November 2021
by Eugene Park Joseph Solomon, a poet and musician with a large Christian following, recently announced his departure from Christianity on his podcast Flights & Feelings. Responding to Christians who were in dismay about his announcement, he said, “Whatever you believe, you have to own it. You can’t lease it from anybody, you can’t rent it If you borrowed it from someone else, now is a good time to see what truly belongs to you.” There is something to heed in Solomon’s honesty. Do we truly own our faith in Christ or lease it from elsewhere? Because a lease, no matter how efficient or beneficial, always ends.
Don’t Lease Your Faith I have no vendetta against leasing or renting property (I get it, I live in Silicon Valley), but I fear we’ve taken a similar posture with Christ. Many of
If you’re like me, you give leased property much less upkeep than if you actually owned it. A crack in the walls or a rattling heater is fine as long as you get your security deposit back. Yet
Whatever you believe, you have to own it. You can’t lease it from anybody,... us don’t work out our salvation (Phil 2:12) but instead rest on the laurels of pastors, authors, institutions/tribes, or even publications like TGC to work it out on our behalf. When we lease our faith, it’s easier to pay less attention to our spiritual health.
as Jesus warns, when the storms and floods of a broken world come crashing in, a leased faith will often struggle to stand. For those living on a leased faith, deconstruction is inevitable. But what’s really happening is less deconstruction
Being Thankful... No Matter What
Audacious Prayer
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Page 14
than a complete reconstruction of spirituality because there was nothing there to begin with. Who Are Your Landlords? When you lease any property, it can give the appearance of something owned. Just as Jesus warns that houses built on rock and sand may look similar externally (Matt. 7:24), we have to read the deed to our souls to see if Christ’s name is there. Don’t Lease Your Faith to Celebrity As John Mark Comer noted at a conference I recently attended,
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INSPIRATION
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- Uncertain Certainty by Christy Boals www. gracefilledpurpose. com For some strange reason, I woke up Monday morning with a lot of anxiety. I know none of you can relate to this, I am sure you all woke up Monday morning completely calm and peaceful! But seriously, Monday mornings always hold a fair amount of disquiet for me during the school year. Having so many children, the phone calls and emails stack up quickly over the weekend, so my to-do list on Mondays is usually quite daunting. Ordinarily, I take some time Sunday afternoon to schedule out the week, so I at least have an idea of what I am facing come Monday morning. This Sunday I hadn’t gotten that done, so I woke up with a feeling of “flying blind.” God is always so faithful though. Even though I already felt “behind,” I still had my quiet time that morning, (I learned many years back now, that if I skip that, I might as well go back
is so true. For all my planning, I actually cannot control the day. He goes on to say how even though we can’t be certain of what will happen next, we can always be certain of God. The really cool part is that this isn’t a bad thing. God isn’t waiting to pull the rug out from under us. It is actually quite the opposite. God has all sorts of amazing surprises prepared for us as we walk more closely with Him. So, does this mean that I am going to toss out my calendar anytime soon? Probably not. But I am trying to hold things more loosely, trying to check in with God more frequently about what He thinks about things. And I am trying to live into the, to bed) and sure enough, He showed up. Reading “My Utmost For His Highest”, Oswald Chambers was saying, “To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, we do not know what a day may bring forth.” That
“spontaneous, joyful, uncertainty and expectancy,” *of a life rightly related to God. “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” I Peter 5:7 *Oswald Chambers
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The Ambassador is a free, monthly publication promoting unity and revival among the local Yuba-Sutter area Bible-believing churches. The Ambassador has a circulation of 5,000 - 6,000 and is distributed in local churches and businesses in the community. The purpose of The Ambassador is to pursue the great commission of Christ by making disciples and to encourage, inform, challenge and connect the local body of Christ. We believe in the inspiration and authority of the Bible as the written word of God. We believe that God exists as One, in three distinct persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that the atoning work of Christ (His death) on the cross and His resurrection is the ONLY means of salvation and the only way to Eternal Life in Heaven. We welcome editorial content from anyone wishing to promote the mission of The Ambassador. All articles and advertisement content is subject to the approval of the editor. View expressed in The Ambassador do not necessarily reflect those of our sponsors or advertisers Editor/Publisher - Seth Halpern
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The Voice of the Christian Community, serving Yuba, Sutter, and Butte Counties
INSPIRATION
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The Language of Praise
by Paula McBride (This article first appeared in the Nov. 2010 issue of The Ambassador. It has been revised for this re-printing) "Train your brain in minutes a day!" the advertisement read. But when I played Brain Age, and it rated me at eighty-two, I was mortified. Are manufacturers capitalizing on the failing memories of seniors? "Do this or that," they say, "to combat the effects of the aging brain, yet the game route thoroughly depressed me. Still, I wanted to do something to encourage mental longevity, so I decided to learn a language, Spanish. Several years later, I am still challenging my brain. As I do my lessons, I wonder if I am putting as much effort into the language I'll be speaking in eternity, the language of praise. Does learning how to praise take study and practice? Let's suppose we were looking for a curriculum that taught praise. We'd look through self-help books, parenting books, love language books, and compare them with our Bibles. The Bible would win hands down as
the best textbook on praise. Then the total immersion begins. We get into God's Word and studiously read for meaning and application. We sit under the teaching of those fluent in the truth of Scripture. We interact with fellow students and practice the language of praise. Before we know it, some of the key vocabulary words make sense. One phrase we begin to use is "You are……." We've learned God's attributes from the textbook, and we reflect these back to Him. We are able to say to God, "You are holy, You are wise, You are sovereign, You do all things well." Just as there is no limit to God, there is no limit to the ways we could praise Him with statements that begin with "You are". Another phrase in the vocabulary of praise is "I will…." Psalm 119 is
a chapter full of this way to praise. Just a few examples are: I will praise you with an upright heart (vs. 7), I will obey your decrees (vs. 8), I will meditate on your wonders (vs. 27), I will not forget your law (vs. 61). These commitments back to God in response to who He is and what He has done for us are intimate forms of praise. We can't leave out the phrase "Thank You!" This is an important phrase in any language. We give thanks in good times and bad, in all circumstances as Paul wrote in I Thessalonians 5:18. This is a very high level in the language of praise because it's the hardest to do. These are only a few features of our curriculum in the language of praise. It will take a lifetime to learn this heavenly dialect. However, studying is not enough. We must practice it continually. We can't neglect spending time with others who speak the language fluently. Language is definitely a phenomenon that "rubs off" as we are immersed in it. Let's make sure, as we prepare for Thanksgiving, that we are also "thanks-living" as we speak the language of praise.
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CALENDAR Ongoing Events ROAD TO RECOVERY - Sundays, 7:00pm Christian 12 Step support group Crossroads Community Church - 445 B. St. Yuba City GRIEF SHARE; GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP - Wednesdays, 6:00pm, For those dealing with the loss of a loved one. Crossroads Community Church - 445 B. St. Yuba City LADIES BIBLE STUDY - Tuesdays 5:30PM Church of Glad Tidings 1179 Eager Rd (Building 500, Rm 206 - Live Oak, CA 95953 (530) 671-3160 - info@churchofgladtidings.com Join us for Ladies Bible Study as we dig deep into The Word. Check out our GT Calendar for events at www.churchofgladtidings.com PRAYER FOR THE NATION - Every Tuesday Night 7PM - 8:30PM Church of Glad Tidings 1179 Eager Rd (Building 200) - Live Oak, CA 95953 (530) 671-3160 - info@churchofgladtidings.com EMBASSY HOUSE OF PRAYER - Every Thursday Night 7PM - 8:30PM Church of Glad Tidings 1179 Eager Rd (Building 200) - Live Oak, CA 95953 (530) 671-3160 - info@churchofgladtidings.com "My house shall be called a house of prayer." (Matt. 21:13). The church today is in an all-out war against the evils of darkness. The body of Christ is called to step up and be aggressive in their prayer life. GT LIFE RECOVERY & SUPPORT GROUP - Every Friday 7-8:30pm Church of Glad Tidings 1179 Eager Rd (Building 500) - Live Oak, CA 95953 (530) 671-3160 - info@churchofgladtidings.com GT Life Recovery is a Christ-center program for anyone struggling with hurt, pain or addiction of any kind. It is a safe place to find community and freedom from the issues that are controlling our life. BETHESDA HEALING WELL - 3rd Saturday of the Month 10AM - 12PM Church of Glad Tidings 1179 Eager Rd (Building 200) - Live Oak, CA 95953 (530) 671-3160 - info@churchofgladtidings.com Come to receive prayer and be refreshed while soaking in an atmosphere of worship and praise. Sorry, No Childcare.
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The Voice of the Christian Community, Serving Yuba, Sutter, and Butte Counties
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Special Events THANKSGIVING SERVICE Agape Worship Center, 504 J St, Marysville Tue, Nov 23rd, at 7pm Come join us for a Thanksgiving Celebration! Bring your friends and family! For info, call 530-749-9248
Movie Night at Crossroads Crossroads Community Church 445 B St. YC Friday, November 26 7:00pm Come enjoy a free family friendly movie complete with Popcorn, hot dogs, nachos, and soda. No ticket necessary. Contact church office for more details.
William Jessup Choir and Orchestra Fall Concert Crossroads Community Church, 445 B St. YC Friday, November 5th, 6PM Join us for the FREE concert that is always an extra special treat.
Drive-Thru Nativity Loma Rica Community Church_ 11234 Loma Rica Road (Across from Gold Eagle) December 4th & 5th - 5:00PM-8:00PM Both Nights
11TH ANNUAL REST LUAU YCHS (Yuba City High School) Multipurpose Room Saturday, November 6, 5pm Fundraiser dinner to provide shelter and meals for homeless women and families. Dine-in and To-go. $20 Adults, $10 Children under 12. Contact 530683-2274 or restdirector.ys@gmail.com for ticket info. Joshua House Men’s Center Fall Banquet Crossroads Community Church, 445 B St. YC Thursday November 18, 6:30PM Brisket and Ham dinner, door prizes, auction, silent auction, and raffle. Tickets are $25 each, $185 for table of 8, or $220 for a table of 10. Proceeds benefit the Joshua House Men’s Center.
Miracle of Christmas Drive-Thru Crossroads Community Church, 445 B St. YC Friday December 10 – Sunday December 12, 6-9PM A Christmas tradition for many in our community. Drive-through our parking lot as you are transported back to the life of Jesus. Christmas Eve Services Loma Rica Community Church_ 11234 Loma Rica Road Across from Gold Eagle December 24th- 2 Services 5:00PM & 6:30PM New Year’s Eve concert with Tribute Quartet Friday, December 31st, 8PM Crossroads Community Church 445 B St. YC
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• Prayer List for November 2021 •
1-Nov The Persecuted Church around the world. Pray that believers would stand strong in the midst of brutal persecution 2-Nov Pray for the eradication of Covid-19 and its variants!! 3-Nov Pray for the vaccines to be effective with only minor side effects! 4-Nov Race relations in our nation- Pray for understanding and collaboration between races and an ease of racial tension 5-Nov Pray for the economy and the shipping standstill. Pray that workers return to their jobs and that shipments would resume 6-Nov LIFE- Pray that abortion clinics would be shut down that people would choose life for their babies 7-Nov Homeless- Safety, health and provision- REST program, Twin Cities Rescue Mission, other local homeless ministries 8-Nov Restore America! Pray against the divisiveness and violence in this nation 9-Nov Seniors and Elderly- Pray for renewed physical and mental strength 10-Nov Mental Illness- Pray for those who dealing with Mental Health issues or suicidal thoughts 11-Nov Veterans- Let's pray for, honor, and thank all of those who served our country in the military 12-Nov Israel- Pray for safety from violence, and for the Peace of Jerusalem 13-Nov Singles, Single Parents, Divorced, Widowed- pray for those experiencing loneliness and overwheliming burdens 14-Nov Revival- Pray that our global chaos would lead multitudes to repent and follow the Lord!! 15-Nov Unity of Churches/Global impact- Pray for churches to unite and influence the world! 16-Nov Marriages- Pray that relationships would grow and families would seek the Lord together 17-Nov President- Pray that God would show Himself to Pres. Biden and he would radically change his life and leadership 18-Nov Local Ministries- Pray for continued financial support and volunteers to meet needs (see page 3) 19-Nov California- pray for our Godly representatives (including James Gallagher) to fight against liberal and harmful state policies. 20-Nov Sex Trafficking- Pray for the freedom, healing and restoration of survivors and for traffickers to repent 21-Nov Local city/county leaders- Wisdom for leading our community back to "normal" 22-Nov Discipleship- Pray that believers would seek to follow Jesus and become more like Him every day! 23-Nov Schools- Pray for the students, teachers and staff to continue to focus on learning during difficult times 24-Nov Fathers and Household Leadership- Pray for dads and single moms or grandparents to be the family leaders that God calls them to be 25-Nov Happy Thanksgiving! Give Thanks to the Lord for He is Good! Pray for those without families to celebrate with. 26-Nov Addicted- pray for those under the control of substances that they would surrender and get the treatment they need 27-Nov Health Care Workers- Pray for physical protection and endurance 28-Nov Pastors- That God would give them strength, courage and wisdom to speak the truth from the pulpit 29-Nov Disabled- that they would receive the assistance and support they need 30-Nov Economic Recovery- for the ability to recover and for businesses to reopen
CALENDAR “I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” –Psalm 9:1
Thanksgiving “Thou that hast given so much to me give me one thing more, a grateful heart: not thankful when it pleaseth me, as if Thy blessings had spare days, but such a heart whose pulse may be Thy praise.” - George Herbert
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LIFE MATTERS presented by Yuba-Sutter Right To Life "Why the Violence is Increasing" by Bradley Mattes www.lifeissues.org/author/bradley-mattes
As the potential for reversing Roe v Wade gets enticingly closer, frustration on the part of pro-abortion activists is more evident. Each passing day adds to a dramatic increase in the incidents of unhinged violence or threats of violence toward pro-lifers. These events have taken a serious uptick since the US Supreme Court allowed the Texas Heartbeat Act to take effect. That and the Mississippi Dobbs lateterm abortion case are bringing more people to the reality that Roe is living on borrowed time. And the evidence shows that pro-life leaders and grassroots advocates are increasingly caught in the crossfire. These days Texas appears to be ground zero for disturbing behavior from abortion proponents who realize the pro-life movement is at the threshold of a major breakthrough. Police have arrested 20-year-old Austin Wendell Lund. He is charged with making threats on members of the Texas State Legislature who voted for the Heartbeat Act. Lund posted a disconcerting threat on Reddit that threatened to "end each one of you." The FBI had previously alerted pro-life legislators of a credible danger to their safety. Texas Right to Life has been overwhelmed with vicious hate mail including threats of death and gang rape, profanities, nude photos, and a variety of other unsettling provocation. A bomb threat required the evacuation of their office. The situation worsened when Planned Parenthood doxed a staff member, making personal information, including
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a private address, public online. Violence against opponents of abortion is not new and reaches across the nation. Antagonists have been arrested for terrorizing pro-lifers with guns in Dover, Delaware; Detroit; Phoenix; Aurora, Illinois; Bristol, Tennessee; and Charleston, South Carolina. In two of these instances the aggressors were practicing abortionists. A recent Women's March in Denver exuded a palpable tone of anger and aggression Pro-lifer Brei Brooke, eight months pregnant, was kicked, spit upon and had her sign stolen. One protestor told Brooke that they hoped her baby
would die. Another held a sign that read, "I eat kids for breakfast." Although the lists of documented attacks against people in the pro-life movement are long and many, those supporting abortion deny their existence and the media is all but ignoring the worsening situation. I believe there is another reason for the increased violence. Aggression on the part of pro-abortion activists is understandable. Their grip on the status quo of unrestricted abortion until birth is slipping and it's justifiably unnerving them. God willing, there is now a real possibility that Roe v Wade
will be reversed when the Supreme Court rules on these two cases. But for countless other Americans, it may be that the increased attention on the abortion issue reminds them of a past experience they want desperately to forget. They have compartmentalized their abortion(s) and shoved it down deep into their subconscious minds, intended never to be heard from again. Yet the national debate continues to prick their consciences. A video compiled by Created Equal demonstrates intense anger from those who support abortion. I want to caution you that the aggressors use strong, profane language. After watching it, I wondered how many of these individuals have abortion in their past and are lashing out against those who remind them of what they know in their heart of hearts was wrong. Millions of these people just want the abortion issue to go away, yet it increasingly invades their psyches as the national debate shows no sign of abating. That's why our efforts to reach out to hurting mothers and fathers is so important. In spite of personal risk, America's pro-lifers are boldly working to end this modern-day holocaust of abortion. When you send your financial contribution, consider including a brief note of encouragement. It would mean more than words can say. Protecting life. Offering hope and healing, Bradley Mattes, President, Life Issues Institute (editor’s note: For the full article with links to videos and other resources, visit “www.lifeissues. org/2021/10/why-the-violence-isincreasing”
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A View From The Pulpit:
Being Thankful...No Matter What by Pastor Dave Peterson Loma Rica Baptist Church The apostle Paul writes what I like to call a “hard truth” to the church at Thessalonica in 1 Thessalonians 5:1618, "Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." Paul does not give us any wiggle room, or exception clauses in what he instructs us to do. He lays it out, plain and simple (simple to read that is, not necessarily simple to do), "Give thanks.. in EVERYTHING (emphasis mine)." Wow. Think about that for just a minute. Give thanks in everything. Everything. That doesn't leave anything out. That means give thanks in good times and in bad. Give thanks when we are healthy and when we are not. Give thanks when we have a hefty bank account and when we don't think we have enough money to make ends meet. Give thanks when our marriage and other relationships are going well and give thanks when they are not. Give thanks in times of triumph and victory and give thanks in times of trials and tragedies. Give thanks in everything. It means give thanks in COVID. It
means give thanks in the recession. It means give thanks in unemployment. It means give thanks whether or not your candidate is sitting in the Oval Office. It means that we, as born-again children of God, are to be thankful people, in every and all circumstances. Not only does it seem impossible to do, but it also seems unrealistic to ask or expect it of us. But it seems that way because we either misunderstand what the Lord is telling us to do here, or because we are looking at this through an earthly, human prism instead of through a spiritual, eternal lens. Most of the time when we read this verse, we read it as meaning that we are to give thanks FOR all things. But that
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is not what it says. I have heard some Christians give thanks FOR all things and to be honest, it seems not just unrealistic, but disingenuous as well. What Paul is saying is that no matter what we are going through, we still have something to be thankful for. We are living in unprecedented times right now. Our state and our nation both have leaders that are forcing mandates on the citizens that are more like a socialist or communist government than the republic that we are. We see chaos around the world, and it would be easy to say that there is nothing to be thankful for. But regardless of what is going on around us, or in our lives, there is always much for the Christian to be thankful for. And don’t overlook the order of what Paul tells us to do. Rejoice always, pray constantly and then be thankful. When
hard times and hard things come at us, if we are rejoicing in the Lord and praying consistently, we will find that being thankful in all things is not so difficult to do. This year, I have been to the emergency room twice and hospitalized three different times, all within a threemonth period..and let me be crystal clear, I was not thankful because I was there..but I was thankful for so many other things, that there is not room in this article to list them all. I was not thankful FOR my illnesses and infections, but I was thankful IN them. I still have no idea why the Lord allowed me to go through this ordeal, but then again, when you read the book of Job in the Old Testament you realize at the end that Job was never told why God allowed him to go through what he did, and yet almost 3,000 years after Job wrote, “The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21), we are still being blessed and encouraged by his thankfulness during his trying times. Who knows? Maybe someone close to us, or someone many years away from us, will also be encouraged and blessed by our thankfulness in all things. Yes, life is hard, but God is good. Rejoice. Pray. Give thanks.
Thanksgiving “Thank God that only He can change the hearts of difficult people. And then pray that He would start with your heart. And praise God that He is faithful to forgive and transform those who trust Him and submit to Him. Now that you have examined your own heart and exposed your heart to the cutting and healing work of the Holy Spirit, you are ready to pray for God to expose the hearts and motives of those difficult people. You are now ready to pray for the supernatural work of God to change them.” - Pastor Brad Russel
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A Woman’s Friend - Kristen Bird - (530) 741-0556 Adventure Church of Yuba City - Greg Mansur - (530) 632-1779 Agape Lighthouse Church - Letty Wilson - (530) 682-2488 Band Together for Christ - LaDonna Curteman - (530) 933-5960 CaliforniasForLife.org - Wynette Sills - (916) 955-1577 Cornerstone Church - Jason Poling - (530) 674-3087 Faith Christian School - Amanda Meyer - ameyer@fcs-k12.org Operation Christmas Child - Connie & Dennis Gabel - (530) 695-1495 The Ambassador Newspaper - Seth Halpern - (530) 933-1385 Twin Cities Rescue Mission - Kevin Carlson - (530) 743-8777
Individual Members --------------------------------Rachel Aleman JC Carpenter Rita Collins Chuck David Fredricka Dahlander Assembly James Gallagher
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Pray: 17 Christian Missionaries Kidnapped in Haiti while Traveling to Orphanage A Christian missionary organization is requesting prayer after 17 of its workers were kidnapped in Haiti Saturday by gang members alongside a road. Christian Aid Ministries, which is based in Ohio, said in a statement the workers consisted of five men, seven women and five children. Sixteen are U.S. citizens. One is a Canadian citizen. The organization called it an "urgent" prayer request and said the workers "were abducted while on a trip to visit an orphanage" on Saturday. "We are seeking God's direction for a resolution, and authorities are seeking ways to help," the organization said in a statement. "... Join us in praying for those who are being held hostage, the kidnappers, and the families, friends, and churches of those affected. Pray for those who are seeking God's direction and making decisions regarding this
matter." Dan Hooley, a former field director for Christian Aid Ministries in Haiti, told CNN that some of the workers were able to contact a local director as they were being kidnapped. One of the workers also shared the location of the kidnapping using GPS, Hooley said. "A couple of fellows right away messaged the director and told him
what was going on. And one of them was able to drop a pin, and that's the last thing [the organization] heard until the kidnappers contacted them later in the day," Hooley said. Edward Graham, assistant to the vice president for Samaritan's Purse, told Fox News that ministry in Haiti can be dangerous. Samaritan's Purse deployed a field hospital to the country following
an earthquake. "We had to have security there," Graham said. "... There is so much turmoil going on in this country. … We have to limit where we can work and what times we work." Christian Aid Ministries ended its statement with a verse from Psalm 91: "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust ... For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways." Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville NewsSentinel.
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
"We ought to give thanks for all fortune: if it is good, because it is good, if bad, because it works in us patience, humility and the contempt of this world and the hope of our eternal country." –C.S. Lewis
“The more I look at the times "thanks" is mentioned in God's Word - the more I notice. . . This giving of thanks has nothing to do with my circumstances and everything to do with my God. “ - Jenni Hunt
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Bible Trivia
Word Search
"Esther"
1. Who was Esther's father? a). Abihail b). Mordecai c). Eliezer d). Hammedatha 2. What was Esther's Hebrew name? a). Shaashgaz b). Hagar c). Menistah d). Hadassah 3. Who was Ahasuerus' queen at the beginning of the book of Esther? a). Amestris b). Esther c). Vashti d). Adah 4
The king was angry at the queen during a party because: a). They ran out of wine b). He was insane c). She disobeyed him d). She wouldn't dance
5. How long did Esther spend preparing herself to meet the king? a). 3 mos b). 6 mos c). 12 mos d). 18 mos 6. Who tried to have King Ahasuerus kill all the Jews? a). Mordecai b). Haman c). Jezebel d). Absolom
7. How much was offered to the king to be allowed to exterminate Jews? a). 30 pieces of silver b). 100 talents of silver c). 10,000 talents of silver d). 500 choice bulls 8. Esther invites the king to a banquet, and also invites who? a). Haman b). Mordecai c). Hathach d). Memucan 9. Who discovered the guard's plot to kill the king? a). Esther b). Mordecai c). Haman d). Hathach 10. Who was hanged on the gallows he had built for Mordecai? a). Hathach b). Haman c). Shethar d). Memucan 11. What gift did the king give Mordecai? a). His sceptre b). His ring c). His signet d). 10,000 talents of silver 12. Which feast do Jews celebrate because of their delivery at Esther's time? a). Pentecost b). Feast of Weeks c). Purim d). Feast of Booths
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Thanksgiving “Be thankful. God has commanded it—for our good and for His glory. God’s command to be thankful is not the threatening demand of a tyrant. Rather, it is the invitation of a lifetime—the opportunity to draw near to Him at any moment of the day.” –Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
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- - - Audacious Prayer - - by Brian Elliff ccwtoday.org Christians must be people who pray with audacity, not because we deserve an answer, but because God will give it. When one of Jesus’ followers requested of Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples,” Jesus’ response was two-fold. He first gave an example of how we ought to pray, and then he told a story about a man who desired bread from a friend. “Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and from inside he answers and says, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ I tell you,
even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence [shamelessness, audacity] he will get up and give him as much as he needs.” “So I say to you, ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened.” Luke 11:510 With this story, Jesus was making a contrast between the friend “who will not get up and give him anything” and God. “Suppose one of you goes to a friend at midnight and asks for bread,” Christ said. “That man will not want to get up and give you anything. The hour is too late and the children have already gone to bed. But even though he will not want to get up and give you anything,
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God Bless Each Of You For Your Support Of This Ministry And Our Community •••
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because you had the shamelessness to come and ask, he will get up and give you as much as you need.” To grasp the object of this story, we need to define one word—”because of his persistence (NASB).” The original word literally means “lack of sensitivity to what is proper.” Shamelessness and audacity (boldness in going against what seems normal) come close. The idea of persistence could possibly be included, but it is not the best translation because it is not Jesus’ main point. In other words, Jesus’ describes this man’s action in coming to his friend and knocking on his door in the middle of the night as audacious. Now here is the contrast Jesus was pointing out: if that unrighteous man
would get up and give you bread at midnight even though he did not want to, how much more will God, who delights in His children and never sleeps, give all that is needed to those who simply have the shamelessness to ask Him? Our asking is not grounded on what we deserve. That is the point. We deserve nothing. Godly audacity is asking even though we do not deserve it—asking because we believe that God will not withhold any good thing from his people. And Godly audacity is asking for great things even though they may seem to be too great—asking because we know that God delights to give vast gifts to those who trust Him. “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,” Jesus continued, “how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” So what was Jesus’ conclusion? “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened.” We must pray with boldness and daring, not trusting our worthiness, but trusting in God’s goodness.
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TOUGH QUESTIONS FOR CHRISTIANITY
Real questions from real people about God and the Christian Faith
Why Do the Genealogies of Jesus in Matthew and Luke Differ? by Josh McDowell A question that has longed perplexed the readers of the New Testament concerns the differing genealogies of Jesus Christ recorded in Matthew 1 and Luke 3. At first glance, the impression is created that both accounts are tracing the family line of Jesus through His earthly father Joseph in which case we would be faced with an obvious contradiction, because Matthew 1:16 indicates Jacob is Joseph’s father, while Luke 3:23 tells us that Heli is the father of Joseph. A plausible solution to this difficulty is to understand that Matthew is indeed giving us Joseph’s family line, but Luke is tracing the genealogy of Mary. The reason that Mary is not mentioned in Luke 3 is because she has already been designated the mother of Jesus in several instances.
Thanksgiving “It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favors.” - George Washington
The usual practice of a Jewish genealogy is to give the name of the father, grandfather, etc., of the person in view. Luke follows this pattern, and does not mention the name of Mary, but the name of the legal father. However, Luke is quick to add that Joseph is not, in reality, the father of Jesus, since Jesus had been virgin born (Luke 1:34,
35). A literal translation of Luke 3:23 would be, “Jesus, when He began, was about thirty years old, being the son (as it was thought) of Joseph, of Heli.… ” This does not at all mean that Jesus was the son of Heli, but that Jesus was a descendant, on His mother’s side, of Heli. The word “son” has this wider
meaning. Thus Luke is tracing the roots of Jesus through His mother, Mary, who was a descendant of Heli, etc. Joseph’s name is mentioned, according to the common practice, but he is clearly portrayed as the supposed father of Jesus, and God as the actual father. The purpose of the two genealogies is to demonstrate that Jesus was in the complete sense a descendant of David. Through His foster father, Joseph, He inherited—by law—the royal line, albeit a deposed line according to Jeremiah 22:28–30. More importantly through His mother He was a flesh and blood descendant of King David through David’s son Nathan. Thus, Jesus had the proper credentials for the throne of David. Source: Josh.org/resources
Thanksgiving “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire." Hebrew 12:28
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
“A spirit of thankfulness is one of the most distinctive marks of a Christian whose heart is attuned to the Lord. Thank God in the midst of trials and every persecution.” –Billy Graham
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:17 “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34
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Continued From Page 1: "Don't Lease Your Faith" “Evangelicals have traded saints for celebrities.” Celebrity culture, social media, sermon podcasting, and personal branding have led many to stake their faith on distant celebrities whose “brand” of faith appeals to us. But what happens when that celebrity’s ministry falls apart? The type of faith leased from an array of online sources—content disconnected from your context—is often shaky. In an age of excessive content and platformed faith leaders, pastors should encourage their congregations to build a sturdier faith from reliable materials closer to home: God’s Word, the Spirit, the church, and Christian community you can know and grow alongside. This also rings true for preachers and teachers. In the age of the sermon podcast, it’s tempting to lease (or straight up plagiarize) a sermon or teaching from a celebrity. Why would we be surprised if people in the pews deconstruct when many are being fed a leased faith? Don’t Lease Your Faith to Tribes One appealing aspect of joining a theological tribe is that it provides a packaged bundle of doctrine and culture. But in our current moment, we tend to prioritize finding a tribe that
than the celebrity using Jesus’s name for personal profit.
fits the culture, language, politics, style (even clothing) that best fits our tastes, and then borrow whatever theological stances come with that familiar comfort. But when cultural conveniences and an affirming tribe start to outweigh the hard work of constructing faith on our own accord, any tribe will be fair game as the cultural tides shift (even those outside of the orthodox faith). Ensure that your theological stances (especially on flashpoint issues: justice, gender roles, race) aren’t rooted only in your tribal preferences, but in the Word of God. Don’t Lease Your Faith for Profit Sometimes we lease a house or car because there are financial incentives.
While this might be a shrewd move for your budget, it’s disastrous when we do the same with Christ. Some Christians who leave the faith describe coming to a moment of realization that they were only in it for profit. Sometimes this is financial profit (for a CCM artist or celebrity Christian author) but often it’s other forms of profit. The benefits of community, the pride of leadership/authority, the emotional consolation of certain theologies, or the cultural status and power of tribal membership can each be appealing reasons to lease a faith. To be sure, there are blessings and benefits to Christian faith. Yet, when these incentives are more important than the presence and glory of Christ, we’re really no different
Own Your Faith I’m not advocating for an individualistic reconstruction of faith that happens totally devoid of community. When you try to purchase a house, you rarely do it on your own. Real estate agents and other advisers help us navigate the painstaking complexity of mortgages, escrows, and offers. And once you own the house, you can rarely maintain it on your own. A network of plumbers, electricians, and handy friends and family is essential to the health of your home. A healthy faith is not a totally autonomous, DIY endeavor in which you build your “dream home” from the ground up, exactly as you like it and on your own terms. A healthy faith, like a sturdy home, trusts and leans into the help and expertise of others. In the same way, the church should be a vital part of cultivating an authentic, owned faith. Far from an entity merely handing out faith leases, a healthy church is a community that walks with members as they genuinely own their faith and work out their salvation.
Continue on page 17
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Israeli archaeologists have found a rare gemstone featuring an engraving believed to be of a biblical persimmon plant best known as the Balm of Gilead. The rare artifact was discovered in a 2,000-year-old drainage ditch next to Jerusalem's Western Wall as archaeologists were sifting through its remains. "It is a stone seal made of semiprecious amethyst stone with an engraving of a dove and a branch of a tree with fruit on the branch," Eli Shukron, former archaeologist of the Israel Antiquities Authority, told CBN News. "What was surprising was that the branch is a branch with fruits that are not recognized from other seals from that period," he noted. Shukron and other archaeologists have hypothesized that the engraving is of a Balm of Gilead branch, a plant mentioned in the Bible and sources from the Second Temple and Byzantine periods. Regarding the drainage ditch, Shukron explained that the channel was built under the pilgrimage road, which "started from the Pool of Siloam in the City of David and went up to the Temple on the Temple Mount of the Second Temple period." "Apparently, this ring with the seal fell into the drainage ditch 2,000 years ago," he added. The biblical plant, also known as Bosem and Balsam, was cultivated by ancient Hebrew farmers for 1,000 years for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. It bears no relation to the orange persimmon fruit of today.
In light of the finding, Shukron took the graving and presented it to Guy Ehrlich, who is the only one in Israel still growing the balm of Gilead today. "I see here a branch of the biblical persimmon plant, the Balm of Gilead. It's just amazing! Someone took a branch of the Balm of Gilead and drew it on the stone. It does not remind me of any other plant I know," Ehrlich, who called the find "stunning," said. According to biblical and historical sources, the Balm of Gilead was also used during the Second Temple period as one of the most expensive ingredients used to create the Temple incense. Elrich added that it was also used as "the anointing oil of the kings and priests." "There is a wall-to-wall agreement that this is the plant, but there is little graphic depiction of it, and what you have brought me now is really a greeting from history," Ehrich, who currently has 10,000 Balm of Gilead trees growing on his farm near the Dead Sea, told Shukron. "I felt like someone wrote me a note with a drawing of the fruit of my persimmon plant and sent it to me," he continued. Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer. He is also the co-hosts of the For Your Soul podcast, which seeks to equip the church with biblical truth and sound doctrine. Visit his blog Blessed Are The Forgiven.
Continued From Page 16: "Don't Lease..." Owning and ultimately building a house requires more than enticing blueprints and financial payments. It requires actual construction with hardhats, sweat, and a team. So it is with our faith. Faith is more than a composite of books, podcasts, YouTube teachings, quippy Instagram quotes, and other information about Jesus (although these can be helpful). Faith is a call to follow and obey Jesus. Let’s ensure we don’t simply rent the
words of a famous teacher or appealing tribe, but genuinely own the words of Jesus by building our lives on authentic faith. Eugene Park is the associate pastor of True North Church in Palo Alto, California, and hosts a podcast, Off the Pulpit. He is married to Sylvia and is the father of Elijah and Sydney. You can follow him on Twitter and Medium. Article source: https://www. thegospelcoalition.org/article/dont-l
From Pg 13: Bible Trivia Answers
From Pg 13: Word Search Answers
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
Abihail
(a) Esther 2:15
Hadassh
(d) Esther 2:7
Vashti.
(c) Esther 1:9
She disobeyed him
(b) Esther 1:12
12 mos
(c) Esther 2:12
Haman
(b) Esther 3:5-9
10,000 talents of silver (c) Esther 3:9 Haman
(a) Esther 5:12
Mordecai
(b) Esther 6:2
Haman
(b) Esther 7:9
His ring
(b) Esther 8:2
Purim
(c) Esther 9:20
Thanksgiving “Edwards [Jonathan Edwards] calls the deeper, primary form of thankfulness ‘gracious gratitude.’ It gives thanks not for goods received, but for who God is: for His character -- His goodness, love, power, excellencies -- regardless of favors received. And it's real evidence of the Holy Spirit working in a person's life.” –Chuck Colson
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Archaeologists Discover 2,000-Year-Old Gemstone with ' Balm of Gilead' Engraving Near Jerusalem's Western Wall by Milton Quintanilla
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HEADER OP/ED Trending by Jon Skillman Trending: Constitutional Rights being stripped away. Using the old political adage; “Never let a crisis go to waste,” the Biden Administration has milked the COVID cow for all it’s worth. In the name of public safety, the government has issued emergency edicts and mandates that infringe on our right to assemble or remain at our jobs. Please don’t misunderstand me, the pandemic is real and the loss of life tragic, but the power grab by this administration is even more frightening. Today there are two trends that could set very dangerous precedents if we don’t stand against them. One is the vax mandate. Ignoring the right to religious exemptions and scientific evidence proving natural immunity in those who have recovered from the virus is many times more effective than the vaccine, this mandate calls for the firing of employees that refuse being vaccinated. It is ironic that people who we labeled as essential workers and heroes at the beginning of the “PANDEMIC” are now being fired for noncompliance. In some states and cities, our freedom to attend church, travel or even dine in a restaurant without a vax pass is verboten…you vill get the jab or else! This has a very end times ring to it. You know…you will not be able to buy or sell without bearing the mark of the beast (see Revelation 13). Now, I’m not saying Biden is the Antichrist…I’m just pointing out how
easily it could come to pass. The second trend that concerns me is the weaponizing (a trending word in itself) of the Department of Justice against parents airing their grievances before school boards over the teaching of Critical Race Theory, transgender studies, mask mandates and school policies regarding trans students. Legally, the DOJ has no jurisdiction over local school matters so complaining parents have been classified as…wait for it…domestic terrorists! The Loudoun County Virginia School Board adopted a policy allowing trans students to use restrooms matching their “gender identity.” Well, a biological boy, wearing a skirt, entered the girl’s restroom and sexually assaulted a fourteen-year- old girl. Who could a seen that coming? When the girl’s father asked the school board why the attack had not been reported, a heated, verbal exchange ensued, and the father was promptly arrested! Come to find out the offending boy/ girl had been reassigned to a different school where he repeated his offense on another girl. I’m pretty sure, due to his actions, this boy really didn’t identify as a girl. Christians, we must start trending back to God! We must trend from silence to boldly speaking out in truth! We must stand firm in righteousness and fight the good fight for the Gospel. If we don’t, what trend will befall us next?
Thanksgiving "Let us thank God heartily as often as we pray that we have His Spirit in us to teach us to pray. Thanksgiving will draw our hearts out to God and keep us engaged with Him; it will take our attention from ourselves and give the Spirit room in our hearts." -Andrew Murray
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Life Giving Words Oftentimes, ministry is a “thankless profession”. I’ve talked with numerous pastors and ministry leaders who have told me that they love their calling and are passionate about helping people get closer to the Lord. But they often feel under-appreciated and unacknowledged. That’s why it’s important to honor pastors and their wives (at least) annually. My wife and I were surprised and blessed when our congregation honored us (Senior Pastor, me, and our wives).
Seth Halpern - Editor inspired me many times and has strengthened my faith in ways I cannot articulate. The articles in the October 2011 issue are just as relevant today as the day they were published. I want to express my appreciation and tell you what a difference it has made in my life and walk with Our Savior. Keep up the amazing work! Thank You and God Bless Your Precious Heart Sincerely, Stephanie L. Mosher
I’m sure that pastors around the globe, however, would rather see lives changed as a result of their ministry. The same with the leaders of parachurch ministries. To be acknowledged is awesome but the thing that gives us ministry leaders, energy and life, is to know that our work is producing fruit. I don’t get feedback often in the 16 years of publishing The Ambassador, but recently I was blessed with that feedback and I want to share it with you. A reader sent me the following email:
(Actually, it’s been 16 years, the Oct 2011 issue is as far back as she could find)
Dear Mr. Halpern, while reading through past issues of The Ambassador I noticed they go back to October 5, 2011. Unless there are more issues that are not online, that means today is your 10- year anniversary. Congratulations! I began reading The Ambassador 6 years ago when I first moved to Loma Rica. I had no idea at the time what a rare, special newspaper it is. Christian newspapers are hard to find in any state, especially California. Thank you so very much for this wonderful publication. It has
I let Stephanie know how much her words blessed me. I hope you know that I am not printing this to pat myself on the back. It’s just rare and so refreshing to know that God is using us and the ministry bears fruit. Paul says in Galatians 6:9 “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Please give pastors, ministry leaders, and others laboring for the Lord a word of encouragement of how their ministry had a positive impact on you. To repurpose an old milk commercial – “Encouragement- it does a body (and soul) good”!
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MONROE TRANSMISSION Owner: Don Monroe 1397 Colusa Hwy - Yuba City
(530) 751-2238
We Saved This Space For You! BUILDING/REMODELING
FINANCIAL/TAXES
BUSINESS SERVICES HILLCREST CATERING & BANQUET HALL Doreen Maher
530.674.3320
events@hillcrest.catering
950 Tharp Road., YC www.ShawAssociatesInc.com (530) 632-9292
PROFORMA BY KUG
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"Oh, taste and see..." Ps. 34:8
Certified Arborist www.richardstree.com Lic. 608859
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JENINE L. TANABE
Country Vet Clinic, Inc
KNITTING & CROCHETING LESSONS
MD DERMATOLOGY 414 G Street, Suite 204 Marysville 743-0301
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“Voted•Best•Yuba/Sutter•Painting•Service•2014”
HILBERS INC.
530-673-8696
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RUSSELL•&•BOALS PAINTING,•INC
682.9602 - lic.# 452975
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Let_Us Help_You Advertise Your Business
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SHAW & ASSOCIATES,INC.
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530-237-7076 lic.#496656
Morning Star Pest & Termite Control 530-216-0215 General Pest Control Termite Control • Rodent Control
530-673-7993
4839 E. Butte Rd, Live Oak "Treating all creatures Great and Small" Jerry Long, DVM & Assoc.
Mondays 9:30am - 12:30pm at GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 150 Ford Ave • Gridley Leave Message for Liz at
(530) 828-3258
Contact•Seth•at The•Ambassador•Newspaper (530)•933-1385 "Marketplace Ads Should Not Be Considered as an Endorsement of the Ambassador as To The Spiritual Commitment of The Advertiser. The Ambassador Does Not and Cannot "monitor" Spiritual Commitment of its Advertisers."
The Ambassador Newspaper Ministry - Seth Halpern, Editor
editor@ambassadornewspaper.com
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(530) 933-1385
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www.ambassadornewspaper.com The Ambassador
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Crosspointe "Turns the Page" Seventeen years ago, Steve & Cash Gilliss purchased Nordahl’s Christian Bookstore from the Nordahl family. Two years later, the name was changed to Crosspointe Christian Books & Gifts. This area business icon has been serving the Yuba-Sutter community for over 45 years. It is hopeful that this legacy will continue. But to do so, it must come under new ownership. Cash and Steve Gilliss recently announced that Crosspointe is for sale. “We have been overwhelmed with all the love & support from the local community,” said Cash Gilliss. “The opportunity to provide not only Christian resources but also a safe haven in an otherwise growing secular world, has been a great honor.” But according to Cash Gilliss, it’s time to pass the torch and blessings on to another family willing to keep the store going. “Steve and I aren’t spring chickens any longer. We were in our mid 40’s when we purchased the store. At that time, we had
unlimited energy. Things are different now,” said Cash Gilliss. “Steve has chronic vertigo which limits his ability to participate in the daily operations. We also have family with health concerns, and we need to be attentive to our family.” According to Cash Gilliss, the reasons for selling the business
anywhere else locally. We are also able to share in the joy and the sorrow of our customers. It is a
Is God Calling You to Own a Christian Bookstore? • TurnKey • 46 Yr History in Yuba-Sutter • Loyal Customer Base • Prime Location in Revitalized Downtown Contact Steve or Cash Gillis @ (530) 673-6188 versus closing down are simple. “There’s a tremendous need in the Y-S area for a Christian Bookstore,” said Gilliss. “We carry items that you just can’t find
bit sad, but also, we are grateful to assist those going through loss or tragedy. We cry a lot here. Some good, some sad tears,” said Gilliss. Crosspointe is one of the few remaining Christian bookstores in Northern California.
“We know of one Christian bookstore in Sacramento owned and operated by a church. And a small store in Fairfield,” said Steve Gilliss. “As you head north, the next Christian bookstore is in Medford, Oregon. Consequently, we get customers that travel miles to shop here.” The Gilliss family expects the business transfer will be relatively seamless once God provides the new owners. “We are a turnkey operation. Despite recent challenges in the shipping industry, we are stocked and ready for business. Additionally, we have a very favorable building lease,” said Steve Gilliss. If you, or someone you know is ready for a rare and rewarding business ministry opportunity, please contact Cash Gilliss at (530) 673-6188.