Mar 09
Praying is hard. There is no secret formula or proven technique to make prayer easy and effective. Prayer doesn’t turn God into a “genie in a bottle.” Prayer is not a vending machine, where we pop in the right amount and get what we want. Prayer is about a relationship. Prayer is a child talking …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/praying-in-faith/
Nov 11
Our Lord was sorrowful and troubled. His heart was awash with emotions and feelings. His mind was confused with different desires. The greatest of conflicts was going on within his mind–would it be God’s will or the Son’s will? A day full of activity had finally come to a close. As the clock approaches midnight, …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/presence-and-prayer/
Aug 26
As our schools begin their new year, I invite you to join me in this petition to our Heavenly Father. I know there are many concerns, so let us not be “anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let [our] requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6). Father we …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/a-prayer-for-our-schools/
Apr 23
In 1996, Josh Clark wanted to give people easy victories so they could find joy in jogging. What an ambitious goal! After persevering through several failed attempts he had learned to enjoy jogging and the benefits that came with it. He developed a plan to give would-be runners easy victories by attaining small, manageable goals. …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/gaining-easy-victories/
Feb 27
When was the last time you prayed? Have you ever considered that not praying is a sin? Are you taken back by such a question? You may say, “I know I should pray, but I don’t see how not praying is a sin?” Aren’t sins things that we do that are wrong, you know evil …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/is-not-praying-a-sin/
Jan 03
We are a culture that esteems youth and the here-and-now. We move at a rapid pace and spend little time reflecting on the past or dreaming about the future. We have too much to do in the present! As we begin 2019, I want to share two stories with you that challenge you to see …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/your-role-in-between-the-past-and-the-future/
Apr 10
What has been the most quoted Bible passage of all-time? The most quoted passage of Scripture today is probably John 3:16. But when considering the scope of human history since Christ walked the earth, I believe the Lord’s Prayer found in Matthew 6:9-13 is likely it! The model prayer taught by Christ to his disciples …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/who-still-says-the-lords-prayer/
Jan 18
Keeping a prayer journal or list can be more challenging that at first thought. The list can get long quickly and it can be difficult to use it everyday. Praying as a married couple can also be a challenge. It is difficult to mutually make time for it, and sometimes both partners may not feel …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/a-prayer-journal-idea-everyone-can-do/
Jan 04
The young, wild pony would have nothing to do with his new owners. He was a danger to the kids and anyone in his area. He was afraid of all humans and refused to cooperate with their plans. After much work and maneuvering the family finally got him into a barn stall. This is when …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/he-gets-nothing-until-he-takes-it-from-us/
Oct 18
Today, Wednesday, October 18th is Seven Oak’s day of prayer and fasting. We have done this several times over my 14 years with this congregation. It was first started when we were involved in a new building project.back in 2005. We did it every year for a number of years. Then we stopped it for …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/our-churchs-day-of-prayer-and-fasting/
