Jul 02
“We the people” is how our founding fathers chose to open the Constitution. These three words appear in large font on the opening Preamble. For years children across America memorized the Preamble. It speaks to the true authority and power behind the Constitution. Lincoln would stand on the hallowed grounds of Gettysburg shortly after that …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/we-the-people-must-guard-freedom/
Jun 19
Joshua and Caleb were ready to conquer the promised land. But ten other leaders who had gone with them to spy out the land feared the Canaanites. They encouraged Moses and the people of Israel to not invade the land. Their reasoning is seen in their statement “we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/grasshopper-mentality/
Jun 11
His birth name was Joseph, but you likely know him as Barnabas. Barnabas was his nickname given to him by the Apostles because it means “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36). He was so encouraging and energizing that they gave him that title or nickname! This is a quality all of us can develop! All of …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/three-ways-to-be-a-barnabas/
May 30
Luke tells us that Jesus grew in four areas (Luke 2:52): Wisdom [mentally, academically] Stature [physically, athletically, health] Favor with man [socially, kindness, relationships] Favor with God [spiritually, knowledge and fear of God, obedience] Kids today still have a responsibility to grow in each of these areas. Each of them take effort and work. As …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/its-the-churchs-job-to-grow-kids-spiritually/
May 21
Joseph dreamed two visions when he was a teen that his father and brothers would bow down to him one day. He would “reign over” them. His father rebuked him for the dreams and his brothers allowed their jealousy to turn to hatred (Gen. 37:5-11). Joseph had to live with these dreams for decades. How …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/aligning-your-dream-with-gods-dream/
May 15
It’s graduation season! Congratulations to all of our graduates. Graduation signals not only an ending, but a beginning. High school graduation is the launching of new adventures and new responsibilities. Starting is easy, finishing is hard! An education is a great start, but success comes from finishing what you start. Regarding our spiritual lives, finishing …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/finish-strong/
May 07
I have one small tree that grows on my pond bank. I have cut it down before, but because the roots are still there it comes back and grows quickly. It doesn’t really bother me that it is growing. It is not in a place where the roots will damage the pond and I have …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/letting-trees-grow/
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/
Apr 16
I had a solid white male lamb die unexpectedly this past week. He appeared to be a perfect little lamb without spot or blemish. But he died. He lay on a clump of hay. His lifeless body in the exposed sun motionless. From a distance he looked like he was just taking a nap in …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/the-dead-lamb/
Mar 21
Change is extremely difficult. Consider this excerpt from the book Designed to Lead. “Roughly six hundred thousand people have heart bypass each year in the United States. These patients are told they must change. They must change their eating habits, must exercise, and quit smoking and drinking. If they do not, they will die. The …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/americas-hatred-for-personal-change/
