12 Days of Christmas Giveaways (2017) – Day One
My 11th Annual 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways for 2018 starts HERE.
Welcome to my 10th annual 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways (2017)!
A decade ago I had a little holiday idea. I asked 12 friends to join me for 12 days of Christmas giveaways here on my blog. Each of them shared a favorite recipe, memory, gift idea, decorating tip, or something else that would help my readers during the holiday hustle. They’d also give away a prize package and readers could enter to win by leaving a comment. The series was an instant hit. And it was the first time during my year of blogging that a post got over 100 comments.
Today kicks off our tenth year of this oh-so-fun series. You are gonna love meeting the 12 friends joining us this year and entering to win their prizes. And…..
THIS YEAR THERE IS ALSO A GRAND PRIZE!!!
One of you WHO COMMENTS ON ALL TWELVE POSTS AND ALSO SHARES ABOUT THE SERIES ON SOCIAL MEDIA will win a grand prize from me, pictured here.
This grand prize is worth over $115 and includes:
* A gorgeous notetaking Bible in the CSB version. It has wide margins not only for notetaking but for the person who likes to also illustrate verses in the Bible.
* A set of 10 of my favorite erasable pens from Frixion. No worries if you goof. You can erase them!
* The DVD and study guide for Twelve More Women of the Bible. This is a series by myself, Lisa Harper, Bianca Olthoff, Courtney Joseph, Chrystal Evans Hurst, and Margaret Feinberg. It covers 12 women in the Bible including Deborah, Priscilla, the bent over woman, Ruth, Esther, the woman with the issue of blood, the Shulamite woman, and the woman in Proverbs 31. Each week has a video teaching from one of the contributors and a section of the study guide to complete as you dive into the Bible’s teaching on these women.
*And a $25 gift card to Amazon!
REMEMBER: in order to win the grand prize, you must leave a comment on all 12 posts. You can find them linked at the bottom of this post.
OK, let’s get started with our first day’s guest, Jodie Berndt!
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A Year of Prayer
Every December, I spend some time thinking about each one of my children. I ask God to open my eyes to what they might need (socially, spiritually, physically, emotionally), or what he might want to do in their lives. And then I keep a lookout for a Bible verse that addresses that need, and I make that my Christmas Prayer—one I will give to each child and pray through the whole coming year.
Here’s one example.
Our son Robbie is an athlete. You’d think that’s a plus (and it is), but back when he was in kindergarten, we discovered that he could hit anything—a baseball or a classmate—with surprising dexterity. Things like wisdom and self-control seemed to be hopelessly absent from his character and, after a series of depressing parent-teacher conferences, I was ready to buy the boy his first pack of cigarettes and put him out on the street corner, since I figured he’d wind up there, anyway.
That was the year I turned to Proverbs 23:23-24. Here’s what I prayed: Help Robbie to get wisdom, discipline, and understanding. Let him be the righteous man who brings joy to his parents, the wise son in whom we delight.
As the months went by, we began to notice little changes (Robbie’s sisters, for example, stopped flinching when he walked by), but I wasn’t prepared for what I saw on the next teacher’s report. Reading upside down, I could see what looked like a big, fat “zero” right next to the word “Behavior.” I wanted to cry. But then the teacher flipped the paper around. “I gave him an O for Outstanding,” she said. “I don’t know what you’ve done, but he’s really become a bright spot in the class.”
We hadn’t done anything.
But God had.
And while it hasn’t been a spotless journey from anger to self-control (a few of our friends still love to tell the story of when Robbie got ejected from a lacrosse game as a nine-year-old), it has been an incredible one. Today, as a college student, Robbie has truly become a righteous man who brings joy to his parents. And it’s not because of anything we did (I was the one with the cigarette plan, remember?). It is all because of God’s faithfulness.
Read more about “The Year of Prayer” in Jodie Berndt’s new book, Praying the Scriptures for Your Adult Children, which comes with a free Study Guide available here.
Day One Giveaway
For the 12 Days of Christmas series, I am giving away my three books on Praying the Scriptures, including my newest release, Praying the Scriptures for your Adult Children. Leave a comment below and let us know which one you would like to read most.
Jodie Berndt is the author of several books, including Praying the Scriptures for Your Children, Praying the Scriptures for Your Teens, and Praying the Scriptures for Your Adult Children. A speaker and Bible teacher, Jodie encourages readers to pursue joy, celebrate grace, and live on purpose. Find her writing at JodieBerndt.com, and follow her on Instagram @Jodie_Berndt, Twitter @JodieBerndt, and on Facebook. Jodie and her husband, Robert, have four grown children and two sons-in-law.
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12 Days of Christmas Giveaways Rules
- You can comment on all 12 days (once per person) up until midnight Pacific time, Sunday, December 17.
- U.S. Addresses only please.
- One daily winner will be chosen from each day’s comments and all winners (including Grand Prize) will be announced on Wednesday, December 20.
- Share the giveaway with your friends and followers using the share buttons below.
- If you’re not already subscribed, click here and receive an email notification each day of our series.
If you’re just joining us, you can catch up here:
Day 1 with Jodie Berndt (comment below).
Day 10 with September McCarthy
Thank you for the reminder of how important it is to pray for our children.
Reaching out of our comfort zone to minister to our neighbors through meals is actually one of my husband’s and my New Year’s goals! Love your intentional determination to meet your neighbors and to foster community. I would love a copy of both of the books to Press Pause AND For Better or For Kids…striving for balance in all areas of life so any guidance is welcome! Thanks for sharing your ideas and your heart!
Sharing Jesus with our neighbors over some cookies is a great idea.
LOVE DAY 1!
Read-alouds are a great tradition in our family. I am replacing all my Christmas books after our house fire last year. I’d love to have this in our collection.
Oh, I love this idea for reaching out to neighbors and creating community! After our home burned down last year, I spent about 6 weeks in the heat of summer sorting through what we had salvaged, right in our front yard. During those weeks, as I worked, I talked with so many of my neighbors up and down our mile long street who stopped by to see how we were doing, what the progress was, tell me how they had enjoyed watching me garden in my front yard over the years.. We’ve lived here 13 years, and most of the people who stopped by I hadn’t met yet. We are back home now, in our new gift home from God, and this sparks the wonderful idea to create a Turquoise Table from the dining table I used to sort. What a blessing to read this today!!
What a wonderful encouragement this post was when I first read it on Dec 1. I have been lately burdened for each of my 4 adult children (1 married with a little one), and also for my just-turned 13 yo. But my adult children have been going through some trials and that book would be such a great resource as I pray for them to continue building, and in some cases rebuild or renew, their relationships with their Lord and Savior. Bless you for sharing what God has taught you!
Wonderful idea and insight. With 3 adult children in VERY different places in their life and walk with Jesus, I think I need to read the books!
I love the star idea…its a perfect lead in to our most wonderful shining star Jesus..
He has called us out of darkness into His glorious light.
blessings
Thanks
praying scripture for my adult children…..
I love praying for my adult children. My children are 38 and 36 and would love to glean more on praying for them and their spouses.
As a new empty nester, I would love to know how to pray for my adult children. Thank you!
Praying leads to miracles.
What great memories!
What a fun story to remember God in.
I would love to have the book on Praying the Scriptures for our Adult Children. I really need it right now.
I have a 16 yo son who is currently in jail on a charge of murder. I try to pray for him but I am just at a loss. I would love the Praying the Scriptures for Your Teens. I also have a soon to be 3 yo but I already have the Praying for your children book (which I LOVE!).
THANKS FOE RHE POST AND THE OPPORTUNITY.
the Lord hears your heart…Even if you pray with the only the breath you breath in and out, He knows. He knows what your son needs as well. His hand is not too short for your son. He wants us all, no matter what our sin is, each one is of value to our Lord. Be Blessed, Lord I pray that you touch this mom and her family, Meet the needs of her longing heart, and show your love to her son today in Jesus Name we trust you Lord. You are our very breath, know our every thought and the longings in our heart! In Jesus Precious Name AMEN
I would love to win the praying for children and teens. I have a teenager that tries my patience and I have a 5 year old who still hasn’t decided if he likes kindergarten or not, and makes getting him there daily a struggle. This is a new concept for me and I never would have thought of praying a specific prayer for my children everyday. I think I will have to do this this year. Thanks for the thought.
I would like the one on praying for our adult children…my 21 year old son is struggling right now and that one would be helpful!!
Adult
I would love to have and read the book about praying for your adult children. I have three adult children whom I pray for daily, sometimes hourly!
Well the Lord really is using your blog. I really needed this one. I am going to look for this book. I have so many friends that are grieving. and this is the perfect idea. I hope I can find it and get it in time to deliver.
Again there is that word” time”..I have had a week where grief has come to my door a lot( the last week is a week that many in my family have passed). Many years ago for some of them. They are always unconsciously on my heart at this time. They are always a part of our lives whether near of from heaven’s gates. Praise Jesus for the HOPE that we have because of Him and the relationships that will be restored in heaven one day.
Here is a quote to help those who are grieving and read these comments “Grief never ends but it changes. It is a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is Not a sign of weakness, or a lack of faith…It is the price of Love.” ( I am sorry I don’t know where I got it from).
Blessings
Karen
My internet died in the middle of commenting, so I an starting over. I love the idea of the Turquoise Table and the shoe idea in your St. Nicholas Celebration. I turned 57 today @ 3:03am & God has given me a beautiful day. My Mama gave me a little plaque that says, “Every day there is a reason to celebrate!” And I am celebrating more than my 57years….also 91/2 years drug & alcohol-free! AND 7 3/4years cancer-free!!! I recently moved into an apartment alone in the middle of nowhere and I know no one here, but God has blessed me with neighbors who care. I struggle financially and life is a daily battle dealing with severe health issues due to severe radiation damage & side effects. Life is tough for all of us, but God is so Good. He makes it all worth it. Thank You Jesus Christ! Our Anointed Messiah…Our Saviour!
Immanuel God With Us!
How blessed we are.