**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 and blessed birthday!
When I first became a Christian, I walked into a Christian bookstore and knew I needed a Bible and a book to read. The Bible I ended up getting at Barnes and Noble and the book I bought in that store was David: 90 Days to a Heart Like His. I had no clue what I was holding in my hands or who Beth Moore was. But more than that, I had no clue how God was going to use your life, your story, and your commitment to Him to spark something fiercely passionate in me. Happy Birthday Beth. Thank you for coming to Pittsburgh a few years ago, thank you for being real, and thank you for loving Jesus so well you taught me how to do the same thing.
wishing you a VERY wonderful birthday!!! Love your ministry and all you’ve done 🙂
Happy birthday, BMoore, from one of your thousands of spiritual daughters. Love you.
Happy Birthday, Beth!
Thank you continuing to hope and fight and walk on with the Lord. You are a blessing and encouragement to me.
Happy Birthday Beth! May the Lord richly bless you today as you reflect on His faithfulness to you over this past year. May you be blessed with many more!
Happy birthday. Thankful to God to have empowered you to do all you have been doing. He is a Faithful indeed!!
Happy Birthday!!!
Happy Birthday Beth! Hope you have a wonderful day with your family. I love two of the pictures posted, one with you and your 3 girls so cute, and the other you and Keith. God bless
Happy Birthday Beth!
I began my Christian walk again when I retired from my job after 25 years. I joined my churches women’s bible study that was using your video and workbooks. I have grown In Christ due to your words shared and the material presented. I now am loving Jesus with my whole heart. Just want to say thank you for stepping out and following the holy spirits prompting to be a great teacher and communicator of His word.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY and my you be blessed abundantly.
Happy Birthday, to one of my favorite Bible teachers, Beth Moore! You’re such an inspiration to all of us siestas. May God bless you with a wonderful and abundant year!
Happy Birthday Beth! I thank God for your commitment and obedience to Him – I have learned so much from your teaching the Word.
Many happy blessings to you!
cindy
Happy Birthday Beth!
What a wonderful tribute from you daughter.
Uh Oh It looks like something went wrong with my first Birthday wish
Happy Birthday Beth!
Happy Birthday Beth.
Happy happy birthday to you! Thanks for being a strong positive influence for women all over the world!
Happy Birthday, Miss Beth! You have been a mentor and a friend-far-off through telecasts and video teachings. I wish you a blessed day today and a glorious year ahead as you continue to follow Christ in such a way others are also drawn to Him!
Much love,
Jacquie
Happy birthday, Beth! You have become so instrumental in my walk with God and encouraging me in ways you will never know…at least not until I track you down in our heavenly home. 🙂
Happy Birthday Beth! I hope your day filled. With and happiness. I think you are an awesome women. Take care and God bless.
I was married to an abusive man for 18 yrs. I finally had to walk away with my half dozen kids. Clothed in fear and insecurity, I stumbled along life’s path constantly searching for hope. I’ve read your book “So Long Insecurity ” at least 3xs. It has helped me become stronger,more secure in who God says I am. Thank you. God bless you and have a blessed birthday!! Thank you for investing so much of your life in God and sharing thru books. You’ve Helped Me Beyond WORDS AND Tears~
Not sure if I made it in time for the give away but I sure hope I made it in time to wish you the happiest birthday ever!
Thank you for all you do for Jesus. I have grown so much spiritually in your studies, your blog and your ministry.
Melissa, this is a precious message about your Mom. Your love pours out for her in this blog!
Beth,
Happy Birthday to amazing Bible Study teacher. I have enjoyed several of your bible studies. God has blessed you with a wonderful ministry and I have blessed by you studies.
Love,
Elainr
Happy Birthday Miss Beth! I hope you have a fabulous birthday filled with all your favorite people and things!
You are such a blessing and encouragement to me and so many other women around the world. Wear your birthday tiara with joy as a fellow daughter of the King!
Blessings to you today and each day following!
Wishing you a blessed birthday! I have enjoyed learning and growing from your many books. Thank you!
Happy birthday, Beth!!!! Thank you for this past weekend in Tampa! I needed a reminder that God loves me, keeps me, and never gets tired of me! Thank you for allowing him to use you!! Happiest of days to you!
Beth
Happy birthday to you!
I just finished one of your DVD studies and am experiencing freedom, wanted to say thanks
Hugs jen
Happy, Happy Birthday, Miss Beth!! I thank God for blessing me with your wisdom of His Word and allowing me to study right alongside of you!
Happy Birthday! Thank you for facilitating lots of growth and friendship!
What a beautiful tribute to your mom, Melissa! Happy Birthday, Beth! You have a beautiful family!!!
Happy birthday! I just finished the Thessalonians study! It was incredible (of course!) And perfect timing as I was just starting a discipleship training course at my church. God’s timing is always amazing to me. May your day be as blessed as you are to others!!
Happy Birthday friend! Enjoy every drop. Thank you for teaching me so much over many years. Lots of love
Debbie
If God has given one gift in a Women/Sister/Teacher/Friend- it would be hands DOWN you..Beth Moore. We have never met- but I’ve cried-laughed, learned and loved with you. Thank you for letting God use you in such a BIG BIG way.
May His blessing rain down on you today! Enjoy your life, your Man. your beautiful daughters and grand kids (i’m gonna join you soon on the Grandma title!)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! God bless you and yours~Amy Shed- Doylestown OH
May your Birthday. be ridiculously amazing!
May the Lord continue to bless and protect you, your family and your ministry as you strive to pursue and honor Him! Happiest of birthdays to you!!
Happy Birthday awesome lady!! Thanks for all the Kingdom Work you do.
Happy Birthday Beth- thankyou for digging deep into God’s word and then sharing /challenging fellow sisters …
Happy Birthday to a woman who inspires, encourages and challenges me! Hope your day is full of blessings!
Happy Birthday and what a blessing to read about you!
Happy Birthday Beth!!!
Happy, Happy Birthday Beth! Oh, how I wish I could give you a big old hug on your birthday! Your Bible studies have helped grow me in so many ways. I so wish I could talk to you personally, about my current struggles. I know you would speak wisdom and love and the truth of God in a way that could strengthen the hope I cling on to. You are a blessing sweet lady, and I wish you only the best on your birthday and always! And what dear daughters you have! Blessings Always!
happy birthday, Beth! As a mom, that blog post is the only present I would need. What a testimony!
Thank you, Beth for all you do. May God continue to work through you and your family.
Love and many birthday wishes for you!
Tammy
Praying for many blessings for you this birthday, I know this will be a tough one, having just lost a family member, but I know God will cover you in his wings and give you peace and joy this day. I’ve done a couple of your studies and am thankful for the siesta sisters memory verse study. Wishing you a very happy birthday, I thank God for using you to touch sooo many women’s lives and thank you for being willing to be used by Him!
What a tribute to have such words written by your daughter … it brought tears to my eyes .. Beth – I’ve been doing the Esther study — during which time my dear friend quickly lost her (young) husband to cancer, my sister in law (50) found out she has terminal cancer and isn’t responding to chemo and I lost my job of 17 years to a reorg … So I find myself in the midst of reversal of destiny .. you have created a hunger in me to know and share God’s word … To be Jesus with skin on .. so others will know I resemble him not just have a relationship … When I say “May the Lord bless you” in comes deep .. deep from within .. Happy Birthday special lady … teacher … mother … friend.
Happy Birthday! Have a wonderful day!
Happy Happy Birthday Beth!
Have a super fantastic week and see you in a few at Greenville.
Happy birthday Beth!
What a blessing you are to your family and to women around the world! Thank you for being an example of the hands and feet of Jesus! I’ve been so blessed and encouraged by you! Have a blessed day!
Happy Birthday Beth! You write the BEST bible studies!
Happy Birthday Beth!! Blessings for many more to come! I just had the honor of hearing you speak in Cedar Hill to Pastors Wives and at the Together conference. Thank you for your powerful words and for always being obedient to the Father! You’re words and Bible studies have been such a blessing through the years for me personally and for the ladies I’ve lead! Thank you and believing for amazing God encounters in the year to come!!
What a fabulous tribute to a sweet mentor to many! Hope your day was all kinds of wonderful!
Be Blessed!
Jacque
Happy birthday, Beth! Thank you for allowing the Lord Robles us through your willingness to teach!!