In a recent e-mail, I read about a woman named Pam, who knows the pain of considering abortion. More than 24 years ago, she and her husband Bob were serving as missionaries to the Philippines and praying for a fifth child. Pam contracted amoebic dysentery, an infection of the intestine caused by a parasite found in contaminated food or drink. She went into a coma and was treated with strong antibiotics before they discovered she was pregnant.

Doctors urged her to abort the baby for her own safety and told her that the medicines had caused irreversible damage to her baby. She refused the abortion and cited her Christian faith as the reason for her hope that her son would be born without the devastating disabilities physicians predicted. Pam said the doctors didn’t think of it as a life; they thought of it as a mass of fetal tissue.

While pregnant, Pam nearly lost their baby four times but refused to consider abortion. She recalled making a pledge to God with her husband: “If you will give us a son, we’ll name him Timothy and we’ll make him a preacher.”

Pam ultimately spent the last two months of her pregnancy in bed and eventually gave birth to a healthy baby boy August 14, 1987. Pam’s youngest son is indeed a preacher. He preaches in prisons, makes hospital visits, and serves with his father’s ministry in the Philippines. He also plays football. Pam’s son is Tim Tebow.

Pastor Doug Dennee

Ever since I began in church ministry in 1967, it has been a great joy for me to see people come into the church and settle in. For some, settling in can take but a few weeks; for others, it can take months—if not years.  There are certain signs that a person has made NWBC his or her home church, but the one that catches my attention most readily is when a person stops referring to NWBC as “your church” and starts referring to it as “our church.”

When a person sees NWBC as “our church,” it means that he has accepted the people of NWBC as his spiritual brothers and sisters and feels accepted, as well. When a person acknowledges NWBC as “our church,” it means that he feels a responsibility for the vision and successes for this fellowship. It means that he is willing to put himself under the authority of the leadership as it guides the congregation.

As long as someone refers to NWBC as “your church,” it means that he is still a spectator and doesn’t see this as his spiritual family. This type of a person normally stays on the periphery of the fellowship and doesn’t get involved or accept responsibility for the direction or outcome of the ministries.

It is true that there is a transition in the process of transforming one’s identity from visitor to member. However, it is those who make that transition who will gain the most from their experience at Northwest Bible. It is kind of like a man who is dating a woman but never makes the commitment to marriage. Dating is fun and one can get to know a person to a certain extent when dating. But those who are married know that the benefits of a committed relationship are so much better than those of a casual one. The step of commitment opens a door to greater joy and blessing. It is my prayer that all who attend NWBC will reach the point where they see this church as “our church.”

Pastor Doug Dennee

As I read through the New Testament, I am confronted over and over with Paul’s references to the cross. What was devised by the Assyrians as a horrible instrument of torture and death had become commonplace in Rome’s manner of dealing with its enemies – real and supposed. But Paul’s references showed that the cross had gained a new significance: not because Rome had changed its use, but because of what had occurred on a particular cross on a particular day involving a particular person.

The cross brings back to my mind the words of Joseph in Genesis (rough paraphrase) when he noted that what man had meant for evil, God had meant for good. God had taken the hideous instrument of pain and suffering and turned it into a symbol of hope and life. It was at the cross that God brought forgiveness and the payment for man’s sin. God’s main work was done at the cross. Christ’s resurrection was the proof of God’s ability to keep His promises that came through the cross. Without the cross, Christ’s resurrection would have brought no hope to man. Without the resurrection there would not have been any evidence that God could or would forgive us or redeem us.

When I began ministry in 1967 (the year I got married to Sheree), it was common to sing of the cross or hear a sermon about the cross. There was The Old Rugged Cross, Beneath the Cross of Jesus, At the Cross, Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed, and many others. Over the years, the focus of the hymn and chorus writers has changed, and rarely do you find the cross in today’s music. That doesn’t mean that today’s music isn’t worshipful and meaningful. But, I do wish that the songs would have a bit more of Paul’s heart about the cross.

Of course, this is the time of the year when we focus on the resurrection. “He is risen.” “He is risen, indeed.” will be said over and over.  Easter is a wonderful time of celebration for the believer. I pray that we will all find renewal in the season; but I pray that, as we focus on our Lord’s resurrection, we will, also, focus on the painful work He did on the cross for us. Isaiah reminds us, “But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

Pastor Doug Dennee

I’m no longer sure who remembers Clint Eastwood anymore. I’m sure that our kids don’t. But many are aware that the actor used a line in one of his films that became a part of the American culture. You still hear people say, “Go ahead, make my day.”

Eastwood was playing the role of a cop who was itching to bring some instant justice to a lawbreaker. Blowing the antagonist away might have made his day. However, for most of us, we look for other ways to find a sense of joy and fulfillment. I want to suggest to you that one way to “make your day” is to touch others with a spirit of thankfulness.

We live in a culture that is very self-centered. Vast numbers of people are driven by the value of “what’s in it for me.” They are looking for ways to benefit themselves. They buy toys to occupy themselves and seek pleasure to satisfy themselves. As believers, we need to guard against adopting such a worldview. Rather, I suggest that we will gain a lot more satisfaction out of being thankful for who we are and what we have in Christ, and then letting that spirit of thankfulness spill over onto those around us.

It is easy to spot people who have a thankful spirit. They are the ones who are not complaining about everything and anything. They are the ones whom others like to be around. They are the ones with the smiles on their faces – regardless of the circumstances. Thankful people are just nice to be around. They lift you up and encourage you even in the darkest of times.

We need more thankful people, even in the church. It is too easy to allow the events of the world, our economy, or politics to move our eyes off of Jesus and all that we are and have in Him. But we are reminded that the New Testament was written in terrible economic and political times. Yet, those believers were enjoined by Paul, “In everything give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Do you want to have a great day? Then in everything give thanks. Focus on the glass that is more than half full. Be grateful for what you have instead of complaining about what you don’t have. If you do these things, it will make your day. It will drastically improve the day of those around you. And by the way, when you are around me, it will make my day, too. Go ahead. Make my day!

Pastor Doug Dennee

It is good to be friendly, especially to those who visit our church for the first time.  We always want to treat our guests as we would want to be treated going to a new church.  However, we need to think beyond just being friendly; we should really welcome new attenders into the fellowship.  Far too often I have heard people say in churches in which I have served, “You really have a friendly church, but it is really hard to become a part of the fellowship.”  What do you think they mean by this?

For many who have been around NWBC for awhile, you have developed friendships that are important to you.  You look forward to the times when you can be with family and friends both on Sundays and during the week when possible.  We love the Biblical principle of fellowship, but we often forget the Biblical principle of hospitality.   The principle of fellowship is building a relationship between you and me.  It is rich, edifying, and encouraging.  The principle of hospitality recognizes that we need to make room for the new guy so that he, too, can enjoy fellowship.

Hospitality doesn’t come naturally or easily; it takes planning and a commitment to obeying God’s word.  Hospitality is so important that God makes it a requirement for elders.  If a man is not hospitable (a lover of strangers), he is not qualified to be an elder (1 Timothy 3:2).  God wants us to be thoughtful of new people and INCLUSIVE.

At NWBC we offer several avenues where new people can enter into fellowship if they take the initiative to do so.  We have gatherings open to anyone who wants to come like the Men’s Breakfast or our Women’s Bible Studies.  Each Sunday a table is on the patio where people can sign up for small groups or where they can find out about our Sunday morning study groups.  The fact is that there are many people who will not take the initiative to attend a new group on their own unless they are personally invited or brought by someone else.  It is interesting to know that studies by church growth experts tell us that over 90% of those who come to church for the first time do so because they have been invited by someone or know someone at that church.

The bottom line to all of this is that we all need to be more aware of the visitors to NWBC and make it our personal responsibility to greet them and encourage them into fellowship.  I know that it take a conscious effort and may even be difficult, but it is God’s plan for us as individuals and for the church.  Small group leaders and members who have spots in their groups, Sunday school class members who have room in their classes, or members of men’s and women’s groups need to stretch themselves in 2011 by reaching out to our new attenders with the purpose of turning hospitality into fellowship.  Let’s be more than a friendly church.

Pastor Doug Dennee

The Christmas tree is beautiful and it absolutely transforms our living room.  However, the many symbols that can be derived from the tree are even more beautiful than the tree itself.  Hopefully, you have used your tree as a source of teaching and worship.  As you look at it, think of all the things that it can teach us about God, salvation, and the Christian life.  Here are but a few that come to my mind.  I’m sure that you can think of more.

The tree, itself, reminds us that Christ died on a cross made from a tree.  The green branches remind us of life.  It is through Christ’s death that we have life by faith in Him.  We were once dead in our trespasses and sin, but now we are alive in Christ.

The many ornaments that beautify the tree remind us of the way that Christ enriches our lives.  He adds to our lives with His beauty and does not take away the good things.  The variety of the ornaments also reminds us that God is a creative God.

The lights on the tree remind us that Christ is the Light of the world and He shines today through us – His church.  We were once in darkness, but God brought us into the light when we received Christ as our Savior.

If you have colored lights on your tree, the red lights remind us of the precious blood of our Savior that was shed for us.

If you have angel ornaments, you might be reminded that God places guardian angels over His children.

The presents under the tree can remind us of God’s great gift of His Son.  They can also remind us of the wonderful and generous way our Lord provides for us.If you have children in your home, ask them what on the tree reminds them of who God is or what He has done.  It will be fun to see how many things they see that I haven’t listed here.  Let your Christmas tree be a source of teaching and worship in your home this Christmas.

In closing, Sheree and I both want to wish our family at Northwest Bible Church a very, Merry Christmas and say what a wonderful gift you all are to us.

Pastor Doug Dennee

Now, I doubt that I would find many in our congregation who would argue with the tenet that the most joyous and fruitful lives we can experience comes from allowing God to control us.  The question then becomes, “Why do we have such a hard time living out this truth?”

It seems that since Adam and Eve’s experience in the Garden man has been trying to control his own life.  How have we done with that?  I know that I frequently find myself battling with the thought of who I am going to follow with my thoughts and actions.  Those old three enemies: the world, the flesh, and the devil, are constantly at my ear whispering the lie that I will be better off following their advice.  This is why it is so important to have God’s Word imbedded so deeply in my heart.  When the lies come calling, God’s Spirit brings to my mind His truth so that I can resist the lie and see if for what it is.

You know, we don’t have to always learn things the hard way.  The logic of that statement is so obvious, but the common sense of it doesn’t seem to be that common.  I think that you probably know what I mean.  Just think of how much pain, grief, and stress we bring into our lives needlessly because of our stubbornness and self-will.  God calls to us to take His yoke upon ourselves and experience walking under His guidance, which is easier and leads to a life of fruitfulness.  His promises are true and have eternal reward.

In the days ahead, let’s give up trying to control our lives and following the world, the flesh or the devil.  Let’s take the easier and happier path and let Jesus take the wheel.

 Pastor Doug Dennee

I’m not saying that because a person drives a car or lives in a nice house that he has “sold out” to Satan and the world.  However, we need to be continuously guarding our hearts and mind so that our first pursuit is always Christ and not the world or anything that it has to offer.  Our cars, our homes and everything that we possess need to be seen as tools to serve God and not ends in and of themselves. After all, name one thing that you have (things, friends, family, health, etc.) that hasn’t been given to you by God.  However, true to Satan’s form, he likes to take what God has provide and corrupt it so that it becomes something bad.  As a result, we are tempted to begin thinking of these things as MY car, MY house, MY friends, MY time and MY money.  I’m pretty sure that this may qualify as a form of idolatry that jeopardizes our walk with Christ.

It is dangerous to a healthy walk with Christ to live one’s life as a routine. Simply going to church, saying prayers before meals, and holding to the right core beliefs is not enough. The Pharisees were good at that.  Christ wants so much more for you and me.  Christ didn’t die on the cross to start another religion. He died to have a relationship with us that makes us alive spiritually and brings meaning to each and every day of our lives.

Satan wants you to enjoy a good religious life.  He doesn’t mind your going to church and even praying. He doesn’t even mind when we get behind Christian action groups and push conservative political groups.  What he does mind is seeing individuals having a vibrant and loving relationship with the Savior on a day-to-day basis.  Satan hates it when a believer stands with the apostle Paul and says, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)  Satan hates to see committed Christians.

It is important for each of us to consistently evaluate where our hearts are so that we are right with God. I believe that the Lord was addressing the “convenient” Christian in Revelation 3 when speaking to the church in Laodicea when He says, “So because you are lukewarm…I will spit you out of My mouth.” (v. 16).  I’m sure that none of us want to face this rebuke.  So let us enjoy the rich relationship that God intends for us in Christ and let us join Paul in a worthy quest when he said in Philippians 3:12 “I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward-to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.” (The Message). Years ago, we use to be encouraged with this truth when we would sing a chorus, “I have decided to follow Jesus.  No turning back. No turning back.” May each of us experience the joy and fulfillment of living a life committed to Christ.

Pastor Doug Denee

The conversation arose over how a godly young adult could find a potential spouse.   Unfortunately, far too many of our young people buy into the notion that love begins with a physical or emotional attraction and develops from there. Often, before a Christian single adult knows the spiritual maturity of another person, there is already an emotional attachment that is neither biblical nor healthy.

I asked if this person had ever thought of using E-Harmony.com in considering a spouse.  Of course, that question was met with both surprise and skepticism.  After all, this didn’t seem very spiritual.  I’m not sure, myself, how serious I was.  However, my point was and is that the selection of a potential mate needs to be based first and foremost by our values and not our hormones.  E-Harmony uses scores of screening questions to try and put people together who have common interests and values.  By having a screening process, we take out the emotional aspects until we have settled the crucial foundation for a relationship—a person’s commitment to Christ. 

In the Old Testament, God had His own version of E-Harmony when He told the Hebrews that they were not to marry foreign women. It was a divine screening process. His desire was to have a people who could jointly worship and serve Him. He also desired to have the children raised to know Him and His word.  I don’t think that this desire has changed.

A second truth for us to consider is that love isn’t something that happens to us.  Love is a choice that we make just as God made the choice to love us even though we were sinners.  If we base “love” on how we feel about a person, that love would be as up and down as our emotions.  If we base “love” on the physical attraction we have for a person, then we’ll end up like Samson in the Old Testament who sacrificed his walk with God for a beautiful woman who was bent on destroying him.  In finding a suitable spouse, a Christian must first use a value-based approach. 

The notion of “falling in love” with someone is certainly not biblical. It is culturally a western notion that lacks the concept of making the decision to commit to someone. As believers, we must first determine whether the people we want to consider for a life-long relationship share our values.  It is from this small group that each of us finds God’s choice for our life’s partner.  Is there any guarantee that if we hold out for God’s choice we will find a spouse?  No.  But, I will guarantee you that life’s experience has taught me that to be single is far better than to be married to the wrong person. 

I’ve heard it said that if one marries a person who is attractive on the outside but is ugly on the inside, that person becomes uglier every day you are together. However, if you marry someone who is beautiful (i.e., godly) on the inside, no matter how he or she looks on the outside, that person becomes more beautiful each and every day that you are together.  Like God, we need to look on the heart and not on the outside.

Pastor Doug Dennee

The fact is that God, Himself, is a plurality. So, by His very nature He is not only spiritual but relational, a well.  From the time He created man, we find God walking with and talking to Adam in the Garden of Eden. Being made in God’s image means that we, too, are spiritual beings with the capability of relating to God and each another.  Actually, that statement is not quite right.  We are spiritual beings designed to be in relationship with God and one another. 

Now most people, even “real men”, have no problem with the concept of being in relationship with God. They may not say it, but you can almost hear them think, “Yep, just you and me, God.  That’s all I need in this world!”  Sounds pretty manly.  The problem is that it is not at all biblical. 

God created us all (that includes both men and women) to be in relationship (i.e., fellowship) with one another.  This is the way we address the most basic needs that God has placed in us – to love and be loved.  It is also the way that we use the spiritual gifts that God has sovereignly assigned to us.  The gifts are given to us to be used to edify the Body of Christ within the context of the Christian community and cannot be done in isolation.  

In the series that Pastor John is preaching, he will be addressing the role of fellowship in the life of the believer.  We need to understand that for every believer God has made fellowship a part of His plan for maturity.  It is in the context of relationship that we develop and practice our faith. Apart from Christian fellowship, God’s word teaches that we cannot become all that Christ wants us to become in this life. 

Knowing this, the elders of NWBC have established our Small Group Ministry so that there might be a context where each believer can grow and mature in his or her faith.  Of course, there are other groups in the church that provide fellowship opportunities, but the small group was specifically designed to do three things:

1.  Help people feel that they belong to the body
2. Help people become what God wants them to become by growing in the knowledge and practice of the Word
3. Provide opportunity for everyone to bring someone else to experience the love and saving grace of our Savior. 

Everyone needs the love and care that can be found in the fellowship of a small group.  In trying to meet this need our leadership feels that the small group provides the best environment for experiencing love while learning God’s word.    The “catch,” however, is that you have to join a small group to realize its benefits.  Right now we have openings in some of our groups and we need more people to lead groups if we are going to accomplish God’s purpose for us at NWBC.  Call me.  Write me.  E-mail me.  Send a carrier pigeon.  I just want to hear from you.  Especially if you are open to leading a group, contact me.  You will receive both training and support if you would like to give this a try.  I encourage you to enrich your life by being involved in a small group.

Pastor Doug Dennee