WOW

the day has finally arrived when I have no
WOW
not because
I've stopped
Walking
not because
I'm not
Worshiping
not even because
I haven't heard any wonderful
Whispers
because
I have and I most definitely am
On
this
Wednesday
and every day
because
"Worship is Life"
God is so worthy of us living lives of worship!
in wonder and in awe

... LIVING IN AWE OF GOD...

this precious family was certainly out for a 
WALK

and then a
SWIM
but it was my 4 furry family members
that caused them to take a dive into cold waters
However
before I leave this
Weds.
let me share this playlist from one of my
"Calming..."
You Version reading plan
from

"Labyrinth by David Baloche"

WeAreWorship TV

which fits with my theme for today

"Worship is Life"

(see not at the end)
<><><>


"Worship is Life" (actually is a book written) by Pastor Todd Marshall (which I was fortunate to hear speak this past Fri. at our AG EQUIP Conference, Fri. & Sat.). Pastor Todd and his wife Brenda were my choir directors and youth leaders at my RLC (home church -which has now changed to another one closer to home, yet I still consider RLC my church). Please check out their website, ministry and book!

"WORSHIP CHANGES EVERYTHING ..."

{Note: I'm going to try and squeeze a book review in here that I had hoped to share with you before the holidays so that you might consider this for a CHRISTmas gift; however, as you can see, I'm late; yet this gift of true "worship" would never be late and always welcomed by God ALL YEAR LONG. After all - "a Baby changes everything" and the Magi came much later than the actual birth with "Gifts" so this is a good day. But that is why I so wanted to get and review this book so I'd better hurry because I have it in ADE (digitally) through Bethany House Publishers and it's only available for a certain amount of days in Net Galley, like a library book but at least those you can renew. I have all my posts done and planned into 2016 which means this is now or never.} I can testify that ...

"WORSHIP CHANGES EVERYTHING: 

Experiencing God's Presence in Every Moment of Life"

by

Darlene Zschech

{this book review is a bit different than my others}

[I've never started a book review this way ... however, this woman of God, Darlene Zschech inspires me so much ... if you know who she is (worship leader from Australia, composer, co-pastor of Hope UC, speaker, author, wife, mother, mother-in-love, grandma, cancer survivor, etc. -woman of God, daughter of the King) if you know her story, her life ... her God that she worships so beautifully in song and living life to the fullest, than you'll understand better and love this personal testimony and direction of "WORSHIP CHANGES EVERYTHING: Experiencing God's Presence in Every Moment of Life" as a book and an "Invitation to Praise and Honor God in Every Area of Life" because this is what she does and shows us throughout her book.]

Just look at the cover of this book. Just look at the beaming presence of God reflected through Darlene Zschech's face aglow with having experienced and still experiencing God in and through it ALL. How can you not want to read how every aspect of our life is "worship" or can be from someone who most assuredly knows, so it seems. OK, so maybe I'm a bit biased, since I'm a true fan of her worship music and I so loved her beautiful devotional "Revealing Jesus" (that a dear friend gifted me and I treasure deeply) as I read and reread her words through her books just to let them soak into me as I learn from her to worship Our LORD. 

Oh my goodness, where do I start, except to say how much I want to incorporate her worship style in every part of my life as she has and this book does. It reads like a personal testimony as well as a teaching with plenty of scriptures to back up everything she claims. It was if I was sitting with her discussing each aspect of this and hearing her heart and God's - sister to sister. Her honesty and vulnerability is portrayed and placed well throughout her writing which I love - just like her songs, and heart for people and even human suffering as she works with Compassion through Hope Global. Darlene has the gift of passion and worship, drawing us into incorporating in our daily life, in everything. 

[I love the reviews of 5 stars that I read from others and could not agree more! Wish I could express the same as they have written so well. (sigh) ]

Let's continue from the cover image to what the book flap says (which I don't have as a flap since I'm reading a digital copy) and is perfect for this Christmas season or every season of our lives because this captures God's presence continually with us as Emmanuel "God with us":

"We know God's presence isn't confined to a church building or only available at certain times of day. But we still miss His working even when He is right in front of our very eyes. Why? Because we are still learning the art of knowing and following the voice of the Holy Spirit as He speaks. Two people hear the same song. One experiences God, and one daydreams about something that needs to be done at work next week. Two people face a crisis in life. One experiences an overwhelming sense of grace flood over her in her pain--after all, He is not just present but our very present help in times of trouble (see Psalm 46:1)--while the other feels nothing but hurt, betrayal, and loneliness. Why? It's all about how and where we place our faith and expectation. Don't wait until you have things figured out. Don't wait until you feel spiritual. Expect Him right now. Emmanuel. He is with us."~ Darlene Zschech

{So very, very true!}
"WORSHIP CHANGES EVERYTHING: Experiencing God's Presence in Every Moment of Life" is filled with wisdom as well as worship from various scripture versions (I loved reading the ones from "The Message") and quotes from well-known people like Max Lucado, Corrie Ten Bloom, Joyce Meyer, C.S. Lewis, Charles Spurgeon, Rick Warren, John Piper, Philip Yancey ... to name several). I love how Darlene inserted some "worship" songs along the way that detoured me for awhile into putting on some of her worship songs and worshiping instead of reading. 
{a well-intended diversion but it delayed my finish of the book, along with other interruptions of the season, so it's not an apology just more explanation}
I often found myself stirred while reading and touched so much that I needed to pause and 'minimize' the book so I could meditate on the profound inspiration of hers or other's quotes that she shares. Being passionate about my "worship" time with God caused me to hang on to many of the words written in this book.
I really wanted this review to be more personal and applicable yet still be concise and a thorough review, however, I tend to want to savor "everything" and cannot find the descriptive words like Darlene has written on these pages from her very being and heart. 
"WORSHIP CHANGES EVERYTHING ..." changes me in how I worship. I can testify and concur with Darlene as she wrote early on in "Soli Deo Gloria" part of a worship experience that she experienced when she heard God speak to her heart as a young child and tell her how much He really loved her --- "a defining moment" --- so she never wanted to stop responding to Jesus with praise, love, and thanksgiving from her heart (I can so relate to this): 
"I worship the One who knows me best and loves me most."
"Our lives are forever changed when we worship God for all He is worth with all we are worth."
In "WORSHIP CHANGES EVERYTHING ..." Darlene has divided the book into two parts after a beautiful Introduction "When God Comes Close" ... Each part is separated or begins with a Scripture page and often there is a song as I mentioned. 
Part One really defines the "Heart of Worship" (not just the song) the meaning, worship's derivative ... and chapter by chapter of who God is and why we worship Him because  "He is (so)...  1) Worthy 2) Present 3) Loving 4) His Love for me, my Love for Him 5) My Praise to Him 6) My Gratitude to Him {Amen!!!} 
Part Two walks us through "The Hands of Worship" through   worship in and through EVERYTHING (our practical application): our love for others, our attitude, our words, our suffering, our money, our work, our marriage, our children, our own parents, ... in His sanctuary, in our private worship and in our wilderness times, as service and mission --- even our love of ourselves is included then finalizing in our Eternity ... with Him.
{now that's an awful lot to cover in a 176 page my ADE digital copy but I read it's 256 pages, but still. I guess I need a hard copy. I just realized that my copy was not complete.}. 
Each time I finished a section, I thought it was my favorite, however the concluding chapters of in "Private Worship" and "In the Wilderness" actually were until I re-read "Eternity" (the final chapter) and reflected as Darlene summarized where this journey of worship will continue and where we have been throughout each part of her book and her prayer for us, the readers ... 
"My prayer is that God, through the teaching and inner working of the Holy Spirit will use "Worship Changes Everything..." to deepen, widen, strengthen and nourish you in worship; to help you live, love, pray, praise, work, walk, serve, give, overcome - to breathe - in the presence of God."
It's as if this worship experience keeps getting better and better and is unending ...
"Worship changes everything because it invades and pervades every aspect of our life. It shows up in our relationships and is often characterized by how deeply we love others..."
I highly recommend this book on worship if you need a spark to light your passion for worship once again and realizing that every moment is an opportunity to birth Jesus anew in you and others, in service and a mission, it really is an invitation to enter in to worship (and I'm not just talking about songs) but your relationship with Our Creator. I also believe this is a wonderful book of a testimony of a godly woman of worship who shares from the depths of her heart, from God's Word and so many other really great leaders of faith that she quotes.
The one small downfall in this book, is that Darlene seems to write like me or how my thoughts go, jumping from one topic to another. {I even read this in some of the other reviews that were not 5 star ones, so it just wasn't me.} Darlene also realizes that she covered many miles on a variety of topics in her final summary ... 

***

My biggest regret in choosing this book to review through Net Galley, is not being able to keep it and be refreshed continually with the inspiration and motivation that Darlene gives yet I thank her and know that "the best is yet to be" in Eternity. And each day, we are closer and I can't wait. {I can always get a Kindle version, right?} I am immensely blessed to have had this opportunity to read this throughout the Advent and Christmas season through Net Galley and Bethany House Publishers. I'm thankful that they made this possible ... the lessons gained in worship from Darlene Zschech. 

Disclosure of material connection: I received this book free from the publisher Bethany House Publishers and their book review blogger's program through Net Galley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

{Sorry about the "peach" colored words not showing up so well, but I wanted to connect with Darlene's cover. And if I failed by changing my style of review and personal thoughts too much, I apologize. Also I am told that I can get a connection between Kindle and Net Galley with my Kindle email but I have not figured that out yet - technically challenged - I need to write Kindle, I guess and ask.}

THEN SINGS MY SOUL, Book 3

Then Sings My Soul Book 3 : The Story of Our Songs: Drawing Strength from the Great Hymns of Our Faith by Robert J. Morgan is the long awaited third installment of the world's greatest hymns and their stories ... and this is not just the description of the publisher, but mine also, because it's been a 'long awaited' review from me of this third book from his series, that I so enjoyed as I've been 'long awaiting' to read at least one of the 3 books he's written. Since I missed the first two - this was a MUST! I took my time drawing strength from the great hymns of our faith that were featured in this 3rd book and plan to use much more. It's a great addition to any home or church library.

I love church music and I was sure that I'd love learning about the hymns through this magnificent collection spanning from, believe it or not, the first biblical hymns, all the way to our current contemporary praise ones, crossing through worship music in the church from ancient to medieval to Gospel from German and English ancestors to current generations. Truly an amazing accomplishment and quite the collection to treasure so very well written!

I must admit that I have never been much of a "lover of hymns" though so that may be why I tarried so because I hardly knew many of these hymns. Although I have my favorites and love to hear their stories, reading "Then Sings My Soul..." has definitely made me much more interested in listening and appreciating our hymns. I learned so much soaking in this book.

I was so thankful that this detailed collection of over 50 hymns, not only includes an overview of Christian hymnody through the centuries, as I already shared, but it includes the actual music and all the verses. This allowed me to sit and read the music to become better familiar with the hymn and in some cases, I was able to figure out that I actually did know the hymn. For this alone, I took much time in thoroughly acquainting myself with the hymns, the stories behind them and the well documented church history as told by Robert J. Morgan, truly a master of concisely covering so much history and information in such an interesting manner, making it  easy to enjoy reading.

My favorite part, in addition to singing through the hymns, was learning more about the hymn, its composer, and its composition - the behind the "hymn". When you read the biographical sketches and the lyrics, knowing what part of history they were written, it takes on so much more meaning and it does strengthen your faith as well as deepen the meaning of our church music history, realizing the great importance of hymns to our contemporary music.

The book is divided into four sections: an overview of Christian "hymnody" from Biblical scriptures to modern times as I already noted; a series of short stories for a variety of many unknown hymns to me; then the section I liked best because of familiarity of six well loved hymns that gives more detail then the previous section for these and finally the role of hymns in private and public life. I completely agree with Morgan's concluding part of "interwoven worship", blending hymns along with our contemporary worship and praise songs.

"Then Sings My Soul..." Book 3 stands alone with all of Robert Morgan's detailed background information. I'm sure that the first two are just as great but I'm glad to add this unique book to my collection and so would you. "Hymns are great therapy" (as he wrote) to draw strength from the song, the words. I love the recommendations that Robert Morgan gives us in the final part to read the hymns, memorize the hymns, meditate on the hymns, play the hymns, PRAY the hymns, proclaim the hymns, quote the hymns, lean on the hymns, start each day with a hymn, but most importantly pass them on to our children.

Even the wonderful texture of the pages makes it one that I will return to often for information and using it in my time alone with God because the 3 indexes which make it so easy to access the hymn by first line, title or author/songwriter.I believe strongly in starting each day with praise and prayer so I hope to do so more often with these hymns after reading this unique book and becoming more of a hymn lover. My soul will continue to SING more hymns and unto HIM with a deepened faith strengthened by "THEN SINGS MY SOUL, Book 3..."

Thomas Nelson Product page Amazon.com Product Page
*Note: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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."

* extra blog NOTE: I'm hoping to make my WOW posts into Worship On Weds. for awhile to focus on the great hymns in this book with hopes to strengthen your faith too. Remember there were more than 50 in this book alone covered...
I do not know anything about 'Scrap booking' but I bookmarked a wonderful blogger I encountered who does beautiful scrap booking and up until she was moving, she had been doing a great Challenge on this: Hymn and Scripture Challenge so I'm sure I'll be linking to hers rather than duplicate info if I do any of the ones that she's already covered... and I hope that she continues on her blog soon with this challenge. 
Maybe you would like to join me in sharing one of these great hymns/songs of our church history every week. (Weds. for me but you can do it any day) Should we do a LINK UP? Now that's real accountability and inspiration from just reading the 3rd Volume. Imagine if I had read all 3 volumes. So check back on Weds. or SONdays for more about this.
I've found many wonderful resources and today I'd like to share just one, where you can learn about a hymn each week and so much more at Center for Church Music Songs and Hymns. Also every Sunday, they have a spot for just 5 minutes on a Moody radio station for you to listen. Check this out also on the link to their website.