Wow! What a day... just watched the Gators lose (twice is nice!) to Auburn... this weekend the number 3,4,5, and 7 teams in the country lost. That is why college football is so great! Any game, any team can win...now if only USC could lose... I can't stand them!
By the way, my Canes won... but not by much...but at least they weren't upset! I wonder if we will be ranked now...
So that was Saturday. Sunday,tomorrow, I will be at Pembroke Pines at 8:30a, in Hollywood at 10a, and then at North Miami at 11a. I am speaking at the Pines and North Miami campuses on Paradox, the opposites that make up the kingdom of God, the life Jesus calls us to. It is exciting to serve at Oasis Church... you never know where you will be each week!
Speaking of North Miami, I will be needing your prayers as we put together the teams in the next few weeks. Some of you, I will be approaching to go with me as a launch team. Now, some people, when challenged to do something, use this phrase..."Let me pray about it". Don't give me that line! I want you to pray about it NOW and then be ready when the challenge is issued. (By the way, that line about prayer is irrelevant when what is being asked is a command by God - like the great commission, or great commandment, or serving those in need, etc... - just so we are on the same page!)
More to follow... until then, Go Cowboys!
Ryan celebrated his birthday today as he is one week old... Zach and I sang to him! Ryan is doing pretty well...sleeping, eating, pooping... he is livin' the dream!
Speaking of eating... we have been getting some awesome meals this week... I think I have gained 5 pounds already...
Saturday - Ranelle Walkenhorst brought chicken, rice, salad & these cream cheese desert things
Monday - Chris Bucher brought filet mignon, potatoes, and brownies
Tuesday - Vanessa Cook brought chicken stew filled with tons of veggies
Wednesday - Suzie McCord brought spaghetti and salad and lemon bars
It has been awesome! I am considering having a baby every month (please don't tell Jeanine this idea!). Thanks so much for all the food...it has been wonderful!
Not sure what the rest of the week has in store, but I will blog about it!
Yesterday, we announced to the campuses in Hollywood and North Miami, that I will leaving as the campus pastor in Hwd and will be taking on the leadership of Oasis North Miami. Over the last week, several meetings were had with those who lead and serve at different levels in Hollywood. Over and over, I used words like "bittersweet" to describe how I am feeling.
I am sad to leave Hollywood after being there the last 2 1/2 years. I have enjoyed friendships, laughter, challenges, victories, and growth as a person and leader. I have experienced serving with people who love God, love His church, and truly love the people around them. I have been stretched in many ways by all the "characters" in Hollywood and related how everytime I go to Hollywood, the story grows (in fact, the tagline for my blog is a story from Hollywood... a funny one! I will share it later...). So, that is the bitter part.
At the same time, this change is sweet, totally exciting to me! I believe that we have an amazing opportunity to grow as a church and to grow the kingdom of God in North Miami and throughout south Florida. This is something that God has dropped in our laps and the potential is wide open. I am looking forward to building something brand new, knowing that my faith will be stretched and that I will have to learn new ways to lead and love people. The way I am wired, I believe I need new challenges and new directions to force me not to rely on the way I used to do things... the rut is not good! At the same time, I believe Ben is the right person for Hollywood and will lead that in new ways and bring a fresh perspective to our church on US1.
So... we move forward. I believe that our best days of ministry, growth, and seeing people far from God find Him are still ahead of us as Oasis Church. I don't know if I am ready for it... and that is exactly why I need to do it!
"when I am weak... He is strong!"
Brought Jeanine and Ryan home today... Zachary is glad mommy is home and mildly excited that we brought the baby home (although, in his defense, the love is growing!)So, things are getting to be a little exciting here! In fact, for the first time, I said something about "me and the boys", and it kind of hit me... wow, two sons! (I know, I am kind of slow). I can't believe that God has blessed our family this way and we are already praying that these boys will grow to be MEN who love God and fight for justice and protect those who are innocent and will honor the women in their lives... that they will be more then just "good guys"... we don't need more "good guys" in this world; instead we need "Godly guys"!
So, the burden is on me to live as more then a good guy before my sons. Will I do it? Will I keep trying, even after I stumble and fall? Will I lean on my own understanding and will I trust the One who holds time in His hands and knows the beginning and the end.
As I was leaving the hospital, one of the nurses said "congrats" and I replied "pray for us"! She laughed but I was serious... (sidenote: I was in the nursery at the hospital and the radio there was playing "God of Wonders"... how cool that those little, days old babies were already having church and worshipping God!).
I am asking you to pray for us also...seriously!
I will be a dad for the second time!
Random thoughts as I try to get ready to go to bed...
-Hard to believe Zach is already 2 1/2 years old and going to be a big brother...
- if you are a multiple kid family, any wisdom you can pass on to us that might help with the transition of only child to multi child would be awesome!
-had a few moments with Jeanine tonight, just the two of us, enjoying some Coldstone Creamery! I know it might be a while before that will happen again... (not the ice cream but a lil date with my wife!)
- decided on a name last night... you will find out tomorrow!
- at the same time, this pregnancy has gone really fast and taken a long time... at least for me! Jeanine would say she has been pregnant forever!
- God has allowed us to get to this point, already knows what my son looks like, knows what he will be doing 30 years from now, and loves him more than I ever will... wow!
Ok, gotta try and get some sleep!
Man, just the words "weekend off" sound awesome! I am excited to have a few days to relax with the family. Hoping to enjoy a restful Saturday morning going on Dunkin Donut run with my son, Zachary (he loves the glazed munchkins!) and then taking him to see my parents for a few hours. Gonna finish the nursery details (my second son is coming in 4 days... woohoo!) and anything last minute from the list. Looking forward to watching the Canes open up a can on FIU about 3:30pm! Finally, looking forward to my in-laws coming in... we all miss them and are glad they will be here to celebrate the birth this week.
Speaking of that, Jeanine has been awesome! I can't believe how much work it is to be pregnant... and she has done an amazing job handling everything... in fact, today was her last day of work. I know she is looking forward to being un-pregnant... I definitely married an amazing woman!
Sunday, we'll probably chill a little, spend some time together as family (hey, I can go to church anytime this week at 7NOW!), and then head out (with my bro) to the game... the Miami Dolphins and my team, THE DALLAS COWBOYS! This will be my fourth game and I have NEVER seen them WIN in person... sooner or later, it's gonna happen! Will it be this weekend??
On Tuesday, the whole staff of Oasis Church went down to North Miami (we are in the process of beginning a new campus there... number 3!) Always a fun time getting together, sharing a meal (seafood at Captain Jim's!), seeing a new vision that God is doing all around us.
After touring the buildings and future campus of Oasis Church, we loaded up and went to Starbucks (although not Dunkin Donuts, it is a close second!). There we took our staff picture (have to back up a long ways to get us all in!) and enjoyed some coffee (Pumpkin Spice latte... the fall is here!) and drinks.
Headed back to the place where our new campus will be (let's just say the calamari and conch from earlier were NOT getting along) and then took in a meeting with a contractor for our own personal version of Flip That House.
So, why write all this?
1. I want to remember
2. Have a great team and staff that has grown over the years
3. The vision is great and the need greater
4. Been issued a personal challenge that I will reveal in the next few days... can't wait to see what God will do!
Yesterday marked the 6th anniversary of the day that changed our lives in the USA (and the whole world). I remember going to work and hearing on the radio that a plane had hit one of the towers of the WTC. It was speculated that it was a small commuter plane and probably an accident. Then, just a few minutes later, I heard them say another plane had hit the other tower and the events began to sink in for all of us.
Yesterday, I heard a radio host replay his show from that day...and I had to turn it down as even the hearing it again was too much reliving the pain, the sacrifice, and emotion of the day.
Yesterday, I was in a meeting and we heard this loud roar overhead get closer and closer. In a moment of panic, I nearly jumped under the conference table!! What I thought was an airplane coming into our building was actually a military jet (or two) screaming at a low altitude to some location. Fearing the worse, we quickly checked our internet and fortunately, found nothing... no breaking news, no new attack...
Yesterday, reminds of us why we are are here today. And that we are to pray for our country, our world, our enemies (yes, all of them), for peace, and that we would see God's will be done in heaven and on earth.
Let's never forget the past but let's not live there either... carpe diem!
It is finally here!
It is Monday Night and I am watching a second NFL game! At this point, all other sports could stop being played! I mean, it's finally FOOTBALL TIME!
Seriously, this is the best time of year... though I never actually played football in HS, college, or NFL, I love this sport! Maybe, it's because of the battle, the competition that is different then other sports. Maybe, it is the intensity of the coaches and players. Maybe, it's because of Fantasy Football and enjoying every NFL game as it impacts your draft picks and team and allows you to personally cry or make fun of your opponent. Maybe, it's because it makes me want to get out with the guys and play some football for fun.
Now, that being said... it is also a tough time of year. For instance, it is tough being a fan when your team is in trouble (any fellow Hurricane fans agree? At least my Dallas Cowboys have it all together... yeah right!) It is also awful to see athletes get seriously injured on "normal" plays (please join me in praying for Kevin Everett and his family as he recovers from surgery on his spinal cord).
Probably the biggest proof that this is the greatest time of year is the fact that this season goes by the quickest! Before you know it, the Super Bowl will be over, and we all will be enduring Spring Training and the NHL... gotta get back to MNF!
Yes, my very own domain name... ask me again and I'll tell you the same.
Why? Are there not enough blogs and opinions by other people in this world? Yes, but there aren't enough GOOD blogs or opinions that I agree with!
So, what is the point? I will be using jeremyhigdon.com as a chance to journal, remember the details, think out loud, hear from others in my world, grow, help others seek and find, and basically live, learn, and lead with the days given to me.
So, thanks for joining me. I look forward to the journey!
