Browsing Tag

Digging Deep Groups

Bless Your Heart by Cindy Colley

Kids are in the bed….Let’s dig!

Posted on October 27, 2025

I’m always on the lookout for ways for more women to access sound Bible study groups, especially Digging Deep. In the fifteen years we’ve been digging together, we’ve added study books, free downloads, interactive video podcasting, audio podcasting, hundreds of Digging Deep blog entries, hundreds of groups, Spanish translations, transcripts of podcasts, multiple advertising items and venues, and sessions and luncheons at various seminars and conventions. It’s been a blessed ride and I constantly learn from all of you. 

Recently, at a ladies day in Columbia, South Carolina, I met Sarah King, and was blessed by her idea. Young moms who want to study along in her area of Seneca, SC, have decided to utilize Google Meetings for their gathering, and they are meeting, on a specified monthly evening at 9 pm. 

I love this idea! Their kids are in bed and these moms are right there with them, in case the toddler has a bad dream or the baby gets hungry. Nursing moms can turn off their cameras, and, in the case of utter chaos, which can occasionally occur, even after bedtime, mamas can mute themselves, until relative calm returns.  

Thanks for sharing, Sarah. It’s a simple idea, but what a great one! The nine o’clock hour may be the very best hour of those Digging days for these blessed children whose mamas are a few feet away, studying together the Word that transforms lives and builds secure homes. Those secure homes, in turn, are foundational to the future spiritual success of those sleeping babies!

It’s not too late (at night or in your life)  to start digging!

 

Bless Your Heart by Cindy Colley

DD: Putting a Bow on Month 11…More Groups!

Posted on August 1, 2025

I loved this month’s study. Don’t you love the dig on Simon, the Cyrenean? (Every time, I type that place of his origin, auto-correct turns it into a type of dog from the mountains in Spain.) But Cyrenaica, a real place in Libya was home to Simon, who was compelled to bear the cross of Christ. I loved learning about the ossuary containing an Alexander, son of Simon of Cyrene–a box that still is hidden in a back room of the Hebrew museum in Jerusalem. It’s a box that was found in a sealed and unlooted tomb. Now, I know that we cannot be sure this is “our” Alexander, but it’s really faith-building to look into the scriptures about him. I believe he and Rufus must have been prominent in  the early church. Why would Mark have pointed out (Mark 15), to early Christians. that the Simon who had carried the cross was their father, if the early church did not know who Rufus and Alexander were?

And in Acts 2, when the church was born on Pentecost Day, there were those from “the parts of Libya around Cyrene”. This is not surprising, since lots of Jews had been forced to settle in Cyrene in the year 285 B.C.  But don’t you think Simon was there? Why would he not be one of the first to be baptized, after having carried the cross to a place where he would witness it dropped in the earth… an earth that would quake, opening tombs and suffering its dead men to walk? He had witnessed darkness for hours in the middle of the day and he knew about the massive torn curtain (top to bottom) in the temple.  I believe he obeyed and I believe he brought his sons, Rufus and Alexander, to a life change, too. Of course, it is not recorded this way, so it is speculation. But it has some substantive speculative evidence. I am going to look for them in the sweet by and by!

Happy 12th month digging! There’s an empty tomb and women were among the first to witness that event that gives credence to all of our faith (1 Corinthians 15)!

 

More Groups!

31. Lexington, Kentucky! This one meets in the home of Barbara Johnson. Home groups are always so fun! She says it’s a room full, but they can squeeze in a couple more! Barbara is the best and her number is (859) 797-9264. (and I can’t wait to see her at PTP!)

32. Back to Texas: This one’s in Wylie.  I think this one’s growing! Contact is Facebook: Stephani Minor, a great friend to have!

33. This one’s in Olathe, Kansas. Contact is Zac-Sarah Hall on Facebook. This group will meet at the Park Street church  at 515 Park Street in Olathe. With the exception of the first few months, the meeting time will be the 4th Saturday of each month, from 11-12, with a carry-in lunch for those who’d like to stay and visit over lunch. (How far is this from me?…Sounds wonderful!)

34. My friend, Melissa Draper, says their group in Macon County, Tennessee, will be meeting the second Sunday of each month at 3 pm. Melissa’s number is 931-510-9320 and her Facebook profile is Mel Draper. And you will love her!

35. Another Tennessee group meets in Elizabethton. the building in which they meet is at 137 E C Street, Elizabethton 37643. They meet on the second Sunday each month at 5. Kerri Epling is a great fellow-worker in the kingdom and her contact info is: kerriepling@gmail.com or 423 737 1433. (And I think my friend, Diana, is sometimes the home hostess, too!)

Yet more next time!

Bless Your Heart by Cindy Colley

Who was really in charge? … And More Groups!

Posted on July 30, 2025

DIgging again and it just strikes me how many disparate people played little and big parts in the crucifixion of the Lord. 

Think about this list: 

Judas (betrayal)

Peter (The ear of Malchus, the denial)

The Sanhedrin Jewish counsel (ordered the arrest, paid Judas)

The Jewish armed crowd that arrested Jesus (Fell backward when Jesus spoke)

Annas, the Jewish ruler (first examined Jesus)

Caiaphas, the Jewish high priest (next examined the Lord)

Pilate, the Roman ruler (found no fault, but ordered the crucifixion)

Mrs. Pilate (dreamed and warned her husband not to have anything to do with the crucifixion)

Herod, King over a Jewish province (made an alliance with Pilate that day)

Barabbas, Jewish criminal (released instead of Jesus)

Simon of Cyrene, African (likely a Jew from center of Greek learning; compelled to carry cross)

The robbers on either side (justly being crucified)

Joseph of Arimathea, Jewish councilman, but sympathized with Jesus; took body to bury)

Jesus, Himself. 

God, the Father.

Of course, you know that God, in Son and Father, are the ones who facilitated all the others who had input. They brought this unlikely crew together in this purpose. God didn’t make them sin, in the cases where they were parties to the crucifixion. But God used the malice they chose to display for the redemption of mankind. People who would have never conspired together under any other circumstance came together to accomplish God’s provision for my salvation, and yours. 

There’s a good deal in Old Testament prophecy about several of these listed.  God planned every detail of the Thursday and Friday of that Passover weekend. The little people that He made from dust only thought they were contributing to events that day. Some of them were pompous about it. Some were circumspect. Some were violating consciences. Some were  involved at the compelling of others. But all were subject to the eternal will of God for your redemption. God never lost power over the situation. After all, the soldiers fell down backwards when He spoke, while they were supposed to be arresting Him. He could have called twelve legions of angels at any time during the process…angels that were also created by Him! 

Pilate thought he was in charge. Peter thought he should be afraid of those around the fire. Barabbas thought he got away with something. Herod thought he was using great wisdom and Joseph thought his tomb would hold the body. But God knew all along. 

More groups!…

26. This one’s northwest of Fort  Worth, Tx. It meets at the Briar church, which is between Azle and Boyd. They’d love to have more diggers. The name is Andrea Lester and the number is 817-988-1403. 

27. Then back to East Tennessee again! This group is for those in and around Cookeville. Meeting monthly and sometimes varying with schedules, the norm is a Thursday, early in each month. Time is 1:30 and contact is Mary Parker Lawson. 

28. This one is am amazing teen zoom group. These girls are such a blessing and they are all over the geographical map. SEVERAL of them are finishers this year and I have loved getting to know them. They are capping the group at fifteen, but I think they’d start another group if there are more girls and more moms who’d like to help facilitate.  Contact is Amber Parker Roberts via facebook. I think the way this works is that there’s a mom always there in the physical room from whichever point the zoom connection emanates. But you can ask Amber and she’d be happy to help. I’m thankful for several moms in this venture who are getting girls to heaven and raising girls who are helping their mamas get there, too! (I’ve really watched this one glow!)

29. Again in Texas (It’s big!), this one’s in Bloomberg, TX, meeting at the Cass County church on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm. Contact number is 903-826-1427—April Britton.

30. Jenny Townsend (via Facebook) welcomes any Indianapolis, Indiana diggers to the group meeting at the building at 10 Shelbyville Road in Indy. Contact Jenny Lynne Townsend for details. 

More soon! Send me your group info if you’d welcome more girls!

Bless Your Heart by Cindy Colley

Keeping the Group List Going…

Posted on July 25, 2025

This virtual group grabbing a minute. I remember this spot from busy Camp Moriah!

16. Here’s a library one! Lafayette County, Georgia, usually the last Friday of each month at 10 am. You can call Marsha at 706-936-3659. I can tell you already, this would be a good dig. 

17. This one’s in West Tennessee, I think. Barbara is the contact for this Rutherford group. This one’s usually the last Tuesday of the month at 6. Call 501-590-3281 for info. She says there are 8 women in this group and they would love new members or even visitors to the area to drop in!

18. Jillian Allen facilitates a hybrid (sometimes online and sometimes in person) weekly group in Wichita, Kansas. You can contact Jillian via Facebook. 

19. Here’s one on the east side of Memphis, Tennessee. They meet in the fellowship hall of the Forest Hill church. Contact is Christine Hart: 901-258-0764. 

20. Mitzi Jackson welcomes all Florence, AL ladies to a group that meets every Wednesday at the New Hope church at 8245 County Road 15, 35633. This dig is at 10 am.  For ladies who are at work through the day, there’s also a monthly meeting that’s typically the last Thursday of the month at 6. They have ladies who attend several churches in the group. (I’ve also seen this group a couple of times meeting outside, somewhere. I may crash this party sometime!) You can contact Mitzi through Facebook! 

I’m making my way through this wonderfully long list! I love this job!  Truly the encouragement for my day. Let me know if you can add to the list and I’ll keep posting. It’s 37 days till the new study kicks off. Three more month eleven dig-a bits to crank out this week. I’ll try to work on those today. I have tile work going on in two rooms of my dusty house right now, so it may be to the coffee shop to dig, but I’m coming. I cannot love a study more than I am loving these “Conversations”. 

Keep inviting. 

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them (Mt.18:20) 

I know He is with us. We will stick close to the “theopneustos”…the God-breathed Word. We will dig into that with all our might and it will be the most important work we do in all our lives, affecting all the other areas of work…finally, leading us home together. Let’s take all the hands we can on the way there; especially the little hands that are reaching up for our guidance!

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!