Sometimes the only way to get through life is to live day by day. Two new books help pave the way in the new year.
“God Stories Three: 365 Inspirational Devotions
Written by Hundreds of South Central
Pennsylvania Ch
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"The One Year Life Verse Devotional: 365 Stories of Remarkable People and the Scripture That Changed T
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"God Stories Three: 365 Inspirational Devotions Written by Hundreds of South Central Pennsylvania Christians" comes from by the Regional Church of Lancaster County and has numerous local writers.
"The One Year Life Verse Devotional: 365 Stories of Remarkable People and the Scripture That Changed Their Lives," by
Jay K. Payleitner, includes an entry from Connie Pombo, founder of Women's Mentoring Ministries, Mount Joy.
• As in past years, the RCLC solicited like-minded believers here and in Berks, Chester, Dauphin, Lebanon and York counties to write "personal testimonies, exhortations and prayers" to guide readers through the year, Bible verse by Bible verse.
Some entries are a little startling, such as those of Naomi Sensenig of Lancaster Evangelical Free Church, Lititz, Mark Ammerman, regional council member of the RCLC.
Sensenig repeats the "grace" she offered before lunch one rainy day when her seven children were being difficult: "God, we hate this day ... We really don't like this food ... We are angry at each other and You. "
Her children, scandalized, chastised her, but she told them God "is not shocked when we are honest before Him .... He can help us think and talk differently." Her March 19 entry relates to Psalm 85:10, which states, "Truth rises ... and righteousness smiles down from heaven."
Ammerman recalls his insistent leading to share Jesus with a man hawking transcendental meditation albums in the New York City Port Authority bus terminal. Threats, cursing and shoving ensued. Ammerman cites Psalms 2:11: "Serve the Lord ... with trembling ...."
There are plenty more Lancaster County contributors in the 384-page paperback. It is priced at $12.99 and can be ordered on line at
www.theregionalchurch.com . It is also available at Berean Bookstores and Wal-mart.
• "The One Year Life Verse Devotional" features stories about key Scripture verses that have changed lives. Some of its best-known contributors are Chuck Colson, James Dobson, Jerry Jenkins and Josh McDowell.
Pombo's story, "Passing the Tests," tells how Philippians 4:13, "I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength," served her both at Spokane Bible College and in later life when the tests were no longer academic but medical. Pombo is a breast cancer survivor.
Tyndale House Publishing's lists the book at $14.99. Pombo and fellow contributors Susan Kelly Skitt and Michele C. Scott from the Philadelphia area will sign the book noon-2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1700-H Fruitville Pike.
Jo-Ann Greene is editor of the Books section. Her email address is jgreene@lnpnews.com.
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