This week on Ganns’ Giveaways, I’m giving away to one winning blogger a 120mL bottle of fragrance from Zen Zest’s new Sparkling Sugar collection. The collection has four fragrances: Cherry Cheesecake, Key Lime Pie, Watermelon Sorbet, and Vanilla Ice Cream; the winner can have her/his choice of fragrance. (Only one fragrance, please.) As you join, it will enable me to get to know you better and cover you in prayer. How simple is that?

To qualify for Ganns’ Giveaways, just make a blog entry in your own blog about something you’re believing God will give you before the end of 2008. After you’ve placed your blog post online, add a comment to this post leading me to your blog entry. While I will select a winning entry to win the fragrances, I will include each of your prayer requests - assuming I agree with it, of course, I won’t pray for stuff that isn’t Biblical, d-uh - in my own prayer time, so there will be at least two people praying for your prayer request: you and me!

To select the winner, I’ll enter all entrants’ names into Random.org, and the #1 name on top wins the fragrance. Please don’t forget to leave a valid email address so I’ll know how to contact you if you win.

Deadline for blog posts is Monday, September 10, 08, 11:59PM (Philippine time). Sali na!

The prize goes to Juligel. Congrats!

This week on Ganns’ Giveaway, I’m giving away a copy of 1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About God by Jerry MacGregor and Marie Prys to one special blogger. As you join, it will enable me to get to know you better and cover you in prayer. How simple is that?

“1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About God is packed with unique, important, and unfamiliar facts about God. Brief, accessible entries make the information fun and easy to take in, even for busy readers. This lively book is for everyone who wants to know more about God and His character and actions. It is also a handy reference tool for pastors and teachers looking for interesting illustration material or succinct definitions.”

To qualify for Ganns’ Giveaway, just make a blog entry in your own blog about something God did for you that surprised you. State somewhere in your post something you are praying God will grant you by the end of 2008. After you’ve placed your blog post online, add a comment to this post leading me to your blog entry. While I will select a winning entry to win the book, I will include each of your prayer requests - assuming I agree with it, of course, I won’t pray for stuff that isn’t Biblical, d-uh - in my own prayer time, so there will be at least two people praying for your prayer request: you and me!

Deadline for blog posts is Wednesday, June 11, 2008, 11:59PM (Philippine time).

(A quick note: the book is in excellent condition, not a crease or fold, but I just noticed the lower edges of the pages are a little dirty. If you can look past that, please do join!)

I’m introducing a new feature to GannsDeen.com that will hopefully allow me to bless you twice over. The concept is simple: every week, I give away something that hopefully will bless you, preferably in your prayer life or relationship with God. As you join, it will enable me to get to know you better and cover you in prayer. How simple is that?

This week, I’m giving away a Beyond Jabez: Expanding Your Borders Audiobook CD by Bruce Wilkinson to one special blogger.

“Beyond Jabez follows up on spiritual phenomenon Bruce Wilkinson’s breakthrough teaching in The Prayer of Jabez. It captivated millions and continues to lead to changed lives around the world. This follow-up message discusses in greater detail the specific steps to take in making this scriptural passage part of your prayer life. For each of the prayer’s four sections, Wilkinson explains important biblical distinctions, answers misconceptions about the prayer, offers practical steps to praying the prayer, and shows potential results in readers’ lives. New content, exciting Jabez inspired stories, and enriched commentary from Dr. Wilkinson make this a must-have for anyone who wants to live a world-changing life for God.”

To qualify for the contest, just make a blog entry in your own blog naming one thing you’re praying for that God will grant you before the end of 2008. After you’ve placed your blog post online, add a comment to this post leading me to your blog entry. While I will select a winning entry to win the Beyond Jabez Audiobook CD, I will include each of your prayer requests - assuming I agree with it, of course, I won’t pray for stuff that isn’t Biblical, d-uh - in my own prayer time, so there will be at least two people praying for your prayer request: you and me!

Deadline for blog posts is Wednesday, June 4, 2008, 11:59PM (Philippine time).

Update! Find out who won! Read more

Out of so many albums purchased in 2007, these are my seven favorite albums:

7. Call Me Irresponsible, Michael Buble. Buble steps even further out of his comfort zone with his third major-label release. Foregoing the easy crooner route, he ventures into previously uncharted musical territory and gets most of it right. The gem on this collection, of course, is Everything, an AC-friendly sing-along tune that is one of my favorite songs of the year.

6. Say It, Britt Nicole. Comparisons to Avril Lavigne notwithstanding, Britt Nicole was a breath of fresh air in a year of otherwise droll Contemporary Christian music. Powered by  smash Christian single You - the highest-ranked single by a solo female artist this year on the year-end Hot Christian Songs chart - and a moving follow-up single, Set The World on Fire, Say It is a fiery collection of musical genres that testify to the immense talent of this young superstar.

5. Dreamgirls Soundtrack. Technically a December 2006 release, Dreamgirls launched Jennifer Hudson to superstardom with her starmaking turn as Effie White. Late release nothwithstanding, impassioned performances from everyone on the cast, including Beyonce Knowles, Anika Noni Rose, Jaime Foxx, and Eddie Murphy, bring this soundtrack to life and much more. It’s Not Over is a masterpiece of recorded music.

4. Carnival Ride, Carrie Underwood. The American Idol Season Four winner followed up her stellar Some Hearts opus - the #4 bestselling album on the 2007 year-end charts - with a sophomore album that showcases Underwood’s growth as a singer, songwriter, and performer. Pushing aside sappy first single So Small, Carnival Ride is still a great journey, with More Boys I Meet, You Won’t Find This, and Crazy Dreams among the standout tracks.

3. As I Am, Alicia Keys. Alicia Keys has never disappointed me, and her latest release is an even more stunning release than its predecessor studio album, The Diary of Alicia Keys. A thrilling collection that folds stories of love and passion in old-school jams and contemporary hiphop beats, Keys’ skill as a singer and songwriter cannot be denied with this latest release. Simply irresistible.

2. Elliott Yamin, Elliott Yamin. Grammy snubs aside, American Idol Season Five also-ran Elliott Yamin has done us proud. The man who AI judge Simon Cowell proclaimed to have the finest male voice in the history of the popular competition released an album that showcased his voice in its finest form. Testament to his skill is the success of carrier single Wait For You, a certified gold single and one of the monster airplay hits of 2007.

1. True Beauty, Mandisa. Yamin’s fellow American Idol Season Five non-winner, Mandisa released a Contemporary Christian album so exquisite in style, quality, substance, and production, that it was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album. Carrier single Only the World was a smash hit; current single God Speaking is rising up the charts, and there are many other great tracks on this stellar release. An excellent addition to the pantheon of noteworthy CCM albums.

What are your favorite albums of 2007?