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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  • Peace on Earth, Good Will toward Men

    I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the Lord sustains me. – Psalm 3:5 Peace to all of you who are in Christ. – 1 Peter 5:14 There have been times in my life when I could not sleep. I would wake up at 3 in the morning with ideas, worries, concerns, and…

  • Instruction Well Embraced

    Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life. Proverbs 4:13 The aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:5 I have had up close and personal experience with only one hoarder in my life. She was…

  • Stubborn Faith

    Then [God] said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” – Genesis 32:26 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. – Colossians 4:2 Martin Luther is said to have prayed to God in behalf of his friend, colleague, and…

  • Irrevocable Gifts

    As a pleasing aroma I will accept you, when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you have been scattered. And I will manifest my holiness among you in the sight of the nations. 42 And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I bring you…

  • The Good Life

    Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who greatly delight in his commandments. – Psalm 112: 1  Continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.…

  • Plans

    The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. – Proverbs 16:9 You ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” – James 4:15 Do you have plans for this Black Friday? Some folks will camp out in front of a store in order to get…

  • Reason Enough

    Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! – Psalm 107:1 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the one who takes refuge in him! – Psalm 34:8 Several years ago I came upon an idea for Thanksgiving worship which included listing by name…

  • Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him. – Genesis 6:22 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. – Hebrews…

  • Must be Heaven

    Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forever. – Psalm 125:2 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. –Revelation 21:3 During the…

  • Flowers by God

    Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. – Psalm 111:2 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. – Luke 12:27 A child is born and we marvel at the…