**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 Moore!!! May God continue to bless you as you’ve blessed others myself included with your words. God Bless! Connie
I join your Mom in celebrating her special day – as it is my birthday too – 51 years old today~
I love what you wrote Melissa it was beautiful! You are blessed to have such a fantastic mother!
Much love and Best Wishes Beth for a wonderful God Blessed year for you and yours!
joy~
Happy Birthday Beth!
Birthday Blessings to YOU Beth. Your ministry has touched me and my family in numerous ways! Thanks so much for doing what you do 🙂
Happy birthday, Beth!!! I am so thankful for the beautiful work God has and is accomplishing in you. You are radiant as you walk in the Light!
Happy, Happy Birthday Beth! Blessings to you on your special day!
Happiest of days to you and yours. I’m so glad God shared you with the world on this day. Many of our own “well done good and faithful servant” blessings will be ripples from yours. Thank you for that.
Happy Birthday Beth Moore!! I am so blessed by you and your studies, may you be blessed beyond measure today!
Happy birthday Beth! Much love to you on your special day!
Happy birthday Mama Beth! Your passion for Jesus and God’s word was contagious for me years ago, and I am so thankful for that! Thank you for following hard after Him in ministry so that so many of us could know and love Him more as well!
Happy happy birthday 😉
Happy Birthday Mama Siesta!
God has used you in some amazing ways in my life and countless others to bring deep healing and freedom. I am forever grateful!
Love you precious lady!!
April Lopez
Happy Birthday Miss Beth!!! You have blessed and deepened my life in so many ways. Loved meeting you some years ago at Great Hills SW Women’s Conference and think you deserve the best of days as you celebrate YOU!!! What special daughters you have to show this kind of love and gratitude. Blessings abundant, BA
Happy Birthday Beth!
Happy Birthday Beth. You are such a blessing and we are all so very thankful for you and your wonderful ministry. I hope your birthday is filled with warmth, love and many good wishes.
Happy Happy Birthday! Celebrating your Momma with you, Praise God for you both!
Happy Happy Birthday Beth!!! I hope this is the best one yet! I so enjoy your studies and pray God willing, you continue on opening up revelations of who He is!!!
Happy birthday to my favorite Bible teacher!
Happy Birthday Beth!
I hope you enjoy the peanut butter truffles I left for you!
I pray that you have a blessed day…year!
I love what you have meant to my spiritual walk.
Thank you for all that you do to spread the love and knowledge of Jesus, to a very thirsty world!
Happiest of birthdays to YOU Beth !! I just wanna say how much I appreciate you. Your bible studies have really helped me understand scripture and given me a thirst for more. When i was first starting one of your studies i emailed you, and you took the time to respond to me…….what a blessing you were at that time and continue to be. To date i have completed 9 studies and starting my 10th ! Thanks for being such a blessing to so many 🙂
Happy Birthday to an amazing women of God. Even though you have no idea who I am I consider you are my Bible mentor. I never get tired of your studies and reading your books. What a special gift from a daughter to honor her mother with such loving words and then to share her mom ‘s favorite things with others that love her too. I thank God for you… Blessings to you and your family!
Happy Birthday, sweet Beth! Your ministry, specifically your Bible studies, have helped me to experience the Lord’s involvement in my life. Many times while doing your studies, I have been shocked at how your words have been so intricately relevant to my situation and season. Your love and excitement for God and His Word is infectious and has helped to set my heart ablaze with a fiery love for Him as well. May your day be blessed in ways that you never even thought possible!
Happy Birthday Beth!! May you have a blessed day 🙂
Happy Happy Birthday Beth! You are such an inspiration for me and even though we have never personally met, I feel like we are BFF’s! May Jesus richly bless your day and pray you have an awesome birthday! Love you!
Beth, your commitment to loving the Body of Christ astounds me. I am challenged by your faithfulness and spurred on to love Jesus more because of your example. And I am utterly delighted by your sense of humor and willingness to not take life too seriously. You are a gift and your legacy will be one that bears fruit for generations to come.
HAPP BIRTHDAY!!!!!
Happy Birthday Beth. Such an inspiration.
Happy birthday Beth!!! Celebrate this day as I thank the good Lord that you followed His calling on your life. I remember when I was younger, my mom had some of your books laying across the table as I went along my merry way playing outside from dawn till dusk. Not until I was 20 years old, desperate for God to speak into my life did, I find what made my mom want to buy your books & listen to your studies. You allow God to speak through you in such a tender way that anyone listening feels the love of the Father sweep them up and make them feel whole. I too started reading your books & listening to your studies as I remembered the times my mom had. We now do your studies together and are going to our first Living Proof Conference when you come to Greenville, SC. We are so excited! Melissa, reading your post about your mom I somehow identified with what you were saying. In the depths of my despair, my mom walked & continues to walk with me farther than I thought anyone could. She has lifted me up when I felt like I couldn’t go one step further. The devil sure knows how to battle, but thank God for strong, Godly women who know how to fight! Blessings on you as you continue on this road called life. So thankful for another year of Beth & y’all be sure to celebrate with extra tortilla chips & salsa!
A very prayer filled HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you Beth! I will forever be grateful for your obedience to God in teaching and speaking. It has truly changed my life as mother, grandmother, pastors wife now turned full-time missionary! Thank you for your life of surrender to our LORD.
Melissa what a beautiful tribute to your Mom. Your writings gives us another dimensional glimpse into a woman who is spiritual Mom to so many. I flat out love her to pieces.
Happy Birthday Siesta Mama. May your day be filled to overflow with love, laughter & extra salsa. 😉
Happy Birthday Beth. My daughter, Monica Ciampa was the first person to tell me about your Bible studies and every since I did the first one I have been hooked. You have inspired me and blessed me in so many ways and I hope you have a wonderful, blessed birthday. Love you my precious sister in Christ.
Happy Birthday, Beth. I have had the privilege of seeing you in person at First Baptist and also on DVD in many classes. Your studies prompt me to dig deeper every time. Thanks for all you have blessed us with through the years!
Happy birthday. You are certainly an inspiration.
Happy Birthday sweet sister!!!! One day we will have heavenly coffee -together and I can sit in your mansion and tell you all the ways God used your studies to grow me closer to Him!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for Breaking Free!! Free Indeed!!!
Blessings on you! With Much Love
Maria xxoo
Happy Birthday, Beth!! You’ve been my model for teaching women the Bible and for being passionate, transparent, and honest as I’ve run this race called the Christian life. Thank you for staying true to your calling and to the God who called you!! May God bless you richly on this day and all days to come!!
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday Beth Moore! Your ministry is a blessing to me! Even my son, a 21 year old college baseball player enjoys your words of encouragement!
Happy birthday, Beth!!
Happy, Happy Birthday, Beth! Have taken and led numerous of yourstudies. You are a blessing! I sang to you last weekend in Tampa! What a great time we had. I had just lost my mother the week before so I was ready for some RE-FRESHING. I was near where you were getting testimonies but didn’t quite have the nerve. Thank you for being YOU! All God’s best to you!
Happy Birthday Beth your r a real mentor to so many young ladies.I myself am a little older but I have seen so many young women come to your bible studies that would have never
attended a bible study YOU ARE REAL .
Happy Birthday Beth!! I cannot thank you enough or fully express what your studies have meant to me over the years. Your passion and enthusiasm for God’s Word is contagious! Keep shining brightly for Jesus! Much love on your birthday and always.
happy day to a great woman of God!
Beth,
I wish you a very happy birthday! I’m so thankful God brought you into the world to minister to my generation. I have profited from your wisdom and love of Jesus more than any words can express. May God continue to pour out His love over you and your family in the coming year and may He draw you ever closer to His heart. God bless you! Cyndi Pettit
Happy birthday, Beth!! May the Lord’s face shine upon you !
Birthday Blessings, Beth. May the Lord continue to richly bless you. Hugs and love, “CL”
Happy Birthday Beth! I can’t wait to see you in Fargo. I hope your day has been wonderful.
Happy Birthday Beth! You help me and countless others get excited about digging in the word!
Happy birthday, Beth! Thanks for making such a difference in so many lives!
Best wishes coming your way from Kentucky for a wonderful, blessed day.
Happy Birthday Beautiful Beth!! I consider you a friend even though we have never met! Your voice, your words, your wisdom reached out to me in the darkest season of my life and brought hope and light to me. You were a part of the healing of my broken heart. When I think Beth Moore…I think Jesus. I am pretty sure you are one of God’s favorite girls!! You sure are mine. I pray much love and many blessings on your special day!!!
Happy Birthday, dear one.
I feel I can call you that because that is what YOU call ME…. every class I have taken under you, every video, every workbook! I am always your “dear one”!
You are an amazing woman of God and you have given me countless hours of pleasure, seated at the foot of the throne, walking the talk with you and sharing it with many many other friends and sisters in Christ!
What a JOY to know that your precious daughters and husband love you intimately as so many of us do from afar!
God is pleased.