**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! You have opened up scriptures to me in a very real way through your studies, your sharing of your own journey, through scripture memory. I am grateful. I know my family is grateful! May your celebrations be wonderful and filled with good food and laughter, friends and family.
Happy Birthday!! What a great instrument of God you are. I still remember the first time I saw you Glorieta NM. You were just getting started. Thank you so much for staying the course.
Happy birthday, Beth! Besides sharing our first names, we share a name which is much greater; the name of Jesus. Thank you for teaching me through your Bible studies how I can be closer to Him, who I am hopeless without. I pray his richest blessings on you in the coming year and that you will be encouraged even more than you have encouraged me! BTW, I spent my last birthday with you; hearing you speak in San Diego 🙂
Happy Birthday, Beth! You have brought so many of us into the word again and we love it. We thank God for how He is using you to bring us into his word.
Happy birthday, Beth! What a sweet tribute from your daughter! How dearly you bless so many lives. May the Lord continue to use you to build His kingdom many years to come.
Happy Birthday Beth! I have been so blessed to sit under your teaching for the past 8 years. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! I pray God’s richest blessings on you in the coming year, His protection and grace in all that you do. Hope your day has been hair-raising fun!!
Happy Happy Birthday Beth! Hope that God blesses your socks off with the love of all of your Siestas in Christ! It is so clear that you love much! You love your family, you love us, and most of all, and what binds it all together is, you love Jesus! Much! Praising God for giving us you to love and lead us closer to our Savior Jesus! It is so much fun loving Him right along with you in a community like this! Thank you for being honest and real with us. God bless you on this day and every one as you continue to serve Him!
Your Siesta,
Diane S.
Happy Birthday Beth!!! I hope your day has been wonderful! What a sweet post by Melissa!
Happy Birthday, Beth! It’s been a privilege to study the Word with you for ten years now. Remembering today that it was ten years ago that I found Breaking Free in a clearance bin at Barnes & Noble and thought “This looks interesting.” I bought it not knowing anything about it (or you) and still remember reading the intro where you said something like “If you study the Word every day, God will change your life.” I was 19 and loved Jesus fiercely but desperately needed the Word that God taught me through that study. I did not miss a day, and God did change my life. I devoured your studies (and others) for the rest of college and beyond. So grateful!
Happy Birthday to a very dear friend, though we have never met in person, who has opened up the TRUTH to me me in so many ways! Your teaching is sweet music to my ears and exciting knowledge to my heart! Girl, you are gonna have so many jewels in your crown! Thank you for loving the Lord and showing the jewels of scripture to me that I never would have understood had you not had the hunger for the WORD and teaching that you do! I can’t thank you enough for the way you have opened up scripture to me and made me excited about learning as much as I can. You have blessed me so much by your passion and heart! Keep on keeping on till we see Jesus together dear sister! Love you!
Happy birthday, Beth! Thank you for your transparency, your joyful spirit, and your sense of humor. You seem to find fun in everything (even killing a snake for your mother-in-law:-)). You are loved and appreciated. May this year be your best ever!!
Happy Birthday Beth!!!! I am so thankful for your obedience to the call of God on your life. Your willingness has blessed so many, myself included. I find your writings and teaching a constant source of encouragement to press into God and your passion for His Word is contagious. God bless you greatly in this year ahead.
Aw, what sweet, kind, and gracious words for your beautiful mama. Happy, happy birthday, sweet Beth! So very thankful for you. I know you will be celebrated well. 🙂
Happy Birthday to our favorite Bible study teacher. We love you and are so thankful for you!!! May God bless you abundantly this next year like you have blessed us!! 🙂
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for being a joy and delight to so many. Hope you have a wonderful birthday with your family.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETH! I hope you have a great day!!
happy Birthday to a phenomenal woman of God! Thank you for serving the kingdom!
Happy Birthday Beth!!! Thank you for all that you do for us!!!!
Happy birthday, Beth! Thank you for the way you have impacted my walk with your studies. You have such a gift for communicating His Word.
Happy Birthday Beth, Sister loved by God! Hope your day has been filled with blessings! May God continue to richly bless you!
Happy Birthday Beth! It was so much fun singing Happy Birthday to you in Tampa! And Melissa, thank you for the drawing!
Happy Birthday Miss Beth! We love you and are so thankful for you!! May God bless your next year with Him!
Happiest of birthdays to you, Beth. From a spiritual daughter you may never know, but one in whom your work is bearing much fruit.
These words of your girl are exquisite and vulnerable, beautifully capturing the you we all hold such tender affection for.
Praying this day brings much joy and the gift of His presence ever nearer.
Looking forward to bringing a group of my girls – 15 of us from our newly planted church – to meet with Jesus together in Cincinnati!
Much love,
Erica
Happiest of birthday’s Beth. You are one of God’s greatest gifts on this earth and I thank Him for you. I pray that you have many many more healthy and joyful birthday’s. It is a pleasure beyond words to get to come along side of you and serve at the LPL events.
Many blessings!
Crystal
Happiest of birthdays to sweet friend! You have an amazing God given gift that I am so glad you love to share with so many of us world wide! You help open our minds and learn-understand and yearn to be better in all that we do. I take great comfort when the am studying in the word under your direction. You are truly a gift from God!
Happy Birthday, Beth! May God’s abundant blessing be poured down upon your day! Thank you for allowing God to use you and your circumstances to lead, teach and lift up so many women downtrodden by life situations!:
Happy Birthday, Beth. May God richly bless you this next year in all you do to bless others! May God continue to keep you humble and close to Him as you minister to others.
Happy Birthday, sweet Beth! Thank you for helping me grow closer to Him. I owe you a neck hug.
Happy Birthday Beth!
I can’t even imagine what I would be like in my walk with The Lord if it wasn’t for your gifted teaching and mentoring over the years! I pray that you can be blessed by all the love we all feel for you!
May The Lord Bless you beyond your wildest dreams!
In Christ,
Lisa
wishing the happiest of birthdays to you! I have considered you to be a spiritual mother / mentor to me for nearly 18 years (though we have never met face to face, of course) when at the age of 17 I first did your study on the tabernacle. Thank you for following Jesus– he is my all in all!
Happy Birthday, Beth! – loved seeing you in Tampa last weekend!
Hoping you have an incredible birthday. May your time be spent being soaked in God’s love for you and His love for others that shines so brightly through you.
Happy Birthday to YOU Beth Moore!! You were the first female preacher I heard & I loved you from the start! Your realness, your passion, your heart!
Happy birthday Mrs Beth!!! What a lovely tribute from your sweet Melissa! I went to the conference this past weekend in Tampa and loved it! I have also done many of your studies and have grown so much closer to the Lord. I appreciate the way you write, you are so loving and “real”. I feel like I know you i pray that you go stronger in your walk and that He condition to bless you! Happy birthday and many more!
Happy Birthday Beth!!! Your bible studies have been life-changing for me!! God bless you for being such a faithful and humble servant!!
We love you!!
Jenifer
Happy Birthday!!! My favorite birthday blessing from my sweet grandpa:
Many happy returns on the day of thy birth,
And may a season of joy be given.
May the dear Father prepare thee on earth
For a beautiful birthday in Heaven.
So inspired by this post! It means so much to have someone walk arm in arm with you, no matter how long the road is.
Happy birthday, Beth! What an example you are.
Oh my! Truly warm and heartfelt blessings and love are sent your way, dear Beth. Happy, happy birthday! I have had the utmost privilege of attending two Living Proof Live events here in San Diego. They moved me to tears and joyful laughter. Your teachings were exactly what I needed to hear and experience at exactly those times. Thank you so much for your love and leadership. Praise God!
May your special day be filled with much joy and many blessings! Thank you for sharing your love of the Lord and His Word with us.
Dear Beth,
I’m just a person from Wisconsin, one of the Siestas. However, I feel like I know you. You’ve made such an impact on my life. I talk of you to others and refer to you as Beth…not Beth Moore, just Beth 🙂 You have made the bible come alive for me. You are authentic and I trust you! I trust you with the dearest people in my life. I’ve introduced many of them to your studies, and they’ve grown in their faith as a result. A simple thank you cannot begin to describe how grateful I am for you and all that you have done and continue to do for us ladies. May you be blessed with the happiest of days!!! I am bringing 11 ladies with me to see you in Milwaukee in August. Several are newbies! I can’t wait for them to experience Living Proof Live for the first time. God Bless you dear sister!
Happy Birthday. Have a wonderful day. Thank you for your bible studies. they have helped me out getting to know the Lord better over the years. Thanks so much
Happy Birthday Beth! You are a blessing to me! I have grown from your teaching and from your example. Have fun celebrating!
Happy Birthday Beth! You have been given a great gift of communication but that is not you greatest gift. In my opinion, it is your passion for Jesus and your family. You go girl!
Love,
Barb
Beth,
I wish you a very happy birthday indeed. Reading how Melissa described her love and affection for you, I realized she described how I feel about my own mom who turns 94 years young tomorrow. May God bless you richly on your birthday and always!
Happy Birthday, Beth! You are a blessing to everyone within your reach.. Which is millions! Your devotions and studies bring an excitement and passion about learning more about the Lord. I thank you for everything that God has spoken to me through your ministry. Keep doing what God has called you to do, and you will continue to touch lives! Have a wonderful birthday, because you deserve it!!
Happy Birthday! May God continue to bless you and your family.
Happy Birthday and thank you for being obedient to the Holy Spirit guiding you.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETH!!! You have inspired me to dig deep in the Word and consequently have grown in the wonderful knowledge of our Lord. My favorite time of the day is spending time with Him and thanks to your encouragement and Bible studies, it has been a thrilling ride. Bless your special day, bless your work and walk with God, and bless your family! Stephanie
Dearest Beth, Happy Birthday! I am forever grateful for being introduced to what you are doing for the Lord and us all, and so glad that the Lord prompted me to become one of your students! I was so touched to read Melissa’s post and am grateful that she shared with us more about your genuine and loving personality 🙂 I want to wish you all the very best this birthday and say that you became an example for me to follow, not because you are perfect, but because you are real. Your work helped me through some very dark times in my marriage – God used you to give hope, when there was none. I never met you in person, but want to tell you that I grew to love you and your whole family and dogs! Stay sweet, dear friend! You are truly a light that shines in the darkness 🙂
Beth,
Happy Birthday! You are loved by so many. Thank you for your faithful walk. Melissa, thank you for your post. You honored your mom well. What a treasure you and Amanda are to her. God is so faithful! Wishing you the happiest of birthday’s! Love you!!