**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.
=================
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
You are kind and eloquent and from my limited perspective of your mama, Melissa, SPOT ON! (Please write more! Often! Any topic )
Happy Birthday, Beth. Praying blessing and favor over you today and thru out the year!! So grateful for all God does in and thru you. Your dedication to Him and then your family is such an example to those of us gleaning from your studies, blog, conferences, tweets…
Happy Birthday Siesta Mama!!! The Holy Spirit has used you and your studies to bring many like myself into deeper fellowship with Him! God bless you!!
Happy birthday Beth! Thank you so much for sharing what Jesus has given you with the world! Love you!
Beth, you have been a blessing and inspiration to me. I hope your day is filled with love and joy.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Happy Birthday! You are such s great example of a wonderful Christian woman.
Happy birthday Beth! I have loved every study I have done and always look forward to seeing you on the video. You can literally see the Holy Spirit working through you when you speak and that is what makes your talks even more wonderful!!! Hope your day is full of many blessings and fun.
Angelina Cobb
Happy Birthday, Beth! I so enjoy your teachings and your Wednesday’s with Beth on James Robinson’s show. Many blessings to you, and what a touching tribute by your daughter!
What a beautiful tribute to and description of your mother! She is certainly tops in my book, as she captured my heart the first time I heard her speak. Had the privilege of meeting and having a snapshot made with her once and I treasure it! She is a most remarkable Jesus-woman, plus a great family woman – she loves her family! She just loves, period. So grateful for her, God’s gift to the Church and the world
By the way, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Prayers for a birthday of blessings with your all treasures!
Happy Birthday Beth!!! You have brought the bible alive to me time and time again and I cant thank you enough! I hope your day is full of blessings and fun!!!
Love Ya!!!!
Beth,
About seven years ago I started my walk with Jesus. It was after deep heartbreaking life changes. Words can never express what your studies have meant to me. I love knowing the backgrounds of the culture, researching word roots,etc. Your gift is truly a blessing to me and so many other women. Have a blessed birthday!
Dearest Beth,
Wishing you the most fabulous of days as you celebrate your birthday!! What an impact you have had on my life with your beautiful words and generous spirit. May you be blessed today by the generosity of others poured back into you! You bring such a refreshing voice to women all around the world. My life will be changed forever for the better because of you. I have so much love, respect and gratitude for you beautiful lady. Big love to you as you celebrate today! Lots of love Angie xoxo
Having lost my mom in the year of 09. Moms are very important. May God bless you on this special day. Happy Birthday toooooo uuuuuuuuuu. And as my mom would say…..and many,many more.
Happy, happy birthday, Beth!
I want to thank you and LPM for all the encouragement, help and hope you bring and give to us through your bible studies. They have assisted in changing my relationship with the Lord for the best. Knowing how much your calling has brought to me personally, I can only imagine how many lives you have touched for the better!
May our Heavenly Father continue to rain His blessings upon you, yours and your calling so that we all can continue to grow ivy His nourishment! In Jesus’ name, Amen!
That would be ”by” His nourishment, though ivy is a ground cover and does multiply quickly! Maybe my thumbs know more than I do!
“May the words of your mouth and the meditation of your heart be acceptable to you O, Lord, our Rock & our Redeemer. ” Thank you for BEING.
Happy Birthday Mrs. Moore! May Our Heavenly Father continue to bless you just as you have blessed all those around you! Thank you for sharing your great work and I pray you have a wonderful birthday! 🙂
Happy Birthday Beth!
I have enjoyed many of your studies, they are wonderful and I miss it when I am not in one..
Bless you, as you continue to work for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ..
sherry
Happy birthday to you!
Thanks for opening my eyes to scripture like no other!
Happy birthday Beth! I’d like to dine with you more than any living person.
Happy bless birthday such a blessing your sahring your gifts so are we my 6th year old is sharing his birthday with a foster child as well so special, enjoy ,thank God for the word and the bible studies we share together so amazing and just seen it our lives as well thank you.
Happy Birthday, Beth! I am so happy you are celebrating another birthday, and that you have a family who loves you so much, but I also want you to remember that there are millions of us out here in Bible Study Land, who love and admire you in a way that is almost hard to explain. We pretty much love everything about you, and your Bible Studies have enriched our walk with God in some awesome and unusual ways! At our church, we have completed ALL of your long-term studies, and are now ready to begin the few 6-week studies left on your wonderful list, and we are not sure what we will do when we’ve come to the end of the list! We are just starting a study on July 9, 2015, (Stepping Up), and at this time, we have 14 signed up for the class. We are so excited to get started and we feel so blessed to have you and your studies to help us become familiar with the Bible, and we so appreciate your impeccable method of teaching, and in many ways, feel that your studies have changed our lives in so many ways, and have given us a deeper understand of God’s Word. And yes, we know there are other good writers, and we know that we will need to branch out at some point, but for now, we are intent on finishing every last one of them; at least the ones that have Closed Captioning. So, Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday dear Beth Moore!, and we pray you have a most memorable birthday, and we send you best wishes for many, many more birthdays!
Happy happy birthday ! You are a blessing to me!
Happiest of birthdays to you Beth! Thank you for pointing me to Christ and deepening my knowledge of the Word!
Andi Crumrine
Birthday blessings to a beautiful, Godly woman. My favorite study of yours that I’ve done (twice) is Living Beyond Yourself (the fruits of the spirit). Life becomes clearly and I become more humbled each time I study “with” you. Thank you for sharing your gifts so graciously with the world!
Happy Birthday, Beth!
I pray God will give you much joy and many surprises in this next year! Enjoy every day.
Thank you for your devotion to teaching us God’s word and helping to reveal new aspects in each study.
Happy Birthday Beth.. You are an inspiration to so many people and myself as well.. Reading your book Get me out of that Pit. In the midst of mourning our 17 yr old son who we lost 8 weeks ago due to a garden tractor accident.. We continue to Praise God for the many blessings he has given and to be able to get up and see a new dawn every morning..
Happy birthday!! Your teachings have blessed me so much! I look forward to listening to you every Monday morning from my phone. Thanks for all you do to teach and share the Gospel.
Dear Beth,
Your ministry of teaching God’s word has been such a blessing in my life! Our ladies morning Bible study has done many of your studies over the years and I never fail to grow as a result! May your Birthday celebration be a wonderful opportunity to bask in God’s great love!
Love,
Helen
Dear Beth,
I want to wish you a very blessed and Happy Birthday. Your ministry has been a blessing to my daughter and myself. You have inspired us and challenged us beyond measure. Our church’s women’s group in Sacramento, CA has used your teaching series’ for years. You are deeply admired and well loved by the women of Capital Christian Center and from all over the world. Your deep teaching, wisdom, insight, graciousness and wit are appreciated and enjoyed. You make us laugh and you make us cry. You challenge us to dig deep inside us in ways that only God can lead us to. I attended one of your conferences years ago and my daughter has been to two. One was in San Diego and she traveled from Northern California just to see you. You are an amazing woman of God, an inspiration, a modern day Paul. Thank you, Beth for answering the call of God upon your life many years ago. May God bless you and your beautiful family with many more years of excellent health, blessings and provisions. We look forward to many more years of studies from you. When we watch you on the screen, we feel you are right there with us. So we will see you soon. Have a happy birthday and many more to come.
Love In Christ,
Shelia Reading
Birthday blessings….No other Bible studies have touched me the way that yours have, Beth…and hearing you and Travis twice in person was awesome, well 3 times for Travis. He sang at a church in my town. I’d post a pic of him and my girls, but my oldest was young with braces
Dear Beth
Happy Birthday! I have learned soooo much since I discovered your Bible studies a few years back. I found out I had only scratched the surface and God had a lot for me to learn. Obviously I am still learning but I owe you for a new perspective on our Lord and the value of God’s word and promises.
Again, Happy Birthday Marilyn
Happiest of Birthdays To You!!!
happy birthday, sweet Beth!
Wishing Beth the happiest of Birthdays!!
Happy birthday, sweet lady! You and I have been study buddies for years! I live you like my own sister and wish you many blessings!
Dear Beth,
You are truly my sister in Christ and though we’ve never met I feel like we’ve had the occasion to share several cups of tea together as we share our love of the Lord, albeit through video.
Many Happy Returns and Blessings on the Occasion of your Birthday. You are fearfully and wonderfully made!
Vickie
Happy Birthday, Beth. Hope your day was filled with many blessings. Thank you for sharing your insight into God’s Word through your Bible studies. I have learned so much from you about having a closer walk with the Lord. May all your days be filled with joy.
Happy Happy Birthday Mrs. Beth!! What a blessing your ministry has been to me and I appreciate you so much. What a beautiful blog post! Had me all choked up!! Blessings!!!!
Happy Birthday Beth! Wish you were in Canada more. Your Bible studies help me to learn so much!
Julie
Happy Birthday, May God Bless you today and always! Thank you for being such an inspiration to so many.
Happy bday
Beautifully written, what a great mama you have:). Happy Birthday Beth! So appreciate your bible studies, and all you do to make disciples. May your day be filled with all you love and hold dear. (why are there no chips and salsa emojis?;)
Happy Birthday dear Beth.
You have influenced so many women to study the Bible. Wishing a wonderful day.
Happy Birthday! If you only knew the blessing you have been to me. I’m sure it’s been said before in a million different ways, but I thank my God for you. For He used the book Breaking Free to help me do so and to begin a journey of falling in love with Him and never looking back!
Many birthday blessings!
Philippians 1:3
Happy Birthday Beth!!!
Love you so. You have taught me much and inspired such a passion for God’s word.
“her children arise and call her blessed” Ps 31:28
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Beth!!!!!!!! I hope you have a FANTASTIC day!!!! Love you so much.
Wishing you the happiest of birthdays!
Hope your birthday is filled with more love than your heart can handle, more joy than you can conceive, more hope than you ever thought possible, and blessings from every corner of the earth!
Happy, happy birthday to you! My first Bible study began with you! Thank you so much for all you do for everyone else! I just saw you in Tampa this past weekend and I really needed my RE-juvenation!! Blessings to you on this special day!!! Cynthia
Happiest of Birthdays, Beth!! I pray your day is filled with blessings that will mark your special as truly special! You are very special to me and so many others in the beautiful way you encourage each and everyone of us as if we are sitting down for a cup of coffee.
Enjoy your special day!! Praying God continues to bless you, your ministry and your family!