Oct 21
Suppose you had come to Corinth, Greece for the famous Isthmian Games of 51 AD and needed a tent. You stubble upon a leather working man who makes, repairs, and sells tents. His name is Paul (Acts 18:3). You hear reports that he is a relatively well-known religious teacher. He is a trained Jewish Rabbi …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/what-type-of-tent-did-paul-make/
Oct 13
In February of 2018, Amanda and I hiked Abrams Falls trail in the Cade’s Cove region of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. It is a beautiful five mile round trip hike which is highlighted by Abrams Falls; a 20 foot waterfall with high water volume. The hike involves going up and over three ridges …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/finding-faithfulness-on-a-hike/
Sep 03
Our chickens have had it rough on the farm. We slowly lost our flock of birds to predators throughout the spring and summer. We got down to one rooster. He was all alone, wandering alone during the day and spending nights in the coop by himself. This rooster looked around and couldn’t find all of …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/a-chicken-living-with-pigs/
Aug 19
2020 has been a rough year, but residents of Olten, Switzerland woke to a pleasant surprise recently–chocolate particles falling from the sky and covering the landscape. While this may sound like a scene out of the movie Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, this really happened. The Lindt chocolate factory had a cooling ventilation defect …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/chocolate-snow-flakes/
Jul 01
Michael Phelps has won 28 Olympic medals, of which 23 are gold medals. This is the most of any Olympian in any sport. Americans watched his Olympic races with excitement pulling for his victory. Fewer Americans recognize the name Hicham El Guerrouj. El Guerrouj is an Olympic Moroccan runner who holds two Olympic gold medals …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/god-uniquely-created-you/
Jun 23
Paul understood we would have worries and anxieties in this life [see my post about this]. Paul himself dealt with many (2 Cor. 11:16-29). We certainly have reasons to worry today. Our recent wave of fear, crisis, and worry should drive us to God’s word for an answer. Paul’s answer can be seen in Philippians …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/pauls-six-step-method-for-dealing-with-anxiety/
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/
May 20
We drive by them daily, maybe thousands of times, but don’t even know what they say or why they are there. As a culture we place value on marking graves with marble headstones as memorials to our loved ones. We visit battlefields that are covered with memorials honoring valiant soldiers. We go to church and …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/what-is-the-purpose-of-memorials/
Apr 30
I enjoy giving my dogs special treats. It might be a meat bone or a dog treat. Our two dogs have always reacted differently to food you give them. Bailey, our Golden Retriever, snatches it as quickly as possible. She will eat it as fast as she can. If it is a bone she will …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/dog-treats-and-self-control/
Apr 28
Essential employees have stayed on the job through the coronavirus pandemic. There has been much discussion and debate about why some industries and businesses were deemed essential, but others non-essential. The term essential means, “absolutely necessary; extremely important”(1). While our leaders and citizens can debate about what workers are essential, I thought of a better …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/are-average-christians-non-essential/
