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! Boy could I really use this right now. Send the canon my way!!
Erica, and I would love to win a copy of Praying God’s Word!:)
all I want for Christmas is my… commentaries please!!!!!
I would live the commentaries!
Dust would not gather on the Commentaries at my house!!
We just bought our first house. That picture would go PERFECT in my kitchen!! Please?!?!?!?!
Would love, love, love the commentaries!!! My 2 book set just isn’t cutting it! Merry Christmas!!
PGW!
Beth, commentaries!
I would love the Praying God’s Word!
Thank you for offering a give a way. Please enter me for the commentaries. Merry Christmas gals!
I would love to win the commentaries! Thank you for the opportunity!!
Love it! Would love to go digging in those commentaries. PGW too! What a great Christmas gift!
PGW please. As I was reading this I had already written the tital of the book down so I could check it out and buy it. This is exactly what I need during this very difficult season I am having to walk thru.
Would love to win the commentaries!!!
PGW — what a blessing your blogs are to me!
Suesan Creacy PGW
Sarah Miller, PGW. Praise God for His faithfulness!
PGW
PGW – thank you to all!
O wow you’re so gracious!! Commentaries would be great!!! Merry Christmas to you all!
Commentaries PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Excited!!!Thank You
Commentaries, please!
Both, either one would be fabulous,
Commentaries!!!
PGW!!!
🙂
Commentaries!! And while I’d love them for myself, I’d have to give them to my father since that’s an item on his “Christmas list”.
I would love the Commentaries!
Beth—commentaries…please, please, please!!!!
Beth, I would LOVE this commentary set to help with the small group of high school girls I lead. What a gift to share this with them!!!
Beth- Selfishly desire the…..Commentaries!! (hehe..eek)
What a blessing you are to many…
I Pray for you and your ministry….
Excited for who wins. The Lord knows who needs and will be encouraged by your gracious giving. Praying for the hands that receive the blessing!
Keep working it girls! Praise God for you all!!!!
Beth…..PRAYING GOD’S WORD!
Thx so much for everything.
Joy
PGW 🙂
Commentaries!!!!!!
PGW to share with my bible study partner!!
COMMENTARIES, please!
Wow! Beth, enter me for the commentaries, please!
oooo, yes please!! the commentaries and PGW. Can i do that? can i put both down in hopes i might get one? 🙂 thanks for your beautiful servant heart and uplifting messages
Beth: COMMENTARIES! YEE HAW (that may disqualify me…)
🙂
🙂 Commentaries, please! I am a new Student Pastor’s wife and would love to increase my personal study of Scripture, along with my biblical influence in our teenage girl’s lives! Thank you for all you and your team do!
PGW!!
Commentaries PLEASE!!
What a great blessing you are…and knowing that God has been with you through all the darkness and brought you to where you are now. You are such an inspiration to me! I first saw you at Lehigh University about 6 years ago, and thought “whatever it is that she has found, I need it”.
You sparkle with God’s grace!
Thank you for what you do for women like me.
The painting is awesome….would love to have it as a daily reminder.
Beth, Commentaries!!!!!!
Blind leading the blind, I lead an in-home bible studty for a few women and I need more knowledge! About to start a new class in New Testament Studies, and Old Testament in the Fall.
PGW – please! Could really use this right now!!
COMMENTARIES – please Beth!! I teach Bible studies and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to dig into the Word!
Beth, commentaries!!!! My husband and I lead a college ministry, and he is starting seminary in the spring. We’ve only been married a year and a half, and there’s NO WAY we could afford these on our own. I would LOVE to have a resource like this!
Also, I’ve never read PGW, in any form. I’d love to be entered for both, if you don’t mind 🙂
I would be so blessed by the commentaries.
Last Christmas my husband got my library started with some wonderful books from the list you shared with us a while ago. But, I don’t have any commentaries..they would be such a fantastic addition.
Thank you Beth for this opportunity. Christina-KY
Beth- Commentaries! Yes and Amen!
Y’all are so much fun and such a blessing to us! Blessings to you and your family and to all of the sweet LPM staff!
Love,
Patty
Beth,
I would love a chance to win the commentaries. I have been teaching Sunday school for awhile but God has asked me to spread His word in a different way and gain the knowledge. I have been looking at a few different schools in my hometown to expand my knowledge. I was doing my homework last night Pricilla’s Jonah, I have really been doubting myself but something in her book stirred my soul… A reminder that He has already set the stage for me to do his will. Now I am praying for the courage and conviction to follow through. My heart is all in… Now the knowledge needs to follow. These books will help to get me going! He said Go! I am on my way. I love how God uses you to inspire us!
Angelica 🙂
Beth, commentaries, please. The LORD has used you to teach me so many wonderful things! I would love those commentaries. God will give you wisdom to give those to the right person.
Also, about “Praying God’s Word.” I was going through a very rough time in my marriage several years ago, and a sister in Christ gave me that book. It is very worn now because it was and is very used. It is a powerful tool to help through difficult times.
Thank you for being such a willing instrument. My life is forever changed!
~Dana