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.
Rebecca, PGW!!!!!!!
Commentaries!!!
Beth, Commentaries….I’m in the Seminary trying to finish my long overdue degree and I am passionate about digging into the Word. I would use, use, use them, i promise!!!
Commentaries, commentaries, commentaries!!!!!!! With out a doubt
Beth,
I’d be ever so thrilled and blessed by the commentaries!!
Ms. Beth! –commentaries please! and Merry Christmas to you and the staff! Thank you so much for always thinking about us!
kari
PGW please!! I just found this book on a website this week and was thinking it was a book I need to get. It’s been an area that I would like to learn more about and use the power of God’s Word in prayer!! Thank you!!!
Oh Beth, commentaries please! I am a substitute teaching leader with Bible Study Felowship and from time to time have the honor and great privilege of teaching God’s word. I often go the library to use this set and would be delighted to have my own set. Merry Christmas and God bless you!
PGW!!
And the commentaries…I was just asking my pastor about a scripture (Psalm 104:4) and a word that stuck out to me. How the commentaries would’ve been nice.
Thank you for this very generous give-away.
~ h
Please Commentaries!!! Thank you so much.
PGW, please.
PGW, please please please!!
Wow! That’s all I can say! I would LOVE the commentaries, Ms. Beth!!! (Extra exclamation points mean extra enthusiasm)! I lead my first group this fall, and constantly found myself looking at online commentaries or spending time at Mardels reading through, wondering where the nearest Christian library is that would have all of them, so I could study without having to buy them all. Aww, nonetheless, I never win anything, but it’s still fun to dream 🙂 thanks. And I did own that book, but I too gave mine away.
PGW please! Thanks Beth for all you do to encourage us to seek Jesus more and more in our lives.
PGW!! This is exactly what I need!
Beth, the Commentaries would be great!!!
Lovely Beth,
Either the commentaries or the PGW ! I would be absolutely thrilled to have either one of these tools to help me fill my continuous thirst for more of him and lead others to the source of goodness!
This is such a wonderful giveaway; nothing is better than feeding the tired soul with His exhilarating word!
Commentaries please, pretty please, with sugar on top, fingers crossed, praying!!!!!!!!!!!! (Okay, I know it’s a random drawing, but I’m still enthused!)
Commentaries! OMGOMGOMG, how incredible would those puppies be?!
Beth, Commentaries please !!! Merry Christmas xoxo
My heart says that God is ready to use those commentaries as I uncover more of Him. Thank you!!
commentaries! would love them!
Robin Lamont PGW
PGW!
PGW – never read it…
I would LOVE the commentaries! 🙂
Commentaries please!
Just taught a Bible study on Passionate Prayer and used PGW to help them understand how to use scripture in prayer.
Need the commentaries for my work in BSF and in teaching in my church.
Thank you for blessing so many women. I will always be grateful for what I have learned from you. It has changed my relationship with God from an empty tank to full. And getting fuller because as we all know there is so much more to be had.
commentaries please — thanks 🙂
PGW 🙂
PGW
Thank you so much B&H and Living Proof Ministries! I’m praying for my husband and have been encouraged to pray Scripture. I don’t even know where to start!
PGW. I am a new wife and am getting closer and closer to the Lord every day. I have heard of this concept but want to really get serious and start doing it! Thanks for the opportunity to win this awesome gift!
PGW, please! And thanks!
This is the third time I’ve come across this book this week. I heard a friend talk about “praying God’s word” as a form of prayer for concerns during our bible study; I actually picked up the cards at lifeway (thinking, wow! How cool are these!) – and put them back down deciding “I’ll get them after Christmas — I’m not shopping for me right now” (grin); and now here on my favorite blog ( I’ve been following since you first started!)…..is God trying to tell this siesta something? LOL……..PGW, Please! <3
Beth – Commentaries!! PGW!! Love this drawing. Love you. Merry CHRISTmas!
PGW please. I have had the toughest 4 mos ive ever had. I could really use sonething to keep my mind focused. Gods word never returns void so praying his word is exactly what i could use. Thank you so much for your ministry.
PGW
COMMENTARIES!!! Oh, please, please, please. I would LOVE to win the COMMENTARIES!!!! Did I mention I would like to win the COMMENTARIES!!!! Am I putting enough exclamation points, Beth??? Cause I would REALLY LOVE to win the COMMENTARIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Commentaries PLEASE!!!
Beth, Commentaries, PLEASE!!!!!
Hoping to win the commentaries. Merry Christmas!!
Beth, commentaries! I don’t have any sets of comementaries outside of the notes in my study bibles and this would be an awesome addition to my study tools. Merry Christmas to all of you at Living proof! :o)
Marilyn, Commentaries
What a wonderful giveaway! PGW for me:) Merry Christmas!
Whoot! How awesome. I would love to win either! Thanks for your ministry to women!
Natalie, PGW!
Beth, commentaries!!!!!! Eeeek! 🙂 🙂
Hi from sunny Cape Town. Wow commentaries please. Will pay postage!! Saved 9years ago as a Muslim-going to seminary next year and started leading bible studies solo. So these would be awesome to have for my studies and for teaching. BTW my first bible study as a baby-Christian was your Breaking Free. Still love it!!
Yes please much needed.
Commentaries!!! We need resources for our mission field! They would be used well!
Beth, Commentaries, Please