JeremyHigdon.com

Please pray for my friend Shannon...

In recent months and weeks, from time to time, I would ask for you (the faithful readers of this blog...both of you!) to pray for my friend Shannon...she lives in North Carolina with her husband and two boys. She and I went to Libery University together and graduated in 1996. There are several of us who have kept in touch over the years and remain friends to this day. She has been battling cancer for over a year now and she had brain surgery last month.

Well, things have gone downhill when it comes to her health... I have included this most recent update that came today and was written by her close friend...

Shannon has slipped into a coma and is totally unresponsive at this point. We are trying to keep her comfortable at this time. The Hospice nurse came by this morning. She thinks that within the next 24-48 hours Shannon will go and meet her Creator. The Hopice Nurse said she can probably still hear us, so we have been singing, reading and talking to her. Please pray for God's mercy.
The boys are still in South Carolina. Please pray for them. Pray for stamina and strength for Roy has he cares for the boys. Please also pray for wisdom as he answers questions and comforts the boys...and prepares for the days ahead.
Please also pray for Tom, Gloria, Bob, Cheri and Mildred. They have been caring for Shannon around the clock. Please pray for strength and stamina for them as well. Please pray for peace and comfort...honestly I don't know what all to ask you to pray for, but just lift them up. As you can imagine this has been physically, emotionally and spiritually exhausting, and there are still some long hard days ahead.

Please pray for Shannon and her family. Please go home and hug your spouse and kids and let them know you love them. Please allow God to be in charge of your life and your only source of salvation. Thanks for doing these things!

It is ironic that we are in the middle of a teaching series called "30 Days To Live". Life (this side of heaven) is incredibly short. It was when I first heard about Shannon's cancer diagnosis a year ago that God really began to work in my heart and changed the idea of church planting from "someday" to "let's do it sooner then later".  What needs to happen in your life sooner then later??

Slow Posting Week...

This week, things are flying by and I have not had the chance to post like I normally do.... I am sorry for that! I wanted to make sure that www.oasisnfl.org was properly updated, so I focused on that this week. Please go check it out!

Starting later today, on Saturday, we officially kick-off our HUGE push for fundraising for our church plant in Jacksonville. We are inviting people to join "The 600" ....600 partner families who will pray and invest with and in us as we step out in faith in just a few weeks. To further explain it, we are asking for 300 families to invest a one-time gift of $300 (or $25/ month). We are seeking 200 families to give $200 and 100 families to partner with $100 (for a grand total of 600 families).

By completing our target of 600 families, we will have enough prayer and funds for purchasing the needed resources (sound system, video, children's ministry, first impressions, etc...), effectively marketing the launch to thousands of people in the area, and our family will have the needed support for the first year (we will not pull a salary from the new church until it is established).

Will you be part of "The 600"? For more info and to join in, please click here!

Weekend Update

- wow, recovering from a crazy weekend!

-Found out some awesome news about the place we were trying to rent in Jacksonville for our church plant services...go check it out here!

-Thursday, had family come in town (from Newnan and Dawsonville, Ga and Jax, Fl) for a big birthday celebration...crowded house! But loved seeing everybody...

-Friday, Ryan turned 1...he seemed to like everybody singing to him and being the center of attention...what a ham!

Also took the Expedition to Carmax and they gave me enough money to pay off what I owed and even some left over...thank you Jesus! What a great answer to prayer...

-Friday night, went over to my parents house and spent a few hours laughing and talking with Jonathan, Charissa, Wally, and Jenny and my parents...that was fun

- Saturday, spent the morning running to Bj's, the Party store, the Dollar store, and Chik-fil-a getting ready for the big party...Zachary was tired but he was a trooper the whole time!

-Party from 2 - 4ish pm...about 35 people (friends and family), a Spiderman bounce house, a swimming pool, a Baby Einstein Lion Cake, lots of food...what more can you say?? Ryan seemed to enjoy it too...he is so good and easy going (as long as you feed him and let him sleep....hhmmm...sounds like me!).

-Spent the evening unwinding, opening gifts, playing with dart guns, watching the Canes look better then they have in years, and went to Pines Ale House for wings and football....

-Sunday, spoke at the 9am and NoMi on the topic of "Fighting for Peace", week 2 of 30 Days to Live...confessed that I was really preaching to me and letting everyone listen in... I hate to admit it but I needed this sermon...God has a way of saying exactly what I need to hear...I just need to listen and obey!

-Dedicated 9 babies (and we dedicated Ryan as well) at Oasis NoMi...what a great picture to see parents committing to raise their children to worship and follow Jesus!

-Fantasy Football was ok...except my opponent had Ronnie Brown in one of the leagues...are you kidding me? It looked like the 'Fins and Patriots switched uniforms...but, hey good for the Dolphins!

-Speaking of teams that looked good this weekend, anybody see the Cowboys beat the Pack? Just wondering...

Ryan turns 1 today!

Hard to believe, as I write this, that a year ago at this time, I had never held Ryan! Can't believe how quick this year has gone by...it seemed like Zachary's first year lasted forever...I guess that is how it goes as your family grows!

We got a big party planned for Saturday but his actual birthday is today. He has changed our lives with his smiles, his desire to try new things (he is in a HURRY to grow up), his eating habits (everything...he begs!), and his walking all over the house. He has made Zachary a great older brother (they are beginning to play together more and more) and he been such a good baby that Jeanine and I are still half way seriously contemplating more (which is a good thing!).

And, absolutely one of my highlights each day, is coming home, kissing Jeanine, and playing with my 2 boys and having a blast laughing together...

Happy Birthday Ryan! We love you!

30 Days To Live - Part 2

This past week, we kicked off our 30 Days To Live teaching series at Oasis. In fact,I mentioned my day of dying would be on a Monday in November in 2069. You can find your day at deathclock.com! Kinda sobering, reality check, right?

We were talking about 30 days at our last staff meeting and Guy asked us what we would do if we were given the diagnosis of only a few days left...most all of our answers went back to spend time with family and friends.

Ranelle (our office manager) said that she would write letters to her grandkids and loved ones.

Joel, Ben, and I said that we would take the video camera and talk to our kids and teach them about life and use that to tell them we love them.

I shared how I would drink some really good wine (gotta get ready for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb!) and eat some really good food with Jeanine and really enjoy life and be grateful for each moment that I had remaining with them. I talked about watching a lot less tv if I knew the time remaining was short.

Kevin talked about buying 30 t-shirts and have a countdown shirt for each day left...day 29, day 28...that was funny!

But, seriously, that was hard to think about...but I think important and the question we will keep going back to throughout this series is, why wait? Why wait to live like that...and why not live for the really important things now?

What a day!

Really had a great day yesterday, maybe the best Monday ever!

Got up really early and went to Alex Martija's (Mar-TEE-ha!) house, just down the street from the former location of the Orange Bowl (may it rest in peace). Jumped in his truck and took off for Key Biscayne. Launched the boat and headed out to sea for a day of fishing and relaxing. For those who don't know, Alex and his family have been part of our church for many years. He owns and runs True Vine Landscaping (contact me if you are looking for somebody in SoFla!). Alex also headed up our Re:NoMi project in March.

It was during this project that we began to talk about going fishing together...we have been talking for six months! With time being short for us here in SoFla and with the kickoff message of "30 Days To Live" being called "Live in the Moment", we decided to go ahead and quit talking and do it! The fishing was a little slow but it was absolutely beautiful out on the water...amazing to take in the Miami skyline from the ocean! Thanks Alex for a great time fishing!

Got home and spent the evening with the family and then watched an absolutely amazing MNF game between the Cowboys and the Eagles...finally great to see a Cowboys defense make a stand when it counted (unlike previous years)...how bout dem Cowboys??

 

Weekend Update

Wow, had a lot happen this weekend...most of it was pretty good.

-Friday, went to TY Park in Hollywood (Sheridan and Park) for a little bit...did a little kite-flying and let Zachary play on the slide...unfortunately, it had rained and he slid right into a mud puddle! Proud of him as he shook it off pretty well...

-went to grandparents for some Papa John's and to run his clothes through the dryer...and finished the trip off with the bargain hunting excursion to the dollar store for goodies for Ryan's party

-Saturday, spent time playing outside with the boys, shooting the water guns, and ended up playing with the neighbors kids as well...it was pretty surreal as they have lived there for almost a year but we have never had any real interaction with them due to a big language difference...but worked out pretty well...

-Saturday night, spoke at Baby Dedication for 27 kids from 23 families...tough crowd! HA! But really cool to be part of and challenge the parents to commit to lead their kids to follow Jesus

-Spoke at Saturday night service as we kicked off the "30 Days To Live" series...message one was about Living in the Moment and the challenges included "turn when into now" and "turn whole heart toward God"...going to be an interesting series

-Sunday morning, found out we had limited power at NoMi campus, including no a/c! We found out from FPL that the transformer was messed up and would not be fixed in time...shortened the worship and the teaching and were done about 35 minutes after we began...hey, our people might get used to that!

-compared to churches in Haiti, Cuba, Louisiana, and Texas after their bouts with Hurricane Ike, we didn't have it so bad

-started having a really bad Fantasy Football day, but turned it around later in the day...whew!

-I am tired...and gotta long day on Monday...'night!

Wow... seven years ago today...

Hard to believe that much time has passed since our nation was attacked... I will never forget hearing the news on the way to work that a plane had hit one of the Twin Towers...and about an hour later watching them fall to the ground. It is amazing to think how united we became in the face of attack. One of the memories is the whole Congress, standing together, singing "God Bless America" (I don't think they have agreed on anything since!).

I am also grateful we had President Bush in office. While his "approval rating" is low, and he gets the blame for far more than he deserves (oil prices, real estate, Starbucks closings, fat calories in hamburgers, you name it he gets the blame!) he was a leader at the time we needed a leader most. Now, before people jump on me, let me be clear that I have not agreed with everything he has done. But, that is what a true leader does...he/ she makes decisions and stands by them, in spite of people not liking it, and takes responsibility for the task at hand. I wonder if either of the two candidates is a strong enough leader to do the same or will they changes their minds to up their approval ratings (which is a scary thought since we are asking the position of President to LEAD!).

I am grateful to have people in all areas of our nation make tough decisions to keep our nation safe from further attacks. I am grateful to our armed forces, who even now at this very moment, are putting their lives on the line to defend freedom. I am grateful we can remember and honor the lives of those who were lost that day, and continue to lose their lives to terrorists all over the globe. I am grateful for our firefighters and police officers who protect and rescues. I am grateful for the USA...we are not perfect but there is the opportunity to live as free people and that can never be taken for granted.

   

Baptism in NoMi

This past weekend, at all our services and campuses, we had a baptism emphasis as part of the teaching, called "Crispus Cremus", based on Acts 18:8. We talked about how baptism is an act of obedience that is done by people who have put their faith in Jesus as their Lord and Savior... that it is not salvation but instead an active sign that you are following Christ. It is part of the Great Commission and is our job to teach, baptize, go, tell, and make disciples. It was an exciting weekend as 52 people made the decision to get baptized! Some were prepared ahead of time...some actually made the decision during the church service. We had clothes and towels on hand so that as many as possible would be able to go public with their faith that day.

In NoMi, we baptized 8 people!! What on awesome moment to share with our church and to celebrate people letting us know that they have put their trust in Christ and are on mission with us as fellow disciple-makers. The last time, I brought the portable baptistry over from our Pines campus. But this time, we were going to use that one in Hollywood. So I had to come up with another solution. Lo and behold, the wonderous inflatable pool!

Here is the scenario...Friday night, about 10pm, Wal-mart in Cooper City. Water bottles are flying off the shelf, people are starting to panic and get their storm supplies as Hurricane Ike is heading toward us. There is Jeremy, purchasing a pool and air pump, on clearance! Pretty funny...

Fast forward to Sunday morning...just before 9am I arrive at NoMi and start opening boxes and spreading the pool out and realizing how big this pool is (12 ft wide and 30" deep)...inflate the top ring and start putting the water in...wow, this is gonna take a while! I run and get another hose and add that to the pool and start assembling the included ladder...finally (an hour and a half later!) the pool is nearly full, the ladder is ready, and hallelujah, there are no leaks (I was kinda nervous)!

Wal-mart pool - $79

Air pump - $7

Set-up - 2 hours

8 people getting baptized and Jesus being obeyed - priceless!

30 Days To Live - Part 1

Ok, I know, I am showing an Oprah clip!! But this is Randy Pausch reprising a lecture he gave at his university entitled, "The Last Lecture". He is talking about childhood dreams and how to live your life and he explains to us that he is dying and only has a few months left...

The reason I am talking about this is we are beginning a new series called, "30 Days To Live" this weekend at Oasis Church. We are all going to die...and yet, we act like it will never be our time or that we have tons of time left. But what if you really knew your time was limited? How would we live today differently? What would we start doing or stop doing? Watch this and let's keep the conversation going...