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.
Commentaries!!!
Commentaries, please! God Bless and Merry Merry Christmas!
Commentaries, please! Wow! How exciting! I will share these with my beloved Bible study sisters!
COMMENTARIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh please, I will be happy for anyone who receives them, but I was just being spurred to maybe write some homework concerning a study of the scriptures…this would be the biggest gift.
Love ya Beth.
Beth, commentaries! What an awesome giveaway!
Please Enter me in the PGW drawing. Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Siesta Momma, commentaries, please!
PGW!
Oh mercy! What awesome prize opportunities!
Big hugs & many thanks! 🙂
Beth, commentaries, please!!!
Oh my, Beth! I got very excited over the commentaries. This is my first semester of seminary and I just started a position as a girls’ minister here in Houston. I would love some recourses through this transition of school and teaching. Commentary drawing, please! 🙂
PGW please! The Praying Parent was given to me to use as a guide to learn how to pray and Loved it! I dont have PGW and would love a copy. Either way, thanks for the opportunity!
Commentaries please! I have lead one of your bible studies at my church and I would love to dive more into God’s word for when I teach the next one.
Beth, I’d LOVE to win the commentaries set. Thanks for this wonderful giveaway!!! Merry Christmas!!
Commentaries, please. Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Beth, COMMENTARIES PLEASE YAAAAAAA!!!!!! I can’t wait to get my hands on them
Beth…Commentaries!!!!!
I can’t tell you how beside myself I am right now at the possibility of owning this set! God has given me the desire over the past year to write…not sure what that looks like right now…Bible Study…Devotional Book…but I want to write. God has allowed in His providence to grace me with the connection to a wonderful group of women at iBloom who are encouraging me to take the next step.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!
I would truly enjoy the commentaries…thank you for your investment into so many of our lives! You are a blessing (whether I win or not!!!)
Beth,
Commentaries, please!
Merry Christmas and much love to all LPM!
Pam
Beth, commentaries! Thanks you!
Beth, I would love to have the set of COMMENTARIES!!!
I so love being in God’s Word and this set would help me I’m sure.
Thank you for all you do and please have a Merry Christmas with your family and staff.
Beth, commentaries. I love these and use them as God has challenged me to study His word. I have a well used copy of PGW and have given several copies as gifts. Thank you for ll this generosity!! Have a beautiful blessed Christmas.
PGW Please!!! I was just thinking about this book this morning and wishing I hadn’t given my copy away a couple of years ago!
OK, though I would love any of the gifts…I NEED the commentaries! I am a Bible teacher and love to study God’s Word. This would be so great to add to my library so I can teach God’s Word purely and truly.
Sheryl
Beth, Commentaries!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dear sweet Beth! You are so precious to me!!!!! I have given that book (PGW) to so many people! Every time I have a chance to tell people about it I do! I have given it to my bible study ladies and my closest friends and have even been known to tell complete strangers about it. I usually tell them to buy the leather bound version because it will become so dear to them. What a blessing that book is!!!! Thank you for putting it together!
One more question, I have been waiting and waiting for the Long Beach Siesta pictures to come up at Flicker. Can you tell me where I can find them? They are not at the link. Boohoo.
Commentaries! God has blessed me with a new thirst for His Word and a desire to teach other women. Commentaries would help in my quest to have a more complete understanding of the Bible.
Commentaries, please!
Oh Beth! oh Beth! Commentaries!!!
Merry Christmas and thank u!
Praying God’s word changed my life and I’ve been able to bless a few others with that amazing book(have the cards too!) God’s Word rocks!
I would love and uses copy of Praying God’s Word.
Merry Christmas!
Diane
Elsie – COMMENTARIES!! 🙂
Lindsay -PGW please!!
Beth, commentaries please!!!
PGW please! Merry Christmas!!
Oh, Mrs. Beth!! COMMENTARIES!! Thanks for the chance!
Amy
Commentaries, please! 🙂
Pgw please. merry christmas from england
God bless
I WOULD PUT THOSE COMMENTARIES TO GOD USE!!!!
Beth, commentaries!!!!
PGW
Dear Miss Beth,
Thank you for offering this cool drawing! I’d like to enter for Praying God’s Word, please.
Much admiration,
Megan
Correction: I would love the commentaries and would use them…hard to type on a phone keyboard.
Would love and use the commentaries!
PGW! I have never read this book and would love to have a copy! With a baby due in February, I want to set a good example for him of a godly family. I could use all the help I can get starting out our family!
Commentaries!!!!!!! Please!!
PGW please! The timing is perfect.
Merry Christmas!!!
Commentaries, please.
Merry Christmas Beth and all your family. Looking forward to an update on your travels with Christine Caine.
Commentaries, would be so helpful..blessings kathy white
Commentaries.
Commentaries!!!
You just started talking my love language with commentaries, and I have had my eye on this set for a while!
I’d love and use the Commentaries!
Thanks so much for this exciting, generous offer!
Many blessings and love 🙂
Beth, Commentaries!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So tickled to be given the opportunity! Love you! Merry Christmas!
The drawing for the commentaries please! :))
How exciting – thank you- i am entering for the Commentaries 🙂