**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 being a constant example of what a Godly woman should be like. I am so grateful for you and your Bible studies both of which have allowed me to seek God at a deeper level. You are such a blessing! Prayers to you always and especially on your special day. Happy Birthday, love!
Have a great Birthday!
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for the bible studies you are inspired to share with us, they are life changing for so many. I hope you have a wonderful day! You are very loved!
Happy birthday Beth!!! I hope you have a great and joyous day!!!
Happy Birthday!! So blessed by your faithful teaching!
Happiest of birthdays to you, Beth!
Hope your Birthday is as Beeeeaaautiful as you!
Happy birthday Beth. You have been the greatest reason/inspiration for my loving and learning God’ s Word. I thank God that He sent you to me as a teacher who teaches the Word that I can understand and really learn from. Just finished studying the life and ministry of Paul. You are an amazing woman and one who I would love to meet one day.
Happy Birthday! Thank you for inspiring me everyday with your books,and devotionals!
Happy birthday! Thank you for getting me through some hard times in my life with your God given words. May our Lord richly bless your life in the coming year.
Happiest of birthdays to you Beth! Thankful for God’s multiple gifts to me through your life and teaching. Thank you.
Laurie
Happiest birthday to the Bible teacher who has most inspired me to dig deeper into God’s word. I feel like you are my friend. See you in Greenville!
Melissa, such a beautiful tribute to your Mom and oh so true. Inspired me to hope I can Love that well to those in my life who just need to be held with the love and long suffering of our Savior. Pray for rich blessings over you Beth on your special day! My life has been richer and desiring more of Jesus because of your teaching. I am truly grateful!
With Love,
Merrie
Happy Birthday Beth!!! Thank you for showing all women what a true Christian Lady should be, I only hope to be the Godly lady that you are.
Happy Birthday, Beth Moore!!!! You make a difference in so many lives!!!
Beth, your Bible studies have been such an encouragement to me. I love studying the Word of God and they have helped guide me along the way. They have made me want to dig deeper and deeper. Thank you!!! Happy Birthday!! Praying you have a wonderful day.
Happy Birthday Beth! There could not be a better birthday gift than what Melissa just wrote about you! How precious her words and how precious are you! I hope your day is blessed beyond measure! Fun fact……my son was one of the guys that came to video your Compassion piece for your conference. I was so excited about it! I just love the picture he took with you in your kitchen! Much love!
Happy Birthday Beth! Your studies have been a blessing. Just started reading this blog and I sure have enjoyed it. God Bless You each day.
Happy Birthday Precious Beth. You don’t know me, but I have had the privilege of being a part of many of your studies. I have truly been blessed by all of them. Your great love for our Savior exudes from you and touches many lives. Thank you for being faithful and a blessing. Praying that you have a blessed birthday!! In His Love.
Happy Birthday Beth ! God bless!
Happy happy birthday Beth Moore! I pray God’s smile of favor over you today and hope you feel nothing but LOVE from your family and friends!
Happy Birthday!!
Happiest of birthdays to you sweet Beth. May your day bring as many blessings as you have given to us.
Happy birthday Beth! The way you love Jesus and point us to His word is a blessing to me! Thank you for staying true to you and being an inspiration to us all.
Wishing you a Blessed Birthday, Beth…your studies have provided so much encouragement to myself and others through the years and for this I would like to honor you on this your special day. Happy Birthday to you, lovely lady.
Happy Birthday, Beth! Thank you for what you’ve done to encourage women to become more like their Savior. God’s richest blessings are wished upon you!
Happy Birthday Beth! I didn’t know that I could love God’s word until I saw your passion for it many years ago. You turned a light on. Today, I love it! It is everything is says it will be. Today I was reminded that He is all I need. I love you for showing me this great love. Have a blessed day reading all these words of joy.
Happy birthday Beth! I attended the Albuquerque LPM conference, it was just exactly what the Lord knew i needed.
Your winsome real quirky personality just makes me relax with you.
Thank you for persevering in knowing the Word and being a learner and teacher of it. Your persevering and continuous learning blesses me. There is always more and better in it.
And can it say your thoughtful writing and proclamation at the end of your conferences just makes the right amount of sense to capture a flaming heart at the moment?
Also thank you for persevering as a woman bible teacher, i know you are faithful to Scripture and honoring and deferring to male headship without advocating responsibility to know and teach the Word and without advocating your first loyalty to Jesus.
Just as few words to say, happy birthday Beth! I am glad the Lord created you, raised you, saved you and has deployed you for many women’s benefit. We will be friends in glory.
Your sister in Jesus,
CJ
Happy Birthday Beth. Thank you for listening to HIS voice and sharing HIS word to so many all over the world. Your teachings have deeply touched my life and I am so profoundly grateful to the Lord for your ministry. May your day be full of joy and gladness, and may your salsa bowl never be empty! 🙂
Happy, happy birthday, my dear sister in Christ! Through your teaching, Beth, the Lord continues to mature me, mold me, refine me, and draw me deeper into Himself. Thank you! With much love in Christ!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BETH!!!!! THANK YOU, BIG SOUL SISTER OF THE FAITH!!! YOU ROCK, GROOVE AND SWAY!!! YOU BLESS MY LIFE!!! MY LIFE BLOOMS A LITTLE BRIGHTER BECAUSE OF YOUR FAITHFULNESS TO OUR DAD!!!♥♥♥
Happy Birthday Beth!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Thank you for being such a blessing to so many!
Happy Birthday Beth! I hope you have a blessed and wonderful day.
I can’t begin to tell you how much I enjoy your Bible studies. Our small group just finished the study on Daniel in May. That was one of the best studies. You really opened our eyes to the book of Daniel like no one else. Thank you for sharing yourself with us.
Happy Birthday! God has blessed you so tremendously and it in turn blesses us! This causes us to grow and learn more about the Lord. May your day be rich with God’ wonders!!
God’s continued blessings a a very Happy Birthday! I thank God for how he has used you to be a blessing to so many others!
Just this week I went through and organized favorite Bible studies that I have gone through. What a blessing it has been to walk through this journey of life with you as a Godly teacher, leader and mentor. I am so thankful that you were obedient to your call to teach women what it is to live in Christ! I pray today you have a blessed day and will sense how much the Lord loves you~ I so very glad you were born! Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday Beth!
Have a wonderful day and thanks for the drawing.
Happy happy birthday! Have a wonderful day. Thank you so much for your inspiring books
Nancy
Happy Birthday, Beth!
You are an amazing woman and an a amazing blessing to my life (as well as so many others!). I had the pleasure of seeing you live last October in Fort Wayne and hope to see you again in a couple of weeks in Cincinnati. Your teachings always capture my imagination and speak to my heart. May God continue to bless you and your family in every way.
Thank you for being you! And may you have the happiest of birthdays! :o)
Happy Birthday! Thank you for being”caught up in Jesus” as your daughter put it. You lead the way for all.
Happy Birthday Beth! A few years ago one of my dreams was to see you at a conference! It came true and a few friends and I had a truly amazing weekend! I have watched you for years, and feel like we are related!Our stories are quite similar, I also have to daughters and a son and feel for them much as you describe, reading this blog reminds me of the impact we have on the lives of our children, thank you for teaching me through your trials, and helping to lift my face to the Father! God bless you!
Dearest Beth,
Have a Happy and Blessed Birthday. You are truly an inspiration to me and your love for Jesus is truly infections.
Blessings
Happy Birthday to someone who has made a gigantic difference in my life. Although I attended church since the fourth grade I was 50 years old and had never been to a Bible Study. My first experience was attending one of your very first on a Thursday morning in the chapel at First Baptist. It was standing room only and you said we would move the next class to the sanctuary. Thank you for changing my life and giving me knowledge I did not know I was missing. You make a difference.
Happy Birthday, Mrs Beth!! You bless my heart!
Well wonderful! Happy birthday! Hoping your day will be filked with love, joy and many warm memories!
Happy Birthday Beth, You are such a blessing in so many people’s lives. God bless you this day!
Happy Birthday Beth! you are a wonderfully blessed woman of God! Thank you for all you do! May the Lord give you many, many, many more years!
Justine Crawford
Las Vegas, NV
WOW! So much love for Beth Moore! Love it!
Happiest of birthdays to YOU pretty lady! 🙂
The very happiest of birthdays, Beth! I first “discovered” you back in about 2003 when I was wrestling with leaving the legalistic church I had been raised in. Your Bible studies were the most fresh air I had ever breathed. You opened up Scripture to me in a new way that thrilled me to my core. I pray for you often that God will give you strength for the day, grace and wisdom for the journey. I will be eternally grateful for you and your amazing ministry.