David Bahn – Reflections

Light from the Word and through the lens

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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.”

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  • Light Burdens

    One thing concrete is not: Light. Strong: yes. Hard: without a doubt. Gray: no doubt, unless it is painted or colored. Heavy: to be sure. Light: not so much – not at all. Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon…

  • Who has it all?

    I like things: computers, cameras, lenses, BBQ grills, TVs…the list goes on and on. But I try to live with this in mind: “He who dies with the most toys still dies.” Jesus, however, points out something here that we do well to keep in mind: All things have been given to him. Matthew 11:27…

  • Invitation

    Jesus invitation to come to him, together with his promise that those who do will find rest for their souls, may be easily misunderstood. It could sound like an invitation that we may easily dismiss; especially when we think we’re strong and energetic. But a closer look reveals a more important truth. Matthew 11:25-30 At…

  • HSAWATMOG?

    HSAYATKOG? The poster hung in my office when I first came to St. John just over 5 years ago. A gift from the pastor who had been part of an intentional interim transition for the church, it summarized the centerpiece of his 14 months of work there. It stood for a question that he and…

  • Excuses

    What’s your excuse?!? Usually the question is a defiant challenge by one caught in a miscreant deed of some sort. The purpose is to avert attention to someone else. It’s actually a tantamount admission of guilt, but defiant nonetheless: “I’m busted, but so are you. I don’t need (or have) an excuse. Do you?” Matthew…

  • True North

    Matthew 11:16-19 16“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates, 17“‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ 18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has…

  • Pudding, Players, & Singers

    Matthew 11:16-19 16“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates, 17“‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ 18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has…

  • Greatest!

    Matthew 11:11-15 (ESV) [Jesus says,] Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has…

  • No Offense!

    Who would ever be offended by Jesus? Not the blind, lame, deaf, and poor. These all were blessed by his ministry. Not the humble and those who need to hear good news. They hang on Jesus’ every word. But if you want to run your own life, don’t wish to acknowledge your sins, or have…

  • When hope floats

    Matthew 11:1-15 (ESV) When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. 2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come,…