Growing In Jesus

Have Godly Goals

May 9, 2012 by pastorbaumann 0 Comments

God has very high goals for people’s love, character, and spiritual maturity. That is why in a number of places in the Bible God’s people are encouraged to be godly. Scripture does not encourage us to be little gods for there is only one God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God’s people are encouraged [...]

Is There any Mongoose in You?

October 5, 2011 by pastorbaumann 0 Comments

Mongooses are the natural predators of the cobra. The cobra may look more intimidating, sinister and lethal, but the mongoose can triumph. Take a look at the facial expressions in the picture from the movie Rikki Tikki Tavi when Rikki faces off with Nag, the King Cobra. Rikki is determined to win and Nag looks [...]

God Restores Old Cars

September 22, 2011 by pastorbaumann 0 Comments

One of my favorite classic cars is the Pontiac GTO. Not the body style that some called the “Judge” with its swept back roof, but the classic, all be it, boxy, so as the restored car pictured here. Great car! The GTOs I like are now antiques. Of old cars we see two types – [...]

Remember the Enemy

September 14, 2011 by pastorbaumann 0 Comments

Shown with this post is one of the best renditions of Satan. The individual slide is from Disney’s Fantasia, first shown in 1940. The artist for Disney was Vladimir Tytla. While the depiction was spoken of as Satan by many people, it was conceived as a Slavic Chernabog, or black god. The picture is negatively inspiring because [...]

Three Points for Spiritual Growth

August 26, 2011 by pastorbaumann 0 Comments

Martin Luther, the great reformer, presented three points for spiritual growth (see AE Vol 34:285-287, The Career of the Reformer IV). The first two are expected. The third is a surprise, but makes total sense as we look at our lives or the lives of other Christians who well reflect the love of Jesus. Biblical [...]

Your Christian Willpower

May 24, 2011 by pastorbaumann 0 Comments

Since we are Christian we have more will power against sin, temptation, and evil than we expect. Too often we view life as a group of things that affect us and drive us – sometimes against our will. Truly, there are many things that are beyond our control. Yet, we must not use that as [...]

What are You Gazing At?

April 6, 2011 by pastorbaumann 0 Comments

Babies, especially the girls, love to gaze at the face of the person holding them. Boys gaze too, but they will look away more easily, especially at things that are moving. As a baby gazes it is absorbing everything it can to better see and recognize the person who loves them. For a baby, gazing [...]

A Christian Reaction to Injustice and other Troubles

October 13, 2010 by pastorbaumann 0 Comments

Watch the news and you will agree with the prophet Habakkuk. Habakkuk looked around and saw injustice, trouble, anger, destruction, violence, strife and conflict. We see the same awful realities in our world. Being faithful to the LORD, Habakkuk did the right thing. He took all the troubles to God in prayer. Yet, even after [...]