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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  • Gladness Boats and Ultimate Hopes

    Psalm 33:21 Our heart is glad in the Lord, because we trust in his holy name. 1 Peter 1:13 Set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. What fills your gladness boat? Is thinking of a vacation in the mountains or a Bahamas getaway more to your liking?…

  • Of Watches and Skies

    Amos 4:13 For lo, the one who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals his thoughts to mortals, the Lord, the God of hosts, is his name! Matthew 16:3 Jesus said, “You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.” Imagine this scene… You…

  • Full Storehouses or Ornate Museums

    Malachi 3:10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing. 2 Corinthians 9:6 The one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the…

  • Expensive Talk

    Deuteronomy 31:8 It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. Romans 8:38–39 I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor…

  • Psalm 44:8 (NKJV) In God we boast all day long, and praise your name forever. Colossians 3:16 With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. When God gets the glory all is right in the world. When man gets the glory all will ultimately fail. This is true in so…

  • “Enough about me…”

    Isaiah 61:1,2 The Lord has sent me to comfort all who mourn. Mark 16:9–10 (NIV) When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and…

  • Better than a National Championship

    Isaiah 38:20 The Lord will save me, and we will sing to stringed instruments all the days of our lives at the house of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:57 Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. What do you do when you’ve won the contract? How do you…

  • The 90% Rule

    Jeremiah 31:28 Just as I have watched over them to pluck up and break down, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, says the Lord. 1 Corinthians 3:6–7 Paul wrote: I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is…

  • Echos of the Great Deliverance

    Psalm 30:1 (NIV) I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths. 2 Corinthians 1:5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ. Many years ago my younger sister died in an accident in our home. I recall many things…

  • Doing Good – Thanks to Jesus’ Love

    Psalm 141:4 (NIV) Lord, do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil. James 4:17 Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, commits sin.     It’s one thing to refrain from evil. It’s quite another actually to do good. You may struggle with both sides of…