Sep 17
The interstate system developed during the 1950s is successful because of the ease of getting on and off the road. The highway never stops. It is a constant flow of 65+ mph traffic. Drivers choose when they want on and when they want to get off. We call these entrance and exit ramps to allow …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/getting-on-and-off-the-ministry-highway/
Sep 11
Being an elder in the Lord’s church is a daunting and stressful task. It comes with sleepless nights, sharp criticisms, and the burden of wayward sheep. While the concept of a suffering shepherd isn’t ideal–Heb. 13:17 encourages sheep to let elders serve with joy and not groaning–it is often the reality for shepherds. Thus, modern …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/the-suffering-shepherd/
Sep 09
Was Jesus a great leader? This question may seem blasphemous to even ask, because the answer is so assumed by us today. After all, he has led millions to follow him down through the ages. So let me ask the question more directly, “Was Jesus a great leader by the world’s standards?” The world’s common …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/leading-like-jesus/
Aug 20
John F. Kennedy had authorized the Bay of Pigs invasion into Cuba by Cuban exiles attempting to overthrow Fidel Castro, which was a complete military failure. Kennedy, adopting a CIA plan, had hoped to make it look like there was no US involvement. The entire episode was a failure and heightened the already tense Cold …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/get-all-people-to-the-table/
Aug 15
Lou Holtz, the football coach, quipped, “My athletes always follow my advice . . . unless it conflicts with what they want to do.” Why is taking good advice so difficult? Solomon said, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice” (Prov. 12:15). Listening is …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/ignoring-good-advice/
Aug 14
A preacher’s marriage has a unique set of challenges and needs. No one understands those stresses and challenges except other preachers. Yet, there is nothing currently available for preachers and their wives to get away with other preachers and their wives and mutually share their wisdom and struggles. That is until now . . . …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/reconnect/
Jul 30
Dwight Eisenhower, the future WWII Supreme Commander and U.S. President, was only ten. It was Halloween night and he desperately wanted to go out Trick-or-Treating with his older brothers, but his parents said no. He argued fiercely for permission to go, but to no avail. When his brothers headed off without him, he lost his …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/mastering-our-temper/
Jun 26
Most Bible students are familiar with the story of the transfiguration–it is the time when Christ’s face shines like the sun and his clothes radiate white on a mountain top (Mat. 17:1-9; Mark 9:2-10; Luke 9:28-37). Moses and Elijah appear on the mountain to speak with Jesus about his coming departure from this world (Luke …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/it-all-started-with-prayer/
Jun 19
Joshua and Caleb were ready to conquer the promised land. But ten other leaders who had gone with them to spy out the land feared the Canaanites. They encouraged Moses and the people of Israel to not invade the land. Their reasoning is seen in their statement “we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/grasshopper-mentality/
Jun 11
His birth name was Joseph, but you likely know him as Barnabas. Barnabas was his nickname given to him by the Apostles because it means “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36). He was so encouraging and energizing that they gave him that title or nickname! This is a quality all of us can develop! All of …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/three-ways-to-be-a-barnabas/
