Browsing Tag

PTP

Bless Your Heart by Cindy Colley

PTPraise!

Posted on August 26, 2023

So many blessings—so little time at my house! My phone is in there ding-ing away. My inbox is overflowing and my heart is overflowing to a greater degree. PTP’s a wrap for 2023 and I could not be more thankful to our God of comfort and Father of mercies (2 Corinthians 1:2,3)! Though there were some disappointing moments as I had prayed for some things that just could not happen, the overwhelming blessings were so obvious and palatable through the week with the truest kind of blood family. I am so very thankful. (https://polishingthepulpit.com/)

10 Impactful quotes of the week that I am remembering as I write: 

“I have to go to class. I really don’t want to miss any of it today.”  (Ezra)

“I want to see Digger Doug and Mammy.” (Caleb and Lydia)

“We don’t say “oh my gosh.”  (Eliza Jane, to a lady in the corridor.)

‘I loved that lesson so much. I learned so much!”  (Avelynn)

“No. I need my own Bible for this.” (Ezra, when I offered to share my Bible with him.)

“There’s just one good thing about not being a Christian. You could play in the water park.”  (Ezra) —Then we had a long talk about how Christians can play in water parks if people are not undressed. …And how there are NO good things about not being a Christian.)

 “Wait! I need my different money to give to God. That bag is for the missionary.” (Maggie)

“Today we will be singing ‘Jesus Loves the Little Children.’”  (Ellis—in front of 200 people who sang fervently with him.)

“We are going shopping in the big Hall. I hope I find a doll that’s a Bible person.” (Maggie)

“I love PTP. It’s just that all this many people are kind of hard.” (Maggie)

“But I knew all of those answers. I think something is wrong with the buzzer. Yeah, that’s it.”  (Ezra-after Bible Bowl)

“Look Mammy! Look! My teacher made me this book about all the stuff we learned!” (Colleyanna)

“My favorite part of PTP? The carnival!!” (both Ezra and Colleyanna)

“I Low you. You in my haht.”  (Eliza Jane…to everybody)

If you didn’t notice, all these particular quotes are from people ten and under. We could posit, that they might be the most impacted for His glory, by PTP. They, generally, have a longer span left to make this impact. They are uninhibited in influencing others for the Lord. They are the most moldable people there. They are the least hardened in their hearts. They are, in short, amazing catalysts for much good in the church.

So, special thanks to Drew Hudgens, Celine Sparks, Billy Hayes, Tammy Bear, Chelsea Jones and all the teachers and moms and volunteers who opened this important window of learning to so many children. I’m sure I’m leaving out some folks, but that’s the thing about these people. Not one of them is about credit!  They are each about His glory! (One or two teachers even got locked in their classrooms after all the children had left. These are some teachers who are “locked in” to this teaching opportunity!) 

And, if all this good can potentially come from just one aspect of the big Polishing the Pulpit conference, how much eternal good could result from the entire program each year?  And, can Christians double that influence by the addition of another PTP in Branson next year? Jehovah is the God of MORE (Ephesians 3:20)!

Bless Your Heart by Cindy Colley

PTP…It’s a Wrap! (Really!…a blanket of His Providence…)

Posted on August 26, 2022

Some of the finishers!

Kaitlyn!

Presentation by Eric Owens

Polishing the Pulpit is finished for 2022. Every year when we are packing our vehicles to return to Huntsville it seems a blur, as if we stepped out of our vehicles and then seven or so days were fast forwarded—compacted into a few hours—and, just like that, it’s over. This is the year we needed it more than ever before. We went there very tired (sick parents, the stress of the struggles that characterize living in this world, the heartaches of the devil’s work about us, workloads that were formidable.) God’s amazing providence in placing us in a family has never been more clear to us. (Some events of His providence are not necessarily evidenced in the moment. Our placement in a large family of His children, rather than going Christianity alone, IS manifest Providence!) The church is, foremost, an unspeakable vehicle for our salvation. It is, secondly and importantly, His blanket of comfort as we travel though the wilderness on the way to the eternal promised land. We were wrapped in that comfort as we experienced PTP 2022. His blanket, for us, was palpable. We are so very thankful to the Father that we get to be a tiny part of this program that is an immunity boost for those who are determined to avoid the infection of sin in our world. Lessons by Hiram Kemp, Eric Owens and Rebekah Colley were among the most strengthening for me this year. I’m so thankful for the thumb drive containing the lessons I did not get to hear! 

Speaking of comfort, I hope you are getting ready to study the topic we need so much in 2022! It’s here and it officially kicks off on September 1st. I hope you can invite others. I am absolutely positive—I can promise— that, if you study along, you will find blessings in whatever it is that’s causing pain, sorrow, confusion and/or dissonance in your world today. You can find your materials here: www.thecolleyhouse.org/store. Remember, there’s a free download of the study at that spot. One highlight of PTP, for me, is the recognition of finishers (the ones who are present) of the previous study. This year we had about 35 women present who had completed every reading assignment, every question, every practical assignment, and every podcast. (Did anyone get an exact count? I need to re-watch.) This is an estimated minimum of 120 hours of digging!  Ladies don’t do this kind of study for recognition. They do it for reconciliation to the God of all Comfort; for the redemption that instructs them to make their calling sure! I’m so thankful for these diggers!

If you want to study along, there’s an introductory video pinned to the top of the facebook page called Digging Deep in God’s Word. You need to join the group and watch that. It is here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/diggingdeepingodsword/permalink/5194568583891134.  You can also find it here, if you are not on facebook: https://thecolleyhouse.org/digging-deep-introduction-video?fbclid=IwAR1YnhHospghdKRzNCXe7iHkE2y4pE5-FVxrVaRF7AotZCHQMrx0c6BZifc. 

There are lots of women who can help you, if you get stumped along the way, especially if you are in the facebook group. It’s full of helps and questions and tips and tutorials through the year. If you’re an old pro digger and you’ve taken a digging hiatus during the chaotic Covid time, now is the time to jump back in. September 1st is always a great new beginning for spiritual goals and glory!

I’m ready!

 

Bless Your Heart by Cindy Colley

Need a little comfort? (Or a lot?)…

Posted on August 22, 2022

Digging Deep is all about that this year!

I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene. I do wonder how He could love me, a sinner condemned and unclean. 

I stand amazed at the beauty of praises of hundreds of Christians. I stand amazed at the great consolation that flows through these hallways between Christians who have longed to be together again after a three year PTP hiatus. I stand amazed at the depth of the material being presented from the Word this week. I stand amazed at the spiritual growth that’s palpable in the zeal and the evangelism stories I am hearing. Among those are many diggers who are evangelizing using Digging Deep. I heard about seven baptisms in one area of the country due to a digger reaching out with the study.  Nine Tanzanian women were finishers this year. And the study is currently being translated for our Spanish speaking communities. I am thankful to the One who is worthy of all glory for any meager human efforts. I praise Him! 

I’m thankful for the reception you’ve given the new study. Now is the time to invite and encourage. Is there one friend you could ask to accompany you on this year’s study journey? The comfort is only for those who are in Christ. Can you offer it to someone in need through an invitation to study along? 

I’m praying hard for this year’s study. I know He can do more than we ask or imagine. But he lets even small people like me be the conduit for His power in lives. I know there can be souls secured for heaven through the study this year if we will but invite. 

Remember the introductory/instructional video is at the top of the facebook page called “Digging Deep in God’s Word.” Contact me if I can be praying about any contact you are making for Bible study. All materials are available in the store at www.thecolleyhouse.org. Don’t forget there’s a FREE download of the study materials. 

And don’t forget to pray for the success of Digging Deep. Success equals souls in heaven.

If you can share this post, it might mean something good to some soul.

Bless Your Heart by Cindy Colley

Fond PTP Memories

Posted on August 11, 2022

It’s six days till the official beginning of PTP. I remember once hearing brother Windell Winkler say that PTP founder Allen Webster is the single most creative man he’d  ever met. My husband and I concur and just keep being amazed . Between his tracts that have influenced thousands, his dream that just kept growing for this powerful gathering that has strengthened the church in large ways worldwide, and the impact of the publication called House to House, Heart to Heart, it almost certainly has to be said that more people have learned the gospel though his work than through the work of any man living in this century; perhaps more than through any man since the first century. This is not to detract from the hard work and amazing talents of the other directors, etc… but the imagination for the instruments we see is from God through our brother Webster. I know it is because the focus of each of these gospel-sharing tools is the Word and the cross. There’s never any sought glory for any man or even any congregation. I hope you are taking advantage of opportunities through Door-knocking day 2022 (https://nextdoor.housetohouse.com) or the Great Smoky Mountain Marriage Retreat (https://smokymountainmarriage.com), through one of the Spark programs (https://polishingthepulpit.com/spark/), or through PTP 365 (https://watch.polishingthepulpit.com). You will be better prepared to share the saving message. 

In honor of the very exciting week ahead, here are 10 favorite little memories that we carry from this great gathering.They are not the largest thing we take-away, of course—that would be spiritual growth that we need so desperately in this old world.  

I hope you’re coming. 2019 was too long ago. I pray we never have to skip another year!

  1. Each newly-walking grandchild walking across the stage in the interim between lessons. (We just want to get their steps going in the right direction.) We’re praying fervently that they will all be faithful all of their lives.
  2. That one year when  the audio tech got criss-crossed and my husband introduced my son, saying he would lead the opening prayer. Caleb opened his mouth at the microphone and his mother’s voice came blaring forth from a ballroom down the hall. 
  3. The first year there was a women’s program and we had just 12 or so women and Hannah was THE whole entire children’s program. Wow! We have been blessed in the interim since those days. 
  4. The eclipse of 2018. The way we got to witness that phenomenon together.
  5. That year (2011) that I did four little lessons about Digging Deep that, unbeknownst to me, would turn into a 12-year in-depth study of Scripture by women around the world. What in the world?!  God never stops amazing and blessing. 
  6. That year when Digger Doug napped in our hotel room and somehow children found out and kept coming to our door to politely ask for a photo with him.
  7. Maggie’s first birthday party at PTP.
  8. Tonja McRady or Vicky Yocum playing a fruit of the Spirit game with Colleyanna  and Ezra while babysitting them during her parents’ “single-mingle.” Colleyanna said : We can’t play with that “Goodness!” piece because that is a word we cannot say. 
  9. Finding my Dickson in the Sevierville church sound room after its being missing for two years!
  10. That sweet year when we honored my dear friend and brother William Woodson, but he slipped from the bonds of this earth before the date of the celebration. Oh, what an alternative honor and celebration. I love the happy reunion of PTP, but how I hope I can attend THE reunion!

I hope you’re coming. Your memories will be yours. But they will be just as precious!

Bless Your Heart by Cindy Colley

Time for a New DD Study!

Posted on August 9, 2022

I’m getting excited. The Digging Deep reveal for 2022-23 happens in less than two weeks. You can see it on the Facebook page  “Digging Deep in God’s Word” on Saturday, August 2oth at 3 p.m. CST.  That’s the moment when the books and shirts become available on the website.  I think it’s a study in which every single woman in the kingdom will find assurance and hope. As is the study each year, the grand scheme is redemption. Every year we just go at that theme from a different angle. I think you will like this angle. I love it already—because it is the Word. 

Some are asking about prices because your groups are sending a buyer to Polishing the Pulpit. Here are the prices. I think they are the same as last year: 

Books. $17.50

6+ books special  $16.50 ea.

T shirt.   $18.50

Hoodie $29.00

Book and shirt:  $34.00

Tea Towel. $9.00

Bracelet with shovel pendant: $9.00

New campfire style mug: $11.00

I don’t have pictures of the bracelets yet because I have not finished assembling them and the mugs have not yet been delivered to me. But I love them both! The tea towels are in the store already.

I’m so glad we are getting to be together this year. It was lonely getting out materials last year without the big crowd. (And shipping was a nightmare!…but you came through to study and to encourage us….We’ve needed that this year!) I believe we may have a stage full of finishers this year at PTP. I know we are closer to the cross because of our journey through The Hour has Come. 

Let me remind you, too, that every study so far is a great class book for any ladies class during any year. Thus, we are offering Glory, The Ten, and The Hour Has Come for the reduced price of $10.00 each at PTP this year. The podcasts for each of these studies have been archived and are available. Let me know if you have questions about that. 

Women everywhere are signing up and many are contacting me to let me know they are finishers! This is the best. We need to be excited about the Word. It is the power of God to salvation. I am so thankful for women who share the bond of serious Bible study with me. Thank you for being women of the Word!

Lastly, there are still just a very few spots left for the DD Israel trip that begins on October 31st. Details about that are here: https://thecolleyhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2022-Digging-Deep-Bible-Land-Passages-Tour-Brochure-Israel-and-Rome.pdf We’d still love to have you. Podcast for October will be a few days late, but will feature Julie Orr, of Midland, Texas  and myself live from the shores of the Sea of Galilee! I cannot wait! We will have a great group of diggers on that shoreline.

 

Bless Your Heart by Cindy Colley

“Martha, Martha”… “Cindy, Cindy”

Posted on August 21, 2019

Yes, this really happened. I was launching into a very full week of PTP speaking and my early Saturday lecture was about Mary and Martha. I had this in my heart already. I am going to really do my best to make those ladies understand that there are moments in life when we really just need to be quiet and persevere.

So I ventured, with all the boldness and volume I could muster, into a few preparatory remarks. I was rolling, when the door behind me, with a loud clanging noise burst wide open and the tech guy came running in, waving his hand across the front of his neck and shouting at the top of his lungs “CUT!!!” You had better believe I did. Silence enveloped the room and my sweet Kathy Carroll, tech-pro extraordinaire came and whispered to me  that tech was tangled and my voice had been projecting loudly into the men’s session in another ballroom.

I remained extremely silent until I was positive that the problem had been remedied and, wires uncrossed, then proceeded, though trying to summon the same bold projection was challenging. We laughed and rolled with it.

So later in the day, Glenn and I were walking to the car to go get some lunch. He was telling me about some conversations with various people through the morning and I said “You won’t believe what happened in my session…”, to which he responded…

“Oh I know exactly what happened.”

I said, “Oh dear…”

He said “I was up on the stage and had just uttered the words “Let us bow.” I opened my mouth to pray and your voice came blaring, full volume, through that sound system….You just brought that elders’ session to a very abrupt halt. Your son was standing beside me about to take the microphone and deliver the lecture, when the tech fellow just started sprinting across the front of that auditorium. When we finally got you out of that room the technician said, ‘I’m sorry, Caleb. I wish I could give you that time back, but, well…your mom.'”

What are the chances that my voice would be projecting over at that exact moment in that exact room with these TWO exact people on the stage? Only at PTP. We’ve come a long way since that first year in which we had a women’s session for the twelve or so of us who came with our husbands. But it’s been a journey of counting blessings and counting people…up to 5249. Two of my very closest friends have had daughters who became convicted by the pure gospel in this sweet setting. Many women have told me that PTP has provided the glue for a broken marriage, the will to never give up in a troubled time, the strength for a severe health trial, or the wisdom for a parenting crisis. For me personally, PTP is a great motivator. There’s not a time in the year when I’m not mentally storing things away for this golden mountaintop time. I pray that you are finding it everything you need for the other seasons of your year. Take the time to write a note of thanks to the elders of the Jacksonville church. They are at 329 Nisbet Street, NW. Jacksonville, AL 36265.