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, please!!! Another pw here that will put them to great use!!!
BETH, COMMENTARIES PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO NEED THEM!!
Commentaries please…
Commentaries! Amazing- thanks!!
Oh my goodness, gracious… C-o-m-m-e-n-t-a-r-y!! What a wonderful and fantastic blessing this would be! I have been thinking and wanting something to help me delve deeper in God’s word – I think this would do it!
Btw, I was blessed with a copy of “Praying God’s Word” a while back; to say the least, I have absolutely loved it. It is a wonderful companion to THE Word and I know will be a true benefit to those recieving it.
Oh, one more thing – I’m SO, SO excited to begin the scripture memory in January!!! I have two friends that will be doing it with me – YEA!!! 🙂
Merry CHRISTmas, my fellow sisters at LPM and fellow blog readers. 😉
Beth, please enter me into the drawing for the commentaries! What a generous gift and one that will be helpful to anyone who loves to study the Bible! 🙂 Thank you
PGW Please!!
Woooooooohooooooo! Commentaries please!
Beth, PGW please. There are many situations my nearest and dearest are facing that I pray constantly for. It would be so helpful to have this resource! God bless you all at Living Proof. I love you and your ministry so much. XOXO!
Beth COMMENTARIES PLEASE!!!
I am an admitted book addict (of which I read) and I only wish I could afford a commentary set. I am finishing hermeneutics at my church and realizing how deeply I would benefit from research resources. Thank you thank you for the opportunity!
Commentaries please!
Chris Heinrich…PGW!!!
PGW, please!!! Thank you so much for this chance.
PGW!
PGW please!
PGW
Oh please, Beth, commentaries!! whooohoooo!!!
Commentaries
I hope to be starting my first job as a children’s minister. I would love to have these commentaries! Thanks to you, LPM and the publishers for such a sweet offer!
PGW would be awesome!! 🙂
PGW PLEASE!!! I have always been a prayer warrior but lately I have been struggling to stay focused. I sure would love Praying Gods Word.
I would LOVE and USE the commentaries, Beth!!! I have found myself, led by the Lord, to head up and teach our youth as a volunteer youth leader for our new (1 yr old) church. I feel very unqualified for this task, apart from God, and I know I need to study all I can to best fulfill His purpose.
Thank you, Beth and Living Hope Ministry for all you are doing for His Kingdom. May you all have a very blessed and joyous Christmas!!!
Commentaries! PLEASE!!
PGW! 🙂 thank you! I haven’t been introduced to this book yet, but reading the blog tonight … It is on my “to buy with Christmas $” list if my name doesn’t get drawn!
and Wow! The commentaries too please Beth!! 🙂 I am seeking more and more from God’s Word and wanting to do more at Bible Study than discuss the footnotes. These would definitely NOT collect dust on my shelves either!
Thanks you so much for the opportunity to even enter the drawing! God Bless LPM
As a Bible teacher, I would love a chance to wear out that set of commentaries, Beth! You inspire me always! =)
PGW please.
PGW, please!
Commentaries, please.
Merry Christmas!
I am a homeschooling mama of 5 and we do word studies galore so that set of commentaries would be S – W – E – E – T!
As for the other giveaway – my precious family was robbed in a motel parking lot during a cross – country move last summer. Crazy, huh?! The thieves managed to steal all of my personal belongings which meant brief and laptop cases and diaper bags. Basically they ended up with a whole stash of bible study materials and cloth diapers. We have joked ever since that someone, somewhere was really disappointed with their loot. But we’ve also prayed sincerely that the Word was put into some soul’s hands who would never have received it otherwise. One of the items that was stolen was my copy of PGW! It would be pretty nifty if my name were chosen.
I didn’t catch whether we could enter both drawings so please only put me in one if I’m breaking the rules. Thanks!
Beth, Commentaries!!! Would be unbelievable!
Beth, commentaries!
Commentaries! So fun!
Commentaries, pretty please!
Debbie Meabon, PGW
God has impressed on my heart that next year I will be focusing on a better prayer life/closer relationship with Him for my devotion focus next year, and this book would be very helpful!
PGW please! Would LOVE a copy of this 🙂
Commentaries!!!!!!!!!
PGW!!!!!!!!
PGW – Bless the Lord, O my soul!
Thank you Beth:)
Merry Christmas!!
Oh, for the commentaries!!! As I am in constant bible study and questions come my way, oh to understand His precious Word in a deeper way!! I have a small group of bible study girls that would benefit from these commentaries!
Debbie
Oh, commentaries, please! I have a full wish list in my CBD account, where big-ticket items like this move back and forth from “cart” to “wish list.”
Christian college professors on ministry salaries can’t hit “check out” very often, and what blessed usefulness they’d get!
Commentaries please! I’m starting seminary next fall and my goodness would it ever be helpful.
PGW, please!!! 🙂
PGW! I do not have a copy but would use it thoroughly for myself & in praying for others!
Praying God’s Word! Thanks! 🙂
Beth, commentaries, Please and Thank you!
PGW !!! As much as I would love to have the commentary set I know that there are women who would get much more use than I would in this season, but please oh please I would love to have the Praying God’s Word!!! I use to work at a local Lifeway store and I just drooled over that book, but never quite had the extra money to buy it! Thanks so much ladies for the opportunity for these amazing gifts!
Beth, commentaries!!!
PGW !!
I have heard of this book, but have never used it & do not own it’s I am being bombarded by satan right now & when I read about your giveaway I felt compelled to enter the drawing with tears in my eyes.
Thank you & Merry Christmas!
Beth!! Commentaries!!!!! Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BETH COMMENTARIES PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WANT THEM SO BADLY!!!!!!
LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Beth,commentaries! Please! Thank you! I have been wanting a set!