ambassador january 2013

The Ambassador 1

June 2012

January 2013

Behold, the LORD’S hand is not so short that it cannot save; neither is

His ear so dull that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear. Isaiah 59:1-2 (NAS) Do you wish to be an instrument in the hands of God? Do you want to see God’s power at work through you? Do you long for your prayers to be answered? If you do, then the barrier of sin between you and God must be demolished and a lifestyle of holiness and love for God renewed. Though you are pardoned and placed eternally in Christ, God chooses to bring discipline and to allow ineffec-tiveness in the lives of his erring children. To be restored spiritual surgery must take place. Personal revival begins when the believer faces his sin honestly. Though painful, only honesty with God and others will enable the Christian to walk in purity and power. The following resolves are not a formula but are required of every be-liever. Humbly pray and search your own heart. Trusting in God, begin this moment to repent and return to Him. Pay any price

to be a means of spiritual renewal to oth-ers.

1. Repent Of Every Known Sin‘Those whom I love, I reprove and disci-pline; be zealous therefore, and repent.” Revelation 3:19 (NAS)

Resolved: I will not go to bed this evening nor live this day without fully repenting of all known sin against God. (James 4:4-10; 2 Corinthians 7:10) 2. Forsake All Questionable Habits And Activities“For whatever is not from faith is sin.” Romans 14:23b

Resolved: I will not to go to bed this evening nor live this day without remov-ing from my life every habit or activity I cannot be absolutely sure is approved by God. (1 Corinthians 10:31) 3. Make Right Any Wrongs Between Yourself And Others.“If therefore you are presenting your of-fering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the

altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and pres-ent your offering.” Matthew 5:23-24

Resolved: I will not to go to bed this eve-ning nor live this day without doing all that is possible to correct any wrongs be-tween myself and others. (Matthew 6:14-15; Matthew 18:15-35; Romans 12:17-21; Colossians 3:12-15) 4. Commune With God In Prayer And Be Personally Instructed Through His Word.“Pray without ceasing;” 1 Thessalonians 5:17“Revive me, O LORD, according to Thy word.” Psalms 119:107b

Resolved: I will not to go to bed this eve-ning nor live this day without spending quiet moments with God in prayer and sincerely meditating on His Word. (I Peter 2:2-3; 1 John 5:14-17) 5. Trust God To Use You As His Specially Designed Tool For Revival In Others.“My brethren, if any among you strays

by Jim Elliff

Cont. on page 7

Five Resolves for Personal RevivalFree Breakfast!

Dancing Tomato CaffePage 9

God At Work...“From Gangs To Grace”

Anthony HearnsPage 5

Win a Laptop!Ambassador Student

Writing Contest7

The Voice of the Christian Community, serving Yuba, Sutter, and Butte Counties

The Ambassador2

WWW.AMBASSADORNEWSPAPER.COMSPONSORSMinistry Partners - The generous support of our Ministry Partners and Business Sponsors allows The Ambassador to be distributed each month

Crosspointe Christian Books & Gifts

530-673-6188646 Plumas St., YC

1 Cor. 1:18

Shadd JanitorialSupply

530-673-0083Roger Shadd/Owner226 Bridge Street, YC

Caldwell’s Creative Laminates530-821-5845

Formica & Solid Surface

Christian Business Alliance

530-632-9292“Building up Christians, Lifting up Christ”

We meet at the Bonanza Inn the �irstTuesday of the month from noon – 1pm.

Monroe TransmissionDon Monroe

1397 Colusa Hwy Yuba City

530-751-2238

Please consider supporting

The Ambassadorthrough Business Sponsorship

Dwayne TanabeTaxes-Bookkeeping &Business Services

(530)846-3335 [email protected]

Become a Business SponsorCall 530-933-1385

TREE SERVICE, INC.

Certified Arborist

Lic. Contractor #608859

673-7993673-7993

Grange Insurance Agency

Yvette Adams530-743-6081

Auto-Home-Farm-Mobilehome

Dr. David A. BradleyOptometrist

747 Plumas St., Yuba City673-8440

Serving our neighbors since 1957

Dave GreenetzConstruction Inc.

www.greenetzconstruction.comREMODELING

682.9602- lic.# 452975

Jan Duke, Re/Max GoldTopPropertyCop.com

Short Sales save your credit530-701-4820

Gaiser Pets714 Plumas St

Yuba City(530) 751-8155

“Not Your Ordinary Pet Store”

Ben SeiglerLicensed Child and Family Therapist

(530)[email protected]

Helping Families Come TogetherLic #49211

Brent Davis Insurance& Financial Services

A Farmers Insurance AgencyAuto-Home-Life-commercial-Blue Cross1650 Sierra Ave Suite 202A - YC 95993530-671-2764 [#0F27435]

Proforma by KugDave Kugelman

Promotional Products530-632-9292

James GallagherSutter County Supervisor

(530)[email protected]

SHUTTER-UPWindow Coverings

(530)755-3474Blinds* Shutters*Shades

Lic. #890713

Ultimate Building Maintenance

530-671-1564Marcos Gonzalez/OwnerJanitorial/Carpet Cleaning

& Yard Service

JENINE L. TANABEMD DERMATOLOGY

414 G Street, Suite 204 Marysville743-0301

Straw Hat Pizza540 Bogue Rd

(Tower Market Center)Yuba City671-5150

Robert E. Stark, CPA, MBA

25 YEARS Sutter CountyAuditor-Controller

suttercountyauditor.org822-7127

Sperbeck’sLandscape and Design

1316 Woodward St. YC530-673-8334

Mike Sperbeck/owner

A-1 Carpet Cleaning(530) 673-3634Water Damage Restoration

Carpets/ Windows/ Upholstery www.a-1clean.com

David Hobbs Painting530-742-2428

[email protected]

Your Business Listing Here!

Loma Rica RecyclingDave Adams, Owner(530) 701-4101

11222 Loma Rica Rd, Loma RicaWed– Sat. 8:30am - 12 & 1:30 – 6pmAccepting CRV beverage containers

CA Lic# 420765

JM Construction Co.Jerry Munz/owner

[email protected]://www.jerrymunzconstruction.com/

Puro CleanServicesResponseDisaster

Richard &530- 751-3821

Michael [email protected]

Support Our Local Christian Businesses

755-1304“Your Landscape and Tree Doctor”

Certi�ied ArboristLic. Contractor #870915Quality Service since 1972


The Ambassador

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The Bride Church800 Plumas Street, YC

530-751-0505thebridechurch.org

Sun. 10amCraftsmen for Christ, Tue. 6:30

Church of Glad Tidings1179 Eager Road, Yuba City

www.churchofgladtidings.com530.671.3160

Saturday 7pm - Sunday 10:00amWednesday 7pm

THE AMBASSADOR

Editor/Publisher - Seth Halpern - Advisory - Dave Kugelman - Design - James Halpern

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 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

Praise Chapel398 Aylor Avenue Yuba City www.praisechapelyubacity.org

530-923-7204Sun. 10am, Wed. 7pmPastor Chris Madsen

Janis Maasenis an author

and ordained minister -available for

Speaking Engagementsand Weddings.

She can be reached at(530) 675-9663

Samaritan Village OrphanageTanzania, Africa

You CAN help save the lives of

Call Tara (530-329-6619)to learn how

children in Tanzania!

CrossroadsCommunity Church

445 B Street, Yuba City530-751-9168

crossroadsyubacity.org

WORD OF LIFE CHURCH1229 Buchanan Street, Marysville

wolmarysville.org530-742-3724

Sun. 10am &5pm & Wed. 6:30pmPastor Stan Reynolds

Janis MaasenIs an author

and ordained misiter available for



Addictions Help Line: 866-REFORMU

Every Friday Night at 7:00pm

2787 North Beale Road, Marysville (530)742-2495

* 91% Success Rate * Local Support Group* Complete Curriculum * Motivational Awards* Well Trained Staff * Free Personal Counseling* Local Church Support * Stories of Victory* Residential Treatment Centers

Faith Based Addictions Recovery Program:

Janis MaasenIs an author

and ordained minister available for



Providing a safe tobacco/drug freeenvironment for men

We provide a place to sleepshower and a meal

Hear the Word of God every night,daily Bible studies

Noon Prayer Service M-F

Agape LighthouseCommunity Church2106 Pepper Street, Sutter

Pastor BJ Wilson530-237-6351

A Woman’s Friend would like towish you a Happy New Year!

Please celebrate with us the lives of every child whose mother turned to us in a time of unexpected

pregnancy in 2012. We hope to double the number of lives

saved in 2013!

Contact us today to find out how you can be a Champion for Life!

(530) 741-9136 www.awfpartners.org

[email protected]

MINISTRIES


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INSPIRATIONTrain Yourself

By Paula McBride

“Oh, no!” you say with a groan. “Not another advice column telling me what to do about the effects of my two months of indulgence!” I dislike those articles, too. In fact, anything that highlights my failure in the diet and exercise department is most unwelcome. Oh, I did spend some time recently preparing for a marathon. More truthfully, I followed the Facebook posts of friends preparing for a marathon. Their commitment to training inspired me, especially since they could run miles on a Sunday morning and still get the family to church on time. A balance of physical training and spiritual training. That sounds like something the apostle Paul was trying to point out to young Timothy when he wrote, “physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (I Timothy 4:8). Sometimes we groan as much over our efforts to develop gentleness, kindness, and other godly qualities as we do over building muscle mass and reducing fat. At the close of an exhausting day, the most exertion we can muster is pushing the button on the remote control or the “like” icon on Facebook. Yet, without training, our physical and spiritual lives will be weak and unproductive. Paul gives no room for excuse: “Train yourself to be godly,” he commanded his son in the faith (I Timothy 4:7). So, how do we do this? Before we begin the program, we must be assured that we are born again. We must be a firm believer in the Lord Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead so that we might have everlasting life. Then, before we exercise, we must have power and strength from the Holy Spirit. We must be properly nourished with the bread of life, the Word of God. We stay in touch with our personal trainers, the Holy Spirit and our pastors and teachers. Then we are ready to work our spiritual muscles.

A TIME OF NEW BEGINNINGS—START YOUR SPIRITUAL JOURNEY IN 2013

530-755-3474

By Dr. Ron HardenPresident - Epic Bible College

January is a time of new begin-nings in the New Year. For many people, it is a time of goal setting to create a “new” waistline, gym membership in hand! For others, it means a new wardrobe, perhaps for a new career; a new car or new home. What do all of these goals and objects have in common? They are focused on exter-nal changes—status symbols that reflect our position in life, resolutions and “to do” lists filled with acquisitions, which we have learned through experience, often grow old and tarnish with familiarity over time. Af-ter a while, we lose our enthusiasm to work toward these goals and keep them alive. And, before you know it, we’ve lost site of them altogether as we prepare to greet the next year. The new beginning that I prefer to ponder is the ability to make internal changes that can have a lasting impact on our daily lives—far beyond one short year in time. Changing our way of thinking, such as making spiritual changes, with the help of God, will teach us that objects of desire don’t sustain us over time. For it’s the love of others and serving oth-ers where we will find our strength and spirit. And, we constantly renew our spirit as we give to others. It’s a gift

that keeps on giving! So I present this challenge to you: In January 2013, look around to your family, your neighborhood, your school, your church, your community. Ask yourself, “What can I do to help the people and places that I love in 2013?’ How can I give back to oth-ers?” The answers might surprise you, but I can promise you that they will lead to a worthwhile adventure and an opportunity to serve others that can im-pact your life in a profound way. As Jeremiah 29:11 states: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Open up your heart and your spirit to God as we begin the new year of 2013. It is an investment with rewarding returns!

Dr. Ronald Harden is President and CEO of Epic Bible College, 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 col-leges in the U.S.

The first exercise is running. Psalm 119:32 says, “I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.” Next is walking. Colossians 2:6

says, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him” (KJV). Jumping is great exercise. Luke 6:23 encourages us to “Rejoice….and leap for joy because great is your reward in heaven.” For the arms, let’s try lifting. Psalm 63:4 says, “In your name I will lift up my hands.” Dancing is an exuberant form of exercise. Psalm 149:3 says, “Let them praise his name with dancing.” As this new year dawns with all its uncertainties, one thing is sure. We need both physical vitality and godliness in order to stand strong and speak boldly of the hope found in a relationship with Christ. Let’s remember these scriptures and the countless others that guide us toward godly living. Our salvation is a free gift, given once and for all by Christ’s death on the cross, but godliness is acquired by burning off the fat of the sin nature and building up the likeness of Christ in our daily living. It’s not easy, but it has value for this life and the next.


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through

The Feather River Men’s Center

INSPIRATION

Anthony Hearns It all started when I was three years old watching my mom being killed by the hands of my father. I grew up in a gang and drug house; forced to raise myself. This carried over to my adult life. I got tired of the lifestyle of gangs, drugs, and violence. I wanted to change, so I moved from Compton, a little city inside Los Angeles, to Yuba City. That’s where I found the Feather River Men’s Center and also God. In a short period of time He changed me; took me from that old life and gave me new life in Je-sus Christ! I graduated the program and God really started to bless me. He gave me a place to stay and began restoring my life. He gave me my driver license, a job, and new family and friends. I’m part of a great church. God showed me mercy and grace by saving me from my old lifestyle. Now, I’m a new creation just like in 2Cor.5:17! Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come, the old has gone, and the new is here!

If you would like to experience the peace and transformed life that Anthony did 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 al-ready 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 informa-tion, contact us at The Ambassador or any of the churches listed on p. 3..

Every once in a while something comes along in life, something so big and so grand it’s unexplainable, it’s uncon-tainable and it is just awesome. When that rare instance in life happens you just step back in awe, in amazement and you just stare at it, you wonder about it, you just wonder how can this be, how is this pos-sible? You’re at a loss for words, I mean after all how can you put words to some-thing that is so out of this world, so unex-plainable, but yet there it is right in front of you. This door has been flung open so wide and what is beyond is so amazing, so overwhelming that you can’t describe it, there’s that wanting to walk through that door and embrace it, to be overtaken by

it, but at the same time there is a fear that holds you back. What if I’m not up to it, what if I am so lost in it that I lose me; what then? What if I can’t live up to the task that is before me, what if I fail; what then? But…just for a moment, imagine you can do anything, you can do anything that you want, what you see out there is

not for you to fail in, but for you to suc-ceed in. What if you just for a moment had an inkling of the promise that you will succeed; the courage, the boldness that comes forth, that comes rushing in, you straighten and stare at the open door, you stare at what is beyond. And you say yes and boldly walk to that door, you step across the threshold and you embrace the future; you don’t know what it holds but you know it is something wonderful, it’s something that you want, that the desire that is deep down within you wants, you step across to embrace it and all that it entails. There’s an excitement, there’s the thrill at something that is new, exciting and wonderful, and you just grasp ahold of it saying yes Lord, Yes Lord! This dream that you have for me is my dream, I will embrace it, I will hold your hand and I will walk boldly into the face of it, into the midst of it, and I will be success-ful because this is a gift from the heavenly Father. His gifts are good, you can rely on Him because He knows the future, He knows his plans for you, plans for your good, plans to prosper you, plans for a future full of hope. He is not a God that will make a promise that He will not see you through. So let me challenge you one and all, open the door, look at what He has for you on the other side. Then bravely, courageously, boldly, and confidently step across to all that He has for you, do not be afraid, he will not fail you, he has you securely in the palm of His hand and He will see you through.

The Open DoorBy April James

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

(NIV)

“How beautiful on the mountainsare the feet of the messenger who brings good

news” Isaiah 52:7

Can you help bring “Good News” to our community?The Ambassador needs volunteers

to help deliver to locations throughoutYuba, Sutter, and Butte counties.

If you can help once a month for an hour or two,please call The Ambassador at 530-933-1385or email [email protected]


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ChriStiAn BuSineSS AlliAnCe lunCheonEvery 1st Tue @ NoonBonanza Inn, Yuba CityJoin us for Lunch, Fellowship and God’s Word! For info contact Dave Kugelman 530-632-9292

right to life Monthly Meeting1st Wed., 7pm (1st Wed of every month)St. Isisdore’s Community Parish Hall Conference Room. Business Meeting open to the all interested in pro-life issues. For more info, visit www.ysrtl.org

free KArAte ClASSeSFirst Baptist Church of OlivehurstMon 6:30pmFREE karate classes taught from a Christian per-spective. 743-1831 for info, Pastor Miguel.

WeeKly reCovery grouPSCrossroads Community ChurchSunday 7-8pm, Monday 6:30-8:30We also offer a Grief Recovery Group on Wednes-day Evenings from 7 to 8 p.m. For more informa-tion, please call church office 530-751-9168.

CeleBrAte reCovery Loma Rica Community Church - Moy Hall.Fri., 7pm.Call church office for more information 743-5435.

CroSSroAdS ClotheS CloSetCrossroads Community Church, YCShop at our - FREE Clothes given away! Open Mon - Fri 10am - 4pm

AWAnAWed’s, 5:45-7:45 PM during the school yearEvangelical Free Church3785 Olive Hwy., OrovilleFor information please call 533-6866Awana is a boys and girls club consisting of small group time, games, large group time.

PrAyer vigil for life!Last Wed of each month, 4-5pmJoin us as we gather with people of faith throughout our area, as we peacefully pray on the sidewalk at the Yuba City Planned Parenthood. We meet on the last Wednesday of the month. For more info, please contact Heather Pugh (530)751-9349.

WeStWord riderS MotorCyCle MiniStrySat, December. 15th 2012 at 8:30am Gridley Grill,484 Hwy 99, GridleyThe WestWord Riders motorcycle fellowship meets the 3rd Saturday of each month. Meetings are fol-lowed by a planned ride, so dust off that helmet and join us! For more information, contact: Willy Alongi at 701-1045.

WWW.AMBASSADORNEWSPAPER.COMCALENDARongoing eventS SPeCiAl eventS

If your church or ministry is having an outreach activity that you would like to promote in ourcalendar, please send your item via email to

[email protected] the 15th of the month for a listing in the

following month’s issue.

CeleBrAte reCoveryHope Point Nazarene, 600 N. George Washington Blvd, Yuba CityWed’s, 6:30pm Contact Jim Myers at 635-4688. Fri’s, 6:30pm Contact Sean Heraty at 751-9151.Join us for this Christ-centered recovery group that provides a safe place for you with people who will love you through your pain, and celebrate with you during your victories. for more information.

Knit & CroChet WoMen'S felloWShiPFirst Baptist Church of Olivehurst, 1777 - 8th Ave.Mon 10am - NoonPractice 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. Contact Vivian 530-301-9841 for further information.

SAMAritAn villAge Monthly MeetingCall 329-6619 for location3rd Tue of each month, 6:30pmThis meeting is open to all who are interested in helping with an orphanage in Tanzania. For info call Tara at 329-6619

“reforMerS unAniMouS” AddiCtionS MeetingS & felloWShiPBible Baptist Church 2787 N. Beale Rd. Marysville Meets Every Friday Night, 7:00 p.m.We are a faith based addictions program that teach-es the only way to have peace and gain victory over addictions and other things in life that cause us pain and sorrow, is to let God do it for you. We love you and have personal testimonies of how The Lord has changed our hearts and lives using this program

divorCe CAreStarts January 9, 2013Wednesdays 7:00 - 8:30pmEmbassy of Heaven/Church of Glad Tidings 1179 Eager Road, YC(Hwy 99 @ Eager Rd)Divorce Care is a divorce recovery support group where you can find help and healing from the hurt of separation or divorce. Weekly meetings provide you with an ongoing “support team” as you deal with the issues surrounding your separation or di-vorce. You’ll learn how to deal with the pain of the pas and look forward to rebuilding your life.

CeleBrAte reCovery (neW)Praise Chapel ChurchSun. 6:30 p.m.Join us for great worship and open share group.For more info call 530-923-7204

fAith legACy tourThursday, December 6, 2012Thursday, January 10, 2013 and Thursday, January 24, 2013Join us for a one-hour tour of our campus. Meet key personnel, hear about our history, vision for the future, and several testimonies from alumni and parents. Contact Nita Fochs at (530) 674-5474 for time and location.

fAith ConneCtion tourFaith Christian SchoolJanuary 10th and January 24th Join us for a one-hour tour, meet faculty/staff and hear personal stories from three students and alumni. Learn about the history, vision for our future and the heart of Faith Christian School. Contact Nita Fochs at (530) 674-5474 or [email protected] for details and to make a reservation.

“true ChriStiAn vAlueS” With evAnge-liSt/Author MAx AlderMAnFirst Baptist Church of Olivehurst – 1777 8th Ave, OlivehurstJanuary 13-16, 2013 Sun 7 pm … Mon – Wed 7 pmInternational Evangelist/Speaker and Author Max Alderman will be teaching on the Subject of TRUE CHRISTIAN VALUES. IT is a very much needed and timely series of teachings for the Christian to kick off 2013 right. Come join us for these special meetings.For more information- contact: Pastor Miguel – [email protected] or call 530-701-5131

World’S fineSt ChoColAte SAleJanuary 17-February 5, 2013Faith Christian School at 2620 Colusa Hwy. and 3105 Colusa Hwy. in Yuba CityWorld’s Finest Chocolate will be sold by elementary students and at both campus offices. Almond or Crisp Bars, Caramels, Mints, or Chocolate Covered Almonds all $2.00 each. Faith Christian School (530) 674-5474.

Art of MArriAgeFriday, Feb 22 from 7pm - 9:30pmSaturday, Feb 23 from 9am - 4pmEmbassy of Heaven/Church of Glad Tidings1179 Eager Road, YC

(Hwy 99 @ Eager Rd)Info: 530-671-6069This event is designed to help you grow as a couple and strengthen the foundation of your marriage. Discover God’s plan and purpose, find ways to im-prove communication and effectively resolve con-flicts, and make plans to leave a lasting legacy are some of the topics covered.

9th AnnuAl WAlK for life WeStCoASt 2013www.walkforlifewc.com/The 9th Annual Walk for Life West Coast in San Francisco will be Saturday, January 26. Come join us and experience the blessing of being among thousands taking a stand for LIFE. “Women de-serve better” is the slogan of this PEACEFUL dem-onstration. FOUR buses, sponsored by Yuba Sutter Right to Life, will leave St. Isidore Church at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 26 and return around 8 p.m. Call Maureen (673-1437) for more information or to reserve a place on the bus. The cost is $30. Limited financial help is available for large families and students.


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from the truth, and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins.” James 5:19-20 Resolved: I will not to go to bed this eve-ning nor live this day without asking and expecting God to use me as an effective instrument of revival in someone’s life. (Jude 22-23; 1 Peter 4:11; Psalms 51:10-13) • Review these resolves daily until your thinking conforms to holiness, and your life is revived and useful. Never fail to apply them.• If you weaken in your desire and intensity for holiness, do not give up and return to a half-hearted, selfish life. Re-pent of your apathetic heart and lack of love to God immediately and continue. Holiness improves this lifeand the one to come. Do not let the enemy of God take advantage of you but giving him time to build strongholds. Resist him and he will flee from you.• Ask God to bring some like-hearted friends with whom you may share struggles, discoveries, and victories on the road to holiness. Pray together seri-ously for revival in others. Remind each other of these resolves. Make honesty and repentance your creed. Admonish each

other with humility. Speak the truth to each other in love. Do not doubt the value of such a gathering or God’s ability to use you. God will guide you.• Seek also to encourage others outside your groups to submit to God and to obey these same biblical disciplines for revival. Actively pursue holiness in oth-ers.• Expect God to use you now and to make you even more effective in the future by His own perfect methods for conforming your life and renewing your mind.• At all times avoid religious pride.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.”Psalm 139:23-24

Samaritan Village OrphanageTanzania, Africa

Isaac (1 year old)

Isaac is our newest baby at Sa-maritan Village. He was found in early December, abandoned in the Kimandolu region, near Samaritan Village Orphan-age, Arusha, Tanzania. Isaac was very sick when he was found and had injuries to his face and head. With much prayer and with the loving care he is receiving at the Orphanage, Isaac is getting better. We solicit your continued prayers for Isaac that he may fully recover and grow up to be able to be all that God has planned for him. A gift of $60. monthly will pro-vide for Isaac’s care at Samaritan Village

Orphanage. A monthly sponsorship for a child is $60, but any amount-either one time, monthly, or even yearly is greatly appreciated. You may follow us on Facebook @ Samaritan Village Orphanage and through our quarterly Newsletter. The all volunteer Board and friends of Samaritan Village meet monthly and you are invited to attend the meetings to learn more about this life saving work. Please call Tara @ 530-329-6619 for information and meet-ing information. To sign up for our News-letter, please drop us a note at the address below and include your name, mailing ad-dress and email address (if available). As always, we solicit and covet your prayer partnership for these little ones whom God has placed in our care.

Samaritan Village Orphanage, Inc.P.O. Box 444Yuba City, CA 95992 TAX ID# 68-0214955 501(c)3

Cont. from cover

Can You Sponsor Isaac?

“Resolution One: I will live for God.

Resolution Two: If no one else does, I still will.”

~ Jonathan Edwards


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RESOURCES

live to Serve: What Matters Most

on a uniform and fight the enemy. But I did what I could. I organized a neighbor-hood drive to collect scrap metal for the war effort. Before I had reached 40 years of age, I had served as a captain in the Marines and as special counsel to Presi-dent Nixon.But beside my country, there was another cause I served wholeheartedly. That cause was me. Power, a great career, money, they were all mine. But then I lost them in the aftermath of Watergate.And for that, I am profoundly grateful to God. You see, with my world collaps-ing around me, I received Christ as Lord and Savior. And it was in the crucible of prison that God took my desire to serve my self and transformed it into something much greater. He gave me a desire to serve others—-particularly those who are abandoned by society, prisoners. I take no credit for this. None. Zero. I might as well take credit for the color of my eyes. It was God working His will in me, a great sin-ner. I know all too well that since my

By Chuck ColsonBreakpoint

(Editor’s Note: This is a Breakpoint ar-ticle by Chuck Colson, a transformed leader of our faith, who went home to be with Jesus in 2012)

Ever since I was a boy, I was driven to serve my country. As a 10-year-old at the outbreak of World War II, I could only dream that one day I could put

release from prison more than 30 years ago, people have been watching me, to see if the old White House hatchet-man- turned-prison-evangelist would prove to be a phony.It puts a lot of pressure on me.But I’ve got news for you. People are watching you, too! A weary world is watching with great skepticism all who profess Christ. And that’s one reason that we who “by grace have been saved through faith” must be about doing the “good works which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Read Ephesians 2:8-10). For it is through Christian acts of loving service—-especially to the more needy among us—-that the world will see the power and love of Christ, just as they see it in the prisons that we work in in our ministry. History is full of examples. As plagues swept through ancient Rome, the wealthy pagans—even doctors—fled for their lives. But the Christians stayed be-hind to care for the sick and dying. That witness fueled the growth of the Church. Why was Mother Teresa beloved by re-ligious and non-religious alike? Because she cared for the utterly destitute. It’s why, even in this, the most secular age ever, the Salvation Army is held in such high respect. It’s that kind of selfless service that can bring even the most powerful man on earth to the verge of tears.Let me explain. In 2008 I received the Presiden-tial Citizens Medal from President Bush. I did so on behalf of Prison Fellowship and

the thousands of men and women, volun-teers and staff, who make up this move-ment. At the ceremony in the Oval Of-fice, the President talked about what true redemption was. He told my family how he was with me when he met a prisoner—a convicted murderer—back in 1997 at our InnerChange Freedom Initiative in Texas. Then, five years later, the President received that very same man, Robert Sut-ton, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. I had brought him there with two other IFI graduates. Sutton told the Presi-dent how the love of Christ, displayed through caring Christian volunteers, had transformed him. And at that point the President embraced him. As the President told that story, tears came to his eyes, and tears to mine as well. That, my friends, is why we live to serve others. So the world may know that Christ is Lord.

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RESOURCESSeven People Lying at the Side of the Road:

Will you be a good Samaritan?By Geroge Verwer

I have been preaching a lot re-cently on the story of the Good Samaritan. I believe it’s a fitting message because there are so many people lying at the side of the road today; there are so many who are suffering and need Jesus—both for salvation and for those practical, life-sustaining needs we all have. At the same time, it has been my great joy to see, with-in Operation Mobilization, a huge shift in recent years towards the marrying of Gos-pel proclamation with social action.I have put together a list of “seven people lying at the side of the road.” These Seven People (which I also list on the back of my business card) are: 1 Children at risk AIDS orphans; children on the street; chil-dren in slums and garbage dumps; child victims of sex trafficking and domestic abuse; child soldiers: there are so many children in extreme need. If we don’t help them, who will? 2 Abused womenI urge you to read True Grit by Deborah Meroff, the untold story of the suffering women face around the world and how powerfully God is using women to ad-vance His Kingdom today. 3 The extreme poor

In the West we come across pan-handlers and others who need our help, and we need to continue to help these people with love and wisdom. But I am talking here of whole families who are living on less than a dollar a day, people who are vic-tims of rampant government corruption and famine. I am speaking of the 200 mil-

lion Dalits of India who for 3,000 years have suffered severe discrimination and abject poverty; of the millions living in slums, the Tsunami victims of Southeast Asia, the earthquake victims of Pakistan, those starving and suffering under the op-pressive regime of North Korea. There are so many in extreme poverty who need our help. 4 The HIV/AIDS patient40 million have been infected and 20 mil-lion have died. Millions of children have been orphaned and whole societies are burgeoning under the weight of so many dying so young. Rather than standing by and judging, let us respond in love and ac-tion through in-person help, finance, sup-port of AIDS ministries, prayer and being aware of AIDS in our own communities, churches and families. (Many have HIV and don’t know it.) Let us also take advantage of this opportunity to share the gospel. We have found that, because death is so imminent, AIDS patients are very open to the Gos-pel. I want to strongly recommend four books: AIDS and You by Patrick Dix-on, AIDS is Real and It’s in Our Church by Jean Garland and Dr. Mike Blyth; The Skeptics Guide to AIDS by Dale Hanson Bourke; and AIDS: I’m Not at Risk, Am I? by Joy and Ray Thomas. 5 People with impure water

Water is becoming increasingly scarce. 20% of the world has no access to clean water. Many must walk miles to get clean water, and so often the ones who do it are children whose bodies are not designed

for such back-breaking work. Big cities are running out of water and are shipping it in at great cost, while in other parts of the world the dysfunctional water systems are breeding grounds for disease. May each of us be part of the effort to see more people getting clean water, as we seek to preserve what precious water we have stewardship over ourselves. 6 The unborn

Some estimates put the number of chil-dren who have been aborted at 500 mil-lion. The numbers are staggering, and in many ways I would rather ignore them. But I know that I cannot. I confess, when my close friend Dr. Francis Schaeffer de-cided to put so much effort into the pro-life movement towards the end of his life, I thought he had gone a little extreme. I no longer feel this way, and repent of my own inaction. In some countries there are more abortions than births, and the laws in some nations allow abortion until the day before birth. How can this be? With so much abortion taking place, let us not consider it a lost cause and give up. No, many battles have been won, and every battle is a victory; every saved life a real person. I believe that there are thousands alive today who otherwise would not have been without pro-life ac-tion. Are not these saved lives worth the effort? Yes, they are! So let us be people of vision, ac-tion and especially grace—grace for the mothers, for those in the pro-choice camp, and for fellow Christians who disagree. Recommended reading: Why Pro-Life? by Randy Alcorn. 7 The environmentIt is a shame that so many evangelical

Christians not only have little concern for the environment, but are sometimes known as anti-environmental. How can this be when our Creator God has asked us to care for his creation? Not only is our pollution of the earth totally unacceptable, but this is an issue that our young people care about; and if we don’t connect with them on valid issues such as preservation of the environment, how can we expect them to listen to us at all?

Will you be a Good Samaritan?

George Verwer is the founder of Opera-tion Mobilization (www.om.org) and an advocate for worldwide missions. Learn more about his ministry at www.geor-geverwer.com._________________________________

This article originally appeared in the Fall/Winter edition of Eternal Perspec-tives, EPM’s quarterly magazine.

A Positive Focus

Let your mind dwell on these eight things..

Whatever is trueWhatever is nobleWhatever is rightWhatever is pureWhatever is lovelyWhatever is admirableWhatever is excellentWhatever is praiseworthy

Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

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I recently overheard a conver-sation between two women. One was proudly describing an act of revenge she had taken against someone who had of-fended her. When she finished boasting of her clever wickedness, the other woman said, “Oh my! You’ll have to go to church for that one!”

We all know what she meant. Churchgoing is often seen as a way of appeasing God. But if you think about it, attending church for this reason isn’t much different than tossing a virgin into a volcano once a year. Whether barbaric or cultured, religious rituals like these are nothing more than ways of (supposedly) keeping your “god” off your back.

So why do you go to church? Let me suggest seven reasons that hopefully won’t characterize you—reasons that by themselves represent little more than Christianized paganism.

1. Guilt or FearSome people go to church because they don’t like the way their conscience is dis-turbed when they stay home—the feeling that God is angry with them.

2. Religious Tradition

Many parents go to church simply be-cause their parents attended church, or to set a good example for their own children. It’s a tradition. But religious tradition apart from truth and understanding isn’t far from superstition.

3. Family PressureMany people go to church because their wife, or husband, or children, or parents, or in-laws, will be upset with them if they don’t. Were it not for this kind of family pressure, they would gladly stay home.

4. Pressure from the Commu-nitySome people go to church to preserve their public image. Many conservative people think less of you if you’re not “re-ligious.”

5. MusicMany people attend church mainly for the music. For them it’s almost like going to a free concert every week. The only “ad-mission price” is the unstated requirement of enduring the preaching. But if a person has no interest in learning about God, how can he enjoy singing about Him? Also, how many churches with simpler music and better Bible teaching do these music lovers drive past each week on their way

to the concert?

6. Christmas, Easter, and Oth-er Special EventsMany people go to church at Christmas and Easter, and sometimes for baptisms or other special occasions. Even though they don’t attend week-by-week, they never miss these events. Should we commend them for their “faithfulness,” or should we gently remind them that they are only marginally more devoted than the once-a-year volcano god worshipers?

7. Food or Other “Freebees”I actually heard a man admit that he only goes to church for the free food. “Man those ladies can cook!” he said. Amazing-ly, he seemed to feel that he was doing his “Christian duty” by attending for this rea-son (and by occasionally helping with the dishes). He discovered a “god” that feeds his worshipers rather than eating them. Please don’t misunderstand: there is nothing wrong with enjoying good food or good music with other be-lievers as you worship Christ together.

Being well-respected in the community is something all Christians should aim for as long as it doesn’t require moral or doctrinal compromise. Christians should have an unsettled conscience when they miss the meetings of the church for less-than-essential reasons, and parents should instill in their children the habit of attend-ing church, even when they’re too young to understand why they are going. But there’s a problem if your primary reasons for going to church are found in the above list. Your habit of church attendance may look like Christi-anity, but it isn’t. You may think you’re appeasing God through these religious rit-uals, but you’re not. God is only appeased through blood sacrifice—the death of His sinless Son, Jesus Christ—and He’s only happy with the people who gather togeth-er because they know and love Him. “If anyone does not love the Lord, He is to be accursed” (1 Cor. 16:22)[no matter how often he attends church].

Pagans in Padded PewsAppeasing a False God through Church Attendance

By Daryl Wingerd

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By Christine Thomasos, Christian Post Reporter “Divas for Jesus”, “Sisterhood” and “Surrender the Secret” are upcoming reality television shows slated for a 2013 premiere which may leave some audienc-es to wonder, is there a reason for a rise in Christian-themed reality programming?“Divas for Jesus”, a Bischoff Hervey En-tertainment release in association with Carrie Gerlach Cecil, is being consid-ered for a 2013/2014 premiere on We TV which also broadcasts the faith-based reality television show “Mary Mary.” In a release from the network, the show is described as an unscripted program that follows Christian women whose faith “consists of guns, God, gossip and great wine... Tossing Book Club for Bible Study, these ladies get together every week and on Sunday they ask for for-

giveness and cleanse their fabulous little souls.” In TLC Network’s “Sisterhood” scheduled to premiere Jan. 1, preachers’ wives are the focus in “an honest, behind-the-scenes look into the struggles, tri-umphs and unique experiences that shape these bold women as they ditch their Sun-day hats and morph into the dynamic and influential figures they have become and aim to be.” Wendy Douglas, TLC Execu-tive Producer, explained why her network chose to document preachers’ wives in the upcoming “Sisterhood” series. “It’s a world that comes with some preconceived notions like, first la-dies are all about women wearing big hats in church, dancing down the aisles and being super conservative,” Douglas told The Christian Post. “We wanted to let

these ladies share with us what this world really is and break down those stereotypes and show how a first lady can have fun, be funny, be stylish, balance working at a church and family and how they are relat-able as well.”

Geoffrey Rogers, president and CEO of KnockTV, a new online Chris-tian television network that will premiere “Surrendering the Secret” on Jan. 22, told CP that the upcoming show was impor-tant for Christian women who have had abortions. “There’s healing and hope avail-able to women who have had abortion. Tens of millions of Christian women who have had an abortion are keeping it a se-cret. This pain is so deeply buried inside of them,” Rogers told CP. “We see them coming to the show with the pain and the grief they have, and we see them come through to the healing and forgiveness of God.” For TLC Network’s Douglas, a focus on Christian programming on the

Christian Reality TV Shows on the Rise — What’s Behind the Trend?

small screen presents the opportunity to create projects for audiences that are sel-dom explored on major networks. “It’s a culture (and) group of people (and) areas that we haven’t seen very much reality programming on, so we wanted to tap into this world and get to know and understand it more,” Douglas told CP. “It’s also a very vibrant space that’s entertaining and inspirational.”

Read more at http://global.christianpost.com/news/

We are so thankful for theAmbassador. Not only is it filled with enlightening articles, godly information, and faith-based events, but it is an excellent source for finding repairs and services. In today’s world, it’s hard to know who to trust when it comes to repairing your car, house, insurance, etc. But we have been extremely pleased when we deal with Christian businesses that advertize in the Ambassador. In fact, we seldom search the yellow pages any-more. We just look at the latest

issue of the Ambassador. - Gary and Kathy Baum

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By Kevin DeYoungChristian Post

(Editor’s note: With a new year often comes a time of change. One of the ar-eas that sometimes changes in our life is our church home. Finding an appropri-ate home church is important for spiritual growth. Here are some tips to help you if you are considering a change in church-es)

1. Try to leave graciously. When someone voluntarily leaves a church (not because of a move or a gradu-ation or a deployment) it is usually a painful experience. You’ve probably been hurt or disappointed. Maybe you dislike the new pastor or the new direction of the church. The temptation in these situations will be toward bitterness. You may want to leave with all your guns ablazin’ but the approach that feels good isn’t always the one that is good. Better to err on the side of gentleness and let the Lord repay your enemies. This also makes it easier for you to admit wrong if you should find some down the road. 2.Tell the pastor you are leav-ing. This may be the most important point. Please let someone know you are going. You may want people to notice you are gone, and a good elder board will no-

tice, but if you’ve already decided to leave now is not the time for sour grapes. If you tell the leaders you are leaving, they can pray for you. Maybe they can clear up a misunderstanding. Or maybe they need to learn from your experience. Just don’t go silently into the night. 3. Leave off a ledge. I got this imagery from a dear member who recent-ly left our church and did so with great grace and magnanimity. He told me that as he thought about leaving he decided he didn’t want to drift away, slowly pulling away and dropping his commitments. He said he’d rather take a leap off the ledge and be fully engaged until the moment when he decided it was time to go. Be in while you are in, and then when you are out, jump right out. 4. Learn how to kindly and honestly answer the question “Why did you leave?” People will ask you, so figure out your answer. Don’t kill some-one’s character or disembowel the whole church with your reply. Don’t lie either. A simple, straightforward answer will suf-fice. We didn’t agree with the direction of the church. We disagreed with some of the doctrines being taught. We didn’t feel like we could submit ourselves to the authority of the church any longer. Tell the truth, but speak it in the manner you

would want the church to speak about you. 5. Develop a plan right away for how you will look for a new church. It may take you some time to settle in a new place, but start working on your plan right away. Will you visit these ten churches? Or two churches? Will you visit them once or three times? What is important to you (and your family, and God!) in finding a church? Don’t allow yourself to float aimlessly for months and years. Too many church floaters just float away. 6. Don’t burn bridges. If you were a faithful member of your previ-ous church, you will keep running into those who are still there. You’ll see them at weddings, funerals, open houses, and school functions. Maybe even family re-unions! It’s bound to be a little awkward but do what you can to keep the relation-ships intact. Many of them are worth sav-ing. And you may need them later.

7. Keep praying and ask oth-ers to pray for you. The ties that bind are not broken easily. In some ways they don’t have to. Obviously, the relationship changes when you leave a church, but you should still want what is best for all those you left behind. And hopefully they still care for you. It never hurts to have more prayer.

How to Leave Your Old Church

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By Kevin DeYoungChristian Post

1. Make a decision to decide and then stick with it. Pastors under-stand that choosing a church is a big deal. We realize that you may check out differ-ent churches for several months. It’s okay to tell us that. We won’t (or shouldn’t be) offended. But make up your mind to make up your mind. And when you do, throw yourself in to your new home.

2. Introduce yourself. Yes, the church should make an effort to get to know you. But if you really want to make friends also make an effort to get to know people at the church. Wear a name tag if your church has them. Remind people of your name, even past the point when you think surely they must remember you. Make a point to talk to the pastor in the greeting line and make yourself known. Some pastors are great at meeting peo-ple. But others are introverted, bad with names, or just very busy.

3. Start coming to church func-tions like you’ve been there forever. In my experience new folks that go to the evening service, the potluck, the congre-gational meeting, the Christmas program, and join a small group, almost always feel like the church is incredibly welcoming. Those who only come on Sunday morn-

ings, and maybe only 2-3 times a month, struggle to find their way.

4. Do ask about important doctrines, but do not press for mas-sive changes. I have no problem with newcomers asking me where our church stands on gender roles or homosexual-ity or justification. It can be a very good sign when someone takes doctrine this seriously. But if you have been at the church for a month and already want to inquire about a new worship style, a new approach to children’s ministry, or a new stance on spiritual gifts, then you either need to keep a number of things to your-self for awhile (or forever!) or check out a different church.

5. Take the membership class. Even if you don’t join right away, you’ll be glad you got to know more about the church and meet other new people.

6. Try not to be offended if you don’t get asked to do something right away. I’m not letting pastors and church members off the hook. We need to seek out the new person. The welcoming pro-cess is most incumbent upon the incum-bents. But be patient if we don’t single you out for involvement in a special role. I know it feels good to be asked, but it is okay to volunteer too.

7. Don’t worry about saying no if you do get asked to do something right away. If you need a break after a hard church experience or if you just aren’t ready for the task, it’s okay to tell your new church “not right now.” No hard feelings. We’ll ask again!

How to Start at Your New Church

I would love my wife more in front of my

children.

I would laugh with my children more – at our

mistakes and our joys.

I would listen more – even to the youngest child.

I would be more honest about my own weakness-

es and stop pretending perfection.

I would pray differently for my family.

I would do more things with my children.

I would be more encouraging and bestow more

praise.

I would pay more attention to little things, deeds

and words of love and kindness.

Finally, if I had it to do over again, I would

share God more intimately with my family.

I would use ordinary things that happened in

every ordinary day to point them to God.

~ Author Unknown

If I Had It To Do Over Again


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COMMUNITY

8-Jan Grieving families in Newtown and locally9-Jan Middle East - For the peace of Jerusalem10-Jan Singles, Single Parents, Divorce healing11-Jan Revival in the Yuba Sutter area12-Jan Unity among churches13-Jan Addicted, Rehab ministries- Reformers Unanimous (p.3)14-Jan Local Law enforcement, Sheriff, Police Departments15-Jan Military, All armed forces.16-Jan ACLU & other Anti-God groups for Changed hearts, to stop evil agendas17-Jan Christian Families -for strength and wisdom18-Jan Jobs for unemployed/underemployed19-Jan Area Youth-Local Youth ministers /Youth groups20-Jan Unborn children/Pregnant Women- A Woman’s Friend21-Jan MLK Day - Racial Unity22-Jan Christian Businesses-Ambassador Sponsors & others.23-Jan Sick/Afflicted, Healing and Comfort24-Jan Missionaries -Fruit, Provision25-Jan Baby Isaac, Samaritan Village (see p.?)26-Jan Global Persecution-Safety/Courage of Believers27-Jan Area Schools Students and Teachers28-Jan Children and Children’s Ministries29-Jan The Ambassador Newspaper-Increased readership and Impact30-Jan Marketplace Ministries-Opportunities to share31-Jan Unbelieving Community-For an outpouring of faith1-Feb Our federal/state leaders-Pres. Obama2-Feb Marriages, Restoration and Strength3-Feb Elderly, health and healing, comfort4-Feb Prodigals, Repentance, Forgiveness5-Feb KCYC 104.7 for listener impact (p. ?)6-Feb Homeless/Poor - Twin Cities Rescue Mission, A Hand Up, other homeless ministries7-Feb Teen Depression, Suicide

Prayer Calender for

January 2013 I pulled off the road along US Route 11 and into the parking lot of a no-name service station, the sort you’d expect for rural Virginia: dirty windows, questionable service—and people who made putting up with both well worth the effort.People like Hank. The man behind the cash register greeted me with a “Howdy” as I walked through the doors, each of which had been propped open by two twelve-packs of Budweiser. I nodded back and made my way toward the drink cooler in the rear of the store.“BETTER ONES UP HERE,” shouted a voice. I turned, and there beneath the mounted head of a deer sat an old man. His red suspenders clashed with his brown pants and blue shirt. He twisted in a vinyl chair and tapped his cane on the bin beside him.“ICE MAKES ‘EM COLDER THAN THAT GOL’-DARNED ‘FRIGERATOR CAN,” he shouted again. I grabbed a Coke from the bin and swabbed the condensation with my shirt, nodding to the old man as he wheezed and coughed a hunk of phlegm into his handkerchief. I took a sip and paced the store, taking stock of the sardines and canned vegetables, both of which had expired three months prior. A mother and her brood of three came in just then, all of whom got their own howdy from the cashier. The kids made a beeline for the magazine rack, while mom paced the aisles in search of an elusive Something.“Do you sell salt?” she said to the cashier.“LAST AISLE, YOUNG LADY,” the old man said, pointing his cane to the oppo-site side of the store. She smiled a thank you, and he smiled a you’re welcome. He wasn’t done, either. In the next fifteen minutes, the old man had no-ticed the keys a customer had dropped, reminded another that his headlights were

on, and squished a rather nasty cockroach.“You have a pretty good helper over there,” I told the cashier as I paid. He smiled and said, “Yeah, Hank’s been around forever. Used to own the place until he started getting sick.”As if on cue, Hank began hacking again.“So he still comes around?” I asked.“Yep,” he said as he offered my change. “He’s deaf, weak, and the doc told him last month all those non-filter Camels have eaten his lungs up. But he still shows up every day wanting to help out and do somethin’.” I shoved the change into my pocket and looked at Hank. That a simple man in a no-name gas station on a fall af-ternoon could teach me something was a little unexpected, but then again there are lessons to be learned in most anything. Especially in the sight of an old man clinging to what little life he had left. Strip away theology’s pretense and philosophy’s theories and we are faced with this one basic question when it comes to the conduct of our lives: what does God expect from us each day? Over the years I had come up with many possible answers—to love Him and others, to do our best to leave the day a little better than we’ve found it, and so on. But after watching Hank, I knew the real answer to that question.What does God expect from us each day? Simple.To show up. Hank still showed up in that little gas station every day, willing to do what-ever he could to help, despite his weak-nesses and infirmities. I think we should do the same. Because no matter how wounded we are, no matter how broken and beaten, we can always do something to help. We can always make a difference.

The Gospel According to Hank By Billy Coffey

Carpet Cleaning

(530)763-5172


The Ambassador


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COMMUNITYCBA MARKETPLACE MONTHLY

Want to fight?

by dave Kugelman

We are in a fight! However it is not a fair fight. When we commit our lives to Jesus Christ, the enemy of our soul wages war against us. Satan is no match for God and Satan is no match for the born again believer who is completely submitted to Jesus as the ultimate authority in his or her life. I like to watch NFL football games. When I sit down to watch a game, I have no idea who is going to win. I generally have a preference but ultimately I don’t know the final outcome. That isn’t the case with (genuine) followers of Christ. We know the outcome and God and His people win!

(Something significant needs to be stressed before I continue on with this theme. I used a very important adjective (above) to describe followers of Christ and that word is “genuine.” One definition of genuine is: free from hypocrisy or pretense; sincere. We need to continually do a self assessment as it relates to our genuine commitment to Jesus. For Christians that “willingly” compromise, they too are in a fight but it will be a losing one. If you are living a compromised Christian walk, then recognize that you have entered into an official agreement with Satan for him to wreak havoc in your life.)

2 Corinthians 2:11b says that we are not unaware of Satan’s schemes. Since Satan knows that he is not in a fair fight, his only hope in having any victory in our lives is to cheat. And he is a master at cheating. And the main point of this article is this: He cheats and quite often as believers, we let him. He is a liar and constantly distorts the truth. He sets up strategies to discourage us and we let him. He creates division in our relationships and we let him. The Bible tells us to overlook offenses and be quick to forgive and we often choose to ignore the clear teaching of the Word of God and listen to Satan instead. Are you allowing Satan to have an unfair advantage in your life? If so, why in the world would you do that? Jesus Himself used scripture to fight Satan. We need to do the same. Use the Word of God to gain and maintain the upper hand over the enemy and remember that Satan is no match for Christ!

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 [email protected]

Join us from noon to 1pm at the Bonanza Innthe first Tuesday of every month for a time of

encouragement, fellowship and prayer with theChristian Business Alliance.

All are welcome!

by KugP O orma

by KugP O orma

by Kug - KUG - 742.2423

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“I support The Ambassador because of its uncompromis-ing presentation of Biblical

truth!”

~ David KugelmanProforma by Kug

Why I Support The Ambassador

The Ambassador Newspaper announces: The Ambassador’s Christian Student

Writing Contest!This contest is open to all students in Junior High or High School who are using a Bible-based curriculum. Students of Christian schools as well as Homeschoolers using a Christian curriculum are eligible to submit entries. Epic Bible College is the co-sponsor and will provide great prizes to the winners. The selected Junior High entry will receive a Kindle Fire! The selected High School entry will receive a Laptop!. Entries must be no more than 450 words on the topic “Why a Christian education is important to me”. Entries must be submitted to [email protected] by Feb 1, 2013. The selected entries will be printed in the March issue of The Ambassador.

A NEW LAPTOP!! KINDLE FIRE!!

WIN

OR


The Ambassador18


EDITORIALSAS We See it

Seth Halpern - Editor

good riddance 2012! The other day our local paper ran a front-page photo and story about billboards popping up in Butte County, emblazoned with the words “Don’t believe in God? Join the club.” These billboards also direct readers to the ButteCountyCoR.org website. Being curious by nature and inquisitive by personality, I visited said site to see what all the hubbub was about. Here are a few things I learned. CoR stands for, “Coalition on Reason,” and the Butte County Coalition is made up of several different groups: Atheists of Butte County, Chico Skeptics and the Secular Students Alliance. Now I don’t really have a beef with CoR or their billboards. If the atheists, skeptics and secular all want to get together and revel in their non-belief it’s okay with me. After all, it’s a free country and God…oops…I mean we, or whatever, gave us freewill. So, you all go ahead and knock your reasonable selves out. But several things gleaned from the different websites bothered and saddened me. For instance, the Atheists of Butte County website states their purpose as: “We direct our lives not an unseen power. You can have your own opinions but not your own facts.” What the heck does that mean? Atheists hold the exclusive rights to facts? Sounds a bit elitist don’t you think? Anyway, another purpose statement espoused by ABC is: “We feel that the best way to ensure our future is to teach critical thinking skills

at a young age.” Umm what exactly is a critical thinking skill? Sounds a little like indoctrination. You know, telling kids what to think and what they shouldn’t even consider. I know, I know, atheists are “free thinkers” but unfortunately their worldly intellect has closed their minds to anything beyond “critical thinking.”

Case in point is this excerpt from the ABC website: “Atheists of Butte County members meet regularly to share their lives, have some fun, and be supported by like minded folks who truly value what happens in this one and only life” (emphasis added). Now that is sad on two fronts. First, they are celebrating no hope, and second, and even sadder…they are encouraging others to have no hope. The Chico Skeptics website, declares their mission to be: “To promote humanistic ethics, secular government and decisions based on evidence not faith.” Humanistic ethics? What’s that mean? I’m human so I set my own ethical standard? Sounds a little anarchistic to me. And not to be out done, The Secular Student Alliance strives for: “Freedom of conscience”…which I assume means freedom from feelings of guilt or remorse. You know, like, “there’s no absolute truth, man.” Uh, wouldn’t that statement make that statement untrue? Anyway, like I said, I’ve got no beef with the billboards per-se. As for the invitation to join the club…thanks but no thanks, I’m sticking with the hope of Christ and the assured promises of God. You all are welcome to join us.

2012 has ended and not a moment to soon for me. It was a difficult year in many ways. I began the year recovering (or at least trying) from my heart surgery in Oct 2011. Unfortunately, 2012 brought with it some setbacks that I am still dealing with. In addition, Angie survived a winter and spring of severe physical limitations. In the summer, we were busy bringing my in-laws from out of town to Marysville and in December my father-in-law went to his mansion in Heaven. It was a tumultuous year in many respects. Growth, through pain and sorrow was the theme of the year. That said, the reality is that with the Lord’s help we did survive it and grow in wisdom. One thing I am really looking forward to in this new year is a change in perspective. I have sought for many years to achieve “comfort”. I wanted to live in a comfortable home, making a comfortable living, driving a comfortable car, so that my family and I could be comfortable. I do not like anything about camping because to me, it is a very uncomfortable experience. My idea of vacation is to be as comfortable as possible, relaxing or sightseeing while someone else

does the work. But last year was not a year of comfort for us. It was a year of stretching and growing. It was a year of dealing with things that were out of my control. It was a year of having to trust God. Have you ever had one of those days (weeks, months, years)? One thing I have been learning (albeit reluctantly) is that we were not meant to be comfortable. We were designed by God to “serve” Him, to “give” Him Glory and to “reconcile” others to Him. None of those words rings of comfort. Peace is another thing. We get peace when we walk in His ways because we know we are doing His will. But that usually isn’t comfortable. After all, “comfort” is all about ME and God is teaching me that the best things in life come to me when my life is not lived for ME. Hopefully, together we can see a new year of serving, giving, and reconciling others to Jesus in 2013 and thereby receive His comfort and not my own.

Atheists, Skeptics And Seculars oh My! By Jon Skillman

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Newspaperon

Facebook!

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30 MinuteBack, Neck &

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The Ambassador


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MONROE TRANSMISSIONDon Monroe

1397 Colusa Hwy Yuba City

530-751-2238

PROFORMA BY KUGDave Kugelman

Promotional Productswww.proforma.com/kug

530-632-9292

HILBERS INC.CONTRACTORS & ENGINEERS

1210 Stabler Lane, Yuba Citywww.hilbersinc.com

530-673-2947

DAVE GREENETZCONSTRUCTION INC.

www.greenetzconstruction.comREMODELING

682.9602 - lic.# 452975

COMPLETE HOME REPAIRShawn Meyer 530-415-4250

Professional HandymanYour Home, Improved.

eXfuze Seven+botanical supplements: acai, fucoidan, goji, seabuckthorn, noni, gac, mangosteen

Robert E. Stark674-0345, [email protected]

JENINE L. TANABEMD DERMATOLOGY

414 G Street, Suite 204 Marysville743-0301

BRENT DAVIS INSURANCE& FINANCIAL SERVICES

A Farmers Insurance AgencyAuto-Home-Life-commercial-Blue Cross1650 Sierra Ave Suite 202A - YC 95993

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Yuba City Pest ControlP.O. Box 2, Yuba City, CA 95992

Ph. (530) 755-2555Fx. (530) 755-4672

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A BETTER YARD CARE“We can help free up your weekends!”

530-673-3722General Yard Care & Maintenance

Cassandra Hoon

Richard’s Tree Service530-673-7993Certified Arborist

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Excellent Massage Care“A Touch Like No Other"

Brenda Banducci530-701-4847

397 Del Norte Ave, YC

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HOME MAINTENANCE

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JJ's Discount Tools& Merchandise

New & Used Tools Buy - Sell - Trade530-755-4129

980 Gray Ave, YC (next to Brock's)

DANIEL JONESPROPERTY CARE AND MAINTENANCE

Bus./Home/Indust. Maint.*Lawn Care *Preventive Maintenance

*Installs *Repairs“Gladly serving to keep your investment solid”

DAN JONES [email protected]

or email: [email protected]

Call(530) 933-1385

ReachNew

Customers

FINANCIAL/INSURANCE

EVERGREEN TUFF TURFLush, Synthetic GrassesSee our 2,000 sq ft Display at

735 Clark Ave, Yuba City.Then call us at 751-8466

PETS

Country Vet Clinic, Inc4839 E. Butte Rd, Live Oak

"Treating all creaturesGreat and Small"

Jerry Long, DVM & Assoc.

DWAYNE TANABETaxes-Bookkeeping &Business Services

(530)846-3335 [email protected]

Tim's Total Truck RepairMobile and emergency Service

Complete Diesel Repair and Welding 25yrs expASE cert. Master Tech.

(530) 870-7217

LANDSCAPING

HEALTH BEAUTY

Hair EverywhereMobile Salon Stylist

530 - 329 - 5122All Salon Services Available

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ImpactThe

Community

PHOTOGRAPHY

Jennifer Jens Photography"Capturing life's moments"

jenniferjensphotography.com530.632.8909

All SeasonsTree and Turf Care, Inc." Your Landscape and Tree Doctor"

www.allseasons.ms(530) 755 - 1304

"MarketPlace adsshould 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."

HEALTH BEAUTY

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Licensed & Insured Background Checks Department of Health Licensing/ Certifi cation Clearances

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In-Home Services Include:

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In-Home Services Include:

• Light Housekeeping • Grocery Shopping •Transportation • Activities • House Sitting • Hospice Care

• Incontinent Care • Doctor Appointments • Errands

ambassador january 2013

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