**UPDATE**
Congratulations to the winners of the birthday drawing! Your names are posted below. Watch your inbox for an email from Living Proof later today so that we can get you your gift!
BONUS: The wonderful people at AMG Publishers have extended a 50% discount to any of you who would like to order a Key Word Study Bible! Click here to get more information, or to order your Bible. AMG Publishers
Winners:
#523 – Carole Germain #4348 – Karen Quinn
#2282 – Merissa G. #4399 – Anna Bunch
#2321 – Marilyn Riley #4430 – Nancy Beeey
#2756 – Merissa Ury #4813 – Myrlene Darnell
#2876 – Beth Longar #5648 – Nan Smith
#3937 – Dani Turner #5798 – Rachel C.
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A few nights ago I walked my buck wild new puppy around my neighborhood, watched the sun sink deep down into the horizon, and then settled in back at home. I flipped on my favorite season of the West Wing and I ate an entire bag of tortilla chips and ¾ a jar of my favorite salsa for dinner. What is it they say again? The apple does not fall far from the tree. Or something like that?
You see when we were growing up Mom would throw us kids in the back of Brontosaurus the station wagon and haul us halfway across the city to her old favorite Tex-Mex joint. She ordered a pint of salsa and a gigantic grease-stained brown paper bag of tortilla chips for take-out and she would eat all of this and only this for her dinner. Her own dinner. I can’t remember what we kids even ate, or if she fed us at all. I’m only kidding about that last part.
My mom was born at high noon in a fierce thunderstorm, my grandfather said. Her presence still shifts the atmosphere. A few weeks ago Mom left for a week in the hill country for a time of writing and solitude. The second she got back home, I loaded up my stuff and headed out to spend a night with she and my Dad. You see, for me, going to hang out with my parents isn’t really like going to hang out with the parents. Far from duty, it’s one of my favorite things to do. We caught up on all the life stuff that night. And then in the morning we drank our coffee in our pajamas and by 8:30 a.m. at the latest we had already covered topics such as the theology in Ephesians, the New Testament canon, the Holy Spirit’s role in the interpretation of Scripture, and the Festal Letter of Athanasius.
I have to say, this woman utterly dazzles me. She is the sweetest in the land. She is gracious and sanguine and loving and kind, no doubt, but she is serious and intense and focused and courageous. She has opinions and perspective and boldness and wisdom from the ground like no other. For all her awesomeness she is not self-righteous or squeamish, and God knows I have pushed her limits.
Mom is deeply committed to our family and I’ve always known that full well but I’ve also seen that she’s preoccupied with something a whole lot bigger than us. Probably the most important thing I have learned from her is that being caught up in Jesus and what He is doing in the world is everything. It is the ultimate priority and a family committed to His work in the world will get the privilege of making sacrifices together.
Over the past few years in my own journey I found myself in an unknown place, a place where a heart could break deeper and wider and in more directions than I could have imagined possible. Mom has walked alongside me on this road further than any human could be expected to walk with another. She would have had good reasons to just sit out a while and catch her breath. But she never left my side. The road has been bumpy but also tedious and repetitive. When the landscape didn’t seem to change for a long, long time, she kept plodding along with me, carrying my burdens and helping me shoulder the grief that felt too much to bear.
Mom is tender and she is strong and she is not afraid to look pain and grief and loss dead in the eye. Even more, she is daring enough to hope against hope. To see in others, even me, the beginnings of life and growth and health and wholeness where others might only see brokenness and death. She has shined the light of Jesus on me more times than I can count.
She can fry a chicken and whip up mashed potatoes and gravy with the best of the Southern cooks. Her pleasures are simple: the reading of books, sitting on the front porch, walking her dogs in the woods, eating dinner with my Dad, playing games on the floor with her grandkids, and drinking tea with Amanda and me. But make no mistake she is wicked smart and complex and multifaceted. She is so much more than even the best caricature of her could ever hope to be.
I love her.
Yes, I love her. If one photo could capture the light and color she brings to my world, this is it:
It is my joy and honor to be her daughter and also to work for her at Living Proof. This blog giveaway is just one of many ways I celebrate her beautiful life today. The first three gifts are from Living Proof and the last two gifts are personal gifts from me.
First and foremost, we are giving away eight Key Word Study Bibles. My mom gave me one of these Bibles many years ago. It was one of the first Bibles I ever really remember being excited about. It helped me become familiar with various Greek and Hebrew words before I ever took a Greek or Hebrew reading class. Every time I read it I was reminded that the Scriptures we hold in our hands in English are a translation. Remembering this often is a good thing and will take a person a long way in the study of the Bible, I think.
![IMG_2993[4]](https://blog.lproof.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/IMG_29934.jpg)
Second, we are giving away an assortment of several pounds of favorite Houston coffee beans. My mom is a serious coffee drinker, so this is just an obvious addition. This package will include but not be limited to one of my current favorites:
Third, we are giving away an arrangement of fresh flowers Mom loves. And, really, who wouldn’t like these?
Fourth, we are giving away a crossbody saddlebag. Mom and I both carry versions of this crossbody bag over and over again until one breaks and we have to buy another one.
Fifth and finally, we are giving away a small bottle of Flowerbomb. Mom wears lots of different perfumes, but she most often travels with this one.
So, if you’re interested in our giveaway please do pop on and say “Happy Birthday” and show Mom some love. Your comment becomes your entry into our random drawing. Comments will officially close 24 hours after the post is published, and please only one comment per person. The names of our winners will be posted at the top of this post at some point on Thursday.
I hope you all are happy and well.
And, Mom, I love you!
The best is yet to come,
Melissa
Happy birthday blessings!!
I am so blessed to get to see you for my own birthday on june 12 and 13th here in fl! You have been such an insperation to me, I have been struggling with personal issues, but with the LORD and your guidance I have been over comming them, I thank GOD you came into my life as its only getting better and better, may your birthday be as AMAZING as mine was! HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETH!
I wish you the very happiest of birthdays, Beth.
You have changed my life
Enjoy your day and eat lots of cake!!!
Happy Birthday, Beth Moore! I’m insanely grateful for your constant willingness to be His vessel. Thank you for your teaching and silliness, it’s an inspiration AND I HOPE THIS IS THE BEST BIRTHDAY EVER. 🙂
Happy Birthday to a beautiful Godly woman! I pray many birthday blessings over you. Beautiful words from your wonderful daughter, how blessed you are. Have a great day!
Happy birthday dear Beth… you have impacted my desire to love and live for Christ more than anyone else, I think. I thank God for you and for your life given to His service – so tenderly and beautifully illustrated in your sweet Melissa’s words. (I have three girls so I KNOW how much those words mean to you.) Only God knows the price you are paying but He too knows the reward. Praying the Lord blesses you rotten today!
Happy Birthday to our teacher and mentor over the years! We quote you and talk about you like we know you personally because you have allowed us to feel like we really do…you have encouraged my own faith walk and the walks of so many of my dear friends.
This tribute written by Melissa…is perfection…how beautiful!!! And how blessed I am to read it today <3
No entry for me in the drawing, please…the greatest prize was this precious love letter written and shared from Melissa…thank you for including all of us, who love your momma, in the sharing of your heart today…<3
Happy Birthday Beth! I love your sense of humor and your clothes! Most of all I love how you love Jesus and your family!!
Happy birthday! Hope you enjoy it immensely!!! 🙂
Happy Birthday, Beth. We have so enjoyed your teaching over the years at Fayetteville Community Church, Fayetteville, NC.
happy Birthday Beth! Love your Bible studies!
Happy Birthday Beth. I hope you have a glorious day with your family. Thank you for letting God use you to impart so much knowledge and inspiration to all of us.
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for being a teacher, mentor, and inspiration! Many blessings to you!
Happy Birthday, Momma Beth. You’ve given me a piece of what you’ve given your family from afar. You hold a dear, dear place in my heart, too. Love you both!
Happy Birthday Beth!!! I hope you have a great day,today and always! May God continue
to bless you, your family, and ministries!!
You are my absolute favorite Christian speaker. Have a fantastic birthday! 🙂
Judy Coward
Happy birthday Beth!!
Beautiful. Thank you for showing me this side of Beth, who I almost feel like I know, but is obviously so much more than what I see on video or read in a book.
Happy birthday, Beth.
Happiest of birthdays, Beth. It was 20 years ago this summer that I met you at a women’s ministries conference at Ridgecrest and we shared our collective joy over the introduction and unveiling of the tabernacle study. My prayer was to introduce you and your study to Central Florida and God just took off from there. More studies were written and shared, more lives were changed, and then in January 2000 you came to FBC Orlando for a life-changing weekend. All these years later God continues to use you to minister to others so very faithfully. Thank you, Beth for remaining true in the palm of His hand.
Happy Birthday, Sweet Lady!! You have been such an inspiration to me. I can’t begin to say here the times you have helped me in study and prayer.
Happy Birthday to you dear Beth!
Because of the Bible studies you have written, real freedom has come to this broken girl.
So much appreciation felt and extended to you today.
Blessings!
Beth,
I is very evident you look at this verse often. 3 John 4.
I ran across this verse a few years ago and have prayed my children would walk in truth. No more joy today as you look back over the years of your life than to marvel in this truth.
Praying God’s richest blessings today and a special year as you experience God’s blessings in the year to come.
Happy Birthday Flower day Cupcakeday Mama Beth!
You have truly been a blessing to my life and so many other women across the land! Thank you for pouring into my life and for making bible study so amazing and FUN! Love You!!! Peace and Blessings!☺
Happy birthday Beth! I’m so very thankful to God for using people like you to reach so many.
Happy Birthday! Wishing you many blessings on this special day.
Happy Birthday Sister Loved by God!
Happy birthday, Beth! May this be a year filled with many blessings for you and your sweet family! How special to receive such a tribute from Melissa… a testimony to your place and role in her life. Thank you for being such a Godly influence on so many. Praying for you and appreciating you!
Happy Birthday Beth! Was so blessed to be able to attend my first conference of yours in Tampa with my niece who invited me. I received such an emotional blessing! Thank you for the lessons and the laughs!!
Happy Birthday Beth! You are a blessing to me and I appreciate so much that you share with us what the Lord puts in your heart.
A blessed Happy Birthday to you, Beth Moore! What a beautiful tribute from your daughter. His word is true, the seed of the righteous are blessed! You’ve been a mentor to me for years. May God richly bless you and keep you and may His face shine upon you as you radiate with His radiance. ❤️Melinda
Happy birthday to the woman we all wish was our mom… even if we are older than her…
Love, love, love,
Cynthia
Happy Birthday Beth! You feel like a sister to me!!!
Happy Birthday Beth…hope you have a peaceful day.
Happy Birthday to you Beth! You are such a wonderful inspiration and have a beautiful family. I hope your day is filled with joy!
Happy Happy Birthday Beth Moore!!! I woke up from a dream this morning that I met you in a small cafe coffee shop somewhere and was enamored to meet you!! Truth be told, some day I hope I do meet you and your daughters, ya’ll have no idea what encouragement you give out just showing your love and support for eachother and your families!! Have a wonderful birthday!!
Happiest of birthdays to you, Beth! I’m cleaning out the excesses in my house but paused to count all of your studies I have done, some even twice, along with all the other studies. Alongside those are all my prayer journals. Thank you for opening the Word of God to us, making us excited to learn all we can. Doing Jennifer Rothschild’s Hosea study and each day I am desperate to pick up and reread Redeeming Love. Thank you for helping us to refuse to take a vacation from His Word each summer.
Happy happy birthday beth!!! Thank you so much for your obedience to the LORD in leading women all over the world. We have never met but we will in heaven. Have a fabulous day darling sister!!!
Happy Birthday Beth! What a blessing your message was to me in Tampa this weekend! Thank you for your obedience to the call on your life. Many blessings to you today and always!
Happy Birthday Beth! I was recently having a conversation with someone and we were discussing who we would choose out of all the people alive on the planet to share a meal and a conversation with and I chose you. I think it would be such an inspiration and a great deal of fun to meet you! May God richly bless you in this next year of life on planet earth.
Happy Happy Birthday! You guys are such a blessing in my life. Hoping for a blessed day of celebration for you.
Happiest of Days to you Beth. Thank you for all you do for the kingdom! I love listening to you and seeing things from your prospective. Keep up the good work. Here’s to a blessed year.
Happy Birthday, Beth. You have touched my heart and impacted my desire for more of Him and the Word more than you will ever know. Thank you for the sacrifice you and your family make so you might minister to us! May your day be as beautiful as you are!
Thank you for having such an impact in my life to the glory of the Lord. Just saw you in Albuquerque and am still chewing on all I learned! Have a beautiful day!
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you so much for your dedication to Jesus and for educating all of us so that we can know Him better. I love how I can now read the Bible and feel better informed as to what the words mean, what the spirit is and how God truly is amazing. Thank you and Enjoy your Birthday : ) Shelle
Happy Birthday Beth!! How I thank the Lord for you!! Melissa, thank you for writing here today!! Beautiful. I love you all!!
Happy Birthday, Beth! It is amazing to see how much God can use one person. I’ve been tremendously blessed by your Bible Studies. Many happy returns of the day!
Happiest of birthdays, Beth!
Happy Birthday Lovely Lady! You have been and are such a blessing to me and so many others. Thank you for being so faithful to our Jesus and leading us through His precious word. I thank Him for you today and all days. May God bless you and keep you and shine His grace on you.
I am honored to be your sister loved by God
Toni
I am getting married & I long to pour through God’s Word to learn all that He requires of me in this new role. My heart yearns to obey Him in all He directs me to do. I would dearly love the Keyword Bible to pour through. Beth, your example is also guiding my way. I look at you, listen to you and prayerfully imitate your walk of integrity so that I, too, might become a Godly woman if excellent character. Thank you and your family for blessing so many of us. Have an amazing birthday!
This was a beautiful post Melissa. Happy birthday, to Mama Beth!! How is it that she just keeps getting more beautiful every year? What gorgeous pictures! I loved hearing that she was born during a fierce thunderstorm…that is so fitting! I could so down a bag of chips and salsa too…all.by.myself! Love you Mama Beth!
Hoping you had the best birthday!!!
Thank you for shining HIS light and helping me see HIM more clearly!!!
Thank you too for sharing your joys and your sorrows…
Happiest of birthdays Beth!!! God has used you to ‘light me up with Him and for Him’ at a time when all of life was the darkest’. I am eternally grateful! Much love to you! Also thankful for the words of blessing your beautiful daughter has spoken over you!