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Digging Deep

Bless Your Heart by Cindy Colley

Little Bumps in a Narrow Road

Posted on October 16, 2025

Ten days ago, while in South Carolina, my computer crashed. I know this happens all the time and it’s not important in the scheme of things, but how the details can get in the way of all the other details. Immediately following the crash and subsequent purchase of another laptop, I left on the long awaited birthday “cabin-in-the-woods” trip with my granddaughter, Maggie. I love this trip that has come to be a respite that neither one of us wants to miss. But, in that beautiful place, the internet service was next to none. On top of that, the server that hosts The Colley House is also ailing and badly in need of an overhaul. It’s coming, but it’s not immediate. 

If you are one of the people waiting for an answer to a tracking question, a clarification of a Digging Deep question, a response to a text or a message on Facebook, let me say thanks for patience right  up-front, and then let me beg a little more of it to follow that thanks. 

Overwhelming is what DD is sometimes getting to be in my little world (and in the world of some other dedicated diggers who are invaluable to the study), but it is definitely overwhelming in a good way. I cannot even start to shout to you the amazing encouragement that comes my way upon realizing the numbers, the groups, the fervor and the faith of women who are in the Word; not because of anything I do or ever could do, but because of the movement of the Spirit through the Word of God, Digging Deep is changing lives in a good way. I may be overstating it, but I like to think about DD as a gentle revolution within the kingdom—a revolution that has and will end at the throne for many Word-focused women. I even like to think about what it will be like when we, as fellow diggers in the Word, recognize each other there. Will we remember certain red-letter studies that brought us collectively closer to that one eternal day in the place where we can look into the face of the One who was lifted up to draw us to Him? I can’t even imagine. 

There will not be any computer crashes there, but the permanent annihilation of anything that causes angst will have already occurred. 

So, till then, we’ll sometimes have to settle for a dig-a bit made in the car with lots and lots of background noise, or a podcast glitch or several typos in a Word-focused explanation. Little bumps in a narrow road. But we’ll get there! 

Bless Your Heart by Cindy Colley

This New Studio

Posted on September 26, 2025

I know if you’re a podcast viewer (and we have lots), you noticed that we have a beautiful new studio from which to discuss our monthly Digging Deep lessons. I LOVE it!

While I know that this beautiful space in the West Huntsville church building was not created just for Digging Deep, I’m profoundly thankful that we have it and that Digging Deep gets to use it.

Today, I’m thankful to the West Huntsville church and elders for the funding and decisions behind the beautiful new studio. I’m very grateful to the Gospel Broadcasting Network for the installation of both the set and the equipment that now lives in Room 117 of our local building. James McKinney made multiple trips from Olive Branch, MS to Huntsville, AL to install this studio. Jennifer and Louis Benavides worked tirelessly, both in design and in making sure we purchased what we needed for all technical aspects. They planned and tested and budgeted and…just in general…have their fingerprints all over this project. Ruth Soli and Jennifer excitedly worked last week behind the desk, during the actual podcast, to bring it to every woman who is studying along. Leslie Hamby drove from Pulaski, TN to co-host for us. I’m thankful, from a deep place, for all these people!  Let me just tell you, my heart is filled with both excitement and gratitude for this tool that our God has given. We pledge to give Him glory and honor in every segment that comes from this studio.

I hope you will keep inviting. We have had over 500 women to join the group since the topic for this year was announced. Many are seeking for the Savior. Many are being exposed to truth through the Word that they have never heard before. Matthew 13:33 says the kingdom is like leaven, that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour. I’ve already baked four loaves of bread this morning. My house “smells” of this verse!  My leaven was hidden in some little lumps of flour and water. Those lumps have turned into big loaves of bread. What started small, on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, has saved millions of people in the years between that day and this morning, as I write. We are still hiding leaven in 2025. Are you watching the kingdom grow in those measures. Are you hiding leaven in your little world?

Keep praying. Keep inviting. Our God can do MORE with Digging Deep than we can ask or imagine. He already has!

Bless Your Heart by Cindy Colley

Talking about “Gentle Parenting” Today …and 40 groups, now!

Posted on August 7, 2025

Today is Super Thursday at the West Fayetteville church just across the state line in Tennessee. I’m excited to get to talk about parenting at this event. It’s kind of hard to narrow down the material when asked to speak for 45 minutes about raising godly children. I could talk about filling them with the Bible through Family Bible Time for the entire time. I could expound on the value of listening and communicating with our children. The dangers of social media could fill the entire slot, as well. 

Today, I’m going to talk about “gentle parenting” and the disparity between actually being a gentle, loving parent and what the world means today when the term “gentle parenting” is used. I’ve been communicating with a friend (or two) who plans to hop into the day for a brief time for this session. I’m glad for this chance and thankful to the God of more, for opportunities  that might bless my favorite people in the world: children. 

Today, I got up at 6:15, ready to take my walk and pray and talk through this lesson as I made my way through the neighborhood, before anyone else in the house woke up. One of the grands, who’s eight, had spent the night at our house last night. She awakened and wanted to walk with me. Of course, my plan changed, from studying, to visiting, on the walk. I told her to hurry and put her pants on. Moments later I reminded her that she needed to get her pants on. Then, I said “Grab your shoes and put them on.” 

“I think I left them in Mom’s car last night.” So I went to the closet and found some shoes I’d bought, second-hand, for her. “Here. Put these on, “ I told her as I handed them to her. Moments later, I came back and she was playing with some trinkets as she sat on her bed, her shoes still sitting there on her bed. 

“I’m sorry, sweet girl, but you cannot go on a walk this morning,” I said. You are not obeying me. I love you and I want you to get to go, but you must learn to obey.” 

Lightning fast, she had those sandals on and said “I’m ready. I’m ready, Mammy. See? I’m ready right now.” 

At this point, I had a clear choice. I’m not her parent, of course, but I do try to help her parent, when given the chance. I also knew that, last night, this eight-year-old could have no treats between meals and she could have only water to drink, because she had failed to obey her mother and get dressed for church when told to do so. 

As her grandmother, I really wanted to relent.  Missing the walk was devastation to her. I really wanted to follow the “gentle parenting” protocol and ask her “Is there something on your mind that is making it hard for you to hear me?…Let’s talk about what’s on your mind.”…”Now let’s think about what it is that could help you listen and let’s think about how our day could be better and we could fit more enjoyment into it, if we listen and accomplish what we are asked to do.”

But teaching that there are often immediate consequences that come with disobedience is the Biblical alternative. That’s the point of the lesson today. It is gentle, in a real way, when we prepare our children for the world’s sowing and reaping and, especially, for the judgment and justice of God that make his tender mercies so precious to us. 

Parents have to pay some everyday prices for Biblical parenting. Grandparents, who occasionally take charge, do, too. I had to miss my morning walk. I may be a little less prepared for the talk today. But I’m praying this sweet little girl, through the tears and disappointment of the early morning, will be a little more prepared, for life in Him, with each little consequence. She’s so good. Guiding children to the throne takes such diligence. I’m thankful for the parents all around me who are working so hard for that great gathering at the throne, including the parents of all six of my grandchildren. I praise God for those parents. 

And two more Digging groups!

39. The coffee shop group in Huntsville, Alabama meets with Leah Wright on Wednesdays at 10 am. at Flint River Coffee Company on Winchester Road. I love these ladies. They range, in age, from 15-ish to 50-ish and they are digging wi,th the best! You can contact Leah through Facebook or you can contact me and I’ll give you a phone number!  

40. The Wetumpka group (near Montgomery, Alabama) meets at the Wetumpka church building every 4th Monday night from 6:30-8:30. Lisa Morgan and Holly Smith are great contacts for that group. You can contact them through Facebook. If you have trouble, I have a number for this group, as well. 

Bless Your Heart by Cindy Colley

DD: An Emphasis for Moms….And More Groups!

Posted on July 29, 2025

Yesterday, while studying our Month 11 Digging Deep lesson, it jumped off the pages of Scripture to me that BOTH of the conversations this month involved nursing women. In the first, from Luke 11, a random woman (although nothing is random in Scripture) yelled out at Jesus, in the midst of mocking Pharisees “Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that you nursed!” 

Jesus responded in agreement, while further stating, in so many words, that the most important thing was not who had nursed Him, but who is being nourished by the Words that proceed from the baby-grown-up…God, Himself. 

The other short conversation was from John 19, a reference to the destruction of Jerusalem, in which Jesus said, “Woe to those who are with child and who nurse their babies in those days.” Here the Word specifically mentions that there were wailing women in the crowd near Golgotha to whom Jesus was speaking. He said these words while in great pain and very near death. Amazing!

Throughout the texts that we have studied this year, there has been a dynamic and dramatic emphasis on childbirth. We have studied: 

…the pronouncement of Eve’s punishment that was about pain in childbirth.

…baby announcements and, when included, some follow up conversations, with Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah, and Manoah’s wife.

…that amazing angel visitation to Mary, the mother of the Lord. 

…these conversations with women in the crowd, both of which included mentions of childbirth/nursing babies. 

When thinking about 1Timothy 2:14, it’s amazing, that yet again, the emphasis from the Holy Spirit, in speaking of the salvation of Christian women, is on what mothers do  “in childbearing.”

Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.

For another discussion, I believe the weight of the passage is that women who raise kids with the above characteristics, will necessarily be living those characteristics, themselves. They will be faithful women if their children grow up to be faithful due to their nurturing and constant diligence. 

This obvious emphasis, through the conversations of God with women, is a powerful testament to the honor and responsibility God places within motherhood, the acceptance of which, even in the church today, is often minimized by the constant pursuits of power careers and the acquisition of material wealth. 

We should be sober (Titus 2:3-5) as we ponder.

AND MORE GROUPS!…

21. The North Jackson, Tennessee group is up and running. Contact Kelli Gough, through facebook, for meeting time and place. SO excited about this one!

22. Another East Tennessee group, in Newport. This group meets on Thursday nights, depending on schedules, at the Newport church of Christ building. Contact info is Elizabeth Gilbert at 731-636-0423.

23. And one more in East Tennessee: This one, in Johnson City, meets at the Central church building on the 2nd and fourth Wednesday nights each month. Kim Seaton is the point person and her number is 423-329-9328.

24. This one is in South Carolina. This one’s a hybrid group, meeting both online and in-person, each Tuesday afternoon at 4:30. St George, the home of this great group, is in between Charleston and Columbia. Contact  Kimberly M. Knight on Facebook for more info. 

25. Contact Terri Lynn Morris Meadows via facebook, if you’re near Crystal Springs, Mississippi. This group watches Julie Orr’s Mama’s Monday Moments DD review together and has some great discussion. This happens on Tuesdays at 6:30. They say they have lots of room for anyone wanting to study along. 

This is an amazing list! More to come!

I love diggers! We’re on a special, eternity-bound, journey, together. And more and more women in this group are searching for the narrow road while traveling. The dig is all about the Word, which is the spiritual GPS. Let’s type in heaven and never look back!

Bless Your Heart by Cindy Colley

Congrats to the 11,000th member of Digging Deep! (and MORE groups!)

Posted on July 24, 2025

Congrats to Kayla Harkins! Kayla is the 11,000th member of the Digging Deep in God’s Word Bible study group! Welcome Kayla!  And thanks to “Jan”—not sure which Jan—for being the “inviter” to the lucky 11K member! (She’s 11Kayla!) Kayla gets to choose 50 dollars worth of books or swag or whatever from The Colley House. So glad you are along for the study, Kayla! Send me a message when you decide! 

And a few more of our groups: 

11. This one meets up in the Garland-Rockwall Texas area (east of Dallas) They’d love to have new members and the contact is Llewellyn Hamilton. 972-742-7001. Check with her for details about meeting times and places.  

12. Here’s a meet-up in Trenton, Georgia. This one is another Sunday group and they meet at 3:45. They are a group of 8-10 ladies, but they are all about more! They are even saying they’ll divide up into two groups if they get too big. “Too big” is always a good problem! 423-309-5494 for Brenda Wheeler. 

13. Here’s one in Union City, Tennessee. It’s at the Bishop Street church and you can get all the info from Michelle Johnston at 731-796-1756. I think this one meets monthly. 

14. Here’s a unique one. They video chat together through Messenger every Tuesday morning, from Whiteville, NC to Bolivia, NC. They didn’t even know each other till last summer and now they consider one another “best friends.” DD has a way of doing that! The Word is a pretty close bonding agent! You can facebook message Cindy Richardson Sturdivant or Patsy Norwood if you’d like to join this chat! They would welcome you. 

15. Here’s Harrisburg, Arkansas. They meet on Wednesdays at 9 am in the fellowship hall of the Harrisburg church. Contact info is Rebecca at 870-215-8525. 

If you have a welcoming group, message me and I’ll keep adding more each time. I have so many already in my messages and that is super encouraging! I’ll keep them coming! God is so good!

Bless Your Heart by Cindy Colley

Groups upon Groups… and More Groups!

Posted on July 23, 2025

I just keep getting more and more groups to list from coast to coast and from the Texas panhandle all the way to Canada. It’s a wonderful time to start digging! Also today, we welcomed our 11,000th member to the group. I’ve messaged to make sure it’s ok to share her name and photo with you! 

Here are a few more of the groups. If you want the fellowship, there’s likely a group that’s perfect for you. If you like the solitude, that’s ok, too! 

Here you go!

6. This one’s in Troy, TN. It meets in the home of Maxine Knoll on Hank Miller Road. Maxine  is the contact and her number is 731-514-0933. They meet one Saturday each month and determine which Saturday from month to month based on which time best suits the most schedules. (And I happen to know they also eat! That’a plus in West Tennessee!)

7. Next is another group in Tennessee. This one is in Greenfield. They meet in the church fellowship room there. September’s time will be the last Tuesday at 10 am. Contact is Carol Ary and her number is 731 514 6671.

8. Next is a great group in West Visalia, California. Moderated by Aurelia Wright, this group typically meets on the second Saturday of each month, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. They meet at the West Visalia church building located at 4525 W Caldwell Avenue, Visalia, CA 93277. The group includes women from Bakersfield and Hanford. They are open to zoom calls, but they highly recommend your attending in person. (I do, too. Once again there’s food and fellowship! Aurelia says the desserts are something to behold—and then ingest!) Aurelia’s number is 559 682 7088 and her email address is Aurelia.wright1227@gmail.com.  You’ll love that one.

9. Next, Kelly Huffman says there’s a group of about ten in Washington, WV, meeting at the Lubeck church building. They meet on the fourth Sunday of each month AT 4:30 PM. Kelly is roosterwoman@icloud.com. 

10. Now, Lynchburg, Virginia area ladies…this one meets in various homes around Lynchburg and whoever is hosting just decides and they get the word out each month, where and when to come. I’m sure if you email Amy Clevenger at amysclevenger@gmail.com, she would be happy to put you on a call or email list, so you can join in if possible. You will love the ladies there! 

Keep reading the blog…we will have some more groups as well as the upcoming 11,000th member profile in the next post! DIg on!