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 Lord Vindicates His Own

    Follow the Word: The Lord Vindicates His Own

    Listen to today’s devotion Today’s readings: Jeremiah 37-39, Psalm 69. Jeremiah 39:11-19 Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon gave command concerning Jeremiah through Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, saying, 12 “Take him, look after him well, and do him no harm, but deal with him as he tells you.” 13 So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, Nebushazban the Rab-saris, Nergal-sar-ezer…

  • Follow the Word: The Same Message Again and Again

    Follow the Word: The Same Message Again and Again

    Listen to today’s devotion Today’s readings: Jeremiah 34-36, Psalm 68. Jeremiah 35:12-17 Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: 13 “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Go and say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will you not receive instruction and listen to my words? declares the LORD. 14 The command that Jonadab the son…

  • Follow the Word: God’s Promises for Tomorrow

    Follow the Word: God’s Promises for Tomorrow

    Listen to today’s devotion Today’s readings: Jeremiah 31-33, Psalm 67. Jeremiah 31:31-34 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring…

  • Follow the Word: God’s Plans for Hope and a Future

    Follow the Word: God’s Plans for Hope and a Future

    Listen to today’s devotion Today’s readings: Jeremiah 28-30, Psalm 66. Jeremiah 29:10-14 “For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to…

  • Today’s Psalms for August 9, 2026

    Please pray these Psalms with me on this Lord’s Day  Psalm 9:1-10 I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart;    I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.2 I will be glad and exult in you;    I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. 3 When my enemies turn back,    they stumble and perish before your presence.4 For you have maintained my just cause;    you…

  • Follow the Word: When Enough Isn’t Enough

    Follow the Word: When Enough Isn’t Enough

    Listen to today’s devotion Today’s readings: Jeremiah 19-21, Psalm 63. Jeremiah 20:7-14 O LORD, you have deceived me,    and I was deceived;you are stronger than I,    and you have prevailed.I have become a laughingstock all the day;    everyone mocks me.8 For whenever I speak, I cry out,    I shout, “Violence and destruction!”For the word of the LORD has become for me    a reproach and derision all day long.9 If…

  • Follow the Word: When It’s Bad—Very, Very Bad

    Follow the Word: When It’s Bad—Very, Very Bad

    Listen to today’s devotion Today’s readings: Jeremiah 16-18, Psalm 62. Jeremiah 17:5-13 Thus says the LORD:“Cursed is the man who trusts in man    and makes flesh his strength,    whose heart turns away from the LORD.6 He is like a shrub in the desert,    and shall not see any good come.He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness,    in an uninhabited salt land.…

  • Follow the Word: God’s Message to Truth-Sayers

    Follow the Word: God’s Message to Truth-Sayers

    Listen to today’s devotion Today’s readings: Jeremiah 13-15, Psalm 61. Jeremiah 15:15-21 O LORD, you know;    remember me and visit me,    and take vengeance for me on my persecutors.In your forbearance take me not away;    know that for your sake I bear reproach.16 Your words were found, and I ate them,    and your words became to me a joy    and the delight of my heart,for…

  • Follow the Word: The Spiritual Capillary Effect

    Follow the Word: The Spiritual Capillary Effect

    Listen to today’s devotion Today’s readings: Jeremiah 10-12, Psalm 60. Jeremiah 10:1-12 Hear the word that the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel. 2 Thus says the LORD: “Learn not the way of the nations,    nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens    because the nations are dismayed at them,3 for the customs of the peoples are vanity.A tree from…

  • Follow the Word: Is there no balm in Gilead?

    Follow the Word: Is there no balm in Gilead?

    Listen to today’s devotion Today’s readings: Jeremiah 7-9, Psalm 59. Jeremiah 9:23-24 Thus says the   LORD:   “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches,   24   but   let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I…