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!
PGW, please!
The Expositor’s Bible Commentaries, please! Merry Christmas to everyone at LPM! xoxo
Beth,Commentaries!
Commentairies! – Stacey
Beth, Commentaries, please!
Kristina – Praying God’s Word, please! I have not read this before, and I would love the chance!
Beth, Commentaries!
I’d love the PGW book!
I would love the commentaries! I am a stay-at-home mom to a one year old and my husband is a campus ministry director and small church pastor. He is currently in seminary too and we are trying to do it with no loans! I help him teach and lead our college freshmen and our interns. These commentaries would be oh so helpful!! They would directly benefit young women AND men!! Thanks so much for your ministry Beth!! You are such a blessing, and I am always encouraged with how you speak about young moms following the Lord in the midst of diapers, tears, and milestones!
COMMENTARIES!
I’ve just started teaching women at my church again after a long break from teaching high school and middle school kids. I would absolutely treasure the set. 🙂
Beth, commentaries!!!!!
I would absolutely adore my very own set of commentaries! Every page would be loved and devoured. As an eternal student, a great resource like this would be valued beyond words!
PGW please! I have never read this before but could certainly use it. Just got done doing an inductive bible study on James 1 and get this….I actually memorized it. It’s been so helpful and I love having the words in my heart! Our family is going through lots of health issues right now, so would love to have an army of scriptures for that!
Beth, Commentaries… I could not afford them but would love to have them! Thank you and Merry Christmas… 🙂
PGW Please!
With the coming new year rapidly approaching, I am planning on prayer and bible time each morning. New year New me!
Thanks so much Beth.
PGW
Commentaries, please! 🙂
PGW– please………….
Thank you all so much for being a large part of my life. I truly appreciate you all.
Beth…Commentaries would be lovely!!
Commentaries, please!
I’d love to be entered for Praying God’s Word! I’ve not read it before and woould love to! Thanks for your ministry!
Beth, commentaries!
I check these out of my library at college often to write papers and such!! Would love to have a set of my own!
Beth, I would love the commentaries! Praying for you and your ministry! Keep up the amazing work God has called you to do 🙂
Commentaries please!!!!!
PGw.
Please and thank you!
Beth,
I just gave my well used copy of Praying God’s Word to my nephew (Godson too!) who is going through a major attack from the enemy. Believe me I have used it to pray for him, but I knew he needed to do the praying too. This book along with the Psalms has been my companion over the past five years when I have felt the enemy attacking me. I was planning on purchasing another copy soon because I know the enemy is always waiting and he is a real stinker!
Love in Christ!
Wow, what a generous give-away! As much as I’d love to say “commentaries”, I fear they would not get so much use from me (maybe my husband), so I’ll pass on that one! I would LOVE to have Praying God’s Word which I suspect would get very much use! I’ve not had this book in any shape or form! LOL. So…..
PGW!!!!
Love all you gals!
PGW!!!!
Amanda, PGW!!
Beth,
Commentaries, please!
PGW
PGW would be wonderful. Thank you for the chance to win!
please enter my friend Tannis Arychuck’s name in the give away draw.
she is in the midst of winter blues and is feeling unmotivated and i know these gifts would be put to great use by her and motivtae her in studying God’s word.
Beth, Commentaries!! Please!!!
Commentaries, please!
I would live to have the commentaries! I am currently enrolled in a ministry program( going back to college after 11 years) and am entering women’s ministries!! I have been called to start a women’s program in a church that currently does not have anything for women. It is also a are where there is financial hardship. This could certainly help our program get started on the right foot!!
PGW, please.
Beth, Commentaries!!!
I would love the The Expositor’s Bible Commentary. I do not have it and I would soooooooo read it! Out of so many beautiful women, I don’t how in the world you will choose Merry Christmas, Beth Lindsee and all the staff!
Commentaries, please!!
PGW, please! And BLESS YOU for all that you are doing through God to bring more women to Him!
I would love to have a copy of PGW!
I want to learn!!! PGW
Commentaries!! Would be a tremendous blessing!
Commentaries!! My fingers are tingling at the thought!!! I am excited for the siesta whose name is drawn!!!!
I would love the commentaries!!! Thanks you for having such a fun give away!
All the prizes are great! I would really get excited over the Commentaries though!!!!!!
Commentaries. They sound wonderful and would be an upgrade from the study bible I have!
Beth I would love the commentaries. !
I would USE a copy of PGW! Merry Christmas 🙂