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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  • Today’s Psalms

    Psalm 29:1-2 Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;    worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness. Psalm 59:16-17  I will sing of your strength;    I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.For you have been to me a fortress    and a refuge in the day of my distress.17 O my Strength, I…

  • Flowers by God Photos by David 2021 Calendar

    I have sent my 2021 FBGPBD calendar to the printer. Each month features a photo – mostly flowers, but this year two bird photos as well. I have attached a Bible verse to each of the photos as well. The photos are below the Bible verses.  Calendars will be available by December 6 at St.…

  • Thresholds of Entertainment

    Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “All of you listen,” he said, “and try to understand. 15 It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart.” 17 Then Jesus went into a house to get away from the crowd, and his disciples asked him what he meant…

  • Eat the shrimp! Enjoy the bacon.

    Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “All of you listen,” he said, “and try to understand. 15 It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart.” 17 Then Jesus went into a house to get away from the crowd, and his disciples asked him what he meant…

  • God knows our hearts and hands

    Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “All of you listen,” he said, “and try to understand. 15 It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart.” 17 Then Jesus went into a house to get away from the crowd, and his disciples asked him what he meant…

  • Today’s Psalms

    A selection of verses from five Psalms. On this 22nd of the month, we’ll look at Psalm 22 (a Messianic Psalm – one from which Jesus quoted while on the cross); Psalm 52; 82;112; and 142. My prayer is that these Psalm verses will remind you of God’s proper place of worship and honor, and…

  • Impertinent Questions and the Word of God

    Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, 2 they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders, 4 and when they come from the marketplace,…

  • A Tradition Worthy of Jesus Followers-EDIT

    The final paragraph of my post today had a significant error. A commitment to the truth of God’s word is a worthy tradition. Passing worldly mores never provide sound guidance. Here is the corrected paragraph: Whether it’s the Black Lives Matter or Back the Blue, The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, or the Roman Catholic Church, we…

  • A Tradition Worthy of Jesus Followers

    Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, 2 they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders, 4 and when they come from the marketplace,…

  • The Living Faith of the Dead or the Dead Faith of the Living?

    Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, 2 they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders, 4 and when they come from the marketplace,…