**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!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂
Happy Birthday, Beth! Beautifully written.
Happy Birthday, Beth!!!! Wishing you a happy day and a special year to come!
HaPpY BuRfDaY to one of my favorite writers & pursuer of faith!
Oh Melissa…what a beautiful blog. Hopeful that my babies might feel so deeply about me. Happy Birthday to your amazing Mama. Beth has taught me so much, inspired me to get to know and love JESUS more, and just made learning so fun. Birthday love and blessings to the incredible Beth Moore!❤️
Happy Birthday Beth!
You’re kind spirit has been an inspiration to me! I am thankful for the gift God has blessed you with. Enjoy your day!
Blessings!
Happy Birthday. Thank you for obedience to the Lord. You are such a gift to the body of Christ.
Happy Birthday! Thank you for all you have done to enrich my walk in Christ! Love the chips and sauce story- way too familiar!
Cheryl
Happy Birthday Beth! You are a cherished woman and I thank God for you!!
Happy Birthday, sweet Beth!! I have been doing your studies since early 2000 when I had one baby and another baby on the way! You opened my eyes to Scripture in a brand new way, and I have a love for God’s Word that is insatiable!!
Happy Birthday, Beth! Thank you for sharing your gifts so beautifully with women around the world; the love of Christ shines through all you do, and I am grateful for the work you’ve done that has helped me see Him more. May the Lord bless you and keep you always!
Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday! Thank you for bringing Jesus so close and real to my heart.
Happy Bithday. Thank you for being a blessing.
Have a very blessed birthday!!! Just saw you in Albuquerque and was inspired so much! Keep teaching Gods word!
Dear Beth,
I thank God for you. You have made studying the Bible so exciting. I just can’t wait til the next study comes out. I look forward to it so much. I have learned so much from the ones that I have already done. Your insight makes me just want to slap my head some times. Why didn’t I think of that before? Again thank you for letting God use you in this wonderful way to bless us and cause us to grow closer to the Lord. Happy Birthday and Many, Many More. Suzy
Beth, first and foremost I know you must have tears in your eyes over that sweet and heartfelt post your daughter wrote!! And every word is how several of us, your adopted daughters in Christ feel about you as well!! I started studying with you when I was 18, my mom had led a couple of your bible studies and asked me if I would pray about doing one with some college friends – she was curious if the format you used would work, or be as effective, for my generation as it was with hers. So I did! I taught “Believing God” and lets just say 10 years later and 12 of your bible studies later you are still one of my favorite and most beloved teachers to sit under! It just doesn’t seem like anyone goes as deep as you do or gives as much history as you do all in one with such character and realness! I grew up in NM but moved to Willis TX soon after that first bible study of yours and so had the immense pleasure of sitting through 3 of your live bible studies in Houston and I’ll cherish those times forever. Thank you for trudging forward when I know it’s not easy and when so much sacrifice is made – it’s not for nothing! And we love you for it! Happy Birthday Beth!!
Happy Birthday Beth! May your day be filled with the love you so well deserve. I thank God for you today, because your Bible Studies have changed my life! I thank Him for creating you just the way you are … vibrant, humorous, full of life, and a longing and love for God’s Word that goes so deep, you can’t keep to yourself but share that passion with everyone you come in contact with!
May your birthday and the year ahead be blessed, may your family be blessed and may you continue to be used mightily by God for His Kingdom purposes.
Happy happy birthday, Beth. I did not know what to expect when my friend invited me to join her in your study of James, but it really opened my world to what it means to follow and trust in Christ! Thank you so much for such a gift.
Blessings,
Bethany
Happy Birthday Beth! Just spent the best weekend ever with you in Tampa! Let’s do a RE-peat!
Happy Birthday, Beth! Thank you for all that you do!
Happy happy birthday Beth! Your ferocious faith is contagious! God bless you!!!
Happy Birthday, Beth! Wishing lots of blessings on your sweet head! You have inspired and taught me for many years now, and I can’t thank you enough for sharing your knowledge and passion for the Scripture with us through your studies. May God bless you with many more years!
Happiest of Birthdays Miss Elizabeth! God continues to use you to bless women like me! May God bless this – your 39th year(RIGHT?) as you continue to bless others! May He watch over your family- and may His word continue to stir up in all. Thank you for your dedication to be a teacher of the word!
Have a blessed day- and a most wonderful year ahead!
Your sister in Christ,
Chery Yule
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Happiest of birthdays to you, Beth!! Is there no greater joy than what you are experiencing with your precious family…. all walking with Jesus?! I love you so much; not only for being a wise woman after God’s own heart, but for being spunky, fun, and adorable, too! Running the race with you in this time of life is exhilarating.
Here’s to asking God for many more birthday celebrations!!
xo, Rene
ps what a “sweet” giveaway you added to those sweet words for your mom, Melissa!
Happy Birthday Beth!! What a wonderful blessing you are to us women!!
Happy birthday, Beth!! The first bible study I joined, 10 years ago, was one of yours. It was a life changer. Praise God for your commitment to Him and His kingdom. Thanks for sharing what He has taught you.
What an amazing tribute to your mom. I pray that my daughter feels the same about me when the time comes. There are many reasons I follow this blog….you can add one more to that list!! Happy Birthday Amazing Mom!! I want to be you when I grow up 🙂 it sounds like your faith seeps out in all you do!
Wishing you the most wonderful birthday. Thank you for being obedient in your calling. Love and appreciate you so much.
Happy Birthday. We daughters sure do love our Mamas.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BETH!
Happy birthday!!
Happy Birthday, Beth!
I will always look up to you for your passion for Jesus and sharing your faith. I have loved every Bible study of yours that I’ve completed.
Have a blessed day!
Happy Birthday to a lady whose Bible studies have greatly impacted me over the past couple years. I was first introduced to your studies by my best friend, Karen, about two years ago. My husband, soul-mate, absolute best friend, person who always had my back – was very surprisingly diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. Your Bible studies have helped me draw closer to God during this time and since his death in Oct. of 2013. I truly believe that my friend was led by God to share your studies. My first was James – so it especially holds a special place in my heart. Thank you for being you! I hope you have a very special day filled with lots of love and cake – no workouts!
Wow!!! Happy Birthday Beth to such a beautiful WOMAN OF GOD!!! I hope my daughter can say half as many lovely things as your daughter had to say about you!! Be blessed beyond measure.
Sincerely,
GG
Beth! A very happy birthday to you! Please know the blessing your teaching continues to be in my life and hopefully the growth & maturity that goes along with everything learned! Be blessed on your special day! Love you!
My dear and sweet Beth… I met you at Houston’s first passion conference…. And my friend you are truly beautiful in person!!! Hahahah… I can’t thank God enough for your life and the way He uses you! You are His masterpiece! Today we celebrate your life! Thanks for your willingness to obey God and by your obedience set us a sweet example! Enjoy your day! You are truly a virtuous woman! Blessings!!
happy birthday! May God bless you and keep you.
Happy Birthday Ms. Beth! You have impacted my life more than you will ever know. Thanks for the gift of you that you give to us all through your studies. May this be a year of abundant blessings!
Christi S
Happy Birthday, Beth. Thank you so much for blessing the rest of us with gift of insight and understanding of God’s Holy work. We are the ones blessed by the day of your birth.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU BETH, A WONDERFUL SISTER IN THE LORD!!!
I look forward to hearing what God has placed on your heart when you come to MKE in August!
Blessings to you!! May you be renewed and refreshed in each new day!
Hugs! Lyndsay Wilson
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for leading with words of grace and truth! Blessings to you and your family today.
Happy Birthday, Beth! I’ve been blessed by your studies and faithful ministry. Thank you for sharing the truth of God’s Word!
Happy Birthday!
Have a wonderful birthday! I thank God that you answered the call to go into to ministry. You have been a extreme influence on me and my walk with the Lord. Your bible studies have graced my life since your started your first one. I was in college and it changed my life. I feel as though you have been with me through all my ups and downs. Thank you for pouring your heart to us and being transparent about your struggles. I know we do not personally know each other, but I feel as though we do. May your birthday be blessed!
Happy Birthday, Beth! I always enjoy watching you speak on Life Today. You’re messages always encourage me! 🙂
Happy Birthday to my sister in Christ who has taught me so much through her studies! I am forever changed! May your birthday & the year ahead be filled with God’s favor!!
Happy Birthday. I just attended your event in Tampa and was so inspired. Even at 46, I am realizing I need to Let Go and Let God heal me from my childhood baggage that I buried deep within. Continue sharing God’s word it is such a blessing.
Happy Birthday Beth! What a beautiful post- made me cry…such love…
Happy birthday Beth!! You encourage me every day! I hope you feel especially loved and blessed today! And I pray I sew the kind of love into my children’s hearts like you have! What a tribute!
Happy Birthday from the mission field on the Indegenous reservation of Panama. I thank God for His ministry through you and your team. If you only knew the blessing you have been in my life,,,,,
Happiest of birthdays to you Chica!!,