July 2016
By Seth Halpern, Editor In the beginning of time, God created the world and everything in it. He created humans last and made Adam first, then Eve. He gave them everything including the free will to do as they please but He wanted for them to choose to do what He asked. The Devil, the first Angel that rebelled against God, tempted Adam and Eve to go against God. That is called Sin. Sin brought terrible trouble into the world. Finally, God destroyed everyone with a great flood, except for Noah and his family. He told them to start the human race over. Most people continued to rebel against God but many centuries later, a man
View From The Pulpit Doug Hileman Page 9
lead them out in a miraculous way. After named Abraham had strong faith in God. leading them out of Egypt, God talked God called him righteous because of His to Moses and gave him rules or laws for faith and made a promise to Abraham that the people so that they would be separate he would be the head of a great family. from the sinful (He was old and cultures around had no children For this is how God loved them. The laws at that time). His the world: He gave His one seemed restricting son, Isaac and grandson, Jacob, and only Son, so that but were for their kept Abraham’s everyone who believes in own good. There were laws about faith and God Him will not perish but food, cleanliness, chose to bless have eternal life. worship, and the children of John 3:16 NLT dealing with one Jacob, known another. Some as Israel. The of the laws of worship included animal people grew into a great nation but they sacrifices that would temporarily cleanse had been enslaved by a ruthless ruler of their sin and allow them to worship God. Egypt. God chose a man named Moses to
Caught Serving Page 10
Tragedy Compounded Page 18
After that, God led Joshua, Moses disciple, to victories in battle over a sinful people and they took over the land of Canaan. That became the nation of Israel. Israel had many leaders that God raised up until their greatest leader, David who became king of Israel. Israel thrived under the leadership of David and his son Solomon, but after Solomon, the people were divided and they had mostly bad and sinful leadership. Throughout that time, God raised up people, called prophets, to warn the people that they were going to pay the price of hardship if they didn’t repent, or turn back, to God from their sinful and rebellious ways. The
Continue on page 16
1040 Lincoln Rd., Suite A, #124 Yuba City, CA 95991 530-933-1385 editor@ambassadornewspaper.com
The Ambassador
1
The Voice of the Christian Community, Serving Yuba, Sutter, and Butte Counties
SPONSORS
WWW.AMBASSADORNEWSPAPER.COM
TREE
SERVICE
, INC.
Serving our neighbors since 1957
673-7993 Certified Arborist
Lic. Contractor #608859 A-1 Carpet Cleaning
Caldwell's Custom Countertops, Inc
(530) 673-3634
Water Damage Restoration Carpets/ Windows/ Upholstery
530-821-5845 Lic# 749735
www.a-1clean.com
Formica & Solid Surface
The Crave
Crosspointe Christian Books & Gifts
Gourmet Gifts & More 454 Bridge St. Yuba City (530) 790-0792 Hours M/F 10-7 Sat. 10-6
Gaiser Pets 714 Plumas St Yuba City (530) 751-8155
“Not Your Ordinary Pet Store”
530-673-6188 646 Plumas St., YC
James Gallagher CA Assembly Member3rd District 916-319-2003
Don Monroe 1397 Colusa Hwy Yuba City 530-751-2238
Independent Associate
530-208-5117
ssteele@legalsafety.us www.legalsafety.us
RUSSELL & BOALS PAINTING, INC 530-870-2620
530-632-9292
“Building up Christians, Lifting up Christ” We meet at the Bonanza Inn the �irst Tuesday of the month from noon – 1pm.
The Ambassador Newspaper Ministry
1 Cor. 1:18
Monroe Transmission
Legal Shield
Stephanie Steele
Christian Business Alliance
W
NE
Shadd Janitorial Supply Roger Shadd/Owner
“Voted Best Yuba/Sutter Painting Service 2014”
lic.#496656
530-673-0083 226 Bridge Street, YC
Advangelism "the business deduction with eternal rewards!" The Ambassador allows you to let Christian community (and others as well) know about you, We distribute in more than 300 churches and businesses inYuba/Sutter/Butte Counties (residential delivery beginning soon!)
Seth Halpern, Editor 530-933-1385
editor@ambassadornewspaper.com www.ambassadornewspaper.com
Collins Lake
Northern California's Best Family Fishing Lake
1-800-286-0576 www.collinslake.com
Country Vet Clinic, Inc 4839 E. Butte Rd, Live Oak
Jerry Long, DVM & Assoc.
530-674-1660
www.Countryvet.net
Dave Greenetz Construction Inc. www.greenetzconstruction.com
Dr. David A. Bradley
REMODELING
1160 Live Oak Blvd, Yuba City
682.9602- lic.# 452975
673-8440
Jenine L. Tanabe M.D.
JM Construction Co.
Dermatology 414 G Street, Suite 204 Marysville 743-0301
Proforma by Kug Dave Kugelman Promotional Products 530-632-9292
Sperbeck’s
Landscape and Design 1316 Woodward St. YC
530-673-8334 Mike Sperbeck/owner
Optometrist
Jerry Munz/Owner 530-682-5316
jerry.jmconstruction@gmail.com http://www.jerrymunzconstruction.com/
CA Lic#420765
Robert E. Stark, CPA, MBA Retired Auditor/Controller stark@otnusa.com
Yvette Adams Insurance
SHOP CHRISTIAN LOCAL Become a Business Sponsor Call 530-933-1385
2
The Ambassador
530-743-6081
Auto-Home-Farm-Mobilehome
The Voice of the Christian Community, serving Yuba, Sutter, and Butte Counties
MINISTRIES
WWW.AMBASSADORNEWSPAPER.COM
Adventure!Church
Agape Lighthouse
Sun. 9am & 11am www.AdventureChurchYC.org
2106 Pepper Street, Sutter
1100 Garden Hwy.
Pastor!Greg!Mansur
Community Church Pastor BJ Wilson 530-237-6351
Church of Glad Tidings 1179 Eager Road,Yuba_City www.churchofgladtidings.com
Does your church or ministry
530.671.3160
Saturday 7pm-Sunday 10am Wednesday 7pm
Gateway Calvary Chapel
655 Colusa Hwy, YC 530-751-0505 thebridechurch.org Sun. 9am & 11am
808 8th Street, Marysville Sundays 10 a.m. _ Wednesdays 7 p.m.
Craftsmen for Christ- Tues 6:30
www.gatewaycalvary.com
Pastor Doug Hileman
Praise Chapel
Word of Life Church
398 Aylor Avenue Yuba City
1229 Buchanan Street, Marysville
www.praisechapelyc.com
wolmarysville.org
Sun. 9 &11a.m., 6p.m. Wed. 7pm
Sun. 10am & 5pm & Wed. 6:30pm
530-923-7204
530-742-3724
Pastor Stan Reynolds
Pastor Chris Madsen
TWIN CITIES RESCUE MINISTRIES •
partner with
The Bride Church
•
•
••A•Place•to•Sleep,•Shower,•and•Eat-A-Meal ••Hear•The•Word•of •God•Every•Night
The Ambassador? Email editor@ ambassador newspaper.com
••Daily•Bible•Studies ••Noon•Prayer•Service•(Mon-Fri)
Hear the Word of God Every Night at 6:30p.m. Sharp!
A WOMAN’S FRIEND
Roger•Vaca,•Executive•Director 940•14th•St,•Marysville 530.743.8777
Samaritan•Village•Orphanage Tanzania,•Africa
Your Church Listed Here
You CAN help save the lives of children in Tanzania!
Contact:
for details
Seth at The Ambassador 530-933-1385 Call Victor Savage (530) 671-2219 or see page 8 to learn how
editor@ambassadornewspaper.com
THE AMBASSADOR ?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 6,000 - 7,500 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. Views expressed in The Ambassador do not necessarily reflect those of our sponsors or advertisers
Editor/Publisher - Seth Halpern
-
Advisory - Dave Kugelman
-
Design - Teresa Davis
The Ambassador
3
INSPIRATION
The Voice of the Christian Community, Serving Yuba, Sutter, and Butte Counties
WWW.AMBASSADORNEWSPAPER.COM
The Sentinels By Paula McBride Friendly chatter hushed as the eighth graders from Bear River Junior High School in Wheatland, California, passed the stanchion near the tomb of the unknown soldier in Arlington Cemetery. Reading the words “silence and respect” that advises visitors of the solemn nature of the tomb plaza, the students were thoughtful as they found seats in the viewing area. Four of their classmates were meeting with a tomb sentinel in preparation for the laying of the wreath ceremony. Seated with the kids as a chaperone, I marveled at the beauty and grandeur of the tomb and the sacrifice it represented. Soon, a sentinel announced the name of our school, and my daughter and three classmates came forward to position the wreath on its stand. After the playing of taps, the students joined us to view the ceremony for the changing of the guard. It was an amazing demonstration of selfless service, discipline, and unswerving commitment to honor the unnamed heroes who died for our freedom. Who are these who guard the tomb of the unknowns? They are Army soldiers, usually low-ranking, who volunteer to leave their unit and apply for the intense training required to become a tomb sentinel. Sentinels polish their specially
made shoes for hours. They measure the placement of badges and ribbons on their uniforms, knowing they can be “gigged” for the slightest error. They study their rifle manual and march with posture erect, rifle angle perfect, and cadence at exactly ninety steps per minute. They memorize verbatim historical facts and the names and locations of each hero buried at Arlington. They are constantly scrutinized for perfection because they have committed to perfection as a standard. Honor for others above themselves is their very atmosphere. In a time when honor and civility seem to have gone the way of the rotary phone, it is encouraging to know that tradition, ceremony, respect, and value
for human life and sacrifice still exist. As Christ-followers, we know who gave His all and was laid in a tomb for us. We know His tomb is empty, but how much honor do we give Him? How much time? I remember when I tried to honor the church sanctuary by not taking a cup of coffee into the sacred place. Sadly,
now what I think about most is getting to church before the line to the coffee stand gets too long, and I think nothing of taking the cup into worship with me. Does it distract me? Yes. It’s hard to sing and sip at the same time. Is it wrong, a sin, to drink coffee in church? No. Am I willing to give it up? That’s a very convicting question when I consider how much honor my risen Savior deserves. Gratefully, because of the Lord’s tender mercies, He doesn’t hold us to an impossible standard of perfection but trains us to grow into holiness. “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (II Corinthians 5:21). Still, after considering the character of the tomb sentinels, let’s challenge ourselves to be intentional in our respect and honor for the One who is Perfection, and who sacrificed His life for our freedom now and for eternity.
Professionals Dedicated to Protecting and Preserving Your Growing Investment Serving Our Neighbors Since 1957
(530)
TREE
SERVICE
, INC.
673-7993
www.richardstree.com
Certified Arborist Tree Trimming Cabling & Bracing Tree & Stump Removal 24 Hr Emergency Service Arborist Reports
10% DISCOUNT WITH THIS AD Fully Insured for P.L. & P.D.
4
Workmen's Comp.
Lic. Contractor #608859
The Ambassador
Senior Discounts
David Holycross Helping families honor the lives of those they love since 1998
Yuba City
www.holycrossmemorial.com | (530) 751 - 7000 | License #FD1653
The Voice of the Christian Community, serving Yuba, Sutter, and Butte Counties
WWW.AMBASSADORNEWSPAPER.COM
INSPIRATION In God’s Time
How’s The Fruit By April James Have you ever made plans for your day, scheduled everything out just perfectly, to only have them fall apart due to unforeseen delays or events? What purpose is there to unforeseen circumstances in life? Missed flights, stuck in traffic, long wait at the doctor’s office or in line at DMV, a sick child or pet; do they serve any purpose? Or, do they simply exist and have no cause or affect? Does how we handle the unexpected circumstances perhaps reveal something about ourselves? Do we have reactions that surprise us? Are there things inside we don’t like to see surface or want exposed in such times? When our plans go awry, are we able to give thanks in the middle of the situation? Do we remain calm and peaceful or become irritated and upset? Does our happiness quickly fade away? Are we still pleasant to deal with or become intolerable? Does our language change? Are things going askew happenstance, the work of an enemy force, or Divine intervention? Whatever the cause, if God is good and works all things out for our good, can we stop in the midst of unplanned situations, and take a moment to examine how we are reacting to what is
taking place? Are we reacting with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control; or does some of our fruit (of the Holy Spirit) need to ripen a little more? If we respond in a manner not so pleasing, don’t be discourage, we are all a continual work in progress as we are being molded into the image of Jesus Christ. So let’s take a deep breath and thank the Lord for showing us what still needs some work in our lives, ask him to help us in areas of shortcomings and take some corrective actions. First, we can begin with a humble apology to those we may have shown a less than Christ like attitude to and ask for forgiveness if necessary. Then, give an invitation to the Holy Spirit to search the inner most parts of our being and reveal to us what is not pleasing to the Lord. Next, pray as King David did “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” Psalm 51:10. Finally, take action, with the Lord’s help, on what he shows us needs to be changed. Perhaps the next time we have an unexpected delay in the midst of a hectic day, we can relax, even enjoy the moment, smile and say “Okay, Lord, looks like I have some extra time, what’s on Your mind?
Gourmet Gifts & More At The Crave, you’ll find unique gift items and gourmet gift baskets. We sell Locally Grown Products! Loose Leaf Tea! Daily Olive Oil Tasting!
530.790.0792
454 Bridge Street, Yuba City www.thecravegifts.com
Hours: Mon-Fri 10am—7pm Sat 10am— 6pm
By: Josh Vanassche “To choose time is to save time.” – Francis Bacon In an age of skepticism and hopelessness, many wonder if God will rescue us from our fallen ways. Some believers wonder whether Jesus will ever save us in time, before we destroy ourselves. This made me think; what does “in time” mean? God appears to be “slow”. It was 400 years after Isaiah prophesized about the Messiah that he actually came. When God promised Abraham children, it didn’t happen until 40 years later. Furthermore, Jesus promised to return to Earth for final judgment one day. Well God, it’s been over 2,000 years! Can we speed our salvation up a little here? Scripture is clear that God is not exactly making his promises in a “New York minute”! Why is He not fast in his promises all the time? I’m sure David thought the same thing when he was anointed king of Israel yet didn’t immediately take his throne! What’s our definition of “fast”? Is 2,000 years too long to wait for the second coming of Jesus? Some may question the existence of Jesus based on how long it’s been since his
resurrection. Using human logic regarding time, if we lived on the planet Mercury, it would have been 176,000 years since the resurrection of Jesus! In contrast, if we lived on the planet Pluto it would have been only eight years since the resurrection! Furthermore, consider the US time zones. According to the Canadian Encyclopedia (2009): “At noon on November 18, 1883, North American railway systems adopted a standardized system of keeping time that used hour-wide time zones. It took many years, but eventually people around the world began using the same timekeeping system.” What’s my point to all this messy time stuff? We base time on logic and reasoning. God does not think as we do. He has no sense of time like we do. Scripture says: “A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is a like a day. “ (2 Pet 3:8). And: “For you a thousand years are as a passing day, as brief as a few night hours.” (Ps 90:4). Let’s not get frustrated or impatient with the Lord when we don’t get that promotion when we want it or when a family member doesn’t heal quickly.
Continue on page 8
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA'S BEST FAMILY FISHING LAKE Planted with TROPHY TROUT TWICE WEEKLY thru May Rainbow & German Brown Trout, Florida Largemouth Bass, Alabama Spotted Bass, Crappie, Bluegill & Catfish Located between Marysville & Grass Valley
www.collinslake.com
1-800-286-0576
The Ambassador
5
The Voice of the Christian Community, Serving Yuba, Sutter, and Butte Counties
CALENDAR CROSSROADS CLOTHES CLOSET Crossroads Community Church, YC Shop at our - FREE Clothes given away! Open Mon - Fri 10am - 4pm PRAYER VIGIL FOR LIFE! Yuba-Sutter Right to Life is hosting peaceful, prayerful vigils in front of the Yuba City Planned Parenthood. All you need to participate is one hour and the desire to pray for LIFE. Please contact Heather Pugh at 751-9349 for date and time if you are interested.
SUNDAY CELEBRATE RECOVERY Praise Chapel Church - Sunday 6:30 p.m. Join us for great worship and open share group. For more information call (530) 923-7204.
MONDAY KNIT & CROCHET WOMENS FELLOWSHIP First Baptist Church of Olivehurst 1777 - 8th Ave. - Mon 10 a.m. - Noon Practice your yarn craft or learn a new one with us. Knifty Knitters are welcome. Bring your own project or work on a charity item that we donate to those in need in the community. Email yarncraftersforchrist@hotmail.com for info. CELEBRATE RECOVERY Mondays 6:30p.m.-8:30p.m. We are a Christ-Centered recovery group that provides a safe place to share your struggles,experiences, victories, and hopes with others who are also going through to Christ Centered recovery. For more info call 530.755.4149. Follow us on Facebook @ Celebrate Recovery Crossroads Community Church FREE KARATE CLASSES First Baptist Church of Olivehurst Mon 5:30pm FREE karate classes taught from a Christian perspective. 743-1831 for info, Pastor Miguel.
WWW.AMBASSADORNEWSPAPER.COM
Ongoing Events TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
multiple days of the week
ENCOUNTERING GOD 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Every Tuesday Morning Embassy of Heaven Campus 1179 Eager Rd., YC - (Hwy 99 @ Eager Rd.) 530-671-3160 - www.churchofgladtidings.com Our Tuesday morning meetings begin with a time of worship. Afterwards we rely on the Holy Spirit to lead us to minister to each other, encourage each other, and build our hunger and desire for the things of God. Childcare is provided.
FREE BIBLE COLLEGE CLASSES First Baptist Church of Olivehurst 1777 8th Ave., Olivehurst -Wed Mornings 10a.m. Starting in January 2015 you can earn an accredited bible college degree … all books are in public domain and you only need a tablet, computer or some type of electronic reader. We can print them out for a small charge. You will need a King James Bible to get started. fbco@comcast.net for more information. ENROLL TODAY!
PRAYER Every Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, 7:00 p.m. Embassy of Heaven Campus Church of Glad Tidings 1179 Eager Road, Yuba City - 530-671-3160 “My house shall be called a house of prayer.” (Matt. 21:13). The church today in is 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.
SAMARITAN VILLAGE MONTHLY MEETING The 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:30p.m. This meeting is open to all who are interested in helping with an orphanage in Tanzania. For info call Victor Savage at 671-2219.
AWANA Wed 5:45-7:45pm during school year Evangelical Free Church - 3785 Olive Hwy. Oroville For information please call 533-6866 Awana is a boys & girls club consisting of small group time, games, large group time.
CRAFTSMEN FOR CHRIST The Bride Church - 655 Colusa Hwy, YC Meets every Tuesday at 6:30p.m. Men’s fellowship around the word and worship. All in the Body of Christ welcome!
Join Us From Noon To 1 p.m. at the Bride Church the first Tuesday of Every Month for a Time of Encouragement, Fellowship & Prayer with the Christian Business Alliance All Are Welcome!!
LIFE @ HOPE POINT Hope Point Nazarene 600 N. George Washington Blvd, YC Wednesday @ 6:30pm for kids, 7pm for adults Join us for Life@Hope Point - groups for Nursery through High School ages and classes for adults Parenting, How to Study your Bible, more so contact the church office at 671-1130 for more details.
TUESDAY SATURDAY BETHESDA HEALING WELL Saturday, July 16 at 10:00 AM Embassy of Heaven Campus - Bldg 200 1179 Eager Road, YC - Ed Han 209-298-6102 Gathering for a time of soaking in God’s presence and then spending time to receive focused prayer for healing. CELEBRATE RECOVERY Loma Rica Community Church- Moy Hall. Fri., 7pm. Call church office for more information 743-5435
WOMENS CLOTHES CLOSET Twin Cities Rescue Mission Every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:00 a.m. - Noon 940 14th Street, Marysville We now have a womens clothes closet at the mission! It is free and available to everyone. We accept donations Monday - Sunday of women’s men’s, and children’s clothing!
Have an event coming up?... SEND IT TO US TO SPREAD THE WORD! editor@ambassador newspaper.com
Check Out The New Ambassador Calendar Of Events! Learn About Events For The Local Christian Community -- All In One Place! Visit www.ambassadornewspaper.com and click on the “Ambassador Calendar”
6
The Ambassador
The Voice of the Christian Community, serving Yuba, Sutter, and Butte Counties
CALENDAR
WWW.AMBASSADORNEWSPAPER.COM
UGANDA KIDS’ CHOIR Gateway Calvary Chapel, 808 8th St., Marysville Sun. July 24th – 6pm Please join us for a free concert by the Uganda Kids’ Choir. You will be blessed by these little ones from overseas as they sing their songs to the Lord! NATIONAL NIGHT OUT First Lutheran Church, 850 Cooper Ave., Yuba City Tue. Aug. 2 from 5:30-8:30 pm Details: Cone on out to FLC’s National Night Out, Meet others in the community, and grab a hot dog and a snow cone. We’ll have a bounce house for the kids, Christian Music, and Reuben the Comfort Dog.
Special Events TO TANZANIA WITH LOVE” Crossroads Community Church, 445 B St, Yuba City Sun, Sept.11th, 5pm - 8pm Benefit for Samaritan Village Orphanage Wonderful evening featuring recording artist Leon Patillo Free Dinner and Concert. Love Offering will be taken to benefit the orphans at Samaritan Village Orphanage, Tanzania, Africa 5:00 pm Dinner/ 6:00 pm Concert
Want to have your activities and events bold and hightlighted in the Ambassador? Become a church partner and help support this ministry. Contact Seth at 530-933-1385 or editor@ ambassadornewspaper.com
Prayer Calendar for July 2016 5-Jul Marketplace Ministries-Opportunities to share at work 6-Jul Orphan children- Samaritan Village (see p. 3) and other orphanages 7-Jul Pray for our nation and the upcoming election 8-Jul A Woman’s Friend - Unborn children/Pregnant Women 9-Jul Local ministries (see p. 3) 10-Jul Marriages-Restoration and Strength 11-Jul Heat! Pray for the elderly, homeless and others sensitive to scorching heat 12-Jul Adoptive families & birth moms 13-Jul Missionaries -Fruit, Provision 14-Jul Sex Trafficking - pray for victims 15-Jul Military, All armed forces & their families. 16-Jul The Ambassador Newspaper-Increased readership and Impact 17-Jul Teen Depression, Suicide 18-Jul Global Persecution-Safety/Courage of Believers 19-Jul Local officials and community leaders 20-Jul Middle East - For the peace of Jerusalem 21-Jul ISIS/Terrorism- pray for wisdom & strong leadership to eradicade it 22-Jul Homeless/Poor - Twin Cities Rescue Mission, A Hand Up, Salvation Army 23-Jul Pray for the Unemployed and Underemployed 24-Jul Unity in and among local churches 25-Jul Christian Businesses-Ambassador Sponsors & others. 26-Jul Children and Children’s Ministries 27-Jul Singles, Single Parents, Divorce healing 28-Jul Addicted, Rehab ministries- Feather River Mens Center, Joshua House, Celebrate Recovery 29-Jul First Responders-Police, Firefighters, EMT, TIP 30-Jul Local Pastors and their families 31-Jul Hollywood- May God to touch influential people
The Brownsville Mercantile
A Great Selection of Quality Items!
Brownsville Mercantile sells quality items from multiple consignors, mostly locals. We offer a wide range of items including: Home Decor, Kitchen, Bath, Cards, Gifts, Jewelry, Children’s Items and Women’s Clothing Mon - Sat: 10am - 5pm 6838 Willow Glen Rd. Brownsville 675-1133
(across from the Golden Eagle Market)
The Ambassador
7
INSPIRATION
The Voice of the Christian Community, Serving Yuba, Sutter, and Butte Counties
WWW.AMBASSADORNEWSPAPER.COM
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5: “IN GOD'S TIME”
Inescapable Path to Todd
Spending as much time together as we do, people often wonder how we are still together…and still alive. I didn’t choose my husband. I never made good choices in male companions so I decided to give up the search. That’s when the Lord put me on the inescapable path to Todd. I was 22, just out of a really bad, stifling, 5yr relationship and had taken up drinking all day on Sundays as a pasttime with my two brothers and sister-in-law. We had gone to a standup comedy show at a night club the previous Sunday, and I was eager to go again the following Sunday. I put steam rollers in my hair and passed out. When my siblings woke me for dinner, I discovered that my sister-in-law had
8
The Ambassador
bowed out of going to comedy night because it made her last Monday at work a bit difficult. Also,my brother wasn’t going without her. Well, I didn’t curl my hair for nothing so against everyone’s wishes, I set out for a 20-minute drive by myself. During my drive (I remember it like it was yesterday), I had both hands on the wheel looking straight ahead into the darkness and kept wondering “Why am I doing this? Why am I going out here alone?” You see, back then, I was very shy and reserved. I had made a decision to live life, have fun and be myself, regardless of what others thought. I would not ever be stifled again!! So onward I went until I found myself sitting in the audience, looking at this broad shouldered, handsome man, on stage telling jokes. After the show at the club, we ended up sharing a few dances together, at my request. *Gasp, scandalous! But hey, it’s okay, he’s just a comic passing through town and I’ll never have to see him again…or so I thought. Inevitably, the fast song turned to a slow one and then back to a fast one, but wait?!! What is this?!! We are still slow dancing??
That’s when it happened. A still small voice spoke to my very existence, like an all-consuming thought that I know didn’t come from me, but yet permeated through me. This is the man you are going to spend the rest of your life with. Wait, what?! Um, I don’t think so. I am free, making friends and having the time of my life! It took me about two weeks to ponder this experience and come to the conclusion that there is something happening here bigger than I can fathom. I knew it to be true in my heart, but didn’t trust myself; I had let me down repeatedly in the past. I was putting my trust in the wrong place. You see, even back when I wasn’t outwardly putting the Lord first in my life, my heart was so desperately seeking, pure, true love, trust, justice and all things good. It’s in Jesus Christ, Y’shua, my Savior, that I have found ALL things good, beyond my wildest dreams. Tamera Sturgis is a former Roller Derby “Queen” who enjoys an unusual life in Christ while hauling freight with her husband, Todd. You can follow her journey at her Facebook page “Trucking is Glamorous”.
Everything is in God’s time and purpose. I know this is easier said than done but be patient! Do not assume God is ignoring your prayers or doesn’t care for you! He is always listening and always loving. What we need to focus on instead is our relationship with him. When we focus on loving God and doing his work, we become blessed. For all of us who are waiting for an answer to our problems, or anything else we pray for, remember, God will answer in God’s time, not human time! Time as we understand it is based on human logic. When things don’t go our way, we sometimes feel disconnected from God. The fire we have to serve him goes away when we feel that God isn’t listening to us. Remember- don’t stop your service to him in dire times! Scripture says: “Let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we do not give up.” (Gal 6:9). Notice this verse says “at just the right time”. It doesn’t say tomorrow, in the year 2017, etc. Focus on doing God’s work and show trust in him and we will be blessed...in HIS TIME!
The Voice of the Christian Community, serving Yuba, Sutter, and Butte Counties
WWW.AMBASSADORNEWSPAPER.COM
View From the Pulpit
(Hearing the heart of local pastors)
Staying Power
By Doug HilemanGateway Calvary Chapel, Marysville “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” John 15:4 Abiding in Christ is not me working. It is staying in His presence, staying connected, and being with Him. It is hanging out, talking, asking questions, making observations, requests, relaxing with Him and enjoying the moment. It is praying, seeking guidance, having fellowship, getting renewed, expressing my heart, listening for His heart, and sharing each other’s burdens and visions. I envision myself sitting at His feet as a student, climbing up on His lap as His child, clasping my hands and pleading for mercy for myself and others. It is lying face down before Him in worship and dancing before Him in joy. It is having a Shepherd to shepherd conference, (I’m a pastor) and praying for others according to His leading. It is Him giving a pep talk before the big game, and final instructions for the same. In all this, the emphasis is not on what I am doing. It is mostly just being— being happy that I am in His company, and that He, surprisingly enough, seems to be happy with mine. This aspect of abiding requires blocks of time dedicated to nothing else. I desperately need these unhurried open-ended sessions where it is just me, Jesus, and the Bible. Where the pressure of producing Bible studies or sermons is set aside for the time being. Where I can relax and luxuriate in the slow pondering of a scriptural question, or to seek His guidance or His will for an upcoming decision. It is where the world can be shut out for a time, and I can hear His voice, FINALLY! That’s
how it should feel—a sigh of relief, a sense of anticipation, a desire just to receive something—anything—that He wants to lay on me at that moment. Reminding myself of His grace and absolute acceptance, I wrap myself in the security of that astonishing fact, and I come boldly just as I am instructed to come so that I may enter His throne room with honest spontaneity. Sometimes I come with singing, sometimes with tears, and sometimes with silent fullness of spirit. It is the silence of abiding that seems to be the most powerful thing to me. While I wordlessly worship and pour out my gratitude for all that He has become to me, He causes my heart to burn within me as He opens up the Scriptures, just like it happened with the two disciples on the Emmaus Road in Luke 24. My ability to abide in Christ as I navigate through a busy work week is utterly dependent upon having these types of blocked-out-from-everythingelse encounters with Jesus. Making time for such a meeting of the minds is possible—for most of us, anyway— when no one else is awake, and when there are no distractions or interruptions. That means either very early in the morning or late at night. Will it cost me some sleep? Probably. Is it worth it? Absolutely. Can I get by without it? Who would want to?
INSPIRATION Hope For The Journey By Jeanne Dukes In the “faith chapter”, Hebrews 11:8 recalls a landmark journey of trust from the Old Testament: “By faith, Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” We all face times when our next destination is unclear. Sometimes, we stand at a bright crossroads and weigh the options in all directions. But, other times, the future is veiled in total darkness. We can only move forward as God lights our way, one merciful step at a time. Several years ago, after a marriage of over three decades and raising five children, my world was drastically changed by a painful midlife divorce. We had been involved in full-time ministry, so it was especially devastating. The challenges of starting over were mountainous at every turn. I wasn’t just at a crossroads—I was at a blinding standstill. I didn’t know what to do or where to go. I could no longer depend on the comfortable and familiar. My future was a blank canvas, and I desperately needed fresh vision as I embarked on uncharted territory. At first, when the rug was pulled out from under me, it actually felt safer to stay wounded and never get up again.
Particularly for someone who has invested many years in a dream, it’s convenient to say, “I tried and trusted, and look what happened.” Whether it’s a broken relationship, a failed business venture, or a long-elusive brass ring, discouragement can steer us out to pasture. But, when we abandon the race too early, we forget that life experiences can temper us and add needed layers to our foundation, preparing us to achieve higher things. Often, those who have known the “agony of defeat” are best primed to appreciate the value of an even more victorious comeback. Thankfully, as I prayed for divine direction, the Lord planted wonderful seeds of promise to guide me to my destiny. They encouraged me and brought peace when the answers still seemed so far away. New dreams slowly filled my heart, and they gave me assurance and strength. Yet, the greatest gift I received was not foresight, but a steadfast faith that would not let me go. Even when the doubts came and I was disappointed, I couldn’t give up. God’s lamp illuminated my path, helping me to take those small, incremental steps towards my new destination. After a winding adventure, I found a different but beautiful life I couldn’t have imagined. I
Continue on page 15
Excellent Massage Care
$
25
00
Exp. 7/31/16
Reflexology - Deep Tissue Couples Massage - Hot Stone - Exfoliating Brenda Banducci, CMT, ABMP
(530) 7 0 1- 4847
317 D Street, Marysville, CA 95901 "Wonderful…I felt refreshed and energized!" Seth Halpern
30 Minute Back, Neck & Shoulder Massage -FreeBack Glow Treatment I Love My Work”
The Ambassador
9
10
The Ambassador
The Ambassador
11
COMMUNITY
The Voice of the Christian Community, Serving Yuba, Sutter, and Butte Counties
WWW.AMBASSADORNEWSPAPER.COM
CBA MARKETPLACE MONTHLY
ISAAC Four-year-old Isaac was found abandoned when he was a baby outside of Arusha in a banana farm. When he was found, he was very weak and sick with malaria and malnutrition. We give praise to God that he was found, and that he was able to recover from his very sad and frightening ordeal. Thankfully, Isaac is now doing very well and is enrolled in the “baby class” at school. Isaac enjoys playing and spending time with his brothers and sisters at Samaritan Village. Like the other children at Samaritan Village, Isaac will continue to live here until he is either adopted by an eligible family or until he is an adult and is able to support himself. The goals for Isaac’s future include providing him with the tools he needs so that he can achieve
his full, God given potential. We strive to achieve these goals by ensuring that he grows up in a stable, loving home environment where he receives excellent spiritual, educational, physical and emotional care. As a supporter of Samaritan Village, you can be part of blessing him, one of “the least of these”. God allows us to be His hands and feet, ministering to the needs of others. A gift of $60.00 monthly will provide for Isaac’s care at Samaritan Village Orphanage. A monthly sponsorship for a child is $60.00, but any amount, either one time, monthly or even yearly is greatly appreciated. Please visit our website @ samaritanvillageorphanage.org or you may follow us on Facebook @ Samaritan Village Orphanage. We are an all-volunteer Board and meet monthly along with interested friends of Samaritan Village. We are involved in activities throughout the year — all for the joy of helping care for the children. If you would like to find out more or be part of this exciting work, please call Joan @ 530-755-2588.
Go and Make Disciples! I’m sure you are familiar with the above heading. It is from Matthew 28:19 where Jesus is giving us the “great commission.” In order for us to make disciples, we must be disciples ourselves. Leadership expert John Maxwell says, “We teach what we know but we reproduce who we are.” Think of it this way, if every Christian was like you, what would Christianity look like? So, if we are not committed followers of Jesus Christ living as a half-hearted follower, we will not be effective in making genuine disciples. We must be intentional in our own spiritual growth. With that said, I want to encourage you to consider adding Oswald Chambers “My Utmost for His Highest” to your daily spiritual diet. (In addition to your daily Bible reading) According to Wikipedia, “My Utmost for His Highest” is considered to be one of
the most popular religious books ever written. The following is an excerpt from the June 23rd reading. “Either God or sin must die in my life. The New Testament brings us right down to this one issue. If sin rules in me, God’s life in me will be killed; if God rules in me, sin in me will be killed. There is no possible ultimate but that.” That is a taste of how he will challenge you in your Christian walk. I don’t know about you but I need to be challenged in order to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ. And in order to grow, sin has to die in my life. So if you need a spiritual boost, I believe Oswald can help you achieve this. I have read it off and on over the last 15 years and it continues to have a positive effect on my life. Let it impact yours as well!
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19 NIV David Kugelman is the president of the Christian Business Alliance which meets each Tuesday at noon at various locations. Dave welcomes your questions or comments on this article at drkug@comcast.net
Samaritan Village Orphanage, Inc. P.O. Box 444 Yuba City, CA 95992 Tax ID#68-0214955 501c 3
by Kug
ONE SOURCE. INFINITE RESOURCES.
YOUR BUSINESS LOGO: SCREEN PRINTED ON SHIRTS PRINTED ON COFFEE MUGS EMBROIDERED ON HATS PRINTED ON PENS / KEY CHAINS BUSINESS CARDS / CHECKS OFFICE ACCESSORIES, ETC.
Full line of Promotional Products
Embroidery
Screen Printing
Owners: David & Robin Kugelman 530.742.2434 http//:drkug.logomall.com
12
The Ambassador
The Voice of the Christian Community, serving Yuba, Sutter, and Butte Counties
COMMUNITY
WWW.AMBASSADORNEWSPAPER.COM
“Life Matters” presented by Y-S Right to Life • • • TRULY FREE • • • By Heather Pugh, Yuba-Sutter Right to Life Secretary
choice can be far-reaching, impacting every facet of your life from relationships with those you hold most dear, to your ability to find joy in the things you once enjoyed, to the way you feel about and see yourself, to the way you spend eternity. If you find yourself or someone you know unexpectedly pregnant and unsure of what choice to make, please call A Woman’s Friend 24-hour helpline (530741-0556). There you will find genuine, caring people to help you through this life-changing crisis. Also, if you or someone you know has made the choice to have an abortion in the past and you feel the consequence
of that choice weighing heavily on you, there is help. Whether you are a woman who had the abortion willingly or under duress and pressure, there is love and help and forgiveness. If you are a man who pressured a pregnant woman to have an abortion or a man who was helpless to save the life of his unborn child, there is love and healing. Seek it. Find it. Embrace it. Be healed and forgiven! As children of a loving and forgiving God, we can be truly free. Free from all of the bad choices we have made. Free from
A Woman’s Friend Lives Set Free Program, 961 Live Oak Blvd., Yuba City. 530-741-0556. Free Rachel’s Vineyard 1-877-HOPE-4-ME, (1-877-467-3463). www.rachelsvineyard.org. Scholarships available. Silent No More Awareness www.SilentNoMoreAwareness.org
We build structures and relationships to last.
and License #547970
As American citizens, we are blessed with freedom. As U.S. citizens, we are free to worship according to our conscience, free to elect politicians of our choosing, and free to make choices for ourselves of how we live our lives. Many men and women have fought and died to protect our freedoms and to obtain freedom for others around the globe. We celebrate them and our freedoms this month. But too often we forget that freedom to choose does not mean freedom from the consequence of those choices. For example, if I choose to walk in the road, I would be at risk of being hit by a car. If I choose to eat whatever and whenever I like, I would be at risk of developing health problems. If I choose to abuse drugs, I would be at risk of addiction and wasting my life away. There are risks involved in the choices we make that affect not only our physical well-being, but our emotional and spiritual lives as well. Freedom to choose to have an abortion is permitted under the law. But the sufferings endured as a result of that
all of the sin and sorrow and heartache we have brought upon ourselves and those we love. Speak with a pastor or trusted friend and allow God to fill your life with hope and love once more. For help and healing from the choice of abortion, there are open arms eager to embrace you in your pain and work with you to find peace. Contact any of the resources below and allow freedom to permeate every fiber of your being. The choice is yours to make.
Partnering together to save millions in the design and construction costs for Christian schools and churches nationwide.
530-673-2947
The Ambassador
13
COMMUNITY A team of ten from Cornerstone Church in Yuba City went on a short term mission trip with Living Water International*, (LWI) from June 11 – June 18 to El Salvador. They went to drill a well & deliver hygiene training for a rural community that has little to no clean water for drinking. The cost of the well plus the team’s travel & accommodation was sponsored by contributions from the Cornerstone congregation. Praises go to our Lord for their willingness and success in going. This was the 6th annual LWI mission trip. This years’ team was led by Dieter Rex. Others on the team included John & Debbie Arnold, Rita Galusha, Lisa Mathews, Dave Wright, Bill Lewis, Joel Burgess, Bill Ollar, and Jed Nunes. The team flew into San Salvador and settled into their short-term living accommodations at the Hotel Rancho Estero Y Mar in La Paz. Each day they were treated to delicious Salvadorian breakfasts & dinners. In addition, each day at the drill site community ladies prepared wonderful Salvadorian foods, too. On Monday, the Cornerstone team received a warm welcome from their rural community where children and adults lined the street. After
introductions, the team was invited to walk within the community where they were introduced to other residents. That afternoon, the men, 7 from Cornerstone along with 2 nationals from LWI, began drilling using compressed air and jack hammered rotation which allowed them to reach a depth of 90 feet after 4 hours. This was viewed as great progress. Meanwhile, the 3 ladies joined Karla, a national with LWI, to present hygiene training and bible lessons. Glitter on moist hands was used to show how easily germs are transmitted from one person to the next. On Tuesday, the drill team hit water just past 100 ft, but they continued another 50 ft for a total of 150 ft. After retrieving the drill pipes, they inserted PVC casing and then using smaller drill pipes began to flush & develop the well. The hygiene team taught about the importance of re-hydration and keeping food and water covered to prevent germ transmission from flies. The Bible lesson that day was Jesus Seeking Out His Lost Sheep and the children had great fun making sheep masks from paper plates and cotton balls. On Wednesday, the drill team completed the concrete base for the
Free Home Market Value Analysis Call or email Intero Real Estate Services for a free, no obligation market value analysis of your home.
Intero Real Estate Services Donna Phelan Director of Sales 868 Richland Road Yuba City, CA 95991
14
The Ambassador
Office: 530-790-7000 Donnaphelan@interopride.com BRE#01338574
The Voice of the Christian Community, serving Yuba, Sutter, and Butte Counties
WWW.AMBASSADORNEWSPAPER.COM
Living Water International exists to demonstrate the love of God by helping communities acquire desperately needed clean water, and experience “living water” – the gospel of Jesus Christ- which alone satisfies the deepest thirst. Each year hundreds of volunteers are led on mission trips, working with local communities, under the leadership of nationals, to implement water projects. Their training in well drilling, pump repair, and hygiene education equip volunteers to complete these short term mission trips to bring viable water solutions to people in need of clean water. http:// water.cc
pump and later assisted the ladies as they prepped for their afternoon activities. That afternoon the ladies taught about dental hygiene and also Jesus’ Plan of Salvation. Each child & mother received tooth brushes & paste along with brightly colored yet wordless books of salvation. Each color represented a key point of salvation. On Thursday, the drill team completed the pump installation followed by a Well Dedication from 2 – 4 pm. It was truly a time of celebration, giving thanks to the Lord, with expressions of appreciations interwoven with games and fun. It’s hard to know which lives were changed more – “those serving” or those “being served”. Praises to our Lord!
(See a few pictures of the trip on p. 10 “Caught Serving”)
The Ambassador Ministry
would like to thank the following people for their Individual Sponsorship
Bob Gilbert Kathy Baum Jim McCarty Rich & Joan Hackney Jim & Darlene Myers Marty Brown Tom Harris John Nicholls Warren & Lucy Campbell Carrie Pederson Allen Halpern LaDonna Curteman Wendell Prine April James Chuck David Mimi Robarge Sandi Juri Christine Emerson Jeff Royce Sue Kochi Rita Galusha George & Cherie Shaw Clay Maynard
God Bless Each Of You For Your Support Of This Ministry And Our Community •••
If you would be interested in supporting The Ambassador as an Individual Sponsor ($20/month) please contact Seth Halpern at: editor@ambassadornewspaper.com or call 530-933-1385 or visit us online at www.ambassadornewspaper.com
The Voice of the Christian Community, serving Yuba, Sutter, and Butte Counties
WWW.AMBASSADORNEWSPAPER.COM
Con’t From Page 9 - HOPE FOR THE JOURNEY recounted my journey in a screenplay and a book (Once Upon October, under my pen name, Gina Gates). God graciously brought me love and the desires of my heart, wrapped in a story that only He could have written. But, along the way, I was reminded that every road to “happily ever after” is beset with struggles, because all dreams are tested before they come true. Just as Psalm 105:9 says, the word of the Lord tried Joseph before he saw his dream fulfilled. It’s God’s way of proving that He is the sole source of our strength
and the author of our dreams. Right now, maybe you feel that your promises will never come true. But, remember, God is still writing your story, and there is no expiration date on your dreams. Like Abraham, you might not know where you are going, but stay the course. He will show you the way—one step at a time—and His light will lead you home. Jeanne Dukes is an inspirational author and screenwriter. She and her husband, John, live in Yuba City and enjoy serving their community.
Faith Christian Schools, Yuba City First United Methodist Church
and the Award-Winning FCS Players
th 18 19 Annual Young People’s Summer Theatre Program present:
“Questions in Sunday School at Gateway Calvary Chapel, Marysville”
“What does “Freedom/ Freedom in Christ” mean to you?”
"To me, freedom is the reason that hundreds, no thousands, of warriors fight for. Men and women die for the price of freedom. Just ask any veteran about what they fight for. Freedom is the ability to do what you believe is right. That is what freedom means to me." Daniel Boothe
"To me, freedom in Christ means that I am a new person, and that I can express how I love him in everything I do." Alisa Boothe
"I know that freedom is a wonderful thing, but freedom in Christ is even better. It feels wonderful! I believe that it means much more than words can explain."
Hellen McGlynn
For 19 Years the Sacramento Region’s Premier Summer Drama Camp! Produced by Paul and Anne DeMeritt Directed by Lindsay Roberts, Hailey Warta and Kaylee Poppinga Musical Direction by Jeff Poppinga
6 Great Performances of Disney’s THE LION KING! with special lights, music, dance & magic for the Whole Family!
Tuesday – Friday, July 12, 13, 14, 15 - 7:00 pm Saturday Matinee, July 16 - 1:00 pm Saturday Evening, July 16 - 6:00 pm First United Methodist Church Theater 3101 Colusa Hwy, Yuba City
“It means a lot to me! It means he helps people, like when he fed the people the five loaves of bread!” Bryce Stancil
Tickets: $10.00 General, $8.00 Students, Seniors and Active Duty Military Tickets on sale at the theater Monday - Friday 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and at the Door for Performances! Don’t Miss it!!! Call 530-674-5474 or 530-713-4793 or Visit: www.fcsplayers.com or www. fcs-k12.org
The Ambassador
15
The Voice of the Christian Community, Serving Yuba, Sutter, and Butte Counties
WWW.AMBASSADORNEWSPAPER.COM
Continued From Page 1: The Bible Simplified worst hardship came when the nation was split into two, a northern Kingdom called Israel and a southern Kingdom called Judah, each was ultimately taken over for a foreign power. Israel never recovered, but Judah (the more faithful of the two kingdoms) was allowed to return to their home by a benevolent foreign captor. They returned, built a wall for the city and a new temple to worship God. Things were quiet for several hundred years until God told a young virgin that she would give birth to a baby to be named Jesus (Y’shua in Hebrew) and since He would be born to a woman and from God with no human father, the baby would be both man and God. He would be the Son of God, the only one to be born without sin and lived a sin-free life. He would grow up to teach as no teacher before him and back up his teaching with
miracles. Yet, his purpose was not to teach or do miracles but instead to die a horrible death. His death would come at the hands of the Romans and at the request of the Jewish leaders who were threatened by his popularity. However, God himself put Jesus to death as a sacrifice to pay for the sins of each person in the world,
Marysville Gold Sox Baseball Environmental Alternatives Foster Family Appreciation Night
Friday July 8, 2016 7:05 PM
Recology Fireworks Night Saturday July 9, 2016 7:05 PM
past, present and future. Because God is Holy, He cannot look upon sin, nor can He have a relationship with anyone who has sinned. This is why the Law was given through Moses, so that an animal sacrifice would pay for debt of the person’s sin. The Law was also given to show people that they could not keep it perfectly, but would sin and need a sacrifice. That is how people came to God in history. But now, God was ending the need for all the sacrifices and law keeping. His holiness and justice required a payment, a sacrifice. However, His Love compelled Him give up the Son he loved to make a way for the rest of us, sinners, to have a relationship with Him. After Jesus died, He rose from death, called the resurrection and after showing himself in bodily form as evidence to many of his followers, He
went up to Heaven where he sits on the throne. He sent His Holy Spirit so that all who believe in Him can have access to His power and His peace. His followers (the 12) were commanded to reach the world with his message of love, hope, and eternal life with Him.. (Note: This has been God’s plan from the beginning of time. He gave his Word (the Bible) which was written by 40 people over a period of thousands of years. The writers were from different cultures, countries, and careers. Some educated, some not. God divinely inspired each one to write His Word and though there may appear to be problems at first glance, a deeper study of the Bible will confirm that there is perfect unity especially in the most important aspect- reconciling us to God, the redemption of mankind!)
Newcastle Yuba City
Feather Falls Casino Fireworks Night
Rideout Homerun For Health Night
916-663-4116 530-751-2238
Saturday July 23, 2016 7:05 PM
Solar City Family Night Sunday July 24, 2016 7:05 PM
“Gateway to the Pro’s” lauren@goldsox.com
16
741-3600
The Ambassador
www.Goldsox.com
9093 Old State Hwy Newcastle, CA 95658
1397 Colusa Hwy Yuba City, CA 95993
The Voice of the Christian Community, serving Yuba, Sutter, and Butte Counties
WWW.AMBASSADORNEWSPAPER.COM
EDITORIAL
The Great State of Joy By Dr. Ronald Harden, President, EPIC Bible College and Graduate School
Nehemiah 8:10: “Go, and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” This Biblical state of being, known as “joy,” is best defined as, “the assurance that produces peace, in the midst of external or internal difficulties.” The key to joy is found in our ability to focus. As we looked above at the very definition of the word joy, I would present to you that joy is not just happiness, because happiness depends on what is happening! There are many references in the Bible to joy, and one of the better known is Nehemiah 8:10 quoted above.
Here’s a simple, but profound question for you: Is Joy a “happy feeling” only? The answer to that may surprise you. The true state of joy is something that goes far beyond what can be accomplished through our own feelings or perceptions. In fact, one of the things we have to do, in the midst of all the difficulties, perplexities and adversities going on in our world today, is to just take a moment to focus. We focus our attention on God, focusing ABOVE ourselves and the limited scope of our view of the situation that can trouble our heart and burden our mind. In focusing on God, we get ourselves out of the way. I do not know any truly joyful people who are self-centered or selffocused. Even the last part of Nehemiah 8:10 show us how important it is to share with others and not just keep it to
ourselves. This joy produces “a merry heart that does good like medicine!” We’re not suggesting that the Bible is taken like a pill, but I would suggest that it certainly is an excellent supplement for the debilitating effects from the things of the world today. To have real joy is to focus on God, not on ourselves, and in the midst of that, the Lord will help us. We need to partner together to become “joy-sharers,” instead of “joy-stealers.” You’ll be surprised about how much real joy you’ll experience as you turn your attention to being God-focused, and not self-focused. It is so pivotal in where and how we choose to focus our thoughts, our words, our actions and attitudes. That joy-stealer can become a joy-sharer just by a change in our focus. Let’s recommit ourselves today to be people who are willing to share the joy with many around us, instead of mourning; an attitude of thankfulness, instead of heaviness, and see the beauty that will rise anew as we live in God’s strength.
Dr. Ronald Harden
President & CEO, Epic Bible College Dr. Ronald Harden is President and CEO of Epic Bible College and Graduate School, located at 4330 Auburn Blvd. in Sacramento, www.EPIC.edu., one of the region’s Top 25 colleges and universities and among the Top 10 U.S. faith-based colleges in the U.S., now offering both undergraduate and graduate degree programs with online and standard classroom options
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalms 119:105
The Ambassador
17
EDITORIAL TRAGEDY COMPOUNDED By Jon Skillman When I first heard of the shooting in Orlando, I was both shocked and saddened. Then when it was reported that the shooter was a Muslim and an Islamic State sympathizer, I grew angry. But when I learned that the shooting had taken place in a gay nightclub, my emotions suddenly slipped into neutral. This sudden lack of emotion not only surprised me, it troubled me as well. What was wrong with me? Over a hundred of my fellow Americans had been mowed down in cold blood and forty-nine now lay dead. Where’s my compassion? Where’s my outrage? My mind set to the task of arranging the pieces in such a way as to bring a sense of sanity to the madness. What could have spawned such evil? What kind of depraved mind or warped ideology could foster such a senseless act? But more disturbing than the turmoil going on in my head, was the emptiness of my heart. Did the fact that the victims had been gay somehow justify this atrocity in my heart? Did I perceive that this might have been an act of God’s judgement and wrath upon those who had rebelled against Him? These are questions only God can answer, and I should not speculate on what His answers might be. The more troubling question for me is…where is my empathy, where is my sadness?
Had my resentment over their degradation of marriage harden my heart? Did their mocking of God and His moral laws move me toward hostility? I think so. I also think I may have removed the human from their being. Romans 8:28 says: “…in all things God works for the good of those who love Him…” I love God, but what possible good could come to me through such a horrendous act? Well, it has caused me to look deep within myself… beyond that which I recognize. To that place hidden by denial…the place of truth! And, truth beknown…I had to reevaluate myself and my feelings toward gays. Does this mean I now except the gay lifestyle and agenda? Absolutely not! Homosexuality is still a perversion and an abomination to God…that will never change. What has changed is my heart, it is no longer devoid of emotion toward them. There is empathy for everyone touched by this act of evil. There is a shared sympathy for those grieving the loss of loved ones. And there is sorrow for the pain and suffering of those left behind. But the greatest sorrow I feel…the true tragedy of this story is; all those who rejected Christ here on earth will be separated from God in eternity. My heart breaks.
The Ambassador accepts opinions and editorials (oped’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 op-ed, 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
The Voice of the Christian Community, serving Yuba, Sutter, and Butte Counties
WWW.AMBASSADORNEWSPAPER.COM
Gospel Ministries Are “For-giving” Recently, I spoke with the director of another local ministry and realized that they are not in best of financial health. I had assumed that this ministry was well funded but learned that it wasn’t. My heart began to break as I thought about how much “heart”, passion, and energy many of us put into our callings. I say “our” just as I said “another ministry” in the first sentence because I think that a lot of readers miss the point that this is a gospel ministry. In fact, any organization that seeks to tell those around them the truth about Jesus and His love IS a gospel ministry. We, in Yuba-Sutter, are blessed with a number of gospel ministries considering the relatively small size of our community. We aren’t big enough for a “Best Buy” but we have many organizations providing the “Good News” about Jesus! So, why, you might ask, do I bring this up. Well, I’m glad you asked! Gospel ministries like The Ambassador, A Woman’s Friend, A Hand Up, Young Life, Salvation Army, Twin Cities Rescue Mission, Samaritan Village Orphanage, Feather River Men’s Center, Joshua House, Teen Challenge and many more (I’m running out of space. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list) are spreading the Gospel and God has called each person leading their respective ministry. Every single one of them is in need! I could certainly add to that list many of the churches in our area and the budgeting struggles for many of them and their pastors as well. Now, each of us has some very faithful supporters without whom we would need to close our doors. For you
Seth Halpern - Editor
(and you know who you are) we are extremely grateful. However (gulp!), many of our readers and many in the local Christian community may need to rethink their giving. There are some reading this who don’t invest a dollar in any local ministries. Most pastors avoid talking about giving even though it is Biblical AND necessary in order to continue ministry. Most ministries despise sending the appeal letter because we don’t want people to feel bad. It is time to consider giving your finances to Gospel ministries. Whether God puts The Ambassador on your heart or another local ministry, I ask that you would make it a priority to “invest” your God-given provision with as many local Gospel ministries as you can. The world is getting worse day after day and our ONLY hope is in the saving power of the Gospel. We all need the support and it is not the size of the gift but the desire of the giver that matters. I find that the people with the least want to give the most. Please pray and consider what the Lord would have you to do.
The Ambassador 1040 Lincoln Rd., Suite A, #124 • Yuba City, CA 95991 (530) 933-1385 • editor@ambassadornewspaper.com
The Voice of the Christian Community, serving Yuba, Sutter, and Butte Counties
MARKETPLACE
WWW.AMBASSADORNEWSPAPER.COM
MONROE TRANSMISSION Don Monroe
1397 Colusa Hwy Yuba City 530-751-2238
HOME MAINTENANCE
PERSONAL CARE
OTHER
RUSSELL•&•BOALS PAINTING,•INC
Excellent Massage Care
FREE_KJV_BIBLES
530-870-2620
“Voted•Best•Yuba/Sutter•Painting•Service•2014”
lic.#496656
LANDSCAPING
DAVE GREENETZ CONSTRUCTION INC.
A BETTER YARD CARE
REMODELING
General Yard Care & Maintenance
www.greenetzconstruction.com
682.9602 - lic.# 452975
HILBERS INC.
CONTRACTORS & ENGINEERS 1210 Stabler Lane, Yuba City www.hilbersinc.com 530-673-2947
PROFORMA BY KUG Dave Kugelman Promotional Products www.proforma.com/kug 530-632-9292 HOME MAINTENANCE
Yuba City Pest Control
P.O. Box 2, Yuba City, CA 95992 Ph. (530) 755-2555 Fx. (530) 755-4672 "Quality Service Guaranteed"
A-1 Enterprises
Now offering Handyman Services Call us at (530) 673-3634 Contractor’s License # 728636
“We can help free up your weekends!”
530-788-5899
Cassandra Hoon
Richard’s Tree Service 530-673-7993
Certified Arborist www.richardstree.com Lic. 608859
Impact The Community -------Share the Gospel Through Your Business
“A Touch Like No Other"
Brenda Banducci 530-701-4847
317 D St, Marysville
eXfuze Seven+
botanical supplements: acai, fucoidan, goji, seabuckthorn, noni, gac, mangosteen Robert E. Stark
674-0345, stark@otnusa.com
JENINE L. TANABE MD DERMATOLOGY 414 G Street, Suite 204 Marysville 743-0301 PETS
Country Vet Clinic, Inc 4839 E. Butte Rd, Live Oak "Treating all creatures Great and Small" Jerry Long, DVM & Assoc.
REAL ESTATE
Intero Real Estate Services (530) 790-7000 www.interopride.com donnaphelan@interopride.com Great People. Great Agents
Affordable Rates Month-long Exposure PromoteYour Home Business
Promote Your Business Here!
Only_requirement_is_to_sincerely_read_it
Wake_Up!_The_End_is_Near! 530-675-9239
Millennium Family Entertainment Center
901 Spiva Ave, YC Fun for the whole family! Opening this July www.facebook.com/MillenniumFEC/
"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 commtiment of its advertisers."
Call (530) 933-1385 or email: editor@ ambassadornewspaper.com
The Ambassador
19
Finding Freedom in God’s Perfect Peace The Christian Business Alliance would like to invite you to our midweek meeting. Rich Fellowship, Powerful Prayer, Refreshing Presence of God! We meet at the Bonanza Inn the first Tuesday of the month from noon – 1pm. Current members: A-1 Carpet Cleaning - (530) 673-3634 - www.a-1clean.com George Barlow - The Crave - (530) 790-0792 Kathy Baum - Operation Christmas Child - (916) 747-2212 Ron Brasier - A Hand Up Ministry - (530) 671-1360 Marty Brown - KCYC-LP FM - (530) 674-5296 Kathleen Caldwell - City of Live Oak - (530) 695-2112 Fred Cox - Richard's Tree Service - (530) 673-7993 LaDonna Curteman - Band Together for Christ - ladonna.curteman@gmail.com Chuck David Carol Dodds - A Woman’s Friend - (530) 741-9136 Stephen Elliot- Ad Lucem Tax Services - (530) 329-8685 Trey Fulton- Church Alive- churchaliveyc.org Dennis & Connie Gable - Operation Christmas Child - (530) 695-1495 Rita Galusha Steve & Cash Gilliss - Crosspointe Christian Books - (530) 673-6188 Pamela Givans John Guth - Guth & Changaris, A Prof Law Corp - (530) 674-9841 Seth Halpern - Ambassador Newspaper - editor@ambassadornewspaper.com Kurt Hilbers - Hilbers Inc - www.hilbersinc.com Arlene Hite - Bridges to Housing - (530) 755-3414 David Hobbs Painting - Cont. Lic#880562 (530)742-2428 David Holycross - Holycross Memorial - (530) 751-7000 Bill Jens - Yuba Sutter Healthy Marriage Project - (530) 671-6069 Al Jolley - Teen Challenge - (530) 300-0712 Cornell U. Kay - Integrity Chamber of Commerce - (916) 969-0205 Dave Kugelman - Proforma by Kug - (530) 742-2423 Bill & Sonja Lindholm- RVOC - (530) 329-8361 Clay Maynard - Consultant - (530) 790-6611 Jim McCarty - Trinity Living Systems - trinityls@yahoo.com Jerry Munz - JM Construction Co. - (530) 682-5316 Maria Paras Ernie Phelan - Intero Real Estate Svcs - (530)-790-7000 Ronda Putman Roger Shadd - Shadd Janitorial Supply - (530) 673-0083 George Shaw- Serving Our Saviour - (530) 671-3303 Robert Stark - Retired Auditor/Controller - stark@otnusa.com Dwayne Tanabe - Taylor Accountancy Corp - dktanabe@yahoo.com Jenine Tanabe - Jenine L. Tanabe, MD Dematology - (530) 743-0301
For weekly reminders, updates, or to join email editor@ambassadornewspaper.com
20
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.