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!!!! I would love to give them to my daughter who plans on going to seminary after she graduates from college. God Bless You All and Have a Very Merry Christmas!!!!
Beth, I would LOVES ME SOME COMMENTARIES!!
Commentaries, please! I promise they would be put to very good use! 🙂
Praying God’s Word!! (I need a sword)
i would love a set of commentaries doing your studies with my ladies a commentary would surly help never read PGW but would love to read it and maybe purchase one for each of my bible study ladies if they are not too expensive
PGW
PGW
Even though I would love either one, I’d probably use PGW more, so…PGW!!
Commentaries please!!!!
Please, oh please, the commentaries, wow! I am so passionate about digging in to God’s Word! I feel insatiable lately…I just want to be deep in His Word and presence. I have begun sharing at women’s events and teaching a Sunday School. I know this is what God is calling me to. I do not have any commentaries, computer or book, but the idea of a set that I can touch and smell sounds amazing. I promise they will be well used and cherished! What a generous giveaway!
OH PGW! PGW! I want it, I need it and will buy it if I don’t win it. I was just being led toward the concept of praying the word for a particular generational sin that is breaking my heart as I see it play out in my 4 year old 🙁 I’m not sure where to start but know PGW is THE answer!
Beth- Commentaries!
I will soon finish reading through the bible for my second time (I used the Apologetics Study Bible for my second go round hooping to get deeper) but I would love. love. love. an actual commentary set for my third go through!
Shannon from Medical Lake, WA
OOOOO Commentaries please.
Leslie O.
Beth Commentaries!!!
I have recently started reading the Bible from Start to Finish and am half way through the Commentaries would help me to get a better grasp!! I also think I should read Praying Gods Word when i finish!!
Thanks!!
Mary
Beth, commentaries!!
Oooo…for exciting!!! You reference commentaries in some of your Bible studies and I have been wondering which one would be a good one to start with. You just answered that question. Thank you for the opportunity to win!
Beth, Commentaries please!!!
Kelly, commentaries!
PGW, please. 🙂
Praying God’s word
Ohh! Is it possible for your brain to salivate? The word Commentaries makes mine come close : ) Thank you for all that you do!
PGW…oh how I would cherish this one and put it to use – immediately! With my Bible, my 2013 Siesta Spiral (it arrived yesterday!), the help of the Holy Spirit, and perhaps a copy of PGW, I’m going to battle some issues that have had a terrible hold on my heart and mind the past year.
Karen M, PBW.
Ronee Youngblood
PGW
Beth commentaries!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Denise, Commentaries!!!!!
Beth, commentaries!!! I am a fairly new Bible facilitator who feels very inept!!! I would LOVE to have
this resourse!
!!!!!!!Would surely use the commentaries!!!!!!!!
Beth, commentaries!
I am a teacher at a Christian school in Texas and it is ON every aftetnoon in my high school Bible application classes!
Beth! I just got my acceptance letter to seminary; I’m doing an online program in Missions and Global Studies. I’m far away from a good library and would LOVE to have some commentaries of my own! 🙂
Commentaries, please!!!!!:).
Beth, commentaries!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-))). Please!!!!!!
Beth, commentaries!! 🙂
Praying God’s Word !!!!!
Praying God’s Word!!!
Praying God’s Word
Commentaries!
Dianne
Commentaries please!!
Beth, commentaries, pleassssseee!!!
Commentaries PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!! I am drenching myself in the word and would love to be able to dig deeper.
Thanks for all you do!!
Howdy, Beth! COMMENTARIES!!!!!!!
Thanks so much for the fun and the generosity!
Much love,
Paula
praying God’s word
Beth commentaries please!!!! I am a Bible student right now studying to be a Bible teacher. 🙂
Erica Meshell
Beth, Commentaries! Single mom of three incredible teenage girls — we would share them!!
Angela Hobson
Is it too late?! I just saw this blogpost as I was away from my email all day yesterday. Im hoping I’m not since I live in the eastern time zone. But Beth, the ladie at my church are clamping for more… Specifically a study on Recelation and I am undertaking that request and could definitely use those commentaries as I’m ire this won’t be the last time they ask me to write my own bible study!!! Thanks for your inspiration and generosity!
PGW!!!
Also thank you for the Spiral Notecards I received yesterday, I also received a top to a Very BIG sharpie,do you want it back?
Love you so much and am so so blessed by you and how God is using you in my life.
Merry Christmas, ya’ll
Carolyn
COMMENTARIES!!!! Will greatly help with teaching my 11th&12th grade Sunday School class that many are smarter than me.
Commentaries, please!:) Recently retired and enjoying time to study God’s Word more.
Kim, commentaries!!
I would be thrilled to win the commentaries! God’s Word has been life to me. His Word is like a never ending treasure hunt!
PGW
Beth, Commentaries!!!!! I Would LOve them!!! and use them!!!!
Please enter me in the drawing for your book! I am trying to recover from a crushing blow in my marriage and there are days I do not know how to pray. Truly praying God’s word is exactly what I need to do.
Thank you for all you do in preparing us for God’s kingdom.
Blessings,
T