**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!!! God bless you and continue to use you to bless others. Your teachings have been a main stay for me in my walk with Jesus. Your anointing has blessed so many with myself being in that number. I stay excited to know that there is another teaching available and I start on that one. You are a God sent and I love you and your ministry!!
Thank you Melissa and Amanda for sharing your mom with us. Happy Birthday sweet Beth, may the Lord Bless you in a special way as you celebrate your birthday! I have had the pleasure of teaching every single One of your Bible studyies. My favorite will always be A Woman’s Heart God’s Dwelling Place. I have always said if I could teach that one study over and over again, I would be a happy woman!
Happy, happy birthday! May you have great day and many years filled with His blessings. Thanks for being willing to let God use you. Several times you have spoken God’s word right into my heart. Thankful for you and your ministry.
Happy Birthday Beth. You inspire a love for HIS WORD in me like no one ever has before. Thank you for your love for, dependence on and faithfulness to our Lord.
Happiest of birthdays to you Beth! You have been such a blessing to so many. Your honesty and walking your talk amaze me.
Happy Birthday Beth!! I was one of the 7,000 who sang Happy Birthday to you in Tampa this past weekend. I pray your special day is blessed. Thank you for bringing the Word of God to us and showing us how to be authentic Christian women.
Happy Birthday Beth. I’ll never forget your story of the the three squeezes that you and your grandma shared! I taught my grandson to do that when he was around 5. He is 13 now and every once in a while he comes up to me, grabs my hand and squeezes it three times! I tear up every single time! I hope you don’t mind that I passed this beautiful thing onto him! Have a beautiful day Beth….three squeezes to you!
Dearest Beth,
You are a blessing beyond measure….and a true light …I have learned so much from you, laughed with you, cried with you, and worshipped our Lord with you! I wish you the happiest of birthdays and God’s richest blessings!
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for your servant heart and inspiring words. My mom and I enjoy learning God’s Word together in your Bible Studies. God Bless! 🙂
Happy Birthday to your mom!! Oh I just love her passion and writing and zeal for the Lord!
Have a blessed birthday, you have blessed so many of us!
happy birthday! You are amazing and a wonderful teacher. It’s my birthday today! Have a wonderful birthday month!
Happy Birthday Beth!! I pray you have a wonderful day and a blessed year!!!
Happy Birthday Beth! What a awesome daughter you have – truly a gift.
Happy Birthday! You are blessed and have blessed us all! Thank you!
It is an honor to wish your mom a happy birthday! What I know and love of her is from her books and videos, thank you for sharing the “real” Beth with us!
Happy Birthday Beth!
Oh, I hope you have the happiest of birthdays, Beth. You have blessed my life in so many wonderful ways and I know there are thousands of other ladies out there who can say the exact same thing. I love seeing the love that your precious family has for you–a reflection of your love for them–all a result of the most perfect love our Father has for each of us. Bless you! Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to my favorite Bible teacher! Our Tuesday morning ladies Bible study has done most every one of your video Bible studies! Next week we finish Children of the Day!
I’d like to share something with you. My dearest friend has been in a coma type state for about 9 days after a valve replacement surgery. this past weekend us girlfriends took turns settings with her in the hospital to give much needed rest to her family. I had the Sat.overnight shift. Sunday morning I started it with praise and worship songs. I then told her it was time for the sermon & a little Beth. She had given me the Whispers of Hope as we love to journal our devotions, so I pulled that back out & God lead me to one. Oh if her little hand didn’t start moving when I read the Scripture & read your inspiring words. I prayed so hard I was so surprised when when after she didn’t get up & roll up her bed things and skip down the hall! Thanks for being there with Rose and me. You’ve been there a number of times for me. Happy Sweet Birthday Sister. Much love in Christ Praise the Lord-I’ve been Redeemed!
Happy Birthday, Beth Moore. You have taught me much through you bible studies and books. God directed me to you and I will forever grateful for that. I hope your day is filled with many blessings.
Happiest of birthdays to you and abundant blessings to you and your ministry in the year ahead. What a beautiful birthday tribute from your daughter! *smile through tears
Happy Birthday, Beth. Wishing you blessings from above! You have blessed my life more than you can know!
Happy Birthday, Mrs. Beth! Thank you for every lesson you’ve taught me through His word & in so doing, unlocking a love for His word in my life.
Happy Birthday, Beth! Your studies introduced me to the faith15 years ago and are still powerful today! Thank you, and God’s blessings in the coming year!!!
Oh! Happy Birthday, Mrs. Beth. I am so very, ridiculously happy and THANKFUL that you were born such a few short years ago on this day. You truly are God’s gift to us. I am grateful for all that God does through you, and grateful for your sweet heart, as well. Thank you for your service, thank you for the way you love God and for the way you love us, your students and sisters. We love you. I love you. Kiss, kiss, kiss. 🙂 May God bless you continually with His great love and mercy, and keep you ever close to His heart.
Love,
Anita
A very Happy Birthday Beth. You are a blessing to me. I have done several of your bible studies and attended you seminars. They always minister to me. Thank you for being faithful and using the gifts God has given you
This post is just ALL kinds of beautiful! I think many, many people could say of your mom and her beautiful work, “She has shined the light of Jesus on me more times than I can count.”
Happiest of birthdays to you! You have been a wonderful spiritual sister and mother to us all in many ways!
Happy Birthday Blessings, Beth.
You have touched my life in ways too numerous to count. Now you are blessing my daughter with the words you share. I pray your day is blessed beyond measure!
Love, Waynell
Happy Birthday Beth! You are anointed with the gift of teaching and reaching the hearts of women for Christ. You were my first Bible Study teacher and I am so very grateful for all I’ve learned from you. You taught me to seek for myself, dig for the answers and keep following the path Jesus has laid for me.
May God bless you abundantly this year and may you see many more birthdays to come.
Love, Chris
Happy birthday, Beth!
Happy Birthday! You have been used to bless me beyond measure, I hope today you are blessed too.
Happy birthday, Beth! Thank you for being such awesome instrument of God!
Happy Birthday my sweet friend! All the women in my Bible study speak of you like you are part of the group–which is exactly how I think you would like it 🙂
Happy Birthday, Beth! Thank you for your obedience to God. It’s amazing.
Happy Birthday Beth Moore, You are a treasure. When I look at you I see love and Jesus and I know that is all you have ever wanted. Vickie Kirchner
Happy Birthday, Beth!! I’m so thankful for your willingness to be obedient to God’s calling. You’ve made a difference in my life. You’re an awesome example and inspiration.
Happy Birthday, Ms. Beth! You are such a gift to the church. Thank you for your hard work & faithfulness!
Happy birthday Beth! Your Bible studies are a blessing to me- more than you will ever know!
Happy Birthday Beth! You have impacted so many lives (including mine!) and I’m so grateful for all the resources you’ve written to help women around the world grow in their faith. May this next year be your best one yet!
Happy Birthday Ms Beth! I don’t know what kind of place the world would be without you! Thank you for being such a shining light of Jesus and the way you have shaped my life through your teaching of the Word! I love you so so much! xo
Happy Birthday dear Beth! You have been an inspiration and a mentor to me in so many ways. Your love for our Father’s Word is infectious and I am so glad the bug caught me!
Your relationship with your girls has been such an inspiration to me with my own. When you shared the ways you have balanced ministry and family this has literally been life changing for our family. Thank you so much for your obedience, your love for women, and for sharing your life and this pilgrimage with us!
Happy Birthday! Your inspiration has navigated me through my young adult life, and as I hit 30 next week, I will be carrying those shared truths with me. Thank you for the blessing that you’ve been to me and so many others.
Hi Beth!! Remember we met last year at Shana’s!? So happy it is your birthday & you are the Lord’s energizer bunny spreading his happiness everywhere!! We are diving in to Believing God in the fall so come see us! 🙂 Love you, sister-Happy Birthday-Dana
Ok! I think I missed the deadline but I’m going to comment anyways! 🙂 Happy Birthday, Mrs. Beth… You are a beautiful lady. I am 24 now, and I remember my mom doing your studies when I was in high school. I just started “Sacred Secrets” myself.
God has brought you so far, but I want to thank you for staying low and choosing to ache with those who ache. I pray your day is full of treasured moments and joy! xoxo
Happy Birthday Beth! I am so thankful to God for your life and ministry. In every difficult circumstance of my life, God has used your Bible Studies to speak a word of comfort and exhortation to me. Praying for many more years of teaching to come!
Happy Birthday to you Beth!! June 16th, today, my husband Lee and I are celebrating 50 years of marriage. We have 5 daughters. We have 5 sons in law.We also have 10 grandsons, and 10 granddaughters. God is good. May he bless your special day, and you are a source of comfort and strength to me,and have been through the years of your ministry. May God Bless you and your husband and children.
Happy Birthday Beth!
I hope your birthday is so special. I have enjoyed all of your Bible studies I have went to the last few years. You have helped me in so many ways! May your day be very special!
Happy Birthday Beth!! Thank you for loving Jesus first and foremost and for sharing Him with others. You are a wonderful example as to what a Christ follower is to be like. Praying God’s blessings upon you this day!
Happy Happy Birthday, Beth
Blessings to you!