**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
Happiest of Birthdays, Beth! You have impacted my life using scripture and life lessons in ways no other Bible teacher has. In fact it has become my practice to listen to your podcasts on the train as we go from place to place while living overseas. Thank you for your obedience and for impacting and training up another generation. We need strong and brave women of faith to follow. I hope you are well celebrated!
Happy Birthday, Beth! Your life is the real deal!;)
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for your faithful ministry over the decades and for your anointed writing and teaching. God bless you as you continue to serve Him in all that you do.
Happy Birthday Beth!
I am so incredibly thankful that God has used you to touch so many hearts and change so many lives. I hope on your birthday you take a second to realize how great you are!
thanks for all that you taught me and much you have encouraged me throughout my faith journey.
– Shelby
Happy Happy Birthday Beth!! I am writing this with a smile on my face as you share the same birthday with my husband and you are the reason I am still married… Thank you for your wisdom you share with all of us and for always teaching truth!!
Happy birthday Miss Beth! Because of you I get really excited about studying God’s word!
Happy Birthday Momma Beth!
Happy Birthday Beth and THANK YOU!! You are loved and prayed for you!!!!
Happy birthday to the awesome and one of a kind Beth!!!
Hope you have an wonderfully blessed day!
Happy Birthday, Beth! God has used your teaching and ministry in my life – more than you could ever know. You are sweet, funny, smart and soooo full of life. You make me want to know Jesus more and more.
They say it’s your birthday, so Happy Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday Beth. Your studies educate me and bring me closer to our Father. Thank you for your work. Melissa, this was the sweetest post. I know you must be a blessing to your Mom!
Happiest of Birthdays to you Mrs. Beth! God has so used you in huge ways in my life and I thank Him all the time for your ministry and that He chose us to be here on earth at the same time. So blessed by your service and now blessed by your family at BCF. Just love you all. Hope you have a wonderful wonderful day!!
Happy Birthday Beth!!! I want to tell you how you have been such a role model for me. I have been doing music ministry now for a little while alongside my husband. God has placed a call on my life for music ministry. However, I did not feel worthy of this call because of my past. There is this dream I have in my heart to be able to lead many people into Gods glorious throne room at conferences. But again, I thought there is no way God could use a woman like me whose past looks like mine. But God has used many of your bible studies to speak to me. And not just your bible studies, but you. He has reminded me that just like God has used you, even with a past that He has now wash clean, He can use me. So thank you for your life. Thank you for your consistent pursuit of our Magnificent Savior! I am praying that this would be the year that God reveals Himself to you in ways you couldnt have even imagined! That this be the year you fall so much more deeper in love with Yahweh. That this would be the year of double blessings! I love love love you and your precious family Miss Beth!!! Happy birthday my sister-in-Christ!!!
Happy birthday!! I had a fabulous time in Tampa this past weekend. Thank you for all you do!
Happy Birthday, Miss Beth! As a director of Women’s Ministry, I have witnessed first hand many, many lives changed for Jesus through your studies and LPL events. Thank you for being so real, so faithful and so crazy in love with Jesus that it’s contagious. You are a gift! Praying a year of good health, love, joy, laughter and abundant blessings for you!
Hugs,
Kelli Crough
Praising God for you!!!! You have taught me so vey much!!! You are so beautiful inside and out!!! Thank you for allowing God to use you for the countless lives you’ve impacted!!! May you receive countless blessings!
Love your sister in Christ
i had the honor of privilege of singing Happy Birthday to you in Tampa this past Saturday so Happy Birthday again. I along with several thousand women and a few hardy men were blessed by many of this traits that Melissa listed for you may this year be one of incredible adventures of seeing God open unbelievable vistas.
Happy Birthday Beth, I enjoy watching you. Your sense of humor and stories are wonderful.
Happy Birthday, thanks for your ministry that has helped God change my life.
Happy Birthday. It is a honor to share the same birthday.
Happy Birthday Beth! What a fitting tribute from those who know you best and love you most. The rest of us should probably just echo a resounding Amen!
Happiest Birthday wishes to you Beth! And here’s to your next year being filled to overflowing with God’s great love.
Happy birthday Beth! As I often say to folks whom I learn are having a birthday: “I’m thankful you were born!” And I am thankful for the way God has decided to use you at this time. I have been so, so blessed to be a part of the Siesta Scripture Memory Team for the first time this year. It has given me the motivation to memorize in a possible way unlike previous efforts. Blessings on you and on your walk in life of glorifying our dear Father!
Happy Birthday Mrs. Moore! June is when one of the people most instrumental in my walk was born so I’m already celebrating. Thanks for doing what God called you to do with and for women.
Happy Birthday Beth!!! I loved reading your book, “So Long Insecurity.” It helped me come to terms with the end of a relationship and accept that God’s plans were far much better than my own. It helped me realize that everyone is broken including men and it’s not just women who are insecure. Boy was I blown away when I read some of the comments men said about the insecurities they faced. It helped me have a better, more realistic understanding of their brokenness and be more compassionate towards them, than judging them so harshly. I have a heart for ministry and specifically reaching broken women and men with the gospel. I would so love to meet you in person sometime and share some of the beautiful lessons God has taught me through the years. You continue to be an amazing inspiration to me and awaken my heart with passion for God’s Word and what He is doing. One of these days, we definitely need to have coffee! Love you girlfriend! 🙂
Happiest of Birthdays to one of the most inspirational people I’ve ever studied under! Your life has moved mountains of people, Beth Moore! I thank God for you!!!
Love,
Cheryl
Happy Birthday, Beth!! Blessings to someone who is such a blessing to others!!
Happy blessed birthday Miss Beth! May the Lord continue to use you to put a fire under women to fall in love with the word of God! Bless you with joy and peace in Him!
Sandy
Happy Birthday Beth !
May God bless you and your family abundantly this year. I’m so glad to have done so many bible studies with you . Also I am with you in Ssmt, and I’m memorizing James and love it of course .
Love you ,
Jill
Happy Birthday Beth! I pray for your ministry weekly. LPM has been such a huge blessing to my life. May you enjoy lots of cake and coffee with loved ones of all ages. God bless you!
Happy Birthday Miss Beth!! May you have the most blessed birthday ever!
Happy Birthday, Beth! I just had the privilege of leading a group in my church through Children of the Day and am so grateful for your courage and wisdom and boldness and humor. Thank you for leading and teaching us by your words and your life.
My dear Beth… Your studies have helped me thru some of my darkest hours …Love you. Hope you have a birthday full of your favorite people and things.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday, dearest Beth! God has used your Bible studies greatly in my life.
Happy birthday, Beth! We are so blessed to have another year with you!
Happy birthday beautiful Beth!! May the Lord continue to work in and through you. Thank you for the sacrifices you have made for the Kingdom. God bless you and your family!!
Happy happy birthday! I have been humbled to read and hear you describe the many times you have “sat at the feet of Jesus”, inspiring me to also draw close to our Lord. Thank you for being sensitive and obedient to the Holy Spirit’s leading.
Happy Birthday Beth! Your studies have meant so much to me & it was wonderful as a Mom & Grandma to read your daughter’s testimony of a life well lived.
Melissa,
The relationship you have with your mom reminds me of the relationship I have with mine. My mom, Cynthia, has walked with me since I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior at age 4, through my struggles with anorexia, addiction, divorce. I’m now 28 and no one else has shown me the grace of God or impacted my life more than my mom. We shop together, study the Bible together, and we both love Flowerbomb! We deserves so much more than I can give her.
There’s no greater friendship or relationship in my life than the one I have with my mom. I’m so glad that you and your mom can share that connection and have such fantastic memories! Happy Birthday, Beth!
Wishing you a Happy Birthday filled with blessings Beth!
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for the wonderful conference in Tampa this past weekend. Re is the most beautiful prefix in history. I came away renewed and refreshed. I pray God blesses you tremendously. Enjoy your special day.
Happy birthday! I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your willingness to teach others. I know that when I am in my Bible study…I am right where I belong….for such a time as this.! May God richly bless you and your family!
Happiest of birthdays to you. So thankful for the way you use the abundance of gifts God has blessed you with. Three generations of women in my family are so blessed by your teaching and writing. May The Lord continue to shower his love and grace on you and through you. Love you like a siesta.
Happy Birthday!! Thank you for all that you have done with sharing Jesus and all that you know and understand Jesus to be! I pray that you have a wonderful day and many many more to follow.
May God bless you and your family for all the riches you have given to others, especially to me. You make The Bible and My Lord come “alive” for me the way no other as ever done before you. Many Blessings to you Beth and the Happiest of Birthdays.
Happy birthday Beth! Hope it’s fabulous just like you. 🙂
Happy Birthday, Beth! Thank you so much for your faithfulness to God’s will and for sharing that with all of us!! You are most precious!
What a beautiful tribute. Happiest of birthdays to you, Beth!
Happy, happy birthday!