The Ambassador Bunch

The Ambassador Bunch

I am glad to be one of "the bunch", aren't you?

Some people mistakenly think of the Ambassador class as a group of “oldsters,” but one look around the chapel-classroom shows a different story.  Most Sundays the crowd will be varied; everyone from a young teen, to people well into their 90’s, and every age in between.  WE ARE A UNIQUE BUNCH!

You will find that we often sit in the same sections, not because we insist they are “our seats,” but because we are creatures of habit, and we seem to be drawn to the same pews every Sunday.   WE ARE A FAITHFUL BUNCH!

When it comes to music, some of us readily admit that most of our talent has slipped away.  Our vibratos have widened considerably, and as for pitch, there is definitely something to be desired.  While we open our hymnbooks, we seldom glance at the words.  We have sung these wonderful songs so often that they have become an indelible part of our memories.  WE ARE A JOYFUL BUNCH!

We do not apologize for the fact that canes and walkers, knee and hip replacements, and pacemakers and defibrillators are vital parts of some of us.  They are blessings, not embarrassments.  They make it possible for us to attend church.  WE ARE A GRATEFUL BUNCH!

Our Bibles and offering envelopes are almost a part of our Sunday wardrobes; they go together.  Shaking hands with people who enter the classroom is a part of our welcoming ministry.  WE ARE A FRIENDLY BUNCH!

We read the prayer requests like a book.  We are deeply concerned as we see new names added regularly.  We pray for those on the list.  WE ARE A CARING BUNCH. 

Yes, we are the Ambassador bunch; unique in our ministry, faithful in our attendance, joyful in our singing and grateful for every blessing.  We are a caring, praying bunch of people who look forward to meeting every week in God’s house.

Matching The Reputation

Matching the Reputation

Almost anyone who has ever played the violin is familiar with the name, Stradivarius.  It has the reputation of being “top of the line” in violins.  Because there are so few of them available today, and because the price is so high, not many violinists have ever held one in their hands.

Last year a 1721 Stradivarius was put up for auction, and brought in sixteen million dollars.

Some months ago, a professional musical group decided to compare other well-known violins with the famous Stradivarius.  Twenty-one musicians were invited to the testing, blindfolded and each was given an instrument to play; no one knew who had the Stradivarius.  From these 21, five were picked as possible Stradivarius violins, judging them solely on tone quality.  When the blindfolds were removed, the group learned that only one violin was judged to be something other than the famous instrument—the real Stradivarius!!  It had carried the reputation of being the best, but when put to the test, it was unable to produce the proof. 

Revelation 3 tells us about the church of Sardis.  It had the reputation of being alive, but when put to the test, it was said of the church, “Thou hast a name (a reputation) that thou livest, and are dead.”  In reading that passage, we have to wonder if we too have a reputation of being kind, honest, generous and thoughtful, but under scrutiny, would fail the test.

The dictionary describes reputation as “The general estimation in which a person or a thing is held by others.”  As believers, we are to be Christ-like in all of our actions, so that others can see that we are “the real thing.”  If our reputations say one thing, but our actions say something else, how can we serve the Lord effectively?  

Change By The Number

Change By the Number

Many changes take place during our lifetime.  At age 55, we are unofficially recognized as seniors.  We can find special housing, and are kindly offered “senior discounts” at many eating places.  While we may resent the title, we gratefully accept the discounts. 

As we approach 65, the contents in our mail boxes change too.  Items we once ignored, we now read: social security and medicare information, as well as supplement insurance notices.  Our appointment calendars look different with fewer activities and more medical appointments listed.  We begin to admit that we have aches and pains; some where we didn’t even know we had parts.

As we reach 70, our medical appointments come up more often, and we listen carefully as the doctor talks to us about heart disease, strokes and other serious illnesses. 

And then there’s 80!  We stay at home more than we go out; the joints give us a little more trouble and our medicine cabinets seem to be filling up with strange pills and ointments.

And what can be said of 90?  Not much except that it does not need to be depressing if we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, Who is “the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8).  He cares for our every need.

When our energy dwindles, He is our Strength, when we are lonely and feel forgotten, He is our Friend; when we are discouraged and frustrated, He is our Help.  His watchful eye is always focused on His children.  If “His eye is on the sparrow,” then we can be thankfully confident that He also watches over us.

Stripped of All Honor

Stripped of All Honor

What a feeling of pride and accomplishment Fred Goodwin must have felt when he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth for “his service in banking, transforming the Royal Bank of Scotland into a profitable international player.”

Friends and workers began to call him “Sir Fred,” and his pension increased in accordance with his position.  But then things changed for the 53 year old knight.  He made some “risky deals” that produced one of the worst recessions since World War II.  The bank only survived after a $71 billion dollar bailout was made by United Kingdom tax payers.  Sir Fred was stripped of his knighthood, losing much of his annual pension, as well.

In the book of Judges we read of another stripping incident.  Samson had judged Israel for 20 years (Judges 16:31).  But his reckless living finally caught up with him.  He was captured by the Philistines, imprisoned, where they “put out his eyes,” stripping him of all power and popularity.  God in His goodness finally allowed Samson to conquer one last time (Judges 16:30). 

As Christians, you and I have also been given an honorable title: Child of God.  We did nothing to earn or deserve it, and for that reason we can do nothing to have it stripped away.  Jesus said, “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:28).  What God’s Son has given us, no one can take away.  “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23).

There’s no chance of anyone stripping that from us.  Aren’t you glad?

—Ruth Jay