Feb 10
I hope you recognize Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to share expressions of your love. While the holiday is commercialized, there is value and significance as a culture in recognizing love, romance, and those who occupy unique and special places in our lives. So be sure and take advantage of this Valentine’s Day to share …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/valentine-gifts-for-god/
Jun 17
The concept of being wanted by a father was foreign to Francis Chan. His mother died while giving birth to him. His father never had a meaningful conversation with him. There was no comfort, affection, or physical touch, except for the beatings he would receive for disobeying or bothering him. His goal in the relationship …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/the-father-you-try-not-to-annoy/
Apr 04
Always notice repetitive phrases when reading the Bible. The authors use the same phrase to connect stories and concepts together to make a point. I was reading 1 Chronicles when I noticed an interesting phrase. Three times, once in each chapter between chapters 13-15, the Bible refers to God breaking out. The word used means …
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Mar 26
There is one super important concept that is necessary in understanding the Bible. Without this concept the Bible is confusing and unable to be properly understood. Without this concept these topics are misunderstood. Why did God destroy the entire population with a flood? Why did God destroy Sodom and Gomorrah? Why did God require detailed …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/the-one-thing-you-must-understand-to-get-the-bible/
Oct 18
Stephen Hawking final book was published this week. It is called Brief Answers to the Big Questions. He died this past March after a long bought with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Of course he tackles the most important question anyone can ask, “Is there a God?” He writes, “We are each free to believe what …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/how-big-of-question-can-your-god-answer/
Sep 12
We see life in color. The first thing we notice is color. We notice the color of someone’s clothes, hair, and skin. We have thousands of color choices to use in painting a wall. Marketers consider background and font colors when printing advertisements. We want to use color printers, because black and white is too …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/the-color-of-the-soul/
Jun 25
The story of the prodigal son is one of the most famous parables of Jesus (Luke 15:11-32). It beautifully and simply portrays the love God has for his wayward children. The father, who represents God in the story, takes center stage displaying love, forgiveness, and parental wisdom. In studying this story, I noticed six lessons …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/being-a-great-dad-like-the-prodigals-father/
Apr 13
We hear regularly about how God is so loving and patient. In modern American Christianity, God is extolled for his great love, patience, and kindness. His forgiveness and mercy are trumpeted from the water cooler to the pulpit. But for the most part, people live like they want to live, indulging in selfishness and sin, …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/one-big-thing-the-world-misses-about-god/
Feb 28
I am a Los Angeles Laker’s fan. That is what I claim, but don’t test my fan prowess! No riddling me with questions like these: Who are their starters this year? What is their record? Are they going to make the playoffs? But I am a fan of the Lakers. I know all of their …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/am-i-really-a-fan/
Feb 15
God likes patterns and repetition. I have started thinking about this again since teaching the book of Joshua this quarter. The children of Israel go through a similar intentional pattern as their forefathers did when they left Egypt. They renew the covenant, cross the Jordan river on dry ground, circumcise the men, and God speaks …
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