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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  • New Songs

    Psalm 40:1-3 (See the whole psalm below)  1I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. 2He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. 3He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.…

  • The Lord Giveth, The Lord Taketh Away: Blessing God For It All

    Psalm 99  1 The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake! 2The LORD is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples. 3Let them praise your great and awesome name! Holy is he! (see the rest of this psalm below) I had a bit of an epiphany this morning. Against the…

  • Better Than Understanding

    Proverbs 3:5-8 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. 8It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. We struggle with…

  • Barbara Bahn Lohrmann – February 24, 1955 – December 5, 2011

    Barbara Bahn Lorhmann, my sister, died Monday morning at about 1:30. My youngest sister, Suzie, called and told us the news. Barbara had been in a battle with a return of breast cancer for the past months, having been in and out of the hospital several times. Until the very last time we talked Barbara…

  • He’s No Puppet

    John 7:1-13  1After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. 2Now the Jews’ Feast of Booths was at hand. 3 So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. 4For no one works in secret if…

  • Hard Sayings and Challenging Truths

    John 6:60 When many of [Jesus’] disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” Jesus’ words are sometimes comforting and reassuring: “Let not your hearts be troubled…” Sometimes, however, Jesus’ words challenge the core of our souls with truths that turn our world upside down: “Whoever seeks to…

  • Report of Kenya Mission Trip – Photos for November 27 Message at St. John Lutheran Church

    Sunday’s message did not include the photos of the mission trip to Kenya. Here, below, is a slide show that goes with the Bible passages and major points: Our Mission trip to Kenya was an expression of Jesus’ promise for the Mission of God. Acts 1:8 (ESV) But you will receive power when the Holy…

  • Taught by God

    John 6:44-50 44No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. 45It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me— 46 not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is…

  • Bread of Life

    John 6:35-40  35Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast…

  • The Works of God

    John 6:27-29 Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” 28Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?”29Jesus answered them, “This is the work of…