February 2017
By Susie CauchiCo-Founder and President Yuba-Sutter Stand for the Silent On October 17th, 2012, our daughter was assaulted at high school by a girl she barely knew. We learned she was deliberately set up by her attacker and several other girls. Students who witnessed this encouraged our daughter’s attacker to run so she didn’t get caught. No one encouraged our daughter to run so she wouldn’t get hurt. Only one student helped her to the office, and another took a bus to be by her side until I arrived. One of the other girls videotaped her assault and shared it with other students. We discovered that a former friend of our daughter’s was also involved. There was
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a barrage of bullying and cyberbullying events prior to that day, including a pizza box with obscene language being delivered to her in the cafeteria during lunch. We had no knowledge of this bullying. The first I’d heard about it was the day I picked her up from the nurse’s office at school. Our daughter kept it from us, for fear of creating more “drama”, as school officials called it, and the embarrassment
of having her parents involved. When the cyberbullying began, our daughter experienced debilitating m i g r a i n e s , i n s o m n i a , depression, anxiety, shame and suicidal thoughts. Her grades dropped, and she was in jeopardy of not graduating on time with the rest of her class. She has been hospitalized twice for cutting and attempts to take her own life. My husband and I spent sleepless
My husband and I spent sleepless nights wondering if we were going to be among those parents who had lost a child
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nights wondering if we were going to be among those parents who had lost a child. None of this was shared with many people outside our tight-knit family and close friends, until about a year after her assault. The reason? It was time to take a stand, and it took a village to do so. One of the things we did was to embrace the church and all it had to offer. We were in survival mode and it was all we could do. With the help of our Pastor and his family, we felt at home. We were able to come as we were - broken - and still treated with love and mercy. Our Pastor’s daughter was called on by us several times to mentor our daughter,
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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 - 7,500 and is distributed in local churches and businesses in the community. ?The purpose of The Ambassador is to pursue the great commission of Christ by making disciples and to encourage, inform, challenge and connect the local body of Christ. ?We believe in the inspiration and authority of the Bible as the written word of God. We believe that God exists as One, in three distinct persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. ?We believe that the atoning work of Christ (His death) on the cross and His resurrection is the ONLY means of salvation and the only way to Eternal Life in Heaven. ?We welcome editorial content from anyone wishing to promote the mission of The Ambassador. All articles and advertisement content is subject to the approval of the editor. Views expressed in The Ambassador do not necessarily reflect those of our sponsors or advertisers
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Peppers & Peculiar Friends The Long Haul
By Tamera Sturges Have you ever wanted something new in your life, but the effort it would take to achieve it was just too daunting to face? If your heart is constantly being pulled by that “something”, it’s probably worth the effort. Things such as a career change, an out of state move or a bold new adventure are not for the faint of heart. Your passion for it is a gift. Your calling is unique and it is unable to be fulfilled by anyone else in quite the same way God has intended for you. This is your burden/chore/adventure, however you want to look at it. For me, take driving a semi for example or jamming in a roller derby bout. These things are not easily obtained, they require a lot of practice and a lot of hard work. They can be very intimidating; have you seen that steep, ice packed, windy mountain road or the other team’s linebacker...er, I mean, blocker? It can also be extremely exhilarating, like pulling off a grand slam in roller derby! That’s when you, as the jammer, lap the opposing team’s jammer. When I first learned how to drive a semi, I was so intimidated by the sheer size of it. I remember parking alongside the road one time to grab a meal at the Cracker Barrel and when I turned back
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to look at the truck, I turned pale white. My trainer asked me if I was okay, and I played it off as nothing, but inside, I felt faint when I realized the responsibility and enormous size of the rig, that was in my hands. I couldn’t believe I was maneuvering that beast on the roads of America. Now, over 20 years later, I feel the most comfortable driving behind the wheel of one of the biggest rigs operating out here. My favorite thing is maneuvering this giant truck and trailer around. I’m good at it and for some reason, people are encouraged by me driving a big rig. When I first thought about playing roller derby, I wasn’t afraid. I grew up on skates and I never fell down. I wasn’t anxious until I became fully aware of the fact that as my team’s jammer, I am the opposing team’s primary target! I earned the position of jammer because of my ability to skate well. There’s nothing like knowing other girls are trying their best to send you flying with a solid hip check, when you have wheels on your feet, to get your heart racing!! Once I experienced this, all I had to do was just THINK about jamming and my heart would start racing! It was scary, exhilarating, and I loved it! These two amazing things in my life came at a price; overcoming fear, hard work, practice, prayer...a lot of prayer and continued effort. If you have a Godgiven passion, pray, pray, pray, take one step at a time and pray some more. Tamera is a former Roller Derby “Queen” who enjoys an unusual life in Christ while hauling freight with her husband, Todd. You can follow her journey at her Facebook page “Trucking is Glamorous”.
By April James The days have been grey - wet with winter, and the news a bit dark; so, I thought I would share a light hearted chuckle from my pages on the Lighter Side of Life, that of a wannabe chef. ----Warning! Keep fingers away from your face, that is, if you have recently cut a hot pepper. I had a pepper from a friend’s garden, which I thought to be a jalapeno, and that it would spice up my meatloaf a little. After the meatloaf was in the oven I brushed away a hair, touching my face in the process; Mistake #1 – oh the burn. I gave my hands a good scrubbing, then washed my face; Mistake #2 – whole face now on fire. I’ve heard it said that if you eat spicy hot food that drinking milk would cut the heat. I surmised if it worked internally it should also work externally. As I am dabbing my face with a milk soaked cotton ball I notice red marks developing. After a few minutes, I came to the conclusion that the milk theory was a bust, either that or I needed the fullstrength stuff, or this was one whopper of a pepper. A thought occurs (thank you Holy Spirit) to pray. Now, why didn’t I think of that one first? I would venture to guess I’m normal,
that is - in not being the only one at times to try other things first before praying. At least I think I’m normal; I want to be normal. Actually, maybe not, normal can be overrated. Then there is normal for some, where you just wouldn’t want to be in their place. I tend to like the Bible’s word, “peculiar”. It’s kind of fun to think we are God’s peculiar treasure, a peculiar people unto Him. Just think, I have peculiar friends and I think you are all just wonderful that way…LOL. Anyway, back to peppers and prayers. After a little prayer, the fire went out and the spots were gone, that is, until the next touch. I don’t know what kind of pepper it was, but it was certainly potent. As for the meatloaf, that one little pepper almost rendered it inedible. I wonder if soaking it in milk would help, hmmm…. Lessons learned: 1. Beware of suspicious peppers 2. Scrub, scrub, scrub and scrub hands some more 3. Pray sooner instead of later As we start our day let’s remember to bathe it in prayer and take delight in the little things. Remember that we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood…
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• • • Love Found Me • • • By Paula McBride My sister, Sarah, was not looking for romance when she entered McDonald’s one crisp morning. She was just one of several senior citizens from our church who chat over coffee or read the newspaper in the friendly atmosphere. Scanning the booths to see who was there, she noticed a gentleman waving for her to join him. It was the tall, handsome (yet senior) man to whom she had been introduced by mutual friends a couple of weeks prior. Today, though, he was alone. Sarah joined him, and not long into the conversation, Stan asked Sarah if she dated. Stunned by the unexpected question, my long-widowed sister choked out an answer to the effect that the opportunity had never come up. Stan planned to change that for Sarah, and soon they were going to movies and out to eat with the friends that introduced them. Next came giggles and grins as Stan and Sarah sat together in Sunday school and church. His four kids and her three were pleased to see their parents starry-eyed and affectionate. The couple grew closer as they talked through their painful pasts as widows and examined the possibility of loving again. And God stepped in with obvious evidence of His approval.
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Stan and Sarah were married January 14, 2017. Sarah wasn’t looking for love. Love found her. That’s a beautiful love story that continues to bless my family, but greater still is a glimpse of the greatest Lover of all, our Father God. The Bible is filled with whispers and calls meant to draw us to the heart of God from Genesis to Revelation. Remember when God called to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden after they succumbed to temptation? God sought his companions. Did He not know where they were? Certainly, in His omniscience He knew, but God allows us, through the Word, to see a divine heart that pursues the lost. God the Father comes to us and leads us to His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus told His followers, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them,” (John 6:44). Jesus said of Himself that He came to seek and save those who are lost. Can you imagine God actively drawing you to Himself as skillfully as He drew Stan and Sarah to each other? But just as Stan and Sarah came to a point of choosing to commit to each other, we are given the choice of accepting or rejecting Christ. Yet God continues to
INSPIRATION 10 Ways You Can Help The Ambassador Ministry 1. Pray with us and for us to not only sustain but to grow in impact. Pray for our health and for spiritual protection 2. Read it yourself – You will be enriched by reading it. 3. Share a copy or an article with someone- you will have someone in your life benefit from an article in every issue, cut it out and send it to them, or send them the whole issue 4. Leave a copy of The Ambassador when you’re having coffee or a meal or waiting for your car. Use it like a tract. It may be less intimidation. 5. Monitor The Ambassador at your church: assure their presence and visibility 6. Subscribe for a friend or family
member (or yourself) 7. Find new locations- ask businesses that you frequent to take some papers, deliver and monitor them 8. Deliver a small route- 1 to 2 hours each month 9. Give financially as an Individual partner, business partner, churches/ ministries partner (every dollar helps to impact the community) 10. Talk to your like-minded Christian friends, family, business associates and church leadership, about helping as well. If you would like to help, please contact Seth Halpern at 530-933-1385 or email editor@ambassadornewspaper.com
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Ongoing Events SUNDAY CELEBRATE RECOVERY - Praise Chapel Church - Sunday 6:30 p.m. Join us for great worship and open share group. For more information call (530) 923-7204. AWANA CLUB Sundays 5:30-7:00 pm. Check in is at 5:15 pm. Grace Baptist Church - 1980 S. Walton Ave. (Bogue & Walton) Awana is an amazing children’s program for ages 3-grade 6. Join this new Club as it begins! Kids memorize Scripture, play games and learn lots! Call 530-673-6847 for information. Info: Ed Han 209-298-6102 You are invited to come and receive special prayer for divine healing or prophetic guidance. Our prayer teams will pray with you for your needs.
MONDAY KNIT & CROCHET WOMENS FELLOWSHIP Mondays 10:00 a.m. - Noon First Baptist Church - 1777 8th Ave. - Olivehurst Practice your yarn craft or learn a new one with us. Knifty Knitters are welcome. Bring your own project or work on a charity item that we donate to those in need in the community. Email yarncraftersforchrist@hotmail.com for info. FREE KARATE CLASSES Mondays 5:30 pm - FREE karate classes taught from a Christian perspective. First Baptist Church - 1777 8th Ave. - Olivehurst, 743-1831 for info, Pastor Miguel.
WEDNESDAY FREE BIBLE COLLEGE CLASSES - Wednesday Mornings 10:00 a.m. First Baptist Church - 1777 8th Ave., Olivehurst Starting in January 2015 you can earn an accredited bible college degree … all books are in public domain and you only need a tablet, computer or some type of electronic reader. We can print them out for a small charge. You will need a King James Bible to get started. fbco@comcast.net for more information. ENROLL TODAY! AWANA Wednesday 5:45-7:45 p.m. during school year Evangelical Free Church - 3785 Olive Hwy. Oroville Awana is a boys & girls club consisting of small group time, games, large group time. For information please call 533-6866. LIFE @ HOPE POINT Wednesday @ 6:30 pm for kids, 7:00 p.m. for adults Hope Point Nazarene - 600 N. George Washington Blvd, YC Join us for Life@Hope Point - groups for Nursery through High School ages and classes for adults Parenting, How to Study your Bible, more so contact the church office at 671-1130 for more details. TUESDAY FRIDAY CELEBRATE RECOVERY - Every Friday, 7:00 p.m.. Loma Rica Community Church- Moy Hall. Call church office for more information 743-5435 TUESDAY
SATURDAY
CELEBRATE RECOVERY Mondays 6:30p.m.-8:30p.m. We are a Christ-Centered recovery group that provides a safe place to share your struggles,experiences, victories, and hopes with others who are also going through to Christ Centered recovery. For more info call 530.755.4149. Follow us on Facebook @ Celebrate Recovery Crossroads Community Church
BETHESDA HEALING WELL - Saturday, February 18th at 10AM Embassy of Heaven Campus - Bldg 200 - 1179 Eager Road, YC You are invited to come and receive special prayer for divine healing or prophetic guidance. Our prayer teams will pray with you for your needs. For more info.,Ed Han 209-298-6102
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ENCOUNTERING GOD 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Every Tuesday Morning Embassy of Heaven Campus - 1179 Eager Rd., YC - (Hwy 99 @ Eager Rd.) 530-671-3160 - www.churchofgladtidings.com Our Tuesday morning meetings begin with a time of worship. Afterwards we rely on the Holy Spirit to lead us to minister to each other, encourage each other, and build our hunger and desire for the things of God. Childcare is provided. CRAFTSMEN FOR CHRIST Meets every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. The Bride Church - 655 Colusa Hwy, YC Men’s fellowship around the word and worship. All in the Body of Christ welcome! CHRISTIAN BUSINESS ALLIANCE First Tuesday of Every Month, Noon - 1:00 p.m. The Bride Church - 655 Colusa Hwy, YC Join us for a time of fellowship, prayer & encouragement. All are welcome! SAMARITAN VILLAGE MONTHLY MEETING The 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:30p.m. This meeting is open to all who are interested in helping with an orphanage in Tanzania. For info call Victor Savage at 671-2219. PRAYER FOR THE NATION - Every Tuesday 7PM Embassy of Heaven Campus - Church of Glad Tidings- Bldg 2001179 Eager Road, YC Info: 530-671-3160 www.churchofgladtidings.com Our mission is to share this Good News of Jesus Christ, so that all people may hear of God’s saving power and come to know His truth.
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WOMENS CLOTHES CLOSET Every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 8:00 a.m. - Noon Twin Cities Rescue Mission- 940 14th Street, Marysville We now have a womens clothes closet at the mission! It is free and available to everyone. We accept donations Monday - Sunday of women’s men’s, and children’s clothing! CROSSROADS CLOTHES CLOSET Open Mon - Fri 10am - 4pm -Shop at our - FREE Clothes given away! Crossroads Community Church, YC EHOP PRAYER - Every Tuesday & Thursday, 7:00 p.m. Embassy of Heaven Campus - Church of Glad Tidings - Bldg. 200 - 1179 Eager Road, YC 530-671-3160 - www.churchofgladtidings.com “My house shall be called a house of prayer.” (Matt. 21:13). The church today in is an all out war against the evils of darkness. The body of Christ is called to step up and be aggressive in their prayer life. PRAYER VIGIL FOR LIFE! Yuba-Sutter Right to Life is hosting peaceful, prayerful vigils in front of the Yuba City Planned Parenthood. All you need to participate is one hour and the desire to pray for LIFE. Please contact Heather Pugh at 751-9349 for date and time if you are interested.
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Special Events PRE - SUPER BOWL GUMBO COOK OFF Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 2284 McGowan Parkway, Olivehurst Feb 4th, 2pm Come and help us decide the Gumbo Cookoff Winners! Everyone’s welcome . Asking a $15 donation to sample Gumbos. To enter contest, contact Freda Venable at (530) 329-6993. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners will receive awards. Wear your favorite team jersey. No favorite team? No problem! Come and enjoy the fun and fellowship. There will be door prizes given.
I AM PRESENT PROPHETIC WORSHIP CONFERENCE March 10 - 12 Fri & Sat - 7 PM, Sun -10 AM & 6 PM Embassy of Heaven Campus Church of Glad Tidings - Bldg 100 1179 Eager Road, YC Steve Mitchell, Steve Swanson, JoAnn McFatter, Andre Ashby, Mark Jobe, TrEd, and the GT Worship Team This event is FREE of charge Info: www.churchofgladtidings.com 530.671.3160 info@churchofgladtidings.com
SUPERBOWL BASH Sunday, Feb 5 at 3PM Embassy of Heaven Campus Church of Glad Tidings - Bldg 100 1179 Eager Road, YC Info: 530.671.3160 info@churchofgladtidings.com Come and watch the game on the BIG Screen. Fun event for the whole family. Bring your own food. Invite your friends. Kick off 3:30PM - Doors open 3:00 PM
HOLLOWS OF THE HEART Ministry Seminar – “Learning to minister to emotional wounds” Saturday, March 18th, 9 AM – 4 PM. Foothill Community Church – 2475 Foothill Blvd, Oroville Hollows of the Heart is designed to teach believers how to determine if an emotional or spiritual root is present and how to help the person take the issues to the Lord Jesus Christ for healing. For additional information or to register visit www.sierraministries.org.
FREE CONCERT The Blackwood Legacy Quartet Thu, February 16th at 7:00 p.m Lighthouse Christian Center, 5174 Chestnut Street, Olivehurst. Co-sponsored by East Linda Pentecostal Church of God. For information, call 7427289. “CELEBRATE LIFE” KICK-OFF PARTY FOR THE YUBA CITY 40 DAYS FOR LIFE Millennium Family Fun Center, 901A Spiva Ave, YC Monday, Feb 20th doors open at 5:30 pm and program starting at 6:00 pm The Yuba City 40 Days for Life ministry invites you to the “Celebrate LIFE” kick-off party with music, local Pastors, inspiring speakers, and fun for the whole family! Bring friends! 40 Days for Life starts March 1st, helping women choose life for their babies. For more information, contact Wynette at 916-955-1577 or see 40DaysforLife.com/YubaCity
ISAIAH 61 CONFERENCE March 20 - 24 Embassy of Heaven Campus Church of Glad Tidings - Bldg 200 1179 Eager Road, Yuba City All teaching sessions are free of charge and open to everyone - Manuals $25 ea Info: www.churchofgladtidings.com/ calendar/events Office: 530-671-3160 The Isaiah 61 Conference was birthed from an intense desire to see the full benefit of the work of salvation take place in our lives. To see the work of hell defeated and to see all of God’s people walk in freedom from the bondages of sin.
Prayer Calendar for February 2017 1-Feb Homeless/Poor - for warmth and shelter from the cold 2-Feb Pray for the Unemployed and Underemployed 3-Feb Local ministries (see p. 3) 4-Feb Marriages-Restoration and Strength 5-Feb Caregivers of elderly and disabled 6-Feb Marketplace Ministries-Opportunities to share at work 7-Feb Missionaries -Fruit, Provision 8-Feb Local Schools- Students, teachers, and parents 9-Feb Military, All armed forces & their families. 10-Feb The Ambassador Newspaper-Increased readership and Impact 11-Feb Teen Depression, Suicide 12-Feb Global Persecution-Safety/Courage of Believers 13-Feb Local officials and community leaders 14-Feb Middle East - For the peace of Jerusalem 15-Feb ISIS/Terrorism- pray for wisdom & strong leadership to eradicade it 16-Feb Homeless/Poor - Twin Cities Rescue Mission, A Hand Up, Salvation Army 17-Feb A Woman’s Friend - Unborn children/Pregnant Women 18-Feb Pray for our nation and transition of power 19-Feb Christian Businesses-Ambassador Sponsors & others. 20-Feb Children and Children’s Ministries 21-Feb Singles, Single Parents, Divorce healing 22-Feb Orphan children- Samaritan Village (see p. 3) and other orphanages 23-Feb First Responders-Police, Firefighters, EMT, TIP 24-Feb Local Pastors and their families 25-Feb Hollywood- May God to touch influential people 26-Feb Sex Trafficking - pray for victims 27-Feb Adoptive families & birth moms 28-Feb Addicted, Rehab ministries- Feather River Mens Center, Joshua House, Celebrate Recovery
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What Would Mona Lisa Think? By Josh Vanassche There are many people in the world who doubt God’s existence. They believe only what they can see with their eyes. They argue that we are simply made of proteins and DNA and everything in existence is just one big coincidence! All we are is protein and chemicals? Depressing. The truth is we are a lost people searching for our reason for existence. We will never know unless we become close with our creator. One day while looking at a picture of the ‘Mona Lisa’ I thought: what if she was alive inside of that portrait? Would she wonder why she was created? Just like Leonardo Da Vinci was the artist of Mona Lisa, God is our artist, and the earth is His background. If Mona Lisa were a scientist studying herself and her surroundings, she would find many similarities. She would discover that the building blocks of her existence would
The Yuba City “40 Days for Life” ministry invites everyone to the “Celebrate LIFE” Kick-Off party on Monday, February 20th, 2017 at the Millennium Family Fun Center, 901A Spiva Ave, with doors opening at 5:30 pm and program starting at 6:00 pm. Come enjoy fun for the whole family with great music, words of encouragement from our Pastors, and inspiring speakers. Churches from throughout the area will unite together to “Celebrate LIFE”! Millennium is offering a discount on food, laser tag,
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be water, linseed, poppy seed oil, and safflower oil. If she were to sample the trees and the snow on the mountain peaks of her world she would discover that they were made of the same ingredients. How could she be so different, yet be made from the same stuff? Would this disappoint her? We have similar foundational building blocks with the world around us. We are indeed made from water, proteins, and many other ingredients, just like monkeys, cats and dogs. But does that mean we are not unique? It is known that the Mona Lisa was Da Vinci’s favorite creation. What makes the painting so beloved? Mona Lisa’s smile. She is the reason the painting is priceless. Sadly, she doesn’t know this because she cannot see her creator. She can only see what her creator wants her to see. But does that mean she doesn’t have a creator just because she cannot see him with her own eyes? Like Mona Lisa, we are created by a
bumper cars, arcade games, and rock climbing wall. Check out YubaCityFun. com Bring friends! Invite everyone to come! This is the Kick-Off event for our Yuba City 40 Days for Life, which begins March 1st, with prayers for life at the public sidewalk in front of the Yuba City Planned Parenthood, 430 North Palora Avenue, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm March 1st - April 9th, MondayFriday each week. See 40DaysForLife. com/YubaCity for details.
great artist! Don’t be discouraged when you hear the intellectuals in our “portrait” tell you that there’s not a God. As oil based paint was Da Vinci’s ingredients for his creation, the stuff we discover about ourselves is God’s ingredients to make His greatest creation! The Mona Lisa will never understand her creator, as we will never fully understand ours. Yet, that doesn’t mean that we aren’t God’s favorite work of art. Just because we cannot see God doesn’t mean He isn’t here. What we find doesn’t disprove God’s existence. Da Vinci had similarities in his works, that’s how scientists know which art is his. God also has similarities in everything He has created. Just as the Mona Lisa was loved most by Da Vinci, mankind is most loved by God. Send comments to joshvanassche97@ gmail.com
“Mona Lisa” portrait painted by Leonardo da Vinci, between 1503 - 1506 on permanent display at the Louvre Museum in Paris since 1797.
The Voice of the Christian Community, serving Yuba, Sutter, and Butte Counties
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COMMUNITY
Con’t From Pg 4 - “Peppers & Peculiar Friends”
a peculiar people; that we should show forth the praises of him who has called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. (I Peter 2:9) Have a blessed day my peculiar friends;
may we be able to see the lighter side of life’s happenstances, not let them ruin our day, come away with precious wisdom and perhaps a story to brighten another’s day.
Con’t From Pg 5 - “Love Found Me”
many years ago, but each day brings a new awareness of what it means to be sought by the Lover of my soul. Perhaps you are new to the love of God and reveling in the honeymoon stage. Perhaps you have questions about who this Lover is. Let Him find you. All you have to do is say, “Here I am. I’m Yours.” Now that’s a love story meant to be told!
draw, to make Himself known. He wants to be found. In Isaiah 65:1-2, God yearns through his prophet, “I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me... All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people.” Love, God’s matchless, unconditional love, finds us where we are. I was found
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive them their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)
The Ambassador Ministry
would like to thank the following people for their Individual Sponsorship
Kathy Baum Jim McCarty Bob Gilbert Marty Brown John Nicholls Rich & Joan Hackney Carrie Pederson Warren & Lucy Campbell Tom Harris Wendell Prine LaDonna Curteman Allen Halpern Mimi Robarge Chuck David April James Jeff Royce Christine Emerson Sandi Juri George & Cherie Shaw Rita Galusha Sue Kochi Josh Vanassche Clay Maynard
God Bless Each Of You For Your Support Of This Ministry And Our Community •••
If you would be interested in supporting The Ambassador as an Individual Sponsor ($20/month) please contact Seth Halpern at: editor@ambassadornewspaper.com or call 530-933-1385 or visit us online at www.ambassadornewspaper.com
The Christian Business Alliance would like to invite you to our midweek meeting. Rich Fellowship, Powerful Prayer, Refreshing Presence of God! We meet at the Bride Church the first Tuesday of the month from noon – 1pm. Current members: A-1 Carpet Cleaning - (530) 673-3634 - www.a-1clean.com Rachel Aleman - Century 21- 530-813-2253 Ron Brasier - A Hand Up Ministry - (530) 671-1360 Marty Brown - KCYC-LP FM - (530) 674-5296 Kathleen Caldwell - Caldwells Custom Countertops - (530) 695-2112 Fred Cox - Richard's Tree Service - (530) 673-7993 LaDonna Curteman - Band Together for Christ - ladonna.curteman@gmail.com Chuck David Carol Dodds - A Woman’s Friend - (530) 741-9136 Stephen Elliot- Ad Lucem Tax Services - (530) 329-8685 Dennis & Connie Gable - Operation Christmas Child - (530) 695-1495 Rita Galusha Steve & Cash Gilliss - Crosspointe Christian Books - (530) 673-6188 Pamela Givans Adrian Graves - Solar City - 530-329-1698 John Guth - Guth & Changaris, A Prof Law Corp - (530) 674-9841 Seth Halpern - Ambassador Newspaper - editor@ambassadornewspaper.com Kurt Hilbers - Hilbers Inc - www.hilbersinc.com Arlene Hite - Bridges to Housing - (530) 755-3414 David Hobbs Painting - Cont. Lic#880562 (530)742-2428 David Holycross - Holycross Memorial - (530) 751-7000 Bill Jens - Yuba Sutter Healthy Marriage Project - (530) 671-6069 Cornell U. Kay - Integrity Chamber of Commerce - (916) 969-0205 Dave Kugelman - Proforma by Kug - (530) 742-2423 Bill & Sonja Lindholm- RVOC - (530) 329-8361 Clay Maynard - Consultant - (530) 790-6611 Jim McCarty - Trinity Living Systems - trinityls@yahoo.com Jerry Munz - JM Construction Co. - (530) 682-5316 Maria Paras Ronda Putman Roger Shadd - Shadd Janitorial Supply - (530) 673-0083 George Shaw- Serving Our Saviour - (530) 671-3303 Wynette Sills - CaliforniasForLife.org. - (916) 955-1577 Robert Stark - Retired Auditor/Controller - stark@otnusa.com Dwayne Tanabe - Taylor Accountancy Corp - dktanabe@yahoo.com Jenine Tanabe - Jenine L. Tanabe, MD Dematology - (530) 743-0301
For weekly reminders, updates, or to join email editor@ambassadornewspaper.com
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The Voice of the Christian Community, Serving Yuba, Sutter, and Butte Counties
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CBA MARKETPLACE MONTHLY Have you checked out the CBA?
A new non-profit ministry, Serving Our Saviour (SOS), is now available in the Yuba-Sutter area. The mission of Serving Our Saviour is to mobilize the Church, other community helping organizations and businesses to transform lives and our community in the name of Christ. The purpose of SOS is to help connect those in need in our community to churches and other organizations or businesses that can provide the help as God provides the opportunity and resources. The vision and mission of SOS was inspired by these and other similar Scriptures: “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did it to me.” --Matthew 25:40. “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10 In whatever way we serve our brothers and sisters in Christ, we are serving our King. Some of the ways that we can do good to everyone in our community are to: find a need and meet it; find a hurt and heal it; give comfort where it is needed. God has given each of us talents/skills and resources to use for His Kingdom. He owns all that we have and wants us to wisely use our skills and resources to help those in need. We all know the truth of what our Lord said about it being more blessed to give than to receive. SOS is a clearinghouse of local services in our community which are
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provided by churches and other helping organizations. When someone in our community has a need, they can call SOS at 530-671-3303 Monday through Friday 9am-Noon and 1-4 pm. SOS will help to connect them to a church or organization that can meet their need. Each person who calls SOS seeking services will participate in a short assessment of their needs prior to being connected to a service. When there are no services available to meet that need, SOS will discuss this with the caller and provide ideas to help in their particular situation. If services are lacking for certain needs, SOS will inform local churches and organizations who might be willing and able to meet that need. During the next six months of operation, SOS plans to do the following: 1) Recruit volunteers to assist with: receiving phone calls from those in need, doing the short assessment and connecting them with services; 2) Establish a list of brothers and sisters who attend local churches who have various talents and are willing to donate their time and/or resources in emergency situations; 3) Add to the clearinghouse other churches, organizations and businesses who are willing to provide services or resources. We hope to eventually make this available 24-7-365. If you are interested in being a part of this ministry, please contact George Shaw by phone 530-5675282 or email gncshaw@att.net
The Christian Business Alliance will be celebrating 20 years of active (unbroken) ministry later this year. God has done amazing things through the CBA that can only be attributed to Him. Mike Wilson and Sean Blount both joined the CBA as nominal Christians (they both would agree with that assessment) and are both now pastoring their own churches. Seth Halpern (beloved publisher of this newspaper) would also testify that the relationships formed through the CBA became a catalyst for him to start publishing the Ambassador Christian Newspaper. I believe that these men had a high calling on their lives and God could have used a number of strategies to accomplish this. However, He chose the CBA. There are many other examples that I could share including how I grew as a disciple through this ministry. Although there are many benefits of becoming a member of the CBA, I want to stress two in particular. The CBA was founded out of a sincere desire to honor God by being a sold-out, fired-up, uncompromised follower of Jesus Christ. One key verse that is central to this ministry is: Revelation 3:15-16 (NLT)
“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! This is crucial because there is no victory in compromised Christian living. In addition, we also want to be an answer to the prayer that Jesus prayed: John 17:21 (NIV) “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” Unity and uncompromised Christian living. Those are two non-negotiable principles that have been central to the CBA for nearly 20 years. One other thing- There is a marketing flaw in our name. You don’t need to own a business to become a member. We are a marketplace ministry. The marketplace is defined by anything outside the four walls of our homes. We meet each Tuesday at noon at different locations. You can contact Seth Halpern to give him your email address to be notified where we meet each week. Or feel free to contact me directly.
David Kugelman is the president of the Christian Business Alliance which meets each Tuesday at noon at various locations. Dave welcomes your questions or comments on this article at drkug@comcast.net
The Voice of the Christian Community, serving Yuba, Sutter, and Butte Counties
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The Return of The Ambassador Radio Show! By Seth Halpern It has been several years since I have hosted “The Ambassador Radio Show”. It was a project that started on KFIA in Sacramento along with Sean Blount and Dave Kugelman. After a year in Sacramento, we brought the show up to Yuba City’s KCYC 104.7 based out of (then) North Valley Calvary Chapel. I like to tease Sean and Dave (Kug) and say that they fired me a few years later when they spun off to host “Taking Back Christianity” which still airs weekly on KCYC. After a few years on my own with very spotty continuity, I decided to “hang up the mic” and focus back on print where I am much more comfortable. I always joked that I not only had a “face for radio” but I also had “a voice for print”! In recent months, however, I felt a slight prompting to take the opportunity that God has given and consider starting up the radio show once again. Then, a friend really encouraged me with her words of affirmation that the show was really helpful and encouraging. I never longed to be a radio “personality”. I am not looking for another venue to spout my opinions. Yet, I felt that God had given an open door to share important things
with the community of believers. It was an outlet to encourage people with God’s wonderful work and grace in people’s lives. It was also an opportunity to allow ministries to share their needs as well as their victories. I stopped because I felt uncomfortable, insecure and inadequate in my radio “ability”. I couldn’t keep up with Sean and Kug and frankly there was too much silent air time while I was arranging my thoughts. Then God reminded me that the show is not about me nor for me. It is ALL for HIS glory. I have tried to take some things off of my plate since my heart surgery five years ago and I really didn’t want or need something I thought “unnecessary” to cause me stress. But God… That really sums it up. But God… It’s all about Him and if He has given a door to walk through, who am I to say, “no, thanks” and close the door. Last month, I made the decision to return to the microphone and let God use the show to Glorify His Name through the airwaves. I will be focusing exclusively on the current issue of The Ambassador – cover stories, events, testimonies, ministry information, etc. I plan on using only local people and content. We’ll be returning to our old time slot of Thur at 5pm (repeated at 7pm and
again on Sat at 5pm) My first show back, I interviewed Jenna McKaye about her experience surviving sex-trafficking. This was our January cover story. It was an eye opener and Jenna shared how God was with her every step of the way. On an interesting note, Kug asked me to be a guest co-host on “Taking Back Christianity” since Sean was unavailable for one show. A little scared (I didn’t want
to be fired all over again!), I agreed and to my surprise we did the show with no “crickets” in the background! I hope you will tune in to listen to “The Ambassador Radio Show” and “remember to stay in the loop, and stay in God’s will!” (if you’re not familiar, that has been my closing line of the show for years!) See The Ambassador Radio Show ad below for On-Air times.
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• No one has the right to kill a child • Prayer is free and participation in 40 Days for Life only “costs” some time • 141 Abortion workers quit their jobs • 4,535 total 40 Days for Life campaigns In 675 cities In 40 countries With 725,000 participants And 19,000 churches
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Visit the 40 Days for Life website (https://40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/ yuba-city/) to sign up for an hour or stop by when you have a few minutes at 430 N. Palora Avenue, Yuba City. Join us March 1-April 9th as we stand in solidarity with the Creator of Life to defend the most vulnerable and bear witness to the sanctity of all human life!
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Legislative Update from Assemblyman James Gallagher Proverbs 22:6 (KJV) Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Senator Richard Pan is at it again. The same legislator behind the bill that removed vaccination exemptions from thousands of California families has now introduced Senate Bill 18, a Bill of Rights for Children and Youth in California. His goal is to supplant you, the parent, and make the state ultimately responsible for protecting and raising your children. While there is a multitude of issues with Senate Bill 18, the most glaring is that the bill creates a framework for lawmakers to expand government interference in family and parental rights. Senate
Bill 18 states that it is the intent of the Legislature to establish a comprehensive framework that governs the rights of all children and youth in California. It purportedly outlines the “researchbased” essential needs of California’s Children, establishing standards relating to their health, safety, well-being, early childhood and educational opportunities, and familial supports necessary for all children to succeed. Who determines whether your child has sufficient educational opportunities or familial support? The Government. In sum, Pan believes a few politicians in Sacramento know how to raise your child better than you. This bill allows the state to interfere with parental decisions about education, nutrition, discipline, and more.
Senate Bill 18 infringes on rights California families have enjoyed for centuries. For instance, many Californians homeschool their children. What if the California government believes homeschooling does not provide a child “appropriate, quality education and life skills leading to self-sufficiency in adulthood?” And what about freedom of religion and the right to raise your family strongly rooted in Christ? What if a select group of legislators believe that taking your child to church does not provide the right “opportunities to attain optimal cognitive, physical, and social development?” I want to assure you that I will not stand for this blatant attack on parental rights, and I will speak out against this bill when
James Gallagher it comes before me. I’ve already received many phone calls and letters from my constituents opposing this bill, and I agree it is gross government intervention in our lives and leads us down a dangerous road. Let’s work together to stop this bill!
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CONTINUED FOR PAGE 1: cover story and she answered each one of those calls with patience, kindness and grace. Our daughter and our family began to heal. We became active participants in our spiritual growth, joining a few small groups and accepting Jesus into our hearts more every day. During this time, I personally felt called to use our family’s experience and the talents I had – faith, leadership and writing – to benefit others who were also damaged by bullying. After three years, and after I had fully understood the meaning and benefit of forgiveness – which was CRITICAL for me, I was able to solidify my plan for a local movement. In August of 2015, a small group of friends, my daughter and I formed YubaSutter Stand for the Silent, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit that provides bullying education, resources and support to the Yuba-Sutter community. Our mission entails working with the schools and law enforcement on prevention and intervention and other local agencies
and interested parties to bring education, assistance, healing and hope to everyone affected by bullying. This includes providing help for bullying offenders and their families, as well, which is why it was so important for me to fully grasp the concept of forgiveness. Genesis 50:19-20 says, “But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of GOD? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” The Parable of the Good Samaritan is also a great reminder for us all that everyone is worthy of healing, regardless of their differences. I don’t believe the majority of us came to Jesus without a major blow that preceded that journey. It is in our brokenness that we seek Him and our newly found faith and hope that we continue to do His work. Along our journey, we have seen the works of Christ through others who also understand what it means to live His mission. There was the friend of our
daughter’s, who took a bus to be with her on the day of her assault. She provided police with the cyberbullying evidence we needed to obtain the restraining orders we sought. There was the teacher who opened up her classroom to our daughter at lunchtime as a safe haven for her while she was at school. She provided a bully-free environment and protected our daughter from further scrutiny from other students who took delight in kicking her while she was down. There was the therapist who opened her practice to the care of our daughter, an adolescent, when she hadn’t yet utilized her talents with this age group. She used creative and unconventional methods to help our daughter open up so that the healing could take place. Christ is in all of us, if we seek Him and His ways. I think Romans 14:17 sums it up nicely. “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or
drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” God’s fingerprints are all over our program, and I am so grateful He entrusted us to do His work. If you would like to get involved, we are always looking for others passionate about our cause to join our efforts. Even something as simple as sharing a bullying story with us, making baked goods for community events or giftwrapping during our holiday gift-wrap fundraiser makes a huge difference! We have an incredible crew of volunteers and community partners determined to end bullying in our area. If you own a business or have a special talent you feel would benefit our cause, we welcome your support. Contact Susie at (530) 2188854 or email yssfts@yahoo.com. For more information, visit www.yssfts.org and www.facebook.com/YubaSutterSFTS.
If you would like to experience the peace and transformed life that God can provide through Jesus Christ and you are willing to commit your life to the only one who can truly set you free from your sin, you can pray to the Lord right now and ask Him to forgive you of your sins. Because of what His Son, Jesus, did by dying on the cross, your sins will not be held against you by God anymore. You can experience freedom for the rest of your life on earth and then have a life in Heaven with God for eternity. God’s part of the deal is already done. Your part is to confess your sins, repent (or change your ways) and believe that He is Lord. If your life is out of control, let Him take over control. For help, questions, or more information, contact us at The Ambassador or any of the churches listed on page 3.
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The Voice of the Christian Community, serving Yuba, Sutter, and Butte Counties
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LOVE-An Important Ingredient For Our Health And Our Relationship With God By Dr. Ronald Harden, President EPIC Bible College and Graduate School I love this time of year, with all of the beautiful red hearts popping up everywhere—calendars, cards, advertising and more! So many of us are talking about love, but without an understanding of real, pure love. There’s a great deal of discussion lately regarding your heart and heart health. We know, in the physical realm, there are those who have donated their hearts, or others who have received one, even some with a temporary heart to keep them alive. While the heart is the central organ of physical life, it has an even deeper purpose and meaning in our relationship to others and in our relationship to God. So, when
I look at this month of love, I think the greatest love of all is agape love—one of the four different Greek words for the purest and least self-centered love. This is the love that God has for all of mankind. We are in our highest form of love when we practice agape love. Simply defined, it is self-sacrificing love that manifests itself in concrete deeds. These five steps to agape love can be practiced faithfully to ensure our loving relationship with family, friends, colleagues and most of all, God. #1 The Healthy Heart… When we think of the heart, and for love to be properly expressed, our heart needs to be healthy! The Bible advises,
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“Create in me a clean heart.” We know that we need to be sure our heart is pure because “out of the heart, all of the issues of life happen.” #2 Exercising The Heart… For our heart to be healthy, it needs to be exercised! It is not enough just to know how to exercise, but to be able to put it into practice. James tells us to be “doers of the Word.” That helps to remind us to exercise, even though we know it may hurt to grow. The heart needs to expand and contract in the actual physical exercise of the body and in the love, care and concern for others. #3 Time For The Heart To Adapt… Time is also important in matters of the heart. Did you know that the physical heart does not always beat perfectly the same every time? It may even skip a beat every now and then. Exercising our heart takes consistency and requires patience. The heart needs this time to adapt to our “new” practice. #4 Pure Joy In Our Practice Of Heart Healthy Love… A pure heart is to rejoice and to be full of joy again. A cheerful heart does good like a medicine. A cheerful approach to life is highly underrated and can have a dramatic impact on stress, relationships and self love. Cheerfulness is a powerful heart-healthy food and should be practiced daily. #5 Thankfulness… The Bible says, “In everything (not for www.EPIC.edu everything), give thanks for this is the 916-348-4689 will Auburn of GodBlvd. in Christ Jesus concerning 4330 Sacramento, CA 95841 you.” God has given us some very basic and simple ways to practice love, not just during this month dedicated to love, but
Dr. Ronald Harden
President & CEO, EPIC Bible College
throughout the year. We are thankful for the ways in which He has shared how agape love can be accomplished and in return, have the opportunity to demonstrate (through our actions) how we will begin and continue to practice pure agape love. I can love others so deeply because “God love me, for the Bible tells me so.” In John 3:16, it is presented to us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, so that whoever believes in Him, would now have eternal life.” When we really dissect that statement and the meaning of agape love, these five steps to achieving agape love don’t seem to be all that difficult, do they? Dr. Ronald Harden is President and CEO of Epic Bible College and Graduate School, located at 4330 Auburn Blvd. in Sacramento, www.EPIC.edu., one of the region’s Top 25 colleges and universities and among the Top 10 U.S. faith-based colleges in the U.S., now offering both undergraduate and graduate degree programs with online and standard classroom options.
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EDITORIAL JUSTICE OR LUNACY? By Jon Skillman Well it finally happened…the state of California has passed through the looking glass, fallen down the rabbit hole and is tripping down the lane to La-La Land. According to an article in our local paper, California is the very first state to fund “sex reassignment surgery” for a prison inmate. Yes indeedie folks, the California Department of Correction ponied up an estimated $100,000 to have 57 year old, Mr. Rodney James Quine, a first degree murderer, reassigned into...wait for it…57 year old Ms. Shiloh Heavenly Quine, still a first degree murderer. But the cruel and unusual irony here is; the state in effect, has handed the bill to the murder victim’s family and the rest of us. But wait, there’s more…a federal magistrate has chimed in with this bit of bureaucratic lunacy: The state must also provide transgender females, housed in men’s institutions with more female oriented items such as; nightgowns, scarfs and necklaces. Please understand, I am not unsympathetic to the plight of those dealing with gender identity issues, my issue is with the definition of and treatment of such…and in this instance, who pays for it This all came about when Mr. Quine was diagnosed with Gender Dysphoria and was therefore experiencing a lack of “internal completeness.” A quick click to Wikipedia revealed that Gender Dysphoria is the distress caused by the conflict between Mr.
Quine’s mental state and his physical reality. A spokesperson for the Department of Corrections explained that the state was obligated to pay for the surgery because of a clause in the 8th amendment of the United States Constitution, which states that prison inmates must be afforded medically “necessary” treatment for physical and mental health. I have no issue with that…my issue is with the “necessity” of this surgery. Do we really correct a mental condition by mutilating the physical? Doesn’t that just perpetuate a false perception? Should I have my nose removed because I think I smell a rat? No…treat the real problem, don’t feed the lie. This not only sets a slippery-slope precedent, it open a whole new can of worms. Hey, there are people out there who think they’re a dog! Today’s postmodern world view pretty much says; if it makes them happy and they have all their shots and don’t bite anybody, I’m good with it… after all…who am I to judge? Here’s what Mr. Quine and others need to know and understand: “For you” (God) “created my innermost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb, I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” Psalms 139: 13-14. In other words, you were born externally and internally complete, any perception to the contrary is false. God does not make mistakes!
The Ambassador accepts opinions and editorials (op-ed’s) as long as they are well-written and less than 450 words. Op-ed’s will be published purely at the discretion of the editor. If you would like to submit your op-ed, please email it (written in MS Word) to editor@ambassadornewspaper.com. The deadline for submission is the 15th of the month for the next issue.
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“The Good Place” = The Bad TV Show Last month, I wrote about Leah Remini’s exposé of Scientology. Since then, we’ve had a new president inaugurated, protests, floods, and more. So, when thinking about what to write about, it’s strange that I chose yet another TV show! Maybe I’m watching too much TV (I know, I know). Unlike Remini’s heart-breaking show about victims of abuse by Scientology, this time I am fired up about a sitcom and it’s not because I think it’s funny! “The Good Place” stars Ted Danson as the “architect” of a “neighborhood” in Heaven. Since it aired, I have kept myself from watching it because I assumed that it would be blasphemous. I was right. The pilot shows the main character explaining a complex mathematical formula based on the number of “good” and “bad” things that the person has done. If they are on the plus side, they go to “the Good place”. Otherwise, they go to the “bad” place, he explains while gesturing downward. Then , someone slips in due to a clerical error and now the “fun” begins! Everyone knows they are talking about Heaven and Hell, but they never say it. The blasphemous “theology” is salvation (or Heaven) by works, of course. It’s interesting that they use the Biblical concepts of Heaven and Hell, clearly validating the afterlife.
Seth Halpern - Editor
Yet, they so flippantly and cavalierly play with the idea. Then, surprisingly, they reveal a quick audio clip of the “other place” and we hear screaming and wailing, in much the same way the Bible depicts Hell. It boggles my mind how the writers can be so callous. I fear greatly for them. It was painful to sit through just a portion of the first episode. PLEASE do me a personal favor and turn the channel to just about anything else. It’s so sad that there are way too many (meaning more than one) shows that laugh in the face of Jesus Christ and His followers. I pray that this show will go the way of another new show called “ImPastor” which makes a mockery of the pulpit with an unbeliever pretending to be a gay pastor in order to hide from the authorities. Fortunately, after one season, that one has gone to “The Bad Place” for TV shows, otherwise known as cancellation! Let’s pray that “The Good Place” follows behind quickly!
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The Voice of the Christian Community, serving Yuba, Sutter, and Butte Counties
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317 D St, Marysville
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