**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 Beth! There truly are no words to express how much you have impacted my life and the lives of so many. I hope that one day God gives you the ability to fully see into our hearts so that you can understand how abundantly He has blessed so many by giving us the amazing gift of you! Thank you for being so dedicated and faithful to do what God has called you to do. You always lead us right to Him. I love you. Have a fabulous birthday!
Happy birthday, Beth. What an impact you have made in my life. Your studies have renewed my love for the Scriptures. I love your tweets. Many make me laugh out loud!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETH, Hope your day is great! Thank you Melissa for writing, you all inspire me to be the best mom to my three daughters that I can be, through Christ!! Blessings to your entire family!
Ooh, I would love any of those Beth favorites, but mostly I appreciate the opportunity to wish her a happy birthday. I’ve been in and led many of her studies while living overseas, and am in awe of the wisdom God has given her, and the beauty and humility with which she shares it. I’m finally back in TX, after 12 years in both Angola and Russia – how much fun it was to study God’s Word in far away places. And we share a June birthday! Happy birthday blessings to you.
A Happy Birthday to you, a Happy Birthday to you, May you feel Jesus near everyday of the year. A Happy BIrthday to you, A Happy Birthday to you and the BEST THAT YOU EVER HAD! Yeah!!!! Beth, you have mentored me all these years. Thank you! You have helped me raise my two children, and be excited to stay in God’s Word all these years. I was with you before you published your very first bible study and I am so grateful for your teaching. I have prayed many a prayer for you and have thanked God for your ministry and the wisdom and discernment you have used to lead with excellence. My leadership has been directly impacted by your authentic love for our Lord! What JOY you have given me through all these years. I cannot wait to visit with you in Heaven. Thank you Thank you Thank you for all you’ve done and may this…..be your best birthday yet!!!!
Happy Birthday, dear Beth! I personally have had a new love for the Word since doing your studies the past 15 years. You share your heart with all of us and bless us in ways you can’t imagine. Thank you! Now to Him who is able to do far more than you can hope or imagine — be abundantly blessed!
Happy Birthday, Beth! Well-said, Melissa. What a lovely tribute.
I love you Beth Moore . You are a bright light in a dark world . Happiest of birthdays to you . May it be filled with many unexpected blessings and sweet surprises from Jesus.
Happy Blessed Birthday Beth! May it be the best birthday ever.
Happy HappyBirthday Miss Beth!!!
I am truly grateful for your life and celebrate all the beautiful nuances of how God has created you. You are not only entertaining in your teaching, you hold the Sword with great respect and due diligence for its worth. I have been greatly impacted by your life even though you don’t even know me. Isn’t God incredible?! He connects his family and uses you when you aren’t even aware. I love how creative He is.
Thank you for your obedience to his voice!
Love & Blessings!
Jan
Happy birthday, Beth! What a cool daughter your raised. Such sweet and fun acknowledgment. The apple surely did stay close to the tree. May you know how deeply God adores you. May He sustain you and your family, giving you endurance, encouragement, unity, rest, and joy.
Happy birthday, Beth! What a blessing you have been to my family for years. I adore you and your girls.
Happy Birthday Beth! We had a blast with you in Tampa this past weekend. You made us laugh and cry but most importantly God was praised and glorified and His Spirit was in that place! I feel revived and emboldened in my faith and God spoke into my heart about being bolder in my role as women’s ministry leader in my church. There is no time to waste! Thank you for reframing my perspective and I quote you: “We have impact to make, a destiny to fulfill, a legacy to leave, a God to make known and a devil to make sorry he ever messed with us!” To God be the glory! Many blessings on your birthday and in the year to come!
Happy Birthday to one of my most favorite ladies in my life! You are my bible study “mama!” I am grateful for the many teachings I have been blessed to witness here in Houston. God Bless you sweet lady.
I wish you a wonderful birthday from the bottom of my heart!! You are one of the most awesome people on the planet and I thank God for your willingness to be used by Him. You give so much of yourself, and I hope this birthday is everything you want it to be! God bless you and your family!
Happy Day Beth!!!
You and Jesus have literally walked with me the past fifteen years through my study of The Word as I faced birth, life, death, love, adultery, restoration, betrayal, pride, growth, pruning, bitterness, sweetness, pure joy, and a closeness with Our Saviour that cannot ever be matched in human likeness. Thank you for giving me a passion to study and chase after Him by example. You mean more to me than you will ever know;)
Blessings-
Vanessa
Happy Birthday, Beth!(beautiful heartfelt words about your momma, Melissa)
Happiest of Birthdays Beth! I pray your day is as extraordinary as you are and ALL your days ahead are blessed beyond measure! You are a treasure to so many of us , but most of all a treasure in the arms of Christ 🙂
With so much love and gratitude for you,
Ada
Happy Birthday, Precious & Beloved Beth!
Thank you for opening your heart to countless women and helping to heal their/our hearts in the process. I had long (mistakenly) believed that I must have been really bad for certain things in my life to have happened. Through your Bible studies, starting with Believing God!, I discovered that I was/am not “permanently damaged merchandise.” Do you know that I still have & keep with me the green card that each participant received? It is a little beat up, but that’s OK!
I just thank God/Jesus for the gift that you are to all of us!
Love you in The Lord,
Lisa
Happy birthday blessings. Xoxo
Happy birthday, dear Beth. Thanking God right now for your sacrificial ministry to all of us. What a difference you’ve made! You are loved and appreciated!
Happy Birthday Sweet Beth. It’s so strange feeling close to someone you have never met or even laid eyes on! You got me with the Daniel study. It was right after God took a 10 year disaster of a marriage and restored it to something beautiful. When you talked about verse 4:15 and the stump being bound with a band of iron bronze…you said something like “that’s it, only so far.” The stump was still there with the potential to bear fruit. That was our marriage. He took us down to nothing and grew us back into a mighty oak. I cried and cried when you said that because it was like God whispering in my ear, God bless you, I’m grateful for you. Happy Birthday!!
Happy Birthday, Beth! Looking forward to seeing you Seotembrr 12th in Wichita!!!
Happy birthday to Beth!!! You have been instrumental in my journey with Christ! I’m most certain we will never met this side of heaven but I will meet you some day and I will hug you and thank you!
Happy Birthday Beth! Hope you enjoy your day with your family! Thanks for turning me to Jesus with your Esther study. 🙂
Happy Birthday
Happy birthday Beth!!!! You are such an incredible blessing from Jesus to us!!
Happy, Happy Birthday! Hope your day is filled with blessings! Love you!
Happy Blessed Birthday Beth,
I wish you a ton of God’s most wonderful blessings on you today and all year through.
I am so very thankful for your ministry, God through you has done a major healing in my spiritual and physical life.
With your Bible Studies and your loving teaching style
( that only God could have blessed you with ), I have been broken and built back up.. I have broken free from many chains that have held me to my sins.
I have found that I not only believe there is a God,, and Believe in God… but I also ****BELIEVE GOD****.
Thank you again for being the out reach of Jesus to reach people like me.
I long for the day when I can be in a study or seminar with you in person.
Thank you so much again
Love and prayers
Nancy
Happy birthday, Beth. I thank God for you and I love your Bible studies. Have a blessed day!!
Happy birthday, Beth. I thank God for you and I love your Bible studies. Have a blessed day!!
Beth,
Happy Birthday!! Thank you for saying, “YES”, to Jesus and sharing your life and passion with us all. Your Bible studies have brought me closer to the Lord and helped me grow as an individual! Thank you for all that you do! Enjoy your day!!
Michelle
Happy Birthday, Beth!
Happy Birthday, Beth! I’m so grateful for your love of Christ and the Word! Thank you for your influence in my walk. Wishing you much joy in Jesus!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEET BETH !!! May the Good Lord bless you “Real Good” o this your special day and the coming year! Words can’t express my deepest gratitude to you for being my personal “go-to” for my personal Bible study. As a pastor’s wife (which seemed to limit the acquiring of that trustworthy bosom buddy friend) I found myself needing that extra helping of encouragement that you always served up with such a practical and loving way. Even though we do not share a face-to-face relationship, the Lord always directs me to one of your books or a Bible study that filled the need of my heart.
THANK YOU !!
Happy Birthday Beth!! I am so grateful for the ways God has used you in my life and so many others through your studies, speaking, and writing. Hope you feel very celebrated today!!
Sarah
Beth: happy birthday! What a beautiful tribute by your daughter. You continue to inspire me . Bless you!
Linda Lepore
Wishing you the happiest of birthdays, Beth! May your day be filled to overflowing with God’s richest blessings!! You have been such a blessing to me and so many others, opening the scriptures and teaching God’s word, and sharing from your heart. Love you!
I wish you the happiest of birthdays. You have the best gift of all in your family. God has truly blessed you with wondrous gifts. Enjoy!
Happy Birthday, Beth! Thank you for sharing your joys, your struggles, and your victories and for allowing God to use you in so many ways.
Happy Birthday Siesta Mama!
Happy Birthday! You always make me more excited to draw closer to Jesus! What beautiful words from your daughter. May the year ahead be filled with blessings for you and your family!
Happy Birthday, Mrs. Beth! May you have a wonderfully blessed birthday filled with a portion of the blessings that you have shown to others! Much love to my sister in Him!
Happy birthday Beth! You are a blessing to your family and friends and to your Living Proof Ministries family as well! Hope your day was filled with the Peace, Love and Joy only God can give! God bless!
Happy Birthday! You gave me the gift of my very first Bible study and God used it to capture my heart. I could never thank you enough. I celebrate your life and hope you have a delight filled day.
Happiest of birthdays to you sweet Beth Moore! Your life is a wonderful picture of Gods love and Grace and thank you for teaching and sharing so much with us. God bless guy with many more happy years!!!
Happy Birthday Beth!! 🙂 I hope it’s a wonderful day celebrating YOU!!! 🙂 You are such a blessing to so many, and especially to those of us who want to learn more about loving Jesus and His Word.
Melissa, thank you for sharing more about your love for and relationship with your mom. How encouraging and beautiful!! 🙂 As a mother of four grown daughters, I know too how special the mother-daughter relationship is. What a special way to honor her! Thank you to you and Amanda for the many times you share your mom with other women.
Happy Birthday again Beth! You are loved!! ❤️
Happy birthday, Beth. Thank you for all the wonderful bible studies.
Happy birthday, Beth! Your undying and enthusiastic love and service for Christ does not go unnoticed and your love for anyone your ministry even has the possibility of touching is beautiful! May there be many more years of motherly blessings and siestas in you future!!!
Beth – Happy Birthday and may the Lord bless you with many more!