May 30
Sin is an attempt to obtain the pleasure that does not rightfully belong to me or evade the pain that does.¹ I personalize it this way: Sin is taking what I cannot have or avoiding what I should experience! Thus temptation is when Satan tries to get us to obtain a pleasure we are …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/sin-trying-to-get-pleasure-and-avoid-pain/
May 28
Do your Bible class teachers need the use of a projector in the classroom? Does your small church need an inexpensive way to get a presentation system. Let me share something for you to consider. At Seven Oaks for years one of our teachers used a large projector and large screen. It never worked well …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/a-big-tv-apple-tv-and-bible-classrooms/
May 26
Do we appreciate our military like previous generation did? We make passing remarks about the military at special events like ball games, but it is not as personal as it was in the past it seems to me. I think the reason is that most families do not have someone in active military service. There …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/the-citizens-skin-in-the-game/
May 24
170 bridges of more than 12 feet in length over 47.5 miles was necessary to be built to complete the Panama railroad. The Panama railroad took 5 years to build in the 1850s and it connected ocean-to-ocean. It was only five-foot wide and still cost $8 million to build because of all the bridges.¹ Imagine …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/be-a-bridge-builder/
May 22
Amanda and I went to a communication seminar one evening last week. It was very informative and helpful in understanding the communication process. The teacher’s model focused on how our communication comes from a value, belief, life commandment, or want/need that the individual has. Because of these the person is trying to communicate a feeling, …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/value-of-conflict-in-marriage/
May 21
There are many methods for evangelism. There are all kinds of skills, techniques, and efforts used by Christians to convert others. But there is one skill or discipline that I have learned over my short 15 years of ministry that I don’t think we emphasize enough in the church. It is the skill of patience …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/an-evangelisms-secret-weapon-patience/
May 17
With a world of mass media, constant busyness, and rampant individualism many wonder why they should spend their time attending worship. What is worship about? What should those who lead worship aim for accomplishing during it? There could be many answers, but I found this quote insightful by Eugene Peterson in Reversed Thunder a book …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/why-go-to-worship/
May 15
Wedding plans have taken over our home. My sister-in-law, Ashley, who has lived with us since February, is getting married on June 1st. We are excited for her. Wedding dress shopping was a real challenge for Ashley and her mom. They struggled to fine a dress that fit their modesty requirements. Eventually they did find …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/a-modest-wedding/
May 14
“There will be peace and security in my days” This is the thought of King Hezekiah of Judah when he heard the prophet Isaiah say his nation would be plundered and ransacked by Babylon (Is. 39:8). He was glad that it would not happen in his day, but would happen later during the days of …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/debt-let-my-kids-deal-with-it/
May 11
Happy Mother’s Day! I have to admit I have trouble choosing a sermon each year on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. It just seems that the sermons can tend to sound the same each year. One of my favorites came when I first came to Mayfield, Kentucky. A revered former elder who is now gone …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/the-immeasurable-influence-of-a-good-woman/
