Hello, my name is Joseph Thiessen (pronounced TEE-sen). I'm not a prolific writer, but I enjoy putting my thoughts into words from time to time. This blog is a collection of my personal writings, interviews I've been part of, and occasionally, pieces that catch my attention. As someone with a passion for technology, growth in my Identity in Christ, and music, I find joy in exploring a wide range of topics. Feel free to explore and discover what resonates with you. While comments are not typically enabled, I welcome your kind thoughts and feedback. To get started, I recommend checking out some of my favorite posts, such as God's Healing through a Stick of Gum? , God Encounters at Waffle House , and Deja Vu of the God Kind . Thank you for visiting, and I hope you enjoy your time here!
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...