Feb 07

Electrical Circuits of Men and Women

We are doing a Marriage Seminar this weekend at the Union Hill Church of Christ near Benton, Kentucky.  We are excited about it.  Please pray for us.  There are spots available if you would like to come.  There is no cost.  It is on Friday night at 7:00 – 9:30 and Saturday morning from 9:30 – 12:00.  I will be teaching four sections (two to just men), Amanda will be teaching the ladies twice.  The title is “Piecing the Puzzle Together.”  Contact me if you need more information.

Light Bulbs by yongy - from www.sxc.hu

Light Bulbs by yongy – from www.sxc.hu

 

One of my favorite marriage books is the book Love and Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs.  It is a popular book and very good.  I want to share one of my favorite illustrations from the book.

“Smash one of her lights and all of them go out!” 

Men and women are like two types of electrical circuits.  On one circuit there are three thousand lights, and it is designed so that if you smash two thousand of these lights, the other thousand will still work.  On the other circuit, there are three thousand lights, but if you smash one light, the entire light circuit will not function (Love and Respect, p. 136).

 Women function like this second circuit, if there is a problem, even a small one in their relationship, it affects everything.  Men are like the first, they can easily compartmentalize their life and “go on.”

 If you are married you can probably relate to this illustration.  In fact you might realize how it explains the different reactions you have to conflict.  The key is understanding the different “electrical circuits” so you can understand and respond appropriately to your spouse.

How does this illustration help you understand your spouse?

 

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/electrical-circuits-of-men-and-women/

Feb 05

Neglecting the Lord’s Counsel

*Note – I had the privilege of speaking at the Freed-Hardeman University Lectureship on Monday, Feb. 4.  My topic was “Forgetting the Lord’s Counsel” from Joshua 9:14.  The post below is a brief summary of the lecture.  The lectureship runs through Thursday evening and you can watch the live stream here.  Also, I hope to post my lecture next week when they release it on iTunes. 

——————————————————————–

A Story of Deception

In Joshua 9 there is an intriguing story of deception amidst the bloodshed of battle.  Following the victory at Ai (Joshua 8:1-29) and the renewal of the Covenant (Joshua 8:30-35), Joshua meets some apparent travelers who are actually from Gibeon.  The Gibeonites, who are living in Canaan, deceive Joshua and the leaders by dressing in worn out clothes, offering dry, molded bread, and tattered wineskins as proof they had travelled from a distant land.  The law of Moses allowed treaties with foreign nations, but commanded the Israelites to completely destroy the cities of the Canaanite nations who would be their neighbors (Ex. 23:32, 34:12, Num. 33:55, Deut. 20:10-18).  Though skeptical at first, the leaders of Israel fell for this ruse.  The Bible says, “So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord.” (Josh. 9:14).  They made a peace treaty with the Gibeonites.  It wouldn’t take long to discover their failure, as the Israelites reach the Gibeonite cities three days later.  The people wanted to destroy them, but they had to allow them to live.  The congregation murmured against its leaders.  Joshua will consign the Gibeonites to being “cutters of wood and drawers of water for all the congregation” (Josh. 9:21).

Why were they Deceived?

Satan is a deceiver (Rev. 20:10) and liar (John 8:44).  He works through cunning (2 Cor. 11:3) and deception to get Christians to fall.  We can see in this story some of the shortcomings of the Israelite leaders which lead to their deception and often ours as well.

  1. They had a presumed self-suffiency.  The Isrealites believed they could make the decision on their own.  They did not need to consult the “counsel of the Lord.”  Satan says to man, “You can do it own your own!”  Whenever we think and act independent of God, we set ourselves up for deception! 
  2. They focused on the physical.  They checked out the bread, the patched wine-skins, and tattered clothes, but did not check with the Lord.  They went with what they “saw,” rather than seek spiritual guidance.  Like Eve in the garden who focused on the fruit, their eyes deceived them.  We must “walk by faith and not by sight.”
  3. They yielded to the flattery of the Gibeonites.  A part of the ruse was an appeal to the power and deeds of the Israelites by the Gibeonites (Josh. 9:9-10).  This appealed to their pride and ego.  The leaders will suffer disgrace before the people because they had given themselve to pride (Prov. 11:2, Josh. 9:18-19).

But isn’t there more to the story?

If we carefully consider this story, I think we will see that the leaders of Israel were simply negligent and careless regarding their obligations and duties towards God.  It is not that they just forgot the commandments of God, but they “did not ask the counsel of the Lord” (Josh. 9:14).  They had an obligation to consult the Lord because they were in a covenant relationship with Him. Their covenant relationship demanded they consult God.   For whatever reason, they didn’t stop and think, “What is the Lord’s will on this peace treaty?”  They had abundant means available to consult the will of the Lord, but they chose to use none of them.  They had a responsibility and a privilege of consulting the Lord, yet they neglected to do such.

This story typifies Christians today.  It is not that we just “forget” to do the Lord’s will, but we are careless and negligent in asking and consulting the Lord’s will.  We don’t believe necessarily that God is incapable, but it just often does not dawn on us that everything is under his control.  We want to compartmentalize the sphere of God’s influence in our lives.  We think about consulting God regarding “religious” or “spiritual” issues or maybe when we have some real “problems,” but regarding day-to-day issues, financial decisions, work choices, dating and marriage relationships, entertainment, and time management we tend to neglect to consider the will of the Lord.  A Christian entered a covenant with Jesus at baptism (Col. 2:11-14).  We have a privilege and obligation to seek and ask the counsel of the Lord on every issue of our lives.  This is one of the big aspects of the kingdom teaching by Jesus in that we are seeking the rule or reign of God in our hearts and lives (Mat. 6:10, 32-33).  People of the world do not share in this same obligation, because they are not in a covenant relationship.  How many blessings do we miss out on and problems do we create simply because we like Joshua are negligent and do not stop and “ask counsel of the Lord” (Josh. 9:14).  

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/neglecting-the-lords-counsel/

Jan 30

Change Your Family – Eat Meals Together

Some Rights Reserved by SalFalko

Some Rights Reserved by SalFalko

Meals have long been important in God’s plan.  There is this important connection between God, food, family, and fellowship.  In the Old Testament God instituted festivals.  These festivals were annual events for the children of Israel and involved them stopping their regular activities and coming together for fellowship and worship.  In the ministry of Christ we see meals taking a prominent role as a regular context for his teaching.  Jesus ate with sinners (Mat. 9:9-13), feed the multitudes a meal (Mat. 14:13-21, 15:32), told parables based on feasts (Matt. 22:1-14), and instituted his memorial feast in the context of a Passover meal (Mat. 26:17-30).  In the resurrection accounts Jesus eats with his disciples (Luke 24:30-31, 41-43, John 21:7-13).  The early church enjoys meals together as occasions of sharing, fellowship, and worship (Acts 2:46).  They shared the Lord’s supper each first day of the week together (Acts 20:7).  They enjoyed fellowship meals together called “love feasts” (Jude 12).

Since, God has placed an importance upon table fellowship it is no wonder that the family table is so valuable. In fact, besides giving your life to Christ and being faithful to His church as a family, one of the most life-changing things a family can do is have meals together.

Anthropologists and psychologists have long noted the benefits of eating meals together.  Children that eat meals with their families are healthier, make better grades, are less likely to use drugs, alcohol, be sexually active, and be depressed.  Families that eat together are closer and have less stress.  (I put some links to statistics and other benefits in the footnotes.)

My Reasons of Why You Should Eat Meals Together as a Family

  1. It is a teaching opportunity.  I like what Robin Fox, an anthropologist said, “A meal is about civilizing children.  It is about teaching them to be a member of their culture.” (source)  
  2. It is about conversation.  All the studies discuss that meals allow for families to talk to each other.  This is especially important for teenagers.  This is why you need to have family meals as a tradition from a young age.  It takes practice, and families get better at it over time.  Parents should intentionally work on engaging the kids with good questions during the meal time.
  3. It is about uninterrupted time together as a family.  Some families require all cell phones to be left away from the table or turned off. A family meal is not in front of the TV, except on special occasions like a big game!  It is about just being together.
  4. It is about prayer and faith talks.  Family meals should be started with a prayer.  They give an opportunity to teach kids how to pray and for all to listen to them pray.  They create a regular opportunity for faith talks and a reminder that our family leans on God.
  5. It is about some good food.  I am a Ketchum, and us Ketchum’s love food.  Most folks I know do too!  We are so spoiled in this country to our food abundance.  We can easily forget that food is a blessing from God.  Meals teach children to enjoy a variety of food.  They establish good eating habits and typically provide better choices than just eating on the go.  Good meals create good memories!

If you want to change your family — eat meals together.  You should want to have as a minimum of 5 meals together per week.  If you are not at that mark now, give yourself some time, but start building toward that mark.

**Shout-out!** Before ending let me give credit and appreciation to the women in my life who make most of our meals happen.  Thanks to my mom for fixing countless great meals for us growing up.  Thanks to Amanda who works hard making healthy, delicious meals for our family today.  And thanks to my mother-in-law, Loretta who has fixed many great meals for our family.  Meal time for us has always been and will always be special.

What benefits has your family received from eating meals together?

 

————————————–

Footnotes:

Here are some good links with lots of benefits you might want to read as well.

Time Article

Statistics 

WebMD article

Benefits

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/change-your-family-eat-meals-together/

Jan 27

You Need the Almighty When Suffering

by ZaNuDa at www.sxc.hu

by ZaNuDa at www.sxc.hu

At Seven Oaks we are studying some of the names of God from the Old Testament.  This past Sunday was on the name El Shaddai – “God Almighty.” When I was preparing for the sermon, I researched the times the term was used either as “God Almighty” or simply “Almighty.”

It was used some 48 times in the Old Testament and in the New Testament the term “Almighty” is used 10 times.  Here is the breakdown of the number of times used:

 Genesis –  6, Exodus – 1, Numbers – 2, Ruth – 2, Job – 31, Psalms – 2, isaiah 1, Ezekiel – 2, Joel – 1

 2 Corinthians – 1, Revelation – 9

Did you notice anything?

The term is overwhelmingly used in books that deal with suffering, struggle, pain, and sorrow.  The term is used in Job some 31 times.  Of the 10 occurrences in the New Testament 9 are in Revelation.

Some observations from this:

  • When we are suffering we need to know that God is Almighty.  The Holy Spirit reminded sufferers who would be reading these books that God’s hand is not short, He is the Almighty.  Things may not seem right currently in the world, they certainly didn’t for Naomi, Job, or the persecuted saints in Revelation.  But the Almighty was still in charge and He would make things right in His time.  Their role, as ours is today, was to place their trust in Him who is worthy of such trust (Job 13:15).
  • When we are suffering we need to be reminded that God is sovereign.  He is the potter and we are the clay (Rom. 9:20-21).  This is one of the big lessons God reminded Job of when He appeared to him (Job 38-41). Even though we may be suffering, it is still important to remember that God is still on His throne.  We will one day give an account to the Almighty, as everyone else will also (Rom. 14:12).  Satan will use whatever he can, including suffering and sorrow, to get us to leave God.  We must not yield to this temptation.

When we suffer with pains of this life, we should be thankful for our Almighty God. Who would want to commit their trust to a God who was incapable?  I do not understand all that the Almighty does, but I submit to Him and trust in Him!

Josh

 

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/you-need-the-almighty-when-suffering/

Jan 24

The Choice of Life

In yesterday’s post I wrote that Christians should make our arguments emotionally convincing and appealing.  Amanda told me about some friends from FHU and their story.  I contacted her and asked if I could share her story on this site and she was happy to allow such.  Here it is!

Mabry Cate - This beautiful face was almost a statistic.

Mabry Cate – This beautiful face was almost a statistic.

Tommy and Miranda Schroader are the proud adoptive parents of Mabry Cate a precious newborn little girl who is slightly more than a month old.  Her story was recently told at the Stand for LIfe Rally in Bartlett, TN.  In fact, their picture was featured in the Commercial Appeal.

Here is what Miranda wrote about the event and Mabry Cate’s story on Facebook on Jan. 20, 2013.

Our family just left the Shelby County Right to Life Celebration where our beautiful daughter was introduced to the crowd as “a little miracle”. You see, At 14 weeks, her birth mother had chosen abortion. But thanks to our God above for interceding and putting his “Angels Among Us” literally in her path on the sidewalk to Planned Parenthood for her already scheduled abortion. Our deepest heartfelt gratitude for the team of Mobile ICU Memphis for their never ending prayer and support that helped this young mother make the decision to choose LIFE and in return, making our wildest dreams come true. We are and will be forever thankful.  (printed here with permission – JK).

Another family member named Blanda Robberts wrote this on Tuesday, January 22, 2013.

 

God was definitely in on this one! Thank you Lord for being at the abortion center on that day, and thank you for the ONE protester outside who literally had a hand in LIFE. At about 16wks the birth mother was sitting in the abortion clinic, started to fill out the paperwork but stopped.. She said something told her not to do it.. She lays the paperwork down, walks out the door and there is ONE protester outside that gave her a pamphlet w/ a nurses name and phone to call.. If all this hadn’t of happened my cousin and our family would not have this sweet baby girl in our lives! Mabry Cate is one month old now, I cant imagine our family without her in it! We are so blessed!   (printed here with permission – JK)

This story is simply incredible as it shows the truth once again that an abortion takes a human life.  Another point I want to make with this post is about birth mothers.  They are the unsung heroes who choose to bless another family and their unborn child, rather than making a selfish decision of abortion.  It is no doubt an incredibly difficult decision to decide to give up a child for adoption, but it is a decision that is so much better than the emotional scars left by an abortion.   This is the third adoption of some our friends in the last year and it is such a wonderful blessing for each family.

Praise God for this life that was saved and for these godly Christian parents that received such a blessing.

Josh

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/the-choice-of-life/

Jan 23

Framing the Argument

by ba1969 from www.sxu.hu (added "Argument")

by ba1969 from www.sxu.hu (added “ARGUMENT”)

There is a saying in politics which goes like this:

“He who frames the issue, wins the debate.”  (source)

In our culture today, I might say it like this:

“He who frames the emotionally convincing argument, wins the debate.”

Correspondingly, It is often true that the one who frames the argument first, loudest, and most forcefully will win the cultural debate at stake.

Satan is a master at framing cultural debates today in an emotionally convincing way so that the the world swallows his lies (John 8:44, Rev. 12:15-17).

For example notice how these issues are framed with an emotionally convincing message.

Abortion is framed as a woman’s choice.  It is her body and her right to choose.

Homosexuality is framed as an alternative lifestyle between loving individuals.

Gay marriage is framed as a civil rights and civil liberties issue similar to the rights of women and minorities.

Fornication is framed as an act of love, passion, and pleasure.

Christians are framed as intolerant, archaic, insensitive, and legalistic.

Do you see what satan and the world do.  They frame an argument in an emotionally convincing and persuasive way that is appealing.

What should Christians do?

1.  We must frame our arguments clearly, convincingly, and emotionally.  

We must not get lost in all the details, but frame the argument clearly on these issues. For example, abortion is not about a woman’s right to choose, it is about the taking of a human being’s life.

Sadly, it seems to me that the age of people desiring truth as they did in past decades has gone by.  People want to know the relevance and meaning behind a truth.  Christians should not just present truth and condemn the above sins in a matter-of-fact matter.  We must offer an emotionally convincing argument as well.  We have one!  The story of the cross is the greatest emotionally charged story in the world.  It is the drawing power of Christianity (John 12:32).  The story of God’s holiness and His hurt and pain experienced because of sin is powerful; and this story is shared throughout the whole Bible.  When we teach and preach about the above issues we need to make our arguments emotional and passionate.  The truth should be taught with love (Eph. 4:15).

2.  We must unveil the falsehood of Satan’s arguments.

Satan is not going to win (Rev. 19-20).  But it seems that his lies are winning the hearts of Americans and many Christians.  These emotionally charged arguments based on love, kindness, and deeply American values appeal to the masses, especially our young people.  Just look at how the opinion on gay marriage has changed so drastically in the last 10 years.   Parents, preachers, youth ministers, and Christians must offer rebuttals to these common arguments heard incessantly in our culture by presenting the truth of God’s Word and calling people to holiness.  I am often shocked at how these arguments are believed and not seen for what they are;  the lies of Satan.  This is the continuing battle between truth and error (1 John 4:1-6, John 8:31-33).  We must constantly teach the truth on moral issues, so that it is a bedrock foundation against the world’s convincing lies that constantly assail our brethren.

The arguments are being framed to promote sin.  Our culture is buying what Satan is selling.  Let’s present the truth about sin and its disastrous consequences (Rom. 3:23, 6:23).  It might sound like a good argument in our 2013 America, but it will destroy the souls of men (Mat. 16:24-28, 2 Thess. 1:7-10).

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/framing-the-argument/

Jan 21

Church Leadership: Knowing When to Say “When”

by liquid008 @ www.sxc.hu

by liquid008 @ www.sxc.hu

“the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way.  For there is a time and a way for everything, although man’s trouble lies heavy on him.  For he does not know what is to be, for who can tell him how it will be?” (Ecc. 8:5-7, ESV).

——————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Since being in church ministry, I have witnessed that one of the difficulties is knowing when to make a change in your church leadership position.

  • When should the preacher move to a new work or remain steadfast in the face of tension and conflict?
  • When should the elder resign who is facing health concerns and growing older?
  • When should a deacon resign when his work has changed and he is not able to conscientiously give the desired time to the Lord’s work?

Some Personal Stories:

  • I remember watching my granddad, who was an elder in the church for many years, grow feeble with bone cancer.  I remember him realizing it was time and it was necessary for him to step aside as an elder.  He knew it was time to say “when.”
  • I admire older preachers who know when to say “when.”  I work with a respected brother here at Seven Oaks who preached for the church for over 15 years.  He was wise and knew it was time to step aside and let another preacher be hired.  He would go on to preach at a smaller church for years, but it was time to move away from full-time work.  The same brother, some 8 years later, was installed as one of our elders.  He served well, but also recognized when it was time to say “when.”
  • I have been blessed to be encouraged and strengthened by John Dale, who preached at a since my time in Mayfield.  It has been so impressive to see John’s Christlike spirit and to see how the good Glendale Church in Murray transitioned over the last several years.  It seems they have made some good choices, because people knew when to say “when.”
  • In the last couple of weeks, my own father, Bob Ketchum, who has served as an elder at my home church in Samford resigned.  It was a difficult decision.  I am proud of him and my mom.  They have offered a great service as leaders of the church.  It is hard to know when to say “when.”  But it is necessary.
  • I think of some missionaries, like friends who have served in Asuncion, Paraguay, that dedicated so much energy and made so many sacrifices to go to the mission field.  Once there, with the work going well, it is hard to know when it is best for you, the work, and the Lord’s Kingdom to come home.  It is hard to know when to say “when.”

Some Thoughts: 

  • I have been thinking more about this with dad’s decision for personal and health reasons.  Here are some of my thoughts.  Maybe they can help someone who is struggling to know if it is time to say “when.”  I like the scripture quoted above because this decision does lie heavily upon us because we don’t know the future and often struggle to know what is best.
  • Remember, the church or kingdom of God is bigger than any one person. Church leaders need to remember that we are servants with an important job, but the existence and future of the church is not dependent upon any one person.  We are just servants.
  • Pray.  Pray again.  Pray for wisdom.  Pray for discernment.  Don’t make a quick decision. Pray and read the Bible.  Ask others to pray.  Did I mention we should pray!
  • Rely on the insights of others.  Preachers should talk to other preachers, close church members, their elders, and their wives.  Elders should discuss it with their families and other elders.
  • Remember, you can be very effective in the Lord’s work, maybe even more so, in a different position.  We are Christians first.  Most of the work we do as church leaders we should continue to do as Christians.  As my granddad and dad said, “the eldership is not a lifetime appointment.”  This goes for holding a preaching position at a local church or the work of a deacon as well. Sometimes, we need to step-a-side for younger or different men to fill our shoes.
  • This is a tough one. But we need to seek to move pride out of the way.  The above personal stories I told all illustrated humble men who put the church above their own pride and ego.
  • Finally, church leadership is not a position to be grasped and clung too, but a ministry to be called to by the local church and God.  I don’t think we should box ourselves into a corner when considering these issues as if our service to the Lord ends with a resignation from church leadership.  I wish we had more ways for leaders to step aside for a time when they needed to, and then to be able to resume that work later.  Often in God’s providential ways, saying “no” to one area of ministry, only opens up new opportunities for service.  But we must open our eyes.  Rather than it being an end to a ministry, it is rather more helpful to see it as a transition to a different ministry.

I am sure there are many other good suggestions that could be added.  What are your thoughts?  May God help each of us to know when to say “when.”

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/knowing-when-to-say-when/

Jan 18

Introducing iTunes Podcast and More

Some exciting news and updates to share with you.

  1. Domain name change — You might have noticed that we changed the domain names of our sites.  We are now just — joshketchum.com and amandaketchum.com.  We dropped the KetchumKlan portion to make it simpler and also to remove any offense with the use of the term “Klan.”.  We still have the domain name site for the family which is www.theketchumklan.com.  There are no plans to change it anytime soon, though we are not using it very much at this time.  I still hope to do some family tips on that site’s blog in the future.
  2. I installed a new header on my site.  I actually have two variations of it that I will be using.  I think it improved the look of the site.  I got it done quickly for $5 from www.fiverr.com.  A neat site where you can get all kinds of things done for $5.

cross podcast image

 

  1. I am also very excited to announce that the Audio Resources page which contains sermons is now on iTunes.  It can be subscribed to through iTunes or through the Podcasts App available from Apple.    You can subscribe to the Life in the Kingdom podcast and then see all of the lessons available.  You can listen via streaming the lessons or download them and listen later.  You can easily choose which lessons you want to listen to by viewing their title and description.  I also will feature other speakers we have from time-to-time at Seven Oaks Church of Christ.  The podcast, at least for now, will also serve as the Sermon Podcast for the Seven Oaks Church of Christ.

                  Here is how you subscribe:

From your the Podcasts App on an iPhone or iPad:

  1. Click on the “Store”
  2. Search – “Life in the Kingdom”
  3. Find my podcast and click “Subscribe”.

From your iTunes program on your computer if you want to listen to them on your computer or want them in your iTunes library.

  1. Open ITunes and go to the “Store”  Or try this link to subscribe
  2. Search – “Life in the Kingdom”  – Go to the Podcasts sections (not albums, etc,)
  3. Subscribe to my podcast.

If you are not an Apple product user, you can subscribe to the podcast through your favorite podcast listening program through this feed.

If subscribing or podcasts are not for you let me remind you that you can always listen to sermons by visiting the Audio Resources page.

Also if you are blessed by the sermons, please take a minute and rate or review the Life in the Kingdom podcast in the iTunes store as this helps it to be shown to others in the store.

If you have questions or problems please let me know.  I have had some issues with the podcast episodes showing up on my iPhone and also if downloading.  I am trying to get this figured out.  Thanks for supporting the site by reading the posts and listening to the sermons.

Josh

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/introducing-itunes-podcast-and-more/

Jan 16

The Parenting of Abraham

abraham_isaac_1

    The story of Abraham sacrificing Isaac is an amazing story. Each time I read it I marvel at the faith and obedience of Abraham. But last night, Amanda helped me to consider Isaac like never before.

          Isaac was not a small child, but was likely a young man, possibly in his 20s   [See this Apologetics Press Article]. He carried the wood and he travelled with his father for three days. Abraham was an aged man well over 100 years of age by this point. Isaac was young and strong. As you read the text of Genesis 22 you get the real sense that Isaac willingly submitted to Abraham and God. He allows Abraham to bind him and lay him upon the altar. Then, when the knife was about to pierce his flesh, an angel called forth stopping his father

Every loving parent has tried to put themselves into the shoes of Abraham and gasped at this command of sacrificing his son.

Notice a few observations from this story we had for parents and teens today

  1. Abraham was more concerned about obeying God than he was his child rebelling. Today, parents fear requiring their kids to be in Bible class, church, or to not participate in certain activities. The line typically goes like this, “if we require obedience then they will rebel.” Abraham required the obedience of Isaac in a drastic way and he demonstrated to his son that his first priority was to obey God.
  2. Isaac acts as an obedient child and submits to his father. We must remember that children are commanded to “obey their parents.” In fact, Paul lists those who are “disobedient to parents” as being worthy of death in Romans 1:30 right along many other sins we humanly classify as much worse. Isaac truly serves as a type of Jesus who willingly submitted to death on the cross trusting His Father. Isaac trusted in his father and that the Lord would provide (Gen. 22:8).
  3. Abraham obeyed despite the emotional damage that might have occured to Isaac. There is so much talk today about raising children with strong self-esteems and not emotionally scarring children. This is good, and we certainly are concerned about those factors in our children. But as parents, our first priority should be to obey God and His Word. We should not allow rationalizations about the child’s self-worth, peer-relationships, or educational pursuits to keep us from determining that obedience and faith to God comes first.

How many young teen boys or girls would play the role of Isaac today? How many of us parents would be willing to choose God over our son?

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/the-parenting-of-abraham/

Jan 14

Harnessing the Power of Influence

by_lisong24kobe @1992_dream_team_wallpaper_by_lisong24kobe-d58ja0k

by_lisong24kobe @
1992_dream_team_wallpaper_by_lisong24kobe-d58ja0k

David Gavitt was the President of USA Basketball in 1992. The USA Olympic basketball team had lost to the Soviets in 1988 coming home with a Bronze. Professionals had been allowed to play, but many questions remained. Would they give up two months during their summer when there was no pay for playing? Gavitt wanted to make the team a showcase, a phenomenon that would capture the curiosity of the rest of the world. In short, he wanted to build a “Dream Team.” But, how do you build dream team? For Gavitt it was pretty simple, he had to get the game’s three biggest stars – Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Michael Jordan.  Magic was excited and easy to get on board. Bird was at the end of his career experiencing extreme back pain and not able to perform to his desire. Michael was also non-committed. Gavitt, with the help of Magic, convinced Bird to go to Barcelona. Within days, with Magic and Larry on board, Michael joined the team. The team now went from a nice opportunity, to an extreme honor and a hotly, coveted position.  The other stars were eager to jump on board to what became known as “The Dream Team” that cruised to the Gold metal and became great ambassadors for the game of basketball (When the Game was Ours, by Larry Bird and Earvin Magic Johnson, p. 260-61).

David Gavitt used a simple principle we as Christian leaders should use more. Christians are like those NBA athletes;  they follow those who have influence. This is why leadership is so crucial. Campaign fundraisers use this principle by getting a lead group to announce their pledge amounts as a way of inspiriting others to give. People need to see that the leaders are committed and involved. This story has a couple of lessons for church work.  1) If you are putting together a new ministry and need wide-scale involvement, target a couple of the influencial members. Get their support and commitment before launching the ministry.  2) If you are a preacher, elder, or deacon you need to understand people are watching. Your actions and involvement influence others greatly. The church or ministry will seldom, if ever, rise about the leadership’s level of commitment and energy. Elders take opportunities to publicly support new projects and church ministries.  But most importantly, demonstrate your commitment by working hard, being present, and giving generously to the effort.  This is one reason, Peter taught elders to be an “example to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3).

We need to harness the power of influence for the good of the Kingdom. If we do, we can build some of our own “dream teams” to be great Ambassadors for Christ.

 

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/harnessing-the-power-of-influence/