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.
Praying God’s Word. Praise God!!
PGW please and thank you.
So hard to choose. I lead a Bible study at my church and we are starting to create our libary, so the commentaries would be great. But I have not read Praying God’s word! So either would be great for me! Thanks so much for offering this!
Beth!!!! PGW!!!!
Commentaries!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pretty please 🙂
Beth, thank you so very much for your ministry AND for the giveaway.. awesome! I would love to receive a copy of Praying God’s Word (PGW). I just finished up a ladies study of Believing God and it would be terrific to start something new. Thank you… I’m believing God every day! 🙂
Commentaries!!!!!!! I will use then as I grow in teaching college women the Word!!!
PGW would be a wonderful to use alongside my scripture cards!
PGW Please….
dealing with a 10yr old daughter who has anxiety and have been trying to teach her “to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ”
PGW sounds amazing. Would love to read/use it!!!! Thanks for the opportunity to win it!
Commentaries, please and thank you!!!
Commentaries of course!
Would help me finish the “Esther” and “To Live is Christ” studies!
Of course the PGW would be nice too! LOL!!
Beth, COMMENTARIES!!! 🙂
Beth….Commentaries, puhhhleeeeze!! Not for me, but for my 24 yr old son who JUST finished his LAST paper to complete his Bachelor’s of Religion on-line. It’s been a long five-year goal accomplished with God’s help, as Evan has a mild cerebral palsy and daily assignments take that “and then some.” He’s my hero and I could go on and on with so many reasons why, but I know one son who would be OVER the moon with this collection. Thank you for all you do and the way you love on us. BTW – I just received my Scripture spiral – I’m in love!!
Wow! What a blessing these commentaries would be.
Commentaries, awesome – what a great way to bless some folks this season. Thanks!
Beth, Commentary. I would love to have it because I am begining to write and it would be very helpful.
Thank you.
Beth, commentaries!!!
Commentaries, please!!!
PGW. It has been on my wish list for a bit now. 🙂
WOW!! What a giveaway!! Commentaries, please!
Commentaries… oh my!!! What an awesome offer. Thanks, Beth!
PGW 🙂 thank you for sharing so generously.
oh please oh please oh please Beth, you darling thang, choose me for the commentaries!!!! I dream of lingering over the volumes, coffee in hand of course, and learning, learning, learning, and then sharing, sharing, sharing! Love you to pieces!!!
Beth, Commentaries Please!!!! 🙂
I promise to put either one to good use! PGW or commentaries!!!!!
I would love the Commentaries, it will help in my study of God’s Word. Also,I would like the book Praying Gods Word. Thanks for all you do for others,
The bible commentaries would be wonderful. I teach an adult women’s Sunday school class, and also lead two bible studies each year.
I have used praying Gods word over and over.
Thank you for all you do.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
With love,
Alice
Beth, PGW!!!!
Hi Beth, I would love a copy of Praying God’s Word. I’ve listened to it on audio this summer but I was so so sad when it had to be returned because I had to just listen to it and wasn’t able to USE it like you talk about! I’ve been battling several areas of discouragement lately and I would definitely get great use out of the book!
I’ve been so blessed by your bible studies on the book of Esther and James in the last few years, and have been devouring your other books this summer in whatever form I can find them from the library..just finished So Long, Insecurity, and am working on Jesus the One and nly,and Get Out Of that Pit right now.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your ministry!!!
Gods blessings to you,
Kelsey
PGW
Commentaries please! I teach fifth grade at a Christian school and I could share the books with my fellow teachers. They would be a blessing!
Beth, commentaries! 🙂
Beth, commentaries please!!!! This is so amazing! I know whoever is blessed with these will be grateful and drink up the messages just waiting to be revealed!
I am not a new Christian, but one newly (the last 3 years, especially the last 1) on fire for Christ! And preparing for the first time to teach / learn with our awesome group of women this January during our bible study time together on Monday nights, about trusting God. What a gift they are to me and what a journey it has been! I can hardly wait!!!!
PGW Please! 🙂
Heard its a great book
PGW…I would definitely USE it during this most difficult season in my life.
You are so dear to think of the Siestas and want to give us gifts. I am not entering this time, just saying thanks and I love you for your generous heart! Isn’t Christmas giving just fun?!
PGW please!!
Would love commentaries,
PGW Please!!
Hi Beth! Commentaries, please!
Thank you so much for your generosity through the giveaways! I am entering both “Beth commentaries” and “PGW” as I know just the perfect person that would like and use either of these (I already have them).
Thank you for serving our mighty God by serving us women everyday!
Julie Elrod-PGW
Hi all! This is so nice of you to do such a meaningful giveaway! I’d love a copy of Praying God’s Word, and I’m sure the right people will get it.
Elizabeth Allison
WOW- what a generous offering! Would love to incorporate these commentaries! Thanks for the opportunity and I hope you ladies all enjoy a wonderful Christmas filled with beautiful memories!!
Commentaries please!!!
Beth, PGW!!!
Beth, commentaries! Wow and wow…and Merry Christmas!
PGW
PGW … I would love to Pray God’s Word.
Merry Christmas!
Beth, commentaries, please!