**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.
=================
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 all you do to lead us to Jesus!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Beth! Praying you have had a very blessed day! Your ministry and love for our Lord has blessed and encouraged me beyond measure!
Beth, I am a 67 year old mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. About 8 years ago my sister-in-law invited me to one of your conferences in South Carolina and I want to say that it changed my life. I have been to 3 other conferences and 2 deeper still. I’ve also participated in a few Bible studies. I want to wish you a Blessed and Happy Birthday. Thank you for letting God use you to teach the Word so richly.
Marsha
Happiest of Birthdays Beth!
I think I’m too late for the gift entry, but couldn’t pass the chance to let you know our small group of mommas just finished the Esther study and WOW what a life changer! Hope you have a blessed day….sorry for the whole Megillah
A happy, happy BIRTHDAY to you, Beth! You have blessed me beyond measure with your bible studies, books and video tapes! May God richly bless you for many years to come!
Happy Birthday Miss Beth! It’s nice to share your birthday with you. This would have been my Moms 80th birthday today! We celebrated her 10th birthday in heaven on June 11. This day has been hard because not only missing her but was told I have to do chemo. My Mom was such a inspiration to me and everyone around her. She was always sharing Gods word. So I pray this has been a wonderful birthday! In Christian Love Karen.
Birthday Blessings, Beth!
I hope I am within the 24-hour limit, as this just now popped into my newsfeed. Happiest of birthdays to you, Beth! You don’t know what a blessing you have been to me. Last fall we used your study of David, and it has brought me ever closer to believing that maybe, just maybe, I haven’t messed up too much, that God loves me and can used me just as I am.
Grateful for you, Beth! Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to a lady i admire so much!!
Beth, Hope you have a wonderful birthday. Thanks for the wonderful studies you have put together. Have a blessed day!!
Happy Happy Birthday.!i wish you the best. I am eternally grateful for your ministry!
A special HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you Beth! Even though I have never had the great privilege of meeting you in person, I do know a couple of special people here in Sprinfield, Missouri. We are right at the same age with daughters close to the same age so it’s nice to share a few things in common. May you be blessed in this great upcoming year of life in Christ.
Happy Birthday Beth! I hope you are surrounded by love and blessing by friends and family on your special day. I know the Lord was so excited on the day you were born — I bet he had a special talk with angels telling them to, “Watch this — you are gonna love her!” Thanks for years of mentoring and blessing. I am crazy about you and your ministry.
Happy Birthday to a wonderful Sister in Christ and a true blessing as I have learned much about Bible study and memorization from you!
Happy Birthday, dear Beth! Thank you for how you have made an impact on so many lives with your love for Jesus!
happy Birthday Beth!! May God bless you today and in the coming year with great health, wealth, and an abundance of great friends to bring you joy!
Beth
Happy Birthday to one incredibly blessed woman, who in turns blesses millions more! Thank you for giving me the desire to know the Word!
Happy Birthday Beth!
I had to laugh when I came to realize my current Bible has so many notes from your studies, LPM cd/dvd teachings and Life Today programs – some might say I have a Beth Moore Study Bible!!! I am free to be me in Him because of how He has so mightily used your ministry in my life. Thank you is just not enough,
Leigh Hamilton
Happy Birthday Beth. It was one of your bible studies that opened my eyes to how great is His love for me. Thank you for living a life in full abandon to our Redeemer! We all get to benefit from it.
Happy Birthday, Beth! May Jesus continue to pour many blessings into your life and the lives of your family. Thank you for your honesty, openness, and humor that you give each day to so many. Thank you for your example of being a humble servant. I, for one, am so thankful Jesus saved you!
Happy Birthday, Beth! Thank you for your faithfulness to God and your family. Through the example of passionately loving and pursuing God, you encourage me to keep going. We are girls seeking God’s heart, and I thank the Lord for you!
Happiest of birthdays! Wishing you fabulously blessed day and year ahead.
Happy Birthday Beth. I feel as though you are a dear friend, after many years of multiple Beth Moore studies it seems fitting to wish you a happy birthday. It’s always sad when a study comes to an end, sometimes I wish you were my neighbor and we could sit across the table over a cup of coffee and dig into the word together. Thank you for all you do for Us as well as your family.
What a gift you truely are. The comment about being born at high noon in a fierce thunderstorm… Is hysterical. I love the stories!!
Thanks so much for sharing and including us in your special day.
Love ya all!!
Kim Dugan
Happy Birthday to an amazing woman whose love of the Lord has stretched me and enriched me!
Happy birthday!! Thank you for your ministry. It has been a blessing to me.
Happy birthday, Beth!! You deserve the best! Melissa, you rock. What a cool idea! Peace and blessings 🙂
Happy Birthday, Beth! Cannot even begin to thank you for the the hand you’ve had in strengthening my relationship with Jesus! My heart overfills with joy. My your day be filled with joy and all the wonderfulness this life has to give…and THEN SOME!
Happy Birthday, Beth!!
Thank you for all the things I have learned from you. Thank you for the love & joy you bring to everyone. May God continue to bless you!
Mary
Happy Birthday! Hope you have a very blessed day.
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for Siesta memory team! I am hiding God’s Word in my heart. May you have many more blessed years!
Happy Birthday, Beth! And many more!
Happy Birthday Beth! The Lord brought you into my life about 13 yrs ago when I did your study “A Heart Like His” with my church. I had no idea who you were but I loved the title of the study and I was blessed tremendously by it. Since then I have done all of your bible studies and I’m always so blessed by your transparency, your love for Jesus & His Word!
Happiest of birthdays, Dear Mama Beth! May your trip around the sun be full to overflowing with blessings of love and laughter!
Happy Birthday Beth! Have a wonderful birthday!
Birthday blessings, siesta mama!! Thank you for making Gods Word come to life and be relevant!!
Happy birthday and thank you for following Gad calling He had for you. I t have impacted my life and has help me grow closer the Jesus in ways I never thought possible. Happy Birthday again. We June girls need to stick together.
Happy Birthday Beth!!!! Hope you had a great day. What a great selection of giveaways.
Happy Birthday Beth!!! I hope you are having a fabulous day! May the coming year be full of many blessings!
Happy Birthday Beth! What a wonderful honor and blessing to have your daughter write such a beautiful blog about you. You have sowed well. My best friend in 2007 gave me my very first bible study, A Woman’s Heart. That study opened my eyes to Christ and began the process of release from my captivity. Thank you. Many times I have prayed for you and for the work you do. You are a blessing to us all. Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday! I praise God that you were obedient to His call for your life, He has touched so many through you. Thank You!
Happy Birthday Beth! My God bless you and keep you, may he make his face shine upon you ND bring you his peace.
Happy birthday! 🙂
Happy Birthday to the woman who apart from Jesus an the Holy Spirit has to get credit for most of my spiritual growth and keeps me close to Him and in His Word! Thank u for answering His call.
Beth, may you be blessed with the best birthday yet! Happy Birthday! You’re amazing.
Happy Birthday, Beth. What a wonderful tribute from your daughter. Thank you so much for writing your Bible studies. I believe I have done almost all of them,have come to some of your conferences, and watched you on TV. You are such a blessing to me. God has used you and your Bible studies to challenge me, strengthen me, guide me, help me develop a closer walk with Jesus, and so much more. I have even led several in my Church – which was a big stretch for me. Enjoyed it immensely though. May our God of Hope fill you with joy and peace, as you trust in Him, so you may overflow with Hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:13). I pray that every day and God is so faithful. May He bless you, keep you, make His face shine upon you (and your family) and give you His peace. Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Happy Birthday Beth! You have inspired me in so many ways especially how deeply and openly you love your family! You are so loved and respected! Thank you for how hard you work to serve and teach so many! Love you!
Happy Birthday Beth! You have changed my life with your studies and scriptural teachings. Thank you for all that you do. I hope you have an awesome day!
A VERY happy birthday Beth. God has used you mightily. May he continue to do so!
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for all the many many ways you bring the word of God to us.