**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
May you have a blessed and very happy birthday dear Beth and celebrate many more special birthdays
Happy birthday, Beth. You are dearly loved.
Happy birthday,Beth!
Matthew 25:21 NIV
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”
Praying for you today, asking Him to fill you with His uncontainable joy and His peace that transcends our understanding.
Love and hugs to you!
Happy happy birthday Beth ! I have truly been blessed by so many of your Bible Studies. I am challenged, personally and spuritually! I have been rereading my very first Bible Study, Loving Well, that we ladies did as a weekend retreat, 13 years sgo. It has moved me again! I have grown even more! Thank you for being an obedient servant of Christ Jesus! Thank you for having a heart for Jesus and women! May you continue in your ministry for many years to come! Kristi H. DeQuincy La
Happy birthday, Beth! Thank you for sharing God’s word with us Siestas, and encouraging us on this journey of life. Also thank you for sharing your family with us…makes us feel like family with you and Living Proof!
Dear friend Beth,
It is such an honor to say Happy Birthday and wish you many many blessings! Your life and ministry have blessed me more than I can say. I pray this next year is full of wonderful things that will warm your heart and glorify Jesus as you’ve continued to do.
You mean so much to so many of us!
Thank You
Love in Him,
Becky Bell
Beth Moore. Words can not express how I absolutely love your teachings!! They are amazing!! You r amazing!! I love your spirit!! You truly have the spirit of God!! Happy Birthday Beth!!!
Your love for Jesus is so contagious dear Beth! Thank You for being my virtual mentor for many years. I praise God for the gift of You to this world! Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday! Thank you for being faithful to God’s word.
Happy Birthday!!! I can not tell you how grateful I am for you and your ministry!!
Happy Happy Birthday Beth! You inspire, challenge, and encourage me in so many ways! I have learned so much from your Bible studies and teachings and I had the pleasure of learning from you live for the first time in Tampa this past weekend! Thank you for using your life and your love for Jesus to pour into others. I pray that this year is full of blessings for you and your family!
Katie Burke
Happy Birthday Beth! I saw you this year in Seattle and you are so inspiring.
Beth,
Happy Birthday!!! You have blessed me through your studies and challenged me to strengthen my faith and joy. Enjoy today with family and friends!!
Catherine
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday, Beth! What a beautiful tribute from your daughter, Melissa. She’s a wonderful writer like her Mom!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY and God bless, Beth. We are growing in grace here in the Rio Grande Valley with your Bible studies! Thank you for being obedient to the Lord!
Happy birthday, Beth. My life has been so enriched by doing your studies!
Birthday blessings. Thank you for your unending love for the Savior.I have had the blessing to do many of your studies. I have grown so much in my faith and knowledge of God’s word. Last year I found myself in a place I never imagined I would be in, but God was not taken by surprise. He was right their beside me through every tearfull heart’s cry. I have come to realize that Jesus is my all in all and nothing compares to Him. In one of your studies you had a exercise to write down the worst thing that could happen to us. I did not know that I would be living that out just a year later. Your studies have strengthen my faith. I know that He is able. Thank you for your ministry to women. Hope your day is stellar! Love you sweet sister
Happy Birthday Beth! God has used you and your bible studies to touch me over the past 11+ years. I know when I get discouraged, I just need a little bit of you and your studies to get me back on track! You pump woman up with your kind words, truthfulness, and directing us to the word….God’s word. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I hope you have the best birthday ever:)
Love,
Mary Katherine
Happy Birthday Beth! I have been blessed by your bible studies over the years. Thanks so much for all you do.
Dear beloved Beth….Happy Birthday to a wonderful Godly woman. Thank you for pouring yourself into our lives over the past several years. I cannot thank you enough for your time and dedication to us women as we have studied through your bible studies that you have spent endless hours developing for us. You are a dear sister is Christ with a discerning spirit, thank for God’s word and His wisdom. May this Birthday and many more be filled with blessings from above. Melissa and Amanda thank you for sharing your Mom with us through the years. Keith thank you for allowing Beth to travel and share God’s word. Thank you for being real and truthful. Love, Gina
beautiful tribute Melissa! She and you are both so lovely. Mom and I will be at LPL next month in Greenville. Will you be there too? Would love to see you!
Melody
Happy birthday, dear Beth, my sister, mentor, encourager and teacher. You are the one who set me on my journey of intimacy with Christ and so you have a very special place in my heart. Praying for an extra special blessing on you and yours!
Happy birthday Beth, I am sure the heavens are singing happy birthday to you right now too . What a lovely tribute from Melissa. As a mom that had to be the best present ever to have such a precious relationship with your daughters . Drink lots of coffee and eat lots of cake. That’s what we do on birthdays. and add a glass of wine
Happy Birthday Beth!! What a wonderful daughter you have raised.
Happy Birthday, Beth! I have enjoyed your Bible studies for nearly 15 years! That doesn’t seem possible! With the Holy Spirit and your studies (along with others), I have been inspired to dig deeper and and fall in love with how God put together His Word (and The Word) and how it applies to and interacts with my life and with those around me. I’m so thankful for you and your dedication to researching and writing your studies and for being so authentic in your faith. God’s blessings and many more birthdays to come!
Happy Birthday Beth! I hope that all of these comments and birthday wishes are a blessing to you. You have blessed so many people with your ministry! I have only scratched the surface on all of the materials you have available and I have enjoyed them! I used to be a rural mail carrier which requires a lot of time spent alone in a car. I have 2 of your studies on CD that I have listened to over and over! Thank you for always being “real” in your messages.
God Bless you today and always,
Jessi
That was such a beautifully heartfelt tribute to your mom. For me, she has helped grow my spiritual walk with our Lord with her books, Bible studies, and speaking engagements. God smiles when He looks down on her!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Beth!
May you be blessed on your special day as you have blessed countless women with the BIBLE studies. My small group is currently studying Daniel and are so inspired by your teachings and the message…THANK YOU JESUS for this woman who has changed MY life through the word of God.
Sent with much love and respect <3
Happy Birthday Beth! You have no idea how much you and your family are a part of my family. My mother and I have both done multiple of your studies (she still has me beat on #) and we have attended several LPM Live events together. I love the gift of generational ministry within a family! We quote several things from those events, but my favorite has to be one that I think came from Charleston WV. I remember you saying that several weeks before you were sitting somewhere and realized that for that moment in time everything in life was settled and good. all of ‘your people’ were in good places, work was good love etc. and you all of a sudden had the panicing thought that God was going to take you home. That since everything was good He had settled things on earth and it was time. Then that you realized that was silly and to stop looking for the other shoe to fall, so to speak. God has used that with me so many times when anxiety creeps up for various reasons, both during the good moments and the stressfull, that for pity’s sake I needed to stop guessing what God would do and stop expecting Him to have to use a tragedy or pain to teach (though often my stubbornness demands some pain to be a part!). Anyway I just wanted to thank you for being you and for sharing your life and ministry with us! God bless!
Happy birthday Beth! God bless!
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETH!!! Thanks and glory be to God for your beautiful gift of teaching His word!! Hope you and your family have a blessed birthday celebration!
Happy birthday, Beth! We will probably never meet but I will come and find you in heaven. Your lessons have been instrumental in the growth the Lord wanted to happen in my life. Thank you for being faithful to Him!
Happy Birthday Beth!!! May God bless you on your special day just as you bless so many through your books, simulcasts,etc! I went to a Living Proof simulcast at my church years ago and I remember walking away with so much encouragement! Have a wonderful birthday!
Happy Birthday to our beloved Beth!! May this year bring you lots of happiness, light, and love!! And I hope you celebrate today with a great big piece of cake and an even bigger cup of coffee!
Happiest of all birthdays Beth!
♪happy birthday!♪. thankful for the Bible studies I had the opportunity to be a part of while my girls were toddlers. So needed.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BETH!!! This truly is a day the Lord danced w joy to have His amazing princess, Beth, be born on this day. You have made, and continue to make a HUGE difference in our lives!!! We love you and the way you lead us in deeper relationship w JESUS!! Asking God’s choicest blessings upon you today and always!!! Can’t wait to see you in Cincinnati 6/26-6/27!!
Happy Birthday Miss Beth! What a blessing you are and what a joy it has been to introduce my daughter to your teachings. The Holy Spirit radiates from you!
Happy Birthday Beth! You have no idea on this side of heaven how much you have inspired and motivated me and many others to get to know Jesus better an love Him more!! You rock, girlfriend!!
What beautiful words to honor and describe your mom!!!!!
Happy birthday, Beth!!!!! Would love for you to come and speak at NewSpring!!!!!
Happy Birthday Beth! I have learned so much from you. You have brought me closer to the word of God through many of your studies and books. Your sweet family is awesome as well! God bless you for many more birthdays to come!
Oh – what a beautiful post. As a mama, I can just tell you I KNOW there were tears in your mom’s eyes as she read your words of love and adoration for her.
It would be fun to win something, but I don’t drink coffee – so if I do win that, please do give it to someone else who would really enjoy it. 🙂
Happy Birthday! Your life is such a blessing to all of us. I pray that you have many more birthdays ahead of you.
Happiest Birthday Beth!
Enjoy the blessings of THIS DAY!
What a beautiful tribute to your mom, Melissa. Happy birthday, Beth! You have been a wonderful blessing to me.
Happy Birthday Beth!! I pray your day is full of love, family and friends!! <3 Thank you for being faithful to your calling, you have blessed me and so many others. I am so grateful. 🙂 ~Keri Lee
Happy Birthday Miss Beth. I have been blessed beyond measure from your Bible Studies. Enjoy your special day!! Looking forward to seeing you in Cincinnati!!
The power of His Holy Spirit’s mighty winds continues to blow on this blessed day. Upon picking up my 10 yr old son from VBS, he exclaimed he received tongues just before snacks. His eyes say it’s true and His delight is upon him. To learn it is your birthday is no small thing.The Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Birthday Blessings, Beth.
Happy birthday Beth!! Thank you for allowing God to use you to speak into the lives of others especially my own. I have sat at one of your conferences & thru various bible studies with many other women only to feel as if you are speaking to me alone. I am forever grateful for you teaching me to see & experience God in ways I never have before. Looking forward to the conference in Cincinnati!