Oh goodness, you just made me cry into my coffee! Thank you for your kind words. ❤️

Comfort in the Ashes: An Excerpt Trauma in the book of Job

Read ch 1 of Comfort in the Ashes, by @michellekeener.bsky.social. The book of Job meets trauma theory… send to all your pastor and counselor friends! open.substack.com/pub/kelleyma...

Thank you for sharing this, Kelley!! ❤️

Thank you, Kelley!!!

IT’S FINALLY HERE!!

My new book, Comfort in the Ashes: Explorations in the Book of Job to Support Trauma Survivors, is out in the world!!

Go grab your copy today!!

www.amazon.com/Comfort-Ashe...

Thank you, Kari!!

I am so grateful to the brilliant & incredibly kind Dr. Lynn Cohick for this endorsement.

Go check out her podcast, The Alabaster Jar! It’s awesome!!

Oh, and feel free to pre-order my new book. That would be cool too.

My word for 2025 is Release.

For two reasons…

1) I have 2 books scheduled to RELEASE this year. 🎉🎉🎉

2) It’s time for me to RELEASE a lot of pain, anger, & sorrow that I have been holding so tightly.

Do you choose a word for the year?

Starter pack: women in Christian theology & ministry. go.bsky.app/93QuBQz

This low-key made my day.

I didn’t even post the bit where they called me “Chaotic Cupcake Scholar,”which actually sounds like my perfect brand.

“A seasoned sailor in a philosophical storm…” Love this!

When people who visited my church would ask me “Do you allow women to teach?” (Normally after a woman had just taught)

I would respond “no, but we do empower them to.”

I don’t allow someone to teach. I merely recognize their giftedness and God’s call on their life.

As a woman who will be preaching in two weeks, this brought tears to my eyes.

Thank you for sharing.

Totally makes sense. But picture this…you wear it to ETS next year.

Just walk into a random session in a ball gown & sit in the front row.

Marine wife here…I needed a ball gown every year for 21 years!

I like Macy’s. They carry formal dresses in stock.

Bridal often shops have formal gowns as well.

There are online rental options, but they can be hit or miss.

If you are near a military base, you may find some in thrift stores.

Me: *glasses on, nose buried in the book of Judges, scribbling notes about trauma*

My 22 yr. old paramedic daughter: Hey Mom, wanna watch Hot Frosty?

Me: *immediately on the sofa with a blanket & hot cocoa*

No regrets.

I did indeed!

I’m looking forward to reading it! It came highly recommended by a scholar friend.

I was asked if I could turn my ETS paper on the Levite’s concubine, trauma & the corruption of religious authority into a book.

And I said no.

Then I said maybe.

Now I have a new document open on my laptop. 🤦🏼‍♀️

This was a rough one, for sure.

And I’ll still get to see you at IBR!

Author achievement unlocked:

I spotted my book in a book haul photo. 😍

Thank you, JoAnna!!

I passed on the mug because I didn’t think it would survive the trip home. I DID however buy the book!

You’re always Auntie Beth!

Congratulations!!!

Today’s mission…baking cupcakes to take to my daughter’s fire station tomorrow.

So. Many. Cupcakes.

And a buttercream tsunami.

It was so good to see you!!

Final ETS/IBR book haul.

Now which one to read first?

Just kidding, I already started Diane Langberg’s book.

Came home from a wild, amazing & inspiring conference week to this…

(also came home to a pile of copy edits & emails but let’s not talk about that).

Thank you!! And thank you for the photos! It was great to talk to you!

Love it!!