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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  • A challenging prayer

    Today one of my devotional readings had this prayer: Dear God, Thank YOU that for every hurt, every fear, every worry, every need, there is a remedy–through the power of the Resurrection, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and the care of the Almighty, everything is going to be all right. As long as you…

  • On reading Isaiah

    This morning I realized that I needed to read Isaiah. And as I began, it occurred to me that this book is for people such as me at a time such as this. For I need God’s comfort – as do many today in the face of the economic turmoil and worldly uncertainties we face.…

  • Psalm 134

    Chapel at Buckhorn Cemetery near Hempstead, Texas God calls us who are servants of the Lord to praise Him. Goes without saying doesn’t it? That’s what we do. Well…sometimes! Hopefully more often than not we do serve Him. But it’s easy to miss the point in two ways with regard to this calling. First of…

  • How much more?

    Swine flu, economic melt-down, war, health crises: In the face of all of these Jesus reminds us that the beauty of the spring flowers are testimony of God’s care for us, his beloved people. If God so clothes the grasee of the field – which is here today and tomorrow is gone – how much…

  • 4/14 comes after 9/11

    Sadly some will think only of the rebuilding of the twin towers, and think of the triumph of the human spirit, and of the power and resilliancy of the United States of America.

  • Ministry in God’s Context

    Sometimes we simply must say, it is enough for me to be with Jesus, and he with me. It is enough to know that the Holy Spirit is in me and the Father loves me. It is enough for me to serve the people God brings into my life today with the gifts I have…

  • Taking Christ into the community or FINDING Him there

    If the Mission of God is truly His mission, then we do join Him in His redemptive work in the world.

  • A Sign of Comfort

    THE CROSS AT GROUND ZERO FOUNDED SEPT. 13, 2001 BLESSED OCT. 14. 2001 TEMPORARILY RELOCATED OCT. 5, 2006 WILL RETURN TO WTC MUSEUM A SIGN OF COMFORT FOR ALL

  • Peace or Turmoil

    When Jesus came to his disciples on the first Easter, his greeting was, “Peace be with you.” That was just what the apostles needed: assurance, comfort and peace. What do we need today? When we come for worship on Easter we are seldom fearful or discouraged. Too often we’re going through the motions, coopted by…

  • Gates & Ways

    This cross-topped gate opens into a small family plot in the Mandeville, Louisiana Cemetery. Just as the gate is the legitimate way into that area, and is topped with a cross, the cross of Jesus is the only way into the kingdom of God and the way to eternal life. Cindy Newkirk writes: Jesus declares,…