**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!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SWEET SIESTA! You truly are a gift from God. A Psalm 31 woman. I love what a vessel you are willing to be to be such a blessing to so many. If you only knew what lives you have councelled, led, prayed over, guided, and unconditionally loved through tough and unbelievable times. I know your daughters are so proud of you. Thank them because I know they too have sacrificed and shared you with so many others. May God bless you on your special day, and continue n he to guide you in ministry.
With His Great Love, your sister in Christ,
Becca Mitchell
Happy Birthday Beth,
Heaven danced on the day you were born and exploded with joy on the day you were reborn!
What a delight you are to your Father.
How blessed I am to share life with you.
A happy and blessed birthday!! 🙂
Happy Birthday sweet sister in Christ! Your daughter did a beautiful job of honoring you. Thank you for your faithfulness to God and His Word and your love for your fellow sisters. May God continue to bless you and your family and ministry, abundantly above what you could ever ask or think. You are a blessing!!!
Happy Birthday to a beautiful woman who has such a beautiful daughter to write such lovely things. I can only pray my daughter will think those same things about me someday.
Happy Birthday, Beth! Praying Gods’ blessings will fall down on you like a fresh spring shower throughout the coming year!!
Beth, we have all been so blessed that not only have you been chosen to share God’s Word, but that you chose to accept the call. I have done and taught several of your Bible studies and each time my heart has been touched and my walk deepened!Happy birthday dear sister! May you blessed beyond measure!
Happy Birthday, Beth. Loving your Bible Study on Revelation this summer! May God’s richest blessings be yours you on your special day.
Happy Birthday, Beth! Thank you for being such a wonderful blessing!!
Dear Dear Beth,
I have laughed with you, cried with you, and cringed with you! My husband is in your book, Voices of the Faithful! I’ve led many of your studies and when I was younger participated in them and died to myself to live deeper and deeper into the heart of God! Thank you! Thank you for being faithful to remain on your face and faithful to continue to go lower! I bless you with the grace of God and nothing short of Holy Spirit possession!!! May you experience the Presence of God on a daily basis, and walk in love! I love you!!!
Happy Birthday!
Katie McHargue
Happy Birthday to you Beth!! I am SO very thankful to God for you, and to you for allowing Him to set you free and then teach all of us how to take hold of His hand and walk with Him into that freedom.
Blessings to you (a little late) for your birthday and all through the coming year.
<3
Happy Birthday Beth!!!! Your name is special to me because that is the name of our youngest daughter. She passed away at 29 yr old of septic shock suddenly in 2013. She left 2 6 yr old boys. Anyway I attended the live event in Tampa this past weekend with my oldest daughter who loves you also. Your message touched my heart and I feel restored in my relationship with God and also with my daughter. You are a blessing to so many. I could have stayed and listened to you for a long time. Bless you and I hope you have the best birthday ever.
Oh goodness Connie. We are so very sorry to hear of the sudden loss of your daughter. Praying for the Lord’s continued nearness to you as you watch those precious boys grow up. May they come to know the love of God early in life!
Happy Birthday, Mrs. Beth! Thank you for writing in depth Bible studies. Jesus has used so many of your Bible studies to change my life. Truly His word is alive and active, and I have experienced that in large part because of what He has done in your life and through your teaching! I hope your day has been fabulous!
Happy birthday!!!!!
Happy Birthday Beth and in your own words dear sister!!! You have brought me closer to God through your words and wisdom! Through your bible studies I have grown to love and thirst after God and his word ! Have a wonderful day and a Gods grace forever shine upon you!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEET BETH!! You are loved by all of US but primarily by our incredibly generous God.
Happy Birthday Beth!! I am so thankful for you and the Living Proof ministry. I look forward to seeing you in Greenville, SC in July.
You have a beautiful family! God bless you, my dear sister!!
Happy birthday, Beth! Had a blast with ladies from my small group at your Tampa appearance. It refilled (“re” the most beautiful pre-fix in history ) me for the Word. Thankful that you share your energetic love for God with us.
Blessings,
Tracy
Happy Birthday Beth! What a blessing your “yes” to God has been to so many of us. Praying that you will be blown away by His sweet presence and love in the coming year. Eat cake! 🙂
It may be too late for the drawing, but this wish is no less sincere. Happy birthday, Beth Moore. Thank you for answering the Lord’s calling in your life. I have been blessed by your teachings.
Happy birthday, Beth! You have touched my life in more ways than you could ever know. Hope it will be a fantastic year for you!
Happy Birthday, Beth.
I pray that you’re having a blessed one! I am so thankful for your service to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He has used you mightily in my life and by touching mine has gone on to touch other’s in my life as well. You are loved. 🙂
Happiest of birthdays to a fellow adjourned who has inspired in me a deep yearning to dig into the Word for myself. Blessings!
Sojourner. Mercy, auto-correct……
So grateful for you, Beth! I have no doubt you are being celebrated deeply and well by those closest to you, hopefully with a meal that includes at least one course of nothing but chips and salsa. xo
Happy Birthday and God’s continued blessings on you, your family and your ministry.
Happy Birthday Miss Beth! I am so thankful for you and your Bible studies. Us college girls love you! 🙂
Happy Birthday Beth. Please know I am better for being under your teaching. I have been so honored to see you on video and in conferences. One very soon in Ohio. Your tenderness has reached my wounded heart more times than I can count. Your strong deep love of our Father has challenged me to fight for nothing less. Thank you so much for hearing His call and saying yes because I know there have been some hard painful seasons and yet you take us with you so that we too can grow from our pain as you have. You have my heart but then sisters are like that❗️
Happy Birthday Blessings, Beth!! May you have all the joy your heart can hold on your special day!! God bless you always!!
From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.
John 1:16
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Beth!!! I am so thankful that you have shared your life and God’s Wotd with us! Your authenticity is so refreshing!!!! Hope you have a wonderful birthday! Love you!!!!!
Happy birthday, Miss Beth!!! You have blessed so many. So thankful for you and your love for God and His Word!!!
Happy, Happy Birthday to my favorite Bible study teacher and the one who led me back into the arms of my Savior. Can’t wait to see you in Greenville, South Carolina next month!
Happy Birthday Beth! Blessings to THE woman who changed my life, my mom’s life and my sister’s life. You have no idea what kind of impact you have had on us. We LOVE you! xoxoxox
Happy, Happy Birthday Beth!
I hope and pray your day is fabulous celebrating beautiful, Godly, anointed, sweet,
brilliant, precious, funny, YOU!!!!
Thank you for who you are and for showing us women who Jesus is and who we are in Him!
Not only am I a better woman, wife and mom because of your heart for God but I know Him better and therefore I know me better!
I pray that God continue to bless you and your family more than you could ever ask or imagine!
And may my daughter speak of me an ounce of the way yours speaks of you!
“And they shall rise and call her blessed!”
Thank you and again Happiest of Birthdays!
Misty Sanders
Happy Birthday Beth. Love your life and ministry.
Happy Birthday Beth!
Happy birthday, Beth! Thank you for being a constant source of solid teaching in my life since college! You are a true blessing!
Happy Birthday Beth! This is your birthday song, it
isn’t very long HEY!!
You are a gift to us all! Have the happiest of moments
on your special day!
~Sherri
Spring Hill, Tn
Happy Birthday, Beth! You have so inspired me, thank you.
Dearest Beth, Christ in you has made a wave of difference in me….and therefore in my family. You are a treasure and so very loved. May God continually wash you afresh with His presence. He loves you the best! Love, Holly
A very Happy Birthday to you Beth! You are an amazing woman and I have been so blessed to have done my first bible study with your Book of Daniel bible study. While doing your studies online, I feel like I am listening to a friend and laugh right along with your jokes and hang on every word. Currently I am studying the Book of Esther with you.
Your daughters are so lucky to have you as a mom and role model for everything Christ like.
I hope your birthday is as beautiful as you are!
Happy Birthday Miss Beth!! I attended Living Proof Live in Tampa last weekend. It was wonderful and I feel very blessed and excited for what God has planned. I pray you have a blessed day and fulfilled year.
Happy Happy Happy Birthday to a wonderful Godly woman. Melissa, what a beautiful post honoring your mother and for sharing it with all of us.
Happy Birthday to my favorite bible study teacher, been a fan since 2001. My husband moved us away from our small town several states away from my family. God blessed us with a small church family and the ladies bible study was doing Jesus the one and only! My life has for ever been changed. 7 plus studies, multiple lectures series a handful of simulcasts. Thank you so much for following God’s calling on your life.
Dear Sweet Sister, Beth,
What a JOY! To be allowed to let you know, I truly Thank God for you. To wish you a beautiful gift. Asking God to enrich your life and Thank God for the blessings & beautiful day HE created you, and gave your family, friends and those of us who Praise God for the Day HE gave us you! Happy Birthday doesn’t convey the depth & truth of the Amazing Joy to say, Thank you, Lord for Blessing us with Beth this day & alwsys on this day. Happy Blessings, Beth! Thank you,Lord, for creating a beautiful gift to honor every year upon her special day. Thank you, for creating Beth, uniquely her own after Your own heart oh, Lord. Happy, Praise God for Beth day!
Happy Birthday, Beth! Thank you for following Jesus and encouraging us to do the same! God bless you!!!
Hey, Beth!
Happy birthday! We share many things : first, today is my birthday,too. Second. I also went to Sourhwest Texas 72-76, third, I have daughters,also. I appreciate your ministry so much. Thank you! May God bless you this year!
Happy Birthday!! Thanks for being such a faithful servant. Your bible studies have led me to a deeper knowledge and love for Jesus.
Happy Birthday Beth! Blessings to you!
Happy Birthday, Beth! I’m so grateful that the Lord created you! I pray that you have a very blessed day celebrating wonderful you! You are a treasure and I thank God for your life! See you in Greenville, SC!!!!
Much love, Sharon