**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
Dear Beth,Happy birthday from the Netherlands.
We are so thankfull that your biblestudies are available in the Dutch language since a few years! It is spreading all over Holland right now!
God bless you and your house.
Happy birthday dear teacher!
Happy, happy birthday Beth! I appreciate you so much and admire your love foe Jesus and desire for us all to know Him the same. Have a wonderful, blessed day hope to meet you in person one day. I guess if not here, heaven!!
Wishing you the happiest of birthdays, Beth! You are such an inspiration to me and other wives and mothers. I’ll be celebrating with and for you and me both, as it is also my birthday! I love reading your daughters thoughts about you, and wish I could share with you my sons’ thoughts about me! Happy Birthday to a wonderful lady, mom, wife and servant of our Lord!
Brenda
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for sharing your love for God ‘s word in such a relatable, passionate and inspiring way. Thank you for the time you spend preparing bible studies for us. Each one has helped me through a certain season in life. Love and blessings to you and the family.
Happy Birthdays! I so enjoy your teaching. You explain the Bible so well for me. Thank you for sharing your gift
Happy birthday, Life changer!!! Thank you so much for all you do! Thank you for inspiring us to know more, to grow more and to love more! Thank you for showing us Jesus in all that you do!
Happy birthday, Beth! What an awesome post full of love from your daughter! Can’t wait for the privilege to see you at the Propel Conference in a few months!
Happy Birthday, Beth! Thank you for your honesty, transparency and your enthusiasm. You make teaching come alive! God bless you!
Happy Birthday, Beth! What a beautiful tribute to a lady God has used to bless the socks off of countless women and hearts. You are a gift and you are loved. …Melissa, it does my heart well to hear from you. I have missed you. These years have been deeply trying in my life as well and you often come to mind as a far away but fellow sojourner. You’ve always felt to be a kindred spirit. Just the other day for reasons I feel you understand, I began to read my yellowed, tattered copy of Fellowship of the Ring. It was no mistake and it is a balm. I thought of you when I went to fetch it. I pray deep blessing and abundant overflowing joy on both of you dear ladies and those you hold close.
Wishing you the best of Happy Birthdays, Beth! Thanks for your insightful teaching and seemingly endless enthusiasm and passion for sharing God with so many. We love you.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BETH! We celebrate with you and your family the anniversary of your birth. You have blessed so many with your love for Jesus, the Word of God and others. We are so grateful for you.
You are a blessing. Thank you. I hope my daughters one day feel this way about me.
Happy Birthday
What a glorious and loving tribute to your Mother! How lucky both you and Amanda are to enjoy, share and obviously cherish such a relationship. Happy Birthday Beth Moore! May God continue to richly bless you and your family as you have my life. I’m ever so grateful to MY sister for introducing me to you and your studies. May you also have the peace which surpasses all understanding.
Happy Birthday Beth!! Blessings for a wonderful birthday, filled with fun, laughter, and love!! Thank you for investing in the lives of women all over the world!! You are LOVED!!!
Happy, happy Birthday Beth! What a beautiful tribute from Melisa!
Happy Birthday, Beth. God gave this world a great gift – you and your amazing faith and knowledge of Him, and the ability to share it in such a loving, personal way. Love and hugs, Ann
Happy Birthday Beth!!! I pray your day is blessed and beautiful! Thank you for all you do for women’s ministry!
Happy Birthday, Beth!! May you feel the joy of Christ, the love of the Father, and the strength of the Holy Spirit within you today! Thank you for sharing your passion of His Word with us in such an inspiring and loving way! Birthday blessings to you! Celebrate big!!!
Happy, happy Birthday! May God Bless you! Thank you for sharing His gifts to you with us! Grateful.
Happy Birtday Beth! I have the same birthday as you! May you have a blessed year!
Happy birthday,Beth! I have been so blessed through you over the years through multiple studies, this year through siesta, and through reading your eloquent words. Thank you for allowing God to use you…so many lives have changed because you have.
Happy Birthday Beth! WE have the same birthday!
Beth – Happy happy birthday. Such an influence you have been in my life. Thank you for your obedience to Gods calling. You have taught me so much. Your compassion and love for Jesus is contagious. May He bless you greatly.
Cheers to many more great years ahead.
Love and blessings
Chris
Happy birthday Beth! Thank you for sharing your giftof the teaching of God’s Word with us!
Have a happy and blessed day!
Happy Birthday Beth! Studying the word of God through your studies has changed my life! Thank you for sharing your gift with us! God Bless You!
Happy Birthday Ms. Beth!! Hope you have a fantastic day and a wonderful year!! Love to you.
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for many years of Bible studies! Your studies have helped me through so many of life’s ups and downs, family losses, moves, but my faith never wavers. May God continue to bless you with many more happy and healthy birthdays. I had the good fortune of attending your conference in Jacksonville, FL, many years ago. Thank you!
Happy Birthday Beth! So thankful for how God has used your Bible studies in my life. Believing God is my favorite! It has taught me to see how much I was operating out of fear and has helped me to begin to walk by faith. I am believing God for many things I once thought impossible. I would be most excited to get the Key Word Study Bible as I love to dig deep into the meaning of the Hebrew and Greek Words! It brings such more understanding to what God is saying to me! I have been praying for you and your family and as I see other outspoken Christians and families being attacked realize how much more we need to pray for all of you for protection and for continuing to hold on to the faith. May God continue to use you and your family as you serve Him!
Woo hoo Happy Happy Birthday Beth! I receive your posts a day later so I hope it was BEAUTIFUL! Simply Beautiful (smile). Michelle
Happy, happy birthday to my favorite Bible teacher! May God continue to richly bless you and your ministry
Happy Birthday Beth Moore. Thank you for your wonderful teachings. I love the realness you display while teaching Gods word. My favorite thing about you is your passion for Jesus. It is contagious and I am so thankful for this. I hope this day is everything you have ever dreamed and imagined.
Stephanie Higgins.
Happy Birthday, Beth! Thank you for letting God use you and your family to teach His word. With your help I am growing closer and closer to Him! It is a beautiful thing!!!
The HAPPIEST and GOD blessed birthday for you, Beth!
Happy Birthday to u..Happy Birthday to u…Happy Birthday! (Imagined Stevie Wonder rocking side by side singing this song). Beth..thankful to God that He graced the world with your presense and giftings to make the gospel so simple but rich! I have been greatly blessed by you and your teachings. May u have wonderful and fun filled birthday….God bless
Happy Happy Birthday Beth!!
What a beautiful birthday blog by Melissa.
I pray that God will continue to use you both mightily in your obedience to His call you your lives.
Happy birthday, dear Beth! Your love for God and for His Word changed my life where 20+ years of attending church did not. You helped my restless heart find its rightful sweet rest in the Lord. Doing your bible studies began a heart transformation that went deep beyond the surface. Thank you for being yourself and embracing your limits, thus enabling me to embrace my limits and still know iam beloved and can be used for His Kingdom. Xoxoxo
Happy Birthday, Beth! What a blessing you are to so many!
Blessings to you, dear lady! You are much celebrated today, and honored by your beautiful daughter. May your day be blessed as your life has enriched mine and countless numbers with your timeless words that glorify and instruct so many in our Lord. All joy be yours today!!
Happy Birthday to Mama Beth! I drive by your offices every morning on my way to work. I pray blessings over it, the work for the Kingdom that goes on there, and your precious family. Your investment and influence in my spiritual life is as great as any pastor or minister I have known. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Happy happy birthday Beth!! Hope you have a wonderful day! I am currently reading Breaking Free and it is amazing. Thank you for writing from your heart and love for Jesus.
Happy Birthday to your wonderful Momma Beth and thank you for sharing so vividly the deep things that God lays on your heart for all of us to enjoy!
Happy birthday, Beth!
Happy birthday to a God loving woman
Happy Birthday Beth…Thanks for your willingness to be transparent and honest in your Bible Studies. I have grown so much sitting at the feet of Jesus beside you. I pray that God will continue to bless you and your family for all the sacrifices you make to bring God’s Word into our lives.
Blessings to a special lady today.
Love you Beth
May the Lord continue to bless you . You have been such a blessing to me and others. Elisabeth Elliott has always been the most Godly woman during my lifetime. But truly,You are right up there with her . You have touched so many lives in so many ways. Happy Birthday. May God grant that you will have many more!!
Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday, Beth!! Hope you have a wonderful day. May the Lord continue to bless you this year and many more years to come.
Happy Happy Birthday Blessings to my favorite Bible Teacher! Praying your special day is loaded with lots of fabulous blessings & love!!! Thank you so much for being a servant of Jesus Christ & for taking me deeper into His Word with your studies! God has & is using you in mighty ways! So Beth, I’m wishing you a happy cake & candles day, enjoy!!!
Love & Blessings,
Christy Jones
Summit, MS