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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  • A Provocation to Good

    The ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them. – Hosea 14:9 And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds. – Hebrews 10:24 As I consider these two verses (from the Moravian Daily Bible text email I receive) I must…

  • Lovely Dwellings

    How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! – Psalm 84:1 Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them. – Matthew 18:20 Diane and I recently enjoyed a visit to the Moody Mansion in Galveston. From their website: Restored to its turn of the century splendor, the 28,000…

  • Fatherly Divine Goodness and Mercy

    Lord, in your great mercies you did not make an end of your people or forsake them. Nehemiah 9:31 In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:3 My morning practice includes not only reading these verses from the Moravian Text email that I receive, but…

  • Permission or Prayer

    The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our ancestors; may he not leave us or abandon us. – 1 Kings 8:57 The disciples went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it. – Mark 16:20 I’ve noticed that some pastors…

  • Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee!

    The Lord had made them joyful. – Ezra 6:22 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart. – Acts 2:46 (NASB) “Raindrops on roses, and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens…”…

  • Our Joyful Job

    The Lord has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners. – Isaiah 61:1 Paul wrote: We are workers with you for your joy. – 2 Corinthians 1:24 My first real job was as a busboy and dishwasher…

  • The Understanding We Ought to Seek

    I am the Lord your God, who teaches you for your own good, who leads you in the way you should go. – Isaiah 48:17 The Lord will give you understanding in all things. – 2 Timothy 2:7 I am one who really needs to see the big picture in order to navigate myself. Give…

  • The Precious Name of Jesus

    The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe. – Proverbs 18:10 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. – Revelation 1:8 A quick search of the Internet yields some interesting (if…

  • Resting Assured of Jesus’ Presence

    Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. – Psalm 62:1 (NIV) Jesus said, “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:20 We enjoyed a family-connection vacation this summer, traveling to the west coast of the USA to spend time with our family there, and…

  • 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…