**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 Happy Birthday
To you Beth , I pray that you are blessed as much as you bless us ladies with your love for the Lord .
Thank you for your blog and your love us women ,
First bible study I ever done was breaking free not the new edition but the first one
I am so thankful for you writing that study it help me to get out of bondage and find Jesus
Jesus met me on the pages of that study so so thankful for you
God bless you for all you do and thank you for loving the Lord and pointing us to Jesus
Celebrate sweet sister in Christ .
Carol
Happiest of birthdays to a wonderful woman of God!
BETH-HAVE A VERY FUN & BLESSED BIRTHDAY– we just finished ur old study in revelations::: thanks for blessing my life AGAIN / love ur studies- going deeper with Jesus!
i love your mom’s bible studies. i have done almost all of them. i have done others, but hers are the best! i wish her a wonderful, blessed birthday!
Happy Birthday, sweet Beth. Thank you for all you do for the kingdom!
Blessings!
Beth, Happy Happy Birthday on this your special Day, Happy Happy Birthday may all your dreams come true, Happy Happy Birthday from Kimberlee to you.
As all agree, you are gifted and I am blessed as a student of God’s word with you and through you. Thank you. My 1st BMoore, woman with moore, study was Esther in ’08 in the midst of my stage 4 Breast Cancer journey. God wanted me FT not PT and HE got me.
I have been facilitating your studies at our church as my personal race has been most challenging. God healed me from Cancer in 09. We had to leave our dream home 7/11/11 and became without a home, “couch surfers”. My husband got Stg. 4 Brain cancer and died a year later,11/12/13. 8 months later I got diagnosed with Stg. 4 Lung cancer and was told 6/14 I had a year to live. I am alive as I type this and I pray the Hezekiah prayer, for life extended for 15 now 14 years, HIS will but ask for mercy and days as my youngest child is 15. Only God knows my numbered days. As you had us memorize James, I took that challenge and am living the life verses James 1:1-8.
Psalm 119:17 I will not die but live and proclaim what the LORD has done.
Neh.8:10 Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is my strength.
Enjoy your moments, with your family, we know you do. xoxox Because HE first loved me.
Happy Birthday Beth! You are a beautiful woman of God who also has the greatest hair I’ve ever seen!
Have a wonderful and fun filled birthday!
Happy birthday Beth! I pray this is your best yet! You are an inspiration to me and a role model. You are by far my favorite Bible study teacher. I love toy even though I don’t really know you and I pray for you a lot! God bless and keep you.
Happy Birthday Blessings Beth!!!!!
Such a great post to honor your Mom. Happiest of birthdays, Beth!
Happy Birthday, Beth! You are one of my favorite sisters; you are dear to my heart! I hope you have a wonder-filled day with the Lord and with those you love. Thanks for being a part of my life, even though you don’t know me, and for faithfully pouring yourself out to share what God has taught you so that women like myself can grow in our faith walk. God has gifted you in so many ways! Thank you for using those gifts to serve the Lord in truth by sharing the truth of His word with us! Love you.
You are delight to many! A joy! Happy birthday!!!!
happy birthday Beth! 15 years ago I did your study Breaking Free and it change the way I studied the Bible. I have just started doing Breaking Free again and I am reminded of my journey with Jesus over the past 15 years and how important your studies have been in my walk.. Thank you for loving Jesus in a way that emanates from you and allows others to love Him more deeply too. Love you!
Happy Birthday Beth,
You have been a most wonderful blessing to me as i have enjoyed many of your Bible Studies with a few ladies in my small town. I love you, even though i have never met you.
What a beautiful blog! Happy Birthday Mrs. Moore! So thankful you answered the Lord’s calling and written so many Bible Studies! The Lord has taught me much as I go through your studies! Thank you!
Have a blessed day!
Jamy
Happiest of Birthdays to you, Beth❤️❤️ You are a precious soul and the love of Christ shines brightly in your sweet smile and spirit- for me personally you have brought comfort with your wonderful Bible studies- ” Breaking Free” came at an absolutely Divinely appointed time when I had suffered a terrible heart- wrenching personal loss years ago- I thank the Lord for your Godly wisdom you share of God’s Word and for your heart that’s bigger than Texas- have a wonderfully blessed day!! A sister in Christ- Sandy
Happy Birthday Beth! You are such an amazing woman and Bible teacher! You have been used profoundly in my life’s journey with our Jesus. I will be forever grateful. Love You, Sweet Beth!
PS. And, oh yes…..I eat tortilla chips and salsa for dinner too!
Happy Birthday! You are a wonderful example to all moms. Thank You.
Beth – Happy Birthday to you! You are such a gift to all of us! I love how you love! ❤️
Happy Birthday! Studying with you through your books, your online messages and the Bible Study videos you produce has made me think about things in totally new ways. Thank you for opening my eyes to different ideas and better approaches.
The best of wishes for the loveliest of birthdays – you are such a blessing to us all.
Happy birthday Beth! I hope your day is full of love and laughter! I have been doing your Bible studies for years with my friends. We have laughed, prayed, cried, questioned and learned using your studies. Thank you for helping me to grow and learn! You are a woman of God!
Happy Birthday to the greatest spiritual mentor that I have never met. You’re words have been the catalyst for every, and I do mean every, leap of faith that I have taken. And every time God is just exactly as you have taught either he would be. I cannot wait to see where the next leap leads. Thank you for pointinge to Him over and over again. I am so very grateful you were born.
Can you cast out autocorrect in this next year? I promise I know better than all of those mistakes up there!
Happy Birthday to my very favorite Bible teacher in all the world. You are such a blessing in my life. I love you very much and pray many blessing for you in the coming year!
Joy to you, Beth! It’s a wonderful day to celebrate you, and the gazillion ways God has worked in and through you to bless so many. Myself included, for SURE. I thank God for you, and for Melissa and the rest of your family, too.
Thank you for this opportunity to say Happy Birthday to the woman who has influenced my spiritual life greater than any other. I had been a Christian for over 25 years had gone to Bible college and worked in full-time Christian ministry — but until I completed my first Bible Study with you — A Woman’s Heart (many years ago now! 🙂 ) — I had not realized how stale and stagnant my approach to God’s word had grown! I had become satisfied with eating crumbs — but once I experienced your contagious love for God’s word I began to know what it meant to feast at the table! Thank you for your steadfast commitment to study and then to write it down and share it with us! I have learned SO much from you! By completing so many of your studies I have also learned how to ask questions and how to complete in-depth studies on my own! Your circle of influence continues to grow as I then teach others what I have learned! Thank you my dear friend! God’s Spirit of Wisdom rests upon you – may you have a special birthday in every way possible!
Happy Birthday Beth! What an ibnspiration and blessing you are to do many! Be blessed today and every day!
Happiest of Birthdays to you Beth – again!!
Was at the Tampa conference – was fabulous!!! Thank you!!
Happy Birthday Beth!
May you have the happiest of Birthdays and have blessed day in the Lord. I know he walks with you it is very evident. Happy Birthday.
Happy birthday! I pray for the same relationship with my sweet daughter!
Happiest of birthdays to you! So thankful for you and your ministry! Thank you for saying yes to God!
Happy Birthday! So thankful for your life and ministry!
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday Beth Moore! Thank you so much for being a world changer!
Happy Birthday Beth! You have been a blessing to me because of your passion for God’s Word. Thank you for teaching me and sharing your heart with me.
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for all you for so many women!
Happiest of Birthdays to Miss Beth! What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful woman, in every way mentioned here and MOORE!! 🙂
Happy birthday Beth! Thanks for all the sacrifices you have made over the years, they have most certainly paid off in my life by deepening my love for Jesus and His Word. Thanks also for inspiring me to find growing in Christlikeness an attainable goal for an ordinary girl 🙂
xoxo,
Kathi
Beth, wishing you a very happy birthday. You are an inspiration to me. My prayer is to inspire others thru your ministry because it points them to a better walk to Eternity. Love you.
Happy birthday, Beth! I pray that God would continue to use you in powerful ways to reach the lost. You were one of the first female speakers I ever heard on the radio as a new Christian some 11 years ago. I recall being so impressed and hooked to hear more about what you had to say. I recall thinking how you had the perfect balance of gentleness, confidence and authority. I didn’t know it then but, the Holy Spirit was working through you meet me where I was at that particular time in my life. Your words pierced me and it was as though you were speaking directly to me and knew exactly what to say that day.I have great respect and admiration for your work and your heart. We need more teachers like you! Thank you for your ministry. May your day be filled with love and laughter. God bless you.
happu birthday! Thank you for your dedication to the word. It has inspired my own dedication.
Happy Birthday Beth!!! Your teachings have brought me closer to my God & your life has shown me how its so very possible to fall in love with our Savior … Every. Single. Day. Blessings to you on your special day!!
Happy Birthday, Beth! You have been very dear to my heart for many years now. You have stirred in me a desire to study and a longing to love the Word of God with all my heart. Your willingness to share your life and remain genuine and open in the midst of heartache are precious gifts to us. My prayer for you is that God will protect you and allow you to continue to share your heart with us for many years to come. I pray for you and your family.
Looks like I missed the 24 hour deadline by an hour or so, but that is ok. Beth Moore, you have influenced my life more than just about anybody on the planet and in the roughest of times–that is something! It is my pleasure and honor to wish you a very Happy Birthday. I’m so grateful you were born. Just thinking about your words and wisdom that I’ve taken in over the years brings tears to my eyes. Of course, I feel like I know you….it might interest you to know that for almost a decade now, if I’m ever asked the question, “if you could have lunch or coffee with anyone, who would it be?” my answer has been YOU! You’re daughter’s tribute to you on your birthday is a beautiful testament to what a dynamic woman you are. What more is there to say? Happy, happy birthday to you, dear woman.
Happy Birthday Beth!
Thank you for the real-world wisdom and continuous encouragement to study scripture. This has dramatically changed my life. May the Lord bless and keep you.
Happiest of Birthdays Beth! I pray the Lord blesses this new year of your life abundantly.
Beth, happy birthday. May you have a wonderful day and a truly blessed year and may you touch even more woman in this coming year with your ministry and loving light.
Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday Beth! You are such a blessing to so many people! What a beautiful letter from your daughter!