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.”

  • Has anyone ever stepped on your air hose?

    Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

    Acts 22:12-29

    [Paul continues to describe his conversion.] “And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him. 14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; 15 for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

    17 “When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ 19 And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. 20 And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ 21 And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”

    22 Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.” 23 And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, 24 the tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this. 25 But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?” 26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.” 27 So the tribune came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” And he said, “Yes.” 28 The tribune answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I am a citizen by birth.” 29 So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.

    Rose | Arbor Gate Nursery, Tomball, Texas | May 2024

    I’ve never done scuba or diving with a helmet and air hose. The latter is called either helmet or surface supplied diving. In this type of diving, the diver wears a helmet connected to a surface air supply via a hose, allowing them to breathe underwater while remaining tethered to the surface. (Thanks, ChatGTP for that explanation.) But I’ve had my metaphorical air hose stepped on with predictable results: I get anxious or angry. Maybe you can identify with that.

    A sudden financial turn to the bad: Anxiety flares up.

    A criticism that you fear will stick and cost you friends or career: Fear takes over.

    A credible threat to your family or yourself: Panic clouds your view.

    Your worldview is tested: Fight or flight?

    It is this latter thing that has happened to the Jews in Jerusalem. Paul had experienced the reaction of others when he stepped on the financial air hose of the silversmiths in Ephesus (Acts 19:23-41). He had lost friends because of his missionary activities such as Demas who forsook Paul while he was in prison in Rome (2 Timothy 4:10). Here Paul’s very life is threatened because he had undercut the worldview of the Jews in Jerusalem. They chose to fight him.

    The degree of their anger and the intensity of their wrath is turned all the way up. Their shouts echo those hurled at Jesus. They call, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.” This is worse than current political figures claiming that their opponents will destroy democracy. This is more than trying to deface the Mona Lisa as a statement about climate change. This is like the Houthi rebels from Yemen launching ballistic missiles at ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. 

    Incited by others, or home grown from our own visceral responses to threats real or perceived, when our air hose is stepped on, we must react. In this case the reaction to Paul by the Jews in Jerusalem will not accomplish what they desire. Nor will anger ever truly serve God’s purposes. James says it well, “human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” (James 1:20).

    Next time someone steps on your metaphorical air hose, take a breath (it’s still possible), and seek peace and pursue righteousness. God had Paul. He has you.

  • The Greatest Tool for God’s Mission

    Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

    Acts 22:12-29

    [Paul continues to describe his conversion.] “And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him. 14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; 15 for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

    17 “When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ 19 And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. 20 And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ 21 And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”

    22 Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.” 23 And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, 24 the tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this. 25 But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?” 26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.” 27 So the tribune came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” And he said, “Yes.” 28 The tribune answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I am a citizen by birth.” 29 So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.

    Hibiscus II | Arbor Gate Nursery, Tomball, Texas | May 2024

    My first experience of so-called friendly fire was distressing. It sent me away from fellowship that I had previously treasured. It scurried me into a defensive posture. It engendered a guardedness about my true beliefs and convictions. It was within the church, and specifically from fellow classmates and former allies in the good fight of faith. And, saddest of all, it came from all sides. I was convinced that the liberals were going to destroy the church, and the conservatives were on a self-assigned mission to save it by whatever means they could. Friends became adversaries. Allies became foes. I stood alone – or so I thought. Today – though I can still identify with these ideas – I may have overreacted a bit. There may have been a better way to have handled it. I didn’t really need to cut myself off from all sides.

    Today people face such situations in the political realm (a slam dunk of an example!), in regard to medical practices and treatments, as you talk about ICE or EV cars, or questions about immigration, LBGTQ+ or minus. It’s easy to consider withdrawing.

    Paul shows us a better way to deal with such situations. He speaks about it in 1 Corinthians 13, by the way: the way of love. 1 Corinthians 13 is often used at weddings. It is called the Love Chapter and conveys powerful truths about love. It is essential. It is impactful. It is eternal. Paul wrote 1 Corinthians shortly before heading to Jerusalem – just months before the events recorded here. And it seems to me that he is truly applying the teachings of the Love Chapter.

    Paul’s demeanor throughout this ordeal is not anxious or overly-defensive. He is not keeping a record of wrongs. He does not take his eye off the prize of the call of Jesus which he even recounts here. He will continue to witness faithfully to the love of God and the resurrection of Jesus, the call to repent and the promise of forgiveness.

    Paul will defend himself. He must, lest he be killed. But he will also share things about his conversion and the challenges he had in gaining a standing with the believers in Jerusalem. He is taking shots from all sides. The Romans want to flog him. The Jews want to kill him. There is no place to go – except to Jesus and his claim on his life, his mission, and his promises.

    A Harvard MBA student once described the mission of a prominent church as being that of turning pagans into missionaries. Paul wasn’t a pagan. But in some ways he was worse. He had been a sworn enemy of the Christian faith. What turned him around? What made the difference in his life? What was he seeking to display?

    Now these three remain, faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love.

  • Sealing the Deal

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    Acts 22:12-29

    [Paul continues to describe his conversion.] “And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him. 14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; 15 for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

    17 “When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ 19 And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. 20 And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ 21 And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”

    22 Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.” 23 And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, 24 the tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this. 25 But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?” 26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.” 27 So the tribune came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” And he said, “Yes.” 28 The tribune answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I am a citizen by birth.” 29 So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.

    Hibiscus Pirouette | Arbor Gate Nursery, Tomball, Texas | May 2024

    I’m listening to a John Grisham novel about a lawyer (surprise!) who is in jail for his very indirect involvement in a major money-laundering scheme. A federal judge has been murdered and the lawyer knows who did the murder. He’s working on a deal to be released from jail if he fingers the killer. And he has laid out a number of conditions for naming the guilty man. The deal won’t go forward in this legal saga unless he has an ironclad agreement signed by the Attorney General of the United States. Only that will seal the deal for revealing the killer’s name.

    There is a minor legal drama going on here between Paul and the Roman soldiers into whose custody he has been remanded. It has to do with Paul’s near brush with flogging, and his seeming offhanded question, to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?” That sets in motion a whole different chain of events. He will not be flogged. Luke tell us that “those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.” 

    So much for the legal drama.

    This is a subset of a greater drama being played out as Paul makes his defense before the crowds of people who want to do away with him. And as Paul makes his defense, he is also part of an even greater drama of God’s call and claim on his life. For Paul isn’t just defending himself. He is witnessing to God’s work in his life and offering the people the opportunity to rethink their own place in the divine drama of God’s redemption and our salvation. 

    As Paul describes the events around his conversion, he tells the people about Ananias, who is sent to the then-blinded Paul. He describes Ananias’ conversation with him and includes this call to be baptized.  It’s one thing to be struck down and blinded. It’s another to learn that it is Jesus who has done this to you. It is even more important to be healed of your blindness. But the deal isn’t sealed until Paul agrees to Ananias’ urging: “Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.” 

    There are those who wish to call people to faith, and believe that the key to confirming one’s conversion is to say a Sinner’s Prayer. While it may be a good thing to say such a prayer, it’s clear that baptism is the manner in which one’s conversion is completed and salvation has been received. Baptism seals the deal.

    We who have been baptized have been sealed with the Holy Spirit and connected with Jesus’ death and resurrection. Our salvation has been secured. Thanks be to God!

  • Today’s Psalms for July 21, 2024

    Please pray these Psalms with me today, on this Lord’s Day

    Psalm 21:1-7

    O LORD, in your strength the king rejoices,
        and in your salvation how greatly he exults!
    2 You have given him his heart’s desire
        and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah
    3 For you meet him with rich blessings;
        you set a crown of fine gold upon his head.
    4 He asked life of you; you gave it to him,
        length of days forever and ever.
    5 His glory is great through your salvation;
        splendor and majesty you bestow on him.
    6 For you make him most blessed forever;
        you make him glad with the joy of your presence.
    7 For the king trusts in the LORD,
        and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.

    Psalm 51:1-17

    Have mercy on me,[a] O God,
        according to your steadfast love;
    according to your abundant mercy
        blot out my transgressions.
    2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
        and cleanse me from my sin!

    3 For I know my transgressions,
        and my sin is ever before me.
    4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
        and done what is evil in your sight,
    so that you may be justified in your words
        and blameless in your judgment.
    5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
        and in sin did my mother conceive me.
    6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
        and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

    7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
        wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
    8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
        let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
    9 Hide your face from my sins,
        and blot out all my iniquities.
    10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
        and renew a right[b] spirit within me.
    11 Cast me not away from your presence,
        and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
    12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
        and uphold me with a willing spirit.

    13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
        and sinners will return to you.
    14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
        O God of my salvation,
        and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
    15 O Lord, open my lips,
        and my mouth will declare your praise.
    16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
        you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
    17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
        a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

    Psalm 81:1-4

    Sing aloud to God our strength;
        shout for joy to the God of Jacob!
    2 Raise a song; sound the tambourine,
        the sweet lyre with the harp.
    3 Blow the trumpet at the new moon,
        at the full moon, on our feast day.

    4 For it is a statute for Israel,
        a rule of the God of Jacob.

    Psalm 111

    Praise the LORD!
    I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart,
        in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
    2 Great are the works of the LORD,
        studied by all who delight in them.
    3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work,
        and his righteousness endures forever.
    4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;
        the LORD is gracious and merciful.
    5 He provides food for those who fear him;
        he remembers his covenant forever.
    6 He has shown his people the power of his works,
        in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
    7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;
        all his precepts are trustworthy;
    8 they are established forever and ever,
        to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
    9 He sent redemption to his people;
        he has commanded his covenant forever.
        Holy and awesome is his name!
    10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
        all those who practice it have a good understanding.
        His praise endures forever!

    Psalm 141:1-4

    O LORD, I call upon you; hasten to me!
        Give ear to my voice when I call to you!
    2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,
        and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!

    3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth;
        keep watch over the door of my lips!
    4 Do not let my heart incline to any evil,
        to busy myself with wicked deeds
    in company with men who work iniquity,
        and let me not eat of their delicacies!

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

  • The Blessings of Gracious Identity

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    Acts 21:37-22:11

    As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek? 38 Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” 39 Paul replied, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.”40And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying:

    22:1 “Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.”

    2 And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said:

    3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, 5 as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.

    6 “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. 7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 8 And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ 9 Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me.10 And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ 11 And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.

    Princess Flower | Arbor Gate Nursery, Tomball, Texas | May 2024

    I was standing in the registration line at Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, Missouri. Next to me was Alan, and I struck up a conversation with him. Somehow I had learned a bit about him and asked, “You were Jewish, weren’t you?” “I am a Jew,” he replied. No uncertain terms. Clearly his identity was as a complete (his words) Jew.

    Paul’s opening words of defense to this clamoring crowd are, “I am a Jew…” In other words he claims his identity as one who would know about temple etiquette. More important, he identifies as a Jew because he had no idea that this faith he was expressing and teaching was anything other than the Jewish faith – fully realized. Jesus’ teaching, life, ministry, suffering, death and resurrection was the completion of all that the Law and the Prophets of the Old Testament looked toward. This isn’t a new religion. This is what the Jewish faith was looking toward since God called Abraham to be the father of a nation of blessing.

    I’m remembering, also, the encounter years ago with a server, who learned that she was serving a group of pastors, thought it necessary to tell us that she was a lesbian. Perhaps we had set it up for her by saying we were a group of pastors. And before I make too much of her need to identify herself as she did, I might think about how we identified ourselves.

    Perhaps the lesson for us who follow Jesus is how we might best identify ourselves to others. Once I heard a pastor cleverly identify himself to his airplane seat neighbor as being in fire insurance. I’ve heard some other clever ways of identifying themselves to others. But my favorite is one Diane used in speaking with the woman in the plane seat next to her, “I am a follower of Jesus, and I worship in a Lutheran community.”

    Paul used his identity to defend himself in the face of those who were accusing him of desecrating the temple. We best claim our identity to remind ourselves of who we are and whose we are, and to offer to others a grace-filled way for others to think of us, and to point them to Jesus.

  • That which is appointed for us

    Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

    Acts 21:37-22:11

    As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek? 38 Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” 39 Paul replied, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.”40And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying:

    22:1 “Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.”

    2 And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said:

    3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, 5 as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.

    6 “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. 7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 8 And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ 9 Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me.10 And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ 11 And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.

    Hibiscus | Arbor Gate Nursery, Tomball, Texas | May 2024

    Over the years I’ve had the privilege of serving six different congregations. In each of those six churches there has been a cadre of mostly women who have served on the altar guild. These people have done everything from the incredible to the mundane. They have made beautiful banners, decorated for Christmas and Easter, cleaned up after communion, and prepared for communion each Sunday we would celebrate the Lord’s Supper. Whenever I’d show up for church the communion table would unfailingly be already prepared.

    It’s that last part that I think of today when I read of Paul’s recounting of his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Jesus tells him, “there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.” It’s that phrase, “all that is appointed for you…” that gets my attention today. I’m thinking of what Paul will write to the Ephesian Church. “We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, that God prepared in advance that we should walk in them.”

    Paul knew of what he would write to the Ephesians. He knew that God had things for him to do – all lined up and prepared in advance. And he walked right into them and went the long distance of faithful obedience.

    He was able to do that for at least two reasons. First it was God’s grace at work in him, with the power of the Holy Spirit, and with God’s good works prepared for them to do, all ready and set up for them. Some of those would be challenging, requiring suffering and pain. I’m thinking of the Philippian Jailer who was saved from committing suicide by Paul’s exclamation, “Don’t harm yourself. We are all here!” Then comes the witness to the church leaders in Jerusalem about the new Gentile believers and Paul’s witness to the Holy Spirit’s work in their lives and their subsequent acceptance into the fledgling church.

    Next time you have an opportunity to do a good work, attach that to God’s grace, and his advance preparation for you to do the good thing. Paul was told about this after Jesus intervened and saved him from persecuting others and continuing on his path of self-destruction. Our rescue may be a bit less dramatic, but our calling is the same: walk in the good works that God has prepared for us to do – for his glory and our neighbor’s blessing.

  • The Body of Christ

    Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

    Acts 21:37-22:11

    As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek? 38 Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” 39 Paul replied, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.”40And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying:

    22:1 “Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.”

    2 And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said:

    3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, 5 as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.

    6 “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. 7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 8 And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ 9 Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me.10 And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ 11 And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.

    Day Lily | Arbor Gate Nursery, Tomball, TX | May 2024

    Dr. Aho was my homiletics Professor. His nickname was the Jeweler. He was such a craftsman, able to fashion such a beautiful and elegant sermon outline, and adorn it with the jewels of Law and Gospel. And he was a godly man. One of a half-dozen or fewer that I could attach Jesus’ assessment of Nathaniel: A true man in whom there is no guile (cf. John 1:47).

    I recall early in my preaching career, struggling to come up with an outline for a Christmas message on John 1:1-14. When I finished I had a serviceable outline. But it was just that. True. But not creative. Textual but not elegant. Then I happened upon a sermon study on that text which Dr. Aho had provided for our school’s theological journal. His outline: The Word Became Flesh. I. What a mystery. II. What a blessing! Alive. Rich in meaning. True. Elegant. The jeweler had done his work so well.

    Then came the sermon he delivered which I remember to this day. It was during a difficult and tumultuous time at our seminary. Two professors had taken aim at each other during the chapel services two days apart. Dr. Aho preached on 1 Corinthians 12, Every Christian Counts. It was like oil on the waters. It was calming. It was refreshing. It lowered the temperature of the faculty strife.

    1 Corinthians 12 is about spiritual gifts and the body of Christ. I mention this because of Paul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Jesus asked, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Saul  (who would become Paul when he began his missionary work among the Gentiles) wasn’t persecuting Jesus. He had died, risen from the dead and ascended to heaven. But Saul was persecuting Jesus’ followers. And they are the body of Christ.

    We take that idea too lightly. We dismiss our identity as Christians being the body of Christ. When people attack Christians they are attacking Jesus. When people persecute faithful Christians, they persecute Jesus. It’s interesting to me that Peter (“you are Peter and on this rock I will build my church”) speaks of the church as being built of living stones (1 Peter 2:5). Paul speaks of the church as the body of Christ.

    Just as Peter’s encounter with Jesus and his naming as Rock-Man would lead Peter to speak of a living-stone building, Paul’s encounter with Jesus’ question: “Why are you persecuting me?” will shape his understanding of the church. We are the body of Christ. Redeemed. Sanctified. Saved. Enlightened. Gifted. Holy. One body, working together for the sake of each other and the blessing of many.

  • Heart Language

    Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

    Acts 21:37-22:11

    As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek? 38 Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” 39 Paul replied, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.”40And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying:

    22:1 “Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.”

    2 And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said:

    3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, 5 as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.

    6 “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. 7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 8 And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ 9 Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me.10 And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ 11 And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.

    Flowers in a Bathtub | Arbor Gate Nursery, Tomball, TX | May 2024

    We first saw it first hand in Kenya 10 years ago. The pastors and their wives were singing a hymn that had been translated from German – rich in theology and Christological truths. They did it justice. They sang it well. But the next hymn was native to their cadence, language imagery, and melodic harmonies. Oh my! It was like a whole other group was singing. Something within them was expressing the truth of God from deep within their souls. You could hear it in their voices and see it in their faces.

    That’s called heart language. Heart language is the language we dream in. We speak to our lover in heart language. We express deep truth about God in heart language because we’ve heard these deep truths about God in our heart language. It doesn’t require translation. It doesn’t have to be worked through. It’s the colors the painter uses in her artwork. It’s the way the chef thinks about his food prep. It’s how we make our plans. It’s the way we think things through. It allows us to hear and express deeply held beliefs and hopes.

    We see that here when Paul speaks first to the Roman soldier in Greek. The arrested one (Paul) arrests the soldier with his question. It gets his attention and alerts him to the fact that Paul is not the man he thought he was. His language gave him away. He’s not an Egyptian.

    After expressing his bonafides to the soldier (born in Celicia, educated in Jerusalem, citizen), he will be given the opportunity to speak. But now he will speak in Hebrew – the heart language of the Jewish people from the temple. That got their attention. It was clear that they were listening for Luke reports that after an initial quieting of the crowd, when Paul begins to speak in Hebrew they become even quieter.

    I can recall a few times, when preaching that the congregation got very quiet. I don’t believe it was that I had put them to sleep. I do believe that the Holy Spirit was speaking to them through my words – in their heart language. My approach to preaching is to seek entry for Christ into people’s hearts. I don’t typically use Greek or Hebrew words. I don’t try to wow people with my intellectual prowess. I seek to gain entry for Christ into people’s hearts. When that happens that is a very good thing.

    One interesting note about this that has to do with the Greek language – the original language of the New Testament. The New Testament is written in koine Greek – the common language of the common man. God wants our hearts, so he speaks to us in our heart language. Engendering faith. Sustaining hope. Inspiring love.

  • In Season and Out of Season

    Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

    Acts 21:37-22:11

    As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek? 38 Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” 39 Paul replied, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.”40And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying:

    22:1 “Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.”

    2 And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said:

    3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, 5 as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.

    6 “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. 7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 8 And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ 9 Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me.10 And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ 11 And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.

    Hybrid Tea Rose | Arbor Gate Nursery, Tomball, Texas | May 2024

    It’s hurricane season in Texas, and we’ve had our first of the season. Beryl was the earliest category 5 Gulf of Mexico hurricane ever recorded. When it hit our area it was down to a category 1, but it still managed to pack a significant wallop. At least 2 million people were without power, some 500,000 for more than 3 days. Repair trucks by the dozens are parked in school parking lots and other large staging areas still yet – a week after the storm. Some have wondered why it is taking so long to get their power restored. Others have said that CenterPoint (the company tasked with keeping electric transmission lines running) should have more people at the ready. Surely they knew it was the season, and the storm was coming. Theirs is a daunting job, but few would say they were ready in season, much less out of season.

    Paul will write to Timothy, his young protégé in the faith, “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2). Paul knew whereof he spoke. That is proved by this occasion when he is being rescued from being beaten in the Temple square. He’s being carried up the stairs by the soldiers. They suppose he is a rebel and are no doubt saving him only so that he could be put on trial, found guilty, and executed properly.

    Talk about an out-of-season situation! This isn’t a Sabbath gathering in the synagogue. This isn’t an encounter with Greek philosophers asking to learn more about what Paul was teaching (cf. Acts 17). This isn’t a gathering of the believers in Antioch ready to hear about Paul’s mission trip. This isn’t the church council meeting with the apostles in Jerusalem to discuss the matter of Gentile believers. This is a mob scene. This is a spur-of-the-moment speech while being rescued by Roman soldiers. But Paul uses this as an opportunity to witness to God’s work in his life.

    This is the second of three times Paul will recount the events leading to his conversion. The story is always the same – with new details added or omitted each time. But it goes like this: I was a violent persecutor of the Church and of people who followed Jesus. I was on my way to take more prisoners when I was struck down by a blinding light. Jesus spoke to me asking, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” I learned that Jesus was truly risen from the dead, that he has the power to transform a person’s life, as he did mine. He died for our sins and was raised from the dead. He can transform your life too.

    In season or out of season, we may have an opportunity to give witness to Jesus’ work in our lives. When we do have that opportunity, we can honor God by declaring his glorious grace so that people can have their lives transformed by the Holy Spirit who points us always to Jesus, Son of God, Savior of the world.

  • Today’s Psalms for July 14, 2024

    Please pray these Psalms with me today, on this Lord’s Day

    Psalm 14:1-3

    The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
        They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds;
        there is none who does good.

    2 The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man,
        to see if there are any who understand,[a]
        who seek after God.

    3 They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt;
        there is none who does good,
        not even one.

    Psalm 44:26

    Rise up; come to our help!
        Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love!

    Psalm 74:1-2

    O God, why do you cast us off forever?
        Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture?
    2 Remember your congregation, which you have purchased of old,
        which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your heritage!
        Remember Mount Zion, where you have dwelt.

    Psalm 104:1-4, 24

    Bless the LORD, O my soul!
        O LORD my God, you are very great!
    You are clothed with splendor and majesty,
    2     covering yourself with light as with a garment,
        stretching out the heavens like a tent.
    3 He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters;
    he makes the clouds his chariot;
        he rides on the wings of the wind;
    4 he makes his messengers winds,
        his ministers a flaming fire.

    24 O Lord, how manifold are your works!
        In wisdom have you made them all;
        the earth is full of your creatures.

    Psalm 134

    Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,
        who stand by night in the house of the Lord!
    2 Lift up your hands to the holy place
        and bless the Lord!

    3 May the Lord bless you from Zion,
        he who made heaven and earth!

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