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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  • Agenda

    What’s on your to-do list today? This week? This summer? What guides you in putting that agenda together? Matthew 12:38-42 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” 39But he answered them, ”An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will…

  • Signs

    If we ever need a sign from God does that put us in the same category as the scribes and Pharisees? Are we evil and adulterous? Matthew 12:38-42 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” 39But he answered them, ”An evil and adulterous generation…

  • What Gets You Out?

    A fellow pastor friend of mine had a revelation of sorts a couple of years ago. He began to wonder what he would do next in order to get people to come to church. With more and more sophistication in the tastes and expectations of the religious consumer, and the friendly competition of nearby mega-churches…

  • Good Treasury

    Matthew 12:35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. Paul’s words to the Philippians say it well: 1So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2…

  • Good from Good Treasure

    Matthew 12:33-37 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The…

  • Careful Words

    Words are powerful. From the playground bully, to the persuasive politician, to the lover wooing his sweetheart: Words are powerful. When God speaks worlds are created. Matthew 12:33-37 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. 34…

  • Center Stage

    Sometimes our lives are more than what happens to us; our impact deeper than we realize. We are not just pawns in the cosmic battle of good and evil. But our actions or experiences may have ripples that reach farther than we can see. What may seem minor to us might in fact be more…

  • Taking on the Enemy

    This is one of Jesus’ more strident conflicts with the Pharisees. Jesus does a miracle and the Pharisees discredit him. Jesus takes apart their accusation and confronts them in their blindness and unbelief. Where is the gentle Jesus, meek and mild? Can’t we all just get along? Matthew 12:22-32 Then a demon-oppressed man who was…

  • Thy Kingdom Come

    Jesus’ initial message was, “The time has come, the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15) Here in Matthew 12 Jesus says that if he is casting out demons by the Spirit of God then the kingdom of God is at hand. But there are other signs of the…

  • Gently, gently…

    Sometimes we do not know our own strength. We bulldoze people because we believe we must demand our way. By sheer strength, size, raw power, or intimidation we get our way. This is not the way of faith or of God. I once heard John Ortberg speak at a church leadership conference. This author and…