**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
I have completed ever one of your mother’s Bible studies with my group and please know I am blessed for doing so… thank you for sharing your mother with all of us 🙂
I am too late for your give away…but I just had to hop on and say what a Lovely Tribute that was to your Mom Melissa.
I am sure that she is as proud of you as you are of her.
I am a Bible Study Teacher myself. In fact I have been teaching an in Home Bible Study (in some one else’s home for
the past 25 years). We started out with 7 Faithful Women and have been up to as many as 22. Currently we have 17 Women from ages 18 to 73. And over the years I have taught 11 of Beth’s Studies. All of my ladies love and adore her too. We feel so blessed to sit under her godly teaching and to get intimately cozy with Our Beloved Papa God and our Bibles. So…all of that just to say, I absolutely had to drop in and say “HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY BETH”…I pray that Papa God lavished your day with Love, Laughter, Friends and Family and memories to treasure.
Loving and Living Deeply In Jesus,
PeggyAnn Smith
Happy Birthday Beth!!!! Wishing you the very best for the day and the days to come. Currently doing your Children of the Day bible study. You and your bible studies have bless me beyond measure. They have brought a fresgh look to Gods word, forgiveness, love, hope, courage, strength and healing to my life. God bless you for all that you give of yourself.
Happy Birthday, Beth!
You make a world of difference in this world. I love you!
Lynn
PS. Love seeing pictures of your sweet family and love reading posts from Melissa!
Happy Birthday to our wonderful sister in the LORD…
Thanks be to God for all the gifts He’s given you to bless so many
and encourage us to press on.
with much love and appreciation
kathy white
Happy Birthday Beth!!!
Happy Birthday, Beth! You have inspired me so much over the years. I hope you had a great birthday. I love you!
Birthday blessings, Beth. The Lord has used you to impact more lives than any of us can imagine. Thank you for being faithful to your calling as a wife and mother and as a teacher of the word. You are dearly loved!
Happy Birthday, Beth!
Happy Birthday Beth!!! You are a blessing and an inspiration.I have been to numerous Living Proof Events and throughly enjoy then.Hope you have a Blessed day!!!
Happy Birthday! You are a wonderful shofar of a teacher. Also an inspiration and hope to another mom with similar background.
Isaiah 60:15
Happy Birthday! You are a blessing to many! I am living overseas and look forward to leading a Beth Moore study soon! Blessings to you and your family!
Tears running down my cheeks. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your obedience to Jesus. He is EVERYTHING. Thank you for bringing Him to us.
Happiest of birthdays!
Happy Birthday Sweet Lady!
Happy Birthday Beth. I feel like I know you personally. No other Bible Study teacher has drawn me closer to God than you have. I revel in every Bible Study i do of yours as I learn and draw closer to Jesus. Thank you for being so real and so in love with Jesus ( and so enjoyably funny!). Oh how your family loves you and how the women you serve love you! May this be the best year yet for you!
Happy birthday, Beth! You and I have traveled many roads and many seasons together though we’ve only briefly met/hugged at a Siesta celebration. Thank you for living as you do… it inspires us to run harder, faster, longer to Jesus!
Dearest Beth, it’s already the day after your birthday. I’m sure you had a wonderful day. As I’m doing my memory verses I wanted to pray one over you for the coming year:
Let the words spoken by Christ the Messiah, continue to have it’s home in your mind and heart.
And continue to dwell in you in al it’s richness.
Col 3: 16a Amp
Love, Nathalie
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for bringing the Bible to life in a way that brings a fresh perspective!
Happy Birthday to one of my favorite teachers! Thank you for all you do, have a wonderful day, and eat cake!
Happy and blessed birthday, Beth. You are truly an amazing woman of God who blesses so many. God’s Word has come alive in a fresh way through your studies. May your day be filled with family, fun, and His blessings. Much love and appreciation.
HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETH! I hope u have a beautiful birthday and I pray u have a VERY BLESSED YEAR! Thank u so very much for giving yourself to Christ and shining through him to me!! I , too, have been through a tremendous heartbreak , in the last year and a half , one so intense it fractured my soul !! Some nights I didn’t think I could make it through, but I would listen to your teachings on Living Proof site And I became encouraged ! I had to listen to YOU over and over again , all the time just sobbing and praying to MY SAVIOR TO WRAP HIS LIVING ARMS AROUND ME AND HELP ME THROUGH THIS. I wish I had YOU WITH me in person, but listening to you was help enough! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE U BETH AND I THANK GOD FOR U!! I can truly see HIM IN YOU! Happy Birthday MY BEAUTIFUL SISTER IN CHRIST!!
Happy birthday Beth! You rock!
Happy birthday, Beth, my dear sister in Christ! I hope you have a wonderful day, filled with everyone and everything you love!
Tina
Happy Birthday to a great woman of God! You’ve impacted mine, and many others’ lives! God Bless you!!!
Wishing you a BIrthday full of nothing but Happy and a year of smiles, memories and blessing.
I lead a home Bible Study of about 25 women in Fleming Island Fl, we just finished a year if study including Revelation and I, II Thess, we loved how these two studies , OT and NT flowed together.
During our 12 years together we have laughed, cried, ministered, learned, grown, fellowshipoed, served, and loved….thank you for making the Word come alive….we are from many denominations, but those differences do not matter, inly HIM! thank you, Beth, and come study with us sometime, we would love to habe you.
Happy, Happy Birthday, Beth! All praise to God for His great work through you to others. Blessings to you!
Happy Birthday Ms. Beth! So thankful you were able to celebrate with all your loved ones!
Kimberly
Happy Birthday Beth
You are loved by your family
We can clearly see
I have loved u since our first study together
Bcz you loved Jesus so much
It was contagious.
And so sister, loved by God
I wish you a very Happy Birthday
And many Moore……
Happy Birthday Beth!!! I hope you had the most spectacular day. May God continue to bless you in this coming year! Thank you for all you do for so many.
Happy birthday Beth! You have received such a beautiful gift in this posting by your daughter! Enjoy your day.
Happy, happy birthday, Beth. May your day be as colourful, inspirational and special as you are. Blessings & Love, Erika (Durban, South Africa)
Happy Birthday Beth! I thank God for you! I hope you have a wonderful birthday!
Happy Birthday, Beth! Thank you for your passion to serve and to help others grow in Christ! May you be showered with blessings!
I loved your blog about your mom…I am the mom of a beautiful, loving woman who has too many physical and emotional situations in her life, I see myself trying to be the type of mom you have. Thanks for the inspiration you are given me today…
Happy Birthday Dear Sis in Him! May your day be filled with pure joy and sunshine. Just as ypur truly are to all of us. Blessings Granny Trace
Many wishes for a happy birthday! My best friend has a birthday today and mine is Friday. We have done several of your studies together, but I never realized your birthday was so close to ours! Maybe explains a few things. Haha! I hope your year is blessed by God!
Wow what a beautifully written tribute to your mom it brought tears to my eyes! Beth I am wishing you a very special birthday…as the years seem to pass a little quicker than they used to…I pray the Lord continues to use you in mighty ways, you personally have made such an impact on my spiritual growth and I have meant some amazing and beautiful women through your Bible studies and conferences. I hope you will take a time out and celebrate a day of what I like to refer to as sweet nothings…embracing the moment whether life is in the midst of turmoil or peace! HaPpY BiRtHdAy and here’s a virual wet hug as it is raining again in Coppel TEXAS…God is Good!
Tonya Booth…TaknTimeOut.com
As a mom, I know that there is no sweeter praise than that which comes from the mouths of our children. The words of love from your sweet girl are so precious and I’m sure quite deserved. Thank you for being an example of a Christ follower and sharing your love and passion for Gods holy word with the world. I hope you have a birthday full of love and blessings. Happy birthday!!
Happy birthday Beth!!!! It was a pleasure to be in the presence of Jesus, our King, with you in Tampa Friday & Saturday!! It was fun to sing happy birthday to you with over 7000 people!
May God bless you tremendously for all you do to bless others!
Happy Birthday, Both! I have been so blessed by your work. Your studies of God’s word have taught me so much about God and myself. You are an amazing women of The Most High! Thank-you for answering His call. Blessings!-
Happy Birthday . I hope you have the best day ever! You are truly a gift of God. Thank you so much for all you do. You are a true inspiration to all women !
Happy Birthday sister! You have poured so much light into my life and so many others. I thank God for your willingness to put yourself in the gap for us, and for your great passion to teach us HIS word! I have used your teachings to bring many women together to study the word of God and walk away blessed.
May your day be full of love and laughter!
Happy, Haap Birthday. I love that your influence is even stronger in your family than with the many of us who have studied alongside you and learned so much. Thank you fior stepping out in obedience to your calling no matter how terrifying it may have seen at times. Praying you have a day of laughter and a small glimpse at the number of lives your ministry has helped.
Happy birthday Beth! Guess what? I came to Christ 11 yrs ago when I was homeless and had to give up my children through ‘Breaking Free’. Not only did God restore my family but put a fire in my heart to know all I can about Him! Praise Jesus. Anyway I had a friend going through a difficult time and all I new to do was introduce her to you! I knew God would do the rest, and he did!!! I’m currently doing “Breath” and girl you brought me to my knees bawling to our Lord in session 3!!! Melissa your insight on prophecy is profound, everyone should study this! Changed my view on that! Thank you! Just wanted to send lots of well wishes and bunches of hugs!!!
Robbie
Happy birthday, Beth!! Thank you for your ministry, and for teaching me that studying the Bible can be so exciting!!
What a beautiful post from your daughter. I hope your birthday was blessed!
Happy Birthday, Beth!!! Thank you for being such an inspiration in my life. God has used your studies to help me grow to love and serve Him more and more!! 🙂
Happy Birthday, Beth. You have spurred on MANY toward Jesus, including me. Thank you!
Happy birthday Beth! Thank you for blessing me and so many others!
Happy birthday Beth!May Jesus’s love continue to overflow in you:)