Gosh, sorry I haven’t written since the big news. I meant to, but time has sort of escaped me.

How have I been doing???

Well, I have been a tad overwhelmed.

The logistics of moving to California are far more complicated than I imagined.  Figuring out where to live and how to get my self, my belongings and my car from Nashville to Orange County has been pretty much all consuming. Not to mention the plotting of a lot difficult goodbyes.

And, for the better part of last week I was gripped with fear.

Can I really do this? What was I thinking? Moving to Southern California…the land of earthquakes and Real Housewives?  Who am I? Without Nashville, my friends, my church, and my dog? {Yeah, I came to the brutal decision to send Molly to reside in Texas with my parents than force her to accompany me as I get settled. Brutal.}

But…things are looking up.

I am feeling more cool, calm, and collected as the plan begins coming together. And I know this sounds corny and perhaps a little hyper-spiritual but Sunday as I sat in church I couldn’t miss the little confirmations, the gifts of reassurance, from God that this is the right move. And that I am not taking this leap alone.

From the gripping lyrics of Healer, “Nothing is impossible with You. You hold my world in Your hands.” To Pete Wilson’s poignant message about what being radically devoted to Christ looks like. To watching the waves crash on a rocky beach as Merlyn Catron sang, “Where you go, I’ll go. Where you stay, I’ll stay. When you move, I’ll move. I will follow you.” To the perfectly timed text message from Tyler Merrick nudging the Project 7 team to, “Look for His details in the tapestry of your life today and this week.”

He won’t let me endeavor to think I am taking this leap alone.

Praise. The. Lord.

Enough about me. Has He sent you any gifts of reassurance lately?

It is July. JULY. I can hardly believe it. JULY. I think I wouldn’t believe it had I not barely survived the chaos that was the Fourth of July festivities at the Wilson’s. JULY.

We are six months through a year that is best described, by quoting the “Fresh Prince of Belair” theme song.

The year my life got flipped, turned upside down.

I can’t help but laugh as I reflect on how I thought, how I assumed, how I prophesied, this year was going to unfold. And just how off base I was.

Job changes. Friendship changes. Life changes.

It’s silly, really.

The way we make plans. The way we casually assume that tomorrow is going to look like today. The way we delude ourselves into believing we alone are in control of our destinies. The way we make judgments about right and wrong, good and evil, and even the past and the future.

There are really only a handful of things that we can count on with complete certainty.

One. That change is inevitable.

Two. That life is hard.

Three. That God is good.

Four. That in all things God works for the good of those who love him.

Five. That this life is temporary. And we MUST stay focused on things eternal.

What else can we count on? 

The countdown is on. I only have two more days of work at Thomas Nelson. {I know. I know. I am a little in shock about the whole thing too.} I thought it would be fitting to write about some of the things I have learned the last four years, so here you go:

1. I don’t know as much as I think I do. BUT I am capable of more than I can possibly imagine. Michael Hyatt shared this awhile back. I have never believed it more than I do right now.

2. People would much rather follow a person than a brand. Customers are skeptical. They want to know the who and why much more than they want to know the what.

3. Change is inevitable. It’s a lot easier to embrace it than fight it. And don’t get too settled in your new reality, more change is coming. It’s the one thing you can count on.

4. Relationship before opportunity. I learned this one from my friends at Catalyst. They live it out well. Invest in people first. Pour into them without giving a second thought to what they can do for you.

5. Books and events change people. They really do. When I look back on my own life and see the catalyst for change and transformation, I usually find a book I’ve read or an event I’ve attended. And I am thankful to have heard hundreds of stories of how people have been inspired by Thomas Nelson books and live events.

6. Surround yourself with people you would want to emulate. It’s truer than we admit. We are shaped by those we surround ourselves with. So I surround myself with great people.

7. Social media brings people together. If I had never worked at Thomas Nelson, for Michael Hyatt, I am pretty sure I would be a social media skeptic. But instead I have witnessed first-hand how it brings people from around the world with common interests together. It has revolutionized my thinking, and my relationships.

8. Set a goal. Share it with others. Live with intention. You don’t drift into real accomplishment.

9. Control is the greatest of all illusions. Pete Wilson shared this awhile back. And this is probably the single greatest thing I’ve learned in the last six months. The good news is once this truth is realized, a huge weight is lifted off our backs.

10.  Security and comfort are over-rated. I am in a place in life where I want to be, scratch that, where I NEED to be, stretched. I am ready to live a life that’s a little uncomfortable.

What lessons are you learning right now?

I don’t know much about what this fall, next month, or even next week but I do know that I am going to “Be Present” at the Catalyst Conference in Atlanta this fall. It’s happening October 5-7 at the Gwinnett Arena and includes high-octane speakers, powerful worship, and an experience unlike any other.

Truly, it’s unlike anything you have ever seen or done.

Join me and learn from leadership authorities including Andy Stanley, Jim Collins, Francis Chan, David Platt, Priscilla Shirer, Mark Driscoll, Dave Ramsey and Judah Smith, along with several innovative thinkers and practitioners like Princeton professor Dr. Cornel West, TOMS Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie, Global Soap Project founder Derreck Kayongo, Hillsong United visionary Joel Houston, Barna Research President David Kinnaman, and adoptive mother of 13 Katie Davis.

Be sure to register for the Catalyst Labs so you don’t miss Michael Hyatt (Thomas Nelson Chairman of the Board and my former boss), Reggie Joiner, Mark Batterson, Pete Wilson (my pastor who is real, authentic and rocks quite “a do”), Tim Elmore, Scot McKnight, Margaret Feinberg, Bob Goff (the whimsy master and probably my favorite person to follow on Twitter), Mike Foster, David Kinnaman, Mary Graham (one of my very favorite women of faith), Samuel Rodriguez, Jon Acuff, Lecrae, Jo Saxton and Vicky Beeching (two of my favorite Brits), Eugene Cho, Lysa Terkeurst and others.

Best Rates on Catalyst tickets end on Thursday, June 23rd, so register now. Call 888.334.6569 to speak to a Catalyst Concierge, or register online at www.catalystconference.com. Use Rate Code FOB and receive a ticket price of $199 (savings of $120 off regular prices).

Catalyst will sell out, so make sure and register early!

Here’s the preview video:

Catalyst Atlanta 2011 {Be Present} Preview from Catalyst on Vimeo.

Okay, who’s in?

On Thursday evening I returned from almost a week at sea with a crew of dear friends, several dozen like-minded acquaintances scattered throughout North America, a rested body, mind, and spirit, and the inevitable sneaky pounds affixed to my mid-section (If only there was a “Gain It” app, I could have killed it on this trip.)

Admittedly I left on the brink of burn-out. 2011 has me…reeling.

And the Recreate Cruise, on the aforementioned Celebrity Century, was just what the doctor ordered.

5 days of sun and sea, food and drink, entertainment and rest, challenging ideas and encouragement. And 5 days of what I needed most, an opportunity to disconnect and silence all the noise that has taken over my everyday.

(Friends, here is where I tell you that I will be THE FIRST person to sign-up for the 2012 Recreate Cruise. Randy and Chris Elrod were phenomenal hosts. And the speakers, Pete Wilson, Michael Hyatt, and Ken Davis each delivered thought-provoking messages that spoke right to my heart. And the other attendees, well, they were not creepy at all. They were beautiful, honest, and passionate. I think you should go ahead and start saving RIGHT NOW so you can join me as we float someplace fabulous next Spring. You will not regret it.)

The Voyage of Celebrity Century was everything I could ask for in a vacation…and more.

But it was just that. An epic vacation. A temporary escape from the hustle and bustle of real life. A time-out to catch my breathe and recharge smack dab in an emotionally draining round.

From time to time as I watched the ocean rock and sipped on my mudslide, I was haunted by my subconscious.

This is not real. This is not life. This is comfortable. Real comfortable. But this is not what I have called you to. Rest up, so when this vacation ends, as it inevitably will, you are refreshed, renewed, and ready for battle.

And so I heeded its warning. I soaked the experience up. So I could come back with a renewed focus on fighting the good fight.

So often what we want is not really what we need. We want a cheeseburger, but we need a salad. We want to ride off into the sunset bad boy, but we need to grow old with a solid, dependable best friend. We want to run kicking and screaming at the first sign of trouble, but we need to learn how to stick it out.

Too often, we, the church, want a pastor who is eloquent, a pastor who has it all together, a pastor who makes it look easy, a pastor who tells us that if we just have enough faith our life will be full of blessings, and a pastor who is faultless, blameless, and, of course, sinless. But what we need is a pastor who is honest and open about his brokenness, a pastor who allows his friends and congregants to see his humanity, a pastor who is trying to close the gap between who he is and who God created him to be, and a pastor who fosters a community of grace by boldly going first.

On Sunday morning, Pete Wilson, by authentically and emotionally sharing a recent struggle, reminded me what I love most about Cross Point, a church has transformed my perspective, my faith, and my life. He reminded me that while we all strive to holy, we remain human, broken, and hurting. And we will not fully experience life, redemption, or healing if we hide that truth from ourselves and those around us.

What do you want from your pastor? And more importantly, what do you need from him/her?

Oh, and you can listen to Pete’s message here.

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 is the day.

Today is the day we all have been waiting for, or at least the day I have been waiting for.

Today is the official release date for my pastor and Thomas Nelson author Pete Wilson’s debut book Plan B.

Have you ever had a shattered dream? An unmet expectation? A failed plan?

Does it feel like life is full of disappointment?

If so, you need this book.

If not, you still need this book. (Because unfortunately sooner or later, I’m pretty sure that you will be knocked down, feeling hopeless, and desperate for understanding.)

Plan B is a life-changing reminder that God does his best work in hopeless situations.

Find more information about Plan B here.

Buy Plan B on Amazon here.

I promise, you won’t regret it.

What shattered dream are you battling right now?

This morning at Cross Point, Pete Wilson talked about our greatest temptation as Christians. He said, “Our greatest temptation is not that which is ridiculously evil, but that which is deceptively good.”

Oh, how that rings true in my life. Oh, how I seem to place too much importance on WHATEVER is going well in my life. Oh, how I love to distort my blessings.

My career, my relationships, my church, my family, my online community, my wealth, my health, my comfortable existence – each are blessings. Each are blessings that I have ungratefully distorted. Each are blessings I have ungratefully distorted by making them seemingly MORE IMPORTANT than He who so generously bestowed them on me. (more…)

One thing I love about Social Media is that it is an easy what to know what is going in people’s lives (not everything, but certainly the very good and the very bad tend to pop up). So you can kind of keep tabs on what to be praying for. I am sure you already have a laundry list of prayer requests but can I suggest a few more?

Sweet, sweet, sweet Kate McRae’s family has had to make a hard impossible decision about her future treatment plans. Now that is behind them, they have a long road of ahead with chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. Pray that the family would endure, stay faithful, and that their little girl would be healed. (more…)