Table of Contents Preface by Seth Halpern, Editor ..................................................................................................... 4 Love’s Exchange by April James .................................................................................................... 5 A Mis-Directed Letter by Jon Skillman .......................................................................................... 6 “Can’t We Go Just A Little Farther?” by David Kugelman ............................................................ 7 Heart Attack by April James .......................................................................................................... 8 A Cake Day by Paula McBride ..................................................................................................... 9 Spiritual Dust by Seth Halpern, Editor ......................................................................................... 10 March On by April James ............................................................................................................. 11 The Humble Hinge by Paula McBride .......................................................................................... 12 Are You Leaking? by David Kugelman ......................................................................................... 13 What A Wonderful World by April James ................................................................................... 14 God of Wrath or God of Love? by Seth Halpern, Editor .............................................................. 15 Beware Of Slowsand by Jon Skillman .......................................................................................... 17 Suspended! by April James .......................................................................................................... 18 What Is Real Reality by Jon Skillman ........................................................................................... 19 What’s Wrong With “Jesus”? by Seth Halpern, Editor ................................................................ 20 Delightfully Impossible by Paula McBride .................................................................................. 22 Grace For the Ungraceful by Tamara Sturgis .............................................................................. 23 Divine Impregnation by April James ............................................................................................ 24 Whatever! by David Kugelman ................................................................................................................. 25 Light Language by Paula McBride .................................................................................................. 26 The Bible Simplified by Seth Halpern, Editor ............................................................................... 27 In God’s Time by Josh Vanassche ................................................................................................ 29 Gospel Ministries Are “ForGiving” by Seth Halpern, Editor ......................................................... 30 The Sentinels by Paula McBride .................................................................................................. 31 2 Go and Make Disciples! by David Kugelman ............................................................................... 32 How’s the Fruit? by April James .................................................................................................. 33 He is Perfect by Paula McBride .................................................................................................... 34 Jesus “Covers” Me! by Seth Halpern, Editor ................................................................................ 35 Dirt Clods For Jesus by Tamera Sturgis ........................................................................................ 36 It Is Better To Be A Dumb Christian Than A Smart Atheist! by David Kugelman ......................... 37 Calling by April James .................................................................................................................. 38 Temptation Free by April James .................................................................................................. 39 What Lies Ahead? by Tamera Sturgis .......................................................................................... 40 Dwelling by April James ............................................................................................................... 41 Clinton Vs. Trump by Seth Halpern, Editor .................................................................................. 42 The Best of Friends by Tamera Sturgis ........................................................................................ 44 Run for the Prize by Paula McBride ............................................................................................. 45 One Man’s Journey by Jon Skillman ............................................................................................ 46 Divided We Fall! Does America NEED A Crisis? by Seth Halpern ................................................ 47 Soak and Savor by Paula McBride ............................................................................................... 49 Harvest by April James ................................................................................................................ 50 Gratitude! by David Kugelman .................................................................................................... 51 Trucking Is Glorious by Tamera Sturgis ....................................................................................... 52 True Leaders Serve from the Bottom by Josh Vanassche ........................................................... 53 Gift of Giving by April James ....................................................................................................... 54 Main Dish or Side Dish? by Seth Halpern, Editor ......................................................................... 55 Post-Truth by Seth Halpern, Editor .............................................................................................. 56 Happy Birthday, Jesus by Paula McBride .................................................................................... 58 What Good Has God Done For You? by Josh Vanassche ............................................................ 59 The Savior by David Kugelman .................................................................................................... 60 3 Preface I have been blessed to be given the opportunity by God to produce a publication that honors Him in my local community. Each month for the past decade, The Ambassador Newspaper has printed inspiring and informational articles in an effort to meet our origintabal mission: To Encourage, Inform, Challenge & Connect the local Body of Christ! In order to print each month we have been blessed with gifted writers and a large dose of Holy Spirit inspiration! There is no way we could have done this in our own strength. The one thing that has always bothered me was that after we print and distribute each monthly issue, all the inspired writing lasts only for that month. There is a very limited “shelf-life” of 30 days for significant articles that may challenge, encourage, inform or connect us. That seems tragic to me. I know that that is not enough time for these printed words to benefit the reader. It is with that motivation, that I decided to extend the “shelf-life” of many of these articles. That is how the “Ambassador Reprint” was born. We have collected some of the most inspiring articles from the previous year and put them in this volume in order to reap continual benefits as the Holy Spirit sees fit! In the following pages, you will find articles by those who have written for The Ambassador as well as some of my own cover stories and editorials. We have screened out articles that focused on time or location specific topics. You may want to read through these stories from cover to cover or in a more devotional style. You may want to read the works of your favorite writer or get a sample of different styles. Whatever way you choose to read this volume, my prayer is that the Holy Spirit of God will use it to speak to your heart. Seth Halpern 4 Love’s Exchange April James The New Year has arrived, are you contemplating resolutions and goals? Does your human heart have a need to love and be loved in return? Could it be to know how to love the Lord in a greater way? To have an intimacy with Him where you would be saying: In the midnight hour I come unashamedly seeking my Love, the One who has captured my heart; I long to be with Him as I long for no other. To you my Lord, my Love, I open my heart, come abide within, you in me, I in you; an intimate place of knowing each other. My heart quickens as I sense your presence, it leaps for joy within my chest at your nearness, my knees grow weak, I slowly sink to the ground at Your feet, I melt like wax at Your touch. I am undone as your Spirit sweeps over me; I am lost in love’s sweet embrace. I scarcely know what to do; I don’t want to move lest I lose this moment or cause Your presence to lift. As I press in expressing the depths of my heart, lavishing You with my love, You engulf me even more. In this place all fear is erased with the realization of your overwhelming vast incomparable love for me. Every fiber of my being is alive pulsing with the love radiating from You. I bask in the