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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  • Keeping the Faith

    John 17:9-11 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in…

  • Jesus

    John 17:6-19 “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. It happened to me yesterday, and it was a truly wonderful moment. Mike…

  • In the World but not Of the World

    John 17:15-19 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19And for their sake I consecrate…

  • How important is “IN”?

    John 17:6-9a “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. 8For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received…

  • Outstanding Truth

    John 17:17-19 [Jesus is praying…] Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. A colleague says, “There’s truth, and there’s true truth.” I think he means that some truth is true enough: “It’s…

  • Balance!

    John 17:4, 9, 20 3 “And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 9 “I am praying for them. 20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word…” Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer recorded here in John 17 has three distinct parts.…

  • Foundations

    John 17:1-5  1When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, ”Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom…

  • The Mystery of Prayer

    John 17:1-5  1When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom…

  • Remembering 9/11 – Lord, have mercy!

    We’re (USA) not the New Israel; so I hesitate to post this, but look at Psalm 11 (the first psalm of my morning devotions today)… Psalm 11 1In the LORD I take refuge;how can you say to my soul, “Flee like a bird to your mountain, 2for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have…

  • Peace!

      I cannot imagine what it would be like to suffer the loss of my home and all the possessions I was not able to remove from it in the face of an oncoming wildfire. But more than 600 families and individuals do not have to imagine it; they are living that nightmare today. With…