**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 to the woman who has had the most profound, positive and biggest influence in my life. I look forward to heaven when God reveals to you the impact you had on uncountable lives; generations to be exact, as we pass it on. Keep it up and have a fabulous day celebrating, Beth! 🙂
Happy birthday Beth. You rock my world. Thank you and Bless you.
Happy birthday, I love your passion for Jeaus!
Happy Birthday Beth!! The past year has been a difficult one, but by doing your studies you have nudged my relationship with God back to where it should be. Now, I’m happier than I’ve been in 10 years and know only the best is yet to come. Thank you for your wonderful teaching that helped bring back joy, peace, and happiness. I hope you have truly blessed birthday.
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for all you do for God’s kingdom!
Happy Birthday, Beth Moore!! Have a wonderful day. May God continue to bless you and Living Proof Ministries. Thank you for your for teaching us about the merciful, loving, providing and empowering King Jesus. May He continue to fuel your passion and use your fervor to draw others to Himself.
Happiest of Birthday Beth!!
Thank you for your dedication to the out pouring of Gods Holy word. You have been such an inspiration to me and I know countless others. May our Heavenly Father bless you abundantly this day and the days to come.
xoxo,
Lynn Tilghman
Happy birthday, dear Beth! You are a blessing and inspiration to many as you lead us deeper into Him. I hope your day is full of your favorite things.
You single handley changed my love for the Word of God.
Thanks be to God for you!
HBD!
Christine
Happy Birthday, Beth!!
Happiest of birthdays to a beautiful woman of God who keeps us all loving Jesus and His Word<3!!!
Happy Birthday to Beth Moore. My daughters are just a few years younger than Amanda and Melissa, so in some very real ways you have guided me through parenting. How can I love someone I’ve never met? (Although I’ve been to two of your seminars, and have participated in numerous group studies and simulcasts.) But I do love you – your fascination with Jesus Christ, and your love of spreading His truth. Thank you, Beth Moore. Have a very happy birthday.
What a beautiful tribute to such a wonderful woman!! So grateful for her willingness to be used of God in countless ways to touch and bless the lives of Christian women….myself included 🙂 Wishing Beth the happiest of birthdays and God’s richest blessings always!!!
Happy Birthday Beth! Studying God’s word through your studies has changed my life in ways you could never imagine. Best wishes for many, many more birthdays and more studies!
Beth, happy birthday! May God continue to bless you as you bless others. What a legacy to leave, a servant of the living God. Thank you for being what God wants you to be.
Happy Birthday Beth! You have been a guide and mentor to me in bible study. So thankful for your passion for God and His word!
Beth wishes for the happiest birthday.
let that hair be a mess and just enjoy the day.
To God be the glory!
Happy birthday, dear Beth. Caught a minute to read the post and choked up through the entire thing. Thank you for sharing your Mom with. We love her so much.
Patti, Clemmons.
You were prayed for and thought of so many times yesterday! 3 different times I lifted your name up to the Lord, praising Him and thanking Him for you…..
Because ….
We. Are.
WE. ARE. so incredibly…. grateful for you. Your witness. Your Love….. “For such a time as this”….
….Happy Birthday, Beloved Beth….
H. U. G.
Happiest of Birthdays to a very special siesta.
Sending hugs your way!
Wendy
Happy Birthday, Beth! I am thankful that you share your passion for Bible study with us. You have taught me so much!
Happy Birthday Beth! You are such a blessing to us!
Happy Birthday Beth. Have a wonderful and Blessed Day! I have done many of your Bible Studies and I have enjoyed them very much.
Happiest of birthdays sweet Beth!! I have had the privilege of hearing you speak and doing several of your studies with dear friends of mine..you have made me laugh and cry many times. You are precious and I loved getting this better glimpse of your sweet self!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAUTIFUL LADY..
Happy Day Beth! You’re such a blessing!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Beth! I love doing your Bible studies! You are such a blessing! Thank you for sharing the Lord with us!
May you be blessed, Beth, on your birthday as much as you have blessed us.
Happy Birthday, Beth! May you feel the Lord’s presence with you clearly today.
Hannah
from Tennessee
Happy Birthday Beth, May God continues to use in the furthering of His Kingdom. Thank you for all years you spent studying and delivering His Word for His honor, His glory, and for the changing of so many lives including mine. May the fruits of His labor continues to bless you forever more.
What a precious woman you are! Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for sharing your gifts with us!
Beth, You are a light at the end of a dark tunnel for a lot of folks. have watched you for years and shred many tears with some of the messages you have brought forth. I thank you for being the kind, loving person that has shared her journey in this life and helped me know that I am gong to make it and it is going to be alright. Happy Day of your birth to you and may God bless you so richly in this new year of your life!
Happy Birthday Beth!
More than anything I appreciate the genuineness of the words you speak and stories you share. Your teachings of scripture are always refreshing and lead me directly to my Father’s heart. Thank you!
Dear sweet Beth,
Happy 29th birthday! I hope your day was full of laughter and joy.
My coming to you is out of pure gratitude, the Lord has used your ministry in such a mighty way, and I praise Him for it continually. Today I would like to take the time and thank you personally. So often, I think to pick up the phone to call you and encourage you to keep up the great work, because you truly are fighting the good fight. What you do on a daily basis is living proof that we are called to step on our promise land, and the way you are able to convey it in such a tangible way is nothing short of a miracle. I see Jesus in you, thank you. The Lord has moved in such a heartfelt way in my own life after studying with you, and I could not be more thankful. I too cannot remember my life without fear. And after you sharing your personal life in such a tasteful way, it has helped me to see beyond myself. Thank you for telling us to hang in there and to remember all the things our God has done for us when trouble is lurking. I cannot tell you what health and wholeness those messages have brought to me.
I realize the topic of celebration of life weighs heavy on your heart, I am sorry for your loss. I pray that you and your family were able to give Him praise for life because His love is good and truly endures forever. May The Lord bless you and keep you.
Love,
Jennifer Budaj
P.S. I loved the idea of a high-five when my son is driving me nuts. Please tell your son-in-law thanks for the smile. What an absolute riot.
Happy Birthday Dear Beth! May your day be filled with brilliant reminders of God’s great love for you. I’m thankful for the way you share your wisdom, wit and your real life experiences through your Bible Studies to help others grow closer to Jesus our Lord and Savior. I know I have learned so much from you, so I raise my morning cup of Peet’s and say ‘Cheer’s luv, dear sista, enjoy the day!
p.s. and I will enjoy my chips and salsa lunch and pray for you too!
Happy birthday Beth! You are wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing your gifts and helping so many women including myself to become closer to our Lord Jesus Christ. I wish you a blessed day.
What a beautiful tribute to your mom, Melissa! Happy birthday, Beth. Thank you for all of the wisdom, energy and sacrifice you have brought to this ministry. I have learned to love Jesus more because of you!
A very belated Happy Birthday. What wonderful words from your daughter, Beth. My daughter is in Heaven singing with Paul and visiting God. Her daughter saw it…shared it first in a report for her second grade class.
My boys currently are on a hiatus of sorts with because of a restoration of a previous unhealthy friendship. God is in the business of forgiving, however, and the HOly Spirit has been at work in this thing. So now I sit at home basically alone, except for my Indy-corgi-puppy of 12 years now. God is so good to give us our little furry friends. It is a time of reflection and sorrow – for the child in heaven and the almost estrangement of my two here on earth.
I guess this does not sound like much of a happy birthday message to you, but it is!!! It is great to have the honor of such admiration from those who truly know you…they were in the back of that Brontasaurus…and watched you walk the path of your own and on theirs… Prov. 31.
May God continue blessing you always as you continue to bless though around you both near and far.
Mary Ann
Happy Birthday Beth! You have been such an encouragement in my spiritual walk! Thanks for all you do to grow closer to God and then lead others on the same journey!
Happy Birthday to the woman who opened my eyes to the tabernacle. I have been a fan of yours since you spoke in Lebanon, Missouri in a small gym filled with Bible truth seeking women. My daughter was with me and we have journeyed together to many of your conferences. May God continue to shadow you with His wisdom and joy. Happy Birthday, Beth!
Happy Birthday, Beth! You are one of my heroes! Love the way you chase after Jesus. It inspires me.
Happy birthday Beth ( I call you my Mom too). Have a wonderful birthday month. =) Celebrate loud and praise Him. He has done great things.
If you take the seeds of your teaching and search only my life…(tears) it would have been worth it. You have been the teacher and mom HE has used to change my life. I and so many are richly blessed. And I know He Is the One blessing you too.
I hear these words often: Face down sister, face down. =) I hear your awesome voice and passion. This is just one of many but oh such a good one. lol
Thank you Beth and happy birthday.
Thank you Moore family and Living Proof family.
Kierstan
Happiest of Birthdays to you Beth!
Happy Birthday Beth!!! Many blessings to you dear woman! It is an absolute joy to be on this journey with you. I hope to meet you in person someday and give you a big hug, but if not here, when we reach heaven’s door!
Much love and gratitude for you and your heart!
Shiela
Happy Birthday Beth! Oh what a difference you have made in my life! I am so thankful for you and your ministry. I hope you have. Greg day!!
As crazy as this sounds I love you and I’ve never even meet you! I pray blessings from our father over you on this happiest of days. Happy birthday my dear friend I will meet in heaven. Xo
Happy Birthday Beth. What a touching tribute by your daughter. One of the most precious blessings. I can only hope and pray that I may have a similar impact on my children, and that they might have such rich and tender things to say about me one day. 🙂
Happy Birthday! I surely do appreciate you!
I’ve always thought you were awesome from my very first Bible study. Keep on keeping on! Please! 🙂
Happy birthday! Thank you for your love and passion for teaching women God’s word.
What a great tribute to your amazing mom! Happy Birthday, Beth!