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

  • Generation to Generation

    Fathers make known to children your faithfulness. Isaiah 38:19 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14 NIV We’ve been reflecting lately – Diane and I – about our faults and failures as parents as our children…

  • Fear, Love, and Trust God

    I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts. Psalm 119:63 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom. Colossians 3:16 There are some things that strike fear in my heart. A sudden rush of adrenaline will course through my…

  • Center Focus

    My heart shall rejoice in your salvation. Psalm 13:5 Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. James 5:13 With the advent of the microchip cameras have taken major steps forward in both complexity and potential automatic control. You can set your camera on “A” and it will…

  • Neighboring

    You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. Deuteronomy 5:21 NIV Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Romans 13:10 We have a set of policies which proscribe the things which are unacceptable and to which I am accountable as Senior Pastor at St. John. They include financial constraints, staff and operational limits, and other Senior Pastor Limitations within…

  • Awakenings

    Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place—and I did not know it!” Genesis 28:16 See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! 2 Corinthians 6:2 The movie Awakenings is a fascinating look at a group of patients in a catatonic state in a Bronx…

  • Then Comes the Joy in Heaven

    When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me. Then I acknowledged my sin to you. Psalm 32:3,4,5 NASB Jesus said, “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10 David had a secret…

  • Anchors and Encouragers

    The Lord is a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel. Joel 3:16 We who have found safety with him are greatly encouraged to hold firmly to the hope placed before us. We have this hope as an anchor for our lives. Hebrews 6:18-19 GNT Diane and I were married at…

  • Bright Smiling Face

    Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love. Psalm 31:16 My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Luke 1:46-48 You may know the song, “Good morning to you…we’re all in our places…

  • Ash Wednesday Meditation

    “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping and mourning; 13 And rend your heart and not your garments.” Now return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness And relenting of evil. -Joel 2:12-13 Perhaps you ran away from home as a child. You took…

  • What does Jesus mean to you?

    Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust. Psalm 113:5-7 Jesus Christ, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself,…