We are therefore Christ’s Ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20)
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December 2011 FREE
The Holiday Issue The Xmas Issue
Is God
When God Gives You More Than You Can Handle p. 5
Working Miracles Through Tim Tebow?
Great Christmas Traditions: Our Readers Share Their Favorites
p. 11
God Is With Us – Paula McBride
p. 12
p.4
Surviving Loss: How To Make It Through The Holiday Season p. 11
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Lincoln Plaza 1000 Lincoln Rd, Ste E
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PROMOTE YOUR MINISTRY HERE
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Wishes you and yours a Merry Christmas as we celebrate the birth of the Light of Life Himself. Praise God for the gifts of Life who have been born to Center clients during our 24th year of service. Learn more about A Woman’s Friend and how to become a Champion for Life at www.awfpartners.org
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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 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
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INSPIRATION
The Voice of the Christian Community, serving Yuba, Sutter, and Butte Counties
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God is With Us by Paula McBride I didn't mean to make the ladies cry. All I said was that many people find the holidays their loneliest time of the year. But sentences jumbled together as my Bible study friends began to speak. Stories poured forth of bereavement, rejection, fractured families, and neglect. To a person, they related to the desolation that descends during the busiest season of the year. You wouldn't think they were lonely. They're in Bible study, after all. Lonely people are hiders, though. Loneliness is an invisible disease. The lonely hide in coffee shops and malls to escape empty homes. Some are consumed in work to escape empty lives. Some hide in front of the TV or computer to hide from themselves. Others hide in bed, preferring isolation to impersonal crowds. We think that being lonely is shameful, that it's something we should be able to "get over." In reality, since God created us to love, be loved, and live in relationship with others, loneliness is the cord that continually draws us to the ultimate source of satisfaction, Emmanuel, God With Us. When Adam and Eve accepted the serpent's lies that an apple would bring satisfaction, a cavern erupted in the human soul that agitates us today. That void is filled only by Creator God in the person of His Son. "But we can't see Him, feel Him, or embrace Him!" the lonely person cries. That is true in the physical sense, but as our eyes are opened to God's purposes in loneliness, our outlook shifts. We see loneliness for the feeling that it is and build into our lives the faith that tells us we are never alone. Emmanuel is with us. While feelings shift like sand, faith remains constant.
Faith tells us God desires relationship with us and wants to glorify Himself in us. Can we "glory" in loneliness? Can loneliness help us realize we need someone outside ourselves for redemption? Can it drive us to the depths of our hearts and be an invitation to draw near to God? Can it help us identify our weaknesses and reinforce our strengths? Can it rip us out of ourselves into service for and love of our neighbors? Can God use loneliness as a refining fire? Can it help us recognize that our affections are misplaced? Are the tinsel and baubles of life distracting us from what is of eternal value? While we see that God uses loneliness because He loves us and wants us to find our satisfaction in Him, we realize that loneliness and being alone and very different. Just as Jesus often went alone to meet with His Father, we meet Emmanuel best when we're alone. Alone, we receive unconditional love that permeates, fills, and flows out to others. Alone, we find meaning to our experiences, and fulfillment of the insatiable desires of our hearts. We learn to say with St. Augustine, "Lord, You have made me for Yourself. My heart is restless till I find my rest in You." Feelings of loneliness will come and go, but faith tells us we are never alone. Emmanuel is here. Merry Christmas! God is with us!
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Don’t Give In, Give Up by Ronnie McBrayer
Almost every day now my children scream and point at the television, pining after another Chinese-produced thingamabob that they hope to find beneath the Christmas tree. My children are products of their environment. The average American sees thousands of images, commercials, and advertisements each day, enticing the dollars from our wallets. Many of these are aimed directly at our children, conditioning them for a life of conspicuous consumption. So when the marketing assaults of radio, television, print and the internet are added to the screeching of insatiable children, you’ll buy most anything just to get them to shut up. What happened to the simplicity of the Sears and Roebuck Christmas catalog? Back in the day I would begin carrying it around in October like a sacred text of Scripture. By December its pages were so dog-eared it was a useless rag. But don’t throw it away. God, please no. It was the only connection I had to my dreams of a happy Christmas, for inside its pages were filled with magnificent pictures of bicycles, GI Joes, Hot Wheels tracks, and Stretch Armstrongs. So when my own children plead and howl for the latest-and-greatest, I understand. Hopefully, though, I also understand what my parents knew back then: A child does not need everything he or she
sees – neither do adults. Yet, we have become converts to the most dangerous of American religious convictions. This faith has salespersons as its clergy, the mall as its house of worship, e-Bay as its daily devotional reading, and possessions as its god. We long and pray for the advent of a messiah who will one day come to save us money, bearing the banner of a 50% off sale, with coupons and discounts for all, and no-interest payments until next year. This is the good tidings of great joy we now trust and hope for. Somewhere along the way we moved from working in order to live, to working in order to consume. Consumerism has become our most treasured sign of prosperity, our way of bringing meaning to our lives. And at its core, especially during this season of Advent, holding to consumerism as a value to be lived out, is rank idolatry. Continued on page 7 - GIVE UP
INSPIRATION When God Says, “However...” by James McAlister
A curious event in Genesis 48 demonstrates how God's work in us is never really over. Joseph was about 60 years old, and his father, Jacob, was dying. As was the custom, Jacob called for Joseph's two sons so he could bestow the patriarchal blessing upon them. Joseph carefully placed the young men in front of his father expecting him to simply extend his right hand to the elder son and impart the blessings and prerogatives of the firstborn. But that's not what happened. Jacob purposely crossed his arms in order to lay his right hand upon the younger boy. This unexpected turn of events greatly displeased Joseph. Joseph said to his father, "Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn. Place your right hand on his head" (Genesis 48:18). As Joseph learned, God's ways and thoughts are not naturally aligned with ours. He learned that it is God's prerogative to set one up and put another down. And He is under no obligation to explain why. When requested to correct his "mistake," Jacob did not falter. Once again—even as He had done years before with Jacob himself (choosing him
over his older twin, Esau) and then with Joseph (placing him as ruler over his older brothers)—God promoted a younger son above an elder brother. But his father refused and said, "I know, my son, I know; he also shall become a people and he also shall be great. However . . ." (Genesis 48:19). However. Upon the turn of that dreaded word our perceptions of hopes and dreams and fortunes tend to rise and fall. And we sometimes equate "however" to second best. But it need not be. Over the years, I have earnestly cried out to God with my longings for health and housing and relationships and finances. I have prayed for opportunities and wisdom and calm circumstances and relief from difficult trials. And I've repeatedly heard the reply, "I know, my son, I know. However. . ." When our son was small, I often took his hand when I sensed he was in danger of impulsively stepping into traffic. If he pulled away and continued his own course, I could do nothing. But if he let me lead him with my "however," even though the route might seem unnecessarily long, he would be safe. Continued on pg 7 - HOWEVER
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CALENDAR ONGOING EVENTS Christian Business Alliance Luncheon Every 1st Tue @ Noon Bonanza Inn, Yuba City Join us for Lunch, Fellowship and God’s Word! For info contact Dave Kugelman 530-632-9292 Right to Life Monthly Meeting 1st 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 WISE (Women In Search of Excellence) Bible Study Cornerstone Church Tue. 7pm FREE Karate Classes First Baptist Church of Olivehurst Mon 6:30pm FREE karate classes taught from a Christian perspective. 743-1831 for info, Pastor Miguel. Weekly Recovery Groups Crossroads Community Church Sunday 7-8pm, Monday 6:30-8:30 We also offer a Grief Recovery Group on Wednesday Evenings from 7 to 8 p.m. For more information, please call church office 530-751-9168. Celebrate Recovery Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church Tues 7pm - 674-9210 Celebrate Recovery Loma Rica Community Church - Moy Hall. Fri., 7pm. Call church office for more information 743-5435. Crossroads Clothes Closet Crossroads Community Church, YC Shop at our - FREE Clothes given away! Open Mon - Fri 10am - 4pm AWANA Wed’s, 5:45-7:45 PM during the school year Evangelical Free Church 3785 Olive Hwy., Oroville For information please call 533-6866 Awana is a boys and girls club consisting of small group time, games, large group time. AWANA cont. Awards are given for Bible verse memorization and handbook achievement. For ages 2 through the eighth grade. Prayer Vigil for LIFE! Last Wed of each month, 4-5pm Join 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.
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WestWord Riders Motorcycle Ministry Sat, Dec 17th at 8:30 am Gridley Grill, 484 Hwy 99, Gridley The WestWord Riders motorcycle fellowship meets the 3rd Saturday of each month. Meetings are followed by a planned ride, so dust off that helmet and join us! For more information, contact: Willy Alongi @ 701-1045. CELEBRATE RECOVERY Hope Point Nazarene, 600 N. George Washington Blvd, Yuba City Each Wednesday, 6:30pm 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. The group meets weekly, so visit us any time. Contact Jim Myers at 635-4688 for more information. Knit & Crochet Women's Fellowship First Baptist Church of Olivehurst, 1777 - 8th Ave. Mon 10am - 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. Contact Vivian 530-3019841 for further information. Couplehood Wednesdays 6:45 - 8:45pm Church of Glad Tidings www.YubaSutterMarriage.com How can we protect our relationship from becoming another statistic? What can we do to keep our love energized? Couplehood teaches how to protect, nourish and transform your relationship into an enduring and fulfilling connection. Info: 530.671.6069 “SHAKEN” Hope Point Church, Y.C Sundays at 4pm in the Lighthouse Are you stuck in the rut of ‘religion’? Would you prefer a meaningful relationship with Christ? If you are seeking a deeper connection and want to experience & live in His power, then its time to get ‘Shaken’. Contact Rodney at rodney.corn@comcast.net for more info. SAMARITAN VILLAGE MONTHLY MEETING Call 329-6619 for location 3rd Tue of each month, 6:30pm This meeting is open to all who are interested in helping with an orphanage in Tanzania. For info call Tara at 329-6619 CELEBRATE RECOVERY Every Wed at 6:30 pm Hope Point Nazarene 600 N. George Washington Blvd, YC 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. The group meets weekly, so visit us any time. Contact Sean Heraty @ 530-7519151 for more information.
The Voice of the Christian Community, serving Yuba, Sutter, and Butte Counties
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SPECIAL EVENTS Christmas Drive-Thru Crossroads Community Church - 445 B Street - YC Fri, Sat and Sun eve, Dec 9th - 11th - 6 to 9 p.m. Follow the story of Jesus through the scriptures, traveling through 15 scenes with live animals and actors. Many have made the Christmas drive-thru a family tradition, passing on the real reason for the season. It’s free - our gift to the community. Teach the Children, “A Christmas Musical” Mountaintop Christian Academy 8408 La Porte Road, Brownsville, The Little Red School House Fri Dec 9th, and Sat Dec 10th at 7p.m.. MCA of CA is pleased to invite the community to a performance of Teach the Children, “ A Christmas Musical” Santa Said, “Teach the Children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has forgotten.” $5 for Adults, Children are Free. Please join us. “A Christmas Card for Aunt Sophie” Hope Point Nazarene, 2727 Fir Street, Live Oak Dec 10th, 6:30pm and Dec 11th, 1:30pm Join us as the Hope Point Nazarene Kidz Choir presents their annual Christmas musical program. Faith Christian High School Christmas Concert & Art Show First United Methodist Church at 3101 Colusa Hwy. in YC Mon, Dec 12 at 7:00 p.m. Join the Faith Christian High School orchestra, concert band, and jazz band as we celebrate Christmas with traditional and contemporary music; then browse our fine art display, and enjoy light refreshments. Admission & refreshments free. Christmas Eve Service Sat Dec 24, noon – 4pm Twin Cities Rescue Mission- 940 14th St. Marysville 12:15 – 1:15- Special Music and Message 1:15 – 4pm Gift giveaway to children. Santa is going to show up! Food, food, food for ALL! Come out and enjoy eggnog and hot chocolate while celebrating the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is Immanuel, God with us! Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Crossroads Community Church - 445 B Street - YC Sat, Dec 24th - 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Bring your family and friends and join us for a one-hour Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. The songs of Christmas and the message of hope and salvation will inspire you to focus on God’s gift to us through His Son Jesus, the Christ.
New Year’s Eve Concert With the Nelons Crossroads Community Church - 445 B Street - YC Sat, Dec 31st, 7p.m. until Midnight The Nelons will kick off the evening with a gospel concert and bring in the New Year with the sounds of celebration and thanksgiving to God. Enjoy a great time of fellowship, food and fun activities with friends! Free!
If your church or ministry is having an outreach activity that you would like to promote in our calendar, please send your item via email to editor@ambassadornewspaper.com
by the 15th of the month for a listing in the following month's issue.
The Voice of the Christian Community, serving Yuba, Sutter, and Butte Counties
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GIVE UP
HOWEVER
So, I wonder if you will join me in doing something dangerously subversive this Christmas. In fact, this is blasphemous to the American mode of worship, an act of rebellion: Instead of spending time and money on what you can get, give up some things. Get off the materialistic merry-go-round. Abandon the mall. Suspend your online purchases. Lock away your credit cards. Show restraint with your shopping. It won’t be easy. People will think you a scrooge. They will call you a heretic, one unwilling to conform to the religious order. But that’s OK. This may prove even better for your soul than for your budget. Ronnie McBrayer is a syndicated columnist, speaker, and author. His books include “Leaving Religion, Following Jesus” and “The Jesus Tribe.” Visit his website at www.ronniemcbrayer.net.
Someone once said that the path of least resistance makes both men and rivers run crooked. Like every set of parents I’ve known, we prayed for the birth of a healthy baby. But God said “however” and gave us a child with multiple, extensive physical and mental limitations. Then she died unexpectedly at age 22. Nevertheless, a backward glance of 34 years confirms that God’s “however” led us down a far better path than we would have chosen for ourselves. Though I still pour out to God a steady flow of longings and desires punctuated with urgency, I expect that He will insert “however” in the proper places to work the best for me in the end. I TOLD HIM MY LONGING I told Him my longing for pleasant green pastures, for stillness of waters restoring my soul. He said, “I had rather you learn how the Shepherd can lead you through turmoil and maintain control.” I told Him my longing for freedom from trouble, for days full of sunshine and nights without storm. He said, “I had rather you taste of affliction and learn how I comfort the weary and worn.” I told Him my longing for family and friendships, for those who would lift me whenever I’m low. He said, “I had rather you learn to be lonely, discovering friendship that few ever know.” I told Him my longing for heavenly treasures, all gained without conflict and struggle and strife. He said, “I had rather you learn of endurance and win crowns of glory and honor and life.” Though my thoughts aren’t His thoughts, and His thoughts aren’t mine, delighting in Him will produce the sublime: By changing my thoughts both in whole and in part, he’s able to give me—abundantly give me— He’s able to give the desires of my heart. Copyright © 2006 James McAlister. Find more free articles at www.BulletinInserts.org, a ministry of Christian Communicators Worldwide: www.CCWtoday.org
Continued from pg. 5
P O orma by Kug
P O orma by Kug P O orma by Kug P O orma by Kug P O orma by Kug P O orma by Kug - KUG - 742.2423 P O orma by Kug - JOSH -237.6345
Continued from pg 5
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The Ambassador Ministry
would like to thank the following people for their Individual Sponsorship Michael Barrett Marty Brown Warren & Lucy Campbell Bob Gilbert Tom Harris Rodney Hick Kerry Iskikian Brad Indelicato Hope Ithurburn
Sandi Juri Sue Kochi Maria Paras Carrie Pederson Wendell Prine Mimi Robarge Jeff Royce Jon & Pat Skillman Art & Mary Ann Whitten
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
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The Voice of the Christian Community, serving Yuba, Sutter, and Butte Counties
Attention Christian Business Owners/Managers
Listen to
Ambassador
There are many choices for promoting your business
The local daily newspaper - Coupon magazines - Local community magazines
There are many ministries to support to build God’s Kingdom Homeless ministries - Pro-life organizations - Christian recovery programs
There is one choice that allows you to do both. We call it … ADvangelism! Promote Your Business while building up the Kingdom of God The Ambassador allows you to let the Christian community (and others as well) know about you, At the same time supporting the ministry of The Ambassador to encourage, inform, challenge and connect the local Body of Christ We distribute in more than 300 churches and businesses in Yuba/Sutter/Butte Counties (residential delivery beginning soon!)
ADvangelism- “the business deduction with eternal rewards!”
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The
Radio Show
Hosted by Seth Halpern NEWS INTERVIEWS DISCUSSION
Fri. 5pm repeated at 9pm and Saturday at 7pm
KCY C 104.7 -L P
ENCOUR AGING WORD R ADIO
Thurs. 5pm
repeated at 9pm and Saturday at 5pm
Taking Back Christianity
with Sean Blount & Dave Kugelman
Discussing important issues of faith and culture Listen to Bob Fromm on The Encouraging Word weekdays at 9:01am & 7:05pm
The Voice of the Christian Community, serving Yuba, Sutter, and Butte Counties
Current members:
A-1 Carpet Cleaning - (530) 673-3634 - www.a-1clean.com Maria Altizer - Live Oak Collision Center - (530) 695-1818 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 Brent Davis - Davis Family Insurance - (530) 671-2764 Christi Dutcher - (530) 682-1136 Shelley Gallagher - Gallagher Ranch Larry Geweke - Larry Geweke Ford-Kia - www.geweke.com Debbie Gilstrap - Sierra Central Credit Union debbie_gilstrap@hotmail.com Pamela Givans Marcos Gonzalez - Ultimate Business Maintenance - (530) 671-1564 John L. Guth - AttorneyEstate Planning - www.johnguthlaw.com Seth Halpern - Ambassador Newspaper - editor@ambassadornewspaper.com Rodney Hick David Hobbs Painting - Cont. Lic#880562 (530)742-2428 Marilyn Hoffman - Associated Brokers - (530) 682-1930 Brad Indelicato - Dolco Packaging - bdi26@comcast.net Dean Ingraham - Retiredand54@syix.com Bill Jens - Yuba Sutter Healthy Marriage Project - (530) 671-6069 Dave & Robin Kugelman - Proforma by Kug - (530) 742-2423 Clay Maynard - Consultant - (530) 790-6611 Jerry Munz - JM Construction Co. - (530) 682-5316 Jared Nunes - Sutter Health Chuck & Miriam Page Ronda Putman Shannon Russ - A Woman’s Friend - (530) 741-9136 Darrell Sayles - Love Unlimited Body of Christ - luboc2004@yahoo.com Roger Shadd - Shadd Janitorial Supply - 530-673-0083 Robert Stark - Sutter county Auditor/Controller - suttercountyauditor.org Dwayne Tanabe - Taylor Accountancy Corp - dktanabe@yahoo.com Jenine Tanabe - Jenine L. Tanabe, MD Dematology - (530) 743-0301 Jim Whiteaker - Sutter County Supervisor - jwhiteaker@co.sutter.ca.us
8th annual West Coast Walk for Life 2012 www.walkforlifewc.com The 8th annual West Coast Walk for Life in San Francisco will be Saturday, January 21st. Come join us and experience the blessing of being among thousands taking a stand for LIFE. “Women deserve better” is the slogan of this PEACEFUL demonstration. Three buses, sponsored by Yuba Sutter Right to Life, will leave St. Isidore Church at 9:30 am on Saturday, January 21st and return around 8:00 p.m. Call Mike (676-2122) or Maureen (673-1437) for more information or to reserve a place on the bus. The cost is $25 per person before November 30th, and $30 after that date. Limited financial help is available for large families and students.
Rich Fellowship, Powerful Prayer, Refreshing Presence of God! We meet at the Bonanza Inn the first Tuesday of the month from noon – 1pm.
For weekly reminders, updates, or to join email editor@ambassadornewspaper.com
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RESOURCES From Penn State To The State Penn? The Legacy of Jerry Sandusky by Seth Halpern
While combing the media for recent news stories, I came across an abundance of perspectives on the awful sexual abuse scandal last month at Penn State. Arguably the worst scandal in collegiate history, at the center is a man named Jerry Sandusky. Let me be clear that our court of law states that everyone is “innocent” unless found “guilty”. Unfortunately the “court” of public opinion has already tried and convicted Sandusky and if he is found innocent, then I along with most of our nation owe him a tremendous apology. Again, unfortunately, it will be too late because the man’s reputation is beyond repair and few will touch him with a ten foot pole! So, assuming that the allegations against him are true, what can we learn from this horrible tragedy? Do we simply shake our heads and point out another “sicko” in our society? Or does this whole incident bring up a whole set of new questions we need to address? For example: How did this go on so long without anyone stepping in? How did more than one adult male see the crime in progress and NOT step in to stop it? Why did the “powers that be” cover it up for so long and continue to give the man access to the facility and the victims? Of course these are questions that are under investigation and hopefully will be answered by the end of the trial. What about us? True, (thank-
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A Peek At My Bookshelf
Recommended Reading by Deena Peterson “Sifted" by Rick Lawrence
fully) we don’t live in State College, PA right now. Yet, these kinds of crimes happen throughout our nation and unfortunately much closer to our area. When do we step in? Who is going to have the courage to stop a criminal (whatever the crime) from what he/she commits. I believe too many of us are prone to a cover up. We don’t want to get involved. “It’s none of my business”. There’s a tv show on prime time called “What would you do?” where they pre-arrange a scenario with actors to see which onlookers will get involved. Although, that show generally has non-criminal situations, I’m talking about criminal ones. What if in your church or workplace there is evidence of criminal activity (fraud, abuse, theft, etc)? If we are not willing to step in, then we need to consider what about us is in fact “Christian”. God is a just God, meaning that He will take care of justice for wrong behavior. But we are responsible throughout scripture to stand up for those treated unjustly and be on the side of righteousness not iniquity. I’m glad I’m not in the shoes of Jerry Sandusky or even Joe Paterno, or anyone else associated with this scandal. But I know that the enemy of our souls can bring those situations much closer to home. If and when you are faced with that “What would you do?”
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Have you ever had a love/not love relationship with a book? Ever knew a book was meant for you to read, but really wish you’d never heard of it at all? Ever felt God speaking to you as you read the pages, and KNEW He’d sent the book for such a time as this? Well, if you haven’t, and you don’t want that kind of reading experience, stay away from “Sifted” by Rick Lawrence. But if life seems flipped upside down, nothing seems to add up, and yet you love God with a passion that runs through your very marrow, maybe you should run to the local bookstore and snatch up a copy. Rick focuses on the Bible passage of Luke 22:31-32, when our dear brother Peter gets his emotions tangled with his faith and informs Jesus, God in the flesh, Creator of the universe and Savior of our souls that He “would not surely die!” Remember that moment?\ Jesus, with a heart full of love, compassion and truth declares satan desired to ‘sift Peter like wheat’. Trust me when I tell you we have no understanding of what that truly meant. If we did, we’d shake at the thought. I’ve had people toss that phrase out at me and I’ve nodded and thought, ‘yeah, I’m being sifted’...no biggie. Oh, but it’s SUCH a biggie! To be shaken HARD, beaten and pitched into the air, where the ground truly falls out from under you and you have no clue where you might land, just an assurance of Who will catch you...THAT is to be sifted. Don’t believe me? Read Rick’s book and see how he checks out the sifting of wheat in the days of Jesus... and may I say ‘wow’...and I’m being so sifted, and it isn’t fun, it hurts, it is a very big deal, and I do not like it at all. Here’s the cool thing, though... Jesus didn’t just leave Peter there, and He doesn’t leave us there either. With that same love and compassion and truth Jesus tells Peter ‘WHEN
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you have turned back’...’strengthen your brothers’. Why will Peter turn back? Why will you and I turn back? Because Jesus also says ‘but I have prayed for you’. Here’s an interesting fact...Jesus calls Peter ‘Simon’ in that statement...his old name. Seems important, right? It is. So is this book. Each chapter takes a portion of the passage and breaks it down, using other Scriptures and examples to deepen the meaning, then puts it all back together in a beautiful yet painful portrait of being changed forever. It’s that ‘glory to glory’ thing the Bible talks about. It hurts. But it’s worth it. It has to be, or God wouldn’t allow it. A couple of times I questioned what I read, but for the most part, I found “Sifted” to be sound and reliable. I highly recommend “Sifted” to you. My thanks to my friends at David C. Cook and at B&B Media for the chance to understand this season of my life a bit better...and to Rick Lawrence for taking a passage of Scripture I’ve always glossed over and bringing it to life. Happy Reading! Deena Peterson An Independent Reviewer Totally Dependent Upon Jesus! For more book reviews by Deena visit deenasbooks.blogspot.com
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Is God Working Miracles Through Tim Tebow? by Dr. Michael Brown askdrbrown.org
I can give you a long list of reasons why it is preposterous to suggest that Almighty God, the Creator of the universe, is performing football miracles for Tim Tebow. Yet there are some things that make me wonder if the Lord might actually be involved in this after all. At the risk of literally playing the devil’s advocate, I’ll start with ten reasons why the whole idea of God performing miracles for Tim Tebow should be rejected. 1) There are millions of people experiencing terrible suffering, including children dying in agony, yet they are not receiving miracles of healing. Why would God get involved in a football game while apparently ignoring the cries of these sufferers? 2) The American obsession with the NFL borders on idolatry, and during football season, many pastors are especially time conscious on Sunday mornings lest the service goes too long and the footballfocused parishioners get offended. 3) There are plenty of fine Christians on other NFL teams. Why would God favor Tim Tebow over them? Why would he grant special blessings to the Denver Broncos? 4) The NFL is a concussively violent sport, with many NFL vets hobbled (or even crippled) for life. Doesn’t the Bible say that God hates violence? 5) It is irreverent to think that the Creator and Sustainer of the universe manipulates sporting events, let alone NFL games. 6) Jesus taught that we should keep our
RESOURCES Surviving Loss How To Make It Through The Holiday Season by Jim Liebel - homeword.com
acts of piety private. Tebow is being hypocritical by praying in public and always bringing up his faith. 7) There are actually no miracles taking place. If Tebow didn’t play so terribly until the last five minutes of the game, his team wouldn’t need to make so many “miraculous” comebacks. 8) There are plenty of athletes who have a special, competitive quality and can rally their team together for a sensational victory, and it has nothing to do with religious faith. 9) Why must we always equate God’s blessing with winning and success? Some of the most blessed people in history have been anything but successful in the eyes of the world. 10) Football is matter of hard work, discipline, and execution, and while players may make exceptional plays, none of those plays can be categorized as “miraculous.” Now, to take the other side of the argument (and play the Lord’s advocate?). It is certainly possible that divine intervention is taking place. Continued on page 13 - TEBOW
For some, being “merry” during the holiday season is a difficult prospect at best. For those who have experienced the death of a loved-one or a divorce, particularly if recent, the holidays can intensify the sense of loss and make attempts to celebrate a chore, rather than a joy. If you are in the midst of a painful season of life, or struggle with the memories of the way life used to be, here are some practical suggestions for navigating the holidays. 1. Acknowledge your loss. Don’t try to sweep it under the carpet. It’s likely that your family and friends understand “the elephant in the room.” It’s okay to talk about the loss that you feel. 2. If you are finding it difficult to cope, ask for help. Most friends and family will be eager to share your burdens. If your loss is recent, people often will go out of their way to offer assistance and to lighten your load and include you in their celebrations. If you are comfortable, take them up on their offers. If your loss is recent or your sense of loss is persisting over time, consider seeing a counselor who can help you to process your loss and grief in healthy ways.
3. Give God your burden. He is well acquainted with grief. Look to Him for comfort. He’s trustworthy. He wants to help. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. - Isaiah 53:3a Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. - Matthew 11:28 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:7 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. - Psalm 91:1 4. Think about which of your holiday traditions will provide comfort and which ones will hurt. Some people find that keeping some traditions, even if difficult, are comforting. Others may need to set aside some traditions for a season, and do something completely new and different. It is not a sign of weakness to acknowledge what is beyond your present capacity. For example, if you’ve hosted an extended-family Christmas Eve dinner for years, and you’ve just experienced a recent loss, everyone will understand if you pass the hosting duties to another member of the family this year. Continued on page 12 - LOSS
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COMMUNITY Your 2 Cents! Our Readers Respond...
“What is Your Favorite Christmas Tradition?" Putting up the nativity. But when I lay the baby jesus in the hay I feel it all come alive again deep in my soul. It stirs me. I begin to think about the sacrifice. About what the season really reflects. It was about gods plan for salvation for all of us. It was the beginning of jesus life here on earth with us. It’s by far my favorite christmas tradition. – Belinda Hedrick As the youngest kid i was usually the last to open gifts as we went oldest to me. But we watched each person as they opened all their gifts. That was special & we do this in our fam now. Also homemade goodies for breakfast on Christmas morning & waking everyone up! And singing "Happy Birthday" to our Lord & saviour. - Brent Erickson My favorite and most treasured Christmas tradition is spending Christmas eve celebrating my savior's birth with my church family at the First United Methodist Church, Yuba City. My favorite part of the service is singing silent night in the glow of candles causing me to reflect on the wonder that first Christmas. - Heather Wells I really don't have a Christmas tradtion anymore since I gave my life to Jesus. As time has past God has spoken to me about how everything has gotten out of control about Jesus’ birth.
People have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas, so I celebrate Jesus all year round. I give my family gifts throughout the year as God puts it into my heart, and to see their faces lite up fills my heart with joy. - Ruth Tapia One of our favorite Christmas traditions has to do with our nativity scene. We set everything up, but don't bring out the baby Jesus figure till Christmas morning. The empty space brings up a lot of questions during the rest of December, and gives us plenty of opportunities to share the gospel :) - Colleen Meyer One of my favorite Christmas traditions is on Thanksgiving my mom always give my two sisters and I a new tree ornament to hang on our Christmas tree for that year. I normally get an angel cause my mom knows I like angel decorations. - Lacie Robertson Every year we pick ornaments that represent something special for the year. Each Christmas, Chris gets out the book that has the list of ornaments for each year and we go through them with our kids and now our grandchildren. They enjoy hearing the event that is represented and we get to relive those important moments with them. This year we will be adding our granddaughter Kalieigh to our tree - Angela Madsen
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LOSS
Making a donation to a charitable organization in the name of a loved one can also be comforting. 7. Take life one day at a time. You don’t have to worry about what the holidays will look like five years from now. You have enough on your plate today. Take care of yourself and your immediate family. In time, you’ll figure out the future. You may return to some of your old holiday traditions and it’s likely you’ll create some new ones. 8. Enjoy what you can. Throw holiday season expectations out the window for now. Enjoy what you can and don’t worry about the rest. Don’t feel shame in experiencing any joys you find this holiday season. If you’ve recently lost a loved-one, he or she would want you to experience all of the love, joy and comfort you possibly can.
Continued from page 11 5. Surround yourself with loving people. Sometimes, particularly after a recent loss, being around people during the holiday season can be difficult and exhausting. But, isolating yourself completely can be worse by intensifying feelings of loss and loneliness. Seek a healthy balance based on your feelings and circumstance. If you can, spend lots of time with your immediate family. Look to spend time with extended family, with friends, and with people in your church community. 6. Try helping others. I believe that one of the best ways that people can find comfort and get beyond pain is to focus on others. So, volunteer to help with your church’s holiday outreaches and events, or sign up to help at a local soup kitchen.
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TEBOW
Continued from page 11 1) Tebow has made it clear that football is ultimately a platform through which he can influence the next generation, and he has been called the role model we have been waiting for. Would you rather have your kids emulate Tim Tebow or Lady Gaga? 2) Tebow reminds us that football is just a game and that there are far more important things in life. After his most recent “miraculous” victory over the NY Jets, he affirmed his passion for playing but then explained that he was more excited about being involved with the building of a new hospital in the Philippines. 3) Tebow is making a clear statement about priorities. When he became the first college sophomore to receive the Heisman Trophy (for best football player in the nation), he stated that his priorities were: “number one, my faith in God; number two, my family and my relationships with my family; number three, academics; and number four is football.” 4) The same Jesus who warned about hypocritical displays of piety also called his followers to let their light shine be-
fore the world, also warning them that he would be ashamed of them if they were ashamed of him. 5) Since tens of millions of people follow the NFL, why shouldn’t God take advantage of the opportunity to use a football player who has the attention of the nation? 6) The Bible does not present God as a distant and detached Creator but as one who is intimately involved in our day to day affairs. Is the NFL outside of his gaze or potential involvement? 7) We are not going to answer the question of the problem of suffering in a short article (those interested in this difficult subject can watch my debate with Prof. Bart Ehrman atwww.AskDrBrown. org), but isn’t Tebow addressing this problem in a practical way by helping to build hospitals in impoverished parts of the world? And would he be able to do this without his football income and fame? Obviously, we can only give our opinions here, but with Tim Tebow on so many American minds these days, it’s a discussion worth having. So what’s your take? Is God working football miracles on behalf of Tim Tebow?
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Conflict, Controversy & The Christian Life by Dave Kugelman
Sanctification. Transformation Great words. To me, they represent hope that I don’t have to stay the way I am. Max Lucado wrote a book titled “Just Like Jesus.” However, the cover of that book reads as follows: “God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be Just Like Jesus.” How true! Most of us came to Christ because we realized that our selfish, self centered choices brought misery to us and our loved ones. We wanted something more. We wanted this abundant life that Jesus promised. So begins the transformation process. We are shocked to learn that the trials and tribulation of life are God’s fundamental tools to make us “Just Like Jesus.” I have grown significantly through the most difficult agonizing experiences of my life. The reason that I chose the headline for this article is because as I have prayed recently for God to destroy the fear of man in my life so that I will be more concerned with what God thinks and less concerned with what man thinks of me. God is answering that prayer but in a very intense way. Lately, I have experienced several uncomfortable conflicts (mostly with believers). I am not saying that I was the innocent party in each of these scenarios. Each of these conflicts came suddenly, without warning and they all had something in common. The individuals all challenged me in areas of deep personal
convictions. I didn’t like it and wanted to defend myself. Okay here is the point. If I can’t handle confrontation from within (friendly fire from fellow believers) how in the world will I be able to handle confrontation from non-believers? The answer: I won’t and neither will you. God is equipping you and me to be able to respond to a (sometimes) hostile person(s) who opposes what we stand for. He wants us to be able to speak the truth in love and not respond out of a desire to get personal justice. How will you and I respond to someone who violently opposes the truth that Jesus is the only way to heaven? There are more controversial topics but that one seems to really hit a nerve with some. Let’s collectively pray for God to equip all of us with this verse: 1 Peter 3:15-16 “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” David Kugelman is the president of the Christian Business Alliance which meets each Tuesday at noon at various locations. To be included on the weekly emailing lists, contact Seth Halpern at editor@ambassadornewspaper.com.
“How beautiful on the mountains are 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 throughout Yuba, Sutter, and Butte counties. If you can help once a month for an hour or two, please call The Ambassador at 530-933-1385 or email editor@ambassadornewspaper.com
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EDITORIALS
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Money Management 101
AS WE SEE IT
By Jon Skillman
There has been a lot of hoop-la lately over the great divide between the 1% and the rest of us… the wealthy and the 99% not so. I have to tell you, this whole class warfare thing has me a bit conflicted. I often find myself asking; just how much money does one man need? How much is enough? The answer I get back is… it’s not really my call. I don’t begrudge another man success. And, I don’t have the audacity to think he is obligated to share his success with me. It would be nice… but here again, not my call. I shudder at the thought of the government getting into the wealth redistribution business. They don’t have the best track record in distributing or running anything (Amtrak, the Postal Service, Freddy and Fannie come to mind). God tells us money in its self is not evil. He says: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil…” 1Timothy 6:10. So it’s more about how wealth is accumulated and spent that determines its morality. The real question today is: Regardless of how one’s wealth has been achieved, who determines how it is to be used? Call me old fashion but I think the one who earns it should decide how to spend it. That’s probably because I tend to subscribe to God’s money management plan. It’s really simple and when followed to the letter it makes all talk of redistribution irrelevant. God’s money management plan begins with Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not sto-
re up for yourselves treasures on earth… But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.” How do I do that you may ask? Well first, we have to rearrange our priorities. You know, shift our focus from the temporal to the eternal. In other words, invest in God’s kingdom. And, a good place to start is 1John 3:17: “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” Bingo! Start by getting the love of God in us. But alas, more of us seem to have the love of money in us rather than the love of God. So government has set up a safety net for those in “need.” But for many, the safety net quickly becomes a way of life. This is not part of God’s money management plan. The Apostle Paul put it this way, “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” 2Thessalonians 3:10. It’s really not a cruel as it sounds. Paul wasn’t talking about those who couldn’t work… he was referring to the able bodied who had become idle and dependent on the charity of others. The key word in all of this is, “need.” I think the vast majority of the 99% are not in a state of need… they are in a state of want. Big difference. So the bottom line for me is… I can’t control the 1% or the 99. I can only control what God has blessed me with and use it to His bidding.
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When God Gives You More Than You Can Handle Seth Halpern
I’ve often heard the title statement said to me or someone else who was going through a difficult time. It is said by well meaning people wanting to offer hope and comfort in a time of trial. Unfortunately, it is simply not true. It is in the same Bible version as the manmade verse “God helps those that help themselves” In defense of those sympathetic well wishers, it may be a misinterpretation or application another verse, I Cor. 10:13, whereby God will not allow a temptation that will overwhelm and He will provide a way of escape. That has to do with “temptations” not the trials of life. In fact, I believe that the very opposite is true. God WILL give us more than we can handle otherwise we would have no reason to trust in His help. If my health is good, I have money in the bank and no relationships in crisis then I might begin to think that I can do this “life” thing on my own. I learned a lesson about this on October 18th, when I went to the emergency room complaining of “heartburn”. I had been having chest discomfort and other symptoms for about a week and my wife was requesting that I go in to get it checked. Since I didn’t have medical insurance I didn’t want to “bother” with it. Why get a big debt for nothing and if it was something, then what would I do anyway? At her urging, I reluctantly went in and was immediately admitted. A few days later, I was undergoing triple bypass heart surgery. The thoughts I had before surgery were more than I could handle. What about my wife and
Seth Halpern - Editor family? What will they do if I don’t survive this? What will my life be like if I DO survive? I cried, I thought, I slept, I cried again. I had not been in a hospital since I had my gallbladder removed 20 years ago in a scheduled procedure. There was nothing I could do to help myself. All I could do is to trust God to work through the skilled hands of the surgeon. Then the surgery was over and it was successful. Then came the pain. The next 5 days in the hospital would prove to be another trial that I could not handle. From the physical pain of the surgery, to the psychological effects of lack of good sleep. The humiliation of being showered and shaved by strangers, some of whom I didn’t like. Feeling helpless in a position where I couldn’t move and loneliness that no one around me cared. Not everything I thought, perceived or believed was true, but it was my reality nonetheless and it was MORE than I could handle. I needed my Lord, my Daddy, to pick me pick up and let me know that HE would take care of it and that HE would be there with me in the midst of it. When the trials come and they seem like they are too much to bear, don’t be looking for the end of the trial as much as the beginning of His comfort. That is the only way we can experience that “peace that surpasses all understanding” (Phil 4:7)
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December 16 - Baked Potato Bar - Warm up with baked potatoes. We’ll provide the potatoes and you help us with the Toppings. The more unusual the better. What do you like on YOUR potato??? Fun follows in the gym. December 23 - The Eve of Christmas Eve - Take a break from all that Christmas shopping. Just look around your house find something you don’t want anymore, serious or gag, then wrap it for our “White Elephant Gift Exchange.” December 30 -
Movie Night - Featuring the new film “Courageous” - from the producers of Fireproof. See the first showing of this film at CCC. Popcorn, sodas & hot dogs.
January 6
- FNS 2nd Anniversary Celebration - Join us for a ham dinner with scalloped potatoes, bread and dessert.
January 13
- Build your own Sundae Night - We’ll eat ice cream sundaes with all the toppings & pretend it is 95 outside.
The place where area singles come together to relax after a busy week, unwind and refocus on the Lord. There is a time of worship and praise as we sing, pray and study God’s Word. Then we have a time of fellowship, table games, pool, etc, plus food and snacks. It’s all FREE!! It is a great time to meet other singles & make new friendships. Please dress casual.
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