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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  • Christmas Prayer

    Thanks to Eric Trickey, my friend, brother in Chirst, and fellow pastor for this wonderful Christmas prayer, echoing thoughts from John 1. From Angela of Foligno (1248 – 1309) O Lord Jesus Christ, make me worthy to understand the profound mystery of your holy incarnation, which you have worked for our sake and for our…

  • Venite!

    Psalm 95:1-7 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;     let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! 2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;     let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! 3 For the Lord is a great God,     and a great King above all…

  • A Worthy Recipient

    Psalm 72:15-19 Long may he live;     may gold of Sheba be given to him! May prayer be made for him continually,     and blessings invoked for him all the day! 16 May there be abundance of grain in the land;     on the tops of the mountains may it wave;     may its fruit be like Lebanon; and may…

  • The Lost Art of Fear

    Psalm 72:1-7 Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son! May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice! Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness! May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to…

  • God Makes Good on His Promise…With More to Come

    Jeremiah 33:14-16 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the…

  • Perfect Peace at Last

    Isaiah 11:6-10 The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,     and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together;     and a little child shall lead them. 7 The cow and the bear shall graze;     their young shall lie down together;     and the lion shall eat…

  • Roots and Branches, Justice and Widsom

    Isaiah 11:1-5 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,     and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. 2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,     the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,     the Spirit of counsel and might,     the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. 3 And…

  • NWHPC Christmas Party Prayer

    Each year for the past several Christmas parties I have offered a prayer. Somewhat light-hearted, but sincere and offering  the prayer in Jesus’ name, it is my personal witness to the reason for the season. Here is this year’s prayer. By the way, I call those who shoot Nikon cameras Nikonians, those who shoot Canon,…

  • When God Shows Up

    Isaiah 54:8 In overflowing wrath for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you, says the Lord, your Redeemer. Ephesians 2:8 By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. God’s wrath is described…

  • Our Fullest Hope and Greatest Comfort

    Psalm 36:7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God! All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings. 1 John 3:1 See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. Today is the First Sunday of Advent. This season of the…