Mar 05
All churches have people leave. But it should break our hearts when people leave. It certainly does the Lord when people leave Him (Luke 15). Yet people don’t have to remain gone! They can come back and we should do everything we can to encourage their return to the body. In order to do this we …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/what-keeps-people-from-coming-back-to-the-church/
Mar 02
I was reading through 2 Chronicles when this verse jumped out at me which was speaking about King Jehoram the son of Ahab and Jezebel. “He was thirty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. And he departed with no one’s regret. They buried him in the city …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/he-departed-with-no-ones-regret/
Mar 01
The last post was number 300! Wow! I began blogging in November 2012. I have tried to consistently blog each week. The goal was three a week, but I have actually averaged a little less. Here are some of my thoughts on blogging after 300 posts! I am grateful to the readers. Writing is good …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/300-posts/
Feb 24
Often the church’s sells pitch today to church-lookers focuses on all the church can do for them. Come here because we have an active youth program, daycare ministry, a wonderful preacher who gives challenging, practical sermons, great music, and great small groups ministry where you can make lots of friends. This is what our consumer-driven …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/the-church-is-not-about-you/
Feb 22
I have not given a farm report since September. I wanted to give an update on the farm and share some reflections on our first year. 1. We have been very pleased with how much of a blessing the farm has been for the kids. We thought that Austin our oldest may not like the …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/farm-report-6-reflecting-on-the-first-year/
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 17
I was blessed with a unique opportunity last Friday of returning to my old school. I attended 1st grade through senior year at South Pemiscot school in Steele, Missouri. My 1st cousin’s husband was the president of the teacher’s association. They had an inservice for teachers of all grades and he asked me to share …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/returning-back-speaking-to-teachers-at-my-high-school/
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/
Feb 08
This past weekend 50 Shades of Grey movie was released. A new movie based on the book. The three-book series has sold over 100 million copes worldwide. But it is known for its erotic theme. This movie and book just represent our culture’s growing indulgence of sexually-charged material. Pornography is a huge problem in our …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/a-biblical-picture-of-pornography/
Feb 06
John Maxwell says, “Leadership is influence–nothing more, nothing less.”¹ A leader is able to influence others to follow his course. In a world filled with competition and desire for influence, we often believe that position gives influence. We aspire to a position, believing it will give us influence. While there is some truth to this …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/leadership-position-and-influence-in-the-church/
