May 04

Dealing with Failure: A lesson from Golf!

Phil with the Claret Jug

Phil with the Claret Jug

I love golf.  I am not playing as much this year with the farm, but I still love the game.  I follow the pro game weekly and watch it when I can.  Austin loves golf.  Brooke and Landon enjoy it too and are just getting started with the game.  Austin and Brooke will start a golf camp this week.

One of the reasons I love golf is the life lessons you learn from it.  You learn to deal with failure.  Most golfers fail more than they succeed.  Even on a good day you leave talking about how it could have been better.

One of my favorite golfers is Phil Mickelson.  Phil has had tremendous success and made a ton of money playing golf, but he has also had a lot of failure.  He was asked this week about overcoming the disappointment of missing the cut at the Masters.  Phil is in the midst of a poor season for him.  He has not won, nor finished in the top 10 on tour this year.

Phil said,”You always have to let go of poor performances; it’s part of the game of golf,” Mickelson said. “Failing is a huge part of this game, especially playing professionally, and you have to let it go and move forward.  There are too many great tournaments coming up to let a poor performance affect your upcoming events.”

Last year Phil lost the U.S. Open on the final day finishing 2nd for a record 6th time.  He didn’t want to get out of bed for a couple of days.  He ended up bouncing back and winning the British Open a short time later.

I often say that golf is a cruel game.  Players are often known more for their disasters or near misses than their victories.

We can learn from golf and Phil in our lives.  In golf there is always another hole!  You have to put the last one behind you and focus on the next.  In life, you have to understand you are going to fail.  You are going to have near-misses and sometimes fall flat on your face. (For a golf illustration see Phil Mickelson’s U.S. Open at Winged Foot where he lost it on the last hole and called himself an “idiot” afterwards.)

The Apostle Paul teaches us this same attitude

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 3:12–14)

So failure is not unique to you.  You are going to fail probably more than you succeed.  But keep trying.  Keep aiming for your goals. You may have a major win just around the corner!

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/dealing-with-failure-a-lesson-from-golf/

May 01

This Preacher’s Wife!

AmandaAmanda is going to the preacher’s wives’ retreat at the Chickasaw State Park this weekend, which prompted me to write about her as a preacher’s wife.  I am admittedly biased, but I think she is an awesome preacher’s wife!  Here are some of the reasons I think she makes a great preacher’s wife for Seven Oaks and especially for this preacher!

  • She loves the church.  She loves the Lord’s church universally and wants to see it expanded.  She loves the people of Seven Oaks.  They are like family to her and she loves them!
  • She views her role as a partner in ministry.  She loves the work and job of ministry.  Preaching is not just the job of her husband, but it is our family’s purpose to serve in ministry.  She views herself as a partner in my work.  This makes a tremendous difference.
  • She is a talented teacher and leader.  Amanda is a great Bible class teacher for ladies and children.  She is also very good at leading groups and organizing activities.  She just helped me out a bunch this past weekend in organizing and helping lead a project for our “We are the Sermon” day.
  • She is creative.  I love talking to her about ideas and projects. She comes up with good sermon topics and series (sometimes she will even give me the points!!) She helps me consider events and activities from the perspective of a woman and a mother with small children.  Her creativity blesses me.
  • She has a drive and hunger for following the Lord.  Amanda will often challenge me regarding encouraging others, visiting, talking to someone about sin, or stewardship.  She challenges me to be a better servant of God with her devotion.  I am a better preacher, father, husband, and Christian because of her. 
  • She has a listening ear.  She is great at listening to me discuss my work, sermon thoughts, frustrations, and ideas.
  • She is wise in handling relationships and understanding people.  She often helps me understand a person and know how to deal with a situation.
  • She teaches our children to respect their father, the work of preaching, and the church.  She is raising our children without a spirit of bitterness or jealousy towards the church.
  • She is a great sermon critic, even if I don’t always like the review!
  • She is very outgoing and friendly.  She enjoys meeting new people and helping new folks feel welcome.
  • She is hospitable.  Though we don’t do it as much now with four small kids, she is wonderful at entertaining and having people into our home.
  • She believes in me and affirms me daily.
  • She creates a loving home with a comfortable environment away from the stress of ministry. 
  • She is hip and cool.  She doesn’t want to be the preacher’s wife that everyone can pick out immediately because of their outdated style, but she wants to be like one of the church members.  She is always appropriately and modestly dressed in styles that make her look beautiful.
  • She is the preacher’s best friend. 
  • She is very disciplined and self-controlled in her money-management.
  • She is a wonderful mother and is constantly training and teaching them. 
  • She is willing to work.  She joins the church in serving others and is not afraid to do whatever role is needed.
  • She is humble.  She doesn’t feel like she does any of these that well, and certainly not enough.
  • She is controlled in her words and honors the confidentiality of others.

I could go on, but I think you realize now why she is a great preacher’s wife, and I know she is the perfect one for me!  I hope the ladies have a great retreat and Amanda is spiritually recharged to continue her awesome ways!

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/this-preachers-wife/

Apr 29

Is Communion Gluten-Free?

Gluten-free Communion Bread

Gluten-free Communion Bread

Food allergies are unfortunately becoming more common.  Many have adopted a gluten-free diet.  Gluten is a protein found primarily in wheat.  Many are not highly allergic, but have a food sensitivity to gluten that affects their health.  Some have been diagnosed with celiac disease and exposure to gluten can bring a severe reaction.

What is the Christian to do who has been diagnosed with celiac or has a gluten sensitivity?  Does communion bread have gluten?  Are there other Biblical options?

The emphasis in the Bible is upon the bread being “unleavened” which means without yeast.¹  The Lord’s supper was instituted by Jesus in the context of the Passover meal where the Children of Israel ate unleavened bread.²  Leaven through the Bible is a symbol for sin and impurity.³  Leaven is yeast, which is what causes bread to rise.  So the biblical requirement is for unleavened bread.  Their is no requirement on the type of flour base used to produce the bread.  The Bible does not tell us, as far as I am aware, of what type of flour base was used by the Israelites.  Though it is highly likely it was different than our genetically modified wheat flour base used today. There are various gluten-free flour bases available like rice, almond, or corn that someone can use.  The matzos unsalted crackers today are made with a wheat flour base, thus these do contain gluten.

Options for the gluten-senstive person:

  • Partake in the regular communion bread as offered by your congregation.  I have in my family a number of family members who are gluten-free.  None of these who partake in communion have celiac disease, but all choose to eat gluten-free because of health reasons.  They simply partake of communion.  It is such a small amount of gluten that it does not affect their overall diet of being gluten-free.
  • Provide gluten-free unleavened wafers for yourself.  You could make your own communion bread from a gluten-free flour base and bring it to church and use this when partaking of communion.
  • Speak to the church leadership about providing gluten-free communion.  This could be done, but the logistics would have to be worked out, but it is a service that many churches may have to provide in the future.

Finally, let me say, that the primary concern for the Christian is focusing on the body of Christ (1 Cor. 11:23-34).  If you are concerned about consuming gluten, and that has your mind away from Christ, then take steps so your mind can be focused on Jesus and your relationship with other Christians.

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1 – Exodus 12-13

2 – Mat. 26:18-19, 26-29

3 – Luke 12:1, 1 Cor. 5:6-8, Gal. 5:9

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Apr 25

True Love

Hands by edman_pl at www.freeimages.com

Hands by edman_pl at www.freeimages.com

The beauty of marriage is that someone knows all your faults and still loves you.  We often disappoint ourselves.  We often act in ways that  later causes us shame.  We don’t have the physical appearance we wish we had.  Our mouth gets us into trouble.  But marriage should be a place where love covers these inadequacies.  Where we love the person in who they are!  We forgive, improve, accept, and remain committed!

The song “All of Me” by John Legend beautifully captures this thought.  This message appeals to men and women, but possibly to women more who are subject to such insecurities and expectations related to their looks and performance in this world.

Here are the lyrics and a video of the song from YouTube.  Read it or watch it.  Better yet email this video to your wife or buy it from iTunes and send it to your husband.

What would I do without your smart mouth?
Drawing me in, and you kicking me out
You’ve got my head spinning, no kidding, I can’t pin you down
What’s going on in that beautiful mind
I’m on your magical mystery ride
And I’m so dizzy, don’t know what hit me, but I’ll be alright

[Pre-Chorus:]
My head’s under water
But I’m breathing fine
You’re crazy and I’m out of my mind

[Chorus:]
‘Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I’ll give my all to you
You’re my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I’m winning
‘Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you, oh

[Verse 2:]
How many times do I have to tell you
Even when you’re crying you’re beautiful too
The world is beating you down, I’m around through every mood
You’re my downfall, you’re my muse
My worst distraction, my rhythm and blues
I can’t stop singing, it’s ringing, in my head for you

[Pre-Chorus:]
My head’s under water
But I’m breathing fine
You’re crazy and I’m out of my mind

[Chorus:]
‘Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I’ll give my all to you
You’re my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I’m winning
‘Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you, oh

[Bridge:]
Give me all of you
Cards on the table, we’re both showing hearts
Risking it all, though it’s hard

[Chorus:]
‘Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I’ll give my all to you
You’re my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I’m winning
‘Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you

I give you all of me
And you give me all of you, oh

Is that the kind of love you have?  Sadly, some people go through life never knowing that kind of accepting love.  A love that accepts them in their imperfections, crazy mind, and curves and edges.  Is that what your marriage has?  It can happen by living out the words, “Give me all of you, Cards on the table, we’re both showing hearts, Risking it all, though it’s hard.”  Intimacy and openness is not easy, but it is rewarding.  A love that is committed through thick and thin!

The beauty of marriage is that someone knows all your faults, and still loves you!  

Are you giving your all to your spouse? 

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/true-love/

Apr 23

How Churches Can Use Easter Sunday

EasterEaster is a celebrated holiday in the American culture.  It has lots of traditions built around it that families enjoy like Easter Egg hunts, family meals, and eating candy!  It is not a commanded holiday for Christians. Christians are to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, not only on Easter, but everyday (See my post on how we celebrate the resurrection).

Through the years in the church of Christ we have debated how to handle these American holidays.  Easter and Christmas being the two primary holidays of debate.  For many in the church, Easter is treated like another Sunday.  There may be no special mention of it, nor a sermon focused on the resurrection.  For others, the Easter sermon may be focused on how we are not to celebrate Easter as a religious holiday and how our religious neighbors are in error when they do.  In the third category and probably most common of late is to preach on the resurrection with little mention of the Easter holiday.

I have fluctuated between the first and third categories.  Preachers can negatively see it as a time when all those not dedicated enough to come the other Sundays show up.  I sometimes would continue a series or preach a special lesson with a resurrection or evangelistic theme.

Over the last several years I have changed.  We at Seven Oaks now try to use Easter in the following ways.  I will share the results of this effort below.

  1. Make a push for a large attendance.  Easter is a time when folks consider coming to church.  Why not encourage them to come to yours?  It is a great opportunity to invite others.  I began in 2011 with a concentrated effort of encouraging members to invite their friends and family for Easter Sunday.
  2. Preach a special lesson.  I mark Easter on my preaching calendar when I am planning my sermons.  I then spend time over the next several months thinking about the sermon.  I want a sermon that is simple, evangelistic, challenging, and centered on the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.  One year I started a series on the family on Easter entitled New Beginnings for your Home with the hope of then getting folks to come back for the other parts of the series.  As one of our elders says, you want to take the “teachable moment” of the occasion and use it!  Preachers, don’t feel compelled to spend the first five minutes of your sermon explaining about how Easter is not a religious holiday.  Just get up and preach your lesson and convict people with the gospel!
  3. Use your egg hunt as an outreach to families.  A few years back we changed how we approached our Easter Egg Hunt.  We do it the Saturday before Easter.  We have it on the church grounds and make it family friendly.  We advertise on Facebook for the event and have good attendance from the community.  This year we rented a bounce house and had over 80 kids 5th grade and below present.  The easter bunny comes and candy is eaten!!  This helps you minister to families and youth which is always a good thing!
  4. Plan your worship to be the best possible.  The church leadership should expect to have a larger crowd and many visitors.  So consider this in who is chosen to lead worship.  The song leader should choose familiar songs that go with the lesson.  Don’t spend the first 8 minutes sharing announcements.  Preachers don’t push special programs or ministries before your lesson.  Make the worship time focused on worship!

There is nothing earth shattering in these four things listed above.  But I believe many churches don’t consider the opportunity that Easter provides.  Our attendance figures have shown there is value and merit in this approach.  We started this approach in 2011.

        Year –     2006    2007    2008   2009    2010     2011    2012   2013   2014

 Attendance – 260     248      264      243      255       350      306     325     369

Now granted, our overall attendance has also increased, but Easter Sunday has increased more.

How does your congregation use Easter Sunday as an opportunity?

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/how-churches-can-use-easter-sunday/

Apr 22

An Inspiring Story of Sharing in the Pain of Others

Francis van der Lugt

Francis van der Lugt

Syria has been embroiled in a horrible civil war with over 100,000 killed in the conflict.  2 million have fled Syria as refugees to neighboring nations.  3/4 of these refugees are women and children.  The city of Homs has been a place of unspeakable violence for the last two years.

In Homs, Francis van der Lugt, was a 75 year old Dutch priest who had come to live and work in Syria for the last 5 decades.  He had ministered to the people of this area for years.  He was a former student of psychology before coming to Syria in 1966.  He organized yoga workshops and hiking trips to create opportunities for the citizens.  He really loved the land and the people.  He was a community leader and sought peace during the recent violence.  He refused to leave Homs, despite the violence. 

In one of his most recent video interviews he stated these words:

“The same way I shared with these people their treasures, I also want to share with them their fear, pain and death. Sharing requires presence, being close, to move from fear to peace, from sadness to joy, from death to life. . . He said we love life, and we love to live. We don’t want to die in a sea of pain and death.”

He converted a room in the monastery to a bakery for local families of any religion to have bread, because many were without food.  But in April 2014, a masked gunman entered the monastery.  He ordered the priest to sit in a chair.  He shot him twice.

This is an inspiriting and instructional story for us.  Though I sincerely disagree with his doctrinal beliefs, I applaud this man’s attitude of service.

I believe his statement “sharing requires presence” nails what Jesus wants us as His disciples to be doing in our daily lives.  He wants us to ‘come along side’ those who are struggling, suffering, and lost and walk with them in their pain and show them a better way!

This is what Jesus chose to do for us.  He chose to fully be present and share in the sufferings of humanity (Phil. 2).  This is what Paul did for his converts (2 Cor. 1:5-7).  This is why God established elders or shepherds in the local church to lead them as a part of the flock (1 Peter 5:1-6).  This attitude is manifest by all successful local ministers who share in the lives of the members.  This is the attitude of soul-winners who minister to the hurting in their paths.

Is this your attitude? Is it mine?  Are we fully present in sharing the hurts, conflicts, and fears of those in our circle of influence, or do we run away when the suffering starts?

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Sources:

http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=304041833

http://www.cbc.ca/news2/interactives/syria-dashboard/

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/07/dutch-priest-shot-dead-homs-syria

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/an-inspiring-story-of-sharing-in-the-pain-of-others/

Apr 17

Curbing Our Desires, So We don’t Get Choked!

Summer Weeds by rogojel at www.freeimages.com

Summer Weeds by rogojel at www.freeimages.com

Homework, softball, soccer, basketball, 4H, Boy Scouts, Girl scouts, tennis camp, piano classes and the list goes on-and-on of activities of our kids today.  

Adults are not much better.  We have housework, yard work, community service clubs, shopping, Facebook, golf, sporting events, TV shows, and Crossfit.  

We are so busy!  An herein lies one of the Devil’s greatest weapons on our souls!

Jesus in speaking about the plant amongst the thorns said this, “but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word and it proves unfruitful” (Mark 4:19).  This verse screams at our generation.  This is why the church across America is struggling with involvement and workers.  It is the reason we don’t know the Bible as well as previous generations.  It is the reason we are not as close to Jesus and struggle with apathy and worldliness.

We are choking our spiritual lives because we do not have the nutrients of the Word of God.  Why do we not?  Because we are feasting on the cares of the world and have desire for other things!

Notice Jesus did not say that our desire is for “sinful” things.  He says “other” things.  The enemy of the best is often the good!  What we are chasing and spending our time upon may not be sinful.  It may even be good and wholesome, but it still takes our time, energy, and devotion.  It still prevents us from taking in the Word.

The end result of our misplaced desires is unfruitfulness.  We still exist.  We may still have faith and live in the church, but we are unfruitful.  We are not living up to our potential in Christ, because we have an inadequate diet.

So we must curb our desires, so we don’t get choked!  Most all of us struggle with this at some level.  We must constantly be assessing our schedules and time management to see if we are choking out God!

What desires do you need to curb in your daily life, so you don’t choke out the word in your life?

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/curbing-our-desires-so-we-dont-get-choked/

Apr 15

Farm Report #2 – Learning Patience

The Back Pasture and Barn

The Back Pasture and Barn

Last October we bought a farm.  I shared why in a post in November that many of you read.  I want to occasionally give updates on how our new home and farm plans are coming.  I will call these posts “Farm Reports.”  I numbered this #2 since it is following the post back in the fall.

The predominant lesson we have learned thus far has been patience! 

James uses farmers as an example of patience in James 5:7-9. We are not an example yet, but are learning what James meant!  We are just learning that typically things don’t happen very fast.  We anticipated that we would get stuff done much faster.  We thought our home would likely sell quicker.  We figured we would get some work done during the winter.  But, it seems that before you can accomplish one goal, you have to do some other things first.  We have made some progress on repairing the barn.  We still don’t have electricity and water, but have the process going and are approved for a new pole and service.  I have learned a ton about fencing, but haven’t really done any fencing!  We got a tractor and several implements.  We have been able plow up a garden spot and 3/4 of an acre for a sweet corn plot.  But it seems to rain every few days!  We are about 90% complete with the house plans.  We basically know what we want and will be ready to go when our house sells.

The challenge is balancing our desires with the time, opportunity, and other responsibilities that we have.  The kids are active in sports most Saturdays, church work is busy, and running daily homelife with four small kids is a full-time job.  So we are learning to balance all of these interests.  All of this has emphasized our need for patience.  Often there is much good that comes from waiting and not forcing things.  The weather is out of our control.  We must learn to work in rhythm with the weather, others, and your family.  Typically, things go better when you wait and pray, rather than act and regret!

For me, it often means not putting unrealistic pressure and expectations on myself and what I want to get accomplished.  This goes for my ministry and also with this farm endeavor.  You have to keep your priorities in line.    A long term expectation and goal must be kept in sight.

Everyone we take out to the farm, says the same thing, “This is beautiful and has lots of potential, but a whole lot of work, how will you do it?” We try not to look at all the work that could be done, but focus on what we can do now.

I think that is what James is trying to get us as Christians to do as well.  Be patient as we wait for the coming of the Lord.  Keep the longterm goal in mind, but do what you can now to make a difference.  

What has this long winter taught you?

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Apr 13

Email Subscription Updated!

Over the last couple of weeks I have had problems with my blog posts coming out by email.  I apologize to you if you have not received some of the posts.  You may wish to check the website for recent posts you did not receive.

If you are reading this in your email you should notice that it looks different.  I still may change it somewhat as we go forward, but I think it also improved the looks too.

I am currently at 66 subscribers.  Please share with others that might be interested.  You can easily sign up at the top right portion of the website at www.JoshKetchum.com.  With this new service there is no verification, so it should also be easier.  Because some have had difficulty getting subscribed.

Most importantly,  thanks for reading and encouraging me in this blog.  I appreciate your support.  

Will you subscribe?  Just fill out the form at the top-right of this page with  your name and email address and you will be subscribed!!  Thanks,

Josh

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Apr 11

The Irrationality of Adultery!

Train Collision in Poland 4-3-12

Train Collision in Poland
4-3-12

It is irrational for two trains to be driving on the same track headed directly toward each other to think they will not hit, yet this is the exact thoughts of an adulterer!

The affair will come out!  You cannot remain in both relationships for long! 

The famous story of David committing adultery with Bathsheba illustrates the irrationality of adultery (2 Sam. 11).  Here is a brief account of the story in case you don’t know it.  David, who should have been in battle with his army, sees a beautiful woman on a neighboring housetop.  He has her brought to his palace.  He commits adultery with her.  She discovers she is pregnant.  He then sets out to hide his sin.  He has her husband, Uriah the Hittite, brought back from the battle.  Uriah, due to duty will not go into his wife, so David has Uriah put to death by ordering the other troops to withdraw from him when he is at the frontline of the battle.

David was not thinking rationally. Consider David’s irrational thoughts:

  1. David ignores the obvious evidence of time!  Uriah, the wife of Bathsheba, was off in battle.  David commits adultery with her.   It would have taken several weeks for her to realize she was pregnant.  There would have been time in Uriah to travel home from the battle.  Uriah might possibly of noticed that she was pregnant.  Secondly, he certainly would have considered the baby when it was delivered much earlier than when he came home from battle.
  2. David does not consider his prominent leadership position and all he could lose.  He was to be an example to God’s people, yet he is taking one of his servant’s wives.
  3. David foolishly thinks he will not be discovered.  Did David think that all the other townspeople did not notice?  When the baby comes out early and has features like David didn’t he think it would be a problem?
  4. David miscalculates key factors in his plan to cover his sin.  His plan to hide his sin hinged on Uriah going into his wife and then not knowing she was pregnant.  He was basically counting on Bathsheba to lie and raise this child as Uriah’s.  Yet, Uriah is a duty-bond man who will not enjoy the pleasure of home, while the ark of Israel and army of the Lord are in battle.
  5. David thought he was above the rules and not accountable.  He thought he could have his fling and then cover it up.  When his first attempt didn’t work, then he gets dirty and murders Uriah in a deceitful plan.  All of this is a picture of a man who is prideful and believing he is not accountable to the rules.
  6. David inconceivably underestimated the knowledge and holiness of God.  David knew the Lord.  He walked with Him.  He knew he was all-powerful and all-knowing.  Yet, he forgot him during this episode.  Maybe, he thought God wasn’t that interested in who he took to bed.  Or he thought he had done so much good for God, that he was entitled to a few infractions.  Possibly he just forgot about God’s holiness.   Did he really think he could hide the sin from God?

We are thousands of years removed from when David walked Jerusalem, but the same irrational thought patterns listed above describe everyone who is involved in adultery.  It doesn’t make sense!  It is not about love, it is about lust!  It is about selfishness, happiness, and entitlement.  It is irrational and not thinking soberly.

David ended up hearing “you the man” and it all came out and he was punished severely (2 Sam. 12).  So adulterers today here “you the man” and are punished severely.  Don’t go down this path!  We have to be on guard everyday to prevent such irrational thoughts in the moments of lust, pride, and seduction.  

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*Thanks to my wife who gave me the idea for this post as she has been studying the life of David.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/the-irrationality-of-adultery/