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.
Beth,
Thank you for the opportunity just to be in this drawing! What a great way to get women focused! I would like to enter for the Expositors Bible Commentary!! I attended your Living Proof Conference in Knoxville, TN this past August. Let me say.. It changed my live forever! I want to serve The Lord more than anything in my life! My heart is on fire for God! I have this itch to really get into the word.. Like dig deep into it! I want to write!!I want to serve the women in my church and help them find that fire I have. The commentaries would help me so much! I promise, if I win the commentaries they WILL NOT be but on a shelf to collect dust! Thank you again, for this opportunity!
Love,
Angela Talley
Beth, commentaries!
PGW…..pretty please with Jesus on top?????!!!!!!e
Commentsries! I’m finishing my degree as a Christian counselor (and dirt poor because of it) and would love this so that I may integrate this with my future clients! Just finished James: Mercy Triumphs this week! Love you and all the women who make your ministry happen! Merry Christmas!
PGW, please.
I so appreciate you all and the encouragement you bring to my life!!
Beth, commentaries! I’m a new homeschooling mom…. Wow the bed and hardest thing I’ve ever done. I have a blog called MommieCan, encouraging moms
toward the abundance that Jesus gives. I haven’t touched it since beginning homeschooling but this would be a great help! I actually wrote a Bible study I’m hoping to do next fa. Anyway…. You are a huge blessing and I thank God for you!!!!
I would be delighted to win PGW….Please! I’ve heard such awesome things about this book!!
Commentaries for sure! I have been looking over the past year and I have purchased the Bible Knowledge Commentary but would LOVE to have these. I have been shopping the different sets and appreciate your recommendation!!! Merry Christmas!
B&H Because I always need to be reminded. Beth Moore you are an inspiration, guide, and light in my life. God Bless you and all those who lift you up and help you do what you are doing. Much Love and Thanks! Have a Very Merry Christmas and may God Bless you all the days of your life 🙂
PGW I love your studies. Just finished James with my Bible study ladies.
PGW, oh please! Would love and USE! (i’m in the battle right now!)
PGW
Thanks ladies!
PGW!!!
Commentaries–yay!!! I have one little Zondervan commentary, and that’s it. More than once I have considered writing a bible study, but am still needing God’s confirmation for that. However, I do still use my commentary in my own personal scripture readings. I would LOVE this!!! (And the Praying God’s Word book, too!) Thanks for the opportunity!
Ohlala…Commentaries, please! I am a hungry girl, feasting on the Word and would love this commentary set to devour! Thank you!
Beth
COMMENTARIES PLEASE!,,
Kellie
PGW
PGW
PGW
PGW please!!!
PGW! There have been a few times in my life when my own words just weren’t enough and God’s word has always come through! Thank you for giving away so many. I will pray they go into the hands that God needs them to go into, even if one isn’t mine!
Blessings!
PGW please!
PGW!!!!!!
It would be a huge blessing to me and my family! Thanks for your generosity…I hope I win.
Melissa
Beth, PGW please.
PGW, please and Merry Christmas!
PGW is something I need to do more! With a very busy hubbie, two teenagers, and a preschooler, our lives are crazy and stressful. The grounding of God’s word is the only thing that keeps me on the right side of sanity (well, mostly)! 😉
Thank you, all you precious ladies who minister daily to all of us. May God bless your socks off this wonderful season of peace and joy!!! Hugs to each of you…
PGW ~ Thank you very very much!!
PGW, please w/cheese! Thank you!
PGW, please. Our group is just finishing the James Bible study and what a blessing it has been. Merry Christmas!
PGW I would love it!
any of the above. 🙂
Beth– commentaries, please!!!! I would love to get back into doing deeper bible studies and think this would certainly inspire me to go much deeper!!!
Merry Christmas to you & your crew!!!
Beth, commentaries! What a blessing they would be! Thank you for sharing your heart for Him!
Beth, Commentaries! 🙂
Beth, commentaries please!!!
I am preparing to soon go overseas as a young single missionary to an unreached people group (Lord willing!), and would love to be able to prepare chronological bible storying for them and to grow deeper in His word! While I’m in the States I’ve been doing Bible study for my church’s youth girls, and that would help there too! Thank you for all you and the Siestas do – it’s wonderful to have a group of women so committed to the Lord to look up to!
COMMENTARIES!!! wow.. that would be a dream. just starting out on the team for women’s ministry at our church this past year helping to lead bible studies and am a total resource geek. this would be a dream come true!
PGW! Our Lord knows I could use some help with my prayer life! Thank you. PGW
Commentaries please! Merry Christmas to you all.
Commentaries! Please Miss Beth!;-)
I would love the commentaries!! I am an Associate in Ministry!!
,
Commentaries!
Beth, COMMENTARIES! COMMENTARIES! I literally sucked all the air out of the room when I saw you were giving commentaries away. I am currently trying to write a bible study on fear, and i have never been so afraid in my life. THESE WOULD BE AWESOME!
Linda
PGW! Thanks!
PGW!! Would LOVE to have a copy of this…I am new to serious Bible study and would love some guidance on prayer! I am currently going through some things in my life that I certainly need to pray on BIG TIME!!! 🙂
PGW please!
Thanking God for you & LPM,
Ada
Beth, commentaries!! That would be super. Thank you Beth and B&H publishing for this generous gift whoever wins it.
PGW please!
Beth, commentaries! Thanks for thinking of us!
Beth, I would love the PGW for myself but if I have to choose one or the other then the commentaries please because those books are something that my husband and I can use together to really delve into the Bible. Merry Christmas to you and your family and to everyone at Living Proof
Beth, commentaries