**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. Thanks for being such a blessing to my life!
Happy Birthday Beth. You have been a blessing to many. Your words and encouragement have been very special in my journey over the past few years. A journey I did not choose but where I find myself with God, I can now say “Thank You”! Continue to share God’s truth, abundance love, and faithfulness to many who are listening! Happy many more days celebrating life! judy
GOODNESS GRACIOUS I am HAPPY YOU WERE BORN!!! Yes- this is a day to celebrate!! HAPPYYYYY BIRTHDAYYYY BETH!!!!
Happy happy birthday Beth! What a beautiful post for a great Godly woman, momma and grandmam. I am so blessed to be born at such a time as this to have a great teacher encourage me in the Word and to fall in love with Jesus more and more every day! Hugs!
Happy Birthday dear Beth. You are one of the best Bible teachers that I’ve known. I have done almost all your Bible studies. And I am thank God for you always.
Happy Birthday!!!
Looking forward to seeing you soon in Boise. So very thankful for you!
HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Beth! ! ! Hope it’s a great one. Praying God’s richest blessings on you today and always. Thank you for all the ways your teaching has blessed my life for so many years.
Jan
Happy Birthday mama Beth, I’ve been taught so much grace through your studies. I Love Jesus more with each bible study!
Happy birthday, Beth!
Happy Birthday, Beth!!! You are beloved of our Father and highly favored. Praying that you had the best birthday ever and that God’s richest blessings will be yours in the year to come. God has used your Bible studies to teach and challenge me more than I have ever been. Thank you for coming alongside all of us to love and teach, because you know we all feel like you are our best friend. I love the photos I have of us at the last SSMT Celebration and can’t wait until January to do it all over again! Much love to you!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETH! Love you.
Celebrating your birth-day!! May God continue to provide endless blessings and grace! Cheers from sunny California!
Happy Birthday Beth! When I hear you speak, I feel I’m right there with you. Your love for the Lord is very real and you allow your Father God to lead you and fill you just spills over and blesses so many! God Bless You Always!!
Happy birthday Beth! Growing up my mother was ALWAYS reading one of your books or doing one of your bible studies. One of my favorite memories was waking up in the morning and sitting with my mom on the couch before school and her reading to me your bible studies. You touch so many lives! I hope you have the most wonderful birthday!
The Happiest of Birthdays to you Beth Moore!!!! Your ministry (and your daughters’ ministries) have deeply impacted my life! I am so so thankful for your obedience to follow Jesus!
I would so love to have one of those Key Word Bibles for a dear friend of mine. She very recently decided Jesus is worth it. She knows pretty much nothing about scripture. We have had so many good conversations out of her pure desire to learn about His word. I believe she would use and appreciate one of the Bibles. Two days ago she was on a boat and one of her friends, who would not swim, fell overboard and drowned in front of her. The body was not recovered until about 5:30 this morning. Sadly, the woman who has become a mentor to her in Jesus looked at her in the middle of her pain and informed her that she should have never been on that boat and she got herself into “this situation” instead of holding her and encouraging her. She and the others who witnessed this tragedy could most definitely use the prayers of anyone who is willing to pray.
Correction: COULD NOT swim.
Happy birthday my friend..you have influenced, mentored, equipped this saint for the work of the ministry in ways too numerous to count. As I have rejoiced at another personal mentor of mine, Elisabeth Elliott, flying straight in the arms of Jesus this very week, I’m grateful to have this opportunity to celebrate, thank Him for you Beth. For your willingness to be His broken bread, poured out wine to those very near to you, and all us Siestas scattered, yet placed strategically and intentionally across the face of the earth! “When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be, when we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and SHOUT the victory!”
Happy birthday to one Mrs. Beth Moore, one of the clearest and inspiring instruments of the Lord I have ever seen! Mlilions of us are grateful for your birth and for your life. You are a blessing!
Happy Birthday to my very first (and absolute best!) female Bible teacher. From you I have learned so much! Thank you for what you do!
Happy birthday Beth! God has really used you in my life
May the LORD bless you and keep you this day and make His face to shine upon you and give you peace today and this coming year. Happiest birthday love and prayers, spiritual mama Beth. You are loved and beloved of God.
Beth,
You are the one God has used to mentor me into and through this thing called Women’s Ministry for 14 years. Blessings to you, and the happiest of birthdays!!!
Love in Him,
Patty Garvin
Happy Birthday!!!!
Happy Birthday Beth! I am curremtly teaching my first Bible Studys – Children of the Day!
Hope you have a wonderful day!
Happy birthday from Misawa Japan!!! thank you for your ministry and example. 🙂
Happy, Happy Birthday Beth! Your bible studies have touched my heart for years. Years ago, I watched your video teaching in Califprnia & prayed that my dear sister in Texas, my best friend, would someday be sitting in your Buble study & that I would see her in your video audience as the Lord worked in her heart. My sister, a single mom, was transferred cross country to Texas 12 years ago. I use to tell her about your studies & pray that she would desire to open a bible. One day, she told me a lady (she had only met once) approached her & asked her if she would like to join a group of other women who would be taking an hour commute once a week to attend your Bible study in Houston. She agreed (after her hour drive home from work in Houston). She started attending & her faith has grown & grown to the point that she is a mentor to me & many others. One of the best gifts the Lord gave me was going to visit her & we say in one of your bible studies. I’ll never forget sitting there thanking God for answering my prayer that not only could she be sitting in your study, but I could be right there with her soaking in His goodness & His promises as he answered my prayer through you! Oh how you bless me!!!.
I don’t care about the giveaway, but I certainly hope I’m not too late to wish you a very happy (belated) birthday! (agh!) I clearly didn’t get the post on the 15th and I’m sorry for that.
I told my sister one time recently, “Beth Moore is my idol,” and then laughed as I realized what I’d said. I followed up that comment with, “Oh my word! she’d kill me if she ever heard me say that!” haha
I know I’m not allowed to have idols (and I really don’t want one) and you certainly would refuse to be one if someone suggested it, but do you remember the old commercial where the little boy says, “I wanna be like Mike!”? Well, that’s how I feel. Only I can honestly say, “I wanna be like Beth!”
Melissa’s description of you was perfect. I want to thank your family for sharing you with us 🙂
I pray your day was abundantly blessed!
Love, Carolyn
Happy Birthday, Ms. Beth! I am so incredibly thankful that the Lord created you to go into the world for women’s ministry. Your books, sermons, and Bible studies have inspired me for years to walk with the Lord, and to love His Word! Thank you for serving the Lord!
Happy Birthday, Beth. May God bless you with many more birthdays as you serve Him ministering to so many. May you continue to have the joy of watching you children and grandchildren serve, love, and grow in Christ. Thank you for how your work has blessed my life. Thank you for being faithful. May you have a wonderful day!!
Happy birthday Beth! How blessed you are to have her as a mom! Shes given me knowledge and guided my personal relationships with Jesus. I will forever be grateful.
Happy Birthday Beth!! You have helped me to understand God’s Word in such a personal way. I am eternally grateful:)
Happy Birthday Beth, You have been such a good teacher I was so blessed to find you that night on the radio.I am better today for having found you, have a wonderful birthday filled
with love.
I sang Happy Birthday to you Beth! As a part of that raucous Tampa group at the Sun Dome, we had the privilege of experiencing the sweet, sweet spirit if the Lord together as sisters in Christ. I celebrate our Father’s creation of YOU!
Happy Birthday, Beautiful Beth! Love & Blessings on you!
Happy Birthday Beth! What a sweet blog from your daughter. Her love for you was expressed so beautifully.
Your zeal has given me courage to live w a demonstrative holy spirit lady
Like pleasing to the Lord way of praising him, repenting, receiving all that the triune desires for me, for us
Happy b d sista
Oh, goodness! What a sweet post! Happiest of birthdays!!!
Happy Birthday Beth!
I met you nearly 10 years ago in a women’s bible study in San Jose, Ca (I didn’t meet you face to face…just in the study) I continued to do bible studies over the years with you and saw a part of Jesus I never knew. I’m always blessed through your studies, short video sessions, podcasts and books. Your life has touched mine in so many ways…I love you Beth Moore and thank you for everything that you do for Him.
Love always,
Cassandra
Happy Birthday, Beth!!! Hope your day has been filled with joy and blessings!
Just finished your bible study, Children of the Day! Thank you!
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETH!” God Bless you every day of this new year!
I have not met you, but can honestly say – I love you too!
I love your many facets too! But never like a daughter!
My bday was earlier in the month – it is my Jubilee year… I hope your year is Jubilant too!
OOHHH I also wanted to say, hope we get to see a picture of the grand-pup too! Thanks Melissa.
Happy birthday!
Happy, happy birthday, what a beautiful post !
Happy Birthday Beth!!! I so Loved singing with Travis and his Amazing team in Tampa for your Birthday:) Thank you for your Love for so many women & Your Love for Jesus….it is contagious:)))) You are Loved Rhonda
Happy Birthday Miss Beth! Thank you for everything!
Happy Birthday Beth! God bless you on the day that commemorates your birth as well as the rest of the 364 days this year!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BETH!! May God bless you even more than He already has this next Birthday year! (And We know He will because He’s awesome like that!)
I am so thankful for your love for Jesus that spilled over to so many of us….simply because you wrote “some” Bible Studies. Because of your obedience to God, so many women (and Men! Grin), have allowed their hearts and lives to be transformed through studying scripture. I am one of them….and I know of atleast 7 more just from our small study group.
Love you Siesta! ❤️
Enjoy your Day!!
I’m sure nothing you hear today will top your daughter saying that you “utterly dazzle” her. How blessed you are. Happy Birthday, Beth! May you be “utterly dazzled”. Much love, Sister.
Happy birthday Beth!!! I have led a group for the last 4 years, rotating your studies and we ALL love you! Hope your day is full of blessings!
Birthday Blessings to my mentor and friend over the past 19 years…….even though you don’t even know me! You and your Bible Studies God so orchestrated each of them to fall just at the time I needed them. Whether it was the difficult times…death of my husband at the age of 40, the death of my son at the age of 24, pregnant unwed daughters, wayward children or the heights of joys…weddings, births, testimonies and spiritual victories. Thank you for allowing God to use you and your faithful ministry to draw me closer to my Heavenly Father! I will be eternally grateful for you investment in my life! May your birthday be filled with overflow blessings from our Father!
Wishing you blessings and joy for the year to come ~ happy birthday Beth!
Happy Birthday Beth!!!! We love getting to know you and hanging out with you on Wednesday nights as we go through your studies!