Big News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.