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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  • 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…

  • God’s two-way love

    Jeremiah 31:3 [The Lord speaking to Israel:]  “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.” Jeremiah the prophet spoke these words to Israel in God’s behalf. He testified to God’s love that extended back to the time before they were in exile and would extend into the…

  • Love is stronger than death.

    John 5:24 “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. Our family has experienced the sting of death in bold and challenging ways these past weeks. With the death of Nici, our…

  • We wait for God; God waits for us.

    John 10:14-16 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they…

  • Hope and Mercy

    1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5who…

  • Even if it’s true

    1 Corinthians 1:28-29 28God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. “I’t ain’t braggin’ if it’s true.” Or, so they say. The idea that if we really are something…