Learning What it Means to Live

New Blog

2009-02-06T12:24:00.001-08:00

Finally, here it is:
http://preacherjosh.blogspot.com/

New Blog

2009-01-26T07:38:00.001-08:00

I'm in the process of creating a new blog site.
I'll let you know when it is launched.

Happy 28th

2009-01-22T06:50:00.001-08:00

Today, my best friend, and the love of my life, turns 28-years-old.
I can't believe that this will be the 9th birthday I have celebrated with her; the 7th as a married couple.
Each year gets better.
I have been blessed with some amazing friends, but there is no one that I would rather spend time with than my own wife.
I can still remember the doors opening in the back of the Greenlawn Church auditorium, and in walked the prettiest thing I've ever seen. She was absolutely stunning. The dress was perfect. The flowers were beautiful. Her smile was melting my heart. And I knew that I was entering into a deep relationship with a woman that I loved, and that I liked.
I made a promise to her on that stage that I would hit my knees every day in prayer for her. I have tried my very best to honor that commitment. It is such an honor praying over her, whether it be in the morning while she is still sleeping or throughout my day. She continues to blossom as a woman of God whose passion in life is to love and honor her Lord and Savior, Jesus.
I've worn a lot of titles in my life. I've been a son, brother, grandson, great-grandson, cousin, nephew, uncle, friend, captain of the football team, Mr. PHS, Cici's Cutter, Preacher, and dad. But other than being a sold-out-disciple, the greatest honor in my life is to be Kayci's husband.

Kayci, I love you for so many reasons. To count them all would take up all the room on this blog. You, Truitt, and the little one in your belly are my 1st Church and my 1st Ministry. You make me want to be a better dad, husband, minister, and follower of Jesus.

Happy Birthday!

Historical Day

2009-01-20T13:58:00.000-08:00

It was inspiring to watch millions of people gather in the frigid air to watch an historical moment in our nations history. (Yes, for a skinny white dude from Texas, 30 degrees is frigid!)

Whether you like Obama or not...whether you voted for him or not...whether you are a Republican or Democrat...to watch the inauguration was something that will be sketched into our memories forever.
Today, Obama was sitting a few feet away from Bush. They don't have much in common. If you were to put them in a room with ESPN, they could hang out for hours. They both loves sports. Put them in a political conversation and they aren't going to see eye-to-eye.

But today they both presented themselves in ways that showed respect to the other. For that, I applaud them.

To have Rick Warren lead our nation in prayer was a moving experience. When he ended with the Lord's Prayer chills went up my spine, and I didn't know if I wanted to drop on my knees and cry, or jump up and shout! Since I was in a room with my staff, I just clapped.

Let us persevere in prayer that God's kingdom will come.

Having Trouble Paying for a Degree?

2009-01-18T04:30:00.000-08:00

Here is an article that suggests an alternative to acquiring student loans. This young woman has attempted to raise money for her Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Natalie Dylan, 22, claims her offer of a one-night stand has persuaded 10,000 men to bid for sex with her.
Last September, when her auction came to light, she had received bids up to £162,000 ($243,000) but since then interest in her has rocketed.
The student who has a degree in Women's Studies insisted she was not demeaning herself.
Miss Dylan, from San Diego, California, USA, said she was persuaded to offer herself to the highest bidder after her sister Avia, 23, paid for her own degree after working as a prostitute for three weeks.
She said she had had a lot of attention from a wide range of men, including "weirdos", "those who get really graphically sexual about what they want to do to me" and "lots of polite requests from rich businessmen".
Miss Dylan said she did not think it was particularly significant to be willing to sell your virginity and insisted that she was happy to undergo medical tests for any doubters.
She said: "I get some men who are obviously looking for a girlfriend but I try and make it clear that this is a one-night-only offer.
"I know that a lot of people will condemn me for this because it's so taboo but I really don't have a problem with that.
"My study is completely authentic in that I truly am auctioning my virginity but I am not being sold into this. I'm not being taken advantage of in any way.
"I think me and the person I do it with will both profit greatly from the deal."
She added: "It's shocking that men will pay so much for someone's virginity, which isn't even prized so highly anymore."

This proves a couple of things:
1) Sex is no longer considered sacred. And Hollywood can't receive all the blame. We need more "sacred-sex-talk" in public arenas. We need more "sex-talk" from parents to kids.
2) So many men are hungry for cheap thrills. $3 million for a one-night-stand? Seriously!

Keep Getting Up

2009-01-16T07:22:00.000-08:00

How's this story for inspiration?

Jesus Will Mess You Up

2009-01-14T08:35:00.000-08:00

Luke 14 is full of unrest for any disciple or church who wants to take Jesus seriously.
Check it out:
Luke 14 begins with a story about Jesus at a Pharisee's home for a meal on the Sabbath.
The four words "Jesus" "Pharisee" "meal" and "Sabbath" are never a good combination. This is a sure recipe for a theological and social explosion.
To make things worse, 14:2 tells us that a man with dropsy appears at the table. Add an "unclean" person to an-already-prescription for disaster, and now we can hear the bell ring for Round 1.
To understand chapter 14 of Luke, one must understand 14:1-6, which means we must understand "dropsy."
Contrary to belief, dropsy is not a disease of dropping things. (Preacher humor)
Dropsy is an abnormal accumulation of fluid underneath the skin. It is an anomalous swelling of fluid in the body’s tissues.
With dropsy, there is an irregular “puffing up” that noticeably takes place on one’s body.
Understand what is happening here: all of the sudden, in front of Jesus, there is a man who is abnormally “puffed up,” and the Pharisees are focused on Jesus to see if he is willing to break the Sabbath in order to “un-puff” this guy.

*****

Get your mind around that before going on.

*****

Jesus "unpuffs" the man, but the question that drives this story is this, "Who are really the people in the story who are puffed up?

*****

The man with dropsy is showing physical signs of swelling, but the other people at the table:
1. The people who have outwardly cleaned their hands before eating but are carefully watching Jesus to see if he will break the Sabbath law

2. The people who have chosen to be religious with their heads only; not with their hearts
3. The people who refuse to do good on the Sabbath, but are determined to become Sabbath-judges and rule-watchers
…THESE are the people in the story who are puffed up.

Jesus heals the man who is abnormally "puffed" up, and now he is going to tell 3 stories to "unpuff" the people sitting with him at the table.
14:7-11--Jesus "unpuffs" their desire for recognition and honor.
14:12-14--Jesus "unpuffs" their desire to throw parties with strings attached. (What would it look like if a group of Christians, or even better--a church, threw a party like the one Jesus talks about here?)
14:15-24--Jesus "unpuffs" the unwillingness to RSVP to the invite to Kingdom-banquets

*****

Jesus left the house having done serious damage.
From healing a man with dropsy, to telling stories to “un-puff” the religious leaders with egos, Jesus left the people in a place where they could not remain the same.
1. Either they would spit on Jesus words and use his stories to fuel their anger.
2. They would allow his words to transform their lives…in essence…making them followers of Jesus himself

If you want to take Jesus seriously, I'm warning you, Luke 14 will mess you up!

Big News

2009-01-12T19:35:00.000-08:00

If you haven't heard, we are pregnant! We are about 8 weeks along and I'm dealing with daily nausea. Through it all I'm still thankful for this child, but hopefully the nausea will cease soon. Our families are incredibly supportive and we are excited about bringing a new baby into the world around August 26th. I'll keep you updated as the story develops.
We had a great Christmas in Lubbock, TX and then enjoyed time with Josh's family shortly there after. We had the pleasure of spending time with our dear friends, the Robertson family, who've just gained a newborn, Richard "Joshua" Robertson. He is precious and we are so proud of their whole family. Baby and mommy are doing great!
Here are some random pictures for your enjoyment. One of my new goals is to be better at posting pictures on this blog so that I won't get scolded by Debbie K. when I visit home. : )

Love, Kayci and Truitt

Christmas Morning - He received a talking Elmo!!
His new drum set that he LOVES

Truitt's first Mavs game. They came to town to play the Grizzlies. The mavs lost.

His new dance move. He waves his hands in the air, "like he just don't care"...

...and then freeze and point at daddy or mommy. SOOO cute!

Another Lil' Ross

2009-01-12T07:37:00.000-08:00

I was already excited about 2009 because of some exciting things happening in life and ministry.

But now, nothing compares to the excitement of knowing that we are expecting another child in August. Kayci has been very sick with this one, so we've had many tell us that this will be a girl. Neither of us care...we just want something healthy.

The people of SVC were thrilled to hear the news yesterday. During my first sermon back in June, I told them that I expected the church to love my family. Over the past 8 months I have witnessed people pour their lives into my wife and son. I am thrilled to have another child who will be nurtured by a vibrant faith community.

National Championship & MempHIS City

2009-01-07T15:23:00.000-08:00

I like Tim Tebow, but being a Big XII guy, I will be pulling for OU.

**************

The following was written by my good friend, and the director of Agape, David Jordan.

Dear Church Leaders,

Did you see the last page of the first section in the Commercial Appeal on Monday? It was rather striking and very disturbing to me. The Urban Child Institute of Memphis purchased this full page space and the first sentence for their article began with, “The rising number of children born to single mothers has helped push Memphis past the ‘tipping point.’” Attached is this article in 3 sections.

Here were some of the points noted in the attached article:

v 2008 saw 60% (or 3 out of 5) births in Shelby County to unwed mothers and fathers…an increase from previous years.

Of children born to single parents in Memphis…

Ø 2 out of 3 children will grow up in poverty.
Ø 1 out of 4 won’t graduate from high school
Ø 1 out of 10 will go to jail

As noted in this page-long article, “there has developed in Memphis an attitude of resignation about this issue and life style…” While my goal is not to be insensitive to single parents, as clearly many do unbelievable jobs in parenting, the fact and research continue to support how our city will not improve without significant focus, support and godly involvement in this area.

The “tipping point” is not just the unbelievably large number of children (9,000 of 15,000 in 2008) born to unwed parents, but possibly more so the resignation within most Christians that nothing can change this “reality” in Memphis. I just don’t believe it. I believe the Kingdom of God has a current and future reality that will not stand for this anymore, especially in Memphis!

I do not write to “demonize” these parents or their children. By no means. I write to us, the leaders of God’s people, who I believe MUST stand up and engage our city (and no longer leave it) and become Jesus incarnate in a life of someone(s) that will make the above statistics much less of a reality (if not eliminated altogether). We must view Memphis from a Kingdom perspective, not from what we typically hear and see…via newspaper, TV, friends, even our own experiences.

What if this really did become MempHIS City? What if the Kingdom of God did become a reality in Memphis (His reign in our hearts, souls and very beings)?

My fellow Church Leaders, I ask you to consider…

1. Praying about this and what it means to you and your congregation.
2. Feel free to call me and discuss and pray about it together. I do not profess to have answers, but God has clearly made this a part of my heartbeat.
3. Focus at least one of your sermons, classes, etc. (if not more) on these very matters and seek God’s heart for your congregation and flock.
4. Talk to me about our work with churches to assist them in being Jesus incarnate through transformative, personal relationships in the very community of your church…and in this city.

Blessings on each of you this New Year. I pray for the reign of God in Memphis and within our churches. I pray for MempHIS City.

8-Second-Rule

2009-01-07T07:33:00.001-08:00

Josh Hamilton has quickly become one of the greatest stories in all of sports.
If you want a good read, his book Beyond Belief is worth every page.
You can also watch his testimony at www.iamsecond.com. (A website that is full of testimonies of the grace, mercy, and power of God).

A few years back, Josh was drafted out of high school as the #1 pick by the Tampa Bay Rays. He was given a $4 million signing bonus. Not bad money for an 18-year-old. One week you are asking your parents for money to go to the prom...the next week you are buying your parents a house.

After a couple of years in the minor leagues, over 30 tattoos, and a few nagging injuries, the squeaky-clean Josh Hamilton who had never had a taste of alcohol and had never tried drugs, went out with a few guys one night...a night in which he had his first sip of beer and his first sniff of cocaine. He was hooked.

His addiction lasted 4 years and cost him over $600,000.

At one point in his book, he mentions that for all addicts, there is an 8-second-rule. Studies have shown that if you think a thought and allow the thought to stay in your mind over 8-seconds, then you are most likely going to act upon the thought.
Therefore, you have 8-seconds to allow God to "take captive every thought."

His story is one of brokenness, pain, and the power of God. Check it out!

God Values Relationship

2009-01-04T08:13:00.000-08:00

True or False: God values relationship more than obedience.

I have learned, and am still learning, that we can be obedient to most (if not all) of Scripture without it coming from a deep relationship with God.

To attempt obedience without a relationship is not in the will of God.

Would you agree?

Texas High School Football

2008-12-31T14:54:00.000-08:00

This is a must see clip.

Tyler John Tyler vs. Plano East (1994).

Plano East was winning 42-17 with approximately 2:42 left.

The commentators won an ESPY award.

Check it out!

Finally Better

2008-12-29T07:50:00.000-08:00

I think I had a health-break-through last evening.
Kayci and I were on a date night in Austin, TX, and we chose to eat at Texas Land & Cattle.
I ate:
-At least 5 pieces of bread with extra butter
-8 jalapeno peppers with melted cheese...dipped in Ranch
-A salad with Ranch Dressing
-A 10-0z steak with peppercorn sauce
-Mashed potato with everything but Sour Cream

I woke up this morning feeling great...so I think I'm ready for hot sauce.

Wishing all...

2008-12-27T15:00:00.000-08:00

...a terrific holiday season.

We have already driven nearly 1,500 miles and we have a few more to go.

The family is healthier...though I can't seem to completely shake the stomach bug. I have yet to dive into a bowl full of hot sauce, but the day is coming soon.

The Virus From Hell

2008-12-22T06:11:00.000-08:00

I am convinced that hell is going to be a continual case of the 24-hour stomach virus. Maybe we should begin to use that as an evangelistic weapon.

Yesterday was the 2nd time in my 7 years of preaching that I came down with the virus on a Saturday night before preaching a Christmas sermon.

I preached...but from a stool. I had no energy. Gratefully, God is always faithful!

The bad thing about getting sick before a Christmas sermon is that if you can't preach it, you have to wait 52 weeks to preach it again. It's not like you can turn around the first weekend in January and preach the Christmas sermon you had prepared a couple of weeks back.

Does Paul Know What He's Talking About?

2008-12-19T06:56:00.000-08:00

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Indeed, we live as human beings, but we do not wage war according to human standards; for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have the divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.

*****

These words have transformed me over the past few months.

This phrase won't let me go--"the divine power to destroy strongholds."

*****

I think E.M. Bowers is right, when he wrote in 1906:

"The church is looking for better methods...God is looking for deeper people."

"The church is looking for better organization and novel methods...but God is looking for people of prayer...people who are mighty in prayer."

"The Holy Spirit doesn't flow through methods, but people."

"The Holy Spirit doesn't anoint plans, but people."

*****

This is not a rhetorical question, but a question worth pondering as individuals and as churches--"Do we pray as people who believe in God's power to destroy strongholds right here and now?"

Having Healthy Eyes

2008-12-16T20:03:00.000-08:00

Jesus takes a moment to remind his followers that having healthy eyes is vital to the life of a disciple.
Luke 11:34, "Your eye is the lamp of your body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light; but if it is not healthy, your body is full of darkness."

Let's put the text in context while asking this question, "What does it mean to have healthy eyes?"

Back-up to 11:14. Jesus drives out a demon that was mute.
However, what drives the story isn't that Jesus has the power to drive out demons.
Instead, what drives the story is the question, "By what power is Jesus driving out demons?"
Some where claiming that Jesus was driving out demons by Beelzebul (aka--Satan himself). Jesus uses logic to dismiss this claim. The idea of Satan driving out Satan is ludicrous.

Others wanted another sign. They saw Jesus as a magician with the power to amaze the masses.
This is where they are clearly wrong.
While Jesus never met a demon he couldn't drive out or a disease he couldn't cure; he also met skeptics he couldn't convince and sinners he couldn't convert.
Jesus never turned people away who came to him asking for healing.
However, Jesus always turned down opportunities to "WOW" people with his power. Never do we see this more than on the cross. Jesus wasn't in the business of performing miracles in order to amaze crowds.
In fact, rarely do miracles seem to produce faith. Miracles usually cultivate a greater appetite for more signs.

11:14-32 is a story about people who want their EYES to SEE Jesus do something spectacular.

Then we have these words from Jesus in 11:34, "Your eye is the lamp of your body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light; but if it is not healthy, your body is full of darkness."

After 11:34, we have this story in 11:37-38, "While he was speaking, a Pharisee invited him to dine with him; so he went in and took his place at the table. The Pharisee was amazed TO SEE that he did not first wash before dinner."

Here, we have a Pharisee who has trained his EYES to watch people in order to make sure that they are doing religion right.
When Christianity becomes all about "doing religion right" and intellect; it becomes a very dangerous thing.

On one hand--there are people who want TO SEE Jesus do the spectacular, even though they have already seen miracles.
On the other hand--there are people who want TO SEE people in order to make sure they are "doing right."

In the middle are the words of Jesus--"Your eyes is the lamp of your body..."

So, how healthy are your eyes?
Are you always searching for proof of God's existence? Are you always wanting God to do the spectacular?
Have you watered down Christianity to the physical?
What attractions in this world are serving as your distractions?

The Pit Called Consumption

2008-12-13T10:30:00.001-08:00

Time for a gut check. Watch...be inspired and convicted...and remember the value of simplicity.

God of this City

2008-12-11T13:18:00.001-08:00

This is one of the best songs around right now. It ushers into the heart of God.

Over the past few weeks God has affirmed my calling to Memphis.
My calling was more than just me becoming the Preaching Minister at SVC.
It was a calling to be a voice for God in the city of Memphis.

102 Fever Isn't that Bad

2008-12-09T13:08:00.000-08:00

He woke up with a runny nose on Monday morning. The poor kid doesn't know how to blow his nose yet, so Kayci and I wiped it dozens of times yesterday.
He is just now learning how to cover his mouth when he coughs and to turn his head when he sneezes. When your 19-month-old sneezes while eating chocolate teddy grams, your sweatshirt reaps the benefits.
The worst day in my life as a dad came on December 22, 2007. Kayci and I were exchanging presents on the end of our bed with Truitt (6 months old at the time) sitting beside us. He made a sudden move and before we knew it, he was on his way to the floor. We felt like the worst parents in the world.
He refused to lift his arm why crying hysterically for an hour.
I tried to get Kayci to wait until the Maverick game was over to take him to the ER, but she insisted that we leave right then. (I am totally joking!)
We waited for about an hour in the ER, at 10:15 at night, in Houston, TX. The wait time was approximately 4 hours! As we looked around the ER, we saw kids coughing, sneezing, wheezing, and pale-faced. We left thinking that a few hours in the waiting room at the ER was just going to make him worse.
The next morning we went to our doctor, and long-story-short, he just had a bruised collarbone.

Truitt woke up this morning with an awful cough and a 102 fever.
And...I have spent time thanking God.
In 19 months, the only other time we have had to take our son to the doctor (other than a check-up) was when he fell off a bed a few days before his first Christmas.
A few minutes from my home in Memphis is St. Jude's hospital. For me, I am grateful for bruised collar bones, a respiratory virus, and a fever.

I will pray for Truitt's healing, but I will also thank God for 19 healthy months.

Sports...Sports...and Sports

2008-12-08T07:18:00.000-08:00

The Cowboys blew it yesterday. Had the Steelers in the palm of their hand going into the 4th quarter and blew it.

The Mavericks have turned it around this season and are playing some great ball. However, they will be good for a 6-8 seed and won't be able to make it past the 2nd round of the playoffs.

The Huskers are 8-4...are playing in a New Year's Day Bowl (Gator Bowl)...and have a chance to get to 9 wins. They were two plays away from being 10-2. I'll take it!

I still haven't been to a Memphis Tigers game yet, but I'm hoping to pretty soon.

Sam Bradford will win the Heisman, but Colt is just as deserving.

This is funny--Colt McCoy was awarded the Offensive Player of the Year in the Big XII, but he was also 2nd Team All Big XII.

Most Influential People

2008-12-04T08:01:00.001-08:00

There is no right or wrong answer...but I'm curious:

Who are your top 3 most influential people in America?

"When Was the Last Time?"

2008-12-03T07:01:00.000-08:00

The following was an article written by my mentor and good friend, Mike Cope.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME?

When was the last time a Christian college named a blue collar worker with a modest income to its Board of Trustees because he or she was a devoted follower of Jesus with much wisdom to offer?
When was the last time Robert Schuller bumped a celebrity from his television program to interview an elderly widow who gives generously from her Social Security check?
When was the last time special visits were made by the ministers and elders to an unemployed family, encouraging them to "place membership" at their congregation?
When was the last time one of our institutes of higher learning named a building for someone who never was able to give $100 but who modeled the life of costly discipleship?
When was the last time the shepherds of a church confronted someone over a covetous, materialistic lifestyle?
When was the last time a brother or sister was disfellowshipped for being greedy (1 Cor.5:11)?
When was the last time a church moved from the suburbs to the heart of the city to try to reach the poor?
When was the last time a Christian family "downscaled," not because they couldn't make their high payments any more but because those high payments stretched them to the point of being unable to contribute to the church or to help people in need?
When was the last time a confession was read at church confessing love of money?
When was the last time a Christian "made it big" without it affecting the size of their house of the model of their car?
When was the last time a Christian college named as their "alumnus of the year" a single mother who, out of great love for God and her children, had managed to juggle both a secretarial job in the marketplace and a parenting job at home?
When was the last time we really listened to the haunting words of Jesus: "a person's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions" (Luke 12:15)?
And when was the last time we faced up to the piercing implications of James 2:1: "as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism"?

We Arrived

2008-12-01T20:07:00.001-08:00

After 9 hours on the road, we arrived in Memphis around 7:00pm tonight. Though Truitt had his moments, he did pretty well. Hey, I don't blame him. It would be torture to be strapped into a seat for that long, especially after 17 days with grandparents.
Please pray for us as we prepare for a full week of detox with our son. :)

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of preaching at Highland Oaks in Dallas. I worked at this church back in 2000 and 2001. This church has played a pivotal role in forming me in my life, my faith, and my ministry.
I will admit that it was pretty intimating preaching the week before Randy Harris fills the pulpit for 4 weeks.

Tomorrow, I am back to work:
-Preaching from Luke 11
-Planning worship (something Kip and I do every Tuesday...one of the highlights of my week)
-Praying for vision for 2009
-Preparing a two part Wednesday night class I'm teaching on racial reconiliation (one of my deepest passions)
-And booking lunch appointments over the next 3 weeks
-Oh...and working through 9 days of emails (at least an hour long task)