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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  • It Begins

    It was a four-poster bed, high off the floor, a good climb for a three-year-old boy. His parents were faithful church-goers, and made arrangements for one of the more dependable maids to watch the office of the small mom and pop motel they owned and ran. He stood on his parents’ bed, singing Jesus Loves Me, as…

  • A Few Photos from my Mission Vision Trip to Guatemala

    Below are some photos from my trip to Guatemala to look at possible mission site opportunities. We saw three potential Care Points – a school, a drop in children’s ministry, a church with a ministry to area at-risk children, and a community center that serves children through senior adults with education, medical, social, and spiritual…

  • Guatemala Day 3: Piedras Vivas

    Do not be afraid of sudden panic, for the Lord will be your confidence. Proverbs 3:25,26 Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Ephesians 6:10 Guatemala, Day 3: It’s been quite an experience here in Guatemala City and surrounding areas. Yesterday we visited Piedras Vivas (“Living Stones”) Church in Quetzal,…

  • God’s Children

    Return, O faithless children, I will heal your faithlessness. “Here we come to you; for you are the Lord our God.” Jeremiah 3:22 And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Galatians 4:6 I am in Guatemala City this week looking at potential mission…

  • The 400 Pound Gorilla

    It is the Lord; let him do what seems good to him. 1 Samuel 3:18 Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 Where does a 400 pound gorilla sit? Anywhere he wants to. So goes the joke. But so goes life in general. The large, powerful, dangerous, and imposing…

  • Religion in its Least Virulent Form

    Restore me, and I will return, because you are the Lord my God. – Jeremiah 31:18 (NIV)  Your hearts and minds must be made completely new. – Ephesians 4:23 (GNT) A friend of mine served as an Episcopal priest, having been formerly completely irreligious – perhaps an atheist. He and I got to be close…

  • The Life of the World to Come

    The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek the Lord shall praise him. – Psalm 22:26 Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” – John 6:35 The Urgency of Eternity is one of the values we…

  • The Provision of God

    The Lord spoke to Moses and said, “I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’“ – Exodus 16:11–12 Andrew said to Jesus, “There is…

  • A Grace-Expanding Experience

    Upon your walls, O Jerusalem, I have posted sentinels; all day and all night they shall never be silent. – Isaiah 62:6 You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. – Acts…

  • The King is Calling!

    The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! – Psalm 97:1 Great and amazing are your deeds, Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, King of the nations! Lord, who will not fear and glorify your name? – Revelation 15:3–4 Kip Fox is a songwriter serving…