**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
What a blessing your Mom has been to my life as well, thanks for this beautiful tribute!
Happy birthday Beth!!! Hope you are blessed today and always…and that you enjoy a few pieces of cake today!!!!
Happy Birthday, Beth!
I hope that your day is as fabulous as you are! You have been such a blessing in my life. God used you and Living Proof Ministries to free me, ” my chains are gone”! I hope that someone gives you a big hug from me. We can’t wait to see you here in Greenville!
Love and Hugs,
Beth
Happy Birthday! God Bless You!
I love your mom too. In fact, I’ve grown to love you and your sister too, as I’ve gotten to know a bit about you both via Twitter. I truly enjoy the genuineness you all exude. Wishing your mom the happiest of birthdays! Bless you all!
Happy Birthday, Beth!
I am so thankful for you and the courage you have to speak the truth about our God! I have found freedom in Jesus and in my life through several of your bible studies and I will never be the same.
I hope this year is more abundant, more joyful, and more fun than you have ever had!!!
Happy birthday to a lady who inspires so many. Each time we decide it’s time for an evening women’s Bible study,no matter how many we look at, we always end up doing one of yours. Thank you for being the sold out Christian lady you are. May your year be especially blessed.
happy birthday!!! You have impacted my life greatly!! Hope you have a wonderful day full of celebrating. Thankful for your life and love for the Lord.
What a beautiful tribute!
Happy birthday, Beth! It’s hard to put into words what your journey and teachings have meant to my own faith and walk with God. I love your love for Him and His Word!!
~Amy 7634
First off, Melissa! What a heat tribute to your mother! Just lovely!
Second, Happy Birthday, Beth!! Your passion and love for Jesus points me to Jesus everytime I read anything you’ve written! Thank you!
Happy Birthday, Beth. I am so thankful for your ministry. It has blessed me so many times.
Happy Birthday, Beth! May your life always be filled with the joy, laughter, and Grace of God. You are truly doing God’s work in your life which has affected so many people.
I went to your “Living Proof Ministries” in Atlantic City, NJ. You have helped me realize that I must be still and listen to what God is trying to tell me. I have been searching for a long time. God has worked through you to show me that he has been there all along.
God Bless you always! Keep doing what you do….God’s work!
Happy Birthday, Beth! You and I share this natal day. May God richly bless you in the coming year.
Happy Birthday!
Your story made me miss my dear momma who went to be with Jesus two years ago. You are so blessed to still have her. Love on her, spoil her and treasure every moment. I visit my mom now through our wonderful memories.
Not the same but I have the assurance of being with her in all eternity. Your momma was instrumental in my salvation which lead to my entire family getting saved. Praise the Lord! Love the give always! Have a blessed day
Your children rise up and call you blessed, eloquently, in great and thoughtful detail, shouting it to the whole world – what greater gift could a mama receive! What extraordinary confirmation that the life you cherish, protect and speak of…is really real! May God bless you as you have so lavishly blessed others. Happy Birthday, girlfriend!
Happy Birthday Beth!! I love your books and I’m currently reading To Live Is Christ. You are such a wonderful inspiration and example for all of us. The pictures your daughter posted are beautiful. Some things are totally priceless and the time you spend with your kids and husband is that. Be blessed.
Christine
Happy Birthday to an inspiration. The Bible studies that I attended were awesome. You make studying more interesting. I have learned alot. Thank you. For insight to the books I did. Only did Esther and Daniel.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY dear Beth….the world was BLESSED the day you were born!!
You are a ‘shining light’ for His glory (Matt. 5:16)!! May He WOW you on your special day and may you continue to shine for Him all the days of your life! With love and blessings from New Jersey,
Birthday hugs from Reneé
Happy Birthday Beth! Have a Blessed Day!
Happy, Happy birthday to you Beth! What a blessing you are to the body of Christ!! Thank you for your obedience and sacrifice. May God continue to bless you and your family richly!
Happy Birthday Beth. I’ve enjoyed every road we have traveled together. Melissa your mother is so beloved by so many!
Happy birthday, Beth! Thank you for being among the women who most inspired in me a love for God’s Word. In a Ps. 119:92 kind of way, you helped save my life.
If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. Ps. 119:92
Happy BIRTHDAY Ms Beth! May God richly bless and encourage you as you have blessed and encouraged me and thousands of others! Thank you for giving your all for His sake!
Happiest Birthday Blessings to you Beth!!! I have soo enjoyed your bible studies and can’t wait to get started on my next one!!!
Happy birthday, Beth! It’s been such a joy in my difficult move to Houston to meet your sweet daughters at BCF and to be able to see you and hear you more often than I have ever been able to before. I hope you have a beautiful birthday! My oldest daughter, Mallory, is in Houston visiting me until tomorrow and we are going out tonight to celebrate her 19th birthday. Any suggestions?
Blessings and favor to you and your family!
HAPPY Birthday dear Beth!
BON ANNIVERSAIRE ! This is because I am French ! I discovered your studies about 10 years ago when we visited our son Oliver in Jackson, TN. We are missionaries doing radio with Reach Beyond (formally HCJB) and were in Ecuador and West Africa. We were back in France for 7 years and lived in Normandy. With a few friends who could understand English, we did several of your studies, and even watched one of your simulcasts together from our little church.
We are now back in Tennessee, in Fairfield Glade near Crossville, on the Cumberland Plateau. This is where Oliver and his family now live (his wife Rachel and four children from 8 to 3, two boys then two girls) as they are heading a missionary retreat center called EdenRidge. And I continue doing your studies – and from some other Bible teachers – with a wonderful group of ladies who have been meeting for years under the name Bible Study Tech.
So there is deep continuity for me and you are part of it!
Thank you Melissa for all the beautiful thoughts and images you are sharing about your Mom.
With deep appreciation in the Love of Jesus to you Beth, to the whole family and to the Living Proof team.
Françoise (or Fran)
Happy Birthday Beth. I have known you since your exercise class at F.B.C. Houston. You amazed me the way you praised the Lord as you exercised. You were also our guest speaker at our women’s retreat at Trinity Pines and our women’s banquet at Lazybrook Baptist Church in Houston. That was in October 1995. You have been such a blessing to my life. I have been in several of your Bible Studies in person and online and DVD’s. Your ministry has impacted my life in wonderful ways. God Bless you as you continue to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and help us to grow and become more like him.
Happy Happy Birthday beautiful classy lady. May your blessings be many.
First off, Melissa! What a great tribute to your mother! Just lovely!
Second, Happy Birthday, Beth!! Your passion and love for Jesus points me to Jesus everytime I read anything you’ve written! Thank you!
Happy Birthday, Beth. I pray you have a blessed day. I love your blog and Bible Studies.
Happy Birthday Beth! What a beautiful way to honor your mom Melissa. I recently lost my mom (May 5th) very unexpectedly and I cherish every memory, every phone call, every card. I have had to lean on the Lord as I am a single mom and needed to be strong for my children. I couldn’t have gotten through without God and Beth. When I struggle a message from Beth Moore pops up on facebook.
I would like to say thank you to your mom and thank God for the beautiful person He has blessed us with.
In His name,
Heather
Beth:
It is with a sincere heart that I wish you the happiest of birthdays!! Although I have been a Christian since I was 13 years old, I can honestly say I really had not fallen head-over-heels in love with Jesus until I did A Woman’s Heart God’s Dwelling Place. It turned my life upside down!! Thank you for being a tender-hearted warrior, ready to answer the call of Christ.
May this birthday be the happiest ever!!! Love you!!
Happy Birthday! I loved what your daughter said about you. You have been such an inspiration to me. Memorizing theses Bible verses each month has started to change so much in my walk. I thought I couldn’t memorize but, I’m sure, with God’s help I now have His word wherever I go!! Praise God and Praise God for you,Beth Moore!
Happy Birthday, Beth!! So thankful for you and the God given ability you have to write.
I just finished the Children of the Day study a few weeks ago. It was awesome! Looking forward to seeing you in Wichita this September!!
Happy Birthday Lovely!
Beth, you have been an inspiration in my life for over 12 years. I will never forget 6 years ago being able to see you at Living Proof Live! Our plans were made and my money paid when 2 weeks prior I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Satan was trying his best to stop me but still recovering from surgery and with the help from many of my sisters I made that journey. That was the first surgery and just before I left I found out there had to be another one. But that was okay because I had God on my side. Nothing could ever separate me from Him. Thank you so very much for being the inspiration and real woman that you are to so many lives. Thank you for blessing me and sharing your life with me through your Bible studies.
May God just bless your socks off on this your special day!
Happy Happy Birthday!! Hope your day is full of celebration with your loved ones! Thank you for your wisdom and passion in teaching others to run wholeheartedly after Jesus. Many lives have been changed because of your faithfulness!
My dad just had a significant birthday…the 41st anniversary of his 39th birthday 🙂 Here’s the verse I sent him and I hope it encourages you, Beth.
“Not a single one of all the good promises was left unfulfilled; everything He had spoken came true.”
Joshua 21:45
May you know this to be true in your life as well.
Love, Carol
Wishing Beth a blessed and happy birthday!
There are really no words to thank her for her
Willingness to be used by Jesus to share her passion
For His word with women around the world!
I’ve had the privilege of doing every bible study
Written this far (along with other very gifted authors) and even
Participating in the Greece trip for taping of the beloved disciple,
And taking breaking free to women in Russia. It is amazing
To see the fire that was lit in Beth be transferred to women across the world!
Happiest of birthdays Beth! And many more!!
Happy Birthday to a wonderful, inspiring lady! We are having a wonderful experience right now. The ladies at our church are going through your “Children of the Day” study. Such a blessing!
What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful woman. Melissa, bless you for “arising and calling her blessed”. God saw fit to gift us with a woman who mentors even when she doesn’t know it…and your post today, Melissa, has served to build us all up by sharing some of her with us.
Happy Birthday, Ms. Beth. We LOVE you big and thank God for gracing us all with you. May Christ be seen in us more fully as we enjoy the gifts He has given you and through you blessed us BIG.
Hugs, Hugs and More Hugs. Debbie
Happy Birthday Beth! I wish you the most joyous of days and another year God blesses you and reveals his heart! You have been such a blessing in my life though I don’t know you personally! Your insights and your studies have open windows in my heart to understanding our Savior more. Thank you for all that you do!
Wishing you the happiest of happy birthdays!
Candace
Happy Birthday Ms. Moore!
You are an inspiration to many people.
Happy birthday Beth. Hope your day is special and surrounded by those you love the most.
Your bible studies are my favorite. Not only do you teach, share His word, but you have a sense of humour like no other.
Praying for you and your ministry.
Happy Birthday, Beth!
It has been my pleasure to learn from your teachings throughout the years, through your Bible Studies, twice at Living Proof conferences, and on TV. You remain passionate about our Savior and His word. God has used you to speak to me repeatedly on numerous occasions. You are honest and real which is so rare in our society. I smile each time I see or hear you. 🙂 You are such a blessing to me. Thank you for your faithfulness. I pray that you are blessed with a very special day and many more in the future. Take care! (P.S. I have never taken a summer Bible Study. However, I felt led to participate in your Psalms study this summer. It begins tomorrow night.)
I love your bible studies. Keep them coming and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Dear Beth,
What a blessing you have been in my life! May the Lord bless you on your Birthday, beyond your wildest dreams! May you enjoy every part of your day, being with those you love most! Thank you Beth for doing all you do, so I can grow closer to Jesus through your teaching that helps me understand Scripture so much more! Happy Happy Birthday! Hugs!!
Coffee, Flowers and Perfume are all good… Oh but give me the Word of God!
So fun to share the same name! I have loved your messages and books so much! I got to attend the “living Proof” Live seminar while you were in Eugene, Oregon a few years ago and it changed my life! I wish you the very best of birthdays! God bless as he continues to anoint you in your messages for his daughters!!
Dear Beth,
God has used you,thru the many studies you have written , to deepen my understanding of His Word. Through these studies, my spiritual life has grown deeper and fuller. You have been gifted to teach and when others study under you, their hunger for God grows, to know Him more and to know His Word. It birthed in me a desire to use your studies to help other ladies to know God and His Word in my local church. Happy Birthday Beth! Celebrate it with joy! May God continue to lead and guide you and “thanks” for all you do!
Love her books and tv shows. I have grown so much from them. Hope she’s as blessed on her birthday as she’s blessed so many others with her teachings.
Happiest of birthdays sweet Beth!
You are such an inspiration to so many women. Thank you for your sweet spirit and for being such a blessing!
Today would have been my cousins 43rd birthday but sadly he drowned when he was only 14. He shares a birthday with a very special lady!
Hugs!