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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  • Impressive? Not so Much.

    Psalm 40:17 I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. Mark 6:41–42 Jesus blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. And all ate and were filled. I’m not certain how anyone with a…

  • 168 Hours

    Ecclesiastes 5:7 (NASB) For in many dreams and in many words there is emptiness. Rather, fear God. Titus 3:9 But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. After worship children of staff (including my own grandchildren) may be seen running around the chancel area of the…

  • It all Depends on How We See

    Job 31:4 Does God not see my ways, and number all my steps? Hebrews 4:13 (NIV) Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. On a good day, it makes me happy. On a very bad day…

  • Love: The breath of fresh air amidst the stale odors around us

    Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.  1 Corinthians 13:4–6 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. …

  • 52 Days?!?

    Nehemiah 6:14-7:4 So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.…

  • Praising God in Good Times and Bad

    Isaiah 45:12 (NKJV) [The Lord says,] “I—my hands—stretched out the heavens, and all their host I have commanded.” Revelation 15:3 Great and amazing are your deeds, Lord God the Almighty! The majestic glory of God is revealed in creation. Whether in the vastness of the starry night sky, the rugged beauty of the Texas Hill Country,…

  • more PATIENCE than you can imagine

    Zechariah 1:3 Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. We are making headway on recovering from…

  • God’s Love in the Face of the Storm

    Psalm 100:5 For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.  2 Corinthians 5:18 God reconciled us to himself through Christ.     As we recover from the flooding here in Cypress, I am particularly thankful for God’s faithfulness and unwavering love. We had a significant encounter with water…

  • Heaven

    Daniel 2:44 The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed. Revelation 12:10 John wrote: Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming, “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Messiah.” Heaven is a glorious place, filled with…

  • Apologies Not Unkindly Received

    2 Chronicles 30:9 The Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him. Acts 3:19–20 Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. Perhaps…