Getting to Know...
Beth Bingaman
Website
Published Work
Books to be Published
Soon, I hope to publish According to His Word: Ten Lessons for Thinking and Living Biblically
Favorite Non-Profit
Favorite Movie
Older: A Christmas Carol
Newer: Hidden Figures
Personal Questions
Tell us about yourself - your family, marital status, your background... the basics.
I was born and raised in Middletown, Deleware, the 5th of six children. I married my husband of 38 years and moved to Reading, Pennsylvania, where we raised our son and daughter. We now live in an intergenerational household (by choice) with our daughter, son-in-law and five grandchildren.
My husband and I helped to plant a church in Morgantown, Pennsylvania in 2013 where we are still serving. I love to teach, speak, and write to equip the saints and appreciate others doing the same for me.
Where is your favorite vacation spot? Why?
I love lakes in the mountains or warm, sunny beaches. I don’t have a favorite, in fact my favorite thing is to see someplace new.
What is your #1 bucket list dream?
I don’t have a particular destination or event in mind. I want to live life to the fullest and take every opportunity to experience what the Lord brings my way.
Tell the readers one thing you would like them to know about you and/or your writing.
Fifteen years ago I would never have guessed I would be writing. The work God has done in my life, increasing my faith and understanding of His Word through the writing is an amazing gift He has given me. My bigger passion than the writing, is the mentoring aspect of my ministry. I love coming alongside of women and “holding their arms up” (Exodus 17) as they go through the battles of life.
What would you want your 5-word epitaph to be?
“She did all she could.”
Faith Questions
Briefly, tell us about your faith journey.
God first got my attention by showing me an answer to my prayer that, “If I am really a sinner, you will have to show me.” Show me, He did! The most amazing part of what God revealed to me was that He is real and heard my prayer.
God wooed me in by His mercy. I was resistant, telling Him I did not want what He was offering. In His mercy, He pursued me until I understood what a great gift He was offering me. I was 38-years-old when I submitted my will to His.
What is your favorite story from the Bible, the one that inspires, moves you?
One that stands out is Rebekah who gets a bad rap for coaching her adult son to trick his father, Isaac, in order to accomplish the stated will of God that “the older would serve the younger.” (Genesis 25:23) She knew her husband’s resolve and she knew the hearts of her sons. She did what she needed to do to serve the Lord above others. Rebekah inspires me to do what God wants me to do, not want man wants me to do. God never rebukes or condemns her. There are others, Abigail, Jael, Hannah, who were strong and courageous.
Do you have a life's bible verse? If so, what is it?
When God was calling me to teach Bible Study Fellowship, I was giving Him fearful responses. I was trying to read through the Bible and 1 Chronicles seemed long and unexciting. Then the Lord pointed me to 1 Chronicles 28:20, “David also said to Solomon His Son, ‘Be strong and courageous and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God is with you.’”
It was all I needed and I continue to be reminded of it anytime I believe a work for Him is going to be too hard.
If you could have a long, leisurely dinner with a person from the Bible, who would it be and why? What would you talk about?
It would be Jesus if I thought that, in His presence, I would be able to speak, but I doubt that so it would probably be Rebekah. I would like to hear her side of the story! We interpret so much in the Bible without looking at the history from all the angles.
If you could pick one thing you deeply want the readers to know about God, what would it be?
God is so much greater than just a “God of Love.” He is a God of justice, jealousy, wrath, and (Praise His Name) mercy. We have so concentrated on His love that we forget He commands us to obey His Word. He loves but He also judges. Without that light of His justice, His love is meaningless. “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for me.” Two important truths – our sin and His saving love applied through the justice achieved by Christ’s death.
Writing Questions
What motivated or inspired you to write Intentional Influence: A Woman's Guide to Biblical Mentoring?
My major motivators were women who had heard the content of the book as I spoke at retreats on the same topic. They then urged me to get it into print. I was convinced that what God has taught me was worthy of sharing with others.
As a published author, what tips do you have for aspiring authors?
Keep writing. Keep studying. Keep praying for the Lord to direct your steps.