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

  • 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…

  • Old Testament Trinity

    The Bible’s teaching about the triune nature of God is most clearly expressed in the New Testament (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14 for example). But there are strong hints of it in the Old Testament. These familiar words of the Aaronic Benediction are surely one example. Numbers 6:22-27 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 23“Speak…

  • Yes, but…

    Reasons not to do the right thing are not only a dine a dozen, some actually may sound high-minded. Some will excuse their lack of love and good will for people because those people, in their minds, are not deserving. Jesus told a story about a priest and Levite who passed by on the other…

  • Get Real

    “The Word became flesh,” is a truth with profound meaning to me. God became real. And the implications of that for life, worship, mission, and discipleship are far reaching. Matthew 15:1-9 Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they…