Mike Henderson

How to Improve

One of the earliest books I read was 'How to Improve Your Preaching.' Improvement is such a loaded word.

I am sure you can think of something in your life that you would like to improve.

Perhaps you would like to improve your ability to delegate. Maybe you delegate and wind up getting burned. That hurts.

If it's your prayer life then you are likely feeling guilt.

Or maybe it's your ability to execute. Now you are lacking confidence.

The point is, we are all looking to improve. Why? Because we are lacking confidence
or feeling guilty.

That's not all bad. If we had no such feelings we would not seek to improve. So be thankful for the desire to improve.

Then set out to improve. Help is readily available. Lots of resources and people to ask.
Seek out to improve in just one area. Just one.
Improve today.

Fun Stuff?

Fun means different things to different people.  I love doing fun things, teaching on fun topics, and reading fun stuff.

Tonight I was reading a little in the areas of Dispensationalism, Covenant Theology, and New Covenant Theology.  One of the things I don't get to do as often as I would like is simply reading theology.  Actually it is more fun than it sounds. 

In the coming weeks I am going to start a new series on the doctrine of Creation.  That doctrine alone is a significant part of our faith and has a great impact upon other doctrines.

It should be a fun series.  It sure is fun researching and studying creation. 

That's one of the things I do for fun.  What are some things you like to do, but often don't take the time to do.  Drop what you are doing and go have some fun.

Life, Death, Life

Sunday afternoon Nikki got a phone call that her grandmother, 'Granny Little,' had just passed away.  It was not totally unexpected, but 'Granny Little' was not just a grandmother.

She was the grandmother that you just had to go see when you got close or had the chance.  It seems that everyone has one grandmother like that.  The one you want to go see.  If you are a mother you will one day have an opportunity to be that kind of grandmother.  And you will get extra visits from your grand kids.

The funeral will take place this week.  But don't feel sorry for 'Granny Little.'  She was a believer and follower of Jesus Christ.  She understood John 3:16, 'For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.'

What an amazing promise: Everlasting Life!

Birthday Experience

For those of you who know me I am a pretty simple guy.  Not really into birthdays, etc.  However, today I received perhaps the most memorable card and gift in my memory bank.

It was a Christmas card!  Now hang with me.  I tend to look at everything through the lens of the local church.  Why will this birthday gift be forever etched in my mind?

First of all, it was a very simple gift.  Just a card along with a gift card to Starbucks.  Remember OJ's trial?  You do not remember ten points from the prosecution.  But you do remember the 'glove.'  Simple, just can't beat simple.

Secondly, it was totally unexpected.  First of all, did not expect a card.  But a Christmas card?  Totally unexpected. 

Third.  It was a concrete gift.  A gift card for Starbucks.

Fourth.  It came from a guy who I have known for sometime.  What he wrote meant a lot to me because he is credible.  When he said, "By the way-I look forward to every Sunday and consider it a privilege and blessing to be part of what's happening here at New Hope."  Because of friendship, his credibility, I know he is not just blowing smoke.

Fifth.  There was some emotion involved.  I mean it was creative, it took some time, and he has listened to previous comments I have made regarding birthdays and other special days.  And that in itself means a lot to me. 

Sixth.  He acted based on some of the stories he has heard me tell.  Stories are powerful.  Hey, it was a Christmas card for a reason (but that's another story), and he did get me a Starbuck's gift card.

Interesting.  All six also come from the book Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die .  A great book about ideas and how other things survive. 

Now let's bring it home to New Hope.  I want to engage in conversation about the experience people have when they come to New Hope.  Why?  Because it ought to be memorable.  Just like my birthday experience. 

The Future

Microsoft recently produced a video about the future of technology.  As you watch realize this is not twenty years away, but rather near-term within the next decade.

Also in the future is the e-book.  While it is already here and Amazon has just released an updated version of the Kindle, the e-book will change the way we read and write.  Check out the recent Wall Street Journal article.

What's in your future?  More than likely it is something you are working on now.  It is the direction in which you are moving. 

 

Ruthless

Carol and I got to get out of town for one evening as a secret shopper.   Our job was to visit a motel, spend the night, eat breakfast, and fill out an extensive report and take multiple pictures. 

While Carol and I have a great marriage we enjoyed ourselves immensely and had great conversation about our marriage.  It has been my observation that very few are ruthless when it comes to improvement.

The people who head up the information gathering do not simply want to know if the motel was clean and if the people at the desk were personable.  They want you to find the dirt, things that were overlooked by employees.  They want pictures.  They want exact words that were said.  Why???  Because they want to be the best, period.   That's why they are ruthless. 

When was the last time you were ruthless?  Of course, if you were in a group you probably stood out and were looked at as negative.  Why?  Because, I bet you can't name five people who are ruthless.  Not mean, just on a mission to be the best. 

Needless to say, I was extremely impressed and blown away by how particular and specific the motel industry is to get it right and be the best.  It's just a motel.  It was fine.  But fine was not acceptable.  They want the dirt.  The motel wasn't perfect.  Close, but no cigar.  We found a faded flag, some caulk missing, and a stain in the bathtub.  Things I promise I would normally overlook, but we were on a mission to help the motel improve.

I would be the first to admit that I think we at New Hope need to be more ruthless.  What about you?  Your marriage, career, and even your health.  Touchy subjects, I know, but the only way to improve is to be RUTHLESS.

Coming this Sunday

This is always a great topic.  You don't want to miss.

Locked Car

Today when I went to town I did it.  That is I locked by keys in the truck.  Fortunately for me the truck has a number keypad on the door and I was able to get right in.

Don't you wish relationships and marriage was like that.  Can you imagine hurting someone's feelings and just like that you were back 'in.'  Not two or three days later, but right away.  Life is definitely more complicated than that. 

In the current series 'Men and Women' as we talk about marriage I am sure we will cover instances that have 'locked the man out.'  I don't think wives get locked out that much.  After all, they have the trump card: sex.  Men think about it about 33 times a day.  It is a NEED!  Women can go without it, so us men have to do other things to get 'in' the 'locked' wife's whatever.  And that takes time.

Hopefully after this past Sunday's message you have a better idea of getting inside your 'locked car.'  If you missed the message here it is, The Deal Is Never Closed.

Inspiration

This is one of those videos that will brighten your day.  Take five minutes and enjoy the success of someone else.  In fact I bet you will be happy for her, and it will add joy to your day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk

Mundane

Ever think about how prevalent mundaneness is? Work gets old because it is always the same. Bible reading can become mundane.

So why do we allow mundaneness to arrive and then hang around?

Jesus sure did not live a mundane life. In the Gospel of Mark He was always on the go doing different things.

The trap of getting caught in the mundane is everywhere. I read a lot. Usually reading several books at one time. But I don't want to read just to read. I want to be inspired, see new things, and be exposed to great thinking.

Where is the mundane creeping into your life?
Only you can identify make the necessary changes. Mundaneness can kill an attitude, a marriage, a career, or even a friendship

Jesus came that your life would be fulfilling and full of joy. So why do we settle for the mundane?