If you’re coming to Branson PTP, be sure to plan to meet sister Diggers on Friday, the 17th of July at 11:45 a.m. at Local Flavor Restaurant. Check out the Digging Deep Facebook page—the pinned message at the top— to sign up, so we will be sure and have room for everyone… (https://www.facebook.com/groups/diggingdeepingodsword/permalink/28521086217479375 ). Full details and website link is there. Notice: I do need a Facebook message from you if you need handicapped access in the restaurant. There’s a flight of stairs up to the private dining room, but we want to be sure to eat downstairs in the main dining room if there’s that need. It’s a small difference. We will still get to sit close together and we don’t want anyone who WANTS to come to be absent! So just let me know.
I’m very excited to see how many Branson diggers are “finishers”, too. It’s just a fun time together to celebrate all the efforts in the Word! The awards time is listed in the PTP brochure as well as the bullet point review of “The God of More.” To be a “finisher” in Branson, one must have completed all reading and questions though lesson 10 of “More” and have also completed each “Practically Speaking” section as well as listened to all the monthly video podcasts OR all the dig-a bits through lesson 10. You must be present to be recognized, as well. We will be singing the song, “More” so be sure and go back and listen if you haven’t already. It’s here: https://thecolleyhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SongColleyJan26.mp3
And be inviting! That’s the most important thing. The gospel is the power of God to salvation (Romans 1:16) and people who study along do learn the gospel. Another new sister (I believe she’s in Ohio) was baptized in the last few days after studying along for a couple of years; an immense blessing from our God of More! He’s so good. So invite and pray. The new topic will be announced on August 15th and the study will begin on September 1st. All study materials will be on the website (https://thecolleyhouse.org/) on August 15th, as well as available for purchase at Sevierville PTP. As always, there will be a free download. No one has to pay to participate.
He’s so good. More than we can ask or imagine.
Something made me know that he could not be well. One of my doctors is pretty old and feeble. But this day was different. He didn’t stand much. He rolled around on his little stool. He didn’t smell right as he got up in my face and examined me. His dress loafers were covered with dust.
He will read exactly how to be in touch with me and with our wonderful West Huntsville family. I pray he will be able to … and that he will allow us to be helpful to him, at this point. But I am not proud that I have known him for 21 years and have never known that he was without family. I never knew he had cancer. I never knew he might benefit from some goody bags and encouragement. Most importantly, I never addressed his soul. Granted, he may not have listened. But I could have spoken, even if his heart was not open.
Last night, I spoke with a group leader in Kentucky. This group, which started with one person who was willing to invite others, now has 24 signed up to study this year. Two of these women are not members of the church of Jesus. In Arkansas, a group of four (last year) has grown to 14 this year. Some were baptized to be in Christ and have the hope of heaven for the first time in their lives in 2023. And every time I open Messenger, it seems there are good growth comments and questions. I see Him answering and I see His providence working through our study. I know He has worked through His Word in all kinds of venues through the centuries, but getting to see this kind of working this close up is the blessing of a lifetime.
I pray God will continue adding to His church those who are being saved (Acts 2:47) and that he will keep calling women disciples “Christians” (Acts 1126) as a result of invitations by common women of God like you and me. He does, consistently, more than we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). Digging Deep is personal and powerful evidence that we serve the God of more. He still saves to the uttermost (Hebrews 7:25)! I know we will praise and glorify Him together this year!
Family Bible Week at West Huntsville is this week! The Gospel Railroad. It’s at 6:30 through Wednesday night. Dr. Bible is there and there’s a candy bandit. (Right now, the candy jar has been stolen and we have NO idea where that bandit has stashed it!) The kids made FBW photos last night and frames for the fridge. They watched lively re-enactments of conversion examples. They sang their hearts out and they learned songs about what it takes to be saved. They entered contests and they rode a real train through the halls of the building. I heard the conductor asking them questions about the Bible as they rode along and waved at spectators in the hall. They watched a puppet show about forgiveness. This is what spiritually focused memories are made of.
On Sundays, for FBW month, the pulpit has been focused on these four examples of conversion that are the focus of this week. The children fill out sheets during the lessons in our worship that help them listen, too. The examples of obedience to the gospel that are the focus this month are the Ethiopian, the Philippian jailer, Cornelius and Saul. Did you know they all did exactly the same thing to get into Christ? There was a recognizable moment in each of these accounts from Acts when sins were washed away. The moment is described for Saul in Acts 22:16. The jailer went out, at the risk of his life in Acts 16, in the middle of the night, to accomplish this washing. The Ethiopian saw water and said “Why are we waiting? Here is water.” And Cornelius was a good man—a really good man—but still had to have the washing before he could be saved. (Notice verses 1-3 of Acts 10 and then look at verse 14 of chapter 11). While the whole world says baptism has nothing to do with salvation, we have to keep telling the whole world what Jesus said “Go into all the world and teach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized shall be saved.”
The podcast is happening tomorrow night at 7 CST here: 
PLEASE, please invite your “non-churched” friends or friends of other faiths. Women who have sincere hearts, who want to know the good news for their souls WILL learn it if they dig with us this year. It will be an inescapable, but tender revelation from the Savior–an invitation from the One who bore our iniquities and was smitten for our griefs (Is. 53). Invite sisters, too, who can invite others who need the gospel. 
It’s an amazing blessing that we now have over 7500 women in the Digging Deep Bible study group. We work hard to insure that the group is a safe place for us to concentrate on the Word and grow spiritually. That’s why it’s sometimes necessary to exclude someone from the group. We don’t do this lightly because our purpose is always souls in heaven, in the end, and so we want those who have a curiosity about the Word to be able to begin their investigation here–with women who are so dedicated to and in love with the holy words of Scripture. Occasionally, though, someone, who is an open “attacker” of faith and the Word of God will ask to become a member. Because we must protect the sincere seekers and the integrity and purpose of our group, we have to decline those who are obviously attempting spiritual harm or to lead away those who are hungering and thirsting for righteousness.