**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 beautiful lady. I have had the opportunity to do two of your studies so far & I have loved them. You are inspirational to me. Thank you.
Happy Birthday, Elizabeth! (<- Love this name because it is also my sister's name)
You have blessed me more times over than I can count. I just want to bless you this day:
May the Lord bless you and keep you
May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you
May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace (Num 6)
You have served Him well and He has blessed me through you.
Love you, and your girls, much!! <3
Happy, happy Birthday, dear Beth!
May God’s Light shine upon you this special, special day!
I believe you were born in Wisconsin so that officially makes you a
Cheesehead! From one cheesehead to another, God Bless you! 🙂
Love in Christ,
Michele Denman
Happy, happy birthday Beth! I pray that your life this next year will be filled with many blessings. I have loved so many of your studies and hearing you speak on multiple occasions.
This was the sweetest post!! What a precious tribute!
Sister,Birthday Blessings to you.God has used you to minister to this broken, messed up,redeemed sojourner. Praise God for his work and the wonder of it.Thanking him for your obedience to him and the kingdom work.much love to you my sister in christ.shelly.
Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday! . Would love to share some of the things you enjoy and or one of the things you enjoy. Melissa thanks for thanking of others on this day!
Happy Birthday Beth!!
Your ministry has been such a blessing to me and so many woman around the world! You are sincere and hilarious all in the same story. I love the way that you express your thoughts (and how you talk). Every time I read something that you have written, I hear it in my head with your accent! 🙂 Thank you for your dedication, insight, honesty, and love. Many blessing to you!
Happy birthday, Beth! Praying for God’s rich blessings on you this year!!!
Beth happy Birthday to you. I am writing this from Athens Greece. Visiting Greek Islands on a cruise how appropriate as I have heard you giving all the Greek words on your studies. I see why you love it so much. You have blesses us with your teachings that we carry all the time. A blessed birthday to you. Going to Ephesus Friday sure will learn a lot about John and Paul
Happy Birthday Miss Beth! You are a true inspiration.. Thank you for sharing your zeal for Christ with us all!
Happy birthday to the woman who will have throngs of people echoing the joy we have found in knowing Jesus and loving the Word because of her faithful discipleship and obedience. Thank you, Melissa for these beautifully chosen and woven together words that honor you Mama. What a legacy you carry so well, dear sister! May you all celebrate with great cake, candles, and yummy coffee this blessed woman who has been a spiritual mama to so many of us! Thanks for sharing her with us. Miss Beth, thank you for giving your very life away for the building up of God’s Kingdom!
Much love,
Brenda
Happy Birthday, Beth!
What an awesome legacy….
Happy Birthday Beth! What an amazing woman of God you are! Thank you for making the Bible so fun and fascinating to study!!!
Happy birthday to you, Beth! What a gift you are to so many women! You point us to Jesus, to the Word, and to each other for true biblical fellowship. You inspire, encourage, and lead by example. You show us the richness of Christian living and we are so grateful. Enjoy your special day!
Happiest of birthdays dear Beth…..you speak my language over and over. Your words have changed my life. You are beautiful beyond words. The one person in the world I would love to spend an hour over coffee with. I can’t wait to purchase a perfume that YOU WEAR.
You are a gift to this world. Your books are the gifts I always give.
I celebrate you,
Teresa
Happy Birthday, Beth!
May the Lord bless you beyond your wildest imagination today and throughout the year!
Thank you for being such an amazing inspiration! I have been leading your Bible studies for the last 12 years, and absolutely love every one of them. Every time I facilitate another one, I think it has to be the best yet. And then the next one is the best, too! We love you and look forward to each study, actually can’t wait until the next one to learn and grow, and see and share with each other again! Just wanted to share how wonderful you are and say Thanks! Prayers and Blessings, Debbie
Happy Birthday !!! You are blessed to have such a beautiful articulate daughter.
Happy birthday, Beth! Much love to you and your family this day. Thank you for your blessing and investment into our lives.
Sorry I missed your Birthday, I hope it was great under God’s beautiful Sun.
Happy Birthday! Beth! Hope you have a very blessed day surrounded by your precious family.
You have been such a great mentor to me even though we have never met. Your encouragement to dive into Scripture has challenged me and motivated me so often over the years. Thank you sweet siesta!
Happy Birthday Beth Moore. You are a celebration! Thank you for sharing so deeply your personal love for Jesus. I ask our Almighty Father for many blessings for your family in the upcoming year.
Happy Birthday Beth!
Thanking God for you and your ministry!!! I love all your Bible Studies, simulcasts, books, LPL Simulcasts, this blog and all you do to share the love of Christ!! Your love for others and your family are a light to the world!! What a legacy of faith your life is!! Thank you for sharing Melissa! What a beautiful post to honor your Mom!!!
Love in Christ,
Debbie
Wishing you the happiest birthday!!! I miss your Houston Bible studies SO much!!
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for all you do to bring the Word to His people! Your studies, teachings and speakings make me more passionate about pursueing Jesus. He is everything! May the Lord of Host be with you in the advancement of His kingdom!
Happy Birthday Melissa’s mom! What a wonderful testimony your daughter’s words are to your faithfulness to Jesus!
Happy birthday, siesta Beth! I look forward to having tea with you in heaven one day to tell you how much your ministry has meant to me. It’s a good thing we will have eternity up there because I will have to wait a lo-oooong time to get my turn … behind the hundreds of thousands of other women waiting to do the same. In the meantime, may you have many, many blessed birthdays until then!
– Michelle from Maine
Happy birthday to you Beth Moore! Thank you for your bold faith and desire to share God’s Word –speaking truth in a way that inspires us to grow in our own faith. Thank you. Praying for you.
Happy birthday, Beth! My mom and I love u r bible studies and teaching. You have really helped guide my walk with Christ. Hope you had an awesome birthday!
Happy birthday Beth! Thank you for all you do to bring Christ to us and us to Christ! Blessed to have found you’re studies. I pray for all of God’s best for you!! Love and hugs to you, you precious woman!!
Happy Birtyday and may God bless you with many more days to be spent with your loved ones! It is obvious that your love shines through your daughter!
I couldn’t count it a greater privilege than to wish your mom a Happy Birthday.
You, Beth Moore, have meant so much to me for so many years. You have made my life richer in the Father, deeper in my Savior , and more alive in the Spirit than I could have ever imagined. I love you. Happy Birthday, my friend.
Happy Birthday, Beth!
Beth,
God bless you on this your birthday. I appreciate the blessings you have brought into my life such as a hunger for God’s Word and an amazement at the goodness of God. I love how you live your life for the glory of God!!!
I hope your birthday was just as wonderful as you are and that you enjoy celebrating many many more!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday Beth Moore! You will never know the far reaching effects your love of Jesus has had! I’m one of them 🙂 may God continue to bless you and reveal more of himself to you everyday. 🙂
Happy Birthday!!! I am so grateful you were born. Twelve years ago as my husband began his calling to vocational ministry and I began mine as a minister’s wife, I asked the Lord to increase my knowledge of Him and His Word. He used you and your Bible studies to do just that. Thank you for your faithfulness, passion, and creativity. You. Are. A. Blessing!!! Now my husband and I (and our three little kiddos and our dog) are in the throes of packing and moving to Houston to begin a new ministry in a different church. Do you know one thing that my friends have said to help me through this transition? “Well, Beth Moore lives there!!!” I can tell you honestly that gives me great comfort!!! Have an extra especially blessed birthday. May God pour out His blessings richly upon you this year!
Happy Birthday Beth Moore! Although I’ve never met you, I feel as if I’ve known you forever, but yet wish you were near me so that we could be the best of friends. You are an amazing example, teacher, leader and woman of God – I’m envious of you, truly a Proverbs 31 woman. Thank you for all you are to me and everyone who sees or follows you. May Christ richly bless you, your family and your ministry!
Happy Birthday Sister Beth,
I say sister, because that is exactly how I feel about you. From the first time I personally met you, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, sitting on the front row of First Baptist Church. You teaching on Breaking Free, saying you were in the process of writing this precious study; that forever changed my life. I have over the past almost 20 years, sat under your teaching and every study (I literally mean every study) with awe and LOVE for JESUS and watched how he has changed my life, in ways I could have never imagined. I know my love for him but most importantly my BELIEVING HIM and His word would not be what it is today, had it not been for YOU!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart and more importantly soul for your LOVE for Jesus.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTER!
happy blessed birthday Beth Moore. I have been blessed every since that night at turn the channel on TV and saw you for the first time.I’m a woman of very little means but the spiritual food that I received from you has richly blessed me sohow I would be so blessed to receive the Bible in the giveawayall I could give back is to pray it whatever blessing of the Lord had for me today that he would give it to you. love you and your ministry in your love and passion for a father
Happy Birthday Mama Beth. You have no idea the profound change that you have been a conduit for in my life, which has dramatically changed the lives of my babies. You are speaking Jesus’ Truth in a way that is changing generations upon generations. Thank You. Xoxoxoxo! (Because one hug and smooch is never enough!)
Birthday blessings to you! What a beautiful post from your daughter. You are inspiring!
Happy, Happy Birthday, BETHIE!!!! 🙂 I hope you have a wonderful day filled with lots and lots of love, laughter and all of God’s very best blessings!!! 🙂
Thank you for being YOU! 🙂
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for using the gifts that God has so richly blessed you with.
Happy Birthday Beth! I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your teaching. I love your passion, conviction, and enthusiasm for God’s Word! I love your stories, applications, and humor! I so enjoy learning God’s truth with you. Huge hugs and blessings on your birthday!
Happy Birthday Beth!
Your daughter wrote a wonderful piece. Thanks for being “MOM” and walking along side her during the hard times!
Happy Birthday, Beth! God has used you to make a difference in my life. You are a beautiful blessing indeed!
Happy Happy Birthday to one crazy talented Jesus girl!