Mike Henderson

God and Good

It is not uncommon to here people say "God has been so 'good' to me or us."  Now what does that mean?

And how do we define 'good?'  Are we basing it on finances, health, or outward stuff we can see?  If my finances go downhill is God still good?  If my health goes south does God's goodness go south also?

To get caught up in things we can see or experience leaves us in the same boat as those who disbelieve God because of all the evil and suffering.  I mean, how many believers can go through suffering and pain and still conclude God is good?

I think it goes deeper.  I think it is more internal.  God is good because I can trust Him and love Him.  I can trust Him because He is holy and righteousness.  I can love Him because He first loved me and sought me out.

Yes God is also very benevolent and gracious.  Those two words contain the idea of abundance.  And yes occasionally the abundance is outward.  But don't let God's generosity and goodness be limited to what you can see.  I can't see my salvation, inner peace, my faith in Him, or the incomparable riches to be found in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:7-9).

Yes, God is good.  But maybe we need to expand our definition of good.

Better if Less

You have heard the saying, "Less is More."  Here is a similar twist.  Magic Johnson, the former great for the Lakers, is now doing some analyst work on ESPN.  In all honesty his comments are pretty much right on.

Here's the catch.  While listening to some other analysts their take was that Magic was very good.  But only if he is commenting more sporadically.  They felt that Magic was a negative, even boring night after night.

The point is not whether he is or is not good night after night.  That can be subjective.  But it does underscore the fact that you can be good at something, but your goodness can be overshadowed you doing too much of it. 

Personally that could be a tough pill to swallow.  For instance, "Magic, you are very good, but we just want to use you occasionally."  Somewhat of a paradox.  Instantly we begin thinking, "Well, I must not be that good or they would want me more."

Now everyone is uncomfortable.  The leaders at ESPN don't want to offend Magic, but they want to use him less.  So now what?

That was just some food for thought.  Can you think of something you are good at, and even better at if you do it less?

Confidence

For the past few years I have been coaching Gabe's soccer team.  And every year there is a tournament out of town over Memorial Day weekend.  Until this year I have had someone else take care of Sunday's game.  This year I decided to coach for the entire tournament.

One of the upsides was that I was able to introduce you to Craig Groeschel.  He is a phenomenal, spirit-filled preacher.  And his topic was so appropriate.

I think way too often Christ-followers feel they come up short.  And sometimes our own beliefs intimidate us.  We cling to teachings like Jesus is the only way, the Bible is without error, and Christ rose from the dead.  In short, we feel like an 'idiot.'  I hope you left with your spirit lifted and your head held a little higher.

Honesty Pays

Friday evening Carol and I drove to Richmond to check in the soccer team for the tournament.  The meeting place was upstairs at a UKrops.  Since they had a few deals going on, we bought a few things.

After getting in the truck and driving off Carol realized that we had been undercharged.  So I dropped her off at the front door so she could pay the additional amount.

To hear her tell it jaws began to drop.  I mean who goes back in to pay for uncharged items?  Obviously not many.  It was as if no one knew what to do.

I don't know how often people are uncharged, but people just don't go back to pay what they owe.  To top it off we had bought six of the same thing and because of our honesty the store gave us one free.

Honesty paid with a clear conscience and a few bucks all at the same time.  Honesty pays.

Eustress

I realize I may be a little abnormal.  For instance this past week I received three specifics regarding the delivery of my message.  Some would have been disheartened and dejected.  Yet it actually excited me.  If I can improve on those three elements it will make a big difference.

Feedback is one of my favorite topics probably for two reasons.  One, it is so rare.  And two, it is so helpful and necessary to improvement.

Timothy Ferriss in his book, The 4-Hour Workweek, talks about distress and eustress.  Distress is harmful and comes from destructive criticism and abusive bosses.

On the other hand, eustress is healthy stress.  The prefix 'eu' is also used in the word 'euphoria.'  This is where helpful criticism comes in.  Eustress is what I experience upon receiving the three helpful comments this past week.

I was excited that I could improve my delivery by giving attention to these three things.  People who avoid all types of criticism fail according to Ferriss.

So remember, good, helpful, constructive criticism should fire you up and excite you.  It's only the wrongly given, hurtful criticism that causes distress and renders one less confident and therefore weaker.  Sadly that's the type that is most common and the reason most try to avoid 'all' criticism.

If you do you will miss out on 'eustress.'

Don't Get It

Recently I was watching Rick Warren on the internet and he mentioned that a couple left his church when they were smaller because they did not like some of the things he was doing.  For instance, Rick went out and bought three computers for the church and this couple just couldn't take it.  Their response was, "This church will never be large enough to need three computers, we're leaving."  (Say what?  I bet they feel like a heel today.  No, on the other hand, people like that are clueless).

What?  I just don't get it.  Of course, I have listened to Ed Young and Andy Stanley and Perry Noble tell similar stories.  There is always a common thread.  It's always about some personal preference.  Or someone wants something done differently.  Put ten people in a room and you will probably get ten opinions or you probably have the wrong people in the room.  But at the end of the day someone has to make the final call.

Rick chose to buy the computers and lost a family over it.  Wonder if they were ever able to find the perfect church with the perfect pastor whose number one goal was to make them happy?  Sorry, but I just don't get it. 

Laughter

Walt Disney said, "Laughter is America's most important export."  There is certainly nothing wrong with having fun.  Now I must admit, I have met my share of 'killjoys.'  It seems that some people consider it their calling in life to spoil the joy or pleasure of others.

Is life that bad that they have to go and rain on others' parade.  The 'church' people were always trying to rain on Jesus' good times.  They even threw insults at Him, calling Him things like a drunkard.  Now Jesus never got drunk, but He did know how to have a good time-avoid the ones who were not into fun.

My father-in-law used to comment how I had fun at everything I did even construction work.  Hey, if it wasn't fun why do it.  Now that does not mean that all of life is just one big party, but for the most part you should be enjoying life and what you are doing.

I love what I do.  In the ministry I get to meet people, spend some time with people, and prepare and teach messages for life change.  I want to have fun with others as we work to reach people who are disconnected from Christ. 

In fact, I believe every Christ follower can find a church where they can have fun serving alongside others.  Not only should laughter be America's most important export.  I think the church should be exporting it also.  A lack of fun is a misrepresentation of the person of Jesus Christ.

So as  a Christ-follower make sure you are exporting the right stuff.

Sunday Reflections

Sundays are always a highlight for me.  Not every Sunday will be an out of the park day.  But that's ok.  Today, however, was a very good day.

Donna did a good job making a few changes on the fly as sometimes you just have to do if there is a sickness, a no show, a tech issue, or if we simply decide to make a last minute change.

I enjoyed wrapping up the series, Men and Women, as I can't imagine any couple or single person who could not benefit from practical teaching from the Bible. 

Then at the end of the service I shared with the church that we had signed a contract on 21 acres of land just off 29N. 

As exciting at that is I am more excited about Dan Clancy and his wife Leah moving to town to help us reach more people for Christ.  They have four kids, and I will be sending out a video of the announcement in the near future for those who were not there. 

We are truly blessed to have Dan coming.  I know of other churches that were desperately trying to hire him, churches much larger that ours, but his heart is here in central Virginia.  And so he will bring much to the table at New Hope.

They will be here in two weeks and I hope to be able to sit down and do a video interview with him so that you will get to know him more quickly. 

Looks like a fun and exciting summer is coming our way.

Sin Without Being Rude

Last night at the Casting Crowns' Concert I was fortunate enough to sit in front of some rude people.  First of all, when you go to a concert you 'expect' people to stand up, wave arms, etc.

However, not the couple behind us.  Another young couple in front of Carol and me were standing up and the couple behind us asked them to sit down.  They were a little taken aback to say the least. 

Then later in the evening the lead singer had everybody shout out where they went to church.  Now we know, they went public.  Let me offer a little insight here.  If you are going to go out in public and be obnoxious I would prefer you did not broadcast if you go to New Hope. 

As someone who goes to New Hope I do not expect our people to be perfect.  (I know some expect me to be perfect, but that guy's name was Jesus).

I am not condoning sin, but the truth is none of us have arrived and sin is to be expected.  But could you at least sin without being rude?

In the News

With graduations taking place nearly every day, and the President speaking at a couple of them the following issue has crept to the top of the news lately.  One of America's most influential pastors addressed this issue in January.  Here are his thoughts.