“If you could have anything, ANYTHING your heart desires, what would you want?”

I’d struggle for a few minutes. But after some time, I’d sheepishly answer, “to be known.”

As hard is it is to admit at times, that is really what I’m after. To be known.

More than a successful career, more than abundant wealth, more than a room full of friends, more than a fancy new car, more the sleakest blog, and more than the loudest praise, I want to be known.

I. Want. To. Be. Known.

But you know what’s funny? (Funny-strange, not funny-haha.)

I act. I posture. I deflect. I avoid. I run. I hide.

I. Hide.

I hide from the people who are closest to me.

And I hide from the One who created me and knows me inside and out.

Now, what is that about?

God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand.
I’m an open book to you;
even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking.
You know when I leave and when I get back;
I’m never out of your sight.
You know everything I’m going to say
before I start the first sentence.
I look behind me and you’re there,
then up ahead and you’re there, too—
your reassuring presence, coming and going.
This is too much, too wonderful—
I can’t take it all in! Psalm 139:1-6

Six months ago, I wrote a post stating that I wanted to get my hands dirty.

(Interesting to note that I also wrote posts about other big hairy audacious goals like getting married and having kids. And unfortunately I’ve got nothing to report in either area. NOTHING.)

In the post I said,

It is easy for me to dream of changing the world from the comfort of my living room couch but I lately I have felt called to do more. I want to go to the ends of the earth. And I want to get my hands a little dirty.

And I referenced a quote by Jimmy Carter,

My faith demands -this is not optional-my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I can, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try to make a difference.

So for the last six months, I have been more intentional about finding time to serve. Serve by doing whatever, wherever, whenever.

I have sought out opportunities to pitch in locally. I have become a ‘”lunch buddy” to the-cutest-kindergartner-ever through Preston Taylor Ministries and taken advantage of a handful of serving opportunities at Cross Point.

I even investigated a few opportunities to serve internationally but nothing really was coming together, that is, until last week.

Last week Shaun Groves reached out about the possibility of me joining him, Keely Scott and a team of bloggers in Guatemala in September. Without a moment’s hesitation, I agreed.

This was the opportunity I had been waiting for, the opportunity I had been praying about, the opportunity to get more intimately involved with an organization I am passionate about. My faith was demanding that I say yes. My faith was demanding that I go.

But between you and me, I am more than a little shocked that He is enlisting my help, that He is entrusting me with this opportunity.

Acutely aware of my insecurities and fear, I find myself running to Him for strength. And in a moment of clarity come to realize that this trip is not just about what He can do through me. This trip is also about what He will do in me.

Would you be willing to pray for me, for our team? Pray that over the next few months God would begin to prepare our hearts and our minds for the trip?

And bloggers, would you be willing to help spread the word by adding a little Compassion Bloggers banner to your site? Details here.

Have you ever met someone who was a brilliant storyteller? Someone who at the mere mention of “once upon a time” transported you into an epic adventure? Someone who introduced characters so real that you couldn’t help but imagine yourself walking in their shoes?

I have. And when I am in the presence of a great storyteller, I find myself spellbound. Simply spellbound.

Storytelling is a powerful gift. A gift that should be cultivated. A gift that should be cultivated for the Church. That is why I am so excited about Story, an event created by creative genius, “dragon slayer” and author Ben Arment.

Story is an intimate conference for the creative class in ministry on September 23-24, 2010 at Park Community Church in downtown Chicago. Created with the sole purpose of fueling the church’s artists, writers, and producers in communicating the greatest story ever told. Some of the best creative practitioners in both ministry and the marketplace, from filmmakers and authors to actors and musicians, will share about their craft.

For more information about this incredible event and to register, visit www.storychicago.com.

Would you like to be a better storyteller?

This just might be your chance…

Over the last two weeks, I’ve asked some friends to share their impressions about John Mark McMillan’s How He Loves. These posts have been so good for me. They’ve been food for my soul. I have loved each and every one. Their beauty lies in their uniqueness.

Yesterday, inspired by the series Bill Cahusac shared his thoughts on the song in a post called Loves Like a Hurricane. I read it. It is wonderful and inspiring. In fact, it inspired me to create a place where you all could share your reflections on the song.

Here are the song’s lyrics:

He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

Yeah, He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves.

We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
So Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…

He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves.

God loves us so incomprehensibly, so uniquely, so powerfully, so messily. Most of us have a story about how He has loved us or how we have been overwhelmed by His love. Share your stories of restoration, redemption, grace, and mercy. Share your stories of His love.

I just love that Stephen Brewster is wrapping up the How He Loves series. A few months ago as the Senior Director of Marketing for Integrity Music, Stephen introduced me to John Mark McMillan and the song that inspired this series.

Even more, I love that Stephen, his lovely wife, and beautiful kids just moved to Nashville last week to be a part of Cross Point. God is good. And the world is small.

Find his blog here.

And his twitter here.

How He Loves is  is a declaration. It defines our relationship with God in a way that few songs dare to attempt. The concept of love is not foreign, but the realization that we are required to accept love is another thing entirely.

He Loves Us…but have we accepted and embraced that love?
His grace is an ocean…but are we willing to get wet?
He loves like a hurricane…but are we looking for the evacuation route to a comfortable place away from the storms?

Love is a 2 way street. You can be love and the love not be returned. The real relationship takes place when the love is accepted, embraced, and reciprocated.

He loves you.
He loves you today.
He loves you because of your imperfections.
He loves you without pretense, prejudice, performance, or boundary.
He loves YOU. The real you. The sometimes hidden you. The you that can be, and will be, even if you have not yet been…that person…He loves you.

God is an artist. He creates amazing art every day. He deposits great art in people to be time released creatively over his people. Gods brush of choice is to use people. How He Loves may not be fundamentally “congregational”, but creatively it challenges the very core of every person with breath in their lungs…it challenges us to confront our desire to be accepted and respond by embracing the one love that will never fail, Oh, How He Loves…

I apologize for this brief interruption to the previously scheduled programming. I just had to get something off my chest.

There are very few things I am fanatical about. I guess I am just not wired that way. I appreciate most things in a more sedate way. But over the last year I have found one thing I have “an obsessive enthusiasm” for…Catalyst.

Maybe it is the shear fact that every fall they gather over 12,000 young Christian leaders in Atlanta, GA?

Maybe it is how their conferences entertain me with two days of content from some of the best speakers the world has to offer?

Maybe it is how their resources equip me with sound spiritual and leadership wisdom?

Maybe it is how their team continually introduces me to new thoughts, ideas, and voices?

Maybe it is how Catalyst ALWAYS manages to exceed my expectations?

Regardless, I am ready to admit it. Me = Catalyst freak.

So, naturally I feel compelled to tell you that you don’t want to miss Catalyst Conference this year. It is October 6 through 8 in Atlanta, Georgia. It truly is an experience unlike any other.

This year’s main stage line-up includes Andy Stanley, Seth Godin, TD Jakes, Craig Groeschel, Francis Chan, Beth Moore, Perry Noble and Christine Caine.

And on the 6th, the Catalyst Labs will give you a chance to hear from some of today’s innovative thought leaders like my boss Michael Hyatt, my pastor Pete Wilson, my new favorite leadership guide John Ortberg, and my friend and blogging mentor Anne Jackson.

The best rates on Catalyst tickets end tomorrow (Thursday, June 24th), so register NOW. You can call 888.334.6569 to speak to a Catalyst Concierge, or register online at www.catalystconference.com. Use Rate Code FOB for an additional discount off your ticket price. And as always, Catalyst will sell out so don’t dawdle, register NOW.

So, what do you think? Will you join me in Atlanta this October?

Today’s “How He Loves” post is from Grant Jenkins, aka An Idol Heart. Grant is a fellow Cross Pointer who I met via twitter and blogging several months before our paths crossed “in real life.” I admire how Grant publicly wrestles with finding peace, purpose, and self-worth in Christ. Alone.

Find his blog here.

And his twitter here.

jealous |ˈjeləs|adjective.
fiercely protective or vigilant of one’s rights or possessions

He is jealous for me
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight and wind of his mercy

I remember it like it was yesterday.

It was the week of January 11, 2010 when God, in His great mercy, allowed me to see the condition of my heart. The jig was up.

Finally, after 8 months of becoming increasingly aware that I had allowed my career to become an idol in my heart … after 8 months of trying to act like I could still make it work… after 8 months of trying to hold band-aids on an open wound… I broke.

I broke hard.

My chest was tight.

My breath was shallow.

My mind and emotions were in a tailspin.

What words I did speak were spoken through tears

The thought of taking one more step in the direction I had been headed was overwhelming.

What had I become? (more…)

Today’s “How He Loves” post is from Alece Ronzino, aka Grit and Glory. As I have said before, Alece is seems well ordinary. She is as easy be around, smart, authentic, and sassy. She is a kindred soul. But at the same time Alece is extra-ordinary. She ventured to Africa right out of high school to be a missionary. She created a successful ministry in South Africa. And through her beautifully written blog, she manages to make sharing her trials and open wounds with practical strangers seem natural.

Find her blog here.

And her twitter here.

I keep thinking about the adulterous woman who was dragged before Jesus. Mainly because I can’t help but see myself in her.

The crowd was ready to stone her for her sin, for her failure. And then Jesus spoke. He looked the mob straight in the eye and actually challenged them to go through with it. Underone condition.

He called for the one without sin to throw the first stone. (more…)

Today’s “How He Loves” post is from Trisha Davis. As I said on Wednesday, Justin and Trish(a) are two incredible people. They know all about brokenness, restoration, and redemption. Through their ministry at Cross Point Bellevue and Refine Us, they teach others (like me) the power of authenticity, truth, and grace. I am honored to call them friends.

Read about 8 things that destroyed their marriage here.

Read about 8 things that restored their marriage here.

Find their blog here.

And Trisha’s Twitter here.

The older I get the more I realize that everyone has a story. Just writing those words I’m sure you are already thinking of yours. John Mark McMillan’s story of how he came to write “How He Loves” is a reminder of the power of one’s story. The problem with my “story” is that there are too many. If I were to sit down with you over coffee and share my life story I’m certain you would walk away thinking I was viably insane.

The sad reality is that most of my life’s stories really aren’t mine to own. Most of what I have been through has come through other people’s choices or unexplainable tragedy. I have stood on the sidelines witnessing others poor choices and in return deciding to make poor choices of my own. (more…)

Thank you all for reading along and contributing your thoughts as we explore just how He loves us. I LOVE being able to share some other important voices on here. And just wanted to let you know that we are not done yet…

Next week we will have 4 more stories. So stay tuned!

Thanks again.

Lindsey