A Year With God

A Year With God by R.P.Nettelhorst is a daily reading devotional book providing an overview of God at work in the Old Testament.

Compiled into sections highlighting facets of God’s character (such as love, forgiveness, mercy, faith…), each reading begins with a passage from the Old Testament followed by a brief, devotional commentary. Sometimes the commentary expounds the Scripture cited for that day’s reading; other times the author points to other relevant passages that add clarity.

This book is a great tool for those who’d like to grow in their understanding of the Old Testament. I wouldn’t, however, recommend it for new converts and babes in Christ because it’s hard reading.

My criticism of the book would be in the following areas:
* The use of different Bible translations is distracting.
* There are a number of serious editing mistakes including mixing up Bible characters.
* There’s no bio. (Many readers want to know what makes the author an expert on their subject before they’ll believe a book’s content.)

Overall, though, this book is a great daily read to help you know God more deeply via the Old Testament.

As a Booksneeze blogger I received this book courtesy of Thomas Nelson publishers.

Janey L. DeMeo M.A.

Copyright©December 2010
www.orphansfirst.org www.JaneyDeMeo.com
Follow me on Twitter

Overview of 2010

2010 was a year that changed many lives -- for good and for bad.

Read my overview of 2010 in The Examiner here.


Janey L. DeMeo M.A.
Copyright©December 2010
www.orphansfirst.org
www.JaneyDeMeo.com
www.twitter.com/JaneyDeMeo

Unhappy Holidays or Christmas Cheer

Guess it all depends how you look at it. Happy Holidays. Or Merry Christmas. But whatever way you look at it, it's a difficult season for many people.

Read my article on this subject in the Christmas Perspectives Examiner here.


Janey L. DeMeo M.A.
Copyright © December 2010

www.orphanfirst.org
www.JaneyDeMeo.com
Follow me on Twitter

Rising Above The War on Christmas

Enjoy (hopefully -- although some may not) my latest article, War on Christmas, here in the San Diego Christian Perspectives Examiner.

For more ways to really celebrate the meaning of Christmas, check out the latest Orphans First newsletter.

Merry early Christmas.

Janey L. DeMeo, M.A.
Copyright©December 2010
founder-president -- www.orphansfirst.org
www.JaneyDeMeo.com
Follow me on Twitter

Thanksgiving -- let's make it count

The more I study the Bible, the more I realize I've still got a lot to learn about two things:
thankfulness and giving.

There is no question in my wee mind that I could (and must) give more. I don't need to be rich to give. (Phew!!! I'm really off the mark on that one.) I just need to do it--to give.

Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks and to give everything. Read my latest article in The San Diego Examiner here.

Thanks for stopping by. Happy Thanksgiving.

Janey L. DeMeo M.A.
Copyright © November 2010
founder-president -- www.orphanfirst.org
author & speaker -- www.JaneyDeMeo.com
Follow me on Twitter

Veterans Day

Photo credit: Louis DeMeo

I have such deep esteem and gratitude for our veterans. Thank you.

Veterans are almost as close to my heart as orphans. In fact, à propos, there's a way to honor both veterans and orphans tonight. If you're near Costa Mesa, CA and would like to enjoy a special live TV event tonight honoring veterans (special speakers including Raul Ries) and also mentioning Orphans FIrst, contact me.

More about Veterans Day and snippets on some local military heroes in my latest article for The San Diego Examiner.

Comments welcome here or on page of the article. :)

Janey L. DeMeo M.A.
Copyright © November 2010

founder-president -- www.orphanfirst.org
author & speaker -- www.JaneyDeMeo.com
Follow me on Twitter

The God Hater

The God Hater by Bill Myers is one of the most pertinent, relevant and exciting novels you can read. Here's what the book's about:

A cranky, atheist philosophy professor loves to shred incoming freshmen of their faith. He is chosen by a group of scientists to create a philosophy for a computer-generated world exactly like ours.

Much to his frustration every model introduced from Darwinism, to Existentialism, to Eastern beliefs fails. The only way to preserve the computer world is to introduce laws from outside their system through a Law Giver. Of course this goes against everything he believes and he hates it. But even this doesn't completely work because the citizens of that world become legalists and completely miss the spirit behind the Law.

The only way to save them is to create a computer character like himself to personally explain it. He does. So now there are two of him—the one in our world and the one in the computer world. (Sound familiar?)

Unfortunately, a rival has introduced a virus into the computer world. Things grow worse until the professor in that computer world sees the only way to save his world is to personally absorb the virus and the penalty for breaking the Law. Of course it's clear to all, including our real world professor, that this act of selfless love has become a complete reenactment of the Gospel. It is the only possible choice to save the computer world and, as he finally understands, our own.

Apart from my own recommendation of this thrilling novel -- and aside of the fact that Bill Myers is one of the finest authors of our time -- The God Hater has been endorsed by top-selling authors and theological icons. Here are two from a list of prestigious endorsements to whet your appetite:

· Jerry B. Jenkins, Author of Left Behind
When one of the most creative minds I know gets the best idea he’s ever had and turns it into a novel, it’s fasten-your-seat-belt time. This one will be talked about for a long time."

· Tim LaHaye, Author of Left Behind
A most fascinating story! Full of heart, suspense and intelligence, The God Hater engagingly illustrates the futility of man-made beliefs as well as the world’s desperate need for a God who offers hope, guidance and help."

You can find more about The God Hater -- and a plethora of resources for pastors, youth pastors, leaders and laymen -- here. You can buy the book at all good bookstores, such as Barnes & Nobles.

Get this book. You won't regret it. (And it'll make a great Christmas gift for anyone you you love. Shhhh! I won't tell.)

Janey L. DeMeo M.A.
Copyright © October 2010