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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  • Jenny Dolan Memorial Service – Tuesday June 22, 2010

    I’ve been on the road or playing catch-up (on work and sleep!) for the past few days. This should have appeared yesterday. I just didn’t get it up until now. I hope you find it edifying. Diane’s mother, Jenny Dolan passed away last Saturday. I went to St. Charles for the memorial service late Monday…

  • Stubbornocity

    It’s not a real word; I know that. But let it mean a kind of stubbornness that refuses to consider truth; a kind of stubbornness that caused the people of Jesus’ day to reject him in spite of everything he said and did. Matthew 13:10-15 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do…

  • Genevieve “Jenny” Prigge Dolan + June 19, 2010

    Sing with all the saints in glory, Sing the resurrection song! Death and sorrow, earth’s dark story, To the former days belong. All around the clouds are breaking; Soon the storms of time shall cease; In God’s likeness we awaken, Knowing everlasting peace. Diane’s mom, Jenny Dolan, went to be with Jesus this evening at…

  • Suitable soil, sown seed, and super success

    What would constitute great success in your life? What would you want to be known for? Jesus’ desire was that his followers would bear fruit. Matthew 13 1That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat…

  • Nici

    Today we are in Columbus, NE for the interment of Nici’s ashes. Matthew met us yesterday at the Omaha airport and we traveled here together in his rental car. We’re staying in a motel next to the one at which we stayed for their wedding nearly 12 years ago. The graveside will be this morning.…

  • We are family

    “We are family!” That gets us into the hospital room. It gets us a discount if our family owns a store or restaurant. Certain rights go along with the claim. On this occasion Jesus’ family thought it would allow them to have greater influence over him. At least that is implied in this brief encounter.…

  • This Generation

    What would be the sin of this generation? In Jesus’ day it was their failure to recognize God’s presence in his life and ministry. They didn’t believe in Jesus; they wanted only to rid the world of him. He called them evil and adulterous. What would he call twenty-first century man? Matthew 12:38-45 Then some…

  • 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…