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.”

Month: November 2011

  • Hard Sayings and Challenging Truths

    John 6:60 When many of [Jesus’] disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” Jesus’ words are sometimes comforting and reassuring: “Let not your hearts be troubled…” Sometimes, however, Jesus’ words challenge the core of our souls with truths that turn our world upside down: “Whoever seeks to…

  • Report of Kenya Mission Trip – Photos for November 27 Message at St. John Lutheran Church

    Sunday’s message did not include the photos of the mission trip to Kenya. Here, below, is a slide show that goes with the Bible passages and major points: Our Mission trip to Kenya was an expression of Jesus’ promise for the Mission of God. Acts 1:8 (ESV) But you will receive power when the Holy…

  • Taught by God

    John 6:44-50 44No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. 45It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me— 46 not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is…

  • Bread of Life

    John 6:35-40  35Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast…

  • The Works of God

    John 6:27-29 Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” 28Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?”29Jesus answered them, “This is the work of…

  • Thanks be to God!

    1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I love the story of Corrie and Betsie Ten Boom’s encounter with this Bible passage. They were in prison suffering terribly because of the Nazi and SS cruelty. Somehow, however, they had been able to…

  • No Thanks

    John 5:9b-12     Now that day was the Sabbath. 10So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” 11But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’” 12They asked him,…

  • Kenya: The People-Part 2

    Mark 6:30-34 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 31And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. 33Now…

  • Kenya Mission Trip – The People

    Luke 10:5-6  1After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go… 5Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ 6And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to…

  • Kenya Mission Trip – On the Road

    Deuteronomy 6:6-8 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on…