David Bahn – Reflections

Light from the Word and through the lens

recent posts

about

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.”

Category: Uncategorized

  • One and Only Reason for God’s Joy

    Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down,     that the mountains might quake at your presence— 2 as when fire kindles brushwood     and the fire causes water to boil— to make your name known to your adversaries,     and that the nations might tremble at your presence! 3 When you did awesome things that we did…

  • No half-rotten, maggot-infested fruit

    So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of…

  • Very Good

    And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. – Genesis 1:31 Perhaps you’ve heard the humorous saw: “That’s bad. No, that’s good.” Something that seems to be bad is actually good. Not long ago, I was walkin’ down…

  • What do you see?

    And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. 4 There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like…

  • Going Beyond Your Skin

    And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. – Mark 16:15 “The world begins at the end of your skin.” I wish I could claim that as an original saying. But I cannot. I first heard it from the now-sainted Rev. Charles Mueller. He was a strong advocate for…

  • Coming Home

    Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord. – Lamentations 3:40 Whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit. – 1 Corinthians 6:17 Diane and I, along with three others from St. John returned two days ago from a mission trip to Kenya and Tanzania. There are…

  • Hiatus – Offline For A Time

    I will be offline and most likely unable to post for the next two weeks. I look forward to connecting with you, Dear Readers, once I am back online again.

  • RLC Day 29: Who me?

    Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I…

  • RLC Day 29: Giving what you’ve got

    As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns. 14 Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 That…

  • Today’s Psalms

    Psalm 9:1-2 I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High. Psalm 39:6-7 We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in…