UpWords News From Ambassador

The Power of Story

2012-03-30T00:00:00-06:00

I grew up reading Max Lucado's books for children. Stories of Punchinello and his efforts to fit in and be loved in You are Mine and You are Special.

As I got older I began babysitting for kids who loved the stories of Hermie the common caterpillar who learned lessons of God's love and commandments in the garden.

Now that I am older I spent the weekend reading his book Fearless where Max discusses the power of a life without fear...a power that God has given us but that we hardly utilize.

When looking back upon these books I am hit with the realization that each and every one of them is full of beautiful stories of God and His person. In Fearless there are adventures from Max's personal life as well as ones pulled straight from Scripture. Each narrative is used to illustrate a specific characteristic of the Lord. In the children's books the applications are more subtle but still beautifully laced throughout the lives of these fictional characters.

As believers we are commanded to live lives like Christ and exemplify His spirit. While Scripture is full of descriptions of how to do so, Christ Himself gave many examples, through His parables, of how to live a life that is pleasing to Him. Learning do's and dont's can be necessary but the most powerful instruction always comes through example. A mother who lives out the qualities of a Proverbs 31 woman will raise daughters who will cling to the same truths. A pastor who not only preaches his convictions from the pulpit but also lives them out for his congregation will have the strongest impact. A worker who honors Christ will leave a shining example for both coworkers and bosses.

So while we strive on a day-to-day basis to be followers of Christ, let us not focus on the do's and dont's but cling to the stories and the truths that can be found in Scripture and great books like Fearless.

Blessings, Melissa Maudlin

P.S. - If you have a favorite book by Max Lucado and would like to respond to this post and tell me what it is, you'll have an opportunity to win a free copy of Fearless so you can begin to "Imagine Your Life Without Fear" as well!

Time with God

2012-01-26T00:00:00-06:00

"Let God be enough! He knows your needs. Seek Him! He will give you everything you need!" - Max Lucado

This last winter break, Carolyn and I had a wonderful time with our families. We enjoyed the deep sense of security and comfort that only comes from being around loved ones. There was need to 'do' anything. We were able to simply 'be ourselves.' It was amazing! Thankfully, I also have this type of relationship with God. I love sitting down on the couch with my Bible and enjoying a deep conversation with Him.

There are times, however, when I find it hard to 'simply be myself' with God and I find myself trying to 'do' more to please Him. As I prayed about this, I was reminded of John 15:5:

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

I think God was trying to remind me that my role isn't to simply 'do' things for the Kingdom, but 'be' with Him . . . to be in a deep and loving relationship, allowing Him to produce the fruit through me!

Let me share with you a recent UpWords feature from Max that encouraged me to rest:

"Loosen up. Don't you have some people to hug, rocks to skip, or lips to kiss? . . .

It's time to retire. Not from your job, just retire from your attitude. Honestly, has complaining ever made the day better? Has grumbling ever paid the bills? Has worrying about tomorrow ever changed it?

Let someone else run the world for a while."

I often find that Max's short daily message helps me refocus my energy on God. It's good to remember that God doesn't need me to run the world. In fact, He simply wants me to be in relationship with Him! Even though I've been a Christian all my life, I find that Max's encouraging words have a way of reminding me of the most fundamental elements of my faith . . . and I greatly appreciate it.

Last but certainly not least . . . if you attending NRB this year, you'll want to arrive early and find a good seat for Monday night's keynote as Max will be the first speaker! I hope to see you there.

KiYong Kim

Ambassador Advertising Agency

We Connect. Ministry and Media

God is near!

2011-12-08T00:00:00-06:00

"God had come near.

He came, not as a flash of light or as an unapproachable conqueror, but as one whose first cries were heard by a peasant girl and a sleepy carpenter. The hands that first held him were unmanicured, calloused, and dirty.

No silk. No ivory. No hype. No party. No hoopla.

Were it not for the shepherds, there would have been no reception. And were it not for a group of stargazers, there would have been no gifts."

(Max Lucado - "It Began In a Manger")

God broke into this world in a way that no one expected. His redemption on the cross was equally as breathtaking. Truly, God has come near.

"God's story, Your Story" is about how God unexpectedly shows up and marvelously crafts our broken lives so that His goodness and mercy may shine through. Featuring the stories of J.J. Jasper and Sheila Walsh, this radio special from Max Lucado is perfect for the holiday season. Please contact me at kiyong@ambaa.com if you are interested in airing this remarkable special!

Technical Details:

Title: God's Story, Your Story (Christmas Edition)

Host: Max Lucado

Guests: Sheila Walsh & J.J. Jasper

Program Length: 28:00/55:00

Promos: 2 x :30

Syndication: FTP and Amb-OS

Last but not least, some of you may have seen Max in the last couple of days if you attended one of the "The Story | Tour" concerts. One person tweeted after the show: "Great experience tonight!! More than a concert, more than a show, it's a love letter to God to honor his story. . . Amazing!!"

If you are like me and are disappointed because you can't attend the concert in person, you can watch it live online for free! Join me on December 17th at 7:00PM Central in watching the show at live.hearitfirst.com!

KiYong Kim

Ambassador Advertising Agency

We Connect. Ministry and Media.

He is near

2011-11-02T00:00:00-06:00

I'm not entirely sure why, but there are times when I feel that God is far away. Why would God, the almighty Maker of the universe, care about what I am doing at home, in my office or in my car?

Gratefully, Max Lucado reminds me that He is near:

"God is in the thick of things in your world. He has not taken up residence in a distant galaxy . . . He has not chosen to seclude Himself on a throne in an incandescent castle.

He has drawn near. He has involved Himself in the car pools, heartbreaks, and funeral homes of our day. He is as near to us on Monday as He is on Sunday. As near in the school room as in the sanctuary."

The knowledge that God is near empowers me on a daily basis. It's encouraging to know that God hasn't left me alone on this earth to fend for myself. He loves both you and me . . . and this is exactly what Max wants to keep on the forefront of our minds in "UpWords."

In Max's new book, "God's Story, Your Story," he shares about how our live is actually a part of God's grand narrative. There's more to our lives than what we see - and thankfully, there's a greater purpose than what we could ever imagine.

Max, however, doesn't just share this message on his daily "UpWords" feature or in his books. This December, he will be joining Steven Curtis Chapman, Newsboys, Francesca Battistelli, Natalie Grant, Selah, Anthem Light and Randy Frazee on "The Story" tour - a musical journey that will take you from Genesis to Revelation. God is near!

If you are in Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Georgia, Virginia, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri and North Carolina this December, this is a Christmas spectacular you won't want to miss! (Click here for more information about the tour locations)

If you can't make the concert (and even if you can), there's another way you can hear the message that Max wants to share. Re-packaged for Christmas, Max Lucado's "God's Story, Your Story" special contains a great message that will encourage you - with the underlying message that God is near and we are a part of his greater plan!

Let me know if you are interested in airing this special! Just email me at kiyong@ambaa.com or call me at 949-681-7626.

KiYong Kim

Ambassador Advertising Agency

We Connect. Ministry and Media

The Lord is my Shepherd

2011-10-03T00:00:00-06:00

Recently I've been thinking a lot about the 23^rd Psalm. Yeah, the famous one from David that starts off by saying, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." What exactly did David mean? I turned to Max's book, Travelling Light, to gain some insight but I didn't expect this question:

"Are you in prison? You are if you feel better when you have more and worse when you have less. You are if joy is one delivery away, one transfer away, one award away, or one makeover away. If your happiness comes from something you deposit, drive, drink, or digest, then face it - you are in prison, the prison of want."

I got to admit that I'm far too familiar with the prison of want. Thankfully, Max reminds us that we "shall not want" when we trust the Good Shepherd. . . The LORD (and the way we think about Him) impacts every aspect of our lives for the better. If we turn to Him, He will satisfy our every need.

In Max's latest radio special, "God's Story, Your Story," we hear from two people who have experienced great loss. They, however, found that when they allowed God to come into their lives, much like a shepherd would take care of his sheep, they we able to find peace. Both Sheila Walsh and J.J. Jasper have examined their lives from the darkest pits of despair - and have experienced the comfort that comes from God alone.

(Please email me at kiyong@ambaa.com if you are interested in airing the special!)

Max, however, doesn't only share this message in his books or radio specials! This is the very core of his daily 1:00 "UpWords" message. His pastoral heart, molded by his time with the Shepherd, will lift up your spirits and challenge you (gently, of course!) to look at Jesus.

Thank you for sharing this daily encouragement with your listeners! I'm confident that in doing so, you have helped many of them in the darkest moments of their lives as they set their sights on Jesus - our Good Shepherd!

KiYong Kim

Ambassador Advertising Agency

We Connect. Ministry and Media.