Mike Henderson

Sunday Reflections

Sundays are always too short.  I think one thing I like about setting up and tearing down is that it lengthens the time at New Hope and being around others.

Coming early and hanging around afterwards gives us time to talk about life, catch up, and even get into some football talk.

Speaking on the End Times is always challenging and fun.  I love the subject, but it is more teaching than applying the Scriptures.  My passion is to have people wanting to come every week, engage with the Word of God, and then use that information for life change and life enhancement.

Because prophecy contains so many details it can seem daunting.  But all biblical truth is not grasped overnight.  Yes, salvation by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ can be digested in a matter of moments. However, even that subject is like a swimming pool.  There is always deeper waters to explore.

This Sunday I will be wrapping up the series "What in the World is Going On" and tackling the subject of Armageddon.  Should be fun.

Sunday Reflections

Excited every week to experience another Sunday at New Hope.  The current series, "What in the World is Going On?" has been fun and rewarding to study for and preach.

Attendance has been very good and I am hoping we finish out the year strong despite the flu and traveling during this time of year.  

John hit it out of the park leading worship this morning.  His talent and heart came out today.

We have one more week to collect shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child.  Dozens of kids around the globe will receive a box from New Hope and have a great Christmas.

Several new attenders attended our class for newcomers, which gives them a chance to hear about the vision, values, and mission of New Hope and the role they can play.  

Today we had several guests and new people volunteer to serve. That's huge because volunteers carry the bulk of the load.

And just think, we get to meet again in just seven more days.  Next week's message will be "Antichrist is Coming!"  

Next Sunday's topic certainly provides us all with a great opportunity to invite.  Most of us know formerly churched people who would be highly interested in prophetic topics.

As we enter this week let's ask God for opportunities to invite.

Weekend Reflections

The weekend started with soccer and halloween.  Both went well.  We won soccer 2-1 and I invited everyone to New Hope who knocked on our door for Halloween.

Sunday began with rain and an extra hour of sleep.  However, the rain seemed to have little affect on our service. We had a good crowd for part 1 of our prophecy series, "What in the World is Going On?" 

The kids loved the inflatable.  And everyone stuck around after church for the chili cookoff.  That was a big hit also.

So you might say we went 3 for 3 this Sunday.  Message on the end times, an inflatable, and chili.  An unbeatable combination.

This week we will be looking at America's role in the end times.  Fascinating stuff happening right before our eyes.  Three more messages.  If you missed this Sunday you can watch online by Tuesday evening.

Part 2 is just a few days away!

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.

Sunday Reflections

Today's message was fun to preach as I truly believe everyone is uniquely designed by God.  As is often the case the video clips were well received and illustrated biblical truth.  Carol found both clips for me.  While I believe God has given me the gift of teaching I still appreciate the help of others.

Our attendance continues to grow with notable increases over the same time last year.  Every week I am reminded that tons of people live in the area without a regular church home, but would come to New Hope if they knew we existed or were invited.  Most of all guests come from the internet (a large number were online last week to view last week's message) or by personal invitation.

New friendships are being made.  It was fun to watch two girls run toward each other this morning when they arrived. Newly made friends excited to see each other at church.

One thing I realize that after a certain number of people I miss seeing many who were there. It's nice to have Dan connecting with so many. I still do my best to connect with others before and after the service.

I like being the first to arrive and the last or almost the last to leave.  

We changed up our setup and moved the cafe and added some more signage. Some small tweaks, but definitely thought all the changes added to the atmosphere.

Two more messages left in our series "One Month to Live."  This has been a fun and challenging four weeks of messages.  Anxious to finalize the final two.

One final thot.  Can you believe that chatter about our Christmas Eve service has already started?

Sunday Reflections

This will go down as an uplifting and encouraging summer.  With next Sunday officially bringing summer to an end in our area, we are definitely above last summer in attendance.  It's like every week has exceeded expectations.  Admittedly expectations are not unusually high as many travel and some for multiple weeks.  Even with that in mind we had a very good summer.

Today we tried something new.  Who would have known it would be such a big hit. Carol gets the credit for putting it together.  It generated lots of discussion on the upside.  If you missed, well, you missed it.

Based on the feedback the message today proved to be helpful to many in regard to their prayer lives. The message should be up sometime on Monday on the New Hope website.  The video clip was found by my daughter Heather.  If you come across a great clip share it with me.  I may not use it right away, but computers are great for storing things.  Next week's message may contain a clip suggested by someone else.  As you can tell I can use your help.  So watch TV and movies with a purpose-communicating biblical truth.

Our volunteers just show up every week and make it all happen.  They put forth their best efforts each week so that we can be out best.  John Wooden the legendary basketball coach is said to have never talked about winning, but only about giving it your best.  That's what our volunteers do and I am thankful for their serving.

All of the above makes me excited about next week.  As we left today some of us said, 'And just think we get to come back next week and do this again.'  Can't wait!

Good Day

Since our Internet was out all day, and I was at Savannah's concert, and it is late my thoughts will be few.

Props to Bob and Nikki who showed up at 7:30 to help unload the trailer in the rain. And did I mention they have two small children?

I have enjoyed preaching through Philippians. Let me give you one more thought I picked up on Twitter this afternoon.

'It's much easier to create focus than it is to maintain it.'

Could write a several blogs on that. Right now I have been working for weeks to get more focused. Hope to be there by the end of the month.

But then there is March Madness! Of course once you get focused you have to maintain focus. No wonder Paul said you have to fight.

Creative Team

This is the first time I have written a blog on my phone, so it may be a little short.

The feedback from this past week's message was all positive. Sure, my intro was a little long, and my message went over some also, and some of the wording could have been changed.

With that said, and those comments were helpful, I just wanted to give a shout out to the Creative Team who challenged my original outline and some of the thoughts. Their valuable feedback led me to rework some of the structure and I believe help me deliver a much better message.

If you were not in the service we hope to have it online by Friday evening.

We are having a great time out of town. I am fired up about this Sunday's message. Don't even think about missing.

Sunday Reflections

*  The series we started yesterday will probably be my favorite series of 2008.  You can watch "Discover Your Dream" at your convenience.

*  Life is somewhat of a dichotomy.  I love coming on Sunday, hanging out with people, catching up with some, meeting new people, and being around everyone.  However, the secret to ministry is getting away from people and getting alone with God.  That's where ideas, direction, and message series come from - my early morning solitary time with God (Mark 1:35).

 *  We baptized five people in the river yesterday.  We went out to Darden Towe Park and found a great place to baptize.  A good crowd came out after the service.  And the water was 'cold.'  So I think that's my last November baptism.  But we still had a good time.

*  In the midst of what everyone is calling "slow economic times" what is the proper response for a church?  Do we slow down, scale, or push forward?  Do we take a risk or play it safe?   Is God God or is God bound by the economic pressures?  Does He still want us to take ground away from Satan.  I believe He does.

*  As we go into a new year we are still looking for a piece of land on which to build or a current building that we can retrofit for our own use.  But at the end of the day it's more about people than it is a building.  A building is only a tool which God allows us to have in order to reach the lost sheep of this world. 

*  Every week I am reminded how many thousands of people who are disconnected from a local church.  That's our mission field.

Sunday Reflections

*   Had a big soccer game on Saturday that I felt like reflected into my message on Sunday.  It was an emotional game that we just had to win.  I like to win.  Make no bones about it.  I hate to lose.  When it comes to church I feel the same way.  I don't like someone to come for the first time or the sixteenth time.  I want everyone to be properly welcomed and engaged.

*   Did a message on Acts 27 and talked about the shipwrecks in our lives.  Paul was in an incredible shipwreck on his way to Rome.  I don't think just reading it through really did justice to what Paul went through and of course he left us with several lessons.

*   We vote on Tuesday.  I know Christians are divided, and I sure hope we remain respectful of each other.  The big thing here is to keep our eyes on Jesus.  I have been through a bunch of elections and not one of them has had a negative impact on the gospel.  The big issue with the gospel is those who claim to know Christ and then live any way they want. 

*    Next week I start a brand new series entitled "You Were Made For More."  It's about dreaming, principles, spiritual gifts, and the future of New Hope.   C.S. Lewis said, "We don't want enough."  I hope by the time we end this next series every single person who hears has their future impacted.

*    Also next week we will be baptizing several people outside.  Right now it is supposed to be 55 and sunny.  I will not take too long, but I think it will be a great day.