Blog posts by Joseph Thiessen

Editor’s note:  This article reflects Joseph’s personal experience with Husband Material Academy. We are grateful for the ways God has used this process in his healing journey. As with any ministry or counseling resource, readers should prayerfully discern what is appropriate for their own needs and circumstances. While sitting in a workshop at a Husband Material retreat, I heard these words in my spirit, “I want you to give your childhood self his voice back.”  It seemed like a strange request, and I had no clue how a person would even begin to do this; however, I acknowledged God’s desire for me to pursue this goal, knowing He would also help me get there. I was taking a biblical counseling course through my church at the time, and as I learned about the various counseling models, I began looking for a counselor who could help me.  In December of 2025, my counselor and I talked about my goals for the coming year. I wanted to join Husba...

Small talk can be difficult for me. Maybe that’s because there’s a place in my soul that’s still crying out to be soothed—and normal conversation can feel like a waste of time. But I’m learning that small talk can actually be a bridge toward deeper connection, if I let it be. When I was younger, I was an open book with people I trusted. No one ever said it, but I sometimes felt like I was unloading on them—like a dump truck dumping compost. For some of us, that’s how it can come across. As I’ve grown in understanding my value, my worth, and my sameness with my church family, that tendency has softened. I’ve learned to enjoy connecting with a wider range of people, even around more everyday topics. But my growth has been slow and steady over a lifetime—and God has been intentional in it every step of the way. We don’t have to have everything figured out—our addictions gone or our souls fully healed—to be a blessing to others. Sometimes it’s the still-raw places, the things God is active...

Thoden Summoned to valor, his spirit waxed stronger than iron in war’s shadow. “ Crops can be resewn, homes rebuilt. Within these walls, we will outlast them .” …said he.   Eowyn Fearless, she stood steadfast in the face of battle.   “ Let me stand at your side. ” …said she.   Seven of Nine Held captive to silicon and circuits, her inward journey awakened an unshackled humanity.  “ Impossible is a word that humans use far too often .” …said she.   Transmutation Once powerless, a single moment gives birth to boundless ability. Said of those who’ve experienced it, “ Are you a god? No, but I’m something more .”   Odin Renown for wisdom, he shaped destinies and dynasties.  “ Allfather give me strength .” …said he.   Starlord His charm and wit rallied unlikely friends to legendary deeds.  “ Dance-off bro. Me and you .” …said he.   Thor Son of Thunder. Steadfast and bold. “ Your ancestors called it magic, and you call it science .” …said ...

Jesus has been leading me through deep soul work—bringing up painful experiences to help me acknowledge how they affected me, learn from them, and repent where needed. While working through a video and workbook on manipulation and control, I grew uncomfortable. At first, I was focused on how others had manipulated or controlled me. But the Holy Spirit gently shifted my focus to the log in my own eye. He brought up memories of times I had been manipulated in ways that seemed playful but were aimed at gaining attention, praise, or control. It hurt to realize I’d been coerced in the name of fun, but deeper still was the realization that I’ve done the same. The thought of this was familiar and painful to think about; I knew that I had engaged in this sort of behavior myself. I remembered manipulating others to join me in sin or cleverly trying to secure more of someone’s time instead of trusting God to provide what I needed relationally. After I finished my study, I turned to my journal an...

This is the first sermon I've posted from my church. It's been a couple of days since I heard it, so I won't do a full recap here.  Being raised in the church, and perhaps more so in the non-denominational charismatic, Rhema-type churches, verses 22-23 of Mark 11 has been co-opted to mean something altogether different than what I heard in this sermon. Mark 11:22-23 (ESV) And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ​‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Additionally, the verses in this sermon helped me to understand why Jesus cursed the fig tree, why he cleansed the temple, and that selling things in the temple was a provision set forth in the Torah. Being this cleared up so much confusion around these verses, I wanted to place this here in hopes that it will help you. The reading of scripture begins at 16:30 ...

At 27 years old, nearing the end of my college years, I followed my usual routine on Wednesday, June 18, 1997, and attended the youth group service at my church. As an assistant leader, along with another person close to my age, I helped wherever needed.   That night marked the beginning of extraordinary changes in my life. Looking back, many who were there would agree that God did amazing things during that time. However, as with many spiritual encounters throughout history, some lost their way and abandoned their faith. For me, this season remains a personal treasure. If God had ordained it solely for my benefit, it was still an incredible gift to my soul—one I will cherish all my days.   On this particular night, our youth pastor, Mark, felt led by the Holy Spirit to do something different. After the usual teaching time, he shared a message from Psalm 23. Although I don’t remember every detail of the teaching, the focus on the phrase from verse 5, “my cup overflows,” stood ...