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.”

Will Jesus Find a Place in Your Heart Today?

Luke 2:15-21

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

This is a manger: There is an abundance of stone in Israel and not a lot of wood. Mangers were most often made of stone - a different reality to Jesus' crib.
This is a manger: There is an abundance of stone in Israel and not a lot of wood. Mangers were most often made of stone – a different reality to Jesus’ crib.

Angels announced and sang.
Shepherds came and saw,
And left telling all
Of the Good News announced
And evidence seen in a manger.
While Mary pondered all this in her heart.

Glory to God they’d heard
Peace on earth and
Good will toward men
Was the message proclaimed
And Mary pondered all this in her heart.

Jesus was his name
Given on the eighth day
When the knife marked
Him as a son of the covenant
And Mary pondered all this in her heart.

Mary did you know
That there would be another
More wonderful eighth day?
After a more terrible sixth?
Would you ponder this terrible truth in your heart?

Mary did you know
That others would follow
And still others would deny
And still others would scream for his blood?
Will Mary ponder this in her heart?

There will come a Day
When the angels will be silent
And those who look upon
Your child will turn away their eyes for shame and horror.
Mary do you know that your heart will be broken?

There will come a day
When not just shepherds
Nor even angels,
But fishermen and sinners
Will tell the Good News of this child
Mary, will you ponder this all in your heart?

Those who live in the light
Of his birth must also ponder
And embrace the whole
Story of this Child
And ponder it all in our hearts.

Does it make a difference?
Did it happen for a Cause
Greater than the moments of men?
Will this Jesus find a place in
Your heart and mine today – at just the right time?

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