Aug 24

Our Family’s Tongue Affliction

Sno Cone Tongue by lilgoldwmn at www.sxc.hu

Sno Cone Tongue by lilgoldwmn at www.sxc.hu

This week our family has had a problem with our tongues.  We are finally feeling better, but it has gone through all six of us.  It was weird and something we had never experienced before.  We think it was a virus, maybe a version of hand, foot, and mouth.  We think it began with Caleb (our 11 month old) over 2 weeks ago, but we thought he was just teething.  He was irritable and couldn’t sleep.  Then it went to Landon (4 years) and had some minor cold symptoms too.  Amanda, my wife, got a sore throat and had it for 10 days.  I got it for over a week and Austin (8 years) and Brooke (6 years) also had it for this whole past week.

What was it?  We are not sure.  But it caused our tongues to be very sensitive and just hurt!  From the tip through the first quarter of our tongues just felt like it was burnt in super hot chocolate or coffee.  Mine also moved to under my tongue and often felt like pins pricking it.  We didn’t run a fever and had few other symptoms.

We thought it might be connected with eating too many fresh tomatoes.  So we stopped eating them.  We couldn’t fully decide if foods affected it or not.

We were all able to carry on with our normal activities.  Cold did give relief, so we ate ice, popsicles, and sent the kids to bed with a blue ice pack to give some relief.

Why am I posting this, you might ask?  Two reasons:

1.  There may be other friends or people searching on the internet for a similar malady and thinking they are crazy like we did.  If they read this, maybe it will help them know that something is going around that attacks your tongue.  We can call it–burned tongue virus!

2.  When we were talking about it, Amanda said it reminded her of how the Bible speaks of our tongues.  James said in 3:5, “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.”  James says the “tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life and set on fire by hell.” (3:6).  We don’t normally think that much about our tongues.  But if it hurts all week, let us tell you, that you will think about it a lot.  This is one of James’ points.  We need to consider the impact of this little member more!  Though small, it has a great impact upon our lives.  If our family thought about our words as much every week as we did our physical tongues this week, we would be kinder, wiser, more grateful, more encouraging, and more holy.  

I will end with this question:

What if God made our tongues physically hurt every time we missed used them, how would our speech be different?  

“The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.””  (Matthew 12:35–37 ESV)

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Aug 21

The Purpose of Marriage – A Haiku Deck Presentation

Check out my first Haiku Deck presentation.  A web-based mobile-platform presentation software.  For whatever reason I could not get it to embed into this page, so you will have to click the link to view.  It is just a slide show, not a video.  It takes about 30 seconds.  You can hit play for automatic changes or use the arrows to advance

What is the purpose of your marriage?

 

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Aug 20

My Thoughts on Banning Gay Conversion Therapy

N.J. Governor Chris Christie signed into law yesterday a ban on “gay conversion therapy” or as sometimes called “reparative therapy” (source).  This legislation, which has already been enacted by California, makes it illegal for counselors to try to change the sexual orientation of a minor individual.  Two other states,  Massachusetts and New York, have bills in their state legislatures.

These laws concern me for several reasons:

  1. These laws demonstrate the cultural belief that homosexual orientation is perfectly normal and appropriate.  The American Psychological Association does not see it as something that needs to be “cured” (source).   As the governor stated in signing the bill his  belief is that people are born gay and homosexuality is not a sin, though this goes against his Catholic faith.
  2. Consider the position it puts the Christian counselor in legally in offering counseling.  It creates an immediate conflict between their faith and the law.  I have heard it said recently that the day is coming when it will be considered a hate crime to preach that homosexual acts are a sin from the pulpit, well it has already become illegal for counselors in these states to counsel a minor client that homosexuality is a sin and work with them to overcome this sin.  By the way, groups pushing for these laws hope to extend this in the future to include ministers and clergy as well.
  3. These laws also take power from the client.  Suppose a Christian teen is struggling with this issue.  They hold deep faith convictions and desire for professional help to fight their temptation.  Now the government is saying they cannot work with a chosen counselor whom their family is paying in a professional relationship to aid them in this journey.
  4. Consider the control it is taking away from parents.  Here we have a case of government intervention into a parent’s training and teaching.  So if you are a Christian parent who has a child struggling with the real temptation and sin of homosexuality and desire professional counseling by a local Christian counselor, you cannot get it.  You would be asking the counselor to perform an illegal act.
  5. This is just a part of the overall trend we are seeing in our country.  We are seeing it with the sweeping changes regarding same-sex marriage, supreme court rulings, and now it is entering the counseling field.  Recently Exodus International, the leading broad-based Christian ministry in the nation helping individuals for 37 years come out of homosexuality into the freedom from sin and often times a heterosexual relationship decided to shut down.  They even apologized to the gay community for years of “undue judgment”.  (see their statement).  These changes are all coming from the theological and philosophical changes regarding the beliefs of our nation, the Christian community, and individuals regarding homosexuality.
  6. This is another sign of the ongoing, and ever increasing clash, between faithful Christians dedicated to Biblical truth and the prevailing culture on the issue of homosexuality.  This issue is not going away.  Counselors are going to have some difficult choices to make as the clash gets practical and real for them.  I believe the rest of us will not be far behind.

What are your thoughts?

I have three other posts on the topic of Homosexuality:

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Aug 16

How to Make Life Go Slower: Stay Home

Time is going. . . by koraw from www.sxc.hu

Time is going. . . by koraw from www.sxc.hu

“2013 is flying by!”   

“My kids grow up so fast!  They are changing so quickly”

“Enjoy your kids while their young, because they will be grown by the time you turn around.”

“I don’t know where all the time went.”

If I had a dollar for every time I have heard or said one of the above statements I would have a nice nest egg!

Most families are struggling with the swiftness of time.  They are running from work, to school, to church, to family, and many ballgames and dance practices in-between.  I know we stay are busy trying to balance ministry, family, and kid’s activities.

Here is one quick tip we have found to make life go slower!

STAY HOME. 

Our homes are meant for more than just sleeping.

We have had some relaxed Saturdays lately.  We love them.  The clock seems to go at half its normal rate.  It isn’t  a boring kind of slow, but a nice, relaxed kind of slow.  We have just hung out with the kids;  read books, played the Wii, ate meals together, gone for a run, and watched some TV.  One Saturday we loaded up our bikes and went for a ride at a neighborhood park and ate supper out at a local restaurant.  But the day was great and slow, because there was no schedule, appointments, or pressure.  We were just enjoying being together and doing what we wanted.

Feel free to disagree, but I think most families would be blessed if they stayed home more.

Instead of always eating out, they ate around their table.  Instead of being spread between practices, stores, and vehicles they were together at home.

Two closing thoughts:

    1. When you stay home as a family, you have to fight the temptation to work on chores all of the time.  You may be like me and have to fight the temptation to read on your iPad or watch too much TV.
    2. For some families staying home more may be a difficult task.  You are so used to staying on the go, that when you have free time, you immediately fill it up.  Let me encourage you to see the blessings and benefits of staying home.  Seek to change your pattern when you can.

“Be still and know that I am God” – Psalm 46:10

What are your thoughts?

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Aug 13

3 H’s of Ministering to Others in a Crisis or Loss

by digitalfllmmaker via flickr.com

by digitalfllmmaker via flickr.com

What do you do when you hear some close friends have had a child in a car accident?

What do you do when you hear your brother-in-law is leaving your sister?

What do you do when your neighbor, a sweet elderly lady, has a son commit suicide?

What do you say when you are trying to comfort a grieving widow who lost her husband of 35 years to cancer?

Here are three simple rules, I have used to guide my ministry through the years in crisis situations.  They were taught to me by Steve DeLoach when I did a missions internship with him in 1999.

I.  Hurry

Usually the first question that comes to our minds when we hear about a situation is “Should I go?”.  You have to make a wise judgment regarding the answer based upon your closeness and current circumstances, but typically if you are wondering if you should, then go!  Elders, ministers, and close friends and family need to make contact with the hurting as soon as possible.  As a minister, some of my most important ministry during the entire crisis takes place in those first few hours.  It speaks volumes about your priority, care, and concern when you drop other things and hurry to their side.  This applies to when a family member has a crisis as well;  hurry to their side.

2. Hug

Gary Chapman in his excellent marriage book entitled  The Five Languages of Love writes, “physical touch is a powerful communicator of love. . . If your spouse’s primary love language is physical touch, nothing is more important than holding her as she cries.  Your words may mean little, but your physical touch will communicate that you care” (p. 109).  This advice is so true, but not only for a spouse, but for anyone experiencing a crisis..  Give a hug, hold a close friends hand, let them cry on your shoulder, or just sit with them letting your physical presence be a comfort.

3. Hush

The third “H” is the one that is often most neglected.  Talk to those who have been through crisis situations with great shock, grief, and loss and they will tell you many folks say harmful and hurtful things.  People tell grieving parents, “I guess heaven just needed him more” or to a young boy who lost his mother, “This is God’s will and for the best.”  People talk about how time will heal all wounds.  Most grieving individuals are understanding and let many hurtful remarks pass with a smile on their face, but sadly many people are often “miserable comforters,” as Job called his three friends (16:2).  The best advice is often to “hush.”  Ask loving and tender questions and listen with a non-judgmental attitude.  Offer your love and support.  Share spiritual words of hope, faith, and comfort from the truth of Scripture, but don’t preach a sermon.  Pray with them when appropriate.  But remember they are not going to remember what you say, nearly as much as they will remember your care, love, and presence.

These three simple rules will help you deal with almost any crisis, loss, or problem that happens to those you love and serve.

What would you add to improve this post?

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Aug 11

Do Others Dread Seeing You Coming?

by cheerfulmonk from www.flickr.com

by cheerfulmonk from www.flickr.com

Last week I wrote a blog post about being approachable.  I want to tackle the other side of that issue in this post.

I was talking to someone recently from another congregation and he said, “I know the elders just dread seeing certain people coming to them.”  Let’s be honest,  we all have certain people, especially if you are in leadership that you dread seeing coming,  Sometimes you may dread seeing that weird uncle at a family reunion because you know if you get caught by him, you will never escape his ongoing dialogue.  You may dread a work meeting with a certain other co-worker or dread them coming into your office.

In the Old Testament we find the word “dread” 33 times (ESV).  It is connected with fear, trembling, and loathing.  God put a dread of humans in the animals after the flood (Gen. 9:2).  The Egyptians and Moabites were in dread of Israel because of their large size (Ex. 1:12, Num. 22:3).  The Lord is to be feared or dreaded by His enemies (Is. 9:13, Jer. 20:11).

This Biblical term might be a little strong for the kind of dread I am speaking about in relationships.  But here is the thought I want you to consider:

Do others dread seeing you coming?

Really think about it!

Does your preacher dread you after a sermon, because he knows you will be offering a criticism or sarcastic remark?  Does the elder you are always taking your complaints to dread seeing you coming?  Does your kid’s school teacher or principal dread seeing you walk through the door?  What about your boss at work?

Here is a list of reasons why people dread seeing others coming.  Please feel free to add more reasons in the comments. 

  • Because they are always complaining, grumbling or criticizing.  They rarely balance these with compliments and encouragement.
  • Because they nag, picking out small things and never being happy.
  • Because they talk too much and are not good listeners.
  • Because they always have a reason why a certain ministry, idea, or new program will not work.
  • Because they are overly needy; always asking for something (money, favor, etc.).
  • Because they are negative and drain others of positive energy.
  • Because they are too sensitive easily getting their feelings hurt or offended.

This post is not focused on how we should respond to these types of people.  The approachability post dealt some with this issue, but a Christian should always want to be kind, merciful, and Christ-like.  This post is about examining my own life and yours.  We all know people like I described above, my primary aim is not to change them, but to analyze our own lives and make sure we are not dreaded by others!

Don’t put the “dread” of yourself on others!

Why do you dread seeing certain ones coming?  

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Aug 09

Revelation Class

revelationDo you skip Revelation in your Bible reading?

Do you just read the first 3 chapters concerning the letters to the 7 churches and then skip to the good part about heave in chapters 21-22?

Have you been overwhelmed by the difficulty of the book?

Here is my plea to you:

Don’t neglect Revelation!  God promises us a blessing when we read it (1:3).  It is a book rich with hope, purpose, and meaning.  I have grown to love studying the book.  It is always a challenge, but a very rewarding one!

There are some great tools out there to help you understand the book.  Don’t rob yourself of a great faith-building study by neglecting this final book of the Bible.

I have been preparing to teach a class at our area West Kentucky Bible school beginning this Tuesday night.  I have really enjoyed preparing for this class and been blessed again by studying this book.

I added a page to this website called “Classes.”  I am putting my notes each week for the students and anyone else on this page.  You are welcome to use the notes.  The syllabus and notes for the first and second class are posted.

Your Opportunity:

Please consider being a part of the class.  It is FREE!  Open to anyone.  Men and women, young and old are welcome to come.  A few will be taking the class for credit, but most will be just there to learn.  It will meet each Tuesday night at 6:30 – 7:40 at the Northside church of Christ building in Mayfield through November 5th.  Mike Tucker, Northside’s preacher, will be teaching the Prison Epistles in a class from 7:50 – 9:00 each Tuesday as well.

If you can’t get to Mayfield and you are still interested in participating in the class let me know and we will see what we can do.  I think we can make the class available over the internet or in video form if there is a desire.  So email me at josh@joshketchum.com if you have an interest.  

Finally:  Pray for this class and read the book of Revelation. You will be blessed! 

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Aug 07

Your Approachability Quotient

Do you walk around with this sign figuratively attached to your forehead?

by AloneAlbatross via Flickr

by AloneAlbatross via Flickr

Durk Jager, former CEO of Proctor and Gamble was profiled in the book DeRailed by Tim Irwin wore such a sign.  He wrote about him:

“Rather than drive change through courageous empowerment and wise deployment of skills, Jager, a large man “built like a linebacker,” attempted to force change through a fearful façade of constant bullying. The moniker “Crazy Man Durk” arose largely because he appeared to be unapproachable and irrational. He wouldn’t listen to employees, was aloof to cultural concerns, and was openly critical.  Jager was proud of it all” (p. 55-56).   

Jager was soon ousted from his leadership role.  His means were so “volatile and contemptible that employees began to choose silence over truth” (p. 56). 

Jager was clearly not approachable as a leader.  

His employees feared talking to his face, but clearly talked about him behind his back.

Being approachable is an important quality for a Christian.  The lack of approachability by elders,  preachers, parents, and business leaders is often what is holding the church, family, or business back.  It causes poor relationships, stifles the environment, and causes leadership to be uninformed and lacking influence. 

Paul told Titus to remind the Christians “to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people” (3:2).  Jesus described himself as “gentle and lowly of heart” (Mat. 11:29).  Elders of God’s people are required to be “gentle and not quarrelsome” (1 Tim. 3:3).

Are you approachable?  Consider these questions to assess how approachable you are,  but remember you may need to ask someone else about yourself to get an accurate assessment.

  1. Do people regularly come to me for help?
  2. Do people share their problems or burdens with me?
  3. When people have a concern about the organization or church, do they regularly come to me?
  4. Do people fear asking me for permission?
  5. Do people fear confessing a problem or mistake they have made that involves me and my organization?
  6. Am I defensive and accusatory in my words and tone when responding to people who bring a problem to me?
  7. Do I welcome criticism and suggestions for improvement?  Do I truly listen?
  8. Do I present an attitude of humility and learning versus an attitude of “I know it all”?
  9. As a leader, do I regularly publicly solicit and encourage people to approach me with suggestions, ideas, and problems?
  10. Do I truly care and love people, so that those I am leading see they are loved by my words and actions?

What is your approachability quotient?  

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Aug 04

Losing Faith and Hope

hope.001A few years back I read the book Tiger Force which tells the horrible tell of a Vietnam special forces platoon that because of poor leadership, little supervision, and hatred committed numerous war crimes on innocent villagers.  They did horrible acts like killing innocent civilians, murdering babies, and raping women.  This quote from the book has stuck with me and been useful as an illustration in my preaching.  After eight years of research the investigating officer summarized why these things happened by stating:

“This was a part of the deeper and larger struggle between good and evil.  It wasn’t so much a fight for power as a battle over whether platoon solders and commanders would succumb to their own dark instincts. . . What they never confessed was that somewhere between their ambushes, booby-traps, and humping in the glaring sun they lost hope.  Somewhere in the blackness of the night they lost faith, and in the end there was nothing to separate them from the devil!” (ch. 23). 

Wow!

How true this statement is for all humans.

Without hope and faith, we lose our goodness and desire for righteousness.  Humans turn into selfish, hateful, jealous, vengeful, blood-thirsty, despicable people who do unbelievable horrors!  Faith and hope make the difference.  Without them we are turned over to sin and sin is its own punishment (Rom. 1:18-32).

Remember:  Hope and faith in God make the difference.  Whatever you are going through, don’t lose hope!  When you do you have lost it all and there is nothing to separate you from the devil (Eph. 2:12-13).  

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Aug 02

Why Were They Kept from Recognizing Jesus? – Luke 24:13-35

from - free Bible Images

from – free Bible Images

Do you understand the resurrection story in Luke 24:13-35 about the two disciples walking the road to Emmaus?  How could they walk with Jesus for miles and not recognize him?  Why would God miraculously keep them from recognizing Jesus?  Was Jesus’ body so disfigured and changed by the crucifixion that they could not recognize him?

After studying this passage, I came to this conclusion, and I love it:

Theirs eyes were “kept from recognizing him” (v. 16) so we could have a resurrection account that we fit into ourselves.  This is our story!  Each of us today walk this road to Emmaus like these two disciples. 

They are struggling with sadness and confusion.  Hope has gone out in their hearts.  They had “hoped” that Jesus would “redeem Israel” (v. 21).  They even waited till the third day after the crucifixion, but now they were going home.  They were sad, discouraged, confused, and hopeless.  

What were they to do?  Jesus comes to them, but their eyes are kept from recognizing him, so he could teach us a lesson.  What is the lesson?

We have faith and hope in Jesus and his resurrection because of the Scriptures.  Jesus “beginning with Moses and all the Prophets interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (v. 27).  In fact, Luke uses the same word in verse 31 and 32 to create this tie.  Their eyes were “opened” (v. 31), through the “opening” of Scriptures (v. 32).  That is when their hearts began to burn within them. Hope and faith were rekindled and began to burn again.  Jesus opens the Scriptures and teaches them that things did not turn out wrongly, but rightly!  Later, Jesus will refer to the Scriptures being fulfilled about himself in verses 44-47.

Do you see how we walk in the same shoes as these disciples?  We haven’t seen the resurrected body of Christ.  How do we believe?  Through the Scriptures!  We have times of discouragement, sadness, and confusion.  What are we to do to rekindle hope and faith?  Look to the Scriptures!  

It is in them that we find the “words of eternal life” (John 6:68). 

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