Mike Henderson

Kill It Now

As you may recall we are having pigeon problems.  Of course, everyone has pigeon problems.  That is things in your life that are messing you up, but you are ignoring.

Well, this morning my cat reminded me that I have been ignoring the pigeons.  In fact, he or she, don't know which one did the work, caught and brought the bird into the garage.  Feathers were everywhere.  

But the pigeon was not yet dead.  Wounded, just sitting in the floor.  So what do I do?  Nurse it back to health?  Or immediately take it outside and deal with it?  By that I mean I know the pigeons need to go. So why would I wait?  Let's just take it outside, get a shovel and hit it over the head a couple of times and it's over with.

That's what I did.  But something inside of me said wait, are you actually going to kill the bird.  Here's the deal.  That's how we treat sin or annoying habits.  We let them hang around and hurt us.

My cat reminded me to deal with the pigeons.  Every time you and I go to the Scriptures are we reminded and if we are do we sit on it or take action?

Maybe you need to take your 'pigeon' out back and take the shovel to it today.

Forgetfulness

This past week was definitely one of forgetting stuff.  I went to town on Friday to do three things.  Did one and forgot the other two.  Went to Lowe's a little later to get some ceiling tiles for our basement.  While there I got sidetracked.  I bought a few other things, but I forgot the ceiling tiles.

You may be thinking, how do you forget that much.  It's a gift I guess.  

Here's the reality.  I get upset with myself at times for forgetting.  I had to make another trip back to town.  Eventually I will have to make another trip to Lowe's.  

So I lost a little time.  I can get over that.  But what about forgetting a principle?  What if I know that before I give unpleasant feedback I should first point out the good, I just jump right in with the negative?

That could change everything.

So the real question is this:  What are you forgetting?  I don't ever want to forget that God is my Father.

That I represent Jesus Christ 24/7.

That God wants to bless me more than I know.

That my marriage is more important than the church.

That my kids have taught me more about God as my Father than all the theology books I have read.

That if I don't apply the Word to my life I will never experience It's power.

Forgetting the ceiling tiles at Lowe's saved me some money for the time being.  Forgetting a life principle can cost you big time.  Just be aware of what you are forgetting.

Money Talks

Over the last couple of months it seems that every decision our government has made has been one based on money and not necessarily principle.  But that is not unlike what individuals do.

For instance, in Revelation 13:17 people will need the mark of the Antichrist to buy and sell.  There will be strict economic control during the time prophesied in the Bible.  What the mark is no one can say with certainty.  If could be some type of bar code in someone's forehead or hand.  I don't plan to be around as the period described, the Tribulation, will take place after the church has been taken to heaven.

But I think it is much clearer, especially over the last couple of months, that people and countries will do things out of the ordinary based on money.  Governments will take advantage of people with the power of money.  People even followed Jesus because they thought they were going to get a free lunch (John 6:26).

No doubt many will choose to follow and worship the beast (Antichrist) for monetary reasons and not a reason based upon principle. 

Money is powerful.  Get in a bind financially and people do things they would not normally do.  

So what is doing the most talking in your life right now?  Is it God, or is it money?

Prayer

Easily one of the things often overlooked or put off is prayer.  Now think about it.  If prayer does change things, think of how many things we want to see changed.

Every week we come to church people have needs.  Some are financial, some are marital in nature, others are facing a big decision.

Some are dealing with a health issue.  Karen Trader has been sick and unable to keep food down for two weeks and still has no answers from the doctors.  I am sure besides being physical there are some emotional stresses also.  Then there are the kids, meals, etc.  I am sure she would appreciate your prayers. 

Also every week people have spiritual needs.  Some have been out of church for ten years and it is difficult to reestablish a new Sunday morning routine.  Others are on the verge perhaps of packing it in or backing off on their commitment.

Then there futuristic decisions facing the church.  Do we buy land?  Purchase a building and retrofit it? These are things that we as a church should at least be praying for weekly.

Add to that list people far from God who you and others know.  My challenge to you would be that every day you would be praying for someone who needs to commit their life to Christ.

Prayer.  It really does change things.  

Student Ministry

This past week our students went out into the neighborhood around the school and collected 260 pounds of food!  That's huge.  I just got off the phone with a guy who has lost his job.  And he is not the only one.  

This is a great time to be part of the church and help others see the love of Christ in action.  There are so many things we can do to help others.  Anything from gift cards to mowing someone's lawn could prove very beneficial in our current economy.

Thanks to our students for stepping up and collecting 260 pounds of food!

Wanting Others to Succeed

Over the years I have been an admirer of Sam Walton.  Actually anything you can read about him or Walmart is generally a good read with lots of principles to think about.

One of the things that struck me was their culture of non-competitiveness.  For instance, they had tons of outspoken people and people were competing to be their best.  But in meetings when someone had a great idea it was not unusual for everyone to break out in applause.  The meeting would actually stop!

Why?  Because everyone wanted everyone else to succeed.  Granted it is fairly obvious that if someone had a great idea that idea would  make the company more money and in turn everyone would make more money.  So if you had a great idea it would eventually add to my paycheck.  Why wouldn't I want to stand up and cheer?

By this point you realize that is not how life usually works.  Maybe that's why there is only 'One' Walmart.  

But this has caused me to come up with another mantra:  Everyone's success is everyone's responsibility.

There are plenty of implications.  For instance, if you need me to do a promotion for something you are planning, then I am responsible for helping you promote.  If you are setting up the nursery to help make that a success that day, then you must setup to help someone else.  If you need extra help and I can help you get the extra help I will.  If you are leading a ministry you are depending on others to be successful.  Are they helping you or hindering you?

As an attender of New Hope how is your wanting others to succeed playing out?  Let's work together to making the success of others our responsibility

Scorecard

One thing nice about the NCAA tournament is that at the end there is a clear champion. There is a precise way of keeping score.

Don't you wish life were so simple? When I was in construction you could look around and see the tangible results.

Life is much less tangible. You can't measure your personal growth over a twenty four hour period or even a year. Sure, you may have read a book or two, but if there has been no change did you really grow?

For me when I read a book or attend a conference look for three specific takeaways.
Things I can change, act upon, or think differntly about.

What about marriage? No scorecard there. Parenting? None there either. Career? Maybe, maybe not.

Why not take some time and see how many scorecards you can come up with. Have fun with it. Talk about it at work, at home, and with people over a cup of coffee.

Personal hangup

During our soccer game today as usually happens some of the kids wanted to play a different position.

Perhaps I am a little fanatical, but I believe each player is most valuable where they add the most value.

For the most part we have the front offensive line, two midfielders, three defensive backs, and a goalie.

Without fail I have a couple of defensive backs that want to move up to the offensive line. But my goal is not to make everyone happy. It's to put the right people in the right seat and put the best, most strategic lineup on the field.

Why? Because I like to win and our team likes to win. We won today 4-1. So late in the game I was able to accommodate some of the player's requests.

But I would not jeopardize our winning with their personal preferences. And yes, I am a little hungup on the right people in the right seat, or in the right position.

17 Laws of Teamwork

  Just to wet the appetite of the men in New Hope here are some quotes and thoughts from our upcoming sessions with John Maxwell via DVD.

  You are most valuable where you add the most value.
  Can't name anything anyone did of significance by himself, can you?
  What do you do with the weaker members on a team?
  What does a 'get it done person' look like?
  Is my attitude helping or hindering the team?

  We will probably spend three sessions together starting April 3.  Friday night 6:30-9.  Clear your calendar and prepare for positive change.  The second session will be in May and the third in June.

  One of the things that has become even more evident to me while coaching soccer is the need for good players.  I have had losing seasons and winning seasons.  My teams with the better players have always had a winning season.

  After working through the 17 Laws and discussing the principles and applications all of us should improve our 'team' performance and be better equipped to grow with the other team members whether at home, at work, or at church.

Mountain out of a Molehill

  It seems that all the outrage lately is over the bonuses paid to some of the folks at AIG.  The bonuses amounted to $165 million.  On the other hand no one seems to be outraged over the $85 BILLION that our government just handed over to AIG.  Now let's put it in perspective.  The bonuses amounted to just 0.194% of the total.  What about the other 99.8%?

  Where do you think the outrage should be directed?

  Reminds me of the religious crowd giving Jesus a hard time.  They were always outraged over things like helping people, healing people, eating when He was hungry, and not washing His hands. 

  No outrage about people going to hell!  No outrage over putting rules above a relationship with the Father!  No outrage over unloving attitudes! 

  What's getting your 'outrageous' attention these days?  Something small that doesn't really matter?
Something insignificant in the scheme of things? 

  Whenever we make a mountain out of a molehill we are overlooking something much bigger.  Now step back and take notice of the what really matters.