**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! your ability to share God’s word to women of all ages is a gift you use well! Thank you for sharing your talents, love of Jesus and your heart!
-Deb Hand
Happy Birthday! Im slow to the Beth Moore bandwagon of greatness, only having heard you speak at passion last year. Since then I’ve listened and read more of you stuff and its great! Thank you for following hard after the Lord!
-Haley
happiest of Birthdays, Beth!!
Happy Birthday, dear Beth, Happy Birthday to you!
Melissa did an awesome job honoring you in this blog entry! For all she said, I say Amen and Amen. For those of us who know you only through your blogs, books and your Bible Study videos, we still feel like we ‘know’ you. You are a teacher, a mentor, an encourager and a sister to us all.
Your zeal and love for Jesus is evident in all you do. Thank you for all you sacrifice to share with all of us! You are loved and appreciated! Hope your birthday is as special as you are friend!
Love in Christ, Billie
Happy birthday Beth! I have grown so much in my walk with Jesus through your teachings and books.
Happy Birthday Beth! I hope you have a blessed day. Thank you so much for your ministry. I have learned so much from you. Most importantly, I have learned to use commentaries, dictionaries, maps extra to dig on my own. No I guess the most important thing I have learned is to really really love God’s Word! Love you sister
Debbie Berman. Boyd, TX
Happy Birthday, dear Beth! Thankful for you and the impact you have had on my life and the lives of many women I love. Enjoy your day. Blessings for this next year of life.
Happy birthday Beth! A wonderful tribute this is; I love being a part of your lives through study and blog post!
Happy Birthday!!!
Happiest of birthdays to you, my precious sister, Beth! May your year overflow with joy and blessings!
Happy Birthday Ms. Beth!
Thank you for making the Bible come alive.
Peace and joy!
Andrea
Hope you have the happiest of birthdays. You have been and continue to be such a blessing to so many others.
Happy Birthday Beth!! I hope you have a wonderful and special day!! Thank you for all you do for so many of us women!!
What an honor to wish Beth a “Happy Birthday”. For the past 10 years, I have been greatly influenced by your Bible studies. You have encouraged me in my study and I have learned so much. Thank you for your commitment to your study of God’s Word and for the dedication to writing in such a way that you convey your hunger for our Father’s Word to all of us. I have been blessed through you…have the happiest!!
Happy Birthday Miss Beth!! We are all incredibly blessed that God gave you to us and thank you for listening to His calling. Have a blessed day with your family!
Happy Birthday, Beth. What a blessing you are to me. I was honored to be part of the Living Proof conference in San Diego. I must tell you that our women’s ministry here has used so many of your books and teachings and they changed my life. God in you and through you changed my life.
I love your truths and your sense of humor.i can relate to so many of your stories. Thank you, Beth, for being real. You are a girlfriends girlfriend!
Happy happy happy birthday! I’m so grateful the Lord has gotten a hold of you!
Happy Birthday to an AMAZING woman! Your many sacrifices have paved the way for so many women. May the Lord our God abundantly bless you and continue to make His face shine upon you now and forevermore !
Thank you for all you do!
Adrianna Anderson
Pinson, Al
Happy Happy Birthday to a lady who continuously encourages me and challenges me to step up my walk with Christ through wonderful Bible studies and teaching of God’s Word. What a blessing to be able to sit under such teaching over and over!
Happy Birthday from a self-proclaimed “Beth Junkie!” May God continue to equip you with His Word to change lives. Hope your day is blessed beyond measure!
Happy Birthday Miss Beth! Are you dearly loved. Your love for Jesus is contagious. Your sense of humor and honesty allow us to be human, fun and righteous for Christ sake. Life is better for me because of your example and ministry. I get to be authentic and real because you have paved the way to able to have been broken and yet redeemed. You are beautiful and God is so pleased He had you be born today JUST FOR US! 🙂
God bless you on your special day!
Happy Birthday Beth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for being an uplifting & encouraging woman through teaching the Word of God. Blessings! <3 🙂
I love spending time with my parents too… I so identified with your comments regarding that. I love them and miss them fiercely! Happy Birthday! Thanks for being a blessing to so many! ! God Bless.
What a lovely heartfelt tribute to your mom! Beautiful!!! I love you mom also, she has taught me so much through all the Bible Studies and DVD I have learned and grown so much!!
I love that you are sharing her favorite and special things!!! A chance for us to be a bit more Like Beth Moore!! 🙂
Happy Birthday Beth! You are an amazing, beautiful and Godly woman! The impact of your legacy will not be known on this side of Heaven. I have been deeply encouraged and changed by the inspiration God has granted you and you have shared with the world! Thank you for your faithful obedience in good and bad times. Thank you for your vulnerability and authenticity over the years. Thank you for your sense of style and your humor! You are beloved and beautiful! May the Lord continue not direct your steps and nourish your soul!
What a great tribute from daughter to mother!
Amy Oesterreich, Crown Point, Indiana
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for being a dedicated servant of our Lord. What he has taught me through you is invaluable. Thank you for being real. May God shower you and your family with many blessings all year long.
Celebrating you! Big birthday hugs to you.
Happy Birthday Beth! You, and today Melissa, have been a blessing to me. And thanks for making your birthday fun for us, so sweet!
Happy birthday Beth! This morning, my Bible study (Seamless) asked when my relationship with God changed. My immediate answer was – Bible study! God bless you, protect you and provide for your every need.
Happy birthday Beth! May God continue to bless you today and always! Thank you for sharing your knowledge, wisdom and enthusiasm for God’s word. Cheers!
Hooray hooray hooray happiest of birthdays to you!
Happy Birthday Beth! What a leader, teacher, lover of Jesus, blessing to us all! Hope your day is so special! Keep your work up. We are so grateful for you.
It’s Beth Day! CELEBRATE!
Happy birthday Beth. After feeling so far from God for the last several years, I was invited to a group doing sacred secrets. In one of the sessions, you mention a verse you have painted on you wall. I recite that verse everytime I feel the enemy coming after me. You are a blessing. Thank you.
Happy Birthday Beth. I feel so blessed by your love for the Father. It radiates in all you say to us through your teachings. What a blessing to be able to sit at your feet and study Gods precious words. Thank you and I hope your day is wonderful!
What a beautiful tribute! Happy Birthday, sweet Beth! Praying you will be so blessed on your special day. I cannot begin to tell you what a blessing you have been to me. Your studies have given me such an excitement and desire for God’s Word over the past 8 years. I have 3 kids (6,8 and 10) and I pray every day that they would thirst and hunger to be in the Word. Thank you for your obedience to write your studies! Praying this next year would be your best yet! Much love to you!
Beth,
Happy Birthday from Anchorage, AK! You have touched my life more than you know! God bless you on your special day! Thank you for all you do to encourage women around the world to love God’s word. You are a blessing. May you have a blessed day and many more to come!
Happy Birthday dear Beth!
Happy Birthday Beth!
May you have a blessed and wonderful year!
Dear Beth,
You’re simply amazing! A gift for all woman alike! Thank you for being you! Happy Birthday Beth Moore!
With love and blessings.
Sheri Evans
Happy birthday, Beth. I am so grateful for you and how God uses you to change the world! We who have been blessed in your studies and through your life are more like Jesus because you show us the way. Many, many blessings!
Happy Birthday!!!
Happy, happy birthday Beth from someone whose spiritual life has been so enriched because of your faithfulness to teach the Word of God!! I have studied under you through almost every one of your bible studies! You have helped me draw nearer to the Lord and I am eternally grateful!! I am praying that the Lord will shower blessings upon you as you shower them upon so many others!! “Those who refresh others will them self be refreshed.” Much love to you on your special day!!
Happiest of birthdays to you sister!
Happy Birthday, Beth ! Love you !!!!!!
I’ve been travelling, so I’m afraid I’m late in wishing you, sweet Beth, a very happy birthday! I hope your day was glorious!! You are precious and worthy to be celebration!
Dear Beth, Happy Birthday dear sister in Christ!! I’m 57 years old and have been doing your bible studies for years and have had the opportunity to see you in person a few times. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for following Christ soooo passionately for you have helped us all do the same!! Beautiful tribute your daughter wrote: “Her children will rise up and call her blessed”
Happy birthday, Beth! What a beautiful tribute for a mother to receive!
Happy Birthday, Beth! Thank you for being not only an inspiration but also a role model of how to achieve a close relationship with our Father. Thank you for your insight & wisdom. I pray that you have a very special day!