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.”

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  • Follow the Word: Agony in the Garden

    Follow the Word: Agony in the Garden

    Today’s readings: Luke 20-22, Psalm 119:145-176 Listen to today’s devotion Luke 22:39-46 And [Jesus] came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from…

  • Follow the Word: Increase Our Faith!

    Follow the Word: Increase Our Faith!

    Today’s readings: Luke 17-19, Psalm 119:121-144 Listen to today’s devotion Luke 17:1-6 And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea…

  • Follow the Word: A View into the Heart of God

    Follow the Word: A View into the Heart of God

    Today’s readings: Luke 14-16, Psalm 119:97-120 Listen to today’s devotion Luke 15:1-2, 7 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear [Jesus]. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” 7[Jesus says,] I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over…

  • Follow the Word: Undeterred by Threats, Moved by Love

    Follow the Word: Undeterred by Threats, Moved by Love

    Today’s readings: Luke 11-13, Psalm 119:73-96 Listen to today’s devotion Luke 13:31-35 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32 And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and…

  • Today’s Psalms for October4, 2026

    Please pray these Psalms with me on this Lord’s Day  Psalm 4 To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David. 4 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…

  • Follow the Word: Jesus Will Not Be Deterred

    Follow the Word: Jesus Will Not Be Deterred

    Today’s readings: Luke 2-4, Psalm 119:1-24 Listen to today’s devotion Luke 4:31-37 And Jesus went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, 32 and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority. 33 And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of…

  • CORRECTED PODCAST LINK Follow the Word: The Silence Before the Sunrise

    CORRECTED PODCAST LINK Follow the Word: The Silence Before the Sunrise

    Today’s readings: Malachi 3-4, Luke 1, Psalm 118 Listen to today’s devotion Malachi 3:1; 4:5–6 Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says…

  • Follow the Word: The Silence Before the Sunrise

    Follow the Word: The Silence Before the Sunrise

    Today’s readings: Malachi 3-4, Luke 1, Psalm 118 Listen to today’s devotion Malachi 3:1; 4:5–6 Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says…

  • Follow the Word: How Have You Loved Us?

    Follow the Word: How Have You Loved Us?

    Today’s readings: Malachi 1-2, Psalm 117 Listen to today’s devotion Malachi 1:2-5 “I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you say, “How have you loved us?” “Is not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob 3 but Esau I have hated. I have laid waste his hill country and left his…

  • Follow the Word: The Walls Weren’t the Real Problem

    Follow the Word: The Walls Weren’t the Real Problem

    Listen to today’s devotion Today’s readings: Nehemiah 13, Psalm 116 Nehemiah 13:4-14 Now before this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the chambers of the house of our God, and who was related to Tobiah, 5 prepared for Tobiah a large chamber where they had previously put the grain offering, the frankincense, the vessels, and…