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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  • Thrones and Kings and Our True Refuge

    Psalm 118:8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in mortals. Hebrews 4:16 Let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. In these days of political punditry it is good to be reminded…

  • If God is Good

    Isaiah 45:6–7 I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness, I make weal and create woe; I the Lord do all these things.  2 Corinthians 4:6 (NIV) God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light…

  • Faithfulness Well Lived

    Genesis 39:9 Joseph said to his master’s wife, “How then could I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”   Hebrews 3:6 Christ was faithful over God’s house as a son.     The link between faithfulness and reward is sometimes long and by nature visible only with the eyes of faith. Temptation comes and…

  • Grace Taught My Heart to Fear

    Exodus 33:19 The Lord says, “I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.” 1 Timothy 1:12–13 Paul wrote: I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, even though…

  • The Heart of the King is in the Lord’s Hand

    2 Chronicles 25:8 God has power to help or to overthrow. 1 Timothy 1:1 Christ Jesus is our hope. There is no little angst among friends of mine regarding the current political scene. These are good friends, faithful followers of Jesus Christ, and committed to his rule and reign in their lives. They are not…

  • Isaiah 63:1 (ESV) It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save. Romans 5:18 Just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. Righteousness is a powerful concept. The thesaurus offers synonyms such as just, true, good, virtuous, honorable, and blameless…

  • Pulchritudinous Pedal Apendages

    Isaiah 52:7 (NIV) How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Ephesians 6:15 As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. I’ve never…

  • Courageous Faithfulness

    Psalm 31:24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord. Mark 13:13 The one who endures to the end will be saved. If we take Ephesians 6 seriously, we are in no less of a battle. Ours is not a Hollywood-produced fantasy. Rather than against flesh and blood, we…

  • Harvests of Righteousness and Peace

    Jeremiah 10:24 Correct me, O Lord, but in just measure; not in your anger, or you will bring me to nothing. Hebrews 12:11 (NIV) No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Just about three…

  • Isaiah 41:13 I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Do not fear, I will help you.” Mark 1:30–31 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then…