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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  • The better but more difficult way

    The Lord your God you shall follow, him alone you shall fear, his commandments you shall keep, his voice you shall obey, him you shall serve, and to him you shall hold fast. – Deuteronomy 13:4 Jesus said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” – John 15:12 There…

  • We will not be left outside

    The servant of God said, “I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting.” – Isaiah 50:6 Jesus also suffered outside the city gate. Let us then go to him outside the camp and bear…

  • The Way of Life

    You must follow exactly the path that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live. – Deuteronomy 5:33 Jesus said to the lawyer, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your…

  • When “all’s right with the world”

    The Lord filled Zion with justice and righteousness; he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. – Isaiah 33:5–6 Jesus said, “As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’” – Matthew 10:7 These are not “God-is-in-his-heaven-and-all’s-right-with-the-world” times. Iranian nuclear fears, Russia election meddling, North…

  • The Presence of God: A Dangerous Blessing

    You came near when I called on you; you said, ‘Do not fear!’ – Lamentations 3:57 When Jesus saw that they were straining at the oars against an adverse wind, he came towards them early in the morning. – Mark 6:48 The pastor at the church we attended while visiting our family in Germany made a very…

  • Considering the poor

    Happy are those who consider the poor; the Lord delivers them in the day of trouble. – Psalm 41:1 Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. – Galatians 6:2 At one time in our lives, Diane and I were nearly destitute. We counted our money, and we had…

  • God’s House of Prayer for All Peoples

    My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. – Isaiah 56:7 Jesus said, “The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him.” – John 4:23 After a round of golf many…

  • Living Hope

    O Lord, you are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living. Psalm 142:5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3 When…

  • Precious are the Moments

    Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few. 1 Samuel 14:6 Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24 I’m reading a spy novel – some summer pleasure reading – in which the protagonists are hard at each other. Subterfuge,…

  • The Rider Called Faithful and True

    O Lord of hosts, you are God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. Isaiah 37:16 Then I saw heaven open, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True; it is with justice that he judges and fights his battles. Revelation 19:11…