**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
Yesterday would have been my Mom’s 87th birthday and she and your Mom were cut from the same cloth! Passionate students and teachers of God’s Word, intercessors, ministers, caregivers, great cook, etc. Melissa, your Mom must be so blessed by your tribute to her and what an incredible helpmate you are to her. So grateful you have one another. Birthday blessings to your Mom, and carry on, Warrior a princess. Carry on! Next to my Mom, your Mom has had the greatest influence on my spiritual journey. Birthday blessings untold to her!
Blessings,
Carye Gillen
Happy Birthday Beth!!!! I love to see the love and admiration you have for your mother and the spiritual base that she has provided and continues to provide! I lost my mother at a young age but her spiritual side remains with me daily and has been influential in the faith that I have and continue to dig deeper in daily! Moms.are.amaZing.
Happy Happy Birthday! If your birthday is 6/15, then we are Birthday Twins! I turned 49 on 6/15! It is going to be a great year! I will be starting Breath in September – thank you!
Michele
Happy Birthday Blessings to one of my dearest friends in the world (no, I have never met you, but I have done almost every one of your Bible studies and have laughed with you, cried with you, gotten to love Jesus more and more with you and learned so much about His Precious Word with you that I just know we will be close buds in Heaven and I just can’t wait!).
Celebrate mightily and enjoy every minute!
Happy birthday Beth! because I have done so many Bible studies with you, I feel like you are one of my best friends! May God keep sending His blessings your way, and may you have a wonderful birthday!!!
Happy Birthday! She is like a Tropical Storm of the Spirit!
Happy Birthday, Beth!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Beth! You are a blessing beyond words! And Melissa, thank you for sharing your love for your mom in this post.
Happy birthday Mrs. Moore!!! Thank you for being a spiritual mom to me over a couple of decades or so. And hearing your godly words and love through your bible studies and stories have helped shaped me into the mother of two boys I am today. Lots of love and hugs to you!!!
Happy Birthday Beth Moore! What a witness you have been for Christ. Thank you for your teaching over the years!
Nancy
Happy Birthday Beth Moore! You have taught so many of us so much about the Bible, but more importantly about the awesome incredible love of Jesus for us. That gets us through the times when there doesn’t seem to be anyone else who loves us (even though there probably is). Thank you and God Bless You for many more years to serve Him!
Grace & Peace,
Karen
Happy Birthday Beth! If you have a fraction of the blessings I’ve gained through your studies, you will have an abundantly blessed year! Thank you so much for your dedication to exhaustive contextual study and careful exegesis. I look forward to the unveiling of the next study.
Sweet Melissa, what a precious tribute to your Mom. I, along with MANY others, am crazy about your Mom as well. Thank you for this glimpse into why she means so much to you. Currently, I am hosting “The Inheritance” DVD series with around 14 ladies in my area. Today was Session 6 and your Mom shared your comment, “Jesus knows it is scary to be us”. I am grateful that you work for and alongside your Mom, as God is using you both for His good purposes!
Happy Birthday Beth Moore! You are loved, you are inspiring and I can hardly wait to put our “blonde as we pay to be” heads together someday for a long visit…at the feet of our precious Jesus!
Oh, Happy, happy, birthday, Beth! How blessed we all are, indeed, by you.
Happy Happy Birthday!! May your day be delightful in every way!!
What a beautiful tribute from your daughter! I can only say I’m not your blood relative, but feel a bit of your color has marked my world as well. Thank you for being brave enough to share your brokenness with us and lead us to the redeemer with it. My heroes of the faith… Elizabeth Elliot and Elizabeth Moore!
Happy Birthday to an amazing woman who has unknowingly walked with me through some of the best and worst times in my life. Thank you for your obedience, perseverance, and love in God’s word!
Beth Moore, I wish you a beautiful and blessed birthday. You will not know until you reach eternity how much your writings and studies have ministered to those of us who devour what god has put in your spirit. I am truly a woman in love with the grand and glorious God you present to all of us.
Happy Birthday! The Lord used your ministry to light a fire in me for His Word 15 years ago that continues to burn bright! I am eternally grateful.
Happy Birthday, Beth. Honored to have been present in several of your Bible studies. God has given you such a gift! Thank you for listening and relying on Him.
Love your mama too.
Happy Birthday Beth! My first and all time favorite Bible teacher!
Happy birthday Beth thank you for saying yes to God and for you’re obedience to God and being a faithful vessel for God to use
Dear Beth, this blog written by your daughter would last me a lifetime of birthday wishes. What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful soul. Happy Birthday – May God pour His richest blessing down on you today and always. Love ya Sister in Christ!
Happy Birthday Beth! I first learned of your love for Christ on James Robinson’s program, Wednesday’s with Beth Moore. You are such a blessing and a gifted Bible study leader! May God continue to use you as you share Christ’s love!
Oh my. ..this sweet post by your daughter has to be the best birthday gift for you! What blessed words she shares. You are a gift to so many through your studies. We are blessed by you! Happy, joyful birthday Beth <3
Happy Birthday Beth! Words cannot express how thankful I am that I was introduced to you and your powerful studies! Because of your unshakable faith in Jesus and commitment to following His calling in your life, I have also grown incredibly closer to Him as well. Have a wonderful day celebrating the woman you are in Christ!
Happy birthday dear Beth!! A privilege to wish you a special day!
Happy Birthday Beth! I cannot wait to see you in Greenville in July! I am so thankful for you and your ministry!
Happy Birthday! I’m in agreement, the best is yet to come!
Happy, happy Birthday, Beth!!
Happy Birthday, Beth!! You have taught me some of the most valuable things about God and His Word that I have ever learned. God has used you in an awesome way to help me through some very difficult things in my life, as I’m He has others as well. Thank you for your work! God Bless You
Happy Birthday to an excellent example of a child of Jesus. You are a blessing to us all.
Happy Birthday, Beth!
Happy Birthday Beth! You have played a big part in my redemption story and I thank God for you and the way you use the gift he has given you.
Melissa, I pray for you. I pray God will heal every hurt and bless you beyond all we can imagine.
Happy Happy Birthday Beth! What a wonderful birthday tribute your Melissa gave you. As a Mom, grandma and great grandma, I think that would be the very best of gifts received. It brought tears to my eyes and flooded my heart with love for you both. It should be scrolled and wrapped in a gold jeweled box as a treasure. For all the hours you put in in preparation for giving of your talents to the Lord for all of us it is so good to know you prioritize your time for the family in a big way. May the Lord continue to fill you and keep you well, strong and challenged to His Glory. Oh and a big hug on the net.
Happy Birthday, Beth! Thanks for your faithfulness in teaching God’s word.
Happy Birthday, Beth!!! You will never know how much you have blessed my life. You have taught me to walk graciously in loss, to trust and hold furiously to the truths of God, and to find great joy in doing life depending on Jesus. I pray for you often. May God continue to bless you greatly!!
Happy Birthday Beth! Your bible studies changed my life and ignited a love for the Lord in me- thank you!
Happy Birthday!!! Thank you for helping lead me to the feet of Jesus and fall deeper in love with Him and His Word.
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for letting the Lord use you in the lives of countless ladies!
Happiest of birthdays, Beth! May it be the start to a wonderful year! Thank you for showing me how to pursue God & His word, to fall more in love with Jesus!
Happy birthday Beth. I love your commitment to God’s word and to women. Please continue! And may God bless you with a great many more birthdays!
Beth, I hope you have a wonderful birthday. I have enjoyed doing many of your Bible Studies. Thank you for obeying the call of God. May God continue to use you and your family for many years to come. God bless you.
LaDonna
Happy Happy Birthday, Beth! You are a dear and precious friend even though we have never met. I’ve known you for years and loved every minute of the study of God’s marvelous word with you. I’ve laughed and cried with you and have thanked God for you more times than I can remember. May our Father bless you fabulously and keep you.
Happy birthday to a God inspired woman who has taught me so much about the bible and my walk with the Lord.
Happy Birthday, Beth. I love how you love our Heavenly Father. I have loved your 2 class series that I have been priveleged to attend. You are truly one of God’s angels.
Birthday blessings to you Beth. May your day be filled with love and laughter and a whole lot of your favorite coffee!
Happy birthday to a sweet woman of God!
I live in lone butte, B.C. we love you Beth way up here in the caribou. Our ladies group has been Challenged and encouraged Through your video studies, especially breaking free. Happy birthday to you!