angelic beings make their way to and from the throne of God in our behalf. Because of Christ’s righteousness the angels perfect obedience to God accrues to our favor.

    But here we have a different spin on things: Stephen, one of the first deacons begins ministering among the people with signs and wonders.  Now it’s not only the Apostles’ prerogative to heal or in other ways display the power of God. Even though he was not one of the twelve, he is doing signs and wonders. When he is challenged in the face of this he displays wisdom and the Spirit is strongly present in him.

    There is a growing understanding that the ministry of the Gospel, and the Mission of God is not to be relegated to one class of people. Here it is clear that the Apostles are not the only ones able to bear witness; and as we’ll soon learn, give up their life for the Gospel’s sake. The ministry for which Diane works and with whom we are in New York this week (PLI) is engaged in “helping pastors, spouses, and key leaders, put the extraordinary mission of God into the hands of ordinary people.” So it should be; this is the work of God not man (cf. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%204:7&version=ESV).

    You may well say that Stephen is no ordinary man. Surely that is true. He was one of seven. But on the other hand, his extraordinary character is really a manifestation of God’s grace and goodness in Christ. His access to God and even the Holy Spirit himself is only through Jesus’ righteousness. Stephen is about to meet his end, stoned by an angry crowd, the first Christian martyr. He will ascend to the presence of God by means of Jesus Christ. All this is from God, and by his grace.

    If today I am going to have any impact on my world, it will be by the grace of God at work in me. God has descended to us in Jesus Christ, we ascend to him by means of Jesus Christ. I’m wondering how I might be an angel (messenger!) of God today – an extraordinary privilege, given by the grace of God.

  • Beyond Clericalism

    Acts 6:1-7

    Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
    And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

    There is an urgency to the Apostles’ efforts to preach the Word in the Early Church that leads them to choose the seven first deacons to provide for the needs of the widows in their fellowship. And while this is set within the context of choosing between waiting on tables and preaching the Word, it would be a mistake to degrade the service of the Seven in deference to the preaching of the Apostles.
    To be sure the one who seeks the privilege of preaching the word and leading the people of God in a local church seeks a noble thing (cf. 1 Timothy 3:1). But the ministry of “serving tables” is no throw-away exercise. James reminds us that true religion is that which, among other things, “cares for widows and orphans” (James 1:27). Micah testifies of God’s requirement of his people to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). The charge of serving tables is vitally important; and not only because a lack of care for one group of widows would easily become a foothold for Satan to hamper the spread of the word. To fail to care for the various groups of widows would dishonor the Word of God which the Apostles were preaching. The question was not whether this ministry needed to happen, but how the need would be met and by whom.
    Too easily today we default to an either-or approach to social and spiritual ministry. Some would make the preaching office so overly-important that they dismiss the important task of social ministry and good-doing. Worse yet, there are those who would relegate the preaching task to only those who have special credentials. We will soon see Philip breaking that mold (cf. Acts 8)! And when further persecution breaks out against the church everyone but the Apostles is scattered, and those who were scattered preached the word wherever they went.
    Thank God for those who wait on tables and testify to God’s work in Christ and in their lives! Thank God for those who have the full time responsibility for preaching the word! That God that he cares about the whole person: that we experience justice, kindness, and humility in our relationship with him and among the sisters and brothers in Christ with whom we travel along the Way.

  • Christ is Jesus

    Acts 5:33-42

    When they heard [Peter’s message about Jesus and the Apostles’ commitment to obeying God rather than man], they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee in the council namedGamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

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    I first was introduced to the concept of long-term change as opposed to flash-in-the-pan adjustments by a Kent Hunter, a church consultant. We engaged him to provide recommendations to our church for effective ministry and missional effectiveness. He told me, “We tend to over-estimate what we can do in the short term and under-estimate what we can do in the long term.” That was good advice and insight. But I have since changed it, by one word: “God.” Now it is, “We tend to over-estimate what we can do in the short term and under-estimate what God can do in the long term.” It’s a relative to the saying, “Man proposes, but God disposes.”

    In the case of the beginnings of the Early Church, this certainly was the case. Once Jesus was killed, the Jewish leaders thought that they had taken care of their problems. But those pesky Apostles just wouldn’t go away! Even in the face of threats and prison the message of Jesus continued to be proclaimed. They just wouldn’t stop. The world is being turned upside down by these twelve men; or better, “God is turning the world upside down through these twelve men!”

    Gamaliel offers his counsel in regard to these stubborn witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection and identity: If this is of God you will not succeed in opposing it; you might even find yourself opposing God. Not a good position to take. The conclusions of the council: beat these men, charge them not to speak anymore in Jesus’ name, and let them go.

    The only problem with that conclusion is that God is at work. Daily and from house to house the Apostles continued to teach and preach that Christ is Jesus. For two thousand years that preaching and teaching has continued, and the Christian Church has grown from hundreds, to thousands, to tens of thousands, to hundreds of thousands, to millions. This is a work of God that continues today one person at a time, on a daily basis, and through the steady efforts of faithful witnesses. There may be special crusades.  We may experience momentary set-backs and even some major victories. But the long-term work of God will produce a harvest of souls.

    That’s because Christ is Jesus. The anointed one is Jesus, once dead, but now alive and reigning at the right hand of God. He will reign forever and ever. His kingdom comes among and through us. What is God calling you to do today, as a small and consistent witness to his reign?

     

  • Seek First His Kingdom

    Psalm 50:7-15

    “Hear, O my people, and I will speak;
    O Israel, I will testify against you.
    I am God, your God.
    8 Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you;
    your burnt offerings are continually before me.
    9 I will not accept a bull from your house
    or goats from your folds.
    10 For every beast of the forest is mine,
    the cattle on a thousand hills.
    11 I know all the birds of the hills,
    and all that moves in the field is mine.

    12 “If I were hungry, I would not tell you,
    for the world and its fullness are mine.
    13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls
    or drink the blood of goats?
    14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
    and perform your vows to the Most High,
    15 and call upon me in the day of trouble;
    I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

    Sights of London from the Tour Bus

    Today Diane and I will share our testimony about our personal commitment to our church’s Seek First His Kingdom capital stewardship campaign. We have prayed about this – not only about our commitment, but our words and demeanor as we share where God has led us in regard to our personal financial commitment. It might be so easily misunderstood. People might think we’re band standing or bragging. People might think we are being manipulative or seeking to coerce others into giving. That is surely not our intent.

    Our intent is to encourage others in their own personal commitment to this campaign. In the words of 2 Corinthians 8:8-9, where Paul has shared with the Corinthians about the generosity of the Macedonian Christians. He speaks about their extreme poverty welling up in rich generosity, then says,  “I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.”

    King David does the same thing in 1 Chronicles 29 where he lists the exact amounts of gold, silver, bronze and other treasures he is providing toward the building of the temple. The result was an outpouring of generosity of the leaders of the people and the Jewish people themselves. The funds for the temple were provided. When Solomon built it, it was a glorious testimony to the majesty of God.

    Our spiritual goals for our campaign are:

    • Seek God’s kingdom in the assurance of his provision.
    • Experience the joy of giving.
    • Everyone participates in this kingdom-seeking effort.

    Our mission and ministry goals are:

    • 15% goes toward various mission projects and efforts
    • 25% goes toward capital improvements on our campus
    • 60% goes toward loan principal payment

    I’ve been praying about all this, including our personal financial commitment and our church’s goals. Now comes the time to pray that the words of our mouths and meditations of our hearts would be pleasing in God’s sight, and that he will use what we say to bring glory and honor to Christ and people to a more full experience of the abundant life Jesus gives. That is a life of giving, service, sacrifice, love, and praise to God. For just as Christ has blessed us with eternal favor and grace, we seek to honor him in all things!

  • Momma don’t let your babies grow up to be pop stars!

    Acts 5:12-16, 27-32

    Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

    27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them,28 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree.31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”In

    Brenham, Texas - David Bahn

    In his article, The Celebrity Trap: Don’t let Your Babies Grow Up to be Pop Stars, John Stonestreet chronicles the downward spiral of Milely Cyrus, Justin Bieber, Jessica Simpson, and Katy Perry. All of these publicly embraced Christian values and personal faith before their notorious comments or actions signaled their apparent abandonment of Christian values and faith.

    Compare that to the actions of Peter when his fame and notoriety were growing so much that people brought the sick into the streets so that even his shadow might fall on them, in hopes that they would be healed. Rather than giving in to the sirens’ seductive call Peter remains steadfast in faith and commitment to Christ and his ways. “We must obey God rather than men,” he says. He will not give into the temptation that fame so often brings. The First Commandment is his moral True North.

    We may not be tempted to abandon the faith because of movie star status or faith healing powers. But there is an allure to fame that speaks to our sinful nature and would lead us to crash on the rocks of self-worship. Humility and obedience are the marks of those who are the sons and daughters of God. We best show true faith by humble praise of the One true celebrity who is at the right hand of God, our Leader and Savior who gives life and forgiveness to all who trust in him.

    Acts 5:12-32

    Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

    17 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled withjealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” 21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.

    Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” 24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. 25 And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26 Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

    27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them,28 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree.31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”In

  • What’s so bad about schmoozing?

    Acts 5:1-11

    But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.

    7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you[a] sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

    St. Barbie

    Some time ago I visited with a man who began our conversation by offering to pray. It was an eloquent, insightful, and thoughtful prayer; high on humility and without pretense in language. I was deeply touched. By the end of our conversation, however, something changed. I detected a subtle shift in tone. It seemed that he was almost trying to impress me, offering an almost-false modesty. While he had nothing to gain, and I was comfortable enough to point out his schmoozing, it indicated to me the possibility of a dangerous presence. It might be that the man I met was neither humble nor sincere. I’ll certainly give him the benefit of the doubt, but I’ll keep my eyes open.

    The encounter between Ananias and Sapphira and Peter recorded here is less ambiguous. There was duplicity, conspiring, deception, and lying – all uncovered and confronted by Peter, and punished by God. Decisive. Immediate. Definitive. Done. Both husband and wife lay dead. This was a serious breech of trust, gravely dangerous to the newly-forming church. Their behavior clearly did not reflect the character of God, nor build up the body of Christ.

    Schmoozing means to talk intimately or to gossip. The word is used of politicians working the room, or hobnobbing with power brokers. On the face of it, the experience is very good. Those who are schmoozed feel as though they are in the know, privileged, and trusted. But a schmoozer is always seeking something for himself or her cause. Things are not what they seem.

    All this goes to the core of the Christian faith: grace and truth come together in Christ. Grace and truth are essential to true Christian faith. The grace of God and the ability to embrace the truth about us in our brokenness complement each other. We are broken sinners in need of a savior: that’s truth. Jesus is the Savior of the world graciously redeeming us and giving us the gift of abundant eternal life. The greatest danger of schmoozing is that we might think we can schmooze God! It’s a subtle temptation to be sure. But it is, without a doubt, the worst sort of self-deception.

    There seems to be little gospel hope in these verses. Both Ananias and Sapphira die. Luke tells us, “Great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.” But fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. And lest we think we can glad-hand ourselves into the graces of God, we have this example. Humility and repentant hearts are the first steps to faith. Thank God for his grace in Jesus Christ!

    His followers do best as they display these twin characteristics in their daily lives. Is there a call to repentance that you need to embrace today? Be careful not to presume that there is not.