David Bahn – Reflections

Light from the Word and through the lens

recent posts

about

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.”

Category: Uncategorized

  • Psalm 23:5

    Regular referrs to two important characteristics of God’s people. We’re not all that different from the rest of the world; we don’t walk on water; we don’t glow with artificial sweetness; we’re just regulars. And God invites us regularly to come to His table of blessing and spiritual nourishment in the Lord’s Supper.

  • Taking God’s Goodness to Heart

    Psalm 107 is one of my favorites – especially because of the unchanging truth of verse 1: Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!  – Psalm 107:1 [ESV] God is good – all the time – and His love endures for ever, never failing always sustaining.…

  • Isaiah 40:31

    Isaiah 40:30-31 (NIV) 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Another translation of Isaiah 40:31 has,…

  • Ephesians 2:4-7

    While God’s grace is especially important to those things, frankly our experience of God’s grace, according to 2:7 is yet to be fully realized; it goes on through eternity “in the coming ages.”

  • Psalm 113:3

    It’s a daily ritual: the sun sets, they ring a bell, and the people (at least some of us) applaud. For our part, we are applauding the handiwork of God. Others may not be aware of Who they are applauding. God is the creator of all things.

  • Psalm 15

    LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary?        Who may live on your holy hill? When was the last time you “couldn’t wait” to go to worship? How often do we consider it a privilege to enter into the presence of God? How often do we recognize that it is something for which we must…

  • Gifts

    John 4:10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” Gifts are difficult for some people to give and for others to receive. For some finding the right gift is…

  • Again!

    We do it again and again: We breath, eat, sleep, work, and rest. We work, socialize, play, and travel. We pray, talk, and worship. Once is not enough. Just as I take photo after photo of back yard flowers, and continually work on advancing my art, so too, we go to God again and again.…

  • Nici

    Nicole Bahn has come through surgery and the results of the process are very encouraging. Here’s a brief overview of what happened today in her 4-year-long battle with colorectal cancer. A previous cementoplasty proved to be ineffectual in stablizing a degenerated vertebrae. This 7 hour surgery was an apparently successful attempt to stablize her back…

  • Let us walk in the light of the Lord

    In the middle of the night, a bright light is harsh and painful; a night light will do quite well if you have to get up. But during the light of day we see more and better. We don’t read by night light. We don’t work in the dark. We turn on the light so…