**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, Mama Beth! We love you immensely!
Happy Birthday Beth, your presence in this world has made all the difference in my life. Continued blessings on you and your beautiful family.
Happy birthday Beth! One of your studies was my first Bible study and I love them. Years ago in one of your studies you said to make this my prayer “to love God more and love His Word more” I wrote that down and began to pray it. Today I am more in love with God and His Word than I have ever been. His Word is such a treasure! This is my first year to do SSMT and I’m so excited about it! Hope you have the very best of birthdays! May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, Romans 15:13 (I hope to meet you in Jnauary 2016!)
Happy Birthday Beth! I hope it’s the best yet and you have many more! God has blessed you in so many ways, but I truly believe HE has annointed you with a special gift to bring his word ALIVE! I was privileged to be invited to a Bible study many (MANY) years ago by you on David. Although I knew I was saved and would spend eternity with him, I felt that because of some choices I had made, God couldn’t use me. Between hearing you and you bringing David alive, I then realized if God had forgiven me, he could use me! Thank you for that! Keep on keeping on girl! Know that anytime you are any where within 8 hours of West Tn. I’ll be somewhere in the crowd praying you on! Enjoy your birthday and take care of that man of yours!
Happy happy birthday Miss Beth. May you have the sweetest of days. Your journey to freedom and grit in loving Jesus and His church have left imprints on my heart. So grateful to you and your extravagant wholehearted life.
You are a true inspiration and the world is definitely a better place with you in it! Thank you for all you do to inspire and encourage women around the world!!
Happy Birthday!
Merissa
Happy birthday, Beth!! May your day be more blessed than the blessings God brings us through you.
Happy Birthday Beth, I hope you have a great day and may God continue to bless you and the work He has blessed you with. Thank you for being you!! God bless, Delle
Happy birthday to a classy Christ follower, whose teaching I greatly appreciate.
Oh My! Happy Birthday! Thank you for your obedience ! For Living and Loving in Jesus Name and for His Glory. You are ,So Loved !
Terrie T
Happy Birthday Beth!
You are such an inspiration to me in my life. I hope you have a fabulous birthday.
Your faith amazes me. Thank you for fighting for Christ’s Bride to fall in love with Him as deeply as you have. I know the battle can be fierce, but His glory shines in all you do. Thank you, and Happy Birthday, Miss Beth!
Much love, laughter. joy and peace to you, Beth, and many more happy birthdays! God bless and keep you always.
Happy Birthday.
Your studies helped me through the pain of divorce, the learning to believe in myself again and the hope and comfort and love that is always found in God’s word in all circumstances.
Thank you… Bless you!!!
Happy Birthday, Beth! Your teachings have changed my life in many ways. I am about to lead my 11th Beth Moore bible study at our church. Just got back from LPL in Tampa!! Hope your birthday is filled with family, friends, some great cake, and all the coffee you can guzzle! Love you!
Happiest birthday to Beth! Thanks for sharing!
Happy Birthday Sister!!! Much love to you and all over your family on this special day!!!
Happiest birthday! Here’s to a day filled with beauty and celebration! Sending love!
xoxo
Happy Birthday Beth! I thoroughly enjoyed the conference in Tampa this past weekend! I am thankful for your obedience to God’s calling on your life. Be blessed!
Happy birthday Beth! You’re a true inspiration to us all.so grateful for your continued encouragement every time I read something of yours! Have a blessed day!
Happy Birthday Beth!
You are well-loved by your family.
Happy Birthday! Blessings to you and yours.
Happy Birthday Beth!
You are such a blessing to so many
From Alaska
You Are Loved!
Hi Beth
Happy Birthday. I sure enjoy all the Bible studies you have done and have learned so much from you.
thank you
Happy Birthday to you Beth!! Thank you for serving us so well! I’m a grateful recipient of your teaching! Cannot wait to have you in Greenville SC soon!! Praying for you!!
Happy Birthday, Beth! Blessings to you and thank you for giving to the Lord.
Happy Birthday, Beth! Thankful for your ministry! What a blessing you are to so many women!!!
Happy Birthday Beth
Wishing you a Birthday with lots of fun with your family.
Happy birthday to my role model and teacher! Thank you for following Gods plan for you. It has blessed me immensely.
Happy Birthday ! Have attended a number of bible studies using your material. Thanks for your commitment to Christ and his grace on your life.
Alycia Johnson. Granada, MN .
2 Chronicles 16:9
The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. NIV.
Happy Birthday Beth! May God bless you and your family with a great celebration of fun & joy! Today is my grandsons 6th Birthday and he’s a delight. So glad he shares this day with the author of so many of my Bible studies .
Happy Birthday Beth!
I hope you have a wonderful day! I can’t tell you how much your Bible studies have meant to me over the past several years. I have learned so much and I am thankful God blessed you with a gift to teach His word and that you answered His call on your life.
Sybil Rainey
Newnan, Georgia
Happy birthday, Mrs. Moore! Nothing I could give you on this day could compare to the gift you gave me – a deep desire to no only love Jesus but to be madly IN LOVE with Jesus. The Holy Spirit used you to light a fire in me that has admittedly dimmed a time or two but will never burn out. Your studies always fan the flames into a roaring fire and I pray I pass it on to others. God bless you on your birthday and everyday!
Happy Birthday Beth. Thank you for being faithful and real. Your Bible studies are one of my annual highlights and I love learning with you and from you. May God bless the coming year with all that your soul needs. Melissa, what a beautiful tribute to your precious mama
Happiest of birthdays sweet Beth. It’s difficult to express in words the blessing and encouragement you are. I hope to hug your neck one of these days!! Thank you for your faithfulness to Jesus!
Happy Birthday! This post was just beautiful. Hoping the day is just as beautiful.
Happy Birthday Beth! Both my own mother an I think you are such a joy to read, and to read about. xo
Happy Birthday Beth!!! You are an amazing woman of God and mentor from afar! I give God thanks for you and have learned so much from all of your studies. What I love the most is how transparent and genuine you are and how on fire you are for our Lord Jesus Christ!!! It is contagious and I hope one day to be able to meet you. If not here, then in eternity! :))))
Dearest Beth, you have blessed me beyond words over
Many years and my wish for you is that you would be
Blessed like you blessed me! That God would rain down
His love, grace and goodness upon you and your family
Happy Birthday. May it be the best yet!
Happy birthday to a faithful servant of the Lord. May you be as blessed today as we have been by you!
Happy Birthday Beth! Your words touch so many hearts and heads!
Happy Birthday!! So grateful for you and your faithfulness to the Lord!
Happiest Birthday Wishes, Beth!!
I talked to a friend the other day, that has NEVER read a single Beth Moore Book, or done a Beth Moore Bible Study. I’m pretty sure she’s been hiding under a rock, underground, with earphones on. 😉
Thank you for being a vessel for Christ! Through your words, God has spoken into my life.
Warmly-
Sheila Taylor (Idaho)
Happy, happy birthday. Praying that this year will be full of joy, laughter, and memories. Thank you for letting God work through you in so many different ways. You radiate the light of Jesus and your passion for Him and His Word caught me years ago and has never let me go. Blessings!
Happy, happy birthday to you!!!
Happy birthday, Beth! Your gifts have ministered to me more than you’ll ever know. You are dearly loved.
Happy Happy Birthday Beth Moore!
Happy birthday, esteemed teacher and lovely sister! God’s Best, Laura
Happy Birthday mama Beth! From your physical and spiritual daughters. May God continue to grow you in Him and use you mightily for His kingdom!!
And Melissa, what a sweet sweet tribute. I pray my daughters will honor and love me as much when they grow up as you love and honor your mama!