May -- a time to change children's lives

May is Foster Care Awareness month—an initiative to help solve the increasing problem of children trapped in the foster system. About half a million kids remain in foster care in the USA. (100, 000 are waiting and hoping to be adopted.) Many age out of the system without a connecting family—no one to call family, and nowhere to go for the holidays.

So, what can one do to make May matter for the children? Here are some steps to take on behalf of the foster children. 

Read the full article -- and see a cool, inspiring video and also a slideshow -- here in The Examiner.  

And, for a larger sense of how to solve the orphan and foster care crisis, read my article in Assist News Service here. 

Janey L. DeMeo M.A.

Copyright © May 2012

www.JaneyDeMeo.com

www.orphansfirst.org

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A Walk Across the Sun -- a novel on child slavery

I'm deeply burdened for the millions of child slaves in the world. I'm especially disturbed to know there are child slaves right under our noses living here in the United States of America. A Walk Across the Sun is a novel about such horrors and is definitely not a book for the faint-at-heart.

For a full review of A Walk Across the Sun by Corban Addison, check out my article in The Christian Perspectives Examiner.

And let me say this before closing: If you, like me, are a Christ-follower, we don't have an option in this issue. It should be our burden. It must be our burden. Jesus has mandated us to be the salt of the earth, to reflect His light as the light of the world,
and to make the difference for the helpless. More on that later.

Be sure to stop by again soon.

Copyright © May 2012

www.orphansfirst.org
www.JaneyDeMeo.com
www.twitter.com/JaneyDeMeo

Powerpacked Duo -- National Day of Prayer & Summit8

Photos courtesy of Orphans First and The Christian Alliance for Orphans. Here's an article you don't want to miss -- with a cool slide-show to go with it. Check out my article here in The Examiner. (And don't be shy about leaving a comment.) Copyright © May 2012 www.orphansfirst.org www.JaneyDeMeo.com www.twitter.com/JaneyDeMeo

Illusion by Frank Peretti

Wanna chance to win a free copy of Illusion, Frank Peretti's latest novel? Leave a comment and you may be picked as the lucky winner.

Frank Peretti has churned out another bestseller: Illusion. This latest novel is a masterpiece full of twists and turns to keep you hooked till the end.

Illusion is the dramatic story of Dane and Mandy Collins, a renowned husband and wife magical act who become victims of an unethical scientific ploy following a lethal tragic accident.

Caught in a web of apparent illusions, they find themselves pawns in a cruel experiment in which technology and science have been unleashed at the whim of men who want to control mankind’s destinies—regardless of what lives it may cost. But what the scientists didn’t calculate was the power of love.

Dane and Mandy share a deep bond of love even forty years into their marriage—a love that doesn’t fade over time, the key component to save humanity from the evil wiles of a bunch of God-playing scientists. Their love proves that love conquers evil.

Bizarre and captivating, contemporary and probing, Illusion has all the action-packed elements to make a great movie. A great read for those who like adventure, sci-fi or fantasy.

For a chance to receive a free copy of Illusion, leave a comment and you may be the winner.

Copyright © April 2012
www.orphansfirst.org
www.JaneyDeMeo.com
www.twitter.com/JaneyDeMeo
http://janey-demeo.blogspot.com

It's Easter. So what?

As people pour into churches for Easter weekend -- many for the first time this year (the second time will be Christmas) -- others would give anything to be able to go to church, to be in a loving atmosphere. But they're stuck at home sick. Or in some far away land where the nearest church is a 10 mile walk away. Or, worse still, they are not allowed to attend church. (Such is the case of some children I know.)

But thank God, knowing Jesus doesn't depend on going to church (although church-life is a vital part of growing). Knowing Jesus is about, well, knowing Jesus. Knowing His resurrection at work within. And sometimes, fellowshipping with His sufferings (Philippians 3:10) so that resurrection power is manifest.

Easter is about the resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God who died for our sins. It is the celebration of new life. Bunnies and Easter eggs are basically pagan traditions but to the believer, they reflect newness of life, life bursting forth, resurrection. But the world is still filled with people who have not heard of Jesus, or if they have heard of Him, they don't know who He really is. They don't know how deeply He loves them and what He can offer them.

In a world that's messed up on every level -- a world that's calling wrong right, black white and so on, people need a savior, the Savior. They need Jesus.

Church attendance is expected to be huge this weekend. But how many will come to really know about Jesus?

Read my article on why churches are full at Easter in The Examiner here.

Copyright © April 2012
www.orphansfirst.org
www.JaneyDeMeo.com
www.twitter.com/JaneyDeMeo

Dawn Comes Early

What makes a beautiful and talented young girl want to forgo the chance of being married to become a ranch owner? And what happens when she meets the kind of man she never dreamed could exist? Will she stick to her guns or yield to love’s temptation?

Dawn Comes Early by Margaret Brownley is a good old-fashioned western romance laced with plenty of surprises and humor.

Kate Tenney is a writer who finds herself in straights when her novel is banned. Needing security and purpose, she answers an ad seeking an heiress for The Last Chance Ranch in Arizona. Only there’s a catch. If she passes the grueling trial period and is accepted, the contract mandates that she remain single. Not a problem for Kate since she doesn’t trust men anyway. Her real problem is whether she can master ranch life enough to be chosen as heiress—or so she thinks.

Then along comes Luke Adams . . . and Kate finds herself with a man-sized problem.

Not only is Brownley’s storyline tender, suspenseful and humorous, but her characters are masterfully crafted with their own individual personalities and idiosyncrasies. A delightful read.

I received this book as a Thomas Nelson Booksneeze blogger.

Janey DeMeo M.A.

Copyright © March 2012

www.orphansfirst.org
www.JaneyDeMeo.com
www.twitter.com/JaneyDeMeo

True Woman 101: Divine Design

When society revamps womanhood in a way that opposes the Maker’s original design, the world falls apart.

If you’re disturbed by where today’s culture is headed – an increase in divorce, dysfunctional families, gender blending etc – then here’s a book that offers solutions, True Woman 101: Divine Design – An Eight-Week Study on Biblical Womanhood by Mary A Kassian and Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

True Woman 101: Divine Design is a Bible-based workbook, which can be used by individuals or in a group setting. The book divulges the dilemma – the distortion of womanhood, which ultimately breeds dissatisfaction – and presents the solution – biblical womanhood.

Through the study of Scripture, Kassian and DeMoss show how men and women are inherently different. From the onset, the sexes were designed to complement one another and glorify God. And although the fall has messed up the picture, the original design cannot be ignored. Each man and woman is unique, but with a gender-specific purpose. As each embraces their God-ordained role, they find satisfaction and God is glorified.

Women are not less than men; God created them to complete the picture of Himself. This happens as men and women relate and interact in the way He intended.

True Woman 101: Divine Design is an attractively laid-out biblical discovery of the wonder of womanhood, an exploration of the true emancipation women can enjoy as they relish their role as a reflection of the bride of Christ.

Every woman, teenage girl and some men would benefit from this book (as would the women in their lives). True Woman 101: Divine Design has the potential to change history and bring true liberation through the Christ-centered counter-revolution it is sparking.

Find out more about the True Woman Movement here.

Janey DeMeo M.A.

Copyright © March 2012

www.orphansfirst.org
www.JaneyDeMeo.com
www.twitter.com/JaneyDeMeo