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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  • Self-Inflicted Wounds

    Matthew 1:21 “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Most often our hearts go out to those who have been victimized by others. A victim of a crime, one who has been infected with the H1N1 virus,…

  • Extraordinary Lengths

    Philippians 2:15-16a “…so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe, as you hold out the word of life.” Matthew 1:18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged…

  • God With Us

    Many people missed the greatest reminder of all: God in the flesh in the person of Jesus, born of a virgin, raised by a carpenter.

  • Heavens, Skies, and the Word of God

    Psalm 19:1, 7-8 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the…

  • Fourteen Generations

    In Matthew’s gospel, the tracing of the lineage of Jesus is more than an exercise in Jewish genealogical fascination. Matthew not only names names, but points out the multi-generational nature of the work of God. While we may think that an extra half hour waiting for the doctor is too long, we would do well…

  • Eight Months’ Wages

    When it came time to feed the people; Jesus had what it takes. And He provided for them in extravagant ways; just as he provides for His people each day. For that I thank my God!

  • The Work of God

    As we seek God’s work in our lives and ask Him to form in us that which is pleasing to Him, our prayers will delight in calling out to God: “Do Your work in me! Thy will be done!” This is no cop out; this is faith in its deepest and most profound mode: seeking…

  • Waiting

    Too seldom do we wait in hope and trust. Too seldom do we do the work of God in the power of God. In times of delay, we tend toward the unholy trinity of fretting, stewing, and worrying, God offers a better way. Isaiah reminds us that those who hope in on the Lord will…

  • Who are you?

    There are so many ways that identity can be tested; whether by temptation, distraction, discouragement and suffering, or by our own neglect. In each case we are all too easily led to take our eyes off God’s work in our lives and the lives of others. In fact, however, the whole world is being shaped…

  • Selah

    Psalm 46:10-11 “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah Maybe you’ve heard the joke: What did David (the Psalmist) say when he came to the end…