Customer Service - Part 3

Ok, so I was ranting a little bit ago about customer service and wondering why it is so hard to get really good service...

For instance, about 2 weeks ago on a Monday, my brother and I went to the Tux place in the mall to get fitted for Jenny's wedding coming up next week. We go in to the store and there is this person (I guess the assistant manager) working on checking in tuxedos from the weekend. Now, to give her the benefit of the doubt, it is prom season. I get it...but what do we represent? New customers! The stuff she is doing has already been bought and paid for and returned...so she says to us, "you will have to wait while I check these in". I said, "we will go get lunch and come back" and she agreed (now, go with me on this...do you EVER let a customer walk away? Do you ever tell a customer to wait? If this was a web checkout, would you ever use that website again?).

But, it's one of those things where I needed it so I had to put up with it. Jonathan and I eat a delicious Chik-Fil-A lunch and return to find our great assistant manager helping out other customers. After an eternity, she finally wraps up what she is doing (including apparantly training a new guy) and comes over and takes our info. She proceeds to leave us and go help new customers walking in the store...when she was not done with us! Anyway, she comes back and hands us off to the previously mentioned new guy (who does not know how to measure) for us to get fitted...not good! After laughing our way through this (and having the asst man come back and re-measure us), we finally get to the point of checking out, when we are left once again to go and help others who just walked in...I am literally standing there, ready to pay, and can't get anyone to take my money...

We walked away saying that we definitely need to pick up the tux early because we KNOW that they will not fit after those measurements. The thing that is so frustrating is, THIS IS WHAT THEY DO! DAY IN AND DAY OUT! We were not reinventing their business...how could they take what should have been a simple process and completely drag it out and frustrate a consumer?

Do we do this in our lives? Take what should be simple and mess it up? What about your business or job or ministry or classroom...how can it be streamlined and done in such a way as to leave your people happy that they chose to go with you? What steps can be changed immediately to fix these situations?

300 million+ and counting

That is how many people are currently in the US... and we gain one new person every 10 seconds or so!

Don't believe me? Check out this link...

So what does this mean? Clearly, this is mind-boggling to think about on a pure numbers scale...random thoughts include getting involved in real estate somehow because people will live somewhere, we need to keep planting new churches to keep reaching new (and different) people in the USA, is this happening elsewhere in the world?, and how do we serve our nation the way God would have us do so, one person at a time...

And my last thought is a TON less spiritual...300 million people in the US...and these are the last three viable candidates from which to choose our next President?

Are you kidding me? This is the best of the best, the cream of the crop? Pathetic...

Breakfast On Saturday

We are having a Men's Breakfast (sorry ladies!) this Saturday to further connect and get to know the guys that have been attending Oasis Church NoMi. We will meet at 8am on May 31 at Jimmy's Place (a diner two blocks west of Dixie on 125th in North Miami).

You are gonna eat breakfast anyway...why eat alone or at home? See ya at Jimmy's!
Feel free to email me if you have any questions...

(this is also posted at visitoasis.org)

Book Recommendations

Here is the latest book I read...Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey...Great read filled with great advice...if you are having a hard time with money in your life and if you are ready to control it instead of it controlling you, then you need to read this book. I really enjoyed the concepts ("baby steps") and am looking forward to putting them into practice. As a human, how much stress could be avoided if we handled our money correctly? As a Christ-follower, how much easier would it be to follow where He leads (giving, ministry, mission, etc...) if we did not have debt consuming our thoughts?

I highly recommend you read this book...and then start applying it! The hardest part is the first step...but think about the outcome!

Memorial Day -2008

Military Casualties-Source Department of Defense

Since the inception of the United States of America on July 4, 1776 every generation of Americans have been called on to defend freedom and liberty. Over the years more than forty two million American men and women have served their country in time of war. More than a million have secured the blessings of liberty with their lives. Below, are statistics from the Department of Defense detailing the casualties of all the major wars of our countries history. We offer these statistics as proof of the price of freedom.


WAR/CONFLICT TOTAL DEATHS
Revolutionary War 1775 - 1783....4,435
War of 1812 1812 - 1815...2,260
Mexican War 1846 - 1848...13,283
Civil War North 1861 - 1865...364,511
Civil War South 1861 - 1865...199,110
Spanish - American War 1898 - 1899...2,446
World War I 1917 - 1918...116,516
World War II 1941 - 1946...405,399
Korean War 1950 - 1953...36,574
Vietnam 1965 - 1975...58,209
Persian Gulf War 1990 - 1991...382
Restore Hope, Somalia 1992 - 1994...31
USS Cole - Yemen 2000 ...17
Operation Endure Freedom- Afghanistan 2001... 423
Operation Endure Freedom-Philippine 2002...64
Operation Iraqi Freedom 2003 - ...4,029
(taken from memorialdayfoundation.org)

Freedom is not free...today, we remember the price paid by thousands of men and women who have gone ahead of us and are even serving on this very day to pay for our freedom. We are grateful to you and your families for the sacrifice you have made...we must not take our freedom for granted as a country!

Weekend Update

-Ryan has been teething the last few days...had a fever on Friday and overall having a miserable time...which means mommy and daddy are losing sleep! Not good...but I guess teeth are important
- had a meeting on Thursday (more on this later) which has led us to a new word over the last few days...can you say "declutter"?
-speaking of which, we upgraded our storage unit to a 7.5 by 10ft storage space...if God has given us so much that we need to store the extra, do we ever really have a reason to be ungrateful??
- Jeanine and I spent an hour yesterday switching from the smaller to the larger unit...my back hurts! Does that count as a date night?
- Today, spoke at the 8:30am, 11:30am, and the 7:00pm...my voice is tired!...unfortunately, I go longer the more services I do...good thing I didn't speak four times!
- spoke on 'Going Green' with our resources...money and freedom...this series is on stewardship, which managing things that are not ours...everything is God's!
- I referenced globalrichlist.com, junkycarclub.com, samaritanspurse.com, and rwandacleanwater.com...we have to make choices with the money God has given us!
- looking forward to resting tomorrow, Memorial Day!
- is Jason Taylor really done with the Dolphins? If he had won Dancing with the Stars, would they have kept him?
-congrats to the Hurricanes Baseball Team...they are the ACC champs and the national tournament begins this week...will they be going to Omaha this year? Let's go Canes!
- saw the replay today of the Cowboys vs. Redskins on NFL network...two months until training camp! Can't wait!
-in the meantime, at least the Marlins are good and fun to watch... they are young and hungry...maybe that is the best way to play baseball? What do you think, Yankees?
- got to go to North Miami for the the setup and beginning of the service before heading back to Pines...good to have a team of people who take the lead and serve to make things happen...way to go everybody!
-I think the rainy season is here...wow!
-good night!

Going Green - The Series

This week, we kick off a brand new teaching series, called "Going Green". Now, obviously, this is playing off the current phase in America (and the world) of doing things that are enviromentally healthy and that are better in the long run for the plants, planet, and each other. But in our series, we will be looking at the idea and concept of stewardship, specifically in the areas of time, our bodies, and this weekend, our resources.

I came across this article about the least eco-minded city in the world. I think you will be surprised at the city mentioned in this article. But, for me, the most shocking statements were found in the last two paragraphs, in that their thoughts were contrary to their actions.

Actually, I should not be shocked as I believe the majority of the time, I (and the majority of us) live and act this way...my prayer is that God will use this series to teach us and compel us to action to live with integrity in order to bring honor to His name!

Weekend Update

-enjoyed having the family from Jacksonville area down for a celebration for my nephew Tyler...he turned 2 today!
-went to the beach on Friday...I love it except for the sand...and the salt water...and the sun..other then that, I love the beach! Ha!
-two words for Saturday...pool party! Enjoyed a good cookout and splashing everybody with Zach over at the Haneline's house in Hollywood...maybe we will have a pool one day...
- I left the party and went and spoke to the Saturday night crowd at Pines...began our last message of the Classics series on Samson...lots of great, crazy stuff in that story!
- after church, stayed up late at my parent's house playing Halo with my brother, brother-in-law Don and future bro-in-law Wally...good fun but I stink at that game...
-can't wait to start playing video games with my boys...looking forward to them getting on the Wii with me!
- Sunday got up and went to North Miami and got things rolling there...was praying as I went in that the a/c would work...discovered something was wrong on Wednesday and had the a/c company come out twice to fix it to no avail...something was screwed up with the electricity
-emailed FPL as I remembered we had a similar problem after the hurricanes when I was at Oasis Hollywood....they came and discovered and fixed the problem...due to a "small animal" the power was affected and nearly caused no a/c for us at church...there has to be a sermon illustration there somewhere!
-turned on the a/c at 9:15am and felt the cool air and saw the fountains in the courtyard...hallelujah!
-ran around, getting things ready and jumped in the Expedition and drove to Hollywood
-got there at 10am and started speaking at approx 10:15
-wrapped up at 10:50 and got to my car a little before 11am
-pulled in to NoMi at 11:15, filled my water bottle, and walked in the lobby with 2 minutes to spare...whew!
- nearly lost my voice halfway through, but God still answers prayers...even when I am whispering them to Him while speaking on Samson!
- ate at Las Vegas with the family before they left town...good food and good times!
- got home and tried to nap while Jeanine had a meeting at church, but Zachary wouldn't allow it...I love those Sunday naps!
- still don't care about the NHL playoffs and barely care about the NBA
-oh, and highlight of weekend was my date with my wife on Friday night...Grandma watched the kids and we ate dinner at Grand Lux at Sawgrass and then went to Wal-mart...hey, we were together and it was great!
-going to bed now...good night!

Website recommendation

There is an online tool called youversion.com... not only is it an internet Bible with several versions for readying but it also allows you to journal thoughts and even access other users journals and commentaries on specific passages and scriptures. By signing up (for free), you can collaborate and access other tools posted by readers (including pics and youtube videos) that will help in your study and growth in the Word of God. There is even a mobile version that you can access for your phone. I am enjoying this site and learning more about the tools it offers...go check it out!

Youversion is run by Lifechurch.tv

Customer Service - Part 2

Ever wonder about tipping? Now, I am all for "great" tipping your waiter/ waitress in the restaurant, especially when the service and food has combined for an excellent experience. I am even for "good" tipping when things are not perfect, because I realize that 1. I also am not perfect and 2.this person probably has kids or others who are depending on tips, as the base pay is usually just that...

But what about when the service, food, and experience is REALLY bad? Do you skimp the tip to teach a lesson or skip the tip all together?

What about tipping the person making your coffee? Is it more work (and thus more "tip worthy") to make a specialty coffee at Starbucks or is the Dunkin Donut coffee just as deserving?

What about tipping when you order take-out? At Olive Garden, I have to go in to the bar to pay and pick up...does the bartender need a tip? At Applebees, they bring it to my car...do they need a tip for bringing it out?

Does the fact that a place for the tip is on your reciept demand that you need to leave a tip? And, if you don't, how are you looked upon by the community of tip demanders? You see, there is so much that needs to be discussed in this area!

Here is something funny to consider as we end this post..."Why tip someone for a job I'm capable of doing myself? I can deliver food. I can drive a taxi. I can, and do, cut my own hair. I did however, tip my urologist, because I am unable to pulverize my own kidney stones." - Dwight K. Shrute

Customer Service - Part 1

In this first post, I want to talk about the idea of customer service and begin with asking this question..."why does it have to be so hard to get good service?". I mean, the people who are consumers are mostly human. The people doing the service are also, mostly human. In fact, the people doing the service will clock out and become consumers themselves, being served by other people who are also, mostly human.

So, with so much in common, why is it so hard to have good customer experiences? Why is it so rare to leave a store where everything went great that you even tell your friends about it? Why, more often then not, are you tempted to leave what you just spent a ton of time looking for and just walk out of the store (and you would, except you really need those diapers!).

I am going to share some experiences that illustrate what I have been thinking and experiencing. But let me share a story I heard recently from Guy. He and his family were up in Gatlinburg, Tn and wanted to order some pizza for delivery. The order was taken and delivery was promised. Over a period of time (much longer then promised), Guy calls to check on pizza status...more promises and waiting result. Finally, Guy offers to go and pick it up himself and is told "awesome, give us 15 minutes". Upon arriving, the pizza has yet to be made (seriously??) and the place is a madhouse. They then tell Guy that he can't cancel his order and proceed to charge his credit card (for no pizza and broken promises). If you know Guy at all...this means war! He spends extra time and effort, disputing the bill with his credit card and tracking down the store people to sign off on the dispute. He contacts the pizza place and discovers it has a new manager and receives somewhat of an apology for the problem/incident. The new manager says something to the effect "I hope we can get your business again in the future."

Now, would you go there again? Would you even give them another chance? I think I can find another pizza place pretty easily!

When I heard this story, I responded, "if that was me (meaning the new manager), I would have said...I hope we can get your business again. In fact, I am sending (or personally bringing) a free pizza to your place right now as a sign that we value you and are sorry for the experience you had."

Would this cost too much money? Wouldn't it be worth it to gain back a customer?

By the way, since you made it this far, want to remind you that today at McDonalds is free chicken biscuit in the morning and free chicken sandwich for lunch or dinner...just tell them you want the jeremyhigdon.com freebie...actually, I think you need to purchase a drink!

Catching up...

here are some things that have been happening lately...
- finished up the message for our last week of the teaching series called "The Classics"...this one is on Samson...did you know he had samsonella? Really!
-working on a message for next week's new series called "Going Green"...got some good stuff percolating about being a good manager of our resources...
- working on some exciting things in our future that we will start unveiling in the next month or so...
- can't believe the death toll of the Myanmar cyclone and the China earthquake...most of us Americans are more concerned about gas prices and political primaries then these two events...does that make sense to you? As mentioned here, you can contact samaritanspurse.org to donate to help with food and supplies for the survivors.
- more Floriduh...not only is gas expensive, but apparantly it works best when you put it in the right place!
- been riding my Wal-mart bike (I actually got it cheaper at store in Pines) the last few days (actually five out of last seven) about 4.5 miles each time...part of an effort to get more fit and to use what God has given me...you don't use it, you can lose it!
- had a good Mother's Day this past Sunday...love teaching the boys to honor their mom (who I think is awesome!), loved having my mom come over for dinner with dad and Jonathan, and love having Jeanine's mom at our casa this week...I am proud of the moms in my life!
- this coming weekend, got my family coming in from Jacksonville for a big birthday party for my nephew Tyler...he is gonna be two!
- was going to write about the Marlins being the best in baseball but they have since lost two in a row...do you think even thinking that thought has jinxed them? Oh well, if so, it was fun while it lasted!
- Summer is coming...this past week, it has been hot, hot, hot...it hit 96 degrees already...wow!
- I am posting over the next few days on customer service...the good, the bad, and the you know...be sure to check back and leave your comments and your own stories!

Is this going to be my kids?

Probably not...but I think Guy's grandkids will probably do this!

People God Uses - Part 6

I found a little booklet while cleaning out the old offices in North Miami. It is entitled "Why God Used D.L. Moody". I was interested in reading it as it was written by R.A. Torrey and is about (obviously) the reasons why this evangelist lived such a powerful life and seeks to find out if God can still work powerfully through people today. I am going to share a section of this book over the next few days....

The sixth reason, attributed to D.L. Moody, as to why God used him in such a huge way, was that he had a consuming passion for the salvation of the lost. In fact, soon after he became a Christ-follower, he resolved to not let a 24 hour period go by where he did not share the message of the gospel with someone. Being busy like us, Torrey said there were times that at the end of the day, maybe even having to get out of bed and get dressed, that Moody would go and find someone to witness about Jesus.

"Once, when walking down a certain street in Chicago, Mr. Moody stepped up to a man, a perfect stranger to him, and said; 'Sir, are you a Christian?' 'You mind your business,' was the reply. Mr. Moody replied; 'This is my business.' The man said, 'Well, then, you must be Moody." Out in Chicago they used to call him in those early days "Crazy Moody", because day and night he was speaking to everybody he got a chance to speak to about being saved. "

I know this is something I need to work on and have God birth in me a genuine desire and fire and passion for those around me that don't know Him. How bout you? Are you willing to be called crazy for telling others about the One who saves?

Ever have one of those days...

where everything seemed to work out? Really enjoyed that today... got to relax with my awesome wife and two amazing boys. We have been pretty crazy the last few weeks with our schedule so today was really nice. Filled up the kiddie pool with water and enjoyed Zach getting everybody wet. He had to use the bathroom so he peed outside (later on he asked if he could "pee in the dirt again"...sorry bud, that is only for extreme circumstances!

We ran some errands including getting Zachary a haircut...he was awesome with no crying or anything...a real haircut pro! Notice he is holding a car in his hand...never leave home without one!

After the cut, we went next door and had a Sonny's famous hoagie (Jeanine's first time). Wow, that was great!

Got home, put Ryan to bed for a quick nap, grabbed one myself, got up and fed Ryan some dinner, hung out for our usual evening and got them both to bed by 8pm (we have started a "no nap" policy for Zach...he is asleep at night in no time!). Enjoyed a meal and chatting with my wife and then got the bike out for a 30 minute ride, listening to U2 "Rattle and Hum"...what a great day! Really grateful to God for all the enjoyable moments of life...every day is a gift!

People God Uses - Part 5

I found a little booklet while cleaning out the old offices in North Miami. It is entitled "Why God Used D.L. Moody". I was interested in reading it as it was written by R.A. Torrey and is about (obviously) the reasons why this evangelist lived such a powerful life and seeks to find out if God can still work powerfully through people today. I am going to share a section of this book over the next few days....

The fifth reason Moody was used by God was "his entire freedom from the love of money". When it came to money and fund raising, Moody loved to get money for the ongoing work of God and refused to store it up for himself. When it came to fundraising and leading revivals and speaking engagements, Torrey writes that millions of dollars "passed through" the hands of Moody but "they did not stick to his fingers". He goes on to write that, just like the humility/ pride issue, the love of money has shelved the work of God in a person's life and has discredited the Christ-follower or minister.

When this happens, it also hurts the light that we are called to share and damages the message of Christ. So, is this true of us? Are we choosing to love money and what it says it can do more than God and what we know He can do? Only He satisifies. Only He sustains.

People God Uses - Part 4

I found a little booklet while cleaning out the old offices in North Miami. It is entitled "Why God Used D.L. Moody". I was interested in reading it as it was written by R.A. Torrey and is about (obviously) the reasons why this evangelist lived such a powerful life and seeks to find out if God can still work powerfully through people today. I am going to share a section of this book over the next few days....

The fourth aspect of Moody's life is the fact that he was a humble man. Torrey writes that Moody loved to put himself in the background and put other men to the foreground. He truly underestimated himself and overestimate others in his life. Torrey writes,

"(Moody) would get down on his before God, knowing he was human, and ask God to empty him of all self-sufficiency. And God did..."

He writes, to people in ministry to be careful of compliments, "listen: get down on your face before God. I believe here lies one of the most dangerous snares of the Devil. When the Devil cannot discourage a man, he approaches him on another tack, which he knows is far worse in its results; he puffs him up by whispering in his ear...and if you listen to him, he will ruin you."

Pride goes before a fall...let's be quick to give credit to the only Who has ever deserved it! And let's be willing to sincerely treat others better then we do ourselves.

People God Does Not Tend To Use

Don't be this person! 'Nuff said....

Book Recommendations

Like books? I am starting a new phase of blogging, where I recommend books for you to purchase and read. These books will inspire you to keep learning and encourage you to keep moving forward in your life.



I Became a Christian and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt: Replacing Souvenir Religion with Authentic Spiritual Passion

This is a great book by Vince Antonucci, a church planter in Virginia. It is written to help us think about the life of a Christ-follower and to help us re-think and regain the passion of living this out. If you like to laugh and think about things in a different way, I HIGHLY recommend this book!

Cinco de Mayo

Yep, it's that time of year again...to celebrate, Jonathan and I went to Taco Bell...nothing like the "run for the border" to get you in the mood for the 5th of May!

Here is a little video we shot of the boys today...enjoy!

Interesting Question for my family

What do you think of this picture I got from the Sun-Sentinel? Now, I am not referring to the crazy hats (although they are!). Instead, does anyone in this picture look vaguely familiar?

Hmmm??? Just wondering!

Smoky Mountain High

Had a great time the last few days, enjoying some fresh mountain air, hiking to sights that Florida will NEVER see, feeling pain in muscles that I knew not existed, sweet tea, country food, fireplace, hot tub, bear sightings (5 yesterday alone!), deer, turkey, woodpecker, sweet tea, late nights, texas hold'em, Seinfeld re-reruns, talking church and ministry future, laughing at others, laughing at each other, did I mention sweet tea??, coffee, missing my family, looking forward to flying home tonight....

Did I miss anything?? It is good to get away!