**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! Besides my own mom, you have influenced me as a woman in Christ more than any other. I praise God for you.
Happy Happy Birthday Beth! You are such a blessing to so many! God has used you over and over again to speak directly to my heart! You are loved sweet one!
Happy Birthday Beth!! Hope your day has been as awesome as you are!! 🙂 <3
Happy , joyous Birthday Beth ! You’re natural gift of humor,
storytelling , love of Jesus and knowledge of His word has so
often been a lifeline for me .
Happy Birthday Beth! I hope your day is full of blessings & thank you for all that you give to so many of us.
Dear Beth, HAPPY BIRTHDAY ,
You are such a great teacher of Gods word and I am blessed to be a part of one of your studies. Thanks for all you do in building the church.
Happiest of birthdays to you Beth! You are an inspiration to me! Enjoy your day!
Carrie
happy birthday Beth Moore- you might not know this but we have laughed cried and become more rooted in Jesus together. You were a welcomed face getting me through 18 months of chemo and treatment. I thank God for your faithfulness and the pure joy of Jesus that you exude.
Happy Birthday Beth!!! Blessings in the year ahead. I have completed several of your Bible studies. These studies have helped me grow in my relationship with Jesus. Thank you! You are definitely using your God given talents.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to a beautiful woman of God. May your day be filled with those you love. May God continue to bless you and the work you do for Him. You have blessed many people and we surely do love you – our Siesta.
Happy birthday, Beth! You don’t know me but I feel like I know you through the BMoore Bible studies I have done. But we both know Jesus and that makes related!! Happy birthday, my sister in Christ.
Happy Birthday!!!
Happy Birthday, Beth! Your life has definitely been a blessing to me. Unfortunately for you, I feel like I know you…if I lived in Houston, I would probably be stalking you at your fave coffee shop! Really, I would love to sit across a table from you, and just talk about Jesus and life! I hope you have had or will be having a piece of cake with butter cream icing and ice cream. Sorry, no Blue Bell. . Happy Birthday
A Beloved Birthday to you Beth! Wishing you many more wonderful years sharing Jesus. Thank you for your teachings, it has made huge changes in my life!
I wish I had the words to express how grateful I am for the woman you are! I hope you’ve had a beautiful day. Happy birthday!!
What a beautiful posting from your daughter Melissa! Her words brought a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. Words can not convey how much I owe you Beth….your books and teachings have taught me so much. I pray blessings over you! Happy Birthday – with much love, Renee
Wishing you Beth a very Happy Birthday. I’m sure it was great and a blessing. Thank you for being obedient to the Lord. I can’t even imagine where a lot of us would be if you had just not answered the Lord. I thank you for who you are and appreciate you more than you will ever know. My the Lord continue to bless you and your family and LP. Happy Birthday Beth.
Happy birthday sweet Beth!!! You are an inspiration and always pointing to our precious Lord Jesus. God has so blessed you with such a passion and gift … I hope I can know Him half as well as you!!
Happy Birthday! Thankful for you!
Happy Birthday Beth, Praying you will have a fabulous Birthday! God has greatly blessed you and you are one of the greatest gifts God has blessed me with (He opened my eyes to a whole new understanding of Himself and His Word through your studies) and I pray He will continue to pour out His awesome blessings on you.
With Love,
Anita
Beth, birthday blessings to one who has fanned my own heart to love and live God’s Word for myself and is also my calling. I love her heart for the Word and for women. May this next year be filled with God’s finest and richest blessings! Yours, because I’m His, Diane
Happy Birthday, Beth! I really do feel like we are friends sometimes. I have learned so much about God from you and your teaching! We are blessed to know you, even if only a little bit!
Tori from NC
I’m sure I’m too late to post but I must say to Miss Beth a big, happy birthday! Words can’t express how much I’ve come to love and admire the Jesus in you because I’ve facilitated so many of your bible studies. Wishes you many, many more!!!
Happy Birthday Beth, though we have never met personally you have encouraged me to attempt to memorize verses. I have wanted to give up, but to be honest my reward to continue is to see you at the end of the year. So I am still trying. Thank you for your joy and your compassion, may this year bring you even closer to Christ.
Happy birthday, Beth!! Thank you shining bright for Jesus in everything you do! Your love for God is contagious. Thank you for showing me how to love God and His Word through your Bible studies. My you feel God smiling down on you as He rejoices over you with singing and says, “happy birthday. You are dearly loved”
Celebrating you, lovely Beth, and feeling so very grateful for all God does through you and your buddies at LPL! I know that your birthday is already happy because, as a mom and a fellow mom of two girlies, I’m certain this post made you so happy and thankful and you probably fell on your face in praise to a God who would create such a family and such love. I’m thankful God has gifted you with that, too! I hope and pray you have a day as beautiful as your girls are. Enjoy!! (Melissa, you are a creative, adorable treasure!)
Happy Birthday! Hope you had a wonderful day & are celebrating with family. Melissa, your tribute to your mom was beautiful.
Happy Birthday to a lady who inspires me to walk closer with Jesus. Melissa, what a beautiful gift to your Mom.
All best wishes for your birthday!
Blessings & Aloha,
Tracy
Happy Birthday! You are such a blessing to countless people!
Happy Birthday Beth! How you inspire me!
Happy birthday Beth!!! I pray your day is full of as much laughter and blessing as you can possibly take in until your cup is overflowing. Oh and cake…
Happy blessed birthday Beth!!
I pray The Lord abundantly blesses you today with the knowledge that you are loved, appreciated and cherished by so many. Your faithfulness to God has been so instrumental in my life as a believer searching for more of Jesus, as a mother who longs to serve and teach my daughters the truth, as a women’s leader that desires to equip others and as a friend who wants to make a difference and impact the world. You bless me and your life will continue to touch others for generations to come! The Lord must be smiling today so big as He thinks of the day he created you! Have a wonderful day and enjoy your family!!
Blessings,
De
Happy Birthday, Beth. Thank you for sharing all God has shared with you. You will never know, until heaven, the impact you have made. God bless.
Happy Birthday to you…Happy Birthday to you…Happy Birthday Dear Beth…Happy Birthday to you…!!!!
Oh how I have admired you since I did a study about 13 years ago. I believe it was Jesus the One and Only. I love how you teach the Word, how you make us laugh, how you share your life and how you show us Jesus! Have a super, wonderful, blessed day sweet lady!!!
Happy Birthday Beth! You are such a blessing to so may and such a special woman of God. May today and this next year be filled with the Lords richest blessings!
Happy birthday Beth!
Thank you for coming to Tampa and sharing with all of us your stories and the gift God has given you. I especially want to thank you for the story of the Miracle Boy. I was reminded that even though there has been bad things and tragedy in my life, I am a Miracle Girl. If it had not been for God’s hand in my life growing up, I’m pretty sure I would not be right where He wants me to be today. That story was exactly what I needed to hear. I am so blessed and it is my honor and privilege to share what I learn from Him with other women. I thank God for all the women out there who give their time and life in the service of others. God bless you Beth, and God bless you my dear sisters!
Happy Birthday Siesta!!!!!
I keep thinking that maybe one day I will run into you in a store or airport and think of what I would say. I’d probably just start crying like I am now as I write this. You are amazing and I am forever grateful for the impression you have made on me and the impact of your ministry in my life. Thank you and God Bless You and Yours
Happy Birthday Beth!!!! You are a wonderful woman whom I love. Thank you for allowing God to work in you.
Happy Birthday, Wanda Elizabeth. I love you even if I win nothing
happy birthday, Beth! Your bible studies have grown me up! I’ve done ALL of yours and only have one more to go! Thank you, thank you, thank you!! It must be hard being best friend to so many woman you haven’t met yet! I’m coming to see you in Milwaukee… Cannot wait! All God’s very best to you on your birthday and in the coming year!
happt Birthday Beth! I have enjoyed you and your ministry for years now. Thank you so much and thank Our Father God for you!
Happy birthday! Your studies have brought me so much closer to God. I have a great passion for His Word! Not just to learn but apply to my life. Thank you for your willingness to serve.
Happy Birthday Beth Moore ! Thank you for leading us this summer in our Siesta Bible Memory Verses! I am memorizing the Armor of God !!! 🙂
Happy Birthday! You are worth celebrating! Your daughters words of honor, truth and blessing are what most mothers including myself hope for. Thank you for being a shining light of holy hunger and love for all of us and especially your family. Birthday blessings to you.
Well said Melissa! Happy birthday Beth!
Happy Birthday, Mrs Beth!
The Lord has spoken truth into my life through you so many times! I’m so thankful for your life and your willingness to spend it being used by the Lord! Much love to you and your beautiful family!
Happy Birthday Beth! Doing your breaking free study for the first time and thanking God for you..
Happy Birthday, Beth Moore! Thank you for being obedient to what God has called you to do. May He bless you and your loved ones!!
Happy Birthday Beth!!
You bring the Bible to life for me! I so miss it when a study ends!
I saw you in Sioux Falls and look forward to Fargo in August!
Waiting for you to come to more cities in Canada!