**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, Beth! You are blessed to have such wonderful daughters! Thank you to them for sharing you and coming alongside you in ministry to spread the gospel to so many others. You have a wonderful gift for teaching God’s word and I have been blessed by your studies and knowing God’s truth and love more because of it. Thank you!
Happy Birthday Beth!! Thirteen years ago, the Lord used your Breaking Free study to radically change my life and I am forever grateful!! I was a young mom and had grown up in the church, but didn’t know Jesus. I had never done a Bible study before and had never even heard of you. I vividly remember watching that first video with a group of ladies at church and wondering to myself “what have I gotten myself into?”. It didn’t take long before I couldn’t wait to get up in the morning to read the Word and do my homework. Your life with Jesus was contagious! Still is!! Thank you for your willingness to be transparent and share such a clear and beautiful picture of your walk with the Lord. Plus you’re a blast!! May you be abundantly blessed in the coming year!!
Happiest of birthday’s Beth and many continued blessings to you and your family.
Happy birthday Beth! Thank you for being used to lead me to Believe God. Believing God was the first study of yours I did many years ago, and I remember after the first session calling my sister and telling her that she needed to find a place that was doing this study too. God used you in a pivotal way in both of our lives to begin to lead us out of legalistic lives into real and vibrant relationships with Him.
And what a great honor that Melissa’s words must be to you! That post alone is a precious birthday gift to a mom! Happy birthday again! Love you much!
Becky, a reader of this blog from the beginning
Happy happy Birthday Ms. Beth! I have grown in my walk with you and even now as I’m going through the hardest time of my life and have been filled with doubt I so often go to the scriptures because of something I’ve read from your blog. Thanks
Happy Birthday, dear Beth… May you continue to speak forth His truth in this day
When it is not so popular, as we wait for The Blessed Hope!!!! My favorite story you tell… The precious man with the hair that needed brushing… Your obedience and the sweetness of the Lord makes it a favorite of mine. Blessings…. One of your students.. lynn
Happy Birthday to my amazing long distance friend!!! You have been a source of strength and encouragement ever since I picked up your Believing God Bible Study. As a Pastor’s Wife, Jesus, my man and you have been my closest companions, the ones that get me through the dark times and celebrate the good times!! Enjoy your day, you deserve all the blessings He has for you!
Happy Birthday! To one who has brought so many to the feet of Jesus by allowing Him to dominate your life, I pray God’s blessings and good health in the years to come, and selfishly, pray for many more of your studies and LPM Live events!
Happy Birthday Beth. You are an inspiration and blessing not only to your daughter and your family but to us all. Have a blessed day.
Beth!!! My ultra ego!! My ‘soulmate’; my sister from another mother!! What can I say!?? When my daughters are a little miffed with me, (they do get miffed with me)!!, they say, “I bet Beth wouldn’t say that”!.. I am accused of all things, a ‘groupie’. Because whether it’s Pennsylvannia (Hershey); Ft. Lauderdale(Women of Faith), Brooklyn Tabernacle (NYC!!), etc. I am there. I even had the audacity to stop you to please please please take a quick photo with me, and you obliged!!! I have had to take a break from doing ANOTHER one of your Bible studies,lest my Pastor and precious ladies I teach, would think I am idolizing you!! (Am I?) No, indeed I am not!! You have provoked me to jealousy, and for that, I say thank you so much!! You have helped me become a student of the Bible!! And have encouraged me to begin to write my own short Bible studies for the ladies of my small Bible Group in Church!! You help me keep it real! Keep it sweet and yes….. Keep the love and the Humor! Beth, I pray for you all the best, not only on your birthday, but on the next leg of journeys that you will bring all of us through in the Word. God Bless you!! See you in Orlando!! ALMA HENRIQUEZ!!!!!
Happy Birthday Beth! God Bless you and your wonderful family. You bless so many of us. Thank-you so deeply from our hearts.
You are truly blessed with a wonderful mother and it shows through you girls what kind of mother she is.
Happy Birthday to my favorite bible study teacher of all time! Just yesterday I started “Breath” and can not get over how personal our God is! I am pregnant and due to have my first daughter in three days and the lesson I watch yesterday referenced the miracle of a baby’s first breath. I felt like the Lord of the Universe was in the kitchen with me smiling as I watched the DVD. I hope and pray for a relationship with my daughter like the glimpse of the ones I see that you have with your daughters. Furthermore, I hope and pray to love the Word of God deeper every year of my life– like you. Thank you for being a role model for women in a world like ours. It can’t always be easy, but the implications are eternal and Christ never promised easy– just the most fulfilling life possible. Wishing you life overflowing on your birthday and everyday. Your sister in Christ, Erin
Happy Birthday Beth,
I thank God for your life and your contagious love for Jesus.
You have been used of God to be a big part of my spiritual growth.
I just love your enthusiasm and the gifts God has blessed you with.
I love the way you love and respect your husband and adore your girls and grandkids.
May you have a blessed year!
Happy birthday, Beth! May you be mightily blessed!
You are loved!
Wishing you the happiest birthday ever!!!! If you only knew how many lives you have transformed with just you being you! (mine included) you have such knowledge and passion, and are willing to share it with all.
Happy Birthday Beth!! I have been so blessed to get know you through Bible Studies and live events. You have fueled in me an intense love of Scripture and a passion for women and teaching!!! Wishing you a wonderful day!!
Happy Birthday, Beth! What a joy you’ve brought to me and mine. I can mark solid growth in my personal walk with Christ by the Bible studies of yours I was doing at the time… my favorite so far is Daniel. And Melissa – I’m so on your page. My Mom and Dad have both battled with me through my divorce and the life after that for my kids and I. And he’s a preacher so I too know about being mentioned in sermons. 🙂 They’re Bible-thumpin’, solid rock standin’ parents without whom I couldn’t have morphed into the woman I am today. But how does anyone handle such devastation without the Word? I’ll never know. Thank you for sharing such intimate images and personal moments. It’s still so funny to me how I can feel so close to someone I’ve never met, like how I feel with your family. So again, happy birthday Beth! I’m grateful for the years behind you but maybe even more grateful for the ones before you!
Happy Birthday. So thankful God has used you in such a glorious way. I have participated in many of your studies. I have seen you speak in person. Your obedience has inspired me and your study “Stepping Up” literally saved my life. Hope you enjoy this special day. Hope to spend many days chatting with you in heaven.
Happy Birthday, Beth! You have been my teacher/friend for since forever. When my now 21 year old was a young car pool kid, we often listened to you teach as we made our rounds. One day he asked, “Mom, why is that lady yelling?” “Oh sweetie,” I replied, “she just loves Jesus.” He thought a second. “She love Him loud.” Wishing you much joy, and everything you need to keep loving Jesus loud!
Happy Birthday Beth! You’ll never know (this side of heaven) how you’ve impacted my walk with Jesus. Eternally grateful for your life!! Much love to you and yours!
Tess
Cartersville Ga
Happy happy day!!
Happy Birthday, Beth!
You have no idea how your love for Jesus and the word
of God has impacted my life! Your passion for Jesus and the Scriptures
is contagious, and God has used you and your teaching to light a
fire in me to know Him and know His Word. I am so very thankful for you
and your ministry. I have been studying with you for the past 20 years, and
you have been a true mentor and friend. Thank you for serving Jesus and serving
women in such a powerful way!
May you be blessed big on your birthday and in
the year to come with His joy and peace! Much love to you!
Happy Birthday, Beth! You are an incredible inspiration and light shining toward Him. Thank you for your hard work and dedication and most of all, your example of a close walk with God. Praise Him!
Happy Birthday Beth! You are a blessing to me and to so many women. Thank you for being obedient to God’s call on your life. May God bless you and all of your family with a wonderful day!
Happy birthday, Beth!
Happy birthday Beth,
What beautiful words your sweet girl wrote. You must be so very proud of her.
Thank you for your studies that are so inspired and inspiring. Have a happy day with all the chips and salsa, and cake you can stand!!!
Happy birthday, Beth!! I am so very grateful you were born. My life is richer and my walk with Jesus is richer because of your commitment to bring God’s word to women. Thank you for being transparent in your pain and struggles as well as your joys and passions. That vulnerability makes you authentic to women of all ages. I pray God blesses you with many more birthdays. You’re one of my heroes of the faith. I look forward to heaven to see our Savior’s face and after that, spend eternity with all of my “truth-speakers” like you, Chuck Colson, Anne Graham Lotz, Kay Arthur and many more. We will have a blast!!
Happy Birthday Beth! Hope you have a great day!
Happy Birthday Beth! You are a true inspiration and have taught me so much for many years. I have had the privilege of participating and facilitating most of the studies you have written. God has certainly put you here to share His word to change lives! I have seen it as I have seen friends saved in Bible Study and watched women fall in love with His word for the very first time. Thank you so much for all you have given! I wish you a blessed day with those you hold the dearest!
Happy Birthday, Beth!!
Beth, a celebration of your life – and how you have allowed God to use you and your gifts to teach and bless others. There are phrases and teaching moments in your studies that God reminds me of often. May you experience the love back tenfold.
Happy birthday, Beth! Even though I’ve never met you face-to-face, your writing and speaking have mentored me and encouraged me. Thank you for your absolute willingness to be used by God and surrender to Him.
Happy Birthday!! I hope you have a fun filled day with family & friends! I also wanted to thank you for your many Bible studies that have been a source of comfort and provided a greater knowledge & more importantly a closer walk with Jesus my precious Savior! Thank you!
Happy Birthday, Beth! Thank you for the inspiration you have poured out through your Bible studies. I have completed almost every one. I hope you had a beautiful, restful, loving birthday!!
Sherrie
Happy, happy birthday! You have been blessed with a special gift that encourages me every day! I thank God for your willingness to be used by Him. God bless!
Happy Birthday! I love your realness and how you allow God to use your life to serve and bless so many women!!!! Hope you have a great birthday!!
Happy birthday Beth!
As the cursor blinks I don’t even know how to bless you in the upcoming year…you have been a treasure to many. Your birthday marks a gift to us all. This world has been made better by your ongoing contributions. May it continue to be impacted and blessed by your gifts and service. Now time to celebrate girl! Party, pamper and love on that charming family! Proverbs 31:25!! Oh happy day!
Love from the bottom of my coffee cup,
Melissa Stauffer
Happy Birthday dear Beth! Thank you for all you do for the body of Christ, thank you for your insight, your wisdom, your sense of humor, your transparency, your love and of course I have to include your hair (and how it has evolved over the years ). We appreciate you and we love you!
Happy Birthday Beth Moore. We all feel like we know you personally because of your willingness to be vulnerable with us. God used your Bible studies to spur my hunger to study Gods Word. MaY God continue to use you in a powerful way. Have a great birthday.
Happy Birthday!! Thank you for your love of the Lord, for being real and for your precious heart! I truly hope you have a most excellent birthday!!!
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for letting God lead you so that you can lead others into His presence! You are a blessing
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Lots of love !!!
Happy Birthday Beth! You are so very loved by so many…truly a blessing and a very blessed woman of God.
Happy Birthday. I am currently in my first Beth Moore study group. I am so excited and growing so much.
Happy birthday, Beth. I joined your Bibles studies at our church. You have blessed me in so many ways and motivated me into God’s word more than any other Bible study leader. Thank you and I thank God for using you in the way he has.
Happy Birthday Beth Moore!!!!! You are beautiful inside and outside. I just drove by the church where I was introduced to you thirteen years ago!!! You have been such an inspiration to me and I love how real you are with your audience!!!! Thank you for being on FIRE for our Lord and helping me to be so as well!! May you have a day filled with JOY and blessings!! xoxo
Happy birthday, Beth. I greatful heart goes out to God today for your birth. Our Father knew that this past pit dweller would need someone to open their eyes to the Truth. Thank you for being obedient.
Happy Birthday Beth! You are so loved … by family and friends and people that have done your bible studies over the years. So looking forward to Cincinnati, the You Lead training and the conference. May you continue to be blessed with contentment, grace and the unending love of our Jesus!
Happy birthday, Beth!!