**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 such a blessing to so many! I am hosting your Esther study in my home this summer and I have 35 ladies on the roster!! Oh my, thankfully a few of us don’t mind sitting on the floor 🙂
Thank you for serving Him so well!!
Happy Birthday Beth! God has used you in mighty ways. May your light continue to shine for Jesus for many more years. Your words and wisdom help all of us grow in our walk. I hope you feel showered in love and feel deeply appreciated today.
In the mid-1990’s my family and I were transferred due to my husband’s job from the Chicago area to the suburbs of London, England. It was during our time in England that I first learned about Beth Moore. By 1999 I participated in the first Bible study I had ever done by her. Prior to that while in England my focus had been on the First Place studies first as student then asked to lead classes at the International Community Church (ICC). Long story short — God was moving greatly within my life and growing me up in ways I had never experienced spiritually. It was HIS Will and Ways, I believe, along with the studies by Beth that helped bring me to life and bring God’s Word to life in ways I still to this day find hard to explain. From the bottom of my heart I send thanks to you, Beth, for all that you have done as a child of God in honoring HIM and others through giving time, effort and all it has taken to help others grow closer to God and in bringing the Word of God to life. Your dedication and servant-heart have made an amazing difference in my life and the lives of many. Wishing you a very blessed birthday and ever joy in the journey. Because of Him, Kathy
Melissa,
Thank you for sharing this post with us. =) And I have to add, knowing you have a favorite season of the West Wing makes me like you even more. lol
Have a wonderful summer and love that pup.
Keep standing strong and praising the I Am.
-Kierstan
Happy, happy birthday!! You are a life changer and an inspiration.
Happy birthday, Beth, sweet sister in Christ. You are three years younger than me but you’ve been my mentor through your Bible studies since 2004 when I attended Believing God Bible study at my church. I’d been absent from church for two years due to panic disorder. Your Bible study that March gave me the faith and strength to return to church and rejoin the choir. I’ve completed each page of every one of your studies except your latest, read all your books, and have been following this blog since it began. You’ve been such a blessing in my life. God used you to get me back into an intimately personal relationship with Jesus. I’ve learned so much from you. I pray God continues to bless you, strengthen you, and use you to help others know Christ and to inspire them to keep pursuing Christ. Every study I’ve completed that you’ve written has been used by God to speak life and faith and love and power into my life.
Melissa, you’ve been in my thoughts and prayers. What a wonderful tribute to your mom. Praying God continues to bless you and use you for His glory and your good!!! 🙂
Happy, Happy Birthday. May God’s uncommon blessings and undeniable favor rest upon you!!!
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you so much for the Bible studies. They are such a rich blessing to my grown daugther and I.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BETH!! Love how God uses you and your ministries!!!! You are a great servant of the Lord! HAPPY AND blessed New Birthday Year!!!!
HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETH! For a woman who spends so much of her time, talents and treasures pouring into the lives of others, I am so glad to be able to honor you on this special day.
What a wonderful testimony, Melissa. I can certainly see that a visit with your parents would be a treat! Happy Birthday,Beth.
Although, I missed being part of yesterday’s “Beth-Birthday-give-a-ways” sending best wishes for a wonderful year ahead, with many to follow, is a must! “Happy birthday, Beth! You are a gift to all who are blessed to be part of your circle!”
Your honest sharing of your love for your mom, Melissa, is tender and filled with JOY. I especially love your overall description of your mom, “…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.” May God continually bless each of you in your clan…love you all for your raw and honest living shared with all of us who are grateful to be able to be part of your circle through Bible studies/blogs/and more…so thankful to your precious momma for the arrows she has taken; the sacrifices she (and your family) have made to teach us more of Jesus, deepening our own love for our Lord and Savior!
I want to especially thank your LP staff for loving her so well…last summer you posted the fun birthday celebration you gave your mom at Painting with a TWIST in Houston! Well, I saved that post in a file, thinking “…what a fun party this would be for my own mom for her upcoming 80th!!” Well, last March, I was able to pull it off (with God’s strength and wisdom)…I found out that “Painting w/a TWIST” is a franchise and located in different areas across our nation!! Guess what? I found a Pw/aT 2 miles from my mom’s home, in Huntington Beach, CA!!! We had a beautiful time painting with 30 ladies for my mom’s 8oth birthday…she chose “Windows in Tuscany.” I give you and your staff the credit for my sweet and precious mom’s FUN party at the Huntington Beach studio! Love you all…hugs to your mom, and the BEST WISHES for continued blessings on your family! Love in Christ, Keri
P.S. I will try to send you a picture of the party “you” inspired me to throw for my precious mom, last March…all because of your American Flag post you shared from your precious mom’s birthday, last year! XOXO
Dear Beth,
Happy birthday to one of my very favorite writers, speakers and lovers of Jesus Christ and His daughters. You are so beautiful, witty and loving. My daughter and I became to know of you over 10 years ago while studying Breaking Free. Learned so much with many other of your studies.
Your daughter’s adoring tribute says it all!
Isaiah 26:3
Happy Birthday!!
Happy Birthday, Beth!! I am very grateful for the ways in which God has used you in my life. Praying many blessings for you today.
Happy birthday, Beth! You bring such beauty and life into our world. Thank you for standing boldly for Jesus!
wow. I can only pray that my daughter could make such a tribute to me one day. Stunningly beautiful. Happy bday, Beth!! You are a vessel of God and an absolute treasure to all.
Happy, Happy, happiest of Birthday’s to you Beth!!! Love you more than I can say- Thank you for inspiring me to be more like Jesus!
Happy Birthday Beth!!! Words cannot describe how thankful I am for the ways that our God has used you in my life. My life verse is Habakkuk 3:19 and has been since I studied Breaking Free over 8 years ago. I have struggled with a horrific addiction to alcohol almost all of my life. Breaking Free brought me to a place of understanding that I could truly be free from the bondage of alcohol. That my loving Heavenly Father created and equipped me for a unique purpose even in the midst of my depression and struggle with alcohol. That HE could free me from the pit of despair I was in….FOREVER.
What a glorious praise I have today! I will be celebrating 8 months of sobriety on Friday! I love you from the bottom of my heart and I am so deeply thankful for your prayer team at the Living Proof events. I went forward every one of the 6 times I attended and asked for prayer and healing from alcohol.
Your legacy lives on through us all. My life verse has touched so many people…it is my signature at the bottom of every email and gives me such a wonderful opportunity to brag on God!
Love to you and Happy Birthday Miss Beth!
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for allowing the Lord to use you to touch and inspire others. Years ago you opened up a whole new world for me with your Bible studies and still today you continue to make me want more of Him through your passion and love for our Savior.
By the way girl, you look great!
Happiest of birthdays to you Beth! I have enjoyed and learned so much from your bible studies, your blog post and the snippets that you give of us your family life. I have often thought how I would love to be able to have coffee with you or walk and talk in the woods. You are surely blessed with a wonderful family but you have truly blessed so many of is simply by sharing your love of Jesus. All the best to you today and all year long!
Happy birthday to you!!!
Happy Birthday, Beth! I thank God for your faithfulness to Him and for being His vessel of truth in the study of His word. He used you to help open the scriptures and bring them ALIVE to me!
Enjoy your special day. I celebrate your life more than on this day because God has richly used you to bless my life…and I am so grateful.
Birthday blessings for your year ahead!
Happiest Birthday to the woman who got me hooked on Bible study. I am thankful for your love of the Word!
Happy birthday Beth! I feel like I know you personally. God has used you in SO MANY ways to touch my life and make me closer to our Jesus! May He bless you on this birthday and everyday! Thank you for allowing Him to use you!
Happy, happy birthday, Beth! I have been so blessed by the Lord over many years through your obedience and hard work! Thank you! May you experience His awesome love for YOU today!
Susan
Happy Birthday Beth! I hope it is filled with all the things you love, and of course hot sauce and chips. Thank you for making an impact on my Bible study and life.
Thank you Melissa for the great blog post honoring your mom.
Happy Birthday Beth! You are a blessing to so many!!
Words cannot adequately convey what I feel about you, Beth Moore. I tell everyone you are my mentor (and you don’t even know it!) I thought I have always loved Jesus – but you have shown me otherwise and made me long to be as close to our Savior as you are. And as far as His Word goes – well I consume your Bible studies like a starved man eating his first meal in a week. I am a better mother, wife, and person because of your influence in my life. (And I know it’s all about Jesus — But today it’s all about you!) So thank you Beth!! Happy, happy birthday – and MANY more!
Happy Birthday Beth!! Hope you have a blessed day!!
In His Love, Rhonda
Happy Birthday, Beth! You have been such an inspiration to me! To many more wonderful birthdays!
This is such a beautiful way to celebrate your Mom’s special day. This is all that us mom’s need! It is the best gift! Happy Birthday, Beth! May God continue to bless you and your family!
What a beautiful tribute to an amazing woman! Thank you Melissa for sharing so eloquently of your love for your mom. It brought sweet tears to my eyes. I love my own mom so much too, and I realize how blessed we are to have amazing mothers, as not everyone has that gift. To Beth, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I’m so thankful for your life and the glory and grace of God displayed through you. You are Loved and Appreciated!!! I hope you have a wonderful day. =)
Happy birthday Beth! You’re an amazing lady – God bless!
Happy belated birthday to you Beth Moore.
Thanks for all you have allowed God to do in your life; for it was of great benefit for those who hear and study in God’s love.
What a sweet and heart-felt post, Melissa. Happy Birthday to your awesome Mama and Jesus’ continued hope and healing to you!
with much love,
Kate Posthuma
I may be too late for the key word study bible giveaway, but a very happy birthday to a woman who has had such an enormously positive impact on my spiritual growth over the years. May God bless you with even more of him this coming year <3
Happy birthday, and thank you for sharing yourself with us!
Happy Birthday!!! 🙂 what a blessing you are!!!!
Happiest of Birthdays, dear Beth!
Happy Birthday Beth – you don’t know it but we have been friends sine 1997 when I did my first Study with you. God bless you another year lots!
Happy Birthday Beth may you have a blessed and wonderful day. I was so blessed at your event in Tampa
Happy, happy birthday, Beth!! I pray you are blessed beyond measure on this day!! You are such an inspiration to me and so many. Thank you for all you do! Have a great day and eat cake!!!
I hope your day is filled with blessings. I’ve had a tough week filled with disappointments. I’ve been so comforted and encouraged by the scriptures I’ve memorized and held in my heart. They have helped me through sleepless nights. This is the first time I have done the SSMT. I’ve been able to learn more scriptures through this than any other way I’ve attempted. Thank you!
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for letting the LORD use you, even when you do not want what He wants you to do. Through your sacrifices and commitment to God’s word, I have been transformed. Praise HIM!
Happy Birthday!!
Happy Birthday Beth!. I hope you have a truly awesome day :-). thank you so much for changing my life in bringing me closer to our Lord, there are not works to thank you enough for that! You are an amazing woman. Have a wonderful day filled with lots of love.
Happy Birthday, Beth. All of God’s very best to you and yours. Thank you, thank you for your ministry. I am blessed by our obedience time and again. Love you.