The Song Album

Here is an inspiring stocking stuffer for music lovers and romantics alike, The Song album with an eclectic range of songs sung by several artists.

The Song Album is Music a compilation of eleven songs inspired by the original motion picture of the same name (already in theaters). Based on the story of Solomon in the Bible and placed into a modern context, the quest for love and meaning is explored through lyrics adapted from concepts from scripture.

As well as featuring various artists, the music itself is a smorgasbord of styles that range from ballads, bluegrass (Kentucky Voice by Ricky Skaggs), indie, echoes of celtic, and rock (Ooh’s and Aah’s by NEEDTOBREATHE)—and even the revamp of a classic folk rock oldie (Turn! Turn! Turn! by Roger McGuinn from The Byrds).

The Song Movie, from which The Song Album was borne, tells the story of an aspiring singer-songwriter who finds himself catapulted into stardom by a song he writes for his wife—a love song which soon becomes the ultimate test of his love—a song which is catalyst in the near collapse of his marriage.

Whether or not you have seen the movie, The Song Album is a stand-alone winner as a stocking stuffer or as a special treat for yourself. Find out more about it here.

This story also appears in Assist News Service. 

Janey DeMeo M.A.

Copyright © November 2014

www.orphansfirst.org

www.JaneyDeMeo.com

www.twitter.com/JaneyDeMeo

The Duck Commander Faith and Family Bible

Duck Dynasty stars Phil and Al Robertson are known for their strong faith and family values—and now, in partnership with Thomas Nelson publishers, they share their values with us in The Duck Commander Faith and Family Bible.

Containing the complete New King James Version (NKJV) Bible text, The Duck Commander Faith and Family Bible also features 125 “Set Your Sights” articles to complement the Scriptures and underscore the five core values the Robertson family live by: Faith, Family, Fellowship, Forgiveness, and Freedom. Each article emphasizes one of those core value, shows how it plays out in real life situations, and highlights a relevant topic such as prayer, repentance, gossip, suffering, fear, integrity...

Each featured article ends with a list of related Bible Scriptures for further meditation under the section entitled “On The Hunt.”

This Bible also contains 30 “LifeChangers”—stories from Al and Phil Robertson on God’s life-transforming power highlighting how He moves His plan forward in our midst.

Read my full review of this excellent Bible in Assist News Service and in The Examiner. 

Janey DeMeo M.A.

Copyright © November 2014

www.orphansfirst.org

www.JaneyDeMeo.com

www.twitter.com/JaneyDeMeo

The NKJV Study Bible

No wonder the NKJV Study Bible (Thomas Nelson) is hefty. It is jam-packed with Bible study tools, charts, pictures – you name it, it’s there.

But be warned. This is not the Bible you grab to bring to church because of its weight. Rather, it’s the book you keep on your desk as a resource and for serious study.

This Bible is a great addition to any theological library, and especially for someone wanting to study the Bible in its cultural and historical context and to see how it all weaves together as one piece. And for minimalists, the NKJV Study Bible is in itself a comprehensive condensed theological library.

As far as readability, the layout is clean and although the font size is small it clearly legible. Paper is thin (thank goodness or you’d need huge muscles to carry it). On the down side, some of the photos provided to illustrate and highlight the text, are so tiny it is hard to see what they are. Maybe use a magnifying glass?!

Nifty features in the NKJV Study Bible include:

·        Attractive full-color page layout

·        Superb photos and graphics of Bible lands

·        Maps and charts woven in the text

·        Word studies and indexes

·        Bible Times and Culture Notes

·        Intros to Bible books

·        Outlines and timelines

·        Easy-to-read articles and notes to enhance Bible study

·        Deluxe NKJV Concordance

·        Intertwining references

The NKJV Study Bible is the complete package for those who want to delve deeply into God’s Word. Think Christmas gifts for hungry Bible students. (Do not think Christmas stocking – unless you have giant stockings.)

This story will also appear in Assist News Service. 

Janey DeMeo M.A.

Copyright © November 2014

www.orphansfirst.org

www.JaneyDeMeo.com

www.twitter.com/JaneyDeMeo

http://janey-demeo.blogspot.com

Noah, a Bible story told only through pictures

If you are fed up with children’s Bible story books that use catchy narrative but which deviate from the biblical text –  or if you like books with lots of colorful illustrations – then here’s a book that just might fit the bill: Mark Ludy’s Noah, A Wordless Picture Book (Plough Publishing House).

The sensational story of Noah is a favorite among children and adults alike. Hey, what is not to like about hundreds of animals, a scary flood, a humongous boat, and the first rainbow? Sadly though, many versions of the Noah story ignore many essential elements of the biblical narrative. Some—the recent Noah film for one—deform the story altogether.  In his Noah book, Mark Ludy invites us to wrap our imaginations around the original, biblical Noah story—through pictures.

30 double-sided glossy pages of colorful illustrations bring us into a world that we could imagine to be similar to Noah’s world. Contrary to Hollywood’s portrayal, Ludy’s artwork depicts a loving, God-fearing family who enjoy God’s creation – and a patriarch who seeks to implement God’s precise architectural design for the ark. 

However, although the illustrations are delightfully detailed, not everyone will appreciate the comic book style, which mirrors Asian graphics.

The large book dons a colorful hard-back cover without the overlaid paper cover (a blessing when you think of how often kids can’t resist the temptation to tear those paper overlay covers).

Mark Ludy’s Noah works for both adults and children. Makes a great coffee-table book, a gift or stocking stuffer for an extra large stocking. Listed at around $ 20, this book is a bargain.

More info here. 

This story will also appear in Assist News Service.

Janey DeMeo M.A.

Copyright © October 2014

www.orphansfirst.org

www.twitter.com/JaneyDeMeo

http://janey-demeo.blogspot.com

www.janeydemeo.com