Feb 27
Every church struggles to get and keep volunteers. In most churches it goes something like this: Announce from the pulpit and run in the bulletin for a couple of weeks with no results. Finally an announcement from an elder or preacher shaming–begging–guilting someone into volunteering for the job gets someone. Yet, the church depends upon …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/shoulder-tapping-the-way-to-get-more-workers/
Jul 20
Our garden is in full harvest mode. I enjoy the bounty of the harvest; fresh sweet c orn, luscious red tomatoes, fried okra, and much more. My wife is working hard to pick and preserve the garden vegetables. She cans and freezes so we can eat good food all year. Gardening takes lots of work. …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/gardening-time-and-the-unbreakable-law/
Jun 05
Christianity is not a spectator sport. Sadly, many Christians can act like it is! We come sit in churches and watch the worship. We judge and discuss the performance of the preacher. We critique the singing. Then we leave only to return the next week to watch it all again. Most Christians are not actively …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/we-are-not-spectators/
Apr 17
Why do we do what we do? Most things we do with an expectation of getting something in return. Consider these questions . . . Why did you have the last people over to your house? Why did you give your wives flowers for your anniversary? What was your expectation when you helped a poor …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/loving-without-expectation/
Jan 07
A few weeks ago, I was visiting some close friends and church members in the emergency room. The brother had symptoms connected with heart problems, following a recent surgery. An ambulance was called and they were receiving care. The ER doctor wanted them to see a cardiologist. The nurse was telling us about the cardiologist …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/a-cardiologist-models-christ-like-service/
Feb 23
Why is it that we think hospitality is just for the ladies? One of the qualifications for an elder is “hospitable.” It seems that hospitality is a dying virtue in our busy culture. It was highly valued in Old Testament times. We see it displayed by Abraham, Lot, the widow of Zarephath to Elijah and …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/reviving-hospitality/
Oct 28
First Samuel chapters 4-6 tell the story of the Ark of God getting passed around from group to group all in an attempt to use God for their personal benefit. First, Israel brings the Ark out for a battle against the Philistines. They lose because of their wickedness and the ark is stolen. The Philistines …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/god-is-not-to-be-used-but-served/
Mar 02
I was reading through 2 Chronicles when this verse jumped out at me which was speaking about King Jehoram the son of Ahab and Jezebel. “He was thirty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. And he departed with no one’s regret. They buried him in the city …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/he-departed-with-no-ones-regret/
