Mike Henderson

Christianity Light

One of our family vacations in the past was an annual trip to the beach.  We did that for eleven years in a row.  You would think I was a beach bum but I am not.  I do not enjoy the beach at all.  Especially as I get older I try to reduce my time in the sun.

But I digress.  One year at the beach I got up early and made the coffee.  When my sister, Denise, got up her comments were, "Who made the coffee?"  I raised my hand. Guilty.  You see the problem was it was too light and therefore undrinkable.

In life light things can be a turnoff.  Think about Christianity Light.  Now Bud Light is popular and it's web page is called the "Home of Drinkability."  Some like the light brand because of reduced calories I guess.

But is Christianity Light worth drinking?  If we were to reduce Christianity to things like once a month church attendance, a dollar in the offering plate each time someone attends, dust on a Bible that rarely gets opened and read, and a monthly prayer time would that appeal to the masses.  Maybe that's the wrong question, because it has appealed to many.

Let's throw in few more reductions such as 'I'll forgive if it is in my best interest,' or 'I will serve and help out at Christmas and Easter only,' or 'I am just going to give them a piece of my mind.'

Jesus said things like "Pray for your enemies," and "Take up your cross and follow me." 

Christianity Light at it's core is a Christianity that does not change or transform us.  At the end of the day it is undrinkable.  My sister poured the whole pot down the sink.  The next pot was bolder.  Today I drink a bolder blend of coffee.  I like it bold.

Christianity...how do you like it?  Bold or light?

Dependency on God

What does dependency upon God look like?  We all have a pretty good idea of what it looks like in other areas of life. 

We have all seen a baby cry for it's mother.  We have seen a young cow follow it's mother.  In other words, dependency can be seen.

With that in mind I find myself asking how does my life show my dependency on God.  

Like the Psalmist it's hard not to include things like prayer and fasting.  Perhaps other things like waiting and even excitement would reflect my dependency on God.

As you read through the Psalms it becomes clear that we all encounter problems, become emotionally upset, and allow various things to disturb us.  In other words, everyday life should drive us to dependency on God.

If you find that to be the case as I am sure you do what are the signs of dependency on God in your life?

T.H.I.N.K.

Proverbs 25:11-The right word spoken at the right time is as beautiful as gold apples in a silver bowl. Words are powerful.  But who hasn't said the wrong thing at the wrong time or in the wrong way?

Is there a way to run our words through some type of grid before we actually say them?

Let's use the following acrostic.

True - Is it true?  Not everything that is true needs to be said.  I mean if someone asks you, "Does this dress make me look fat?" you may be wise not to answer with a quick 'yes.'  Just saying.

Helpful - Is it helpful?  Now to be honest sometimes the truth is not helpful.  It is already well established and will only cause defensiveness.

Important - Is it important?  Sometimes our motives are questionable.  Perhaps you are on the way to church and you mention to your wife that some of the bills were paid late.  This past Sunday we talked about money at New Hope, so the topic of bills is important.  But not on the way to church.  Not very helpful at that time.  And not important at that particular time either.

Necessary - If during the course of a conversation between several people, let's say the topic is marital satisfaction.  For someone to mention a troubled marriage that all were familiar with would be totally unnecessary.

Kind - Let's take the last illustration a step further.  To name drop another couple would not be kind.

If some were to take the advice, "If you cannot say anything nice don't say anything at all," you would think they were preparing for a major singing performance...they would go silent for days!

The counsel to 'think before you speak' can be helpful if you take the time to T.H.I.N.K.

Motivation

This afternoon Heather and Adam, two of my kids, went on a cleaning rampage.  When kids clean, look out. When two clean, that's a great day.

Well, I couldn't just watch.  I became motivated to take finish a project that would aid the cleaning in the garage.

My point.  If my kids had not been cleaning I would not have done anything either.  So how much does not get done simply because you and I are not doing anything?  

If someone else's motivation is dependent on us, how much goes undone because we don't move into action?

What do you need to do?  What might you do that will inspire and motivate others to action.  Paul told Timothy once to be an example in things like purity, faith, and in love (1 Timothy 4:12).

Over the next few days take note, see if you can identify something you do that motivates another into action.

Sunday Reflections

Today I got to speak about a fun topic: Money.  I talked about the 10 Golden Rules from the Bible. Money is one of my favorite topics.  Money, Marriage, and End Time events are simply fun for me.  But then I like having fun at church.

It was fun this week from the study time, staff meetings, production meetings, meeting new people, connecting with others, and challenging the people to take the next step.

Our staff is the healthiest it's ever been.  Having Dan and John allows each of us to operate in our strength zones.

Starting November 1 I begin a brand new four-part series on End Time events entitled "What in the World is Going On?"  We will look at things like what will it be like in the end, what role will America play?, and we will take an in depth look at the Antichrist and Armageddon.

So mark your calendars and plan to be at New Hope each week.  Good stuff coming.

P.A.S.T.O.R.

Mention the word 'pastor' and I am sure everyone has their own ideas as to what a pastor does.  In fact, I have even taken surveys and found out that if I did what everyone thought I should do I would need to be superman.

However, here is an acrostic that comes close to describing the general role of a pastor.

Pray for the people.  Acts 6:4 makes it clear that prayer is a major part of the pastor's role. 

Advance the kingdom of God through mission, vision, and values.

Shepherd the people.  We get an example of this in Acts 6 when a group of people had some needs. Rather than the pastors, or the apostles being the ones to meet those needs, they made sure the group was properly ministered to by the people of the church.

Teach life transforming messages.  One of the things I do is include a lot of verbs in my main points. After all, Jesus said, 'Go and do.'

Offer opportunities to grow spiritually, serve in a ministry, and invite outsiders.

Recruit a great team.  Jesus did and someone has said that those closest to you will determine how far you go. 

Have some fun.  Create a description of your position using an acrostic.

One Act

On a regular basis we either overestimate or underestimate the word 'one.'  Here is what I mean. Just one break can lead to a breakthrough, on the other hand just one sin, slip, or statement can derail a career or relationship.

So why do we continue to devalue 'one?'

One outburst of anger will be remembered.

One word will uplift or destroy.

One sexual sin can devastate with lots of collateral damage.

One event can change your life.

One championship can mark your career.

One best-selling book can launch a profitable writing career.

One idea can change an industry.

One statement can come back and haunt you years later.

One play can change the outcome of a ball game.

ONE.  You don't always know when the 'one' is coming.  But life is all about lots of little things that make up the big thing.  So let's put more value on 'one.'  

Weekend Reflections

This past Saturday I spoke to the Indiana football team, ate lunch with the team, and got sideline passes for Adam, Gabe, and me.  The director of football operations called me Thursday morning to see if I would speak during the team's chapel time.

Of course I accepted.  Funny thing was it was my blog that got me the invitation.  Someone read it and decided I would be a good fit since I was a pastor who loved football.  Sports and football have a way of finding their way into some of my blogs.

Also this past weekend we had the privilege of having Jim and Susie Horne stay with us for two days.  They are missionaries to Kenya, East Africa and live in the coastal city of Mombassa.  They have an incredible ministry there and have served for 35 years.

I truly feel sorry for anyone who missed the service on Sunday.  Jim spoke and it was powerful. We will try to get the message up by Tuesday evening. There are two things that guide by sense of ministry.  One is to give hope, the other is to enlarge people's concept of God, that is make Him bigger.

Jim did both in his message.  All I can say is Wow!  Great weekend.  I wish he could have shared much more about what God is doing in Kenya.  We enjoyed some great conversation.  He is one of my best friends in ministry, but we see each other so rarely.

This Sunday reminded me why I am such of fan of being in church every Sunday possible.  For me it was easily one of those life-changing weeks and some missed it.  This coming Sunday we are planning for another life-changing week at New Hope.  Can't wait.

F.I.E.S.T.Y.

Over the next several weeks I want to take some acronyms that I have gathered and share them with you. Acronyms are an aid to learning, easy to remember, and therefore easier to put into practice.  

Today's acronym comes from General Tommy Franks.  Prior to becoming the now famous general few would know that he flunked out of the University of Texas in 1967.  Immediately he signed up for the army.  As he was leaving home his father told him to be feisty.  And he spelled it out for him.

F is for focus. Get focused and stay focused.  The apostle Paul spoke of this in Phil. 3:13-14. Focus on one thing and you will go farther.

E is for energy.  Bring energy and enthusiasm to the table, the project, the meeting, and the task at hand. We all have energy.  You may not have it at work, but when the phone rings at 7pm for bowling you fly into motion. 

I is for integrity. Curt Jones said, "Practice what you preach, live what you believe, say what you will do, and do what you say. Period."

S is for solve the problem.  I can't tell you how many times on the construction site one of the men would tell be 'we can't do it.'  'It can't be fixed or done.'  That's when my sarcasm would kick in and I would respond, 'We'll let's just gather all the tools up and go home because it can't be done.  This job is over.' The problem always got solved.  Be the one to solve it.

T is harder.  Take the blame. Do that and you will separate yourself from the crowd.  Be accountable and take responsibility.  Let the buck stop with you.  Look at it this way, someone else is probably blaming you anyway.  Surprise them and accept responsibility.

Y is for 'Yes.'  Never say "It's not my job."  I guess we learn to say that early in life.  My kids say it often. Adults say it too.  Don't.  You may not feel that it's your job, say yes anyway. Then go to the next level and do it with enthusiasm.  Then you will separate yourself from the crowd.

Those are some great life lessons that helped Tommy Franks become the general he is.  What will they do for you?  You won't know until you put them into practice.

Be F.E.I.S.T.Y.

Building a House

Recently I went  to You Tube to look at a video on installing a chain link fence. I was unable to find one. Never found one, but I didn't really need one.  I just wanted to watch one. 

Then it dawned on me that I should do a video on building a house.  I have built three to live in. My criteria for finding property is a little strange.  In fact, before buying our current property, I had seven criteria. And the property met all seven.

I looked at the way the sun hit the property, the number of trees, the slope, and the size. The reason for all those was because I knew exactly how I wanted to use the property.  Sometimes I think we make decisions without thinking about what the final product should look like.  I even wanted the master bedroom on the east side of the property.  Call me eccentric.

Even if we are not building a house, we are building something.  A relationship, a retirement, a marriage, or a business. If I went to You Tube could I find a video that you have put together that would show me how?

Now I am not suggesting you go out and make a video, but could you?  What are you building?