**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 Ms. Beth!! So grateful for your fierce commitment to the Word of God. Keep pushing us to stand firm.
I hope you have a wonderful birthday and see how many lives God has touched through you. I first started your studies with Believing God and have passed these onto other women with a journal and blue bracelet to enjoy and experience. I wish you years of using this gift of yours in writing, teaching and speaking God’s words to others.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Happiest Birthday Beth! God bless you to overwhelming delight, dear friend! I’ve been so blessed to study with you and share your heart over these last 18 yrs! Also seeing you 1/2 dozen times live, such a gift you are! Thank you! Keep up the amazing, inspiring work of leading us fiercely and passionately after the heart of God! So love that your family rises to call you blessed.⭕️❌
May the Lord continue to make His face to shine upon you! Happy Birthday Beth! My comments will be simple, but life changing for me. I have set under Beth’s studies here in Reno, Nevada ….. her teachings on what it means to be a godly, spiritual woman have changed my life. Especially when she spoke one time about women who may not have had children. This was my life=long desire, but for reasons i may not know until Heaven, I did not have this opportunity. For many, many years i did not feel like a real woman until Beth Moore talked about what really a woman is about. I’ll never forget her words, “You are till a woman even if you did not have children.” This set me free as she tied it into scripture and taught a most fabulous study on the real attributes of being a Godly Woman. She has deeply touched the most painful parts of my walk and helped to trust wholeheartedly in our Lord and Savior. Forever grateful. Happy Birthday!
Happy Happy Birthday!!!
Hope you have a beautiful and blessed day!!
~Tami V
Happiest of Birthdays to a precious someone who has brought so many of us closer to Jesus and His Word! And joy, hope, and encouragement in the midst!!
Beth,
I did the first of your Bible studies probably close to 15 years ago. I have been blessed many times by your God given wisdom. I appreciate your love for women and the sacrifices you have made along the way. Have a wonderful, blessed birthday.
Beth moore is real lady. A women that proverbs call her bessed. I wis for her a happy healthy year ahead… May Our God continue to use her for His kingdom.. my bithday was last wednesday as well Love you Beth Moore. .In His service untill Jesus come Amparo
Happy Birthday Beth. You are loved!
Happy Birthday Beth! Your enthusiasm for the Word has encouraged me countless times! Thank you for obeying God & writing Bible Studies. You are a faithful servant, wife& mom! Blessings to you!
Happy Birthday Beth! I hope it was a day filled with family & friends. Thank you for another year of leading others in the love of scripture & studying God’s word.
Happy Birthday, Beth! You have touched more lives with Jesus than you can imagine. Your love of Him and His Word has inspired and encouraged and sharpened me to be all that God has made me to be. We all have bible study fever here and it’s the best addiction one can have. God bless you with the most wonderful graces today.
Happy Birthday, Beth! May you blessed beyond measure in this next year!!
Happy Birthday, Mama Beth! Melissa’s words are so beautiful and make me feel as if I were saying them about my own mother. We love you so much and for adopting all us sisters as your spiritual daughters. Love, Cindy
Happy birthday, Beth!! Where do I even begin? Thank you for your wisdom, your faithfulness, your relentless love of Jesus and of scripture! Thank you for always, always, always encouraging me towards Jesus. You don’t know me, but I feel like you do. I don’t personally know you, but I feel like I do. What an incredible blessing you are to SO many people! Thank you for your constant pursuit of Jesus… He has used you tremendously in my life and I wouldn’t be the same person without you. I don’t want to take any glory away from God but I want you to know how very thankful I am (this whole community is) for you! I really do thank God for you!!
You are so dear to me!!!
Just love Beth moore. God hs used in a very special way. May God bless her and give her another heathy and energetic yr. Happy birth day Beth…
What a beautiful tribute to your mother! Your family is truly blessed with what is important. Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday! I am so thankful for the Bible Studies the Lord has brought through your pen. Thank you for showing your love towards woman, I feel your mother’s heart even though I have yet to meet you. Thank you for being transparent, loving, and so funny! Mostly thank you for your godly influence on my life and many others. Happy birthday! 🙂
Happy Birthday to you, Beth! Oh my goodness, you have no idea how you’ve impacted my life. I’m a home body and first found out about you through a teeny clip online while surfing for Bible Studies. You said something about coming out of a fiery furnace without smelling like smoke. Honestly, that tiny line changed my life. I watched it over and over again and cried. All my whole extended family ever did was discuss their fiery furnace and they made sure the smoke lingered. Wow, did I ever change after seeing your clip! And to think it was just because I saw a tiny promo video I found online. God knew exactly what I needed. I’ve since taken several Bible Studies of yours with ladies from church and my soul has been deeply enriched. Oh, and Melissa, your beautiful tribute brought tears to my eyes. You’re such a precious daughter. Blessings to you and your mom!
Dear Beth,
Happy Birthday dear sister in The Lord ! I know your day was wonderful, filled with loving family and friends.
Tonight was the last Bible study before our summer break. We finished your study on Psalms. Our precious women were all so blessed by your teaching , we all held hands with tears of knowing more and desiring more of Him as we finished in prayer.
Blessings,
Julie
Happy Birthday Beth,
My life has been enriched in so many areas because of your love for Jesus and your willingness to continue to listen to HIM. May this next year bring joy, laughter, courage and even more salsa to your soul.
Yay! Happy birthday to such a sweet Sister, Loved by God! While we may never meet in person on this earth, I know I will one day get to sit down with you over a cup of strong, dark coffee and share our thoughts on Jesus, The Word, and what it means to get infected with the Holy Spirit & never be satisfied with anything else! Your studies, videos, blog posts, & conferences have been so life-changing to me, and I am so grateful to the Lord for bringing You into this world! Happy Birthday, Miss Beth! You are precious to me, and I know the Lord delights in you so very much. I love you! Heather
Happy Birthday beautiful Beth! I feel like you are one of my closest friends as I have got to know you through doing every bible study you have written! You have made a difference in this life – thank you! I too am blonde than I pay to be and pray for the Lord’s abundant blessing over my blonde, sanguine friend in Jesus! Love you!
Happy Blessed Birthday Beth!
So grateful for your physical birthday &
for your spiritual birthday!
You are an anointed Woman of God & The Lord has used you to shine light on His Word in amazing ways in my life. Thank You! Thank You!
Thank you for your obedience in following His call!
PS: Melissa, your beautiful words blessed me! You have a wonderful way with words!…& making me hungry for chips & salsa at 1 in the morning!
Dearest Beth, just had our weekly Bible study and we are on week 2 of your Jesus The One and Only. We are always astounded by how God has gifted you. I am grateful for how our Father has worked through you to touch thousands of women’s lives and bring us closer to our Creator. Thank you Beth and may 2015 bring you all of God’s richest blessings. We love you!!!
The best and happiest of birthdays to you Beth!!! This blog encouraged me so tonight! God has used you to blow open doors for women in ministry. I am,in the way God designed me to do, following in your footsteps. I often think about the cost to my life as God continues to show me his favor. My fear is that my ministry could destroy my most favorite family relationships. I am encouraged that your daughter affirms all you have done for the kingdom. I am counting on my investment in ministry to be a both/and when it comes to my children and husband. If we really believe that Jesus is who He says He is and He is alive than I see no other choice than to live courageously, proclaiming His goodness, serving others and pointing them to Jesus. Much Love from your sister loved by God, Joanne
Happy Birthday to an amazing God gifted woman whose style of teaching God’s word has changed my life!
A Blessed Birthday to you, Beth!
I have been blessed by your ministry – thank you for encouraging me to make obedient choices in my walk with Jesus.
Keep coming back to the Pacific Northwest…we’ve got some good coffee for ya’!
The Happiest of Birthdays, Beth; it is a very great honor and privilege to wish you joy. It was probably a decade or more ago that God tapped me on the shoulder as I was trying to “do” prayer, and told me I wasn’t praying to Him. I realized I didn’t know Him, despite being raised with the Bible from day one. I recommitted to spending time with His word if He would teach me who He really was – and guess what, I began to learn His heart with His word and “A Woman’s Heart: God’s Dwelling Place”. There have been tough times since then, very tough ones; but there has been no more of trying to fill a quota with Him, rather the joy of pressing deeper into His heart. Thank you for your beautiful study books, many of them have been my companions on this journey. So happy, happy birthday. God bless and be with you always.
Happy Birthday, Beth!
May your day be filled with everything you love and the coming year more of Jesus,
Happy happy birthday Beth! You have influenced me greatly in my spiritual life. Thank you. And of course, you are my ‘style guru’ too ❤️
Thanks for a beautifully written blog post about your mom, what a gift your family is to the Christian community. Happy Birthday Beth!
Happy Birthday Beth. I was priviledged to hear you in person in Phoenix over 18 years ago. I bought tickets for me, my mother and my pregnant but unmarried daughter. It was a 2 day program. I had no idea ho Beth Moore was but went any way. Your luggage was lost at the airport but your speeches were the best I had ever heard. You told what became one of my favorite stories-combing the old mans hair in the Airport. I cried like a baby as did all of us. My daughter had a little girl that I raised and she just turned 18. My daughter is finally off drugs and still talks about hearing you speak. What a blessing you have been to all who hear you. May God continue to bless you and your ministry.
happy birthday, Beth.
May God continue to bless you & your ministry.
Wishing my favorite Bible Study teacher a very Happy Birthday!!!
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for heeding God’s call and impacting us all. May He continue to bless you, your family, and the work you do for Him. With love, Dena
Happiest of Birthdays Beth!
Happy Birthday, Beth! The first time someone told me about your Bible Studies and teaching and shared how much they loved it, I took one look at your picture and said, “this cute little blonde can’t be too deep!” Boy, was I wrong! Thank you for being yourself, Beth Moore! Your honesty and transparency have been the gift to me! I look forward to each new adventure you take us on in Studying scripture.
Happy Birthday Beth,the gift of all that you are has truly Blessed my life. May your day be filled with his awesome wonder and Love. May his house continue to be filled with your teaching and love for his sheep.
May the Lord Bless your life always….
Happiest of birthdays to you Beth! I pray often for you and thank God many times, with deep gratefulness, for you. You have made a huge difference in my life and I grt a kick out of similiarites we share. I look on you as a mentor who has helped me and greatly encouraged me. We are close in age and we married our husbands about the same age and time. You are the youngest in my “forever family” that I look forward to visiting in heaven together someday…. btw…you share excellent company!!!!!!! Heavenly fellowship is requested by me, with you, Joseph, David, Peter, Paul, Oswald Chambers, Hudson Taylor, George Mueller , Mrs Cowman, Corie Ten Boom and Betsy, CS Lewis, AB Simpson…………..oh it’s a looonng list and my God who engineers all things the BEST will be so delighted to introduce many of us. We behold Him and are changed, we will have His likenes and a long time to share our love for our God and Savior!!!! I am pretty much praying I’ll be singing like Nicole Mullen or Mandisa! Maybe i have given you some ideas for heavenly gifts you’d like!i I pray earthly blessings, heaven’s joys, and much comfort on earth for your recent loss. You are so loved!!!! happy birthday!!!!!!!!!! God BLESS you!!!!!
Happy Birthday Beth! You are a special gift from God to us. But all I could think of while I read this blog post is that you are so very blessed to have your daughter say such things about you. No birthday gift or wish could be better. Thanks foot sharing Life and Light with us. Cheers!
Happy Birthday Beth, hope you had a great birthday!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! We share a birthday month!
Happy Birthday, Beth! Your love of our Jesus shines brightly each day in your bringing Him to those who do not know Him, to those who need reminding who He is, to those who are hurting and need Him, and to those who love Him and rejoice with you in His presence. Bless You for your dedication and ministry as you follow Him.
Happy birthday! Thank you for sharing your wisdom and passion for God. I look forward to your online Bible study each week and am so grateful for them. God bless!
Happy Birthday Ms. Beth!!! I am grateful for your willingness to submit your life to the work of the Spirit. My first study was Breaking Free, and now I am studying the Word with you through Breath. I pray the Lord’s blessings on you and your family as you continue to keep step with the Spirit!!
Happy Birthday! What a great gift to have a daughter who loves you and loves the Lord. Our group is just finishing up The Law of Love series, it has been a good journey. God Bless
Happy Birthday, Beth! You are so very loved!
Big Alasky Happy Birthday Greeting. The LORD bless you and keep you and shine HIS FACE upon you.
Happy Birthday Beth! You have touched my life in more ways than you an imagine! I am so grateful that God has blessed you and you have chosen to share those blessing with me. See you in Cincinnati!