Mar 22
All churches can have times where you get bored. You may get bored with a Bible class teacher, or a person who makes too many comments in Bible class. You may be bored with the same old youth group activities. You may not like a song leader or a song that goes on endlessly like …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/are-you-willing-to-be-bored-for-jesus/
Feb 19
Classic love stories like Romeo and Juliet focus on how the lovers cannot live without one another. I think of the famous line from Last of the Mohican’s, when Nathaniel says before leaving his love Cora, “You survive. You stay alive no matter what occurs. I will find you . . no matter how long …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/god-yearns-for-your-love/
Mar 27
Good people don’t want to be a burden. They don’t want to “put other folks out.” This is why . . . Aging parents have trouble allowing their children to do more for them. The cancer patient struggles to allow church members to come clean her house, because she knows the ladies are busy. …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/accepting-love-and-saying-no-more/
Feb 19
For the last year I have put Caleb, our youngest down to sleep each night. Don’t think I am the greatest dad ever, I probably wouldn’t do this every night if he didn’t do better for me than Amanda. You see, he likes her more! This really isn’t up for debate, in fact, he likes …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/thinking-about-god-while-singing-lullabies-to-caleb/
Feb 11
Most surveys done on marital happiness indicate a sharp decline after kids come along. But this is not always the case and doesn’t have to be! While kids bring lots of challenges, they are also an incredible blessing. I have four children; all 10 and below. We are in zone coverage and still can’t …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/finding-time-for-romance-with-kids/
Nov 18
The holidays are approaching. For the dominant culture it is welcomed and anticipated as the “most wonderful time of the year.” Yet, for many it is a time they have been dreading. The calendar is marked off not with anticipation, but with anxiety and fear. They wonder how they will get through the holidays. If …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/let-others-wear-their-mourning-garments-this-holiday-season/
Oct 21
When was the last time you heard a sermon on sexual abuse? We preach against illicit sexual activity, but what about our concern for the victims of abuse? Yet 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 20 boys are victims of child sexual abuse.¹ Some even suggest a higher number. Jesus quoted from Isaiah when he said, …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/sexual-abuse-what-the-church-can-do/
Aug 12
In ladies’ class this morning we were studying through Mark 12. It contains the story of the poor widow who gave “two small copper coins, which make a penny.” Jesus remarked when pointing out this widow to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/another-lesson-from-the-poor-widow/
Jul 23
At Seven Oaks’ Ladies’ Night, Cathy Powell pointed out how little physical touch, namely hugs, a widow or widower will receive each week. Amanda then decided to have our kids hug a widow or widower each Sunday between class and worship. Physical touch and hugs are so important for all of us as a way …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/the-weekly-hug-project/
Apr 08
We must act in love towards all people¹, yet we must also submit to truth². I fear that sometimes we go too far under the umbrella of love. The Bible teaches that there should be some boundaries on our love for others. Put simply–there is a difference in loving and supporting. Often this duty of …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/there-is-a-difference-in-loving-and-supporting/
