**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.
=================
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, Beth! Thank you for loving God and allowing Him to use you to reach so many women with the depths of scripture. You have motivated me to dig deep into scripture, searching for the gems hidden deep! Much love to you on your birthday!
Dear Ms Beth, Happy happy birthday to you. You are the very dearest, most beloved Bible Study Teacher in my family’s household. I have been ‘in’ your studies since I was a little girl when my Mom would bring the DVD teachings from her Ladies Study home for us to watch. You have played such an integral role in my life, though you did not know it.
You have taught the word with love, humour and life! Thank you for your faithful devotion to the Lord’s body through the years. May your latter years be greater than anything of your former years as the faithful God does exceedingly, abundantly, above all that you can ask or imagine in your life! With great love, Hannah.
Dearest Beth, wishing you a delightful birthday filled with the joy of family and friends celebrating the anniversary of the day of your birth. So thankful for God’s Hand on your life equipping you with the love of His Word and the ability to teach and illustrate His wisdom to others. I have been blessed by your honesty and transparency as we’ve studied His Word together over the years. May God continue to bless His ministry through you, faithful servant and lover of His Word. ~Connie Sue, Sedgwick, KS
Happy Birthday! Your posts, teachings, and studies have blessed me over many years. I hope you have a blessed birthday and many more ahead!! Thank you for your commitment to the Word of God and your family.
Many thanks for your fine work! I just finished the Daniel study, and I enjoyed it so much. Happiest of birthdays!
Happy Birthday, Beth! My own birthday was 6/15, and I was delighted to find out yours was so close to mine! God moved me to start your study on David and of course, His timing is perfect as I read through this amazing part of Scripture, seeking a heart like His! We have never met, but how I thank God for you and the studies, how close I feel to you reading your prayers and encouragement and how much your exhortation has meant to me you will never know this side of heaven…God has used you mightily in my life and in my daughter’s life. I pray for your family as I pray for mine, that He will bless them from generation to generation, that they would belong to Him and serve Him with their lives. May this be your best year ever! Many happy returns of the day!
Happy birthday to you! You and your Bible studies have meant so much to me! May God continue to bless you richly!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Beth
thank you for your obedience to God’s work and dedication to HIS WORK.
You are an inspiration to so many and strength in our battles.God bless you always, In Jesus, name!
Happy birthday! You are an awesome inspiration to so many women. God blessed us when you were born. Thank you for sharing His word with us. May God continue to use and bless you for many years to come.
Beautifully written
Happy birthday, Beth! I thank God for you and your gift and passion to teach. I pray for a small portion of that passion. Your honesty about your relationships and the things of life, good and bad, has been so encouraging to me.
Thank you! Praying for continued blessings beyond measure,
Kathy
Happy Birthday, Beth! God blessed us all the day you were born. You have spired me on in my walk with The Lord, stirred in me a new desire to know Him, and to get over myself to love others. I thank God for you. I love you.
Happy Birthday, Beth! We share the day. I was born a few years after you on June 16th. Hope you had a wonderful day.
¡Feliz Cumpleaños Beth! Happy Birthday! May God bring you on this day all things that make you smile. 🙂
Happy Birthday Beth, I saw you preach at my first Colour Conference in London this year and you were amazing!!! I hope you have the most amazing and truly Blessed Birthday and keep up the great work!
Happy Birthday! I hope I can with The Lord’s help leave such a legacy for my 2 daughters. Thanks you for all you do for His kingdom.
Here’s wishing you the happiest of birthdays Mrs Beth. The Kingdom stands stronger and bolder and we know how to love deeper because of you.
Happy Birthday! Enjoy your special day. Treasure each second!!
Happy Birthday to a woman who has literally reached through a simulcast screen and touched lives in amazing ways through our King Jesus!!!
Happy Birthday Beth!!! I thank God for you and your ministry – thank you for pouring your heart into living out what the Lord has gifted and called you to. So many lives have been transformed, including mine…God used Breaking Free about 15 years ago to begin a messy & amazing healing process…I am forever changed and grateful!!! Honored to celebrate you – have the best day ever!!! #chips&salsa4life
🙂 jenea
Happy Birthday Beth! Beautiful tribute Melissa and a gift she will treasure!
Happy birthday, Friend Beth! I actually feel OK with the “friend” part though we have never met face to face. I’ve spent many hours with you and your writings, which in turn brought me to many hours of prayer and further study and wonderful friendships with fellow students of the Word.
I’ll be at your Greenville SC conference in a few weeks!!! Would love to say hello in person but, if not possible, please know that I am praying for you already and the work set out for you on this July weekend.
Again, Happy Birthday!
Jane
My warmest wishes for a beautiful birthday and a blessed year ahead!!
You are MUCH LOVED dear “Beth”!!!!!! 🙂
HAPPY BEAUTIFUL CELEBRATE THE DAY THE LORD MADE YOU, BETH! I was blessed to be among the women in Tampa this past weekend singing Happy Birthday to you. What an amazing experience. I took my 23 year old daughter, who struggles with addiction….and of course, you mentioned that as you were praying over the seats in the Sun Dome and for all who would attend, you felt there was a “20 something there struggling with addiction”. It hit me right in my chest. I think had she known the schedule, she probably would have said no, but she ended up loving every minute of it, and I was blessed to see that her heart is still not so hardened by sin and addiction, that God could not touch her – she said she must have cried “56 times” between Friday night and Saturday morning. Her first thought about you was, “wow, she has really pretty hair”! 😉 With all that said, I say thank you for sharing your heart with us in Tampa, allowing us to wish you a glorious birthday, and above all, I thank God for placing someone with a heart like yours in this time and span of this merry go round we call life – because I get to learn from you. Happy, Happy Birthday, dear one. You are loved!
Happy Birthday Beth! Wishing you a day filled to the brim with blessings!
Happy birthday Beth. You are inspiration to so many. May God bless you abundantly.
Happiest Birthday Ever, Beth!!! I’m so thankful for you!!!
I’m so glad you were born Mrs Beth! Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday Beth. Thank you for sharing your love of God with us. I live in a small town with half the town in Indiana and the other half in Ohio, which gets confusing sometimes. For four years now a group of us “Beth Moore Sisters” gets together every other Monday night and we learn about Christ through your bible studies DVD’s and we all love it. My spiritual family has grown to include these sisters that I love with all my heart. Thank you for all that you do for the Lord and for his sheep.
Happy Birthday Beth!
Happy Birthday Beth! I pray your day is blessed beyond measure! Thank you for the blessing your teachings have been to me. I’ve learned so much! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Happy Birthday Beth
Our ladies group loves to watch your Dvd’s and learn. Hope this is the best birthday ever!
Loved the pictures.
Dear Beth – Praying you enjoy a most special day! Through the power of the Holy Spirit, you have inspired so many to seek Him and Love Him first & foremost. We thank you.
Looking forward to celebrating with you in Cincinnati!!
Love,
Your siesta sisses from Ohio.
Happy Burthday Beth.
Thank for loving women all over the world and sharing your passion for the Word and Jesus with each and everyone of us. We are most grateful and love you, too. Wishing the best for you on your birthday.
Happy Birthday Beth. My first Bible study was one of yours. It gave me a thirst for learning more. Thanks so much for being such a blessing to so many. May God bless your day richly.
Happy Birthday!!!!
Happy Birthday Beth Moore. Thats one wonderful daughter you have and so very thankful. I thank you to with your studies you have made such a tremendous impact on my life by teaching me about Jesus and learning your confections love.
Happy Birthday Beth!! Praying you have an amazing day!! Thank you so much for your boldness in teaching the Word of God! My life has been greatly impacted by you Bible Studies and conferences. May this year he your best year yet!! Blessings, Molly
Happy birthday dear Beth. I wish I could encourage you with a picture of my husband sitting beside me as we do the Daniel Study together and now Revelation in our morning devotional time. Or hear him tell his friends about how “other than Beth calling me a beautiful woman this study is awesome!” Your obedience to God is touching more lives than you can imagine. Have a wonderful birthday!!
Jennifer Brosdahl, Menahga, MN
Happy, Happy Birthday to your Mama, Miss Beth. She truly sounds like a beautiful woman & I HUGELY admire and am inspired by her Mama Bear tenacity in standing by your side these last several, difficult, icky years. My daughter too is going thru some STUFF. It’s been tough to watch — I cry every time she does and do a victory lap with her, every time God dazzles her with His love & care 🙂
As always, THANK YOU for sharing your private thoughts & struggles with us…please give your Mama a hug for me & smooch her cheek 😉
Happy happy birthday you beautiful woman! I hope it is blessed beyond belief, just like you have blessed so many people yourself. Enjoy!
The strongest Beuaty is Truth…. Your Blog and Beth’s beauty are deeply and simply…
TRUTH.
Thank you.
Happy Birthday, dear Beth!! Thank you for pouring your life out for Jesus. I had been a Christian for a few years when I did my first Beth Moore Bible study, and your teaching style brought the Bible to life for me in a way it had never been before. God used you to set my heart on fire for His Word and I am so thankful. Be blessed!
Happy Birthday Beth. You have been such an inspiration to me and my wife for many years now. You have provided both wisdom and comfort as we have walked the hills and valleys of our life together for almost 34 years. We share the love of Jesus Christ and are blessed beyond measure. Thank you for your words at just the right time or a verse that speaks to our particular concern. Thanks for showing us that life isn’t always a bed of roses but that there is a sunset to end the day and a sunrise to start anew. We wish you a blessed day on your special day.
Until He Returns,
Tim and Donna
Happy birthday Beth.
So thankful you have answered God’s call and are obedient to study and share God’s heart thru your gift of teaching. I love your passion for God and it is contagious and evident even when you are recorded. God bless you Sister in Christ. SHEILA
Happy birthday Beth! May your day be full of blessings. ❤️
Happy Birthday Beth! What a moving tribute from your sweet daughter. How blessed she is to have you as her mom. You have been a tremendous blessing to me through your ministry and particularly your Bible studies. Your enthusiasm and passion and devotion to God’s word are inspirational. Thanks to your scholarship and encouragement, I have dug deeper and learned more scripture than I would ever have done on my own. I am so grateful for the impact you have had on my relationship with my Lord because of my greater commitment to and understanding of his Word.
May you realize all the love you have poured out onto the world as your fellow disciples lift you up for special blessings on your special day. You deserve great joy. Happy Birthday teacher!
Happy belated Birthday, Beth! I hope your day was a joy-filled one filled with good food, good company, and the reminder we serve a good God. Sweet blessings to you the whole year through. : )
Happy Birthday, Beth.Thank you for using the spiritual gifts God blessed you with. Your are an inspiration to me. Your spirit moves me and the teaching of God’s word encourages me in my relationship with the Most High God. I wish you a blessed day.
I know I’m too late for the give away, but I cant pass up the chance too send you this message. Happiest of Birthdays to you Mrs. Beth. Esther is the first bible studies I ever did. It began in me a love for scripture I had no idea I could even experience. I’m so grateful for your real-life love for Jesus and your willingness to shine that light he’s given you onto others. Thank you for pointing me and so many other women to the One that calls us by name.
You are a true gift to us, Beth! Happy Birthday!