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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  • God’s Response to Sin: Grace, Healing, Comfort

    Isaiah 57:18 I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will lead them and repay them with comfort. Mark 6:12–13 The Twelve went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. Not too long ago, I took a…

  • In Praise of the Goodness of God

    Deuteronomy 8:10 (NIV) When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God. Acts 14:17 God has not left himself without a witness in doing good—giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filling you with food and your hearts with joy.  My view at this moment includes a newly blooming hibiscus…

  • Precious Promises of Peace

    Isaiah 55:12 You shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace. John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.  Yesterday’s Supreme Court decision…

  • Love God – An Inviting Command

    Psalm 31:23 Love the Lord, all you his saints. Mark 12:32–33 The scribe said to Jesus, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘He is one, and besides him there is no other;’ and ‘to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to…

  • Of Politics and Faith and the Name of Jesus

    Psalm 34:3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.  John 1:6–7 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. Self-identified “evangelical leaders” met with Donald Trump recently, and although most did…

  • God’s Salvation is a Shield and Support

    Psalm 18:35 You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand has supported me. 1 Corinthians 4:20 (NASB) The kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power.  Talk is cheap. Rappers can rip off word after word in cadence, rhyme, with our without expletive eruptions. Politicians and pundits can…

  • God’s Love Perfected

    Deuteronomy 10:12 And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 1 John 2:5 Whoever obeys his word, in him truly the love…

  • Simply Profound Truth

    Deuteronomy 4:39 (NIV) So acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. Acts 17:27–28 He is not far from each one of us. For “In him we live and move and have our being.”  Sometimes the simplest truths are…

  • Level Ground and God’s Salvation

    Psalm 138:6 Though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly; but the haughty he perceives from far away. 1 Corinthians 1:28 God chose what is low and despised in the world. Few of us think of ourselves as better than everyone else. Few of us look down on others. We may think that the…

  • Purity and Content Make a Difference

    Jeremiah 23:28 Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the Lord. 1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many…