**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! I hope your day is as much of a blessing to you as you are to others. Love you!
Happy Birthday, Beth! Praying God blesses you abundantly throughout this year!
Happy Birthday Beth. Your daughters story is as beautiful as you are. May God continue to bless you and your family!!!
Happy Birthday Beth! Your bible studies have changed the way I study and pray. Please keep them coming. I had a great time with my fellow sisters in Christ at Living Proof Live in Seattle. Hope to see you again next year!
Happy birthday, dearest Beth. We are contemporaries in age, but the joy, wisdom, truth that I have learned from you over the years makes it feel like you are a cherished auntie. I love you even though I haven’t personally met you. What joy we will share in glory as we celebrate our King forever! Thank you for sharing your life’s journey with us.
Today we celebrate you!! Wishing you a wonderful day.
Happy Birthday Beth! I hope you have an awesome day! Thank you for all the teachings & for all you at Living Proof do for is.
Happy Birthday, Beth. I have been blessed in so many ways through your teaching honest truths from God’s precious Word. You are an inspiration to so many through your obedience in service to the Lord. At a time on my life when I was struggling with the loss of a child, your book Things Pondered, meant so much. I pray that God blesses you on this birthday and many more. Your Sister in Christ, Vanessa.
Happy Birthday!!! I have found great strength in LPM! I am so lucky to have women such as you to seek out and learn from.Thank you and rejoice in your day and many many more!
You are an awesome person & you inspire so many!!
Wishing you the happiest of birthdays today & many many more!!
Happy birthday Beth! Today is my sweet boy’s first birthday as well! Glad he shares it with you and his grandpa!
Happy Birthday! Your love for Christ is contagious. May you continue to let His light shine brightly in and through you.
Happy birthday! Can’t wait for your conference in Cincy coming up! It’s my me time before my wedding two weeks later! God bless you and your day!
Sending birthday blessings to you today. You have touched so many lives and are leaving a legacy to all you come in contact with. Thank you for all you do!
Wishing you extra special blessings today! Also thanking God for your obedience studying and teaching His Word so effectively and faithfully! Looking forward to seeing you in Wichita,Ks in September!
Beth- Your Birthday is the world’s celebration! Thank you for your commitment to serve the body of Christ. Countless people follow closer to Jesus because of your ministry. Wishing you the happiest of birthdays and God’s greatest blessings in the coming year.
Love,
Susan Hill
Happiest of Birthdays Ms Beth (a day late)! Thank you for all that you do for us ladies in the Lord. I have been blessed to have been brought up in a christian home all my life. But may I tell you, that my relationship with the Lord wasn’t really “mine” or solid – until I started doing your biblestudies. I LIVE for in-depth biblestudy. When I see that brand new thick workbook just waiting to be opened and delved into – I get chills. The history that makes it all make more sense. The word studies that make the verses meaning clearer. And your own creative touch to open our imaginations to the Lord’s love. Thank you, so very much, for being willing to do the hard work so that we can have that special intimacy with Jesus. May He heap blessings on you!!
Happy Birthday Beth. PSALM 118 v:8 it is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. Thank you for all your teachings.
Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday Beth! God created you to be a huge blessing and you did it! The good news is your work is far from done! He has even bigger plans for you! We love you and thank you for your service to many! God bless you and keep you covered forever!
It was my joy and privilege to sing an early happy birthday to you the other day in tampa! I wanted to rush up on that stage and grab you in a hug!! You have helped me grow so deeply in my walk with Jesus- you are precious- you are wise- you are so wonderful! I feel like another daughter- and I have never had the pleasure of meeting you in person! One day I pray- I want to tell you face to face the gift you have been to me! Thank you for following your destiny! You are blessing so many! And your beautiful daughter’s testimony of you made me love you even more! Happy birthday dear one! I thank God for your life! With all my heart!!! Love you Beth!
Happy Birthday!!! I pray you will have a highly favored day filled with God’s abundant blessings!! I’m so thankful for you and how your God inspired words speak to the hearts of so many. You give hope to the hopeless and show the freedom from whatever we may be facing in our lives through God’s mercy and grace. Much love sent on your special day
Happiest of Birthdays!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Dear Beth, Blessing to you on this special day. Thank you for being the beautiful women of God you are,
I look forward to seeing you in Fargo.
Happy Birthday and May God richly bless you,Good and faithful servant of His!!
Happy birthday Beth! May God continue to richly bless you!
Dearest Beth,
I wish you a very Happy Birthday! You have been one of my best spiritual teachers. I love your excitement and exuberance and your great love for our Jesus. I have done most of your studies and feel like you know me so well. God has blessed us with you. Your teaching is contagious!! Keep on keeping on loving and living with Jesus!!
Happy Birthday Beth! Blessings to you, you have blessed me over and over with your wisdom and personality! Thank you!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETH!!! God has used you in a mighty way! You are such a blessing in my life and I pray God’s continued blessings in your life!
Happy Happy Birthday Beth!! I loved reading Melissa’s post!! It is such a blessing for a mother to be so very loved and adored by her children! I thank God for that gift! You have been such a blessing in my life! I thank God for His calling on your life and your obedience! Learning to study His word with you has changed my life and so many others!! Celebrate BIG and enjoy your day!! Love to you and yours!!!
Happy Birthday!! May all your wishes an dreamed come true!
Not only today, but in many years to come!!
Thank you for all that you do!!
Happy birthday, Beth!! Have a blessed day!
Happy Birthday! Thank you for accepting God’s calling and teaching me and millions of other women. I pray God’s continued blessing & favor on you!
Happy Bithday, Beth! Hope you are blessed with a fun day filled with friends and family! ☕️
Happy birthday, Beth! You have shaped and molded my walk with God more than any other. Blessings!
Happy, happy birthday, Beth!! Wishing you a joy filled day. Thank you for being a great influence on my walk with Jesus. <3
Happy Birthday to the best friend I’ve never met! You have taught me and admonished me. Encouraged and challenged. Be blessed on your special day!!
Happy Birthday Beth! What an awesome tribute this is from your daughter! Please know that God has used you mightily in my walk with the Lord. Thank you for encouraging me to make the Lord first in my life! May God bless you today and always.
Happy birthday Beth Moore!! What a beautiful tribute to wake up to today and read. I’m so thankful for her life and ministry as well. God lead me to this website about three years ago and I adored the work and fellowship going on here so much. It lead me to start Breaking Free. Jesus showed me so much of himself and I’ve never been the same since. God bless you all and may Beth have a wonderful birthday today!
Happy Birthday to a lady who is helping me with my journey in becoming closer to our lord.
Happy, happy birthday! The world is a better place because you are in it.
Happy Birthday Beth! The Lord has used your heart for His Word and the studies that have come from that love to impact me deeply. I thank the Lord for you!
What a beautiful story! Beth, I pray you will have a wonderful and blessed birthday! Thank you for letting the light of Jesus shine through you so brightly! Much love on this special day! ❤️
Happy Birthday, Beth!
Your ministry has been such a blessing to me and God has used your insights into His Word to encourage and give me hope and light in dark places in my life. To Him be the Glory!
Blessings,
Amanda Teske
Hoping you have a blessed birthday, you are such a blessing and inspiration!!!!
Happy Birthday, Beth!
That was a beautiful tribute to your mother! I bet she is proud!
Happy Birthday Beth!! I pray you are blessed with many more years to come!
Happy Birthday to one of the most inspiring women ever! See you in a couple of weeks in Cincinnati! Blessings to you and your family!!
Happy Happy Happy!!!
Happy Birthday sweet Beth! Love everything you’ve done to help improve our walk with our Lord! Bless you while you celebrate your birthday! I do, that if my name is chosen, to give me a non-fragranced prize, as I have allergies really bad. Thanks again for your using of your God-given talents and to your family for sharing you with us!