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: The Joy Was Heard Far Away

    Follow the Word: The Joy Was Heard Far Away

    Listen to today’s devotion Today’s readings: Nehemiah 10-12, Psalm 115 Nehemiah 12:27-43 (selected verses) And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away. And at the dedication of the wall of…

  • Today’s Psalms for September 27, 2026

    Please pray these Psalms with me on this Lord’s Day  Psalm 27:1-6 OF DAVID. The LORD is my light and my salvation;whom shall I fear?The LORD is the stronghold of my life;of whom shall I be afraid?When evildoers assail meto eat up my flesh,my adversaries and foes,it is they who stumble and fall.Though an army…

  • Follow the Word: Oh Me! Oh My! Oh Nehemiah!

    Follow the Word: Oh Me! Oh My! Oh Nehemiah!

    Listen to today’s devotion Today’s readings: Nehemiah 1-3; Psalm 112 Nehemiah 1:4-11 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 5 And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who…

  • Follow the Word: Deep Convictions

    Follow the Word: Deep Convictions

    Listen to today’s devotion Today’s readings: Ezra 8-10, Psalm 111 Ezra 9:5-9 And at the evening sacrifice I rose from my fasting, with my garment and my cloak torn, and fell upon my knees and spread out my hands to the Lord my God, 6 saying: “O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God,…

  • Follow the Word: Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers

    Follow the Word: Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers

    Listen to today’s devotion Today’s readings: Esther 9-10, Ezra 7, Psalm 110 Ezra 7:11, 13–14, 21, 23, 25, 27–28 This is a copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, a man learned in matters of the commandments of the LORD and his statutes for Israel: 13 “I make a…

  • Follow the Word: Whom the King Delights to Honor

    Follow the Word: Whom the King Delights to Honor

    Listen to today’s devotion Today’s readings: Esther 6-8, Psalm 109 Esther 6:1-3, 6-10 On that night the king could not sleep. And he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, and they were read before the king. 2 And it was found written how Mordecai had told about Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, who guarded…

  • Follow the Word: For Such a Time as This

    Follow the Word: For Such a Time as This

    Listen to today’s devotion Today’s readings: Esther 3-5, Psalm 108 Esther 4:8-16 Mordecai also gave him a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for their destruction, that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her and command her to go to the king to beg his favor and plead with him on behalf…

  • Today’s Psalms for September 20, 2026

    Please pray these Psalms with me on this Lord’s Day  Psalm 20 May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble!    May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!2 May he send you help from the sanctuary    and give you support from Zion!3 May he remember all your offerings    and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah 4 May he grant you your heart’s desire    and fulfill all…

  • Follow the Word: A Promise of Peace — and a Coming King

    Follow the Word: A Promise of Peace — and a Coming King

    Listen to today’s devotion Today’s readings: Zechariah 8-10, Psalm 105 Zechariah 8:1-8 And the word of the LORD of hosts came, saying, 2 “Thus says the LORD of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath. 3 Thus says the LORD: I have returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be…

  • Follow the Word: God’s Clarion Call to Faithfulness

    Follow the Word: God’s Clarion Call to Faithfulness

    Listen to today’s devotion Today’s readings: Zechariah 5-7, Psalm 104 Zechariah 7:8-10 And the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, saying, 9 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, 10 do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.”  These chapters…