Jon Kistler, Josh Howard, and I are headed to Indiana to see what God wants to do.

We don’t know what all to expect.

We’re just trusting the fact that we are joining God, who is already at work.

Pray for us.

Here’s the link with more information.

Hope to see you there.

Pastor Mel Lawrenz interviewed me this week about Your Secret Name.

Our candid chat included topics like identity, my struggles with self-injury, hope, and our Secret Name found only in Jesus Christ.

The interview airs on September 5th at 9:05 CENTRAL TIME on NEWS/TALK WISN-AM.

Or for those out of state you can listen to it online here.

The interview will be posted in the next couple weeks on the Elmbrook Church website.

Brave Souls are coming forward, admitting their Given Names.

This is a key step in the process of them discovering their Secret Names.

Meet 3 of them:

PERSON 1- I have been struggling with my identity in Christ for a while now. Our current situation has left me without  purpose, or so it feels. It feels as though I am at a complete standstill and I am struggling to find purpose. We miscarried early in the summer, we are looking for a new home while living with friends because of an ugly family battle over a house that was left behind after the death of my mother. It seems that everything that I was used to is now turned on it’s head.

PERSON 2 – I spent years struggling in sexual addiction, and I am on the other side at this point.  God has done amazing things in my life, but I still find myself lost in shame over my past.  I have let it go and moved on countless times, but I still come back to that place where my guilt overwhelms me.  I know God has forgiven me, but I can’t forgive myself all the time.   Who I was is still haunting who I am, and I can’t seem to shake it. 

PERSON 3 – My husband has left, my children have graduated from college, and I am alone.  I am trying to figure out who I am by myself, and what God in mind for the second half of my life.

Seriously?

Yep.

From now until September 30th here’s all you have to do:

1. Send me an email (info “at” yoursecretname.com) with a copy of Your Secret Name receipt from Amazon (Paperback or Kindle version).
2. Post a short review of Your Secret Name on Amazon.
3. Email me (info “at” yoursecretname.com) with the subject line AUDIO BOOK.

That’s it.

I’ll then email you a link where you can download of free copy of Your Secret Name on audio. 

Crazy hey?

Your Secret Name free on iTunes here we come.

Do you blog? Want it listed on my blog and YSN website too? Just review Your Secret Name and email the link of your review to info (at) yoursecretname.com.

Be a friend and post that same review on Amazon too.

The number of SECRET NAME reviews is growing…

• Crosswalk.com
• Tony Morgan
• Marc Andre
• CCM
• Ben Arment
• Renee Johnson
• Shawn Wood
• Aaron Golby
• Cycleguy’s Spin

RSVP here free to be registered for the prize giveaways. 

** ALL TIMES LISTED ARE EASTERN STANDARD TIME – Giveaway winners listed here.
** On 8/30/10 we will be broadcasting live online.

* For every copy of Your Secret Name that you purchase now until Monday receive 10 more chances to win from the prize list. Just email a copy of your Amazon receipt to info (at) yoursecretname.com and we’ll put your name in the hat 10 more times.

For every copy of  YOUR SECRET NAME you order on Amazon from now until August 30th (Monday) you get 10 extra chances to win from the prize list. 

Once you place your order just forward me your Amazon receipt with an email (info “at” yoursecretname.com {replace “at” with @ symbol}, used to fight spam) subject line “Book Order.”

We’re actually letting you stuff the ballot box. Besides we want all your friends to discover their Secret Names too. 

Make sure you also RSVP for the free online book release party. 

Check out the prize list below:

I wrote Your Secret Name with small groups in mind.

That’s why I: 

• created a page for small group leaders with some special tips and tricks.
• made a video to help kickoff your group’s first night. 
• wrote a Secret Name test so group members could go deeper on their own.
• asked people to share their Secret Stories so you could witness the impact of the book firsthand.
• just uploaded a sample chapter so you could read it and decide for yourself. 
• included free discussion questions in every book so the group leader wouldn’t have to over-think it. 

So the real question is…why wouldn’t you use Your Secret Name for your small group study this Fall?

Sample discussion questions below:

01: A World without Names

1. What’s the meaning of your Birth Name? If you don’t know, please do some research.
2. What are some of the “Given Names” people have granted you?
3. Who gave you these names and why? How did/does hearing these names make you feel?
4. How have you tried to hide from these name(s)?
5. Do you believe you’ve been created for more than your life presently reflects? If not, why not? If so, do you have any indication what this destiny might be?

This was one of the truths that surfaced at the Secret Name training today.

About 50 people came to learn more about their new name.

80% of these people were from Grace Church and part of the core team for the Saturday night venue starting on September 11th.

We’re preparing ourselves for what God might do in and through us.

We’re asking Him to use us to reach the 3D community around us.

We’ll see what comes of this…for now, I’m just honored to be working with such a wonderful team.

If you could tell the world the names that have been rolling around inside your head today…

…the names that have tried to identify who you are, what would you write?

No judgment.

No masks.

Just the truth, please…