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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  • No Blink Zone

    Read Exodus 10:1-11 Some leaders never back down. Never give in. Never learn. Pharaoh was such a leader. Seven times previous to this encounter God has shown his power over all of Egypt and its people. Seven times Pharaoh has refused to repent and humble himself before the King of the Universe. Surely the threat…

  • God’s Mission to the World

    Read Exodus 9:1-16 The plagues that God visited on the Egyptians are more than a catalog of bad things happening to bad people. They are more than anything else a call to repentance to the Egyptians, and an invitation to see the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as the true God, the King…

  • Shaken

    Hebrews 12:26-29 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot…

  • No Schmooze Zone

    I attended a class on Conflict Resolution several years ago. The professor played a filmstrip (that’s really, really old technology!) describing various congregations and the conflicts they experienced. At the end of the presentation he announced, “I agree with everything said, except the major premise.” While the presentation was not an attempt to deceive or…

  • Shame or Humble Faith?

    Sometimes discretion truly is the better part of valor. Sometimes it is better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you a fool rather than opening your mouth and removing all doubt. But sometimes we charge ahead in a quixotic attempt to prove an unprovable point. You don’t tug on Superman’s cape! When…

  • The Real Question

    Sometimes the question is so loaded that it is obvious that it is no question at all. Do you think your taxes are too high? Do you think people ought to have the freedom to for a union? Should everyone be required to join the union? The desired answer is obvious. Then there are those…

  • Two Ways

    We were on our way to a very nice restaurant with a large group of people. We were told that tie and coat were required for men, but one of the men in our group did had neither coat or tie. He was confident, however, that the restaurant would have a coat and tie he…

  • Wedding Clothes

    Wedding attire has changed over the years. I can still remember the near shock expressed by some fashion-conscious women the first time they saw brides maids wearing black. Now black is considered either chic or blase’ depending on your degree of fashion sophistication. But the issue of the man without the wedding garment is not…

  • The King’s Feast

    There is something about this parable that is easily understood, but difficult to apply. When the king gives a party, you will want to attend it. That seems true on two levels. Who wouldn’t want to be at a party where the king’s resources, food, wine, and hospitality would be the fare of the evening?…

  • A Party We Don’t Want to Miss

    Why would you ever beat and kill a servant who is bringing an invitation to a wedding feast? I can understand being too busy for a wedding. I realize that not all people will be all that excited about attending a feast. But the only reason to kill a king’s servants is because you consider…