**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! Thank you for listening and obeying God. You are truly inspiring. God bless you! <3
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAUTIFUL LADY!!!!
I have been so blessed by your teachings.
Thank you for allowing the Spirit to speak the Word of God through you.
‘May the Lord bless you
and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you
and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you his favor
and give you his peace.’
(Numbers 6:24-26 NLT)
Happy birthday! I am not at all surprised by this lovely post from Melissa in honor of Beth. How honored I would be for my children to have anything remotely similar to this to say about me. I pray God’s richest blessings on you, Beth, for your birthday and every day. He has used you in so many ways, so many times, to touch my life. I am so grateful that you are a willing vessel for Him to use to touch the lives of so many of His children.
Happy Birthday Beth! I thank you for all your studies. They have taught me how to truly study His word. I hope your day is fantastic!
Happy Birthday Beth!! So blessed to hear you in Tampa and praying this week God reverberates His Word in and through each of us who attended. God answered my prayers prayed as a young mom in ’95 for Him to teach me how the tabernacle in Exodus applied to my life. He moved my family with our military assignment to what I perceived as ‘my wilderness’ experience to Altus, OK to answer the prayer when I needed it. Your study, ‘A Woman’s Heart, God’s Dwelling Place’ was given to me just as my husband assumed command of a large military unit and I felt utterly overwhelmed. By seeing this answer to prayer it greatly encouraged my heart and even though personal tragedy struck my family in the end I spoke at a women’s conference sharing, “My wilderness-God’s oasis! Bless you dear lady!!
From one Beth to the famous Beth, Happy Birthday. I also have 2 daughters that I love to walk through life with. Blessings.
Dear Miss Beth,
You have been such a rich blessing in my life from your bible studies to sharing your life on the blog. You inspire me and encourage me to love Jesus and how to live out a more victorious life in Christ in this often time dark world. Wishing you the best of birthdays and may God bless you with many more.
In sisterly love,
DeeDee
Happy Birthday, Beth! You have taught so many women not to fear God’s word, but to dig in and enjoy it! Thank you for using your gifts.
Beth,
I wish you a very happy birthday and I hope your year is filled with so many blessings…
I can’t thank you enough how God has used you to change and shape my life. I was not raised in a Christian home and my parents did accept Jesus into their lives before passing and I owe that to you because I accepted Jesus in 2001 and immediately started your bible studies. Jesus used you to get me out of my pit and break the chains of sin and destruction that was my life and that allowed Jesus to shine deep within me and my parents saw that change in me and they wanted it for themselves. Not only with my parents but my in laws as well including my brother in law. My husband is a pastor so we are still using Jesus to change other lives. You have shaped me into a Godly woman,wife and mother.. Thank you and happy birthday. You are my most favorite!! Best wishes!!!! P.S. My 15 year old has accepted the call and wants to be a youth pastor! How’s that for first generation of Christians!!! See you in Cincy on the 26th!!
Happy birthday, Beth!! You and my husband share the same birthday. Your teaching influence on me has been huge. Thank you for doing what you do!
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and pointing us to Jesus.
Happy Birthday, Beth! Thank you for your transparency and your obedience to Jesus. Both have been a huge gift in my life! I pray God blesses you with many more!
Happy Day oF Your Birth Beth!!! So thankful you were born..the world is a better place with you in it! 🙂
Happy Birthday Beth!! Thank you so much for being faithful in sharing God’s word. Have a wonderful blessed day!
Happy birthday Beth. Your studies have been an encouragement to me and challenged me, especially along some difficult paths. I appreciate they always challenge me and speak to me where I am at. Happy birthday and may God continue to uphold and strengthen your ministry. Beautiful blog about you.
I loved reading this blog! Just the words are so inspiring to fulfill a bigger destiny of how amazing and strong both moms and women in general can be for Christ and in Christ! Hope you have an amazing birthday!!!
Always a fan,
Samantha.
I hit submit & forgot to wish you a “Happy Birthday”! Hope it is great
Happy Birthday Miracle Girl! From the beginning of my walk with the LORD you have been an encouragement through your studies, books and live conferences. Thank you for being so transparent and for allowing God to use you to reach so many of us. I pray that you are being refreshed and loved on especially today. You are loved – (big hug)
Happy birthday Beth. I thank God for the gift of you in so many women’s lives!
Happy Birthday Beth! You’re a blessing.
Happy Birthday, Beth! I am so thankful to God for the ministry He has given to you and for your obedience to Him! May He shower you with an abundance of blessings and may you feel the love of you flesh and blood family and your sisters in Christ on this your special day.
Happy Birthday Beth! Hope you have a beautiful day I have learned so much from your studies. You will never know what a blessing you have been in my life
Happy Birthday to a wonderful teacher!
I see I’m 402… But that’s ok. What a beautiful gift to your mother….honoring her in your life as well as in your words. What a awsesome reflection in you of your mother…..tells me she pursued mother hood in Christ well, just as we are to reflect Jesus! What a blessing you have passed on from her!
Beth, mays God’s richest blessings be showered upon you today and everyday. You are truly a blessing to so many of us.
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for loving the Lord and loving us enough to teach us how to love Him more! I have grown in many ways through your studies. I pray for many more years of God’s blessings!
May your day be filled with love and joy. Happy birthday.
Happy Birthday, Beth! How wonderful to celebrate a life which daily celebrates each and every life, along with her own in Christ Jesus! Many blessings to you!
In His Grip,
Michelle Wintrow
Happy Birthday, Beth! God has used your Bible studies to change my life in oh so many ways! Thank you for sharing your life and what God has done for you.
Happy Birthday to you Beth Moore.
Dear Beth
Happy, happy birthday. It’s awfully rainy here in Houston today. I’m really sorry you can’t have a better weather “Hair-day”. Shalom to you and may you make wonderful memories today.
Happy Birthday Beth! Grateful for all the words God has given you to share with the world! He has worked wonders through you!
Happy Birthday to a woman the Lord uses to bless me over and over again! I pray that you have a most blessed day sweet lady.
Happy Birthday,Beth! You are an inspiration and a blessing to so many! May God continue to bless you beyond measure!
Happy Happy Birthday Dear Beth!!!! I can’t begin to tell you what a blessing you are to me and have been for at least the past 20 years. I adore your Bible Studies and listening to you speak. Your knowledge astounds me. Even though we have never met and probably never will on this side of heaven, I love you very much!
Sharon West
Would so love the Bible!!!
Thank you for this lovely post, Melissa! Beth has been so much to so many of us. She loved deeply and widely.
May she continue to grow in grace and wisdom before the Lord.
Happy Birthday dearest Beth!
Happy Birthday Beth!! I love you Sister!!! Thank you for all your hugs!!
Happy Birthday I’m so happy to share in the June birthday month with you. Thank you for all the hard work and the awesome word that you put out here. I love the studies and the way that you put things.
Many more blessings and happiness flowing your way.
Joy in the heart and happiness in the smile.
Happy birthday from one June baby (my birthday was the 10th) to another! I pray this next year be your grandest adventure with the Lord!
Happiest Birthday, Beth,
Your teachings mean so much to so many, me included! When I was moving from NY to VA, 4 years ago, I was very concerned about finding a church home. At the time you were in VA and through a link to the speaking engagement, I found a church that was one of the sponsors, and knew I had to check it out. I knew I could trust that a church that was linked with you was one I could trust. I absolutely love the church and am still attending. They use a lot of your teachings there. Thank you for serving the Lord and us so faithfully. Enjoy your day,
Love ya,
Tery
Happy Birthday to you Beth. You are an inspiration to us all! Thank you so much for all the years you have given to Bible studies. I hope you have a wonderful birthday and many more to come.
Beth you were made in God’s image so try to look good in your photos.
Happy Birthday Beth
Ever since the Colour conference, London at the beginning of May – my first encounter with Beth Moore – I have been reading Believing God; I’m on my third read of it and will not stop reading it until I am following all its teaching. Then I am going to read everything else Beth has written!! I’ve been a Christian since my teens (and I’m older than you, Beth!) but I was so impacted by your passion and your teaching and I know God is using you to bring me even closer to Him. Happy birthday, Beth, and thank you. I pray God will heap blessings on you and your family.
Happy Birthday! Have learned so much from your Bible studies.
Happy Birthday Beth! You are such an amazing woman of God. Thank You for all that you do to encourage us and loving God even more.
Happy Birthday, Beth! You are an encouragement to myself and so many others. Thank you for speaking truth into my life.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Beth!!!
Your study “Believing God” was the beginning in showing me that God wants a relationship with, uses and loves even those who make big mistakes, opening my eyes to my judgmental spirit and His amazing grace. Thankful that he brought the light to me. Also having us read the same chapter at least 20 showed me that it sometimes takes that many readings to really get what God wants me to understand about that passage.
Thank you and be blessed. I’ll always remember your birthday now because it is the same day as my dear daughter-in-law, Rebekah.
I wish the happiest of happiest birthdays to Beth!
She is my ultimate, all-time favorite super-hero!
She has gotten me through some rough times and a broken heart also Melissa; all without every meeting her
personally!
Happy, Happy Birthday to you! I am grateful to our LORD for His grace and mercy through your ministry!
Happy Birthday, Beth!
May the Lord bless you abundantly! I hope you have a wonderful day of celebration with family and friends. I sure do appreciate all you have done to serve the body. My walk with Jesus has greatly improved through studying the Word using your studies.
Many thanks and much love!
Tammy Kron
Melissa ~ I loved this post! It is such a beautiful way to honor your mom on her birthday?