Sep 11
This is the solemn anniversary of one of our great national tragedies. It has come to be represented with three numerals – 9-1-1. It is hard to believe it has been 13 years since that terrible September morning. Yet here in 2014, we continue to see more terroristic threats. Recently we have all been appalled at …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/because-of-who-their-god-is/
Jul 31
Newton Minnow a former chairman of the FCC made a ground breaking speech about the Vast Wasteland of TV in May 1961. You likely haven’t heard of it, but it is very applicable to today and a bit prophetic I believe. Here are some short excerpts of it. “Ours has been called the jet age, the …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/the-vast-wasteland-of-tv/
Jul 01
The apostle Peter says a “speechless donkey spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness” (2 Pet. 2:16). Peter is referencing the Old Testament story of Balaam who desired to curse Israel. He was rebuked in his actions by a donkey who God miraculously allowed to speak. What was the “madness” of Balaam? …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/stopping-the-craziness/
May 14
For what does your soul long? I asked some teen boys that last night. They said a variety of things. One heartbreakingly wanted his father who had passed away. Others said typical teen boy things like cars, college, graduation, and independence. I am sure girls were probably a part of the list too! John writes …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/the-longing-of-your-soul/
May 08
We have all heard the line, and we are all skeptical of it. It is the sentence that starts something like this: “I am not gossiping when I tell you this …” Often after the conversation, we don’t feel good about it! But there are some reasons for sharing negative information about others. In fact, …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/it-is-not-gossip-because/
May 06
Gossip or slander was condemned in the Old and New Testament.¹ Gossip is the spreading of rumors or idle, fruitless tales. It is usually negative and involves “juicy” details that incite our interest and curiosity. Proverbs talks gossip being the divulging of personal information and secrets.² Four Questions to Use in Helping You Identify Gossip. Is …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/just-what-is-gossip-anyways/
Oct 18
This week’s posts have been on holiness. The first one focused on our motivation for holiness and the second one compared a happy versus a holy marriage. This last post continues the family discussion. I ended the last post by asking: But, what if my spouse isn’t holy? What if my marriage is miserable? What …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/holiness-in-the-midst-of-struggling-families/
Oct 13
I have been guilty. Most other preachers are as well. We often teach God’s commandments and desires for our lives in this manner: This benefit is why you should obey this command. It may be an avoided consequence or a blessing gained. For example: We tell young people not to be sexually active because of STDs, …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/our-motivation-for-holy-living/
Oct 10
On Wednesday morning the Homeschool Group, to which my wife helps organize, went to the Pumpkin Barn here in Graves County, KY. There were over 60 of us in the group. My family has gone for several years with our church preschool. We love going each year. It is a beautiful country scene. The kids …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/generosity-what-i-learned-at-the-pumpkin-barn/
Sep 18
Some Eye Opening Statistics Being the father of four children, I have spent a few days in the maternity ward. I have been to enough maternity appointments and lived in this world long enough to know that not all babies are being born into a two parent family joined in the commitment of marriage. I …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/considering-unwed-birth-statistics/
