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.”

  • Today’s Psalms for August 4, 2024

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

    Psalm 4:1-5

    Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
        You have given me relief when I was in distress.
        Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!

    2 O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?
        How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah
    3 But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself;
        the LORD hears when I call to him.

    4 Be angry, and do not sin;
        ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah
    5 Offer right sacrifices,
        and put your trust in the LORD.

    Psalm 34:1-8

    34 I will bless the LORD at all times;
        his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
    2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD;
        let the humble hear and be glad.
    3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
        and let us exalt his name together!

    4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me
        and delivered me from all my fears.
    5 Those who look to him are radiant,
        and their faces shall never be ashamed.
    6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
        and saved him out of all his troubles.
    7 The angel of the LORD encamps
        around those who fear him, and delivers them.

    8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
        Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

    Psalm 64:10

    Let the righteous one rejoice in the LORD
        and take refuge in him!
    Let all the upright in heart exult!

    Psalm 94:12-15

    Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD,
        and whom you teach out of your law,
    13 to give him rest from days of trouble,
        until a pit is dug for the wicked.
    14 For the LORD will not forsake his people;
        he will not abandon his heritage;
    15 for justice will return to the righteous,
        and all the upright in heart will follow it.

    Psalm 124:8

    Our help is in the name of the LORD,
        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.

  • Take Courage

    Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

    Acts 23:1-11

    And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” 4 Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God’s high priest?” 5 And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

    6 Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” 7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9 Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?” 10 And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.

    11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

    Hibiscus Pirouette-2 | Arbor Gate Nursery, Tomball, Texas | May 2024

    Dan Rather was on the cover of Time Magazine with the headline: The 8 Million Dollar Man.” He had just inked a contract with CBS News for the outrageous (at that time) $8M contract. Years later he was somewhat embarrassingly outed for some quite dubious news reporting. He ended his last broadcast with one word, “COURAGE.” I think it was his attempt to encourage people to continue to question the powerful.

    When Luke reports on these events he tells of Jesus’ appearance to Paul, the following night, the Lord standing by him and saying, “Take courage…” But it wasn’t so much to encourage Paul to question the powerful. It was very much a word of encouragement to trust the most powerful.

    Courage can come in a number of ways. “Fools rush in where angels fear to tread” is one source – albeit not a very good one. Denial is another source. Just ignore the danger. Pretend there’s no need for courage. Works well until there is legitimate danger. And of course there’s always bravado. Bluster. Swagger.

    There is, of course, a better source of courage: the word of God. First there is the command of Jesus here, “Take courage…” I remember God’s message to Joshua, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9). I love this on two counts. First is the command. Just like Jesus’ words to Paul. This is not just encouragement. This is an imperative. In the case of Joshua, there is a very clear promise as well: “The LORD is with you wherever you go.” The the case of Paul, there is an implied promise: “you must also testify of me in Rome.”

    There are times we must simply take courage. We must engage our faith and move forward under the authority of God’s command and promise.

    Sometimes, moreover, courage grows with the noble character of the cause. In the case of Joshua, he was to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land. There were rivers to cross, city walls to tear down, battles to fight, and lands to occupy. It would all take courage and the blessing and presence of God. In the case of Paul, the cause was the spread of the Gospel to Rome – a fulfillment of Jesus’ promise/statement, “You shall be my witnesses…to the ends of the earth.”

    Our mission may not be as momentous as Joshua’s or as critical as Paul’s. But our calling is every bit as important. We must sometimes take courage in big or small mission efforts. We can do so – assured of Jesus’ presence, strength, and promise – whether we appropriate God’s promise to Joshua or Jesus’ promise to us all: I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

  • Angels and Spirits and the Resurrection

    Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

    Acts 23:1-11

    And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” 4 Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God’s high priest?” 5 And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

    6 Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” 7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9 Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?” 10 And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.

    11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

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

    As best I can tell, the Sadducees did not believe in angels, spirits, or the resurrection for because they didn’t want to upset the status quo between the Jews and Romans in their day. They purport to reject these things because they are not taught in the Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament). But Abraham is visited by three angels, and Jesus spoke of how “even Moses” taught the resurrection. He says to the Sadducees: “But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you, 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.” (Matthew 22:31-32)

    Years ago a pastor preached at a pastors conference and made some truly terrible and un-Lutheran assertions about the way the church should be run. I was distressed that his sermon(!) topic was essentially a lecture in an attempt to prove his point. Never mind that it wasn’t really a sermon. It was truly not orthodox. But his buddies refused to call him out on it. He was their guy, afterall. They were protecting their turf.

    This is what is happening here between the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Each was protecting their turf. And when the Sadducees saw that their ideas and beliefs were being challenged, they went at Paul. But the Pharisees saw Paul as a sudden ally. He was their guy, talking about the resurrection.

    The Sadducees were the elite. They trumpeted a conservative cause because it protected their status and power. They knew Paul wasn’t their guy, for he like no other would turn their world upside down if given the chance to speak about Jesus’ death and resurrection. Paul was definitely not their guy.

    It’s important for us to know who is our guy. It’s Paul. But even more, it’s Jesus. And he is risen from the dead. He sends his angels to guard over us. He cast out evil spirits (demons) by his word – as did Paul and the other Apostles. He is never coopted. He is never tricked into taking sides. He is entirely on God’s side, and on the side of all who call on him in repentant faith. He has nothing to lose, for he already lost it all for us and has received it all back and more. And he gives it all to us by his grace. No need for a show of bravado or power. The Pharisees nor Sadducees never had any true power in the first place.

    Thank God we can cling to the hope of the resurrection and rejoice in the Holy Spirit’s presence and blessings in our lives – and look toward the day when all God’s holy angels will gather us into the eternal bliss of the life of the world to come.

  • What’s it all about, Alphie?

    Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

    Acts 23:1-11

    And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” 4 Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God’s high priest?” 5 And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

    6 Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” 7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9 Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?” 10 And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.

    11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

    “Reaching For More” | Arbor Gate Nursery, Tomball, Texas | May 2024

    What’s it all about Alfie is a song connected to the movie, Alphie. Alphie is a young, womanising man leading a self-centred life, focused on his own enjoyment until events force him to question his uncaring behaviour, his loneliness, and his priorities. The song asks some good questions:

    What’s it all about AlfieIs it just for the moment we live

    What’s it all aboutWhen you sort it out, AlfieAre we meant to take more than we giveOr are we meant to be kind?

    And if, if only fools are kind, AlfieThen I guess it is wise to be cruelAnd if life belongs only to the strong, AlfieWhat will you lend on an old golden rule?

    It’s not quite the same, but it certainly is reflective of an even more profound question of life and death.  The song, however, does not ask the more ultimate question. That is what is at stake here in this encounter between Paul and the Council. It is the ultimate question about life and death and more – the life and death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, Savior and Lord.

    The row was initially about Paul’s claim to have been sent by Jesus to the Gentiles. That’s what got things started (cf. Acts 22:21-22). But the singular claim that Jesus is Lord of all, that he rose from the dead, and that he truly does have all authority in heaven and on earth (cf. Matthew 28:18). Every knee will one day bow to Jesus. Every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. We live under Christ in his kingdom by faith, for these realities are visible now only by faith.

    This is a constant struggle for the faithful Jesus follower. We see so much evidence to the contrary. It does not appear to us that Jesus is reigning and ruling in the world today. Nevermind that Jesus himself called Satan the prince or ruler of this world (cf. John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). We would rather Jesus show up now and put things right. We would love not to have to face temptation, struggle with sin, or need to repent. It’s hard to live as though the tomb is actually empty.

    But the tomb is empty. And Paul and thousands since his time have given their lives – literally and figuratively – for the sake of Jesus’ message of life and salvation. Because Jesus has been raised from the dead, we know that he has been vindicated, our sins have been forgiven, and salvation has been won.

    There are those who violently object to this message. Whether it takes the form of blasphemous kitsch and gaudy perversions or group executions of Christians by the Islamic State, Jesus has some serious enemies. And so do we. We battle against not only the world, but also the devil and our own sinful flesh. Thank God Jesus has overcome the world, died for our sins, conquered the devil and been raised from the dead.

    It’s all about Jesus, Alphie. It’s all about Jesus, and Jesus is Lord of heaven and earth. Come, Lord Jesus! Come!

  • The Pettiness Factor

    Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

    Acts 23:1-11

    And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” 4 Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God’s high priest?” 5 And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

    6 Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” 7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9 Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?” 10 And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.

    11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

    Canna Lilies | Arbor Gate Nursery, Tomball, Texas | May 2024

    Hanlon’s Razor is a philosophical rule of thumb. It says, “Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.” I’m not certain where we are to fall in regard to the situation being played out between Paul and the Council on this occasion. Did Ananias not know that it was completely improper and unlawful to strike Paul? Did Paul know it was Ananias, the high priest to whom he spoke, invoking God’s vengeance upon him? Did perhaps Ananias know who Paul was, and was playing it off, only to have Paul who knew him mock Ananias, saying, “I didn’t know he was the High Priest.” Were each trying to pull the wool over each other’s eyes?

    Then comes Paul’s quick-witted proclamation: This is an issue about the resurrection! There is so much going on here.

    The Sadducees were the more conservative of the Jewish sects in Paul’s day. They were known for their strict adherence to the written law of Moses, denial of the resurrection and supernatural beings, and their aristocratic status and cooperation with Roman authorities. The Pharisees, on the other hand  were very dedicated believers. They were responsible for preserving the faith through the synagogue system, and their high regard for all of Scripture, the Law and the Prophets, history and wisdom literature of the Old Testament.

    The Sadducees and Pharisees were not friendly. They tolerated each other. But they had some significant disagreements. So Paul knew that he would get a row out of the people there when he claimed his Pharisaical roots and claimed, “It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” The ensuing riot took him out of this fray but into a more dire place. I don’t think I’d want to be a guest in the barracks of the Roman soldiers if I had just made a point of my Jewish heritage. 

    And Jesus is not afraid to step into the fray. He will stand by Paul in the middle of the night and promise that Paul would give witness to him in Rome. All the intrigue and maneuvering will not thwart God’s plan to bring the Gospel message to Rome and beyond. I’m guessing had Paul not provoked a riot, God would have gotten him out of there. God somehow manages to work around even pettiness  for this cause of his mission and kingdom.

    I wonder what kinds of pettiness and maneuvering Jesus has gotten around in order to bring the gospel message to you and to me. Thank God he was absolutely committed to doing so.

  • Nothing New Under the Sun

    Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

    Acts 23:1-11

    And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” 4 Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God’s high priest?” 5 And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

    6 Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” 7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9 Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?” 10 And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.

    11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

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

    What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. -Ecclesiastes 1:9. Whether it’s controversy over the Olympics opening ceremony or political attacks, sexual immorality or vicious acts of violence and war. Everything new is old again. I recall the quote about Abraham Lincoln:

    “The conduct of the Republican party in this nomination is a remarkable indication of a small intellect growing smaller. They pass over statesmen, and able men, and they take up a fourth-rate lecturer, who cannot speak good grammar.” – Chicago Times, 1860.

    We have political intrigue and disrespectful talk and action right here. The High Priest won’t do it himself, but he’ll have someone else strike Paul. I wonder, frankly, whether Paul knew or not it was the High Priest to whom he spoke. We’ll allow that he did not know who it was, but his speech was clear: God would strike that whitewashed wall. His retribution would come against the one who had ordered Paul struck because there was no cause for it; it was unprovoked. Why would someone be offended at this comment? “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” The reason: they thought it was blasphemous. But even so, is that cause for such a violent response?

    Paul’s retort was pointed but not violent. “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” His whitewashed wall comment reminds me of Jesus’ words “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness.” (Matthew 23:27-28) 

    I wish it were not so. I wish we never had to engage in political debates, or that such debates remained civil. But there is nothing new under the sun. God is never surprised by it. He is not powerless in the face of the most blatant attack on Jesus or his Church. There is another thing to remember in the face of the most vivid displays of godlessness and immorality. God is on his throne. There will be a day of reckoning. Jesus will receive his due honor by all. The ancient truth of God’s glorious grace is never old news – even though it is from the foundations of creation. God’s mercies are new every morning. Great is his faithfulness. That’s the kind of nothing new I want to recall every day.

  • Today’s Psalms for July 28, 2024

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

    Psalm 28:1-2

    To you, O LORD, I call;
        my rock, be not deaf to me,
    lest, if you be silent to me,
        I become like those who go down to the pit.
    2 Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy,
        when I cry to you for help,
    when I lift up my hands
        toward your most holy sanctuary.

    Psalm 58:10-11

    The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance;
        he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked.
    11 Mankind will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous;
        surely there is a God who judges on earth.”

    Psalm 88:1-3

    O Lord, God of my salvation,
        I cry out day and night before you.
    2 Let my prayer come before you;
        incline your ear to my cry!

    3 For my soul is full of troubles,
        and my life draws near to Sheol.

    Psalm 118:1-4

    Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
        for his steadfast love endures forever!

    2 Let Israel say,
        “His steadfast love endures forever.”
    3 Let the house of Aaron say,
        “His steadfast love endures forever.”
    4 Let those who fear the LORD say,
        “His steadfast love endures forever.”

    Psalm 148

    Praise the LORD!
    Praise the LORD from the heavens;
        praise him in the heights!
    2 Praise him, all his angels;
        praise him, all his hosts!

    3 Praise him, sun and moon,
        praise him, all you shining stars!
    4 Praise him, you highest heavens,
        and you waters above the heavens!

    5 Let them praise the name of the LORD!
        For he commanded and they were created.
    6 And he established them forever and ever;
        he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.

    7 Praise the LORD from the earth,
        you great sea creatures and all deeps,
    8 fire and hail, snow and mist,
        stormy wind fulfilling his word!

    9 Mountains and all hills,
        fruit trees and all cedars!
    10 Beasts and all livestock,
        creeping things and flying birds!

    11 Kings of the earth and all peoples,
        princes and all rulers of the earth!
    12 Young men and maidens together,
        old men and children!

    13 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
        for his name alone is exalted;
        his majesty is above earth and heaven.
    14 He has raised up a horn for his people,
        praise for all his saints,
        for the people of Israel who are near to him.
    Praise the LORD!

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

  • The Switch

    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.

    Cana Lily-2 | Arbor Gate Nursery, Tomball, Texas | May 2024

    Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus is singularly unique. (I do work for the department of redundancy department, after all.) It was like no other. Maybe Job comes close, “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:5-6) The Philippian Jailer comes to mind, “What must I do to be saved?” Perhaps one of the disciples’ conversion was nearly as dramatic – though I don’t know of any. But Saul was dramatically and decisively converted.

    Not only was Saul’s conversion decisive, unique, and singularly so, it offers us a view into what God wants to do with and for each of us – though not in nearly as dramatic a fashion. After all, we’re not persecuting the church, and taking prisoners to squash the gospel message of Jesus.

    But we are all in need of conversion. I love the question Dr. Dale Meier asked several years ago at a church convention. Dale is the former president of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. He also served as the speaker of the Lutheran Hour radio program. Highly respected and quite insightful, he asked the group of us, “How many of you are life-long Lutherans?” Many folks held up their hands. He then said, “No you’re not. We’ re all converts.” Yes we are. All of us. No one is born a Lutheran, much less a Christian. We are born sinners in need of God’s grace and forgiveness even before we open our eyes. Before our conversion we are dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1).

    For many like me, we have no memory of a time before we believed in Jesus. Our need for conversion is not as obvious as Philippian jailers, Roman Tax Collectors, or violent persecutors. But we need to be brought back to life, made friends with God, and have our eyes opened to the grace and truth of God in Jesus.

    That three-fold conversion puts us on a different path with God and one another. And the fullness of it isn’t just a change of mind. It’s more than confessing that we believe in God. James reminds us of that, “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” (James 2:19)

    The fullness of our conversion is to receive forgiveness, confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, and live under Christ’s reign and rule now and forever. We’ll never do this fully and perfectly. But that is still the call. And as we turn again and again to Jesus for forgiveness, confessing him as Lord, we are set again on the path of obedient love and faithful living. All by his grace. All by the Holy Spirit’s power. All for the glory of Jesus’ name.

  • “The world begins at the end of your skin.”

    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.

    Cana Lily | Arbor Gate Nursery, Tomball, Texas | May 2024

    Diane and I have traveled on mission trips to Africa 6 times. It is a daunting trip – 26 hours of flights and layovers. We believe we have made our last trip there.

    Don’t get me wrong, our experiences there have been remarkable. From amazing wildlife we’ve seen on our two short safaris, to the roads which are sometimes smooth and straight, and other times only passable in a 4WD vehicle, to the people we have taught and learned from: these have all been incredible adventures.

    Our hope is to help provide funds for a fence around the Mwanza Lutheran Secondary School. Their campus is not secure or safe, and many parents fear to send their children there because of that. But we have decided that six trips is enough – at least at this time.

    I believe Africa qualifies as far away, in like manner to Jesus’ words to Paul, “Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.” Even though arduous, our travels are no where nearly as challenging and difficult as those which Paul experienced. 

    The idea that all Christians are sent may be challenging. Sent is the word behind the word apostle. An apostle is a sent-one. Jesus said to his disciples upon confronting them in the Upper Room, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” He tells them just before his ascension into heaven, “You will be my witnesses … to the ends of the earth. And Paul reports that Jesus said he was to be sent far away to the Gentiles. But are we also sent? In that same way? Far away?

    Many years ago a pastor shared with me what I used as the title for this post: The world begins at the end of your skin. In other words, you don’t have to go far to engage in God’s mission. It might be across town. Or even another state. But mission trips can also take us to downtown Houston. Your neighbor may be in a place that allows you to bring the love of Christ and the news of his reign and rule to her. Your husband may need the assurance of Christ’s forgiveness.

    We are all sent to do whatever we are able to do to share God’s love and seek his reign and rule. And that journey into the world starts at the end of your skin.

  • 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.