**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! We are so grateful for your many years of faithfulness!
Happy, Happy Birthday!! May God bless you deeply in the upcoming year!! Thank you for being so in love with Jesus that His loves spills over to others. God has used you many times to speak into my life. I probably won’t meet you on this side of heaven but I look forward to meeting in eternity! We’ll have all of eternity to praise our King and hang out with each other and all the others I can’t wait to meet. 😉 I hope you have a special day! ❤️
Thank you Beth for helping me grow in Christ. Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday Beth!!! May God continue to bless you with many more Bible studies!! I sure do learn a lot from you.
Happy birthday to a woman who has impacted so many lives – mine included! I have challenged by the truths she teaches to walk closer with Jesus. Much love and gratitude!
Happy Birthday to a woman I have gleaned so much from of God and all that He has for me! Hope your day was extra special and full of blessings!!
Happy birthday, Beth! I’m thankful for you.
Happy birthday Beth!!
Dearest Beth, happy birthday! I am truly thankful for your life! In light of Elisabeth Elliot’s death I’m thankful that God gave me you to continue so much of His work in me. Praise God you have chosen to pour out your life for Jesus. Melissa, beautiful blog, thank you.
Happy Birthday Beth! God has used you to teach me so much and I just want to say thank you! I am a ladies small group leader and continue to grow in God’s Word, many times, leading your studies. You are truly an inspiration! What a beautiful tribute from Melissa! Hope today is one of your best yet! ❤️
Happy Birthday Beth Moore. I am so thankful for the gift that God has given you to teach His Word with wisdom, grace, humility and lots of laughter. God has used many of your Bible studies in different stages of my life to teach me great lessons.
I am so excited to attend Living Proof in Cincy next weekend. The last conference of yours that attended, I brought my newborn son (who was born 3 weeks early) so I wouldn’t miss it. The 2nd day of the conference we had to stop by the ER on the way because my pregancy and type 1 diabetes caused me to have Bell’s palsy. But as soon as the doctors cleared me, we were on our way back to see you. Nothing was going to stop us!
Thank you for being awesome!
Happy Birthday! Thankful for the way God has gifted you.
Happy Birthday Sweet Women of God!
I pray you have the Blessed of birthdays!
Happy birthday Beth ! What a poignant tribute Melissa . It is a gift for us to see a glimpse of the inner world of such a powerful force for Jesus . I hope for your healing in whatever manner that may be . I wonder how in the world anyone does life without the Almighty? I loved your sign off …. “The best is yet to come .” It is how I closed the most recent card I wrote to my little sister . Thanks for sharing .
Sarah from Michigan
What a lovely tribute to your precious mom who means so much to all of us in Siestaville. Happy Birthday, Beth! Thank you for the sacrifices you make to draw us closer to the One who loves us so.
Happy birthday, Beth! Thank you for the many studies you have written that have blessed my life more than you will ever know. I hope you have a fabulous year.
Happy birthday Beth!!! This is one of the most beautiful tributes I’ve ever read. Brought tears to my eyes. My faith journey has been so incredibly impacted by your ministry and I am
So grateful for the impact this has in my marriage and my three sons. God’s love shines so brightly through you – may you have the most blessed year yet!!
Love, Michelle
Happy Birthday!
Melissa, that was a wonderful tribute! Beth, have a wonderful birthday! May God’s blessings continue to pursue and overtake you and your family <3
Happy Birthday Beth! What a wonderful gift of words from your daughter….brings to mind the Proverbs 31 woman-her children will arise and call her blessed!
Happy Birthday to you sweet sister in Christ! Thank you for sharing your love, passion and hunger for The Lord with us all through your teachings! Such a blessing. Thank you!
HaPpY bIrThDaY! Thanking God for His people and You. Forever Young will you be, as a day in His service gives a Fresh new day to embrace as His children….May He bless you in this ministry and many more days to come to Inspire others to be More Like Jesus and keep sharing His story….Blessings!
Happy Birthday Beth!!!!! So thankful for your ministry. God has worked through your teaching to give me such a hunger for His Word. Not just for knowledge but to see how it is to me a love letter from my awesome Father. I began your Bible studies over 10 years ago not knowing how what I was learning would see me through the most difficult times of my life. What you taught me helped me to believe God was truly with me in such a sweet way while providing the strength to sustain me. Thanking God today for the day you were born and your example of believing Him.
Happy Birthday Beth! You have been a consistent Bible teacher in my life for many years and through many seasons. Today, I celebrate you and the richness your life brings to mine.
Melissa, your post is a most meaningful gift. Thank you for allowing us to be included. Much love and prayers. And you are so right- the best is yet to come!
Happy Birthday to my favorite Bible study author. I have learned more scripture doing your studies than anything else besides reading through the Bible, which I was only brave enough to do with encouragement from you. Thank you so much for giving so much of yourself in so many ways. I hope you feel how much you are loved. This is in large part because you invite us into your life through your studies. We feel we know you. May God continue to richly bless your life so you can continue to pour yourself out into ours.
What a beautiful post! How blessed to be able to call such an incredible woman “Mom”.
Happy Birthday, Beth! You have influenced my walk with God in many ways and continue to do so – thank you! May God continue to bless you and those you love with good health and happiness! I hope you have a wonderful celebration of your life!
It says a lot about your family to hear you speak so highly of your mom. And I gotta say, I love to hear about her dinners of chips and salsa. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Happy Birthday to one of my favorite Christ follower’s! Thank you Beth for your dedication and faithfulness to The Lord. He has blessed you so you could bless others. May you continue to be abundantly blessed through and through. I love you, Michelle
Happiest of Birthdays to a woman who has brought the Bible & praying to Jesus from His Word so real to me! I pray that you have the most amazing day. The words spoken of you by your daughter shows what kind of woman you are. Thank you for giving your time, love & prayers to so many women. I, for one am grateful beyond words!
I was so blessed to attend the Living Proof meeting in Tampa last weekend. I joined 7000 other women in singing a spirited Happy Birthday to your sweet Mom, Beth. I was there with my daughter, Anya. She surprised me with the most amazing “Mother’s Day” give ever – the LP tickets and our hotel. We have both been so blessed by Beth’s bible studies, books and videos. God has sooo used her in ways she may never know. I stood twice during our weekend retreat; once when Beth prayed for broken marriages and then again when she lifted up those with chronic pain or disease. Her words were so genuine, moving and powerful. I am not sure you mentioned FUNNY – when describing your Mom. Hi-lar-US!! Seriously – who knew? There have been snippets of her playful spirit (in videos) – but, you can tell her for me…if this women’s ministry “thing” doesn’t work out – she could probably get a job as a stand up comedian! God love her & bless that precious one!
Beth,
Happiest of Birthdays! I have never been so excited about a Bible study as I was about “Children of the Day.” It was so special to the ladies that were in my group. Life Changing, thrilling and awesome, were some of the words describing our journey. I have followed your studies and blog for almost ten years now. Your life so closely mirrors mine! I have a married son and daughter. I have recently gone through the terrible pain of my other son’s divorce. I have three grandchildren close to the ages of yours. I have also made a drastic change in my life and moved to Bend, Oregon! I have lived in the same town for over fifty years! I can relate to so much of your life! I feel like you are a sister! I have done multiple studies of yours with my Teen Challenge girls. All that to say, I have witnessed so many changed lives because of your life and your studies! If you went through all you did just for me and for the lives I’ve touched, please know that you have touched hundreds of lives! May the Lord Jesus bless you abundantly! You are such a kindred spirit! I love you dearly! Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday Mrs Beth Moore. Because you answered God’s call on your life many have been set free including myself. Thank you! Joshua 1:6
My claim to fame is playing piano behind you while you prayed at the Pastor’s Conference in Houston when I played at HFBC in 2013. What an honor that was! Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for your faithfulness!
Oh Miss Beth, If only you knew what your ministry has meant to me for the last 15 years? I was a broken little girl in a big girl world – oh but GOD used you so many times! You will never know until you reach eternity. The many, many days that I’ve been so down and I go find your teaching on YouTube – just to survive the day. Just this morning I soaked in your teaching on affliction. Oh I so relate to the mental assaults! You made me want GOD more than anything – your passion made me realize that – GOD was the all I needed – you made me develop a hunger and thirst for the word. I wanted what you had – because I saw peace and joy in you! The more I’m in it the word- the more I can’t function without it. Thank you – thank you – thank you for pouring into me and hundreds of thousands- probably millions of women. Thank you for being so real. You made me realize GOD wanted to use me – even with all my scars – and finally I obeyed and started teaching bible study at my church last year. My girls can’t get enough of GOD- praise JESUS!!! And I think I quote you at least once a week!!! I thank GOD for you and I can’t wait to eat salsa and chips with you in heaven! I actually had that for supper tonight! Lol I love you Beth Moore and I wish you the most mammoth – joyful – memorable and precious Day You were Born Celebration! I can see the Father Smiling into your soul – thrilled that HE made you!
Beth, what a wonderful daughter you have!!!! I know you love this special gift she has written for you and she loves you with all of her heart. You are a very Godly roll model for so many women. Every Bible study I have done of yours has been such a blessing. You are one of a kind!!! May God richly bless you on your birthday. Thank you for all you do for others and thank you to your family for sharing you!!! Happy birthday Beth!!!!!!
Happy Birthday, Beth! What a lovely legacy!
Happy birthday Beth! You have shaped my faith and encouraged me in the study of the Word more than any other. Thanking God for your life and example!
Having been to Lifeway events you have hosted and sitting with sisters in Christ gleaning knowledge from God’s word through bible study, I have become infected with your love of Jesus! Thank you for that. You rock the Word and I love it. How wonderful to celebrate you! Happy Birthday Beth! God bless and keep you always.
Happy Happy Birthday Beth. I hope you get the chocolatest of birthday cakes ever.
Happy Happy Birthday from Tennessee!!! We love you and hope you have a fantabulous year! Thank you for sharing, caring, giving, teaching and reaching.
Happy birthday Beth. I have learned and grown so much through your wonderful Bible studies. Our ladies group at my church complete as many as three of your studies per year. After each one I always say they can’t get any better but they always do. You will never know this side of Heaven how many lives have been changed through your Bible studies. Wishing you a very blessed birthday and looking forward to my next Beth Moore Bible study. May God continue to use you to reach others for His Kingdom.
Happy birthday sweet Beth:)
Happy happy birthday sweet Beth!!! I love u and am so thankful for your life and how God has used your passion for the Word to ignite a passion in me! Much love to u!
What a beautiful tribute, Melissa! Happy birthday, Beth! Blessed by your work and calling in the Lord!
Happy Happy Birthday, Beth! Thank you for allowing yourself to used by our Father to help me grow closer to Him. He always stirs my heart through your words, both written and spoken! Looking so forward to Living Proof Live in Greenville in July! Blessings and love to you!
Happy Birthday!! Thank you for allowing God to use you in such a beautiful way. You challenge me to be better by drawing closer to Him. Your daughters testimony says it all. Continued blessings!!
Happy Birthday, dearest Beth.
There really are no words to express the depth of my gratitude to you for getting me into the Word where God could work in my Spirit and change my life. He is sooo good and you are an inspiration to so many of that goodness and the availability of Him to each of us on a personal level!
Praying blessings on you today and throughout the next year.
Happiest of birthdays! May God continue to bless you and your family!
“Happy Birthday” Beth!
Love you…..much!
Happy Birthday to an you Beth. I have such admiration for you
and your willingness to share your love of Christ with others.