**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 TO THE LADY WHO HAS WORKED IN THE STUDIES AND WHERE BELIEVING GOD transformed my life. I love you Beth and pray that God will blow your socks off, in all He is going to do in the next year in your life.
Beth is one of them woman who visit history just once! She has got tangible wisdom, contagious passion for Jesus and tender heart! I listen, read and learn from her like crazy- I so much wanted to give her a hug at Colour Conference just to say Thank you, but time in conferences runs quick!
So, Happy Birthday Beth and Thank You!! Your wielded sWord has helped us fight battles, encouraged us greatly and still is working edifying us- to Jesus be the Glory!!
Thank you
Lea ( an Albanian in UK) x
Happy birthday! I hope you have a blessed day!
Love,
Julie Ratcliff
Happy Birthday, Beth! What a beautiful tribute! You’ve raised beautiful daughters!
Happy Birthday! You are one amazing lady!
As Elisabeth Elliott passed into glory yesterday, that leaves Beth Moore as the living woman who has had the greatest impact on my spiritual growth! Thank you Beth, and Happy Birthday!!
Hope you have a great birthday! We are blessed to know you through your work!
Happy blessed Birthday Beth! Thank you for your tremendous testimony and the blessings God has channeled down through you to me.
have a very happy and blessed birthday! I listen to you as often as possible! Ironically I just got out my study of yours of David. I had been given it while healing from a serious surgery several years ago and I was too sick to finish it. I have been wanting a good Bible study and was led to this one so I am working on it. Also I kept getting that I should re read Get Out Of The Pit, so I am doing that too. Thank you for your teachings.
Happy Birthday to a woman who has shared her joy in the depth of God’s love with me through her studies. Thank you!
What a beautiful message for a daughter to send to a mother.
Happy Birthday, Beth. You are precious to me and my group of wonderful ladies here in England. Thank you for all that you do to help us study God’s Word.
Have a blessed day.
With love,
Beccy x
Happy Birthday, Beth! This is the day the Lord has made for you to be born. And I am so glad He did! I made great strides in learning God’s word in BSF, but putting it into action, healing past hurts, and looking forward to the future with joy came from your studies. May you be richly blessed as you continue to be transparent in your love of the Lord, love of your family, and love for us!
happiest of birthdays, Beth!! what a precious tribute this post is
mariel
Happy birthday!! So blessed to have studied your Bible studies. Thank you for all you do!!
Beth! I so wish you the greatest of days on your birthday. You are one of the main reasons I am where I am in my spiritual growth and I thank you for that. I have chosen to forgive my abuser after 17 years of anger and hatred because of your teachings. Thank you for being there for me and all women of faith.
God bless you,
Brenda
dear Beth
Wishing you a happy birthday today, as I thank God for sharing such a wonderful woman with us! You have made a difference in so many lives! May God continue to be your best friend, and may He richly bless you and your family in this life and the next!!
Love and hugs!!
Laurie Fenton
Happy Birthday, dear sweet Beth! May your special day and the year ahead be full of blessings! You have touched my life in more ways than I could express, but I want you to know that I am eternally grateful for your passion to teach women like me. Your life and your teaching inspire and motivate me like no other. God reaches me so deeply and wonderfully through you…and I am in awe. I had the privilege of attending LPL Tampa just this past weekend and I was just beside myself with glee that you finally came in the flesh to Tampa! My only regret is that I didn’t get to meet you in person, but someday sweet sister…someday. Thank you so very much, Beth, for being such a shining example to me and countless numbers of women around the globe of what it looks like to be a strong, courageous, loving woman of God, wife and mother. I admire you so much! Have a beautiful birthday… With love, Laura
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for saving yes to God’s calling on your life. Heaven knows how many Women’s ministries have been strengthened through your studies. I couldn’t choose a favorite one if you paid me, but I have a favorite memory: my mother, daughter & I attended Esther at HFBC during my daughter’s last year of high school (each session followed by Starbucks on the way home). What a great opportunity for all three generations to enjoy a study together!
This past Christmas morning, my 91-year old mother joined my daddy at the feet of Jesus. As I listened to my daughter deliver the eulogy that she wrote, I was overcome with joy that God’s mercy and grace are renewed in each generation. Hallelujah!
Happy Birthday to one of the most inspirational leaders in Women’s ministry. Thank you for sharing your talents and gifts with us.
Happy birthday Beth! You are an inspiration!
Be Blessed as you celebrate your birthday. Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday Beth!! May God bless you on this special day.
Happy Birthday to a woman who has helped me grow in Christ. God has given you a beautiful gift to share His love and His word to so many. Thank you so much. Have a wonderful day!:)
Happy Birthday Beth! What a lovely tribute from Melissa. In so many ways, you have “mothered” those of us who have participated in the Bible studies you have written. To say they have been life-changing for me is a vast understatement but right now that’s the best I can come up with. I remember the first study I did of yours was on the tabernacle. When I saw the connections between the Old Testament and the New I was done for. It was one thing to say I believed the Bible was the inerrant Word of God, it was something completely different to actually see it come alive for me. I am a high school English teacher but for years have taught the Bible as History and Literature as an elective. I use portions of that study in my classroom every time we learn about the Tabernacle.
I hope you are celebrated in a huge way today. Thank you for your contributions for furthering His kingdom.
Blessings,
Michelle Cheney
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for being obedient to God’s call on your life and for encouraging us to do so as well. Have a wonderful day!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETH
You inspire us all to learn and grow in our Walk With our Lord.
May your hearts desire be granted.
BLESSINGS
Happy birthday to an INCREDIBLE woman of God!!! Melissa, you are blessed beyond measure!
Happy Birthday Beth! You are an inspiration!
happy belated birthday
I loved your description of your mom! For someone who has given so much of herself to so many I say may you have the most blessed and happiest of birthdays. Though we have never met, your mom has also walked with me (in a fashion) as God took me through many months,even years of an unmaking and remaking. It seemed every study we did in my group spoke to exactly where I was in that journey. And, when I wrote to tell your mom just how God was using her during this time, she graciously wrote me back. I was so surprised that she would even have the time and I cherished her response. I tell people she is my soul sister. And she is! I’m hoping to see her in September with some other lovely ladies when she comes to Toronto.
Happy birthday Beth. I hope your day is just wonderful. I have learned much from you.
Sending much love and many hugs on your special day.
Tammy
A very happy day and birthday to you Beth!!!
Happy happy birthday, Beth!!! I have loved the many hours I’ve spent diving into the Bible through your studies!!!! Thank you for sharing!
Happy birthday! Hope it’s wonderful! (:
Happy Birthday, Beth. May God bless you today and each day that
follows.
Happy birthday, Beth!
Thank you for inspiring so many people to love God’s Word and dig into it voraciously!
I am one of those, inspired!
Thank you!
Kim
Happy Birthday, Beth! Words cannot express what your studies have meant to me. May God continue to bless your work.
Happy birthday, Beth!
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday Beth! Hoping you have a blessed day. You are such a blessing to others. I love hearing you at your conferences and doing your bible studies. You have such a big heart for God and it shows in all you do. Thank you!
Happiest of birthdays to you , Beth! Thank you for lighting a passion in me for women’s home Bible studies!
Happy birthday to the woman who birthed a love for God’s word in my heart, and in the hearts of so many. I pray God’s blessings on the entire Moore family, knowing full well that He has already blessed them beyond measure. Sending you so much love, Beth. Dana.
Wishing you the happiest of birthdays, sweet Beth! Hope the storm gives us a break and doesn’t wash out too much of your celebration. Sending much love from north Texas!
This is such a beautiful love letter to your mom, Melissa. I don’t know her like you do, but I am so thankful for her transparency, humility, and obedience in teaching the word of God to women. My faith and walk with the Lord has grown so much through many of her studies. Praying for rich blessings at the start of a new year, Beth!
Happy Birthday Beth! What a beautiful tribute to you from your daughter! You are an inspiration to so many through your teaching. You encourage as well as challenge me as I study Gods word under you. Thank you for being a willing and faithful servant to our Lord! May He richly bless you this day and always! With much thanks and love, your sister in Christ, Colleen.
Happy birthday Beth!!!! May the Lord shine down upon your face on your special day.
Happy Birthday, Beth! May it be filled with laughter and happy memories.
Happy Birthday to you, Beth Moore! Pray you have a wonderful blessing birthday and many more!! Just know I love you and you are my number #1 favorite teacher and I learned some much from you on all your bible study and subtitle video. I’m deaf and love the Lord!! Thank you for oopened my eyes!! God bless you always!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETH!!! You are a blessing! I used to think that Bible Studies were for little old ladies, but a few years back I decided to take a chance and go to one anyway. Mercy Triumphs was my first ever Bible Study (but it’s far from my last!) and it was an answer to more prayers than I could ever explain. I’m now determined to drag as many people into Bible Study as possible. Thank you (and your family!) for allowing God to speak through you and use you to bring us all closer to Him! I hope your day is filled with lots of love and laughter.
Happy birthday, Beth!! I’m so thankful for all the work you do. Through your teaching and writing, God has shown me so much about himself. You truly are a vessel.