**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! May God continue to bless you and watch over you throughout the coming year. May His peace, grace, and mercy envelope you.
Walk in faith,
Rhonda T.
Happiest of birthdays to you, Beth. Thank you for being faithful and obedient with the gifts God has given you. You are a world-changer!
Happy Birthday, Miss Beth! I’m teary-eyed reading your daughter’s beautiful words about you. I wish I had a relationship like that with my daughters. You are an amazing woman! I hope your day was wonderful!
A most blessed and happy birthday to you! May it be filled with love and laughter!
Happy and joy filled birthday Miss Beth. Since my first bible study with you via VHS tape studying A Women’s Heart Christs Home I have been so blessed! May God fill you to overflowing with His favor, love and grace!
Happy birthday, Beth. I have been so blessed by your Bible studies for the last ten years. May you be blessed on your special day.
Happy Birthday, Beth!! What a beautiful life!
Happy, happy birthday! Wishing you many, many blessings each day of the coming year!
I love what wonderful words you used to describe your awesome mom! A very Happy Birthday to a very inspiration woman!! I used to be afraid of her studies but now I seek them out and her wonderful words of wisdom.
Happy Birthday Beth! Wishing you a very blessed day. Thank you for sharing God’s Word. I have learned so much from your Bible studies.
Happy Birthday!!!! Your love of God’s Word is an inspiration to the body of Christ!!!
Happy happy birthday to Beth! Love this post, Melissa!
Happy Happy Birthday!!!
Oh how blessed you both are to have one another & how just a tad envious I am of your sweet relationship. Savor every moment of each other!! happy happy birthday Beth!! You have touched my life through your bible studies & I am a MUCH better wife, friend, & mostly disciple because of it!! Blessings & many many more!!
Happy birthday, Ms Beth! You have helped me so much in my walk with the Lord. I have been privileged to attend two LPL events. The very first one I prayed that a bondage that has held me for 20 years be broken. God answered it before the second one. I can’t wait to talk to you face to face so I can thank you in person. I thank God for you!
What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful lady! Thanks for inspiring us all to be better women- Happy Birthday.
Happy Birthday Blessings To You Beth!!! I thank God for you and your ministry. You have blessed my life and so many women with your beautiful spirit and love everyday. Hope you have a WONDERFUL Birthday!!! God Bless you always…FITH
Happy birthday, Beth! You have influenced my walk with Christ in a BIG way, and I thank you. I’ve finally found a church to call home and will be baptized (again) on August 9 with my husband (his first). God bless you and your lovely family and all you hold dear.
Love in Christ,
Heather
Happy Burthday, Beth!!!! So thankful for your transparency and teaching. Praying for you!
Happy Birthday!!! You’ve changed my life!
Happy birthday Beth!
Thank you for sharing this lovely tribute to your mom, Melissa!
Happy Birthday Beth! And what a beautiful tribute from your daughter! I know, as a mother, how much the heartfelt words written from our children touches our hearts like nothing else. I know you will treasure each word in your heart. May God bless you and may you have the most wonderful year ahead!
Happiest of Birthdays to you beautiful Beth!
Happy birthday, Beth Moore! Tomorrow I begin a new study with other ladies at my church. We will be waking through Sacred Secrets. I have been so blessed by your gifts and calling. May God continue to lead through you.
Happy Birthday, Beth. You have been such a catalyst for growth in so many lives. Thank you for being obedient to God’s leading and may He continue to bless you and your family and your work for His kingdom.
Happy birthday, Beth! You have blessed me more than I could ever express with words through your teaching, your studies, and your writing. You helped to reawaken in me a love for God and His Word that I had lost through a very dark time in my life. Thank you so much for following Jesus’ lead and His call on Your life! You are a blessing! Have a wonderful, blessed birthday!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Thank you for being a wonderful example to All your sisters in Christ!
What a beautiful love letter from your daughter. I read it with tears streaming down my face. Happy Birthday!
Wishing you the happiest of birthdays Beth! You are an amazing spiritual teacher! I have loved many of your Bible studies and books. I had the privilege of attending a living proof live event when I was expecting my triplets 5 years ago! What an amazing weekend! Thank you for inspiring me to learn more and for increasing my desire to love The Lord and serve him. You are such an example to millions, myself included. Thanks for simply being you! Go enjoy some chips and salsa and have a marvelous birthday!
Happy Birthday Beth. I hope your Special Day is half as special as you. Thank you for sharing your love of our Savior with us. You have blessed me beyond measure.
Happy, happy birthday, dear Beth. We are studying James and feel so blessed to be a part of this study. It is AMAZING! Thank you, thank you for helping to bring this study and lecture to the forefront for our study. We’ve enjoyed many of your writings. God has blessed you with such a gift and in turn we are blessed by God, too.
We give such thanks to you and for you. May you have many more birthdays and may God continue to bless your ministry in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Barbara Mock
Overland Park, Kansas
Happy birthday, Beth. I can’t even begin to tell you how you have blessed me with your Bible studies and your willingness to be transparent. I pray many more years of blessings to you and your family.
Happy Birthday Beth! May you be Blessed beyond all measure! And thank you Melissa for such a beautiful post about your relationship with your sweet Godly Mom!
Beth, you are such an inspiration to all of us to continue to dive in and get to know The Lord better and to stay in study of His Word! Your studies were some of my very first Bible Studies and I will be 63 years old this Friday, June 19th! We call June “birthday month”.
So keep celebrating all month long! I do!
Many Blessings, DeLene
Happy Birthday Beth!
Thank you Beth for all your teaching and wonderful insight. I have learned so much from you. It all began when I was in “the pit” and my mom took that leap of faith and invited both my sister and I to your conference in billings,mt. At first I thought you were a quack but the holy spirit started to tell me somehing different. It was when you preached about mary and martha. Still don’t know which one I am but ever since then I’ve been hooked and every year your in billings or laramie, wy, my mom and sisters and I are there. Thank you beth for taking in this challenge and stepping up to the plate.
Happy Birthday Beth, thank you for sharing the love of Jesus and your life with us. What a difference you make by the power of the King.
Happy Birthday Beth! One day after my own mother’s birthday! Thank you for answering God’s call to teach and honing those skills. I have been blessed by your studies and have learned much of God’s word. Melissa’s words brought me to tears, what a tribute.
Happy happy birthday Beth! You have been such a blessing to me and my friends as I have studied God’s Word, learning and loving your studies and insight along the way!
Happy Birthday, Beth! What an inspiration you are to so many of us.
Happiest of birthdays, Beth! Clearly, the impressions you’ve left on me from Bible studies are accurate. Melissa speaks truth. Thank you for sharing your gifts, lovely lady. You’ve touched me deeply and helped God heal deep wounds. May you be blessed beyond my imagining.
Happy Birthday sweet Beth! God has used you mightily for His kingdom, and He has used you to bless, minister to, and teach so many people around the world God’s Word, including me. Thank you for your heart, your faith, passion for God and His Word and for being God’s faithful servant. Your faithfulness and obedience and love for God, His Word and your heart for people have touched and transformed the lives of countless people! I love and admire you very much! May you have a wonderful birthday with your family and may you profoundly experience His presence, peace, joy, and His love for you and delight in you dear sister!
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for all that you do for all of us. Thank you for modeling a life lived 100% whole-heartedly for God. Thank you for all the Bible studies you have written that have blessed us. Thank you for letting God use you to bring great glory to His name. I hope you have the happiest of birthday’s!
Happy Birthday Beth!!! 🙂 I can’t even express to you how grateful I am that you were courageous enough to let God work through you by sharing your Bible Studies and your life with us ladies!! I have been in a very dark place where no light seemed to be and God really used you and a few good friends I was studying with to bring hope and healing and peace. I have been through a lot over the years and each different study of yours I have done has hit deep right where I was at. I feel like you didn’t just survive, you conquered, you let Jesus heal you and then you have fought for the rest of us to be free as well and for that I will be forever grateful!!! Thank you 🙂
Happy Birthday, Beth! The bible came alive for me when I did my first bible study with you. Since that first study, I have journeyed through so many life changes. Through it all, the foundation and transforming power of God’s Word has been my everything. And it started with that first Beth Moore bible study. Thank you for listening to His Holy Spirit and daring to believe that He wanted to speak through you.
Happy birthday Beth
Thank you for being a living gift from God. Thank you for loving deeply, walking justly and demonstarting wisdom, humor and mercy
Love you dearly
Happy Birthday, Beth! Hope your day was wonderful! Your devotion to bringing Jesus into the lives of women inspires me. Sitting under your teaching in so many different Bible studies has changed my life. So thankful for The Spirit working thru you to transform this generation of women
Happy birthday Beth!! You are an inspiration to so any women! Thank you for your love for Jesus! He lives through you and I’m blessed to be a part of His family!
Such a precious tribute. Happy Birthday to the lady who has helped us all know Jesus better!
Happy, Happy Birthday, Beth! I love the love your sweet girl has for you. And I’m sure yours for her is even more. Enjoy your precious family on this special day of yours!
Wishing you the happiest of birthdays, Beth! Praying it’s been filled with the sweetest things and overflowing with joy, just like you 🙂 Your passionate love for Jesus and the Word have enriched my life in countless ways, and hearing your stories of the good, the bad, the hard and seeing your genuine hope of Jesus have helped me through my own storms. Blessings to you on your special day!