The Voice of the Christian Community, serving Yuba, Sutter, and Butte Counties
OP/ED
WWW.AMBASSADORNEWSPAPER.COM
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF 30 By Jon Skillman Back in my pseudo-hippie days, there was an understanding that you couldn’t trust anyone over the age of thirty. People over thirty were considered “The Man,” man, and everybody knew, “The Man” ran “The System” and “The System,” made the rules and rules were a total downer. It was a time of upheaval fer sure. I refer to myself as a pseudo-hippie because I had a full beard, long hair and said things like, peace man, totally and far out, while, at the same time being married, fully employed and not doing drugs. Anyway, my wife and I participated in an anti-war march and rang doorbells for the George McGovern campaign. Yeah I know…it was a long time ago, but we grew out of it. And that’s the gist of this article…the relationship between the age of 30 and change. George Bernard Shaw said; “If at age 20 you are not a communist you have no heart. If at the age 30 you are not a capitalist, you have no brains.” Old George had some strange ideas but a pearl of truth gives his statement value. The Code of Jewish Law says, “As one young man leaves his twenties behind, idealism gives way to practicality.” The code also refers to the age of thirty as “The age of truth,” and declares a person of that age, “worthy of leadership.” Jesus began His earthly ministry at thirty. It was once believed that the human
brain reached full development in the mid to late teens. But today, a consensus of neuroscientists agree that the brain doesn’t reach full development until the late twenties to early thirties. The Designer and Creator must have revealed this truth to the ancient Israelites and they were wise enough to apply it to their culture. Thirty is the minimum age to serve in congress…yet congress appears to be an exception to 30 = reason equation. Some in congress are calling for the voting age to be lowered to sixteen… sixteen! Shoot, when I was sixteen you could buy my vote with the promise of a chocolate malt and a tank of gas that didn’t require a siphon hose. And even in the face of mounting evidence of serious and sometimes irreparable neurological damage, especially in younger users, many lawmakers are advocating for the national legalization of marijuana. Colorado, one of the first states to legalize recreational cannabis, has seen a sharp rise in cases of paranoia and schizophrenia. So what are they thinking of doing? Legalizing hallucinogenic mushrooms BRILLIANT! Evidently, following the money stunts brain development regardless of age.
The Ambassador accepts opinions and editorials (op-ed’s) as long as they are well-written and less than 450 words. Op-ed’s will be published purely at the discretion of the editor. If you would like to submit your oped, please email it (written in MS Word) to editor@ ambassadornewspaper.com. The deadline for submission is the 15th of the month for the next issue.
18
The Ambassador
10 Ways You Can Help The Ambassador Ministry 1. Pray with us and for us to not only sustain but to grow in impact. Pray for our health and for spiritual protection 2. Read it yourself – You will be enriched by reading it. 3. Share a copy or an article with someone- you will have someone in your life benefit from an article in every issue, cut it out and send it to them, or send them the whole issue
7. Find new locations- ask businesses that you frequent to take some papers, deliver and monitor them 8. Deliver a small route- 1 to 2 hours each month 9. Give financially as an Individual partner, business partner, churches/ ministries partner (every dollar helps to impact the community)
4. Leave a copy of The Ambassador when you’re having coffee or a meal or waiting for your car. Use it like a tract. It may be less intimidation.
10. Talk to your like-minded Christian friends, family, business associates and church leadership, about helping as well.
5. Monitor The Ambassador at your church: assure their presence and visibility
If you would like to help, please contact Seth Halpern at 530-933-1385 or email editor@ambassadornewspaper.com
6. Subscribe for a friend or family member (or yourself)
Finding Freedom in God’s Perfect Peace If you would like to experience the peace and transformed life that God can provide through Jesus Christ and you are willing to commit your life to the only one who can truly set you free from your sin, you can pray to the Lord right now and ask Him to forgive you of your sins. Because of what His Son, Jesus, did by dying on the cross, your sins will not be held against you by God anymore. You can experience freedom for the rest of your life on earth and then have a life in Heaven with God for eternity. God’s part of the deal is already done. Your part is to confess your sins, repent (or change your ways) and believe that He is Lord. If your life is out of control, let Him take over control. For help, questions, or more information, contact us at The Ambassador or any of the churches listed on page 3.
