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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  • During the time…

    Matthew 1:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod…  We live in a time of political polarization. The last President of the US and the current US President have been the focus of much political criticism and praise. Accusations fly. Many people today are worried – even to…

  • By no means least

    Matthew 2:4-6 When [Herod] had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6” ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among…

  • Centers of Power

    The real center of power, however, is not in the halls of politics. It is in the hearts of God’s people where Jesus reigns truly. It is when God’s people live under Christ in His kingdom and serve Him and our neighbor in His name, and give our ultimate allegiance to Him above all others.

  • Signs of His Presence

    Matthew 2:1-2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” A trip to Washington DC with our grandson…

  • God With Us

    Matthew 1:22-23 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.” Psalm 46:1, 7 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. The LORD Almighty…

  • 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…