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

  • God’s Need

    On the one hand we know that God needs nothing: he owns all things. The deep places of the earth are in His hand. The sea is his for he made it. Yet when Jesus approaches Jerusalem the week of his death, he speaks of his need for a donkey. We may not often think…

  • Comeuppance

    Steve was the coolest guy I knew in junior high school. He was bigger than life, good with the girls, popular and good looking. I was pretty much – in my own opinion – a nobody. But I had a pool! Since I lived at our parent’s motel, I had the use of our swimming…

  • Bookends

    Jesus’ prediction of his death, and his invitation to the blind men are the bookends for a most impertinent request on the part the mother of James and John, and a clear focus on his purpose and calling. What a powerful testimony to Jesus’ sense of mission, his clarity of purpose and his merciful compassion…

  • Worthy of your effort?

    Will it ever be put right? Will justice ever be served? Sometimes those questions loom large. Perhaps it is in the heat of the day, and payday seems too far away, and too little reward. Sometimes it is in the idle moments of waiting, and the opportunity for productivity is nowhere in sight. Seldom does…

  • The highest honor

    God is looking for workers in his kingdom’s cause. He continues to seek people who will join themselves to this work. He promises a fair wage (“whatever is right” – v. 4) as he sends them to work. The reward will come at the end. When it comes, however, so does the distress: everyone receives…

  • Third Grade Thinking

    I’ll admit it: I struggle sometimes with these thoughts about fairness, privilege, and envy. Given the right circumstances (not to make excuses for myself!), so do most people. For me it was just last night. I went to the airport to pick up Diane. I got there early enough that I had to circle around…

  • Perfect!

    Perfect?!? How about “good enough?” Why not “pretty good?” Why does Jesus speak here about being perfect? Perhaps it has to do with the nature of God. Maybe it has to do with the nature of life itself – a gift of God.   Some people, facing grave health challenges, may be only half alive.…

  • 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,…