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!!!!
PGW! Praying they all end up in the right hands. Hoping that my hands are part of that! Blessings to you Beth More and LPM … today and always.
OK, first of all, would you believe that I am so sappy that I nearly cried over your comments and some reasons why you would like to win the giveaway? I wish so much we could give away every resource within our reach that you desire.
And then, of course, I laughed. Trust me when I tell you that the next time I give you a sample comment (Beth, commentaries!), I will go out of my way to say INSERT YOUR OWN NAME PLEASE. Y’all are so funny. You would not believe how often we get a comment asking us how to make a comment. It’s all the rule keepers like me. SO, that’s why I try to tell you how a sample comment looks for a specific post where it really matters. And now I’m really tickled. Call me compulsive. I take that back because NOW I know you really would. CALL ME FREE!
Good grief, I love you guys. What did we around here do to connect with a few thousand sisters at one time before Siestaville??? What a grace from God.
PGW–Would make a wonderful Christmas present.
Meg, commentaries would bless the brothers and sisters that I am so very blessed to serve!
Beth, I would love my first set of commentaries for Christmas!!!!!!!
PGW please 🙂
Beth, commentaries!
Beth – Commentaries!!!
Just read your comment .. REDO
RANA – Commentaries!!!
haha
PGW…. so thankfull for this chance, we are doing the fruits of the spirit study from your teaching and we mentioned this commentary bible and the way you use greek words… I would be so thankfull to have either one of these gifts from your ministry.
Beth, commentaries! 🙂
Commentary!!! This is what I have been looking for! I have a passion to write but was unsure where else to research! These would be awesome!
Commentaries!!!
Picure
Book
I would love and use any of these.
Merry Christmas and thanks for this
wonderful blog.
The commentaries would be AMAZING! Both my husband and I would put them to serious use.
Beth, would LOVE to use PGW!!!
Merry Christmas!
PGW!!!
Thank you 🙂
Beth, commentaries!!!!! Please, please, please, please, please!
I’d like to start a blogging and write Bible studies and books for women. These would be so helpful for me as I begin walking this path. I want God to use me as a vassal to bring His healing Word to women around the world.
Merry Christmas!!
Cooking Up Faith ~ Praying God’s Word 🙂
Oooooh! The commentaries!!! Love love love……
Adrienne
Praying God’s Word…need it! need it!
PGW!!!
BETH, COMMENTARIES!!!!!
Commentaries!!!! Please!! 🙂
PGW, please! I feel God has led me to your blog today as I have been wrestling with so much for the past 6 months. Depression, self-doubt, demons from my past that blast me daily which in turn affect my new marriage, my job and my thought-life. I have not heard of your book, Praying God’s Word but feel it might what I have been looking for to help me draw closer to Him because only HE can break those strongholds.
Thank you for allowing God to use you to do what you do for women all over the world.
Praying God’s Word
I would love a set of the commentaries!!
I would love these commentaries!! I am a pastor’s wife who is aching to study the Bible in more depth; the ladies in my church are stuck in a rut (for lack of a better explanation) with Bible study, and I want to help fan the flame!! My husband has a few sets of commentaries (Matthew Henry and Warren Wiersbe for instance), but not this one. I sneak through his once in a while, but it would be awesome to have a fresh insight!!!
Mariposa – PGW please. It would be a blessing.
Commentaries!!!! What a gift!
I have Praying God’s Word and use it all the time. Those need to go to women who don’t have them yet.
Beth, commentaries!! Love to research and teach and this would been an excellent resource to have. 🙂 Thanks for all you do to bless us!
I need to be challenged in my prayer life and this resource sounds like just the ticket! ~ Catherine, PGW
I would love the commentaries- thank you for this giveaway!
PGW
Cody, commentaries!
Would love the commentaries! What a generational blessing to pass on!!! Thank you in advance if i win!!
PGW, please!
As a young Minister’s wife, I would LOVE the commentaries. I am currently teaching two Bible Studies and have a thirst in my heart for the Word of God like never before. Also, PGW would be oh so beneficial not only in my life but in the lives of my ladies at church.
Emily, commentaries and PGW! Thank you so much Living Proof!
Nancy- commentaries!!
Ashlyn, commentaries!!
Beth, commentaries!!
i would love the chance to win the commentaries. i teach bible study in a catholic church and beth as you probably know, that is a scarce group of us out here. any resources would be appreciated. the women i work with are hungry for the Word!!
Lindsay – commentaries please! 🙂
Paige-PGW-
You have no idea how much I need this right now! Just finished listening to your teaching from Pink Impact 2012 (for the 5 time) AWESOME word. Love me some Beth Moore. Thanks for being my driving buddy so often.
Hi, Beth! Would LOVE the commentaries!
Beth, would LOVE the commentaries!! My sister and I were just discussing your James study and talked about how we would love some commentaries to dig deeper on our own! Merry Christmas!
It would be a real blessing to receive PGW! Thanks for the opportunity~
Beth, Commentaries? Are you kidding? They are soothing to the soul! I would love to add them to my library!!
PGW sounds like it might be a game-changer for me. And, of course, it won’t just be for me or the twenty who receive it – I’m sure those twenty copies will pass through many hands which is a brilliant investment in God’s kingdom. Good on you and you publishers!!
Oh I have been looking for a good commentary!
Enter me in this one please!
PGW! I NEED this! I have already decided if I am not one of the fortunate winners, I am going to buy it right away.
Thanks to all of you.