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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  • When You’ve Seen God’s Salvation

    Click here for an audio version of this blog post. Luke 2:21-35 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up…

  • Jesus

    Click here for an audio version of this blog post. Luke 2:21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. Jesus! Name of Wondrous Love Jesus! Name of wondrous love, Name all other names above, Unto which…

  • Today’s Psalms for December 31, 2023

    Let’s end the year by praying Psalm 119 together on this last Lord’s Day of the calendar year. Yes, it’s a long one, and in my rotation of psalms based on the days of the month this psalm, because of its length, is omitted on the 29th (when it would normally fall). So it is…

  • Where else?

    Click here for an audio version of this blog post. Luke 2:4-7 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for…

  • Not Many Limos Here

    Click here for an audio version of this blog post. Luke 2:4-7 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for…

  • Where God Wants To Be

    Click here for an audio version of this blog post. Luke 2:4-7 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for…

  • The Heart’s Treasures

    Click here for an audio version of this blog post. Luke 2:19 Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.  I took some quick snapshots today of several Christmas decorations at our house. Each of them has a significant memory attached. A departing gift to Diane from her music people at Holy…

  • God’s Beautiful Ballet of Grace and Truth

    Click here for an audio version of this blog post. John 1:14-16 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who…

  • Blue Christmas

    Click here for an audio version of this blog post. Luke 2:16 And the shepherds went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. Walter Wangerin tells a story about an empty manger at his church’s Christmas Eve service. His daughter played the part of Mary in the pageant,…

  • Living by the sword

    Click here for an audio version of this blog post. Acts 12:18-25 Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19 And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went…