**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! You are my absolute favorite bible teacher and I hope you have the best day!!
Happy birthday, siesta Beth! You have blessed me beyond words. I pray God will continue to bless you & your family without measure. May the joy of Christ that you share in season and out of season return to you seven, nay, 100 fold! I love you dearly!
“Happy Birthday” to your Mom. I know she is a kindhearted, and God loving Mother to have raised a daughter like you. I so enjoy and learn so much from your studies with my church ladies. Thanks so much and God Bless.
Happy Birthday to one of the most beautiful soul’s that ever walked the earth, Beth Moore!! Thank you for all your hard work and faithfulness to the Lord!!! You have been a HUGE part of my growth in Christ! My hope and prayer would be to have as much knowledge and love as you have! Love you my sweet sister in Christ! Happy Birthday! Alexis
Happy Birthday Beth! Love you very much! you are such an inspiration to people. what a wonderful blog your daughter Melissa wrote about you!
Happy Birthday Ms. Beth from one of your many many spiritual daughters! Thank you so much for boldly proclaiming freedom, truth and grace. Thank you for loving Jesus so wildly and sharing that love with us!! Eshet Chayil!
Happiest of birthdays to one who has blessed, inspired, and encouraged me time and time again. Thank you for sharing your gifts. May God continue to bless and keep you as you shine for Him!
Oh, Happiest of Birthdays, Beth! How much we’ve all learned from you, and what fires you’ve ignited in us. May this day be all you deserve! Thank you for sharing the gift of You, most of all!
Birthday blessings Miss Beth!! I pray your day is overflowing with Sweetness!
Happy Birthday Mrs. Moore! I truly thank you for your Godly teaching. May you continue to seek Him! I also am enjoying your Siesta Sisters memory verses program this year. I love the challenge & reward of keeping God’s Word in my heart. Many blessings & thanks!
Noel Farmer, Coeur d’Alene ID
Great big Happy Birthday wishes to you, Beth. You’re a treasure. Warm Siesta hugs to you!
Happy Birthday!! So thankful for the gift of teaching that God has given you so we all can benefit! Thank you!
I am a military wife, and have traveled across the world. But no matter where I move to, your Bible studies always seem to find me. You have been a constant in my ever changing environment. I has blessed me so much!
I pray you have a glorious birthday full of love!
Happy Birthday to a wonderful woman of God. Blessings for a wonderful year!
Happy Birthday Beth,
Yours was the first Bible Study I ever did. ( the one and Only)That was about 30 years ago. I literally cannot get enough of you and your studies. You challenge me and cause me to go deeper with the Lord! Thank You!!
I hope you have a wonderful birthday and may God richly bless you.
Happy birthday Beth. What a blessing your ministry is. I am so blessed right now doing SSMT. I have recruited my son as my listening ear and he is hard task master for my memorization. It’s a great bonding time for us. I pray God sends you extra blessings today as you celebrate. Your ministry has blessed me time and time again.
Happy Birthday dear Beth.
A very Happy Birthday to you, Beth! I am one of many women who will always be grateful to the Lord for His gift of you to us. You have been such an encouragement to me through the years as I have been privileged to do many of your studies, especially the ones at First Baptist Houston on Tuesday nights. May He continue to bless you with His deep, abundant love.
Warmly in Christ,
Nancy Ludrick
HaPPy HaPPy Birthday to YOU. Praying your day is filled with many kisses from your heavenly Father. Thank you for all you do for the kingdom…
Happy Birthday Beth! You have a wonderful daughter, sharing such neat things about her relationship with you 🙂 You have inspired me many times with your teachings, although we’ve never had the opportunity to meet. God bless you and have a wonderful day with your loving family!
The happiest of birthdays to my favorite inspirational and spiritual leader! God bless you today and always and forever! If I don’t meet you here on earth, I surely will in heaven!!!!
Birthday blessings to you, Beth! You ARE known by the company you keep!
Happy Birthday Beth. To your mom thank you for showing Beth how to walk a Godly life and to share that with us.
I thank God for you and want to say a very happy Birthday to a woman who inspires me to dig deeper into Gods Word. Thank you for giving so passionately of yourself. May God continue to bless you and fill you as each new year comes!! Happy Happy Birthday!!
Happy Birthday Mrs. Moore. Words can never express how much your ministry has meant to me. Melissa’s Birthday tribute to you was amazing! It will be hard for anyone to top such a birthday gift!
May you stay close to God and continue to serve Him with all your heart, mind, and soul. I thank you for helping me and so many others live the Christian walk with truth and grace.
Rosario
Happy birthday, Beth. I met you at a conference in Tucson, AZ a few years ago, and tried to express to you what “Breaking Free” had done for my life. since then, I have been involved in Cleansing Stream Ministries, which has deepened the foundation that you started in my walk with the Lord, in the Word and prayer. I have learned to put on the spiritual armor each day, and look forward to becoming more and more the woman God created me to be. Thank you for standing firm, and taking the risk of stepping out in faith to let His truth be known!
Happy birthday Miss Beth!!
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for blessing women around the world with teaching us and encouraging us! I pray you have many more birthdays!
Happy Happy Birthday Beth!
Happy Birthday!
Thank you for being such a blessing to women! Your Bible studies have help me grow as a believer. The Scripture memory has encouraged me to memorize verses. Praying God would continue to bless your ministry.
happiest birthdays to you, sweet Beth! We celebrate Him through you today! Much love 🙂
Happy Birthday to such an inspirational Lady! I have been touched by her Breaking Free Bible Study. I too can sit down with a bag of tortilla chips and salsa as my meal. Wishing Beth many blessings on her birthday!
Happy Birthday, Beth!
Thankful you were born! Have a beautiful day today!
Happy Birthday! Many blessings!!!
Happy Birthday Beth. I love your vlogs. You have such personality and fun in your presentation. And the Bible Study on the Temple, especially the mercy seat changed me. I love, love that we meet Him there now. Sometimes I have wanted to study God’s word 8 hours a day 5 days a week. But I don’t seem to have the discipline. I just long to know Him. Anyways Happy Birthday. May God’s wings protect you and your family. May you have love and truth in your relationships. And always have a refuge to hide and chat when He knocks on the door of your heart. Mercy and Grace to you.
Happy Birthday … God bless your New Year
Dearest Beth,
Thank you for being such a life changing part of my journey in Christ! Since doing “Breaking Free” in 2002 in South Africa, I have experienced complete freedom in Christ through many different seasons of life, and seen many other women do the same.
Thank you for the gift that you are to the Body of Christ around the World!
Wishing you a wonderfully blessed and abundantly happy birthday! Love in Christ… Marlene
happy Birthday Sweet Beth
I have done most of your Bible studies and love you so much. Living in Alabama and sometimes Georgia. You make Jesus come alive to us (I know He is).
Happy Birthday, Mama Beth! Hope you have a blessed, Jesus filled day!
It’s my favorite Bibby’s birthday! I know you have already been celebrated beyond your asking and belief. YOU are the true gift. The giveaway is just a bonus. 🙂 Happy Birthday! I love you!
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for helping Jesus renew His fire in me. In 2003 I went to my first conference in Atlanta and have never been the same.
Melissa, Amanda, and Keith thank you for sharing Beth with us and yourselves with us. We have been blessed over and over again because of your generosity.
God bless you all!
Happy Birthday Beth! I have been honored to be a participant in several of your Bible studies! I wish I could sit down with you and have a cup of coffee and share our love for Jesus!
Be Blessed Daughter in Christ!
In Him,
Kristin Watson
Bonham, TX
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you so much for being obedient to God in your calling. He has used your studies to RE-frame my life! (Yes, I was in Tampa last weekend!) From Believing God to Breaking Free to James ( I developed an intense love/hate relationship with that man!), the Word has spoken through each study and I am eternally grateful! Be blessed today beyond measure!
Happy Happy Birthday to you!!!
Happy, happy birthday Beth…a day late…..today, the 16th, would have been my Mom’s 94th birthday, however she is celebrating in heaven!!
Happy Birthday Beth!!! I love you even though I don’t know you personally. I feel like I do. Have a great one!!
Happy Birthday 🙂 what a blessing you are!
Happy Birthday Beth! I always smile when I think of you! You are a treasure! I have learned so much over the years from your Bible studies and the example you have set with your faithfulness! You are one of my dear old friends – even though we have never met! We will one day though. Until then may God continue to bless you with His love and care.
Happy Birthday Beth! I am currently teaching James to a group at a women’s prison in the DFW area. This has been the perfect study for them (and me).So, from my 50 women (who can’t get on Facebook to do this) we wish you a very blessed Birthday and we say thanks for obeying God to write the James study!
Every great once in awhile, God places in your life a pivotal person at a pivotal point in life, that changes not only you on the inside but changes your course in life! Beth, you are one of my game changers! Not only did the Lord introduce us and your Bible Study, drenching me with Living Water in an arid time, He brought into my life a kindred spirit who could minister to me across the miles as if I was sharing life with her in the here and now.
But my dearest treasure from you Beth, aside from our sharing Jesus, is your unabashedly enthusiastic head-over-heels love for your girls the way I am about mine. It seems like such a small thing but it lifted a huge weight off my shoulders! It was ok to be crazy over them! It cemented my love for you!
Happy Birthday, dear long distance friend! May you be encouraged and loved on and refreshed today!
Love, MK
ps – Thank you, Melissa for this opportunity to bless your mama.
Thank you Beth also for the blog that has brought siestas into my life that are dear friends, online but in the physical here and now that I would have never known or my girls would not have had their help or mentoring.
H