No, by "season finally" I'm not referring to an upcoming tv episode but to the elementary basketball season being finished as of yesterday. While we didn't win a single game, I could definitely see the kids improving as the season progressed and the fourth graders being in just about every one of their fifth grade games over the past couple weeks. I've mentioned to more than one person that when we've been in these games, if they would have concentrated as much on their defense as on the scoreboard, we might have pulled off a victory. I tried to convince them that if they focus on the game, the scoreboard will take care of itself...but alas, there's always next season. I told Harmony a couple of weeks ago that I enjoyed coaching the elementary students during their games but the high school students during their practices. I felt a lot of pressure in the high school games that I didn't with the younger kids but the older kids actually listen and concentrate (for the most part) during practice and so you're able to get a lot more accomplished. I am looking forward to having my afternoons and Saturdays back!
A couple Sundays ago we had a younger guy (i.e. my age!) attend the worship service and Sunday School. Unfortunately he's only here temporarily while working at one of the plants during a schedule maintainance outage. Talking about it afterwards, Harmony and I both agreed that we need more young guys in jeans in the church! Obviously this is probably true of not just our small town congregation but many (if not most) across the US. There aren't too many young, unmarried guys who are actively invovled in churches these days. Why is that? Some think it's because Christian worship services appeal too much to feminine interests (i.e. singing, fellowshipping, sitting and listening instead of doing). But although these may be accurate descriptions, it doesn't seem to get at the root of the problem. The reason I mention this is that I recently picked up "Do the Hard Things," which is a book written by two teenage guys who are calling young adults to live contrary to the world's standards and up to God's standards. Although I've only read through half of it (during last Saturday's basketball tournament...when I wasn't coaching!), their message really seems to resonate with why so many young people leave the church after high school and why so few young men in particular ever come back. If you have teens (or close to it) or are interested in these issues, check it out.
This past Sunday I preached on Matthew 3 and we saw that John the Baptist's ministry and lifestyle call all of us to prepare our own lives in order to receive the Kingdom of Heaven and in particular, the person and work of Jesus Christ. The main way we do this is by earnestly repenting, by turning away from sin and turning to God. Now, unfortunately my digital voice recorder wasn't working so I didn't get it on audio, but I would encourage you to read through the 17 verses of Matthew 3 and consider if you are heeding John's message in your life.
By God's Grace, Jeff
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
Audio Books
During our recent vacation, my wife and I used some of our time together in the car to listen to "Pilgrim's Progress" and "Prince Caspian" on CD. Not only did this help to pass the time but it also provided us the opportunity to engage with some books that we otherwise might not have time to read together. I menion this as summer is approaching and many families may be planning upcoming driving vacations. It can be tough to entertain kids during the hours you're on the road and this seems like a great way to pass the time as a family with kids and be able to interact together about something valuable.
In fact, you can find a number of audio cds for free through your public library (if they don't have thes ones you want on the shelf, ask if they can get them through inter-library loan). Also, for those who've joined the 21st century and are able to listen to mp3s through your car stereo, check out http://christianaudio.com/. They offer a "free" Christian audio book at the beginning of each month that you can download and then listen to while you're on the road.
I hope this helps make for good family memories and eases the stress over high gas prices as you vacation this summer!
By God's Grace, Jeff
In fact, you can find a number of audio cds for free through your public library (if they don't have thes ones you want on the shelf, ask if they can get them through inter-library loan). Also, for those who've joined the 21st century and are able to listen to mp3s through your car stereo, check out http://christianaudio.com/. They offer a "free" Christian audio book at the beginning of each month that you can download and then listen to while you're on the road.
I hope this helps make for good family memories and eases the stress over high gas prices as you vacation this summer!
By God's Grace, Jeff
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
A more "normal" week...so far
This week has been quite a bit more calm than last week. However, you never know, things could change. On Friday Harmony and I were finally able to have the head coach from the basketball team, his wife and their 15-month-old over for supper. I had been talking with him about getting together ever since the end of the high school basketball season but then with Harmony working all the library hours until recently and me getting involved with the 4th-6th grade basketball program it didn't happen as soon as we would have liked. However we had a really nice time with them and it was great to spend time with another couple our own age. We have certainly enjoyed spending time with the families from our church who are older than us and find that a very good opportunity to learn from their example but it's also nice now and then to be able to spend time with those who grew up in the same culture you did. I think that's one of the biggest things we miss from our time in Evanston; our close connection with so many friends who were in our same age demographic.
So how's the 4th-6th grade basketball team going anyway? Well, glad you asked. It has been difficult over the past couple weeks with the tragedic death of one of the players' mom (and another's aunt). We didn't start out with too many fifth or sixth graders anyway so to have a couple kids out for an extended period of time and another couple struggling to stay eligible, it's been tough to fill out both a 5th and a 6th grade team. I've basically been reserving the 5th and 6th graders I do have for the 6th grade team and playing all 4th graders on the 5th grade team. This makes it kind of hard on them at some points (the other kids are bigger and more experienced) but it's also a good learning experience and as I've tried to encourage them, wins and losses at this stage don't mean anything. The main thing we want to work on is helping them become better basketball players for the future.
At our first tournament, because of the aforementioned problems, we ended up only having enough players for one team...and they were all 4th graders! In fact, we should have had six fourth graders but one came down with the flu the night before and so we were left with five 4th graders who had to play in two games against fifth graders without any subs! In last week's tournament we had a few more kids and so were able to put together two teams (even if it meant having up to three fourth graders at a time in the 6th grade game!). In spite of the incredible odds, we almost pulled off an upset against Turtle Lake's 6th grade team. We were up 2 at half-time (first time all season) and down 3 with 18 seconds left. I tried to run a play to get three points (no three-point line) but it didn't work and so we lost a close game.
In addition, I've been struggling in coaching the younger kids. My only pervious experience is in coaching high schoolers and apparently I have a very revisionistic view of what I was like as a 4th grade basketball player. I've especially found it difficult to draw the line between being an Ambassador of Christ in my words and actions and maintaining discipline during practices. I must admit that on at least one occasion I have failed to maintain the former at least. A number of these kids don't have godly male role models in their lives and so I definitely see this as an opportunity to demonstrate what it looks like as a man to live for Christ. However, I also see the need to instill some modicum of discipline in our practices. Now I am not much of a disciplinarian and thus have found it difficult to know where exactly to draw that line.
With all that said, the last week or so has been a lot better. The kids are starting to get it. They've been in most of their games recently (at least until the second half) and are certainly improving. We have games Thursday, Saturday and next Tuesday remaining. It won't be easy but I think they have a chance at getting at least one win this season. Which would be quite remarkable seeing as in every game we are out-sized, out-experienced and out-manned...and quite possibly out-coached too :)
I guess for a "normal" week this turned out to be a longer blog entry. Apparently I had a lot on my mind I hadn't been able to get out in the craziness of the past couple of weeks. This past Sunday I preached on Matthew 2 and entitled the sermon "Who's the King?" If you want to listen to it you can be clicking here.
By God's Grace, Jeff
So how's the 4th-6th grade basketball team going anyway? Well, glad you asked. It has been difficult over the past couple weeks with the tragedic death of one of the players' mom (and another's aunt). We didn't start out with too many fifth or sixth graders anyway so to have a couple kids out for an extended period of time and another couple struggling to stay eligible, it's been tough to fill out both a 5th and a 6th grade team. I've basically been reserving the 5th and 6th graders I do have for the 6th grade team and playing all 4th graders on the 5th grade team. This makes it kind of hard on them at some points (the other kids are bigger and more experienced) but it's also a good learning experience and as I've tried to encourage them, wins and losses at this stage don't mean anything. The main thing we want to work on is helping them become better basketball players for the future.
At our first tournament, because of the aforementioned problems, we ended up only having enough players for one team...and they were all 4th graders! In fact, we should have had six fourth graders but one came down with the flu the night before and so we were left with five 4th graders who had to play in two games against fifth graders without any subs! In last week's tournament we had a few more kids and so were able to put together two teams (even if it meant having up to three fourth graders at a time in the 6th grade game!). In spite of the incredible odds, we almost pulled off an upset against Turtle Lake's 6th grade team. We were up 2 at half-time (first time all season) and down 3 with 18 seconds left. I tried to run a play to get three points (no three-point line) but it didn't work and so we lost a close game.
In addition, I've been struggling in coaching the younger kids. My only pervious experience is in coaching high schoolers and apparently I have a very revisionistic view of what I was like as a 4th grade basketball player. I've especially found it difficult to draw the line between being an Ambassador of Christ in my words and actions and maintaining discipline during practices. I must admit that on at least one occasion I have failed to maintain the former at least. A number of these kids don't have godly male role models in their lives and so I definitely see this as an opportunity to demonstrate what it looks like as a man to live for Christ. However, I also see the need to instill some modicum of discipline in our practices. Now I am not much of a disciplinarian and thus have found it difficult to know where exactly to draw that line.
With all that said, the last week or so has been a lot better. The kids are starting to get it. They've been in most of their games recently (at least until the second half) and are certainly improving. We have games Thursday, Saturday and next Tuesday remaining. It won't be easy but I think they have a chance at getting at least one win this season. Which would be quite remarkable seeing as in every game we are out-sized, out-experienced and out-manned...and quite possibly out-coached too :)
I guess for a "normal" week this turned out to be a longer blog entry. Apparently I had a lot on my mind I hadn't been able to get out in the craziness of the past couple of weeks. This past Sunday I preached on Matthew 2 and entitled the sermon "Who's the King?" If you want to listen to it you can be clicking here.
By God's Grace, Jeff
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
New Hebrew Bible Resource
Zondervan has just recently come out with "A Reader's Hebrew Bible" that looks like a great resource for pastors, seminary students, or anyone in the church who would like to be able to dive deeper into the original languages of the Bible. As one who barely made it through Hebrew in seminary, I'm looking forward to being able to more consistently get into the world of the Old Testament through Zondervan's "A Reader's Hebrew Bible." (Check it out for yourself by clicking on the link...I think you'll be as impressed and excited as I am!)
By God's Grace, Jeff Higbie
By God's Grace, Jeff Higbie
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Crazy Week
Well, I officiated my first funeral...and it wasn't even for someone in the congregation I serve. Tragically, the mom of one of the fifth graders on the basketball team I coach was killed in a small plane crash on Friday Arpil 11th (also the aunt of another player on the team). I reached out to the family and especially to the kids and as a result the grandmother and aunt asked if I'd officiate the funeral. They have some connection with one of the Lutheran churches in town and so I actually co-officiated the funeral with the interim pastor there (which was actually nice because he's a retired pastor with many funerals under his belt). As difficult as thsi situation is (and will continue to be for sometime), I can sense that there's a reason I was asked and accepted the opportunity to coach these kids and therefore have the chance to get to know the son and nephew. This is a family with a rough history and so I would appeciate your prayers for God to give me wisdom in to how to continue ministering to them.
Beyond running around visiting the family and making funeral preparation, I've been busy with the basketball team and trying to keep up with things for the church as well. Coaching the fourth, fifth and six-graders has been challenging and I won't be sad to see the season come to an end after next week. But I hope i've been able to develop some relationships with the players and families and continue to express a love for and desire to serve the community God's called me to.
Last Sunday I preached the first sermon in the year-long series through Matthew. It was on all of chapter one and was entitled "The Promised One has Come." If you'd like to listen to it you can by clicking here.
Harmony is enjoying her extra free time now that she's found someone to help out with the library hours (She's even taken up quilting).
By God's Grace, Jeff.
Beyond running around visiting the family and making funeral preparation, I've been busy with the basketball team and trying to keep up with things for the church as well. Coaching the fourth, fifth and six-graders has been challenging and I won't be sad to see the season come to an end after next week. But I hope i've been able to develop some relationships with the players and families and continue to express a love for and desire to serve the community God's called me to.
Last Sunday I preached the first sermon in the year-long series through Matthew. It was on all of chapter one and was entitled "The Promised One has Come." If you'd like to listen to it you can by clicking here.
Harmony is enjoying her extra free time now that she's found someone to help out with the library hours (She's even taken up quilting).
By God's Grace, Jeff.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Windy City Vacation
Well we're back in ND after spending the past week in the Chicago area. We left last Sunday afternoon and drove to Fargo and then made it to the Mall of America by lunchtime on Monday. We had a pleasant surprise when my cousin (who lives in western WI) was able to meet us in Minneapolis and spend some time catching up. So after touring around the nation's largest mall for a few hours, we headed to the Twins home opener...in the snow (which they won!). Tuesday morning we finished the drive to Chicago and spent the next couple days touring around the Windy City and spending time with friends from college. On Thursday we caught a Cubs game at Wrigley...in the cold (which they also won!) and then drove up to Evanston where we were able to catch up with church friends for a few days. After attending a worship service at our old church (now meeting in a movie theatre!) we began the long drive back to Underwood arriving yesterday afternoon (just in time for me to coach basketball!).
So there you have it...our windy city vacation in a nutshell. We actually had a very good time and a right amount of visting people and getting to spend time together as well. We were able to do a bunch of fun things but also had time to rest and relax (much of it done at Starbucks!). Beyond hitting some snow on our drive to Minneapolis and some slick roads on our way back through western Minnesota, everything went smoothly. Praise God! We were reminded of both things we miss from the Chicago area (friends, Chicago-style pizza, coffee shops on every block) and also things we don't miss (traffic, panhandler's on the "L"). Overall it was a great vacation, not too packed, not too long, but we are glad to be back home.
This week I begin a preaching series through the Gospel of Matthew that I am really excited about. It should take us all the way through next Easter (and that's in preaching on average half a chapter a week)! It's amazing that even when you return from a great vacation, there always seem to be so many things that need to get done. So with that said, I'd better be getting off to taking care of some of them. If you'd like to listen to the sermon from two weeks ago on psalm 2 entitled "King of Kings," click here.
By God's Grace, Jeff.
So there you have it...our windy city vacation in a nutshell. We actually had a very good time and a right amount of visting people and getting to spend time together as well. We were able to do a bunch of fun things but also had time to rest and relax (much of it done at Starbucks!). Beyond hitting some snow on our drive to Minneapolis and some slick roads on our way back through western Minnesota, everything went smoothly. Praise God! We were reminded of both things we miss from the Chicago area (friends, Chicago-style pizza, coffee shops on every block) and also things we don't miss (traffic, panhandler's on the "L"). Overall it was a great vacation, not too packed, not too long, but we are glad to be back home.
This week I begin a preaching series through the Gospel of Matthew that I am really excited about. It should take us all the way through next Easter (and that's in preaching on average half a chapter a week)! It's amazing that even when you return from a great vacation, there always seem to be so many things that need to get done. So with that said, I'd better be getting off to taking care of some of them. If you'd like to listen to the sermon from two weeks ago on psalm 2 entitled "King of Kings," click here.
By God's Grace, Jeff.
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