**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 birthday’s sweet Beth! Thanks for sharing Jesus so easily and teaching me to love Him too!
A Very Happy Birthday to you friend! Praying for many blessings to you & your dear family!
Dana
Happy birthday Beth. What a gift you are to us all. I’m inspired by your example as a Christ follower, wife, and mom. You’re my favorite ever Bible teacher. Thank you for your work! I’m a coffee loving, dog loving, perfume wearing mama of two girls too 😉
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA-siesta!! such an honor to learn from you!!
Happy Birthday, Mrs. Beth!!! You are a gem!! The women you have impacted for the sake of Christ are too many to count. I am one woman in that enormous number who’s life will never be the same because of a statement you made in one of your bible studies I did as a young mother. You said, “Ask God to give you a love for His Word.” I began asking and pressing in to scripture. He answered and ignited something within me that has been my joy, my love, my desire, my passion, my life. Thank you for loving Jesus madly and showing me how to do that too. Happiest of birthdays to you. I do love you, Mrs. Beth. And will be forever grateful.
Happy Birthday isn’t wonderful to have children that are your best friend to? Hope your birthday was blessed with a while lot of family all around you.
Happy birthday to a woman who is not only an inspiration, but also a dynamo, full of energy, humor, and, most importantly, fervor for our Lord. Your daughter’s blog was absolutely beautiful and, with 3 grown daughters of my own, I understand how overjoyed you must be to read her expression of love. Have a beautiful day filled to the brim with God’s blessings!
Happy Birthday Beth!!! I thank God for your life. Thanks for sharing it and all the love and encouragement through the Bible studies and blog. I cannot even begin to say how the Lord has used all to impact my life and encourage. Even this year with the blog videos for SSMT, the Lord has helped me to hear His voice of encouragement when I really needed it. God bless you dear sister. You are greatly loved.
Happiest Birthday to you. What a gem, may The Lord bless you!!
I love your mom… She has filled my mind with courage, hope and like my own solid Hebrew/Greek studying mom, she inspires me. Thank you for sharing her with us… We know if truth be told she would rather be with her girls and her man and grandkids and dogs than anywhere else in the world, but her calling is strong on her and she is one who not only hears, but also listens. I would love to win anything on this list, but especially I hope she reads my comment and knows how much we have loved each year we all have had her in our lives. I went through a devastating personal time in my life where satan came for my mind… It was a very dark time lasting nearly 5 years. I was studying believing God when he miraculously healed me on OCT 6 2006. I just wanted to say thank you. Celebrate, dance, toast to you, sing at the top of your lungs, watch the sunrise… Watch it set…its your bday!!!!!! We love you.
Happy Birthday Beth..!!
Happy Birthday, Beth! You have impacted my walk with Christ in a BIG way.
Happy Birthday Beth!!
Hope you have a blessed day!!!!!!
Happy Birthday Mrs. Moore!!!!!
Happy birthday, Beth! What a beautiful tribute from your daughter. I cannot wait to see you in Cincinnati!!!
Happy Birthday! Celebrate Big!
Happy Birthday, Beth!!! Melissa is right… The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree! I’m so grateful for your life today!!! Thank you for being exactly who God wants you to be!! You bless us girls more than you’ll ever know. Love you so, Angie in Michigan xoxo p.s. I know I don’t need to tell you this, but your daughters are incredible!
Happy Birthday, Beth! I am a woman of few words, but I can truly say that there is no one else in the world who has affected my life like you! Well, Jesus through you, that is…thank you for teaching and showing me the love of Christ and how to know Him!
Happy Birthday, Beth! I love spending time with you in your studies! And I’m so excited about how many verses I’ve learned this year with Siesta Sisters. You’re the best! Another Beth… Beth Keasler
Happy Birthday Beth! Your studies have been a blessing! Wishing you a blessed year ahead!
Happy, Happy Birthday, Beth! What an amazing and beautiful tribute from Melissa! Thank-you for your commitment to sharing God’s Word so clearly while sharing yourself with us. I loved seeing you in Seattle and may God continue to bless and use you for His glory!
Happy Birthday Beth! I know it has been awesome starting with Melissa’s post.
You have raised some might fine women of God!
Happy Birthday! I am so thankful for your studies and pray that God will continue to bless you.
Happy Happy Birthday, Beth! You have influenced my life so greatly! Thank you for your passion and tenacity! Much love, Tammy
Happy Birthday Beth! You are such an inspiration to us all. Wishing you many blessed returns. We love you sister.
Happy Birthday Beth! What a joy you are not only to your family, but to all of us who love you as well. God’s richest blessings on you this year!
Happy Birthday Beth! What a great day it is! I am so thankful for the way God has used you in my life. A Woman’s Heart, God’s Dwelling Place changed my life and my worship of our Lord! I hope the Lord pours out fresh annointing on you in this new year of your life so that you in turn, may pour it out on others.
Many thanks and many birthday wishes to you!
Rene Collins
Happy Birthday sweet Beth! You gave me a hunger to love Jesus with a passion like you do. Thank you!
Happiest of Birthdays to you Beth! Melissa thank you for sharing your Mom with all of us and blessing her so with words that come from the core of your soul.
Happiest of birthdays, Beth!!! You are an inspiration to me, on being a mother, Bible student and teacher, servant of Jesus and lover of life. Thank you, and enjoy your birthday!
I pray your birthday is so very blessed, Beth! So helped and challenged by your walk with our sweet Lord!
Hope your birthday is blessing upon blessing! So thankful for your obedience to Him.
Happy Birthday Beth, be blessed on your birthday!
Rhonda
Happy Happy Birthday Beth!! Hope it’s your most fabulous one yet!!
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for sharing your life and your learning with us.
Dear Beth,
Happy Birthday! I just wanted to thank you for all the encouraging things you are doing in my life. I know you won’t remember me, but about 10 years ago (when I was a brand new believer) I traveled to NJ for one of your conferences. I had driven six hours alone just to come. I felt called to profess my faith and went back stage. I met you, you hugged me and I cried. You gave me a bible and signed it and I still have it. Later on stage you mentioned me. That was a pivotal day for me and I made some changes which I think saved my life. Things are very awesome now and I am beyond happy learning and living in the Lord.I just finished doing your Book of Daniel bible study with my ladies and LOVED IT! keep doing your wonderful work! Have a fantastic birthday!
Love,
Robin
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for opening the word of God to me in such amazing ways. You have helped me in my walk more than you will ever know and I am truly thankful for that!
Happy birthday to one of the dearest friends I have yet to meet. Your studies without fail really touch my heart and speak to some area God is working in my life. Tonight our bible study gals finished Breath. Simply wonderful! Thank you for your pursuit of Him and for your contagious zeal. “… The zeal of the Lord has consumed me.” With much love – Cheryl Cannon, Concord, NC
Happy Birthday! Birthday blessings to you! You have been a wonderful blessing through your books, simulcasts, studies…such a gift fro the Lord. Thank you for serving Him..
Happy Birthday Beth! I hope your day was sweet! I just want to thank you for all that you do. Your love and passion for Jesus is “contagious” and your heart for women’s ministry is a blessing. You have helped me grow and challenged me in positive ways! But I am most excited about how much your teachings have changed my daughter. I look foward to the day we can attend one of your conferences together. I the meantime I will continue to send her your studies. Hugs to you!
What a beautiful person you are both inside and out. Hearing you in Tampa this past weekend was so inspiring. It gave me so much to think about and start by those beliefs.
Hope you had a beautiful and peaceful birthday.
Again thank you for being you. Ginny
I guess that verse is true, “her children shall rise up and call her blessed.” What a precious gift on your birthday Mrs. Beth. I couldn’t think of a greater gift to a mom than these words from her daughter. Happiest of birthdays to you!!
Happy birthday, Beth! Your obvious love for God and His word inspires me! Thank you for being such a willing servant!
Happiest of birthdays, Beth!!! (I feel funny calling you by your first name, since we have never actually met.) May this year be one of many happy memories! Celebrate you!
Happy Birthday Beth! So thankful for you. I became passionate about the word of God because I heard you speak at a woman’s conference in Chicago…I’ve never been the same since!
Happy Birthday. Thank you for sharing your amazing gift with us all.
Happy Birthday Beth! What an inspiration and encouragement you are to me! I have loved your studies and currently my oldest daughter and I are doing SSMT 2015! All because of you listening to Gods call! May to have a blessed year! I am blessed to call you my sister!
Happy Birthday!! I cannot express how you have impacted my life. I have been encouraged to continue to study Gods Word…..memorize Scripture and never quit. I hope today especially you feel great joy knowing you have blessed so many. Jane
Please don’t enter me in the drawing. I just wanted to say Happy Birthday Beth. I also love Flowerbomb. As I read Melissa’s blog post about it, I mentioned it to my daughter. She replied, Aw, Mom! You smell like Beth Moore.”
How cute is that?
Happy Birthday, Beth!You have touched so many hearts with a love for the Lord and His Word, including mine.May God flood you with His awesome grace and peace. Many blessings to you.
In His Care,
Carolyn
P.S. Melissa, what a wonderful tribute to your Mom.