I’ll go ahead and admit it. I am a huge Don Miller fan. I love EVERYTHING I’ve read that he has written. And I love EVERYTHING I’ve heard him say. His words simply resonate.

I read Blue Like Jazz when I was in my late twenties and pretty skeptical of the religious rigamarole. Don’s candor and sense of humor made me want to reexamine my religion, and more importantly my faith. A few years later I devoured A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. Again, Don challenged my thinking and encouraged me to explore what it means to live a great story.

Always warm and engaging, Don feels like a kindred spirit, walking just a few steps ahead, talking me through the path he has taken, and subtly warning me of its pitfalls.

That is why I can’t wait to read the rerelease of Searching for God Knows What. (I know, I can’t believe I haven’t read it yet, either.)

I’m also jazzed because my buddy, and Thomas Nelson editor extraordinaire, Bryan Norman crafted this amazing game that I can play (and potentially win prizes) while I read. So for the next several weeks I’m going to read, play-along, and possibly blog about the journey.

Would you like to join me? Details about the game are below.

Twelve games played over eight weeks are built into the book Searching for God Knows What. Each game requires you to sleuth, decode, think, and find…well…God knows what. Be one of the first to decipher the clue and claim your reward: Incredible prizes exclusively for those who play the game. Plus, you’ll find new opportunities to connect with Don directly, meet other fans, and earn points with every action you take. It’s fun, easy, and addicting. So take just two minutes, and let’s start searching!

Starting the week of July 19, 2010—for eight weeks—you will receive clues.* Each clue will lead you to a game hidden in Searching for God Knows What. To play the game, here’s what you need to do:

Step One: Go to www.DonaldMillerFan.com and sign up for an account or use your Facebook account to sign in.
Step Two: Take actions, create groups, and get new clues each week.
Step Three: Decode the correct answers and enter them at www.SearchingForGodKnowsWhat.com to solve the puzzles and be eligible for prizes.
Step Four: Win!

*If you’re joining the game late, no worries. All clues will be available at SearchingForGodKnowsWhat.com until the end of time so you can play whenever you want.

I’m also very excited to be giving away 20 copies of Searching for God Knows What.

If you’d like to win a copy, leave a comment below sharing a few words about an author that has impacted your life.

Winners will be selected on Monday at 12 PM.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Update: Winners Selected and Notified on July 19th. Thanks everyone for your comments. I loved hearing what authors have impacted you.

Last Friday I wrote that I had a heavy heart.

Today I am just spent. Spent. Literally I’ve got nothing. Nothing.

Around noon on Sunday I returned to Nashville to be greeted by a few inches of standing water in my basement apartment. My roommate and I spent the better part of the day futilely sweeping water and salvaging items that might be affected if the water rose dramatically.

Monday, thankfully, the waters began to recede and a team of friends appeared to help move all my stuff to a temporary home and to tear out carpet and flooring. We got everything clean and ready for the professionals to takeover, but it became obvious that the space won’t be livable for awhile. Bummer.

Here is what I know:

I have a lot I need to figure out. Most importantly, I need to find new place to live. Quickly. Like by May 15 quickly. (If anyone has any ideas I am looking for a 1-2 bedroom place in Nashville that allows a medium sized dog.)

The next few weeks are going to be filled with uncertainty. Unfortunately uncertainty isn’t really my strong-suit.

I am blessed because the majority of my things are safe and dry. There are thousands of people who lost everything.

Our community is amazingly generous and resilient. I have never been more proud of my church, my neighbors, and my workplace.

And lastly…I am spent. Oh, I said that already…twice.

If you’d like to help flood Nashville flood victims, Cross Point has teams of folks meeting at the Bellevue campus and working everyday this week from 9 AM to 4 PM. For more information, visit here.

Out-of-towners, you can help too. Cross Point has set up a flood relief fund. Donate here.

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?

I am one of those people who has lots of circles of friends. Single girl friends, church friends, work friends, “campus” friends, Powered by Hope friends, blogging friends, twitter friends, high school friends, college friends, Birmingham friends, camp friends…just to name a few.

So naturally I have several friends who have never had the opportunity to meet. Sometimes it is easier to keep the circles separate.

But sometimes it is fun to find a few friends from two different groups and introduce them, to play “matchmaker.”

Now, I am not talking about matchmaking in a romantic way. (Although that can be fun too.) Here’s what I’m talking about:

A few months ago I arranged a happy hour with the sole purpose of introducing my friends Bryan and Suzanne Norman to Matthew and Alyson Costner. I have known “the Normans” for a few years. They are some of my favorite people on the planet. They are passionate. They love good food. And they are great for a deep conversation about anything from faith to politics or for a night out singing karaoke (You should see Bryan do Springsteen’s “Born to Run.”)

I met “the Costners” through Twitter. I liked something about the way they interacted in 140 characters. My half marathon training gave me the opportunity to meet them “in real life.” I discovered my instincts were right. “The Costners” are great. And they needed to meet “the Normans.”

We all gathered at Eastland Cafe one Thursday evening to enjoy their $5 Happy Hour menu. I had the best time sitting back and watching these two couples enjoy each other. And I get just-plain-giddy every time I hear about them cultivating their friendship. I love knowing that I helped bring them together, that I am part of their story.

My friend Spence is the best at this. Awhile back he called and invited me to join him and a couple of his Compassion friends for dinner. I blogged about the evening because it was monumental for me. I felt invested in, like Spence hand-picked me to meet those folks. There was no awkwardness. We all just clicked. Unbelievably that was the first night I met my fabulous friend Keely. (If you are ever around the two of us, you will assume we’ve known each other for years.) I am SO GRATEFUL that Spence went out of his way to include me that evening, that he followed his instincts and introduced me to Keely and Ryan, that he played “matchmaker.”

Do you have friends that need to meet? People that you know will enjoy each other? What are you waiting for? Step out of your comfort zone and introduce them. Help bring people together. Be a part of their story.

Oh, and please share your “matchmaker” stories…

And while I am feeling the pressure to get out a thought-provoking blog post, I feel like all my circuits are…well, a little overloaded.

Here’s are just a few of my miscellaneous thoughts from thirty thousand feet…

The world of publishing is it an interesting crux right now. Before we know words like books, publisher, author, and sales channel are going to be completely redefined. What an exciting time to work for a publisher!

I am so proud to work for Thomas Nelson. EVERY TIME I have the opportunity to sit down with colleagues and hear their story, I am endeared and inspired. Our team truly is world-class. World-class.

Words can not express how excited I am about the next few days…

Friday morning we have our first Cultivate Her event of 2010 and we are talking dreams. It’s going to be a wonderful event. I am so excited to reconnect with these women. (Oh, and it’s not too late to register, click here for details.)

Saturday night is the “Help Haiti Live” Compassion benefit. The show is at my favorite venue, The Ryman Theatre. And Allison Krauss, Mat Kearney, Jars of Clay, Amy Grant, and a handful of other incredible artists are performing. But if I am being honest, I am just as excited about the people who are joining me for the show as for the show itself.

Sorry for the ramblings…it must be the altitude.

Your turn…what is going on with you?

Birmingham was my place. I built a life there. I built a home there.

And candidly I was not certain that the Nashville move would stick. I assumed the move was temporary. I assumed I would get some more experience under my belt that I could take and utilize in other opportunities. I assumed I was done cultivating rich energizing friendships. I assumed that although God was calling me to move He would bring back. I assumed I return to Birmingham after a few years.

I assumed wrong (or at least I’m assuming I assumed wrong.)

Over the last year, Nashville has become home in a way I never anticipated.

I have made incredible unconditional friends. I have found a church where I fit. I work for a company that I’d like to continue with for the duration of my career.

But something is missing. I haven’t built a home. I haven’t found a place I can completely claim as my own.

I am eager to put down some roots and build a life here…but first, I must pick up the roots I laid down elsewhere. First, I must sell the condo I purchased in Birmingham.

So if you know ANYONE who is looking for a place to settle in Birmingham or ANYONE who is looking for a smart investment property, please send them here. My condo is officially for sale for a incredibly low price.

So tell me…are you rooted where you are? If so, what do you love most about where you are planted? If not, what would need to happen for you to feel more at home?

But, well that is just not the case. I can’t believe how much has already happened in 2010. And get this…it is only January 13.

Here’s a quick peak into my last few weeks:

• We introduced a new social media hub for Thomas Nelson. The goal is that this will be a one stop shop for people to get connected with our people. You can keep up to date on Thomas Nelson bloggers, twitterers, our latest YouTube videos, and much more. Go check it out.

• We put the finishing touches on the “Cultivate Her” blog. With bi-weekly posts from an incredible team of women (like me ), this blog is sure to be a wonderful resource for women in leadership. And aren’t we all really in leadership somehow…at home, at work, or at church?

• We relaunched our “Thomas Nelson Book Review Bloggers” site under the Seth-Godin-inspired name “BookSneeze.” The program gives bloggers books for FREE in exchange for an honest review. Say what you want about the images it conjures, but I can promise you this, you won’t forget it!

Whew…I am exhausted just thinking about all that.

How is your 2010? Off to a hectic start?

1. Mashable lists Michael Hyatt as one of the most influential twitterers shaping the world of publishing.

In my personal opinion, Hyatt should be number 1, but I know that I am probably biased. (He is my boss and does sign my paychecks.) But I am glad others are taking notice, because he should be commended for the work he is doing to transform Thomas Nelson and our industry.

2. Tweepml exists.

Tweepml is this amazing website that allows anyone to EASILY create and share groups of Twitter users. Once someone builds a list you can add a relevant group of friends with just one click. Seriously you must try it.

And be sure to check out the groups I created today: Thomas Nelson Employees, Thomas Nelson Authors, and Women of Faith & Revolve Speakers.

3. Bit.ly is just as cool as Tr.im, if not cooler.

What is bit.ly you ask?

If you are looking for a way to abbreviate URLs be sure to register. It not only gives you visibility to how many people have clicked on your links, but also conversations that are happening about your links.

And that is all you are getting for today.

Now your turn, what did you learn today?

Women of Faith is a division of Thomas Nelson and so it was essentially a work trip. And candidly, without my connection to Thomas Nelson, I probably wouldn’t have attended a Women of Faith conference.

You see I don’t typically enjoy being in extremely large groups of women, and that is what this is, a group of 16,000 women to be specific. (I know its weird, but sometimes lot and lots of women in a confined space make me feel overwhelmed and not in a good way.)

Not attending Women of Faith would have been a big mistake because Women of Faith should not be missed. Here’s why:

1. Mary Graham and her team know how to produce an event. For fifteen hours you can sit in a chair and be totally and completely entertained. There is literally never a dull moment.
2. Mandisa rocks and Allison Allen will have you rolling.
3. The speakers – Sheila Walsh, Marilyn Meberg, Patsy Clairmont, Stephen Curtis Chapman, Rich Stearns, Lisa Whelchel, Sandi Patty, and Luci Swindoll – each have a unique message that needs to be heard. (And not those “this is what good Christians do” messages, but rather messages with authentic, and sometimes uproariously funny, storytelling and refreshing honesty.)
4. Women of Faith will remind you of the incredible power of laughter. Nothing heals our soul quite like it. And I know that I for one don’t laugh enough. (I would venture to say that there is not a cynic alive who could attend Women of Faith without busting out in uncontrollable fits of it at least a time or two.)
5. Each of the women on the “porch” represent what many of us are striving to be. They are strong, real, dependable, engaging, transparent, funny, and uplifting. Although their paths have not been easy, they forge on with confidence, grace, and faith.

Don’t take my word for it, you should check out the Women of Faith conference. Check it out even if (actually especially if) you think you are too young, too old, too tired, too busy, or too cool. This event has the potential to surprise you. Here is the complete 2009 schedule.

Have you been to a Women of Faith conference? What was your experience?

My first real experience with change was when I was elementary school. My family moved the summer between 3rd and 4th grade and I had to change schools. It was traumatic. I made the change, but there was plenty of kicking and screaming (Literally kicking and screaming, usually my classmates).  But life went on, I made new friends, and I realized that change wasn’t so bad. More recently, at my last employer, Books-A-Million, in five years I had five different roles (Special Events Manager, Assistant Buyer, Buyer, Director of Special Events and Director of Advertising and Promotions). Man, did we waste some business cards! But I learned a ton, worked for some amazing people, and the depth of experience I accumulated has been wonderful for my career.

Candidly, even though I embrace the process of change, sometimes I do not enjoy the effects of change. And when that happens, I really have to work at staying positive and trying to find the good in the situation. There is always good in the situation, whether it be personal growth or strengthened faith.

I realize that I am probably in the minority here. There are people who are hoping and praying that there world will stay exactly the same. Unfortunately for them, it just won’t happen like that. (You might have read that we announced some pretty significant changes at Thomas Nelson earlier today). So below are a few resources for dealing with change:

Who Moved My Cheese? - A wonderful allegory about dealing with organizational change.

Orbiting the Giant Hairball – My friend and former boss, Jeff Skipper, gave me this book before I started work at Thomas Nelson. It is a hilarious look at how to emerge from the impenetrable mass of rules and systems.

Managing Transitions – Deals with the human side of organizational change.

How do you handle change? Do you have any resources for those who are struggling in the midst of change?