**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, Dear Beth!! You share the same birthday as my mom whose been gone 20 years. Thank you so much for what you’ve done to ignite a desire to study the scriptures!
I hope you are as blessed on your birthday as I have been by your work. I pray that I can have an impact on one person’s life as you have in so many’s life. I wish I had enough space to say all I would like but for now be blessed on your birthday and walk on christian soldier! God bless and thank for being so odedient to the call of Christ so that so many of us can lift our heads and make another step forward.
With love, Jen Stasel
Dear Miss Beth, I wish you a birthday filled with God’s love and his many blessing.
I had the privilege of being in a ladies Bible study where we studied about the Fruits of the Spirit (can’t remember the name right off the top of my head) and I was so blessed by that study. I was highly anticipating attending your conference in South Carolina and had already got my ticket but due to some unforeseen medical bills I’m not going to be able to go. I’m sure I would have been blessed so much. N
Happy, happy birthday, sweet woman of God! Love you and the way you teach about the bible in a way that just touches a woman’s hear. May you have many, many more to celebrate.
Happy Birthday!! I thank God for the gift he has given you! My church’s ladies bible study group is on our third study of yours and we have been so blessed by them! I hope you have a wonderful day!
Happy Birthday, Beth. Thank you for your tender heart toward God and making Him known. You have had such an impact on my walk with God. I am forever grateful.
happy birthday Beth! What a great post. Thank you for loving Jesus, your family and your siestas so well!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETH!!! May you be blessed today and all year through. Thank you for being such a light and inspiration to SO MANY of us. I have learned so much from you.
What a beautiful tribute, Melissa.
Happy Happy Birthday Beth!!! You are such a BLESSING to many!!! May God continue to Bless you more than you could ever imagine.
If I could list all spiritually influential people God has used to shape my understanding of scripture, you Beth Moore would be among the first I would list. From your writing of Bible studies to hearing you speak live through the years, you have been used of God to speak life and Truth over my life. I am eternally grateful. I pray blessings over you today on your birthday. May He shine upon you today and increase your ministry to women not just in this generation but for generations to come
Happy Birthday Beth:
I just returned home from a taping of your Bible Study at a friend’s house, turn on my computer, only to find it is your birthday. We are doing Esther, and our group of women are so amazed with your teachings. “It’s tough being a woman thrown a giant size weight.” Thank you for all you have taught me, and all I have yet to learn from you. Your teachings are changing my life, and I wish you an amazing day!
Happy Birthday to an amazing woman that I’ve never met but has made such a big difference in my life. I pray that you have an amazing birthday and that you’ll know how many women like myself that you’ve brought closer to Christ.
Melissa – That was such a sweet tribute! Just….wow.
Happy Happy Birthday Beth! I hope your day is simply magical!
Much love to you both,
Adrienne
Happy Birthday Beth
Thank you for teaching, speaking, writing, and continually praying for those who will be reached through Living Proof. God has surely used you as you so willingly sacrifice much for others to hear and learn about the love of Jesus. Your books and notes I have taken at various Living Proof and Deeper Still events have helped me navigate my way through the Bible on many a dark day and never ending nights. Thank you for everything you do, it does not go unappreciated.
Happy birthday! May it be a blessed day and a blessed year. What a beautiful tribute from your daughter – I’d wager to say it’s one of your best gifts. Thanks for sharing your love of The Lord and bringing his light into so many lives.
Birthday blessings to you, Beth!!! Thank you for challenging me to dig deeper and to trust Him more. God has changed my life and your books have pointed me continually back to Jesus. Praying blessing and favor on your ministry, Carrie
Happy birthday Beth!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your commitment to and passion for the Word of God! It is contagious and I am grateful for the chances I have had to grow and be stirred by that passion.
May God bless you in this coming year with joy and grace and peace. 🙂
Happy Birthday, Beth! May God Bless you with great joy this coming year. What an awesome tribute from you daughter. You are truly blessed. I pray that God will continue to anoint you with His word. I listen on my iphone to your teachings and always come away being blessed. May God continue to bless your ministry and your life.
i am actually in the hill country of Texas right now for the first time ever and it is beautiful!!! I hope you have a day of refreshment and reflection Beth! Happy birthday sister!!
Don’t care if I make it into the drawing just want to wish Miss Beth the bestest birthday ever. God has blessed her with a talent to speak His Word to women. Thank you for all you do. God Bless.
Happy Birthday Beth!
You are a blessing! Thank you for being obedient to God’s call!
Lindsay
Happy Birthday, Beth!! Have a wonderful & blessed day!!
Happy birthday!
A vary Happy Birthday, Miss Beth. I must say Melissa writes a beautiful letter. It moved me to tears. Not because it was sad;far from it,but it reminded me so much of my Mom and I. I love and appreciate her so.
I have been so blessed to attend a ladies bible study Children of the Day on Thessalonians a few months ago. It was my first and only time at a Beth Moore study.I walked in not knowing what to expect,and boy,it was powerful! I so enjoyed the homework and was sad to see it end. You are a true blessing from the Lord. Thank you for diving deep in His word to bring His message to light for us Ladies. You made me fall in love again with the Word. Thank you,Thank you!
Clarissa
Happy Birthday Beth, you are an amazing servant of God and I hope your day is the best ever! God bless you and your ministry.
Happy Birthday, Beth! May our Father God bless you today until you feel it all the way to your toes! Thank you for following the Holy Spirit and writing all these studies. Your words and even more the love of Jesus shining through have taught and touched so many of us. It will truly take eternity for all of us to sit and chat with you.
Hapoy Birthday my sweet precious sister in Cheist Jesus our Lord and Savior. I can only pray that my children would write and remember me as Melissa has done for and about you in this blog. That truly makes it a gift.
Well much for spell check and auto correct. I meant to say Happy Birthday and Christ Jesus. Geeze I hope I’m not disqualified for spelling!!!’
Happy Birthday, Beth! I have so appreciated your wisdom and gift of teaching and your passion for the Word of God. May God bless you richly as you celebrate and in the coming year!
Happy Birthday Beth Moore! Thank you for the hard work and long hours you pour into your studies. I developed a love for Jesus and His Word through your studies. I remember my first study Breaking Free and how I began to experience God’s love for me. May this year be your best one yet!
Love,
Christina (Waukee, Iowa)
happy birthday, Beth! You will never know the influence you have had on me and so many others. Your wisdom and insight have helped me through so many things and you’ve inspired me to delve into the Word much deeper than I ever thought possible. Many blessings to you and your family!
happy Birthday, Beth!!! You are loved & adored by so many!!! Hope you have a great day!!!
Happy Birthday Beth from Helena Montana! That you so much for the peace and joy you spread. God is truly living in you!
Happy Birthday!
In Christ,
Stephanie
It’s a sincere privilege to throw some encouragement your way for once. Thank you for pouring yourself into strangers, yet sisters, with such ferocity.
Happy birthday treasured daughter of the One True King!
Sarah
You are a true wordsmith of God’s service Beth. We are blessed thru you & appreciate you so much. Have a fabulous year birthday girl!
Happy, Happy Birthday Beth! I have grown SO much in my relationship with Jesus Christ through your Bible studies. Thank you!
Beth, I hope you’re having a wonderful birthday! This is the final week of studying Esther with some amazing military wives. This study has changed our lives. They are already bold and intelligent. They give so much for their husbands and children. For their country! They are strong, and yet, they still question their place in Gods plan. This Esther study has helped them feel loved by God! It’s the best thing that could have happened for them. Thank you for being bold and willing to tell us all that we are loved. You are a blessing. We will continue to pray for Gods plan in your life. We will be starting “Stepping Up” in a few weeks. Hurry and come back to San Diego! We love having you here. Happy, happy birthday! You are loved!!
Happy Birthday! 🙂
Happy Birthday, Miss Beth! Thank you for your dedication to educating us on Scripture; and your unwavering walk to discuss what is there, even when it is not easy or comfortable. May God make His face to shine on you. May He grant you and your family peace. May He strengthen the bonds of your marriage so that they are unbreakable; and protect you and yours from attack. Most of all, may He continue to bring beauty from ashes in every place of difficulty in your life. Thank you for all you sacrifice for us and for Jesus’ glory.
Danielle
Oh dear Melissa,
You and your sister and your Dad are the best birthday present your Mama could ever want. I know she has bawled her eyes out over this post. It is so hard not to want to be more like her but I know she would say “No! Want to be more like Jesus!”
What a blessing to be given a chance to win any of the above prizes but to win one of those Bibles – WOW! That would be such a help to one of my ministries. I know that whoever wins is just who God wants to win and who needs to win.
Blessings to all and especially Beth.
Beth, I wish you the happiest birthday ever. And I would like to thank you for being willing & available to our Lord to minister to women in such a wonderful way. You have touch my life for Him & I thank you–but mostly I thank God for using you.
Much love,
Ruth Lawrence
A 74 year old lady from South Carolina
Happy Birthday, Beth! Thank you for being obedient to The Lord and sharing the lessons He gives you with us! Even though what He has called you to do isn’t easy, it has eternal rewards! Have a wonderful birthday!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETH!!!!!
Do you have any idea what an inspiration you are to all of us who have studied under you??!! Loved reading this post by Melissa and seeing all the beautiful photos of you and your family. Just last night as I was going over my scripture memory verses, I looked at my note card packet and thought, “if it was’t for Beth Moore, I wouldn’t be doing this.” Thank you Beth for being who you are and answering God’s call on your life!! I love you and your family and wish you the happiest of birthdays!!!!
Ruth Somers
Baton Rouge, LA. 70820
Happy Birthday, Beth! Thank you for all the ways you inspire me and make me laugh! Wish we could go out for a cup of coffee together… Wishing you heaps of blessings on your day and year ahead!
Happy Birthday Beth!! So grateful you were born in my season of life! You have blessed me, encouraged me, strengthened me more than you will ever know. Keep on keeping on! We celebrate and praise Jesus for you today!!
Happiest birthday to a wonderful woman who has blessed generations to come by your faithful commitment to serve the Lord in your ministry of family! Agape love to you and yours. <3
Sam
OC, CA.
Happy Birthday Beth!!! You have been so influential in carrying so many of us through trials and heartaches by teaching us Gods word. So enjoyed seeing you in Tampa. Remember you are so special and chosen.
delta
The happiest of birthdays ever, to you Beth! May the Lord bless your next year a hundred times more than the last. May the God of Hope fill you with JOY and PEACE as you TRUST in HIM, so that you may OVERFLOW with HOPE! (Romans 15:13 NIV)
Love,
Darla
Happy Birthday!
Happy, Happy Birthday Beth! May your upcoming years be continually full of happiness, joy and over flowing with blessings.
What a very sweet blog. Your mom is the best! Happy birthday Beth!