**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 HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETH!!! I hope you have a wonderfully blessed day. You have been a blessing to me many times. I have had the privilege to be at some of your conferences over the years and I just love to see how God works through you. I Love how He has you in a room with 20,000 people and they all feel like you were spying on their lives and talking directly to them with His words. You have a true gift and I am so thankful you share it and share it with so much joy!!! Again I hope you have a fantastic day. Love and Hugs!!! Joni
Happy Birthday, Beth!!!
Melissa, whatever else you give her, let me assure you that you are the gift! Your mother’s heart must be fit to burst after reading your beautiful post.
What a lovely dedication for your birthday from your amazing daughter Melissa. Happy Birthday and continued blessings in the new year ahead of you. You are such an inspiration and blessing in the lives of so many people, including me. Thank you for sharing your gift of ministry with all of us. I had not heard of Key Word Study Bible before so now I’ve got to go look that up. Grace and blessings.
Happy Birthday Beth!! You are a gift to the world!
Happy birthday, Beth! I have never been so caught up in another sister’s enthusiasm for scripture. You truly have the joy of the Spirit and the light of Jesus shines brightly through you! Shine on, dear sister! May we all be blessed by many more years of your spiritual radiance!
Happy birthday, Beth! I always remember your birthday. It is the same day as my sweet son and daughter (in-law)’s anniversary.
A “home girl” for many years,
Pam
Happy Birthday Beth! You were one of the people that really showed me what the love of Jesus means, that really got me on the right path for my walk of faith. I’m so grateful you are in my life!
Happy happy birthday dear Beth. You don’t know me, but you have allowed me the privilege of being a part of your life and your story. I have studied under your mentorship of Bible studies for years. I talk as if I know you, because I do know bits of your heart from your words and wisdom in our awesome Abba. I pray protection over your life, your families lives, and celebrate your life with you on this birthday. You have born a beautiful and loving family. The birthday tribute written by Melissa is just beautiful. Thank you for sharing parts of your life, your family, your pains, your joys, your prayer requests, your awesome ministry with me. It has helped me to hope and not give up. You are beautiful inside and out. Have an awesome birthday!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MISS BETH!!! I hope your day has been full of expected an unexpected blessings!!!
Happy Birthday Mrs. Beth 🙂 Your gift of teaching helped bring me back. Praise Him for His faithfulness!
Double Ditto about our Siesta Mama. She shares her life with us in grace and humility. She pours herself into everyone else with such compassion and grace. Beth, may God bless you so richly and vividly with His unrelentless love for you. May you feel His presence with you, feel it deep in your bones.
Happy Birthday, Wanda Elizabeth Moore. I so esteem you!
Happy Birthday Beth,
I hope your birthday is all it is meant to be! If it wasn’t for you I would never know the beauty in life and Bible Study!
Happy Birthday to an amazing woman of God! Thank you for allowing God to work in you and through you to bless so many, and I pray God’s continued protection and blessing on you, your family and your ministry.
Ain’t no high like The Most High!
Happy Birthday Beth! I feel like we are old friends. I have sat at your feet and learned so much through your bible studies. The Lord has used you in a mighty way in my life and I can’t thank you enough for being who you are and being obedient to your call. Hope your birthday is as special as you are.
Sonia sticker
Happy Birthday Beth!
You do not know me personally but you have had such a great influence in my life. You have been the most gracious tool of the Master in bringing me up out of a dark place. And also much of the reason I have stayed out of that darkness is because of your love for the Word of God. You have taught me how to love Him more each day. You have shown me the depths of the treasures in the Word. I love our Father so much more than I ever have because of the depth of your teaching. And I just love you so much! I am so grateful for God’s call on your life and your sweet kindness to answer Him with willingness of heart. I thank you for what you do. Keep doing it. I have been blessed by your labor of love. Many blessings to you on your birthday!
Love,
Debra
Happy happy birthday Beth!
I’m wishing you a Happy Birthday Beth not to try to win a thing cause I’m too late anyway but because you are a genuinely wonderful Christian woman!! I lived two doors down from you for a short time in your previous neighborhood in Houston and you were genuine and real, just like any ‘ol neighbor! I love your genuineness and relatability!
Beth, you are true blessing to many through your gift & anointing teaching the Word. Have a great birthday, and may God’s Face on you for many more!
Happy Birthday Beth. May you be blessed as you have blessed us.
Happy birthday,Beth!! Your love for Jesus and The Word has changed my life forever!!
Thank you for setting the pace for so many of us….your faithful Sietas. Happy birthday, dear one.
God Bless Beth Moore & A very happy birthday Ma’am!
Happy Birthday Beth. You have been such an inspiration to me over the years. I pray that you have a delightful day.
Happy Birthday, Beth! What a beautiful tribute Melissa has penned….Thank you for sharing Jesus and yourself with all of us….
Thank you for helping me get through living on the streets with my kids by showing my God’s love. I now live in house and working on my masters because you shared your love for God.
Happiest of Birthdays to you!
Happy Birthday Beth!! Thank you for giving your life to teach so many about God’s love! I hope you had an amazing day!!
Happy birthday, Beth! You’ve been such a blessing to me and taught me so much. I pray that you will be deeply and abundantly blessed this coming year.
Happiest of birthdays to you, Beth! I feel like the day you were born, God was giving a wonderful gift to women like me. This venue is too short to share the many ways God has used your teaching in my life. I will probably have to get in a long line in Heaven to tell you how you’ve blessed our lives.
Many blessings! Patti
Happy Birthday!!!!! May your day be full of God’s blessings!
Happy, Happy Birthday to YOU!!!
Happy Birthday Beth!! I pray that you have a very blessed year. I am so grateful for the tremendous encouragement I have received from your bible studies and watching you on Life Today! I have attended simulcasts and even saw you live in Portland, OR several years ago! May God bless you richly as you continue to bless so many others!!
Happy birthday, Beth. Thank you for leading women to focus on God. My daughter & I do many of your studies. Our lives are richer and closer to God. Our relationship is stronger and growing. Thank you for obeying & leading others to Christ.
Happiest of Birthdays to a woman of God that has been a light to me in my dark days and taught me to finish strong xxc
Happy birthday, Beth!! (When writing your name, I feel like I need to say “Mrs. Beth,” because I’m more like your daughters’ ages…You’re more like my mom’s age & she feels like y’all are best friends!) I’m so thankful for you & your commitment to love & obey The Lord in the calling He has for you. You glorify Him! I hope you’ve had a wonderful day!! Happy Day!!❤️
Happy, Happy Birthday, dear sister in Christ!! I am but one of tens of thousands whom God has blessed through your steadfast obedience to teach the Word boldly and unapologetically. May your year be blessed with the abundant joy of the Lord!
Happy Birthday, Beth! Thank you for your ministry to me and many of my friends.
Happy Birthday Beth, what an amazing gift you are and what a sweet and wonderful tribute! What an amazing legacy!
Bushels of blessings!
Love and prayers!
Steph
Happy Birthday – I am so glad your teachings came into my life!
Happy Birthday! May God bless you on this day.
Thank you Father for giving us Beth on this day ?? years ago to share your word with the world. Her spirit filled bible studies have let me get to know you better Lord. The gift you gave us in Beth has given me much peace. Knowing that you Father are always there for me. Happy Birthday Beth and thank you for sharing His spirit with us. You truly are a blessing.
Happy Birthday, Beth!
Happy Birthday! We share a birthday! Blessings to you on your special day.
Hope you’ve had a wonderful day, Beth!!! My life is richer spiritually because of you! Thanks for your work for the Lord that has blessed so many!!!
I hear birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live!!!! Here’s to many more!!!!
Happy Birthday Beth! You are an inspiration and I love digging into God’s Word through your studies.
Happy happy birthday! Love reading your stories.
Happy Happy!!!! I’ve never won a thing, but I wanted to say Happy Birthday to a super awesome role model and person.
Happy Birthday, Mrs. Beth! God has used you tremendously in my life, and I am thanking Him for you today. Praying His blessings on your life this next year.
Happy birthday! Aside from my mother and grandmother, you have been the greatest encouragement in my walk with Jesus.
Many Birthday Blessings to you, Beth! I love summer birthdays. In fact, my husband’s birth day is tomorrow. Our three daughters and I also have summer birthdays. I’ve enjoyed and learned so much from all of your Bible studies. My 1st one was an audio-taped study on Ephesians 6. Later I took another audio study on Nehemiah. I’m so grateful God has gifted you in teaching His Word.