Merry Christmas Giveaway!

Ladies, please forgive me for the delay in posting our winners! But, here we go…

The two winners of the commentaries are: (Drum roll please…)

1. Shannon Velasquez

2. Laura Hauser

And the 20 winners of Praying God’s Word are…

1. Dawn Kaser

2. Amy Sappington

3. JoAnn Janik

4. Beth Miller

5. Miranda Arnold

6. Andrie Baker

7. Teri Cowan

8. Becky Dixon

9. Chantell Lodge

10. Paulette Carson

11. Erica Rhodes

12. Maren Brandsma

13. Lezlie Steiner

14. Jennifer Dove

15. Corie Reynolds

16. Barb Touchette

17. Tania Larson

18. Michelle Killpack

19. Sarah Sykes

20. Holly Hackney

Congratulations, winners! We love you! You should get an email from me (Lindsee) with instructions on how to receive your book!

 

 

*Comments are now closed, ladies! We’ll let you know as soon as possible who the winners are. Happy Friday!

We have the ecstatic joy at Living Proof of serving a mighty wide and delightful demographic: W-O-M-E-N. Bless You, Lord! That leaves us gorgeously wide open to do all sorts of fun things around here like the Autumn giveaway with candles, eye shadows, and boot socks. I love that kind of thing! And you have certainly proved to be a tad fond of it as well. Did you see how many women entered that drawing?? Sister-friend, you know good and well that I’d send every one of you a pound cake for Christmas if I could! Don’t tell me that can’t minister. Lots of things can spice up the life of a God-pursuing woman and spread a grin across her darling face. But we exist to do one thing here at Living Proof that drives and pervades everything else. It’s the only reason our doors are open. We exist to invite women to come to love the Savior of the world more and more through the study of His Word. NOW WE’RE TALKING.

SO, drum-roll please! Here is our Christmas giveaway! Now, listen up carefully because I need you to let me put some conditions on these so that the people who will use them most get the best chances to win. That’s a win for all of us! First on the agenda of Living Proof Christmas giveaways are…

TWO 12-volume sets of The Expositor’s Bible Commentary.

 

 

Woooooohoooooooo! I’m so happy! Women often ask us what set of commentaries we’d recommend to someone starting to get serious about studying on her own and building a Bible-resource library. I especially keep an ear out for you young Bible teachers just beginning to fan the flame of God’s gift in you. We are serious about you around here and you stay on my radar. We want to be good big sisters in the faith to you, intentional and involved. I usually recommend this set of commentaries to someone beginning to get serious for several reasons: it’s obviously far more helpful and instructional than a 2-volume (Old Testament/New Testament) set but not as overwhelming or technical as the sets that have a commentary for almost every book of the Bible. You also don’t need any background in ancient languages with Expositor’s though they give pretty regular insights into original words. And they’re interesting! That, Sister, is a big plus…and one you might not want to take for granted. I write these words with a grin. Lastly, a 12-volume set will give you a really good taste of commentary-style research so you’ll know if you want to keep filling your plate. One huge way you’ll discover that you really want to go on and invest further into a wider (higher dollar!) set is that you’ll use these to no end.

SO, here’s the deal! If this sounds like something you know for a fact you’d put to good use and you promise that you wouldn’t let it collect dust on a shelf AND you also do not have this set on any Bible software (please check!), ENTER THIS DRAWING!!! Since we’re giving away another item as well, be sure and say that you’re entering the drawing for the commentaries. You can let us know with just one little extra word like this:

Beth, commentaries!

Well, you don’t exactly have to put an exclamation point after it but I’m liable to think you’re more enthused about it if you do…and you know that we’re big on enthusiasm around here. It’s a random drawing so I’m really just kidding.

 

Before I tell you the second item in the giveaway, I have to give you a little background information about why we’re including it, especially since it won’t be new to many of you. Last week two of my good friends from B&H Publishing Group in Nashville came to see us at Living Proof and surprised us with a stunning piece of artwork they’d had commissioned to capture the heart of the book Praying God’s Word. These pictures do not do it justice, especially because you can’t see the stick figures – for lack of a better term –  of the women behind the overlay of life-jarring words, Freedom Comes Through Taking Thoughts Captive to Christ. This will be in my possession for the rest of my life. It represents so much to me. Well. It represents liberation. It’s a Physician’s prescription for anyone willing to go to the trouble of getting it filled. And it symbolizes to me the most intense process I’ve ever been through with Jesus beyond my salvation.

Here are my friends Selma Wilson (president at B&H, standing to my right) and Jennifer Lyell (executive editor at B&H) and I holding the picture:

 

We learned from them that a staggering one million people have been impacted by the message and method of the book, whether in its original book form, day-by-day version, devotional journal, or Scripture cards. We are floored by the grace of God. We take no credit for it. It’s His Word put to prayers to demolish 14 different strongholds ranging from unbelief to food related issues. If you’re familiar with Praying God’s Word, you know it’s not a book you read. It’s a book you use. And, Girlfriend, I still get mine out.

About 18 months ago, I was nearly drowning in an assault that wouldn’t recede no matter what I did in my usual daily practices. If I’ve got half a brain working, that’s when I start stacking up Scriptures and turning them into very focused and faith-filled prayers. When we’re in a long-term battle, praying straight out of the Word can be the perfect answer because it puts the burden on the strong shoulders of Scripture rather than on the weary limbs of a bruised-up warrior. Because it’s God-breathed rather than man-breathed, the Bible has a way of rejuvenating the soul rather than depleting it. I looked all over my house for a copy of Praying God’s Word so that I could get serious and turn up the volume on some victory. I couldn’t find one anywhere because, every time I have one at home,  I end up giving it away. I marched myself into work the next Monday and snagged me a new copy and the Scriptures became a loaded canon to me all over again. And, boy, did I take aim and SHOOT.

As I try to make clear in the introduction to the book, it’s not the only way to pray but when I really want both barrels loaded, whether I’m interceding for someone else or praying for my own aching soul, it’s the method God has taught me to take. It keeps me from wearing out in longer-term prayer demands or in a crisis where my emotions are stirred up and raw. The approach helps me keep my head on straighter when I’d otherwise probably lose it.

All that to say! To celebrate what God has done out of His grace and for His own purpose, we want to give away 20 copies of this resource to 20 women who have never before had any form of the book Praying God’s Word. We knew instantly that we wanted to give copies away to commemorate the occasion, but when we told B&H that we were going to do the giveaway, they beat us to the punch and insisted on providing the copies themselves. We love and appreciate them so much. I cannot begin to voice my gratitude enough to LifeWay and B&H (a division of LifeWay) for partnering with me on a number of themes that were pretty outside the box (OK, WAY outside the box) for all of us at the time. In so many ways, it’s just a new day.

A good day. We’re talking about some things these days that were basically off limits to people from my denominational background when my parent’s generation filled the pews. As Paul told the Thessalonians, we have to test what is good but open dialogue for testing the spirit is a beautiful thing.

So, how many of you do not own a copy of this book in any form and you know for a fact that you’d put it to good use? That means you wouldn’t just read it, you’d USE IT. Then, Girlfriend, ENTER YOUR NAME IN THE DRAWING, and this time just add the letters PGW to your comment line.

We are beside ourselves to provide these for you. Anything we have to give you is from the bounty of God’s grace to us. You do not know anyone who has lived in more defeat in the course of her life than I have. You do not know anyone who has loathed herself more or has suffered with deeper, nearly lethal regret. Jesus is the difference between the blackest, bleakest night and the wide-open, beaming sunshine to me. I inhale His mercy every single morning.

I am honored to serve you.

OK, Girls. Let’s have a giveaway! Drawing closes at noon on Friday and winners will be announced soon after! Look for instructional post for SSMT on Monday.

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2,488 Responses to “Merry Christmas Giveaway!”

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Comments:

  1. 2251
    Chris Carver says:

    Beth,

    How awesome that you are so giving to others.

    Commentaries please! They would be a great help to me!

    Merry Christmas!

    Chris

  2. 2252
    Pam McCann says:

    PGW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  3. 2253
    Melinda Papador says:

    COMMENTARIES!!!!! Love word studies and digging deeper!!! Merry Christmas!

  4. 2254
    Julie O says:

    PGW (Praying God’s Word) please!! 🙂

  5. 2255
    Sue says:

    Would love to have and WOULD USE PGW

  6. 2256
    Allie P. says:

    PGW please!!!!!

  7. 2257
    Anne Countryman says:

    Beth…Commentaries!!!

  8. 2258
    Violette Barrett McGhee says:

    PGW

  9. 2259
    Missy C says:

    Beth, commentaries, please!!!!!

  10. 2260
    Angela says:

    Beth, commentaries, please!!!!!!
    What a wonderful give away!!!! Thank you!!!!

  11. 2261
    Kathy says:

    Commentaries, please!

  12. 2262
    Jessica Reed says:

    Praying God’s Word, Please and Thank You!

  13. 2263
    Marleen says:

    Beth, commentaries!!!!!!!!

  14. 2264
  15. 2265
    Lydia says:

    Beth, commentaries!!!

  16. 2266
    Maria Connor says:

    Praying God’s Word! Thank you for reminding me of the power that is available by praying scripture!

  17. 2267
    susan says:

    Beth, COMMENTARIES ~ PLEEEEEASE !!!! I love reading them and saying “I never knew that!”

  18. 2268
    Sheryl Kline says:

    The commentaries would be so helpful as I teach my Ladies’ Bible Study!!!

  19. 2269
    Kimmi Hayes says:

    Beth, commentaries!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is sooooo awesome!!! It really sounds like what I need.

    Also, PGW. I do not have a copy of this, and would love to have one.

  20. 2270
    Debbie says:

    I would love to have a copy of Praying God’s Word, this year has been a year like no other and I can use all the help I can get to pray us through! Also, commentaries!

  21. 2271
    Joyce Jones says:

    PGW,& Commentaries needed.

  22. 2272
    Kristin says:

    Beth, Praying God’s Word!!

  23. 2273
    Gwen Youngs says:

    Gwen, PGW

  24. 2274
    Barbara Gallier says:

    Barbara Gallier PGW!!

  25. 2275
    Marilyn Ridgway says:

    Beth Bible Praying God’s Word is just the thing I need.
    Thanks!

  26. 2276
    Kiersten Griffith says:

    Kiersten Griffith – commentaries!!

  27. 2277
    Nancy says:

    Commentaries!!!

  28. 2278
    Tess A. says:

    Praying God’s Word! 🙂

  29. 2279
    Heather King says:

    Commentaries for me, please!

  30. 2280
    Delta Dawn says:

    Commentaries- yes please!!!!!!

  31. 2281
    Julia M says:

    PGW would be great for me now!!

    Commentaries please!!

    Beth ~ Thank you for being a disciple for our Lord. I love you and all I can say is thank you! You have made such an impact on my walk with our Savior. Praise Him.

  32. 2282
    Heather M says:

    PGW is exactly what my life needs right now!

  33. 2283
    JulieDiane says:

    PGW!!! Been struggling with prayer lately.

  34. 2284
    Erin says:

    I would love the commentaries!
    Erin

  35. 2285
    karenk says:

    PGW, please 🙂

  36. 2286
    April Lopez says:

    Beth, Commentaries Please 🙂

  37. 2287
    Angie Nicholson says:

    Beth, commentaries please! Have been delving further into God’s word since beginning BSF in September and feel they would help me tremendously in study/growth. Thank you for everything you do for The Kingdom!

  38. 2288
    Tonia Booker says:

    oooo…Beth Commentaries…yes please

  39. 2289
    Brandee says:

    Commentaries please 🙂

    I would LOVE to have this set! I kept the post a while back that listed some study books you recommended. I began getting some of them and the commentaries would be FABULOUS!! What an amazing give-away!!!

  40. 2290

    I would love to have the Commentaries Beth:)
    What a wonderful gift this is!! It almost brings tears to my eyes. I have a burning desire to study His word & teach it to others. This would be a tremendous blessing to revive a set of these.
    Hugs and Merry Christmas to everyone at LPM!!

  41. 2291
    Michelle R. says:

    Beth! I have NEVER read or owned a copy of

    PGW,

    but it is a practice I’ve adopted over the years. Thanks for this giveaway & Merry Christmas!!!!

  42. 2292
    Sydney M says:

    PGW please

  43. 2293
    Linda N in Chester, VA says:

    WOW! What an amazing set! Would love to supplement my studies with such a extensive commentary. Put my name in the pot, please.

  44. 2294
    Cona says:

    Beth,
    I have just this year been learning to pray scripture over my 5 boys and husband. I have not seen your book and I am sure it would be a great help to me. I have always said since God gave us boys that we are raising an army of young men for God. That being said, it is not an easy task and one I take very seriously. Scripture fights soooooo much better than I can! I want to win your PGW drawing! Thanks!

  45. 2295
    Michel Williams says:

    PGW

    I am living in such defeat right now along with a huge dose of self-hatred. I am struggling to keep my head above water and to keep my eyes on Jesus and his truth. I would love to learn how to fight with God’s word. Thank you so much for your ministry. God bless you.

  46. 2296
    Jeri May says:

    Jeri May, PGW

  47. 2297
    Barbara says:

    PGW. This is the most wonderful give-away you could have! Would love to have them!

    barb

  48. 2298
    Michelle R. says:

    Beth, COMMENTARIES!!!

    I’m the Assistant Pastor’s wife at our church and taking the lead on some of the women’s studies. This resource would be a BIG help. Thank you!

    Merry Christmas!!!

  49. 2299
    Barbara says:

    Commentaries. Would love to have these. I believe I put this on the PGW post also. Would love to have both.

  50. 2300
    Rhonda Rhoades says:

    Commentaries to help me study and teach!