Happy (almost) New Year, friends! We’re now just three days away from kicking 2016 to the curb and welcoming 2017. Maybe, like me, you’re feeling a strange mixture anticipation and hesitation about what’s ahead. So many unknowns, and with “unknowns” comes a sense of apprehension and loss of control. I get it, and I happen to hate that out-of-control feeling. Probably because the truth is that much of life is, in fact, out of our control. But what if there were a couple things you and I could do to help anchor us in the new year?

I’ll get to that in the minute. But first, a story.

Two months ago, I took a long-anticipated trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan. After three years of working with Zondervan Publishers over email and phone, I finally had the opportunity to travel to their corporate office and meet face-t0-face the team of people who helped make Undone: A Story of Making Peace With An Unexpected Life a reality. 

As many of you know, Undone released in the thick of my treatment for cancer. In fact, I was far too sick to participate in the weeks before and for months after. Although I’m convinced God alone made that book fly, I also owe the team at Zondervan (as well as my own rockstar launch team) a deep debt for all their wing-flappin’ in my absence. I’ve been waiting for years to hold their hands, look in their eyes and say “thank you.” What a gift to finally do just that!

But it gets better. The purpose of the trip was to record ten new videos for the upcoming release of my second book, I Am: A 60-day Journey To Knowing Who You Are Because of Who He Is. Anytime I’ve given the opportunity to speak, it’s a strange mix of loss and redemption. This time, however, the predominant emotion was nothing but gratitude. If you and I are connected on Facebook or Instagram, you had a front row seat for the full-circle moment.

What I didn’t expect on this trip, however, was that God gave me a renewed passion for writing and speaking. I confess. Sometimes I look at the millions of books on Amazon and think the last thing this world needs is another book. Why in the world am adding my noise to the mix? 

But spending those three days contemplating I Am and THE I AM renewed my love of words. We need fresh messages, relevant insights, new voices, alternative perspectives. There’s something powerful about words and the various ways we can use them, written and spoken. Especially when we’re shining a bright light on the presence and purposes of God. 

All this brings me back to you and 2017. As a result of those days in Michigan, I have two FREE resources to help you thrive in your new year:

1. The Communicator Academy Podcast: Quite some time ago, my good friend Kathi Lipp asked me to consider doing a podcast with her. There’s so much to love about Kathi: her integrity, selflessness, business savvy, hope-filled messages. I knew I’d enjoy partnering in business as well, but the timing wasn’t right. Until recently. That’s why I’m thrilled to announce that I’m now co-hosting the Communicator Academy Podcast with Kathi Lipp. Communicator Academy is a podcast designed to encourage and equip you to be the communicator God made you to be. In short, this podcast is for anyone who wants to learn all the ins and outs of being a writer and speaker. Our goal is bridge the gap between your dream and your destination. Many of you have a powerful message. You know you want to speak more, maybe write a book or start a blog. But you need some direction, a friend in the biz who can help coach you along the way. That’s what we want to do for you. You can get more information and subscribe here.
2. The I Am Video Experience: Are you exhausted of trying so hard to do more, be more? Are you weary of killing yourself trying to get it all done, and yet still feel like a failure at the end of the day? If so, then this series is for you. This is the video series I shot while at the Zondervan Campus in November, and let me say the taping UNDID me. God has been working on my insecure heart for years, but he upped his game in 2015 and 2016. Then, when taping this video series, he whacked me upside the head again. In short, The I Am Video Experience is a free, one-week video experience that delivers daily, 4-5 minute devotional videos right to your email inbox. Although I give an overview of the I Am book (releasing 1/24!), it’s not required for the video experience. Simply, it’s my gift to you, a way to help you know you’re not alone. Besides, the new year is a perfect time to anchor your identity on something that isn’t based on whether or not you keep your resolutions.

That’s it, friends. A podcast to help you thrive in your calling and a video experience to help you pour solid cement underneath who you really are.

Have I mentioned? You were one of the best gifts of 2016.

Can’t wait to walk through 2017 together. —MC

[reminder]Do you have any goals or dreams for 2017? Share them with us! [/reminder]