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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  • Oops!

    Romans 3:22b-24 There is no difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. As we prepare for the actual construction of our new worship center at St. John, we must re-route the electrical service to…

  • Destiny

    Luke 2:34-35 (ESV) And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” Too…

  • The Word Became Flesh

    John 1:1-5, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the…

  • Decrees, Governments, and Christmas Travels

    Luke 2:1-5 1In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea,…

  • Going God’s Way

    Matthew 1:18-25 18Now the birth of Jesus Christ[e] took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce…

  • The “Right Minute” Gift

    Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. Some people are last minute shoppers; I’ll admit to that of myself. Sometimes that works out…

  • Magnifying God

    Luke 1:46-47 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. As a photographer I enjoy taking close up photos of flowers. My website is called “Flowers by God Photos by David.” Typically I will spend much more time working on the image after snapping the shutter than…

  • Surprised by Joy

    John 16:20 You will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy. Sometimes we are so overcome with emotions that we cannot hold back their expression. Sometimes we weep out loud because the pain is so great. Sometimes we burst into laughter because the…

  • Making your enemies list your prayer list

    Luke 6:27-28 Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. The government, since the 1930’s has a list of enemies that includes the term, “Public Enemy Number One.” It referred to the likes of Al Capone, John Dillinger, or Bonnie and Clyde.…

  • When God Shows Up

    2 Timonthy 4:8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. So often our hearts are set on lesser goals. We…