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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  • Who’s in?

    Children are in. Self-important wealthy men: maybe not. Outspoken disciples are in, though their road may be challenging. But we’re all in only by the grace and power of God. Too many things are in the way if he does not clear them out. Too many challenges disrupt our faith if he does not encourage.…

  • Invitation and Challenge

    Cozy? Bored. Discouraged? Engaged! Where are you on the invitation-challenge grid? The rich young ruler in this encounter with Jesus was rather cozy: he had it all together. He knew that Jesus was truly an authority on goodness and eternal life. He had kept the Laws of God from his youth. He needed only to…

  • Rich People and Camels’ Eyes

    It’s not impossible to get a camel through the eye of a needle. It’s just that the camel will be dramatically changed by the process! Matthew 19:23-30 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you,…

  • Just a closer walk with Jesus

    Does Jesus play favorites? Do some get an easier path to his heart? At first brush it may seem so. Little children are invited directly into his presence. He has no word of judgment for them, he simply blesses them. When it comes to the rich young man, however, Jesus tells him to go and…

  • It may be dangerous, but it anchors our souls.

    The Shawshank Redemption is a favorite movie of mine. One scene has Red (Morgan Freedman) and Andy (Tim Robbins) talking in the mess hall of the prison where Andy has recently come to be unjustly imprisoned. Andy talks about keeping hope in his heart and Red lectures him, “Let me tell you something my friend.…

  • Confession Time

    Confession time: Psalm 119 is my least favorite. I know that all of God’s word is important. But to me Psalm 119 was always just long;  one hundred-seventy-six (176) verses long! Sometimes, however, a closer look reveals treasure where we might have missed them previously. Since God’s word is pure, true, edifying, and eternally important,…

  • Help and Hope

    Philippians 1:6 I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble. Isaiah 40:31 they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;…

  • Resolutions: Don’t Go There!

    Many people make New Year Resolutions. Those who track such things say that if you write them down you are much more likely to keep them. In fact, however, I’ve written NYRs down and not written them down. My track record is rather mixed: * Read 12 books in a year’s time: Check * Reduce…

  • Real Life

    Christmas is over for many folks. The wrappings are in the trash. The batteries for the new toys are half drained; the toys themselves laid aside for other pursuits. Soon decorations from manger scenes to jolly Santa ornaments will be packed away. Real life will slowly begin to emerge once again from the dream land…

  • The Word became flesh! What a mystery! What a Blessing!

    John 1:1-18 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the…