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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  • Purposes that Reflect God’s Goodness

    Sow with a view to righteousness, reap in accordance with kindness. Hosea 10:12 (NASB) Admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them. See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. 1 Thessalonians 5:14–15 When I…

  • Better than No Fishing

    Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work. Exodus 20:9–10 The sabbath was made for man. Mark 2:27 When I was a young boy in Sunday school, my teacher was a godly man, a carpenter,…

  • In His Light we See Light

    Indeed, you are my lamp, O Lord, the Lord lightens my darkness. 2 Samuel 22:29 Christ says, “I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness.” John 12:46 We were in a pit in the basement of Caiaphas’ palace; the place to which…

  • What we cannot do for ourselves…

    How can a man be in the right before God? If one wished to dispute with him, he could not answer him once in a thousand times. Job 9:2–3 (NASB) By this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God…

  • Yay God for God!

    I will extol you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing praises to your name. Psalm 18:49 Paul proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance! Acts 28:31 (NIV) I’m watching the Olympics again this evening, even though I might be one of the very few who…

  • Ahhh…How Refreshing!

    When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them. Isaiah 41:17 Let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift. Revelation 22:17 Have you ever been deeply thirsty? Have you ever experienced a thirst…

  • The Fine Line Between Hubris and Irresponsibility 

    May the Lord our God incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways. 1 Kings 8:58 His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness. 2 Peter 1:3 We walk a fine line between hubris and irresponsibility. On the one hand we must not think of ourselves more highly…

  • Restoration Project

    Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved. Psalm 80:19 When the Lord saw the widow, he had compassion for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I…

  • Right Now and Forever

    Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near. Isaiah 55:6 See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! 2 Corinthians 6:2 We are currently nearing the end of a bucket list vacation, and have had the opportunity several times to seize the moment,…

  • Under Duress or Filled with Gratitude

    One generation shall laud your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. Psalm 145:4 Every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2: 11 I recently listened to an interview of Rosaria Butterfield, a former LGBT proponent who was brought to faith in Jesus…