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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  • No Autopilot Christianity

    Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made…

  • The Hard Edge of Grace

    For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of…

  • “Faith is God’s work in us…”

    For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. – 2…

  • Love Does, Looks, Feels, and Adorns Faith Well

    For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. – 2 Peter 1:5-7 This is quite a list of godly characteristics that Peter offers here in this passage. It starts with faith –…

  • Brotherly Affection?!?

    For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. – 2 Peter 1:5-7 When our sons were growing up there were times when the level of testosterone together with immature impatience and a…

  • Humble Godliness

    For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection… – 2 Peter 1:5-7 My first encounter with church politics took the shine off the rose for my view of the church and her leaders. Many years later,…

  • The Beauty and Danger of Steadfastness

     For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness… – 2 Peter 1:5-6 On a recent getaway cruise (brief, cheap, and restful!) we came upon a game of giant Jenga® blocks – a tower made of cardboard boxes stacked three…

  • Good News about Self-Control

    For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness… – 2 Peter 1:5-6 When I think of issues around self-control, I tend to go to places where I lack self-control. Whether it’s eating, spending, gossip, alcohol use, or aggressive…

  • Knowing Christ and Making Him Known

    For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control… – 2 Peter 1:5-6 Canoeing the Mountains is the title of a very insightful book by Tod Bolsinger. He draws on insights from the exploration mission of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to find…

  • Virtuous Strength as a Reflection of Christ’s Glory

    For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with… – 2 Peter 1:5-6 Somewhere along life’s way virtue has been set aside as an undesirable characteristic by much of the American people. What used to embarrass us now entertains us. What used to be honorable is now thought of…