David Bahn – Reflections

Light from the Word and through the lens

recent posts

about

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.”

Category: Uncategorized

  • Good Company

    They say you are known by the company you keep. But you can also be known by the company you join. The Canaanite woman is in good company: a group of mothers and their children, a woman seeking justice, and any other number of people who have been told, “Don’t bother Jesus with your problems.”…

  • Crumby Faith

    “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the master’s table.” Somehow this sentence convinces Jesus that this Canaanite woman has extraordinary faith. I say it’s “crumby” faith not “crummy” faith. There’s a big difference. Crummy faith is one thing: poor and pathetic, weak and ineffectual. Crumby faith is quite another. The Canaanite woman…

  • Why do you thank God?

    It’s a beautiful morning here in Myrtle Beach. We have a room with a balcony overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The Pastors and Spouses retreat has begun with some insightful teaching by our leaders. The day before us promises more blessings of these sorts. Biblical commentators have offered various explanations and insights about this encounter between…

  • This Dog Goes to Heaven

    I’m not particularly inclined to think of myself as a wild dog, scavenging food scraps from the garbage or being kicked or hated and abused. But perhaps the moniker is not so far off. Listen to Jesus talk with this woman: Matthew 15:21-28 And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of…

  • Seriously

    John Ortberg makes an interesting observation about misguided Christians. He says that in an attempt to be different some Christians only end up being weird. His point is that being a true follower of Jesus is different, but that difference has little to do with a unique manner of dress, an affected manner of speech,…

  • No Offense

    What if your actions actually offended someone? What if no matter what you did you were ultimately going to offend someone? That is either one group or another was going to be offended by your words or actions. Matthew 15:10-20 And he called the people to him and said to them,  “Hear and understand: 11…

  • The Most Dangerous Person

    No one would knowingly follow a blind guide through unfamiliar and dangerous territory. But bluster and bravado can disguise even the most inept and misguided self-appointed expert. These are among the most dangerous persons in the world. Matthew 15:10-20 And he called the people to him and said to them,  “Hear and understand: 11 it…

  • Words Matter

    Sometimes it is better to keep things unsaid. If the words are cutting and unkind they do not need to color the air. If they do not build up others in the Christian faith they may be unnecessary. Certainly if they undercut that faith they must not be spoken. Matthew 15:10-20 And he called the…

  • Inside Job

    Motives matter. Why we do a thing is as important as the thing we do. Motives are subtle and can easily be hidden. You cannot see into someone else’s heart. But God searches the heart and judges the imaginations of our minds. Matthew 15:10-20 And he called the people to him and said to them, …

  • Blessed to be a blessing

    Diane and I, along with a few folks from St. John, a number of people from LifeBridge Church, and others went to the Los Arcos Apartments last night to help out with the school uniform give-away organized by Pastor Micheal Meissner and the people at LifeBridge. We truly were blessed to be a blessing. Genesis…