Happy Birthday John from Sarah

Well well! What have we here? Sarah Palin from Alaska!

"rAMBlings" caught up with Brad Mattes in Minneaspolis. As Executive Director for Life Issues Institute, we assumed he'd be celebrating the announcement of Governor Sarah Palin as John McCain's running mate. We were right!

Brad said this morning, "This is the most fantastic news pro-lifers could expect for a VP pick. Senator McCain's stock went up ten-fold in the eyes of pro-lifers and pro-family voters. He couldn't have done better!"

Now on to the Convention this coming week! We'll be there--in blogdom!

BB

God bless America--and God bless our children!

This week (and I'm sure next week as well) the major speakers at the DNC consistently invoke God and children. "God bless American!" "We must assure a better future for our children." "We will assure a better future for our children."

In Denver 51% of children live in poverty--and the numbers are growing.

I'm just asking--for whose children are we assuring a better future?

It's difficult to lay your hands quickly on the exact dollars raised to support a national political convention. But I did discover the $50 million price tag to pay for security.

If that amount's just the tip of the iceberg and 10% was "tithed" back to the children of the host city--how many millions would that be? A drop in the bucket for a growing problem? Yea. A mere gesture? Sure. But at least a footprint left behind to say, "We care about children and this gift to the children of Denver is just a beginning!"

God bless America--and God bless our children. . .crickets!

BB

From the "floor" at the DNC

Dear Barney (Rep/Tx):

I'm here! But finding treats on this floor is like trying to find a Republican in Sacramento! It's going to be a long week.

The Dems have set a precedent for Scotties in the White House since the days of our dear Fala (Dem/NYC). I checked with the Obama posse--no Scottie! No DOG! What's up with that?

Last evening brought new hope, however. A change! Uncle Ted made us cry, Michelle loves America and Diane Sawyer provided penetrating reporting when she gushed, "And I understand that after the elections, the Obama girls will finally get their dog!" I'm feelin' the love!

Give a "high five" to Miss Beasley! I'll get back to you! -Chloe (Ind/Ca)
BB

Can you buy a Coke at the Pepsi Center?

Well can you? Since Ambassador's the unofficial home of Coca-Cola and we proudly display Peg's Coke machine in our studio lobby--I knew you'd want to know.

No, you can't! But Coke is the official recycling provider for the DNC! In other words, drink a can of Pepsi and it goes into a Coke can receptacle! Coca-Cola Recycling will have their colorful containers all over the Pepsi Center. And guess who's logo's on the vending machines dispensing Pespi? Oh yea!

Tomorrow. . .our guest blogger will be on the floor--at the DNC!

BB

Peg goes for Gold with Bryan Clay

Bryan Clay has won the gold in the Men's Decathlon and no one is more pleased than Peggy Campbell! She met Bryan recently at an Azusa Pacific University event--Bryan's alma

mater--and is pictured here with Bryan and Azusa's President, Jon Wallace.

Bryan says, "God first, family second, track third." Well today "third" is solid GOLD!

It's a matter of seconds!

We're thrilled that Allyson Felix won the silver in the 200m with a time of 21.93. The Jamaican winner of the Gold came in at 21.74. For Allyson 19 seconds is all that stood between silver and the coveted gold medal she'd trained to win!

We've been keeping our eye on Allyson--her dad, Paul, is a New Testament prof at Masters College.

A matter of seconds can make all the difference!

Yesterday in our Ambassador devotions, Anna and Jereme Sinclair talked about defining moments--one of Anna's was an incident on the freeway when, out of nowhere, a steel hook smashed into her windshield.

It landed in the back seat at the foot of a friend who occupied the car with her. Anna said yesterday, "it was one of those defining moments when you realize how just a few seconds can change your life."

BB

Speak up for a child--it's pure gold!

Who knew? A young man raised by a single mom in poverty ends up on the front page of today's LA Times--a gold medal winner in wrestling. It's such an incredible story of a young man and a mom who never gave up. And despite all the obstacles of poverty, not only made it to the Olympic games, but won the gold.

Wess Stafford, President of Compassion International says, "Children are too important and too intensely loved by God to be left behind or left to chance. Children belong to all of us and we are compelled to intervene on their behalf. We must invest in children--all across the world!"

BB

Amb-OS Carried the Day!

In an unprecedented event, Pastor Rick Warren interviewed both presidential candidates--and Amb-OS was there! It was Ambassador's privilege to "deliver" the event to Christian radio stations across the country. The photo above appeared in Sunday's LA Times in the coveted "above the fold" position--even relegating Michael Phelps "below" the fold!

We'll have our "blogging" eye on the upcoming Democratic National Convention!

BB

TREATS! It's all about TREATS!

That's our Chloe....well actually she's Peg Campbell's Chloe. . .but we've all adopted her. She's our Ambassador of Fur, our Canine Queen, OUR daily treat!

She's the perfect definition of "treat:" An unexpected source of joy, delight or amusement." Oh yea--it's all about the treats!

BB

Eating their young!

Polar bears do it. Some species of dolphins. The darker side of animal life is they often eat their own offspring. Yikes! It's often explained as "general competition among the species."

I've used the phrase, "we Christians eat our young" to describe that general competition when one of our own challenges the status quo by reaching out in ways we aren't always comfortable in acknowledging.

Today's Los Angeles Times features an article--on the front page--"Megapastor Straddles a Divide." The sub-title reads: "Rick Warren has the pull to draw McCain and Obama to the same stage. But the far right is far from happy." As an LA Times junkie, I rarely come down on their side, editorially. (Our leading paper is as blue as our State.) But in this case, the reporter is just "reporting." The negative seems to come from fellow Christians.

Rick Warren's often accused of "straying from his calling to spread the Gospel." Over 35 million people--worldwide--have read "The Purpose Driven Life." Just maybe some of these people were exposed to the Gospel who might never have heard. You think?

BB

At Albertson's--Solid Gold!

All that's Gold isn't in China. I discovered a piece of it at Albertson's in Seal Beach Ca. where a young man bags groceries. A nice looking guy with a killer smile and a personality to match.

The back story is a teen who's been raised by a courageous single mom. Nat just got back from two weeks in Guatemala doing a VBS for kids in poverty, helping to build a school and being part of leading over 65 kids to the Lord. And to top it all, standing in a cave, tears running down his face, he and several other teens were baptized by their youth leader. He bags groceries to help out at home.

Oh by the way, he's one of the strongest supporters and "big brother" for his autistic younger brother! Now that's gold!

BB

Going for the Gold

What an incredible opening ceremony to the 29th Olympiad. When Team USA entered the Bird's Nest I thought, "How confident they are. How and free and easy in their expressions and actions." I know. Some call it arrogance. What I saw were faces of freedom, secure, intact, confidence borne of security and safety. What a contrast to so many countries whose Olympian faces were determined, proud but not free.

Who's in the Ambassador Studio Today?

Today Ed Underwood recorded a book audio for his first publishing effort, "When God Breaks Your Heart."

It's one thing to read a book--quite another to "hear" a book, especially one so sensitively written on the subject of suffering, read by the author who's done the suffering! I can't imagine that anyone hearing it won't be riveted from beginning to end. At one point, I had to wipe my eyes and said to Ed, "Well, so much for professionalism."

This is one book audio that'll reach hearts like a spiritual transplant!

--Evelyn

Happy Birthday, Evelyn!

Where should we send the pizza?