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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  • God’s Provision in Parched Places or Gated Communities

    Isaiah 58:11 The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places.  Philippians 4:19 My God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  Diane and I recently met some new neighbors. Since we’ve moved to a new house in a brand new neighborhood,…

  • Beyond Self-Serving Prayer

    Jeremiah 29:13–14 If you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord. Matthew 18:19 If two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. These words of Jeremiah are possibly not as well known as the…

  • Braggin’ Rights

    Jeremiah 9:23–24 Thus says the Lord: Do not let the wise boast in their wisdom, do not let the mighty boast in their might, do not let the wealthy boast in their wealth; but let those who boast boast in this, that they understand and know me. Romans 1:16 Paul wrote: I am not ashamed…

  • Too Much about Sin?

    Numbers 14:19 Lord, forgive the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of your steadfast love. 1 John 2:2 Jesus Christ is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. Ms. Young was my first grade teacher. She had a Bible on…

  • Our Highest Good

    Deuteronomy 13:4 The Lord your God you shall follow, him alone you shall fear, his commandments you shall keep, his voice you shall obey, him you shall serve, and to him you shall hold fast.   John 15:14 Jesus said, “You are my friends if you do what I command you.”       You would…

  • Whatever happened to sin?

    Proverbs 20:9 Who can say, “I have made my heart clean; I am pure from my sin”?    Romans 3:23–24 (NIV) All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.      Self-righteousness and self-justification abound today…

  • Carrots or Sticks; Obedience or Compliance

    Exodus 9:34 When Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunder had ceased, he sinned once more and hardened his heart. Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God. There’s little debate in my mind about it: honey will certainly attract more flies than vinegar. But…

  • Telling Jesus Stories

    Psalm 22:22 I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters.   Romans 10:14 How are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?  Not too long ago a friend in the photo club of which I am a member…

  • Singularly Distinctively Unique

    Exodus 15:11 Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in splendor, doing wonders? 1 Corinthians 12:6 There are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. There was only one Yogi Berra. There was only one Martin Luther. There…

  • Who Reigns in Your Heart?

    2 Kings 19:15O Lord, you are God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. Revelation 11:15 The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign forever and ever.     One classic definition of the Kingdom of…