**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 sweet sister. May your day be as brilliant and beautiful as the God we serve. So blessed by your being on this planet. Thank you for being faithful.
Happy Birthday Beth (Sister Loved By God)
Thank you so much for sharing life with myself and the countless others in this world.
Many of your sister are talking about a lesson we have studied. We don’t know each other but some how it comes up by holding a new book or a word will start a conversation and we feel like we know you and each other for we are all students of the word. Thank you for a community of sisters. May your birthday be as blessed as the days you have blessed for myself and others.
Happy Anniversary of your Natal (or navel) Day, Beth. Your JOY in the Lord is contagious and He surely laughs with you daily….and anthropomorphically (is that a word?) sighs a contented sigh saying See! See Beth live! See Beth live Jesus!
Beth, I wish you the happiest of birthdays. I recently completed a wonderful faith building study group on “David” that you had written. With a random group of women from my home town, we grew in our faith, our lives snd in friendship.
Thank you! We are coming to see you in September in Wichita!
Thank you for being so awe inspiring!!!
Happy happy birthday to one of my most favorite women in the world! Even though I have not met you personally, I feel I know you. Because that is who you are…in your studies(and I have done many of them) you are so down to earth reaching right into my heart and soul! At your appearances ( and I have been to one) You are just the same. I have grown so much in my walk as I have studied God’s Word through our magnificent interpretations and studies. Thank you so much for your obedience to our God Almighty!
Happy Birthday Beth!! So many of your books have been used by God in my life but none as much as Breaking Free. Thank you for sharing your heart and sharing those words. I read that many years ago and I look back now to see that as the first step in my journey to freedom. Many blessings on you this year & always!
Happy, happy birthday Beth! In 2003, I believe, you graciously came to Johannesburg to speak to us missionary gals serving with the IMB. It was a time for us moms and wives to leave the “bush” for a while, have fun together and be blessed by you! I’ll never forget that week, your sweet husband was there, but stayed in the shadows, all the while waiting for his time to go on safari! The teaching you brought was rich, full of truth; but what struck me the most was the way it was delivered, humbly and Spirit led. Thank you for continuing to bring the Word to so many, always humble, always spirit led and always on Truth. Best wishes for you on this day, I pray it’s fabulous!
Happy birthday, Beth!
Thanking God for you today. Amazing to think that every single birth is intended by our Maker to bless the world and magnify our Lord. Every. Single. One. Today we celebrate yours. And He has certainly blessed my life (and my family’s life) through you. May those blessings be returned to you ten thousand times ten thousand times. Happy Birthday!!!
Happy birthday Beth!! You have played such a huge role in my spiritual walk and I am so blessed to have you as a teacher. I would love to meet you one day! I hope you have the most blessed day!
Coleen
happy Birthday Beth! You mean so much to so many, but I don’t think
Your precious daughter could have honored you any more sweeter. Thank you for all that you do to help me grow in my faith. Enjoy your family and
Your special day! God Bless Darla
Happy Birthday to a rare gem, a gift and a treasure to the Body of Christ…Beth Moore Happiest and blessed! I cried at Melissa ‘ s eloquent and heartfelt tribute to you Beth! Words are inadequate when the heart says it best! Thank you for teaching me how to pull up to the feasting table of the LORD and dine on Him! Your ministry and the witness of your life and life’s work has brought transformation to me and countless others world wide. I say in chorus with Melissa and countless others “The best is yet to be!” Thank you for teaching us the truth! It’s all about life and glorifying our precious Savior and LORD! Birthday blessings! ♡
Happy Birthday Beth!! You are an anointed woman of the Lord who is marching on to victory and bringing us all with you for the glory of the Lord. Beautiful tribute !! Many blessings on this day!!
Happy Birthday Beth! I hope you enjoy it to the fullest.
What an awesome daughter you are! I pray i am that kind of mother to my boys. There are days when i feel like a complete failure, but keep praying that i am succeeding. Happy Birthday Ms. Beth! you are an extraordinary woman that raised an extraordinary woman. May God’s blessing continue to reign on you and your precious family.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETH!! It’s hard to find adequate words to express how grateful I am for your teaching. Your passionate love for our Lord is contagious and a blessing to so many that until we see Him face to face we can’t know how many have followed Him because of your submission to His plan for your life.
You and your family are so loved!
Beth, you bless me beyond words! Happy Birthday. Eat lots of cake without guilt!
Happy Birthday, Beth! May He breathe His life into you this year. So grateful for the amazing stories He has written into my life through Living Proof studies. Love from another 57er
Happiest of Birthdays to you !! Thank you for your deep love of Jesus and God’s Word. May He give you many more wonderful years and continue to use you in a mighty way to communicate His Word. I just love your studies. Thank you so much.
Happy birthday Beth!! I am so thankful for you and your bible studies, not to mention all the wonderful work that you do for our Lord and His Kingdom! I am looking forward to seeing you live in Cincinnati next week. Hope your special day is wonderfully blessed!!
Happy Birthday Beth! Thanx for inspiring and encouraging women with your wisdom! Teri
Beth, your daughter has written a beautiful tribute to you. I hope I have been, and will continue being, a mom which my children will want to write such words. Thank you for your example. HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
Prov 31:28
Just want to wish you a very Happy Blessed Birthday!!! Your Bible studies have expanded my knowledge and love of our awesome God.. Thank you so much for inspiring me…and making me laugh. May God continue to bless you this next year.
From: Your sister loved by God,You know God has chosen you
Happy Birthday! You have influenced my life and so many others for His glory. I hope your birthday was blessed!
I celebrate your birthday Beth and many, many more to come. You have been such an amazing teacher of God’s Word and have encouraged my walk with Him through a deeper study of His Word. I love your wonderful personality and you make me laugh and cry and stand in awe, every time I hear you speak. I thank God for blessing you with the ability to reach so many women across the world and instill in them a desire to know Him much deeper and to serve Him more. May God continue to bless you my dear sister in Christ. You are loved by me.
Happy Birthday, Beth. I don’t have the gift of words so that’s it…just happy birthday!!!!!!!
Happy Happy Birthday Beth , So blessed to have such an amazing spiritual sister and teacher that speaks into my life , I thank my God for you 🙂 Love , prayers ,and hope ya get lots of presents ! ~ Lora Galloway
Happy Birthday from Montana! I will continue to pray for you all and your ministry. Thanks for being a willing servant even in difficult times in the world around you and when there is criticism from inside the Body. I’m sure it’s not easy, but know that God has used you in the lives of many.
Happy birthday beth! After so many years of doing bible study with you, i feel as though i should be eating cake next to yoy! So grateful for your life and ministry!
Happy Birthday Beth,
I wish you the best birthday ever with your family and friends. I want to thank you because you have been there with me in the good and the bad investing in my life without even knowing it. We met in Baltimore 10 years ago when you were filming one of your bible studies and you took a picture with me and my friend. The first five minutes of my day is to read your devotional and follow you on twitter and Facebook. You are “off the chain” funny as anyone I have ever met and the godliest woman in the planet. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Happy Birthday to an inspirational woman!
Happy Birthday! My church has done a lot of your bible studies.
Love your studies, sermons!
My Dear Beth,
I hope that it’s alright to call you that though we have never met. Because you see, you are one of my dearest friends! 🙂 I feel like I know you and have loved walking through many studies of the Bible with you. I hope that you have the most amazing birthday yet! That you feel loved and blessed to overflowing. If we don’t meet this side of Heaven, we will have all eternity to get acquainted. Let’s meet at Jesus’ feet ok?
Because of Jesus.
Peggy
Happy Birthday sweet Beth!!! No giveaway needed… Celebrating is a gift in and of itself!!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday Beth! What a glorious day! I’ve felt I’ve known you from the first study I took; Believing God. I can’t wait to meet you either here or in Heaven.
Have a wonderful birthday! Your ministry has so touched my life!
Happy happy birthday to a wonderful woman who has blessed me in her teaching for years!!
Walking through life without much in the way of spiritual leadership or mentor-ship, I have always felt an incredible fondness and warmness in the person of Beth Moore. Never having met her a day in my life, I still feel like she cares about me personally and understands so much of what seems impossible. She is a beautiful testimony to the grace and love of the Lord.
Happy Birthday Beth Moore! I am praying you have an amazing day being celebrated followed by an incredible year filled with the love and nearness of the Lord!
Happy Birthday Beth. May your day be blessed with abundant love as you have given to so many ..
Sisters in Christ!
Ginger Lee
Happy birthday, Beth! Thank you for all you do in Jesus’ name. I love you, my sister♡
Happy Birthday dearest Beth!
I loved Melissa’s post, what a dear and deep expression of love and appreciation for her mom. As moms, we’d do anything to prevent our kids from hurting, I can tell that you are a precious mom and grandmother.
I’d like to thank you for all of the studies you’ve written. It was Jesus the One and Only, that brought me back to trusting and loving Him in a rebirth sort of way. I’ve been doing all of your studies since. Thank you.
I am in the midst of a desert time, taking care of a mom (dementia) who’s been the best of moms….
I assured her that I would always know her even when she doesn’t know me, that day came last week. :(. I find myself being pulled back into one of your studies. Friends may dessert but God is faithful, true to His promises, and your studies keep me grounded on what is true, dependable and pushes me forward to be all that He wants me to be. Believing and thankful for you! Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday! You have touched my life so many times with your teaching. God has spoken so often through you. Thank you for being faithful. Many blessings this year!
Happy Birthday to one of my favorite Bible teachers. You have inspired & challenged me to get into God’s Word, to mine the treasures I would find there. My Key Word Bible is worn thin & been rebound but holds such a special place in my heart, thanks to you. May God bless you with another year of abundance & fruitfulness. Happy Birthday, Beth!
Happy birthday Beth!!! Love you so much!! Praying your day is blessed beyond measure!
Happy Birthday Beth!! What a blessing you have been to so many women around the world. Thank you for being willing to share your testimony/your past and transformation in Christ, you inspire me so much. May the Lord continue to bless your life and your family! May you continue to bless others where ever you go ♡ Zoey L.
Happy Birthday Beth!!!
Bless you Beth and a Very Happy Birthday! I love birthdays. I love to celebrate all birthdays! So, today, I celebrate YOU!
Happy Birthday to a woman that has helped ignite a fire for the Lord in my life again. I love your enthusiasm for the Word of God and for the Lord, you are a great inspiration to me. Thank you for your love a devotion to our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Have a very blessed birthday.
Hoping you had the best celebration! And to wishing you Happy Birthday (re)again, after singing it to you Saturday in Tampa!! It was wonderful hearing you speak. You truly speak to opening our hearts- YOU are a miracle girl!
XO
Happy birthday! My mom and I attended your Living Proof Ministries Simulcast at First Friends Church in Canton, Ohio last fall. It was a great day of, as you put it, learning how to “Be Female Well” 🙂
What an impacting day to share with my mother! Thank you for imparting God’s word into our lives every chance you get! Again, happy happy birthday!!! Much love to you, my sister in Christ!