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.
PGW please!!! Thank you 🙂
PGW this would be used to teach me and many other women to pray from God’s word more effectively!
Beth, Commentaries! 🙂
PGW, please
PGW, please!
commentaries, please, BETH! My mom always said to say PLEASE! 🙂 Merry Christmas!!
Beth, Commentaries! Thank you so much for this opportunity! Would love them for our Bible study leader who through so many trials of her own continues year after year to lead us in our faith walk. Merry Christmas!
PGW
PGW…oh my…i NEED!
PGW please! Lately, I have really been trying to spend more time in the Word and prayer because I really desire a stronger relationship with God. I feel like this book would be a great assistance and tool for me. Thank you for the opportunity! Be blessed y’all!
Beth, commentaries, please!!!
PGW I would dearly love to have the Bible Expositor’s Commentary set and a copy of Praying God’s Word. I have such a hunger to learn and delve deeper and deeper into God’s word. I do not have a copy of Praying God’s Word. You are all so kind and I wish you all a Merry Christmas.
Commentaries really!!! would truly treasure and love to have!
Beth, COMMENTARIES!!!!! Yes, yes, YES, PLEASE!
PGW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PGW, please! What a great giveaway! Thank you so much!
OH Lord Please!!!!!!
Exclamation points. Commentaries. Please! Thank you.
Oh yes – the commentaries!! I’ve been praying to get my hands on a thrifted set I can use for the new ministry I’m heading up. So, to win? It would be the best Christmas gift ever.
Oh what fun! 🙂
I’m in tears!!!!!!!!!!!!
Commentaries AND book!!!’
PGW, please!
Praying God’s Word! Thank you so much for this opportunity.
PGW! Please!
PGW please! I have a rift in a significant relationship that occurred in 2010 and no amount of praying seems to change the situation. I live in South Africa so don’t expect to receive a copy – but hey, if you don’t ask you’ll never receive!
Would love to win these and be able to use them as a family! My husband is a minister in our church.
Oh the commentaries, pretty pretty please the commentaries!!
The COMMENTARIES please!!! In january I’m starting 4 years of Bible college. I will put this books to good use. Blessings dearest Beth!
Beth, commentaries, please!!
Beth, commentaries!!!
(I am all about multiple exclamation marks!! See?)
I would love to have these to use and share with my Bible study group! We have been purchasing books (like Beth Moore’s Breaking Free) for our studies, but I would like to study some books of the Bible and I need resources! I have a good study Bible but I sometimes feel I want to dig a little deeper and do not know where to turn for help…
Catherine, commentaries!!!!!!!
Beth, commentaries!
Beth, commentaries!
Beth, commentaries!
Beth, commentaries!
Please! Please! Please! Please! and THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
Oh how I am HUNGRY to know more, dig ever deeper, and use more courageously the Word of God in my relationships new and old all the days that I have on this earth! So thankful for this passion to know God’s Word more and more and I am incredibly thankful for your ministry, Beth! Thanking our Father for you and your faithful servants at LPM!
Merry Christmas sister!
PGW! I would love to have a copy and I would use it!
PGW
Don’t know why He’s after me, just glad He is!
Beth COMMENTARIES!!! I would love to dig deeper into the Word. This set is honestly exactly what I have been looking for.
Beth, Commentaries please! Thank you so much for your kindness! Love, Michele
Beth commentaries. Empty shelf waiting for them.
Beth….commentaries!!
PGW, pretty please!! 🙂 Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy! Whether I win it or go get it myself…I am getting one and promise to USE it!
Pgw please!!!!!
Beth – EITHER!
I am a pastor’s wife who has phased out from bread winner to stay at home wife and mommy of our first born. I currently lead the only two women’s studies at our church and so my husband and I could both utilize the commentaries. Both graduates of a Christian college with ministry majors, we know and understand that value that this set has – many of our professors used them – and have been hoping to acquire them.
As far as Praying God’s Word – I want to do a study on that WITH my ladies and it would be an invaluable resource so either way, I’d be happy as a clam!
Beth-Commentaries!!! 🙂
Wow!! Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this drawing!! You are so generous!! I pray you will have a blessed holiday season and a productive and exciting ‘2013!!
Either PGW or Commentaries!!!
I could use them both. Thank you so much for another giveaway.
PGW PRETTY PLEASE 🙂
Commentaries… Yes!!! Please… How very amazing!
Beth, commentaries, please!!! And a blessed Christmas to all of you at LPM!!!
Beth commentaries! 🙂
Kristin, PGW
Thanks for the chance to win!
Oh my word!!! Beth, commentaries!!!!!! They would be used so very much!
Oh Beth! Commentaries please!
Commentaries or PGW!!! Would love to use the commentaries to prepare for lessons & don’t have a copy of PGW & would really love to apply it to my life!! 🙂