When a BAT Swoops Over You at 5:00 a.m., PLUS 1 of 2 Stocking Stuffer Ideas...( Perfect combo’, right?!)

Friends! What do you do when you’re trying to fly outta town super early, you go to close up the porch, and, “Whoosh!” A BAT scares the willies out of you?

Happy to report this didn’t happen to me, but to my better half. He admitted he didn’t want to be battling a bat at 5:00 in the morning. “But…” I whined, “Think of what we’ll find upon our return!” (Envisioning a dead bat and it’s remnants all over our newly recovered porch cushions. Because of course it’s all about the new porch cushions?!) Oh ye of material mind….

One attempt, armed with a tennis racket, John reported, “No sighting.” Stay tuned to what we will find in a few days. Sigh…

Moving on to better things to fill your mind with(!!!), allow me to give you a stocking stuffer idea this week and next. Both are books (shocking) and both are pocket size to where you could stuff them in a friend’s or a family member’s stocking.

My friend Jane posed a thought provoking question this week: “What gift will you offer to Jesus this Christmas?” Stumped, we let Jane offer her answer first.

“I want to extend grace to all who cross my path this season, not to just those I’m partial to. After all, Jesus gave us all more grace than we deserve, how can we not do that?” she said.

To which I said, “Big ditto!”

Our friend Gwen answered, “Id like to offer Him worship.”

Which made me think of an awesome book by one of my all-time favorite worship leaders and songwriters, Chris Tomlin. He co-wrote the book with pastor Darren Whitehead.

The book? Holy Roar: 7 Words That Will Change the Way You Worship

In addition to the book, Chris just released a new cd by the same name. Every song is excellent, but “Is He Worthy?” makes me come unglued. Every. Single. Time. Several of my buddies and I were blessed to hear him sing many of the songs at Southeast in November.

Recently, Pastor Darren Whitehead, of Church of the City in Nashville, preached a sermon on “The Seven Words of Praise”, explaining the “different words the ancient Hebrew people used to express their praise to God.”

What’s so mind blowing about this, is the different meanings of the words because in our English language, we only have ONE word: “praise.” Wait til you read the seven chapters. Each will open your eyes.

Not only educational, both Chris and Darren are also engaging to where you’ll say to yourself, “Why didn’t we know this? This is a game changer.”

Let’s take one of the seven words: “Yadah,” which means “To revere or worship with extended hands…” This is one of the seven. Get this: It’s “found over 111 times in Scripture.” What?

One fun point re: the format of the book is Darren begins teaching us the Hebrew words and Chris answers with a song and the story behind its origin. You’ll know the songs and love discovering their very own stories.

Each chapter offers additional Scripture to look up for “reflection and discussion.” Chris and Darren invite us readers to become a part of the “holy roar.” Chapter Seven is on the word, “Shabach,” which literally means “to raise a holy roar.”

Do NOT miss Chapter Six, where you’ll learn how Darren, who’d been in Christian radio, came to America from Australia. As a pastor. You will fall out of your chair. Only God.

Ah, you know what’s next! Run, don’t walk to your nearest bookstore and grab Holy Roar. Your worship of the Lord will forever be changed and whoever you bless with this as a gift will love it!

Next week we will discuss another neat little book that packs a punch, “Too Blessed to be Stressed” by Debora M Coty. Bundles of fun a la Deb and pearls-a-plenty of wisdom.

And if you’re anywhere near Lexington on December 15th, you’re invited to a super fun Saturday. Please come shopping and join me and the gals from Peggy’s Gifts. I’ll be there signing books from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Peggy’s has something for everyone. (I got into a little trouble there a couple of weeks ago. Sorta bought some Christmas gifts as well as fab flannel PJ’s for Santa to give, well moi.) There will also be a trunk show, so double the fun!

‘Til next time!