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.”
Almighty and merciful heavenly Father, how great is your faithfulness; how wonderful is your love! You have brought me safely through this year now coming to an end, through great moments of joy and challenging times of trial. Through it all I look back and see your fatherly divine goodness and mercy, your daily provision, and your faithful goodness. I see this in the care you have provided me and my family. I see it in the birth of children, the encouragement of others through times of trial, the joys of family and friends, and the rich adventures you have allowed me to experience. I see your goodness and love in the blessings of a glass of wine and a tasty meal. I see your kindness in the encouragement of friends and conversations of brothers and sisters in Christ. I see your grace, also, in the divine protection you have provided me – even without my knowledge, the angelic interventions and unseen helpers along life’s way. For all this I give thanks to you, O God.
I am all too aware, also, of my own failures and faults that lie in my past this year:
The kind words unspoken, and the hurtful words uttered;
The good thoughts not held to, and the evil thoughts embraced;
The loving actions abandoned, and the hurtful things I have done;
For all these things I ask your forgiveness. For the sake of Jesus’ suffering and death, and according to your promise remove these from me as far as the east is from the west.
And now as I face the New Year, let me do so even more resolved to live under Christ in his kingdom and serve him. Let me rejoice in and praise you for your fatherly divine goodness and mercy in every form. Let me look with great hope to the New Year, but even greater anticipation of the Great Last Day, that by the power and work of your Holy Spirit in my heart, I may rejoice in your presence eternally; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen
Luther’s Evening Prayer
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen
Prayer for the third evening of the month from Diary of Private Prayer, by John Baillie, revised by David Bahn
O you most wise, most great, most holy, in wisdom and power and tender mercy you created me in your own image. You have given me this life to live. You have appointed my lot and determined the boundaries of my habitation. You have surrounded me with gracious and beneficent influences. You have written your law within my heart.
And in my heart’s most secret chamber you are now waiting to meet and speak with me, freely offering me your fellowship in spite of all my sinning. Let me now avail myself of this open road to peace of mind. Let me approach your presence humbly and reverently. Let me carry with me the spirit of my Lord and Master Jesus Christ. Let me leave behind me all fretfulness, all unworthy desires, all thoughts of malice towards my fellow men, all hesitancy in surrendering my will to yours.
In your will, O Lord, is my peace.
In your love is my rest.
In your service is my joy.
You are all my heart’s desire.
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. (Psalm 73:25).
In your presence, O God, I think not only of myself, but of others, my fellow men:
Of my friends, especially of …. and of ….
Of those who to‑day have worked or played with me:
Of those who are in sorrow:
Of those who are bearing the burdens of others:
Of those who are manning difficult stations or lonely outposts of your Kingdom:
O you who are the one God and Father of us all, be near to us all tonight and graciously keep watch over our souls. Hear my prayer for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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