Until my brother and I were older, she was one of those moms who, some might say in our current political climate, “Never worked a day in her life!”  My mom put her best energies during the prime years of her life toward raising my brother, Mark, and me. She was closely involved in our academic pursuits and a regular participant in the Parent-Teacher’s Association. She was the team mom, the snack bar mom – attending most every baseball game I ever played. In addition, my mother was active in civic affairs to better the city my brother and I grew up in. When there was an “issue” at school, an accident, or injury – she was always there.

My mother was not raised by her own mother for several of her early years. After my grandmother divorced, she moved from West Virginia to Southern California leaving her children with various relatives. My mother had to stay with an aunt who did not want her. For several years my mother had to endure verbal and physical abuse from this cruel aunt. Somehow, instead of growing up full of resentment toward the dysfunctional caregivers in her life, she resolved to overcome abandonment and abuse with forgiveness and an optimistic view of the future. That spirit later allowed her to be mentor, counselor, and comforter to many of her siblings who struggled greatly with the effects of a very broken family.

I attribute my optimism to my undaunted, always positive, ever-hopeful mother. Although she had less than stellar examples in her formative years, she determined to break the chain of abuse, abandonment, and unresolved conflict and create a healthy and happy marriage and family. Consequently, I grew up in an environment of affirmation, respect, encouragement, and hope.

The last trip my mom took was to see me graduate from Phoenix Seminary. Her frail body struggled to make that trip; however, the same determination that characterized her life motivated her to experience that seminal moment in my life.

I will be forever grateful for the powerful and positive influence of my mother throughout my life. My prayer is that I may take life’s heartbreaks and abuses and transform those hits and hurts into character traits of forgiveness, compassion, kindness, and love the way my mother did.

John Wallace Miller

Recently I have been preparing for an ENGAGE class that I am teaching entitled, “Is Mormonism Christian.”  I have always felt that it was important that we know the differences between Evangelical Christianity and groups that differ with us theologically but still consider themselves to be Christian.

As I have been studying and watching several hours of DVD material, I have been hit in a fresh way that there are so many people who are lost and going to hell who have been deceived into believing unbiblical concepts that lead them away from the biblical Christ and not to Him.  The sad thing that I have learned is that the vast majority of converts to Mormonism are protestants who just don’t know what the Bible teaches and are easily led astray by passionate people who “became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man…” (Romans 1:22-23).

When I see deceived people trying to defend that which seems indefensible, my heart aches knowing that they are sincere, but sincerely wrong in what they believe.

The problem with cults is that they say that they believe in the Bible, but they add other teachings that take precedence over the Scriptures.  In these “other teachings” there are doctrines that absolutely contradict the core beliefs of the Bible.  Ultimately, these other teachings lead a person back to salvation by works and not by faith.  Paul speaks eloquently about this in Romans 3.

I say this to you because I want all of our people to be knowledgeable enough about God’s Word to spot a false teaching a mile away.  I have heard that in banks they train their tellers to recognize legitimate government currency. They spend significant time looking at and studying the elements of real money.  They do not spend time studying counterfeit money because, if they know what the real thing looks like, they will easily spot a counterfeit.  As Christians, we need to follow that practice by knowing God’s Word so well that we can spot the counterfeits.  We need to be guided and drawn by the truth of God’s Word and not by a pleasant, beguiling individual or group of people who happen to have good family values.  After all, the serpent was pleasant and look at the damage he did in the Garden.

In a word – read, study, and learn God’s Word.  Eternity is contained in its message.  Attend church; ENGAGE in other Bible studies where the Word of God is central.  Don’t become one of the many casualties of the cults.

Pastor Doug Dennee

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The doctor, however, almost as quickly quieted my thoughts by assuring me that the type of cancer that I had was a localized type that did not spread systemically. It would be necessary, however, to remove one-half of my pallet and the remaining teeth in that area. He noted that with today’s advancements in oral prosthetics, I would be able to resume a very normal life. I was doubtful then, but am happy to say today that he was right. I’m even better off since I have lost 30 pounds and gotten an energy-draining cancer out of me.

So, you’re asking, “Where’s the blessing?” The blessings that I experienced were numerous. First was the incredible peace that the Lord gave throughout the process. What a surprise that God was faithful to His Word! Second, I was so blessed by the host of people from NWBC and my past who called and wrote with words of love and encouragement. I LOVE being a part of the Body of Christ. Third, I was and am blessed by having a wife who has loved and cared for me like a momma lion guarding her cubs. She has prayed for and with me, nurtured me, taken me to doctors’ appointments, put up with my wimpy behavior (this only happened on rare occasions) and now fights the insurance company for me. Next to salvation, Sheree is the greatest gift God could have given to me.

So you see, what began as shock has become a blessing. I want to thank this wonderful congregation for the gift of love you shared so abundantly with Sheree and me. I pray that the Lord will allow me to return that love by serving you as long as He feels I can benefit this body. God bless you all.

Pastor Doug Dennee

What would Jesus and Paul have taught if they had lived in a political climate similar to ours? I doubt their counsel would have changed. The New Testament is a document about how to live life in and for the kingdom of God, not how to effect change in the kingdom of man. In other words, God is concerned with the transformation of the heart, not the reformation of the head. Man may be able to put a new suit on a person, but only God can put a new person in the suit! So Jesus did not teach His disciples to complain or revolt against exorbitant taxes, the oppressive, polytheistic Roman government or its deified Caesars.

The New Testament world experienced a dictatorship while we enjoy a democratic form of government. How might this fact affect the follower of Christ today? Are we to remain passive spectators of the political process? I would suggest that within God’s Word, there are ethical and moral principles to guide us in determining the part we can play in the affairs and outcomes of our own political process.

Logic tells me this: If Scripture teaches me to respect and obey my government and I have a say in who leads me, then I ought to do what I can to affect an outcome that is in line with my values! This includes voting for and supporting those who hold most closely to biblical principles and, perhaps, running for office.

If a presidential candidate is prone to express views or enact laws that are counter to biblical values then, it seems to me, a follower of Jesus would not want to be party to placing that person in power but should pray and plan for a better option.

There are issues that should not rise to the level of ultimate concern when it comes to hiring the next President of our country. For instance, a winsome personality, sense of humor, gifted oratory, or personal appearance, are not the deciding factors in choosing our Commander-in-Chief. The question is: Will he use his influence to uphold laws and safe-guards that the framers of our Constitution put in place – a document that has proven to be highly conducive to the free exercise and expression of the Christian faith?

We cannot expect a secular government to advance the values of the kingdom of God. And we probably will not find a candidate who perfectly reflects our perspective on a variety of social, religious, economic, environmental, and international concerns. However, we can learn enough about a person’s voting record, past performance, and public statements to have a pretty good idea whether or not he more closely resembles those views most important to us. Governments oppressive and hostile to the followers of Christ appear to be growing around the world. Since we are told by God to obey those in authority over us unless they demand we stop sharing the message of Jesus Christ, believers would do well to do what they can to promote a governing environment where the message of John 3:16 can be freely proclaimed!

John Wallace Miller

This vision to find a larger piece of land and touch more lives became our Quest. Long story short – we found the land and paid it off a few weeks ago! We are now paying engineers to do what engineers do in making it possible for us to gain a building permit and start site preparation!

Your generous gifts to the Quest Building Fund will enable us to keep moving forward toward the creation of our new worship center and additional ministry facilities. Our motive is simply to touch more lives with the transforming truth of God’s Word. We have endeavored to remain faithful to the preaching and teaching of the Bible and we are known in our community as a church that does not bend in the wind to whatever doctrines or fads may be popular at the moment! Grace and truth were hallmarks of the ministry of Jesus and we want these values to define us as well.

What Jesus meant by “building” had to do with producing a group so conformed to His image that they would represent “His body” on earth until He returns. And so, as local churches (each representing His likeness) would spring up all over the world, the impact of Jesus’ life would be exponential!

I believe NWBC is a beautiful reflection of Jesus to this watching community.  I believe the Lord would have us increase our capacity and improve our locality to shine brighter and farther for Him! Our current limited ministry space and small parking lot remain an impediment to our growth. I encourage all of us to consistently contribute to our Quest Fund so that in the not too distant future we can hear the words: “We are breaking ground!”

John Wallace Miller

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

I will have you know that there are four men who grew up in our home who can attest to the accuracy of what I am about to say. Plus, how can a pastor pastor a church for 31 years and fake people out for that long?

1. We make each other laugh! Much of our marriage has been characterized by light-hearted, hilarious moments. Carol still laughs at my lame humor after all these years! We smile at each other a lot! Joy and laughter provide release and relief in the midst of a serious approach to this life.
2. We share our hearts with each other! Carol knows and cares about my struggles, aggravations, fears, and heartaches, and I know hers. We have learned what brings joy to one another, and we have learned how to assist the Lord in mending each other’s emotional wounds. Sometimes that means just hugging without words and without trying to “fix” things all at once. We are not afraid to cry in front of each other.
3. We pray with and for each other! Bringing an issue up before God is often spontaneous – in a car, on the phone, in the bedroom, in the back yard. The prayer could be silent or audible, spoken by one or both of us. Praying together is one of the most intimate and precious moments in our marriage.
4. We are committed to reconcile conflict! Yes, from time to time we strongly disagree, hurt one another’s feelings, say regretful things, and act childishly. But we cannot live with a prolonged disconnect. Most issues of this nature are dealt with immediately or at least before the day is through. We made a commitment early on not to go to sleep with unresolved conflicts and we have worked hard to maintain that commitment.
5. We encourage and affirm each other! I notice her new hairdo, dress, shoes, and tell her how beautiful she looks. She makes me feel handsome and strong by the things she says and the way she looks at me. We probably compliment each other about something every day. We feel valued and adored by one another.
6. We stoke the fire of romance! We still date! We love hugging and being hugged and we enjoy the pleasures intended and reserved for marriage.
7. We both seriously pursue God! Our #1 love is reserved for the One who saved us from our sin and gave us eternal life! Our love for God’s Word and dependence upon Him has brought us through the roughest times and produced a deep level of intimacy with each other as we have sought His counsel, strength, and healing.

Our marriage is strong and vibrant today because God has made it so. The constant decision not to demand our own way, but to serve the other’s needs above our own has been a key ingredient to our success as a happily married couple.

John Wallace Miller

Time is a gift from God to man; therefore, we must not waste it. Moses writes in a prayer to God: “Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom” (Psalm 90:12 NLT). Paul exhorts the believers in Ephesus: “Make the most of your time, for the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16).  Here, the apostle reminds us we live in a sin-sick world.

The very best use of any day is to spend time with Almighty God. In the current frenetically-paced, hyper-speed culture we live in, it is absolutely essential that we daily remove ourselves from it. Your heart was meant to beat with God’s heart, not the arrhythmic, congested, clot-prone heart of American life! In Psalm 46:10 the Lord says: “Be still, and know that I am God.” When was the last time you were truly still? I’m not talking about “forced” stillness through sickness but chosen stillness. This meditative, reflective time with the Almighty is Great-Physician recommended therapy! David wrote of God: “You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:7). Again David sings: “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him…” (Psalm 37:7). If you expect quick “sound bites” with God – you may be gone before He shows up! It is possible that the “get it now” generation may find it difficult to relate to a God who would rather talk than text!

Slow the Pace!

We must figure out a way to slow the pace enough to meet God on His terms. We tend to be more in a hurry than He is. The demands of every day have a way of sucking the life out of time with the author of both life and time! To do things differently this year probably requires breaking bad habits and starting new ones.

Harness the Energy!

The devil loves speed and noise, Facebook, Twitter, iPods, and video games – He is the Master Distracter and he loves anything that will keep us from serious time with his Arch Rival! Who of us is good at keeping modern technology from running and ruining our lives? Sure, we can harness the power of modern innovation for God’s glory and our good. However, like nuclear energy, both good and evil are possible outcomes of its use.

Prepare a Plan!

Plan regular times to be still before God this year. Cozy up to God’s Word like a child in its Father’s loving arms! I promise that you will not regret it. In fact, if you choose to discipline yourself to get alone with the Prince of Peace, and blessed Supplier of all your deepest needs, you can be assured of the most heart-healthy, Christ-honoring year you have ever had. If we cherish the gift of time, we will make the best use of it.

John Wallace Miller