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: A New Heart in a Dark Time

    Follow the Word: A New Heart in a Dark Time

    Listen to today’s devotion Today’s readings: Ezekiel 10-12, Psalm 81. Ezekiel 11:14-21 And the word of the LORD came to me: 15 “Son of man, your brothers, even your brothers, your kinsmen, the whole house of Israel, all of them, are those of whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, ‘Go far from the Lord; to us this land is given for…

  • Follow the Word: Knowing Where to Turn for Mercy

    Follow the Word: Knowing Where to Turn for Mercy

    Listen to today’s devotion Today’s readings: Ezekiel 7-9, Psalm 80. Ezekiel 7:1-9 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “And you, O son of man, thus says the Lord God to the land of Israel: An end! The end has come upon the four corners of the land. 3 Now the end is upon you, and I will send my anger upon you; I will judge…

  • Today’s Psalms for August 23, 2026

    Please pray these Psalms with me on this Lord’s Day  Psalm 23 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.2     He makes me lie down in green pastures.He leads me beside still waters.3     He restores my soul.He leads me in paths of righteousness    for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,    I will fear no evil,for you are with me;    your rod and your staff,    they…

  • Follow the Word: Great is Thy Faithfulness

    Follow the Word: Great is Thy Faithfulness

    Listen to today’s devotion Today’s readings: Lamentations 3-5, Psalm 77. Lamentations 3:19-33 Remember my affliction and my wanderings,    the wormwood and the gall!20 My soul continually remembers it    and is bowed down within me.21 But this I call to mind,    and therefore I have hope: 22 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;    his mercies never come to an end;23 they are new every morning;    great is your…

  • Follow the Word: To Whom Shall We Go?

    Follow the Word: To Whom Shall We Go?

    Listen to today’s devotion Today’s readings: Jeremiah 52, Lamentations 1-2, Psalm 76. Lamentations 2:17-20 The LORD [YHWH] has done what he purposed;    he has carried out his word,which he commanded long ago;    he has thrown down without pity;he has made the enemy rejoice over you    and exalted the might of your foes. 18 Their heart cried to the Lord [Sovereign God].    O wall of the daughter of…

  • Follow the Word: The Fullness of God’s Judgment and Grace

    Follow the Word: The Fullness of God’s Judgment and Grace

    Listen to today’s devotion Today’s readings: Jeremiah 49-51, Psalm 75. Jeremiah 50:1-7, 17-20 The word that the Lord spoke concerning Babylon, concerning the land of the Chaldeans, by Jeremiah the prophet: 2 “Declare among the nations and proclaim,    set up a banner and proclaim,    conceal it not, and say:‘Babylon is taken,    Bel is put to shame,    Merodach is dismayed.Her images are put to shame,    her…

  • Follow the Word: The Sword of Judgment Does Not Have the Last Word

    Follow the Word: The Sword of Judgment Does Not Have the Last Word

    Listen to today’s devotion Today’s readings: Jeremiah 46-48, Psalm 74. Jeremiah 46:25-28  The Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, said: “Behold, I am bringing punishment upon Amon of Thebes, and Pharaoh and Egypt and her gods and her kings, upon Pharaoh and those who trust in him. 26 I will deliver them into the hand of those who seek their life,…

  • Follow the Word: Getting God Exactly Backward

    Follow the Word: Getting God Exactly Backward

    Listen to today’s devotion Today’s readings: Jeremiah 43-45, Psalm 73. Jeremiah 43:8-13 [After hearing God’s command through Jeremiah not to go to Egypt, the leaders accused Jeremiah of lying and refused to obey. They took the remnant of Judah—including Jeremiah and Baruch—with them to Egypt, settling at Tahpanhes in direct disobedience to the LORD.] Then…

  • Today’s Psalms for August 16, 2026

    Please pray these Psalms with me on this Lord’s Day  Psalm 16 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;    I have no good apart from you.” 3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,    in whom is all my delight. 4 The sorrows of those who…

  • Follow the Word: The Just Shall Live by Faith

    Follow the Word: The Just Shall Live by Faith

    Listen to today’s devotion Today’s readings: Jeremiah 40, Habakkuk 1-2, Psalm 70. Habakkuk 2:1-4 I will take my stand at my watchpost    and station myself on the tower,and look out to see what he will say to me,    and what I will answer concerning my complaint. 2 And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision;    make it plain on tablets,    so he may run who…