Start with a WOW!   And Michael Hyatt does just that!  Giving away over $375 of free products if you buy his book this week (May 21 through May 250).  You can find all the details at http://michaelhyatt.com/platform.

I’ve followed Michael Hyatt’s blog for years.  He was the CEO of Thomas Nelson when they canceled my book — but I didn’t hold it against him personally.  He has amazing insight into blogging, speaking, social media and leadership.

When I was chosen to be on the launch team for his new book, Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World, I was thrilled and a bit intimidated.   I expected the book to be good.  I didn’t expect GREAT.

This book is not only great it’s helpful.  You WILL use this in your life no matter what your platform from author/ speaker to politician. Whether you’re just starting out or, like me, looking to reinvent your career, this book gives you the tools you need to make the change.

Favorite part?  All of it.  I mean it.

Michael Hyatt talks about creating a WOW experience and how we cannot settle for less than a WOW!

“But if you want to create truly wow experiences — and if you want to build your platform–then it is going to require courage. Are you willing to be brave?”

It struck me — I’m settling.  I’m afraid to be all God is calling me to be.  I’m afraid of the Wow! I don’t want to make a fool of myself or disappoint God.

How silly!

Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World  is a book that will challenge you to be ALL that God has for you.  It will push you outside your comfort zone.  But the beauty of this book — simple, easy to read and put into practice steps for creating an amazing platform.

I’m using it and I’m partnering with a few others who are interested in revamping their platforms.

I am going to share my journey, so hang around and watch me put feet to this incredible book.

I love her heart.  She is stepping up and stepping out.   I want to be more like Janet.  Not because she’s my sweet friend, but because she is chasing Christ with a passion.  She is hungry for more Jesus.  That’s my prayer –

Lord give me passion for only You.  Let the world fade away.  Take me out of this gray place where I just move through the days and let me do Your will in Your way.  Let me stop posturing for public praise and praying for more Jesus.  Let me set aside all my agendas and focus only on Your righteousness and goodness.  Let my heart be undivided and my mind be singularly focused. Remind me that loving You is easy for You are good and holy!  Lord, keep my wandering heart focused only on You.  

I’ve been following along with Janet for a few days.  But it’s been a half hearted attempt.  It’s been sort of committed, but not all the way in.

I’m ready to jump in, heart first.

I’m ready to set up my own 30 Day challenge.

I’m going to sit down with the Lord and He’ll direct my path.  Maybe He’ll encourage me to share it with you.

Whether I share it here or not, take the time to read Janet’s words.  Hear her heart cry.  And then look at your heart.  Do you need a challenge?  Is God calling you to something.

Have you ever done anything that scares the SNOT out of you?

I mean really terrifies you?  Like I-may-just-wet-your-pants-before-I-get-through-this-one kind of scared.

Personally I  try to avoid this kind of scary, but sometimes it’s just downright unavoidable.  You have to jump out of the boat and into the deep end to experience life (and yes, I’m speaking to myself here).

It’s so much easier to hang out in the swallow end.  It’s comfortable in the swallow place.  I can see the bottom and I know what to expect.

The deep end is filled with the unknown.  The unknown is scary.  The unknown is … unknown.

For years I longed to be a speaker.  I wanted to communicate God’s truths to women.  I wanted to share my passion for His Word with others.  I wanted to be a speaker.  And more than  just wanting it,  I KNEW the Lord was calling to this path.  It was clear to me, but I was terrified to step off into that deep place.  I was scared to death to DECLARE myself a speaker.

I thought people would laugh at me.

Or worse, I thought they would say that I wasn’t qualified.  Because I’m not.  I’m not a seminary graduate or a professionally trained orator.  I’m just a girl who loves Jesus.

I stepped into that scary place  many years back and the Lord has been so wonderful to me.  He’s teaching me to keep my eyes on Him and let all else fade away.  He’s my lifeline in the deep.

Over the years the deep place becomes shallow.  I’m comfortable telling people I’m a speaker.  I’ve gained confidence — not in myself, but in the work the Lord has called me to.

I’ve been walking this walk for some time and I’m getting comfortable here.  Now the Lord is calling me into a new deep place — and I don’t want to go.   I enjoy this swallow place.  I don’t worry that people will laugh at me.  I trust the Lord will provide as He always have.  I’ve found my niche … or so I thought.

It’s in the deep  you look for strength outside of yourself.   It’s in the deep I hold out my hand to the One who holds me together.  It’s in the deep I look to God to be my strength and my deliverer.

For me stepping into the deep means I’m trusting God to hold me up.  And that’s what I’m doing, I’m trusting God to provide the way and clear this path.

It’s scary out here, but God is here and He promises never to leave me.  There’s something powerful out here in this deep and often scary place.  The powerful is God.  I can’t stand on my own strengths here.  I have none.  I don’t have the skills, the confidence, or the experience to do this.  Only God.

He alone is my Hope and my Strength.  And that’s enough.

What about you?  Have you stepped into any scary places lately?

Are you willing to let go and just let God?

This book released in December 2011 and it seems it came out and  I got caught up in cruise season.  I’m thrilled about this book.  It’s a HUGE blessing to me and I hope it is to everyone who picks it up.

I’ve also been a bit worried that talking too much about the book would appear to be bragging.  In fact, I’ve spent a lot of time NOT talking about it.  Avoiding it.  And almost apologizing for it.  WHY?  I don’t know.  I do know this:

God gave me this topic.  He allowed this book to be written.  And He put me in front of the agent and the publisher who believed in the project.

It struck me recently that my fear of bragging has made me not say anything about the blessing of being published.   I prayed that the Lord would send the right publisher for this book and He answered that prayer — twice.  Let me explain.

God, Grace and Girlfriends sold to Thomas Nelson in December 2007 and was due to be released Spring of 2009.  Sadly Thomas Nelson canceled the book just days before I was to get the final edits.  I was crushed, just crushed.  But Nelson had laid off a large part of their workforce and cancel over 1/2 the upcoming tittles.  I tried to see the silver lining.

We sold the book to New Hope Publishers in early 2011 and it released in December.  Until I held that book in my hand, I knew that it could all change.  The call could come and the book wouldn’t be.  I think that’s a part of my fear about saying too much about the book — for fear it would go away.

But whether it sells a million copies or just sells hundreds, it’s a blessing from God.  He gave me this message. I walked out this story and I’m still living it.   This message  has burned in my spirit for so long.  I’ve laughed and cried over the things in this book – and it’s good.  I know it’s a blessing to others because it’s God-given, nothing from me.  I’m just the very undeserving, fumbling, frazzled mess of a girl the Lord decided to use.  I’m HONORED that He has given me this task and I plan to fulfill in the best way I know how!

So no more apologizing for God’s blessing.  It’s answered prayer.  I’m thrilled to be in His service and stunned that He allows me to do His work with Him.

My time is Pinetop First Baptist Church in Pinetop, Arizona was unique in so many ways  but the three that stand out the most:

• five different churches came together under one roof
• women ranging in age from 14 to 85
• and I had as much revival as anyone in that room!

I’d stood before four other groups before getting to Pinetop.  This was my last teaching stop on the road trip.   The afternoon we arrived in Pinetop, my heart was heavy.  I was studying, reviewing, and preparing but something wasn’t clicking.  I told Melinda I needed some Jesus time.  I grabbed my Bible and headed for the bathroom.  I laid face-first on that Holiday Inn bathroom floor and asked the Lord to forgive me.

I’d spent the bulk of my time preparing for this trip by managing hotel reservations, car rental, getting books shipped, and all those other pesky details.  I’d allowed the busyness of the trip and the fun of the adventure to override the seriousness of what the Lord had for me. Certainly the trip was fun and I know the Lord wanted that for us, but He also had specific plans and I overlooked some of those for my own agenda.

I tried to do it all — and we aren’t created that way.  We are supposed to do it all together.  Certainly, Melinda was a great helper and she could have done more if I’d loosened my grip on a bit.

God has called each of us into His service in His way.  Some of us are called to speak, teach, make people laugh and others are called to handle details, manage logistics, make sure events come together, lead worship, encourage people, lead groups, preach and so much more.  Not one of  these is more important than the other, but when we try to do ALL of these we can get into trouble.  And that’s me.

I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I’m called to  teach and encourage women.  The Lord has been very clear on that part, but I’m not particularly good at singing, keeping things in order, or math (I don’t know if math is a spiritual gift, but I know this — I don’t like math and I’m not good at it unless we’re talking about a % off sale… and that’s a different story).

I can manage details, logistics, spreadsheets and all that snazzy administrative jazz — I do it for work all the time.  I can’t manage the details, logistics, spreadsheets and stand before a group to encourage & teach.  It’s like walking a chewing gum for me — something will fall. Either me or the gum out of my mouth.  Neither is pretty — trust me.

I was doing a good bit of walking and chewing on the road trip.  Finally I hit the wall in that bathroom in Pinetop, Arizona and I spit the gum right outta my mouth.  I let go of the details and let God do it all His way. If the contest didn’t happen, so what.  If the giveaways weren’t perfectly wrapped, so what.  All that mattered (and that matters) is that my heart is right with God and I’m walking in the center of His will for my life.

When I stood up before that group of precious women, I let Jesus have His way.  I was just the vessel.  We laughed together, and we got serious together.  We delved into God’s Word together.   We talked about setting aside our desires for God’s divine appointment.  And that’s what Pinetop was for me – a divine appointment.  Really, how else would this Alabama gal find herself before a group of wonderful ARizona gals?

I don’t know where you are or if you’re a “do it all ” girl, like me.  But I if you are I have a word for you:

STOP!  Stop it NOW!

God will bring people alongside you to manage those pesky details, but you have to STOP long enough for the other person to start.

What about you?  Are you trying to do it all?

Trains.  Until just a few days ago I had never been on a train.  Today I can say I’ve slept in a 1927 (refurbished) caboose and traveled in a 1940s train car.  I love trains.

Melinda and I decided we would take a train ride from Williams, Arizona to the Grand Canyon.  Neither one of us had ever been to the Grand Canyon so couldn’t come so close and not take a peek.  (More on that tomorrow!)

First up was the train ride.  We got a great deal on our tickets and hopped aboard for the almost 3 hour trip to the Canyon’s edge.  Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much after all it’s just a train — nothing fancy.   Whoa.  I was so wrong.  I loved the train.  I love everything about the train.  I love walking from car to car.  I love talking with people traveling along with us.  I love staring out the window and wondering about the people who came across this country before trains ever made it.

Trains make you slow down.  You just lean back, relax to the clackity clack and travel.   I loved it.

I’m a flyer.  I fly to my destination.  I get on a plane, flip open my Kindle & read.  Even though I’m sitting shoulder to shoulder with a stranger I rarely initiate a conversation beyond a smile and hello.  But trains…. ahh, now that is altogether different.  You chat, you visit, you ask questions.  It’s that precious faee to face time that we forfeit for speed and convenience.

I love trains and I love train travel.  I like the slowing down and meeting new people.  I love conversations.

I talk a lot about loving God’s people — and we are ALL God’s people, but I spend most of my time face to face with other believers.  I rarely step out of my bubble of faith and into the big world.   I speak to women’s groups and churches.  I work for a Christian company.  My friends are believers.  I rarely have conversations with people I don’t know, but on the train I did.

On the train, I talked about being a Christian speaker and about loving Jesus.  Did I plant a seed?  I don’t know, but I know that the name of Jesus has great power.  I’m humbled that the Lord has allowed me to be on this great adventure.

Follow along at Great Girlfriend Adventure!  

I’ve been out here on the old Route for a few days and I’ve seen the once booming towns that are now little more than ghost towns.  I stopped at roadside attractions that are no more than remnants of  once vibrant businesses.

To be out here with all this history just thrills my soul, but to see the empty buildings and the abandoned land makes my heart ache.

The highway didn’t just bypass the small towns, it bypassed the people who lived and earned a living in these small towns.  We bypassed the personal touch of a locally owned motor court for the speed of an interstate and the familiarity of a chain hotel.

We gave up adventure for the destination.

God calls us to an adventure in faith and how many times do we want to know God’s WILL for our lives.  We (and this is me too!) get so caught up in figuring out God’s will for our lives that we MISS the Route 66 adventure God has for us.

The Lord is placing amazing sights before you, but are you missing them because your focus is on the end result.

Pull back, slow down, and ask God to show you the adventure in every one of your days… or rather, every minute within your day.

Ask the Lord to show you His will in everything you do from the simplest to the most challenging.  God is right there — He wants us to experience ABUNDANT life in Him, but we can’t do that if we’re racing down the interstate and refuse to pull onto the road less traveled.

We arrived at the WigWam Motel on Sunday night and oh my!  It’s all that I’d hoped for and more.  So fun, kitschy and so very Route 66!

Melinda and I decided a test run was in order and that’s just what we did.  Five whole minutes of us trying to figure it out and giving a quick tour of the WigWam.

We managed to have a BLAST at the Tuesday event!  Just a BLAST!!

So we’re doing it AGAIN!  And this time we’ll be in a Caboose — that’s right a REAL train caboose!  So if you can join us please hop over HERE Thursday night at 8pm Central and 9pm Eastern.  And if you can’t  join us we’ll record it so you can check it out later…. and if you missed the WigWam or the test run, they are over there too!  Take a look!

See you there!

What is my neighborhood?  Where is my neighborhood?  Who are my neighbors?

Blogging, Facebook and Twitter have expanded all of our neighborhoods and given us more neighbors than we’ll likely ever meet face to face.   I love this fun online neighborhood.  I’ve met so many great girlfriends online who’ve become face to face friends.  Melinda and I met through our blogs.  It’s been over three years since we met face to face and here we are on this crazy, wild Great Girlfriend Adventure.

We’ve traveled over some crazy roads so far.  We’ve gotten turned around.  We’ve traveled over an unpaved section of 1930s Route 66.  We’ve seen some of the MOST amazing countryside.  It’s all been wonderful, but the MOST amazing part is the people we’ve met and the ones we’ve yet to meet.

It’s the people who make this road trip amazing.  The scenery is breathtaking.  The kitschy roadside motels are fun.

The funky Route 66 stuff is a hoot, but the people are the most important part.  They are why God called me out here.  I shared about where friends fit into our lives with the girls in Oklahoma.  I talked about giving people permission into our lives in New Mexico.  I talked about following God’s will for our life in Arizona.  And I listened.

I listened to the sweet young wife and Mom  who just moved to the area who misses her friends.

I held hands and prayed with the girl who is struggling to overcome the betrayal from a dear friend.

I laughed with an amazing young Mom who shared a funny video of her son with us.

I teared up with a girl who shared her story of pain and heartache.

I listened to a seasoned girl share her story of working on the Hopi Reservation.

It’s the women and their stories that draw me to this walk in my life.  Some days… well, really MANY days I wonder what the Lord is up to.  What is the next step, Lord?  Where are we going from here?  But I know he’s telling me to just pay attention to the person he places in my path.  Don’t worry about the ‘what’s next.  Focus on the WHO is right here.’

So that’s what I’m doing.  Just trusting Jesus to do His work and praying that everything I say and do brings GLORY to Him and Him  alone!

Hello from the old Route 66!!

We are heading out to paint scripture references on cars at the Cadillac Ranch today!  So excited about that and cannot WAIT to get there.  And don’t you worry, we’ll have all manner of pictures …. and hopefully some video to share.  That’s all coming soon (which is code for when we get a few moments and an internet connection we’ll get them up!)  Speaking of internet connection — it just escaped me that we’d be traveling through a sparsely populated part of the country and therefore MIGHT have connectivity issues.  Yes, planning ahead may not be one of my strongest attributes.

But on the CONTEST!

We have these adorable buttons:

This button will show up in pictures through out the trip!  We are wearing them, giving them out… just a bit of everything and we decided we’d use the button in all of our Road Trip CONTESTS!

Find the button in the photo below and you are entered into the drawing for a ROAD Trip prize package – (we know you’ll love it! and we’d tell you EXACTLY what is in it but we’re just not sure yet… but you can get an idea from all the great stuff in this picture.)

Just take a look at the picture, find the button and then comment FOUND it below.  We trust you! Everyone who finds it and posts is entered in the giveaway.  Don’t forget your email address!!!  We can’t notify you if we can’t contact you!

Contest closes April 17 at midnight Central time.

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