**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! You are a blessing to so many people – thank you!!!
And have a blessed birthday Beth! See you in Toronto in November.
I love the way Beth has encouraged me to always dig deep into the scripture! Happy Birthday Beth. We love you here in Louisville!
A very happy birthday to a wonderful lady. I hope you have a very blessed day! Your bible studies have ministered to me in so many ways over the years. Thank you for allowing God to use you to teach His word. I have learned so much! May God richly bless you on your birthday and all the days to come.
Happy Birthday Beth! I hope that you have a day filled with joy and laughter!
A VERY Happy Birthday to you Beth! Your faithfulness to teach us women have been such an important part of my life. My walk with the Lord has grown because of your passion to teach Gods word and women. Thank you for loving us all these years! I pray God’s blessings of health, protection and provision for many more birthdays to come.
Your A Woman’s Heart God’s Dwelling place (the yellow book reversion) was my first Bible Study ever (at age 40). Twenty years later, I am am still “all in” with a great Church family, leading a Covenant group (the Joyous Journeyors), serving in on an an online women’s ministry , and blogging for Jesus.
May your birthday bring the same measure of blessing to you that you have brought to others.
Happy Birthday Beth!
I was in Tampa with my daughter this past weekend.
Thank you. ❤️
Happy Blessed Birthday Beth!
Thank you for all you have done in my life and the lives of many other woman who strive to walk closer with our God.
Dawn
Happy Happy Birthday Beth! Just had mine on the 11th! Wishing you many blessings and thank you for all you and your staff do for us.
To Beth,
Birthday blessings from Albuquerque! It was a thrill to see you at LPL back in April here in NM. I wish you abundant joy today! I pray God will “meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19)
Ellen
It was a pleasure to meet you today Beth! I would attach our picture if I could. Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to pray with me! I’ll let you know how it turns out… 😉
Hugs, prayers, and blessings!
Rachelle
Happy Birthday from one Beth to another! So.. what a lovely honorarium from your daughter in celebration of you. If my name should be chosen, what I wish is that you pick another name please… My “birthday wishes” come from the heart. More than any other person on the planet-the LORD has used you to disciple me, to draw me close to Him, and to reveal His heart to me. May you be blessed a thousand times over during your birthday month!
Happy Birthday to a woman I have never met but yet I absolutely adore! Thank you for helping me grow in my walk with Christ! You’re a blessing!
Happy, happy birthday to such a sweet woman of God and wonderful Bible teacher. What an honor to share my birthday with you.
Happy Birthday Beth!
Thank you for sharing your love of Jesus with the world. Thank you for joyfully teaching us from the tools and experiences He has given you.
Wonderful post, Melissa! You are a sweet daughter gifted with your mom’s writing talent.
Happy, happy Birthday, Beth! I have enjoyed many of your bible studies and am so thankful for the sacrifices you have made to lead women into the Word of God. You have the gift to make the scriptures come alive with relevance in my daily life, and I thank you. And your incredible sense of humor is such a delight! Praying that you have a wonderful day and enjoy being celebrated by family friends. 🙂
Happy Day that you were born Beth Moore ! May God continue to bless and keep you and your family, and may you be spoiled rotten today 🙂
Happy Birthday, beautiful Beth!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!
Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday Beth! Returns of blessings on this day.
Happy Happy Birthday Beth!
I have learned so much about our Lord from attending your bible studies at my church. I also saw you in Pittsburgh with my sister and friends some years back.
My favorite part of the day is waking up, making coffee and reading my bible.
Kathy
Happy Birthday to my Bible teacher. We meet together daily and delve into the Lord’s words for us. Thank you for making Jesus your heart’s desire. I have benefitted so much by your insights and thoroughness. I am so blessed to have you in my life. I’m trusting the Lord to continue to bless you with such wonderful teaching so His people can grow. Just think another year to serve Him and walk in His ways how awesome
Much love and appreciation from Canada
Happy Birthday Beth!!
Happy Birthday Beth Moore! Your teachings inspire and challenge me to love God more and to do something about that love. I pray that this year, you’ll experience many answered prayers and joy beyond what you could ask for or imagine. Enjoy your day!
Happy Birthday, Beth! I just finished the James study and am so thankful for the journey you lead me on. Thank you for your steadfastness! Enjoy your day!
Happy Birthday Beth and Thank You! Since I found you your bible studies, video’s and conferences has made every day for me a re-birth day! May you be blessed with joy and peace!
Happy Birthday Beth! You are so loved and appreciated. Your teachings have blessed my heart and soul to the very core of who I am. So many times through your honesty of who you are and what you share, I have been reaffirmed as a woman. I have shared much laughter and tears with you through your video series. I can not wait to see you in person when you come to Toronto Canada in November! May God continue to use you and bless you. Much love, your sister in Christ Jesus,
Cheryll-Ann
Happy Birthday Beth,
I was so blessed when a dear friend of mine introduced me to your teaching several years ago. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing God’s word with us.
Pat
Happy Birthday dearest Beth! What a beautiful tribute Melissa wrote for you today! May you get to have your favorite Mexican food today and your favorite coffee and time spent with your favorite loved ones. May God Bless you today in ways you can’t even imagine. Your Sister (siesta) in Christ, Christie Marsh
Oh how I love Beth Moore! Such a deep, deep love and appreciation for someone who has made such a phenomenal spiritual impact in my life! So many years of Beth’s huge contribution to my growing in faith and my walk with Christ. How do you ever thank someone for a gift of this magnitude?! I am forever indebted to you Beth Moore! God bless you and happy, happy birthday dear, precious Beth!
Happy Birthday, Beth!!!! I pray you have a great one!
Hippo Birdie Two Ewes! I hope you have the happiest birthday EVER!! 🙂
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday, with many, many, many more to come your way.
Happy Birthday Beth.
What a beautiful tribute from Melissa for her special Mother.
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! So much love, joy & light. Jesus impacted my life in a radical way through your obedience Beth, and I love you!
Big Blessings for a wonderful day and year ahead!
Happy Birthday, Beth! Thank you for your awesome ministry to women. You hold a special place in my heart. May God continue to bless you and in turn bless all of us. 🙂
Happy birthday to you! Mrs. Beth, you are a blessing and a treasure. I have grown in my walk with the Lord because of you. Thank you for being faithful to the calling. Keep fighting the good fight of fa it. The Lord bless you and keep you.
Marci
Happy Birthday Beth!!
Happy Birthday Beth! I pray your special day will be showered with Blessings!
Happy Birthday Beth! I’m blessed by your ministry. May God continue to bless you!
Happy Birthday Beth! Yoy are such a blessing! I love the Bible studies. I have learned so much. I am memorizing Scripture too.thank yoy for your encouragement.
Happy Birthday sweet Beth! :-). What a God Girl you are! Your studies have changed my spiritual life. I pray you enjoy your day to the fullest and your year is even more amazing. :-). Love ya. Blessings.
Happy Birthday Beth! May God bless you on your birthday and always.
What a beautiful tribute – thank you for sharing Melissa. And Happy Birthday Beth! You are a blessing to me and to many! May God pour out His blessings on you this day!
Happy Birthday to you Ms Beth! You are one of my most favourite people in the world, even though we have not ever met. You inspire me even just with your smile, let alone you fierce love for Jesus and his word. Thank you for teaching me to love my bible and to spend time in His presence. You are a legend and a large jewel in the crown of our King!
Happy Birthday, Beth!!
Well, I only follow a single blog and that is the LPM blog and the only sentence I want to write is that, Beth, you always have the words and the energy that comes from what you say to rise in me a longing for knowing and trusting God better and study His word. Thank you so much. Love Diana from Cluj, Romania
Happy Birthday Beth!