News, updates, and stories from Thistlebend Ministries.
The Lord is allowing a challenging season in my life right now. I have two sweet babes, one that is 18 months old and one that is almost three months old. I’ve struggled a lot with even saying that this season is hard because I find myself
“You’re not going to find happiness in a piece of chocolate cake.” Ok, I am paraphrasing Laurie from last week’s lecture. But she did say something about chocolate cake not being able to provide lasting comfort when we are facing tough situ
After a couple of months off, we are moving into our next season of Bible Study. Our next study is called, Jesus, I Need You. The title alone describes how I feel! I DO need Jesus! At the beginning of every study, we do a week of orientatio
We just recently celebrated one of the most beautiful, somber, and celebratory weeks of the Christian calendar—Holy Week. I’m still thinking about it. We were reminded of the unimaginable suffering Jesus endured to fulfill the will of our H
My favorite musical of all time is “Les Misérables.” The musical has been around for over 40 years, so it’s likely you have seen it. If not, the musical (supposedly) takes place during the French Revolution, and follows the life of its prot
When I was growing up, I remember one cultural message very clearly: “Look out for #1!” We were constantly bombarded with the importance of putting ourselves first and taught that our personal needs mattered more than anyone else’s. I now k
I left my small group church training so encouraged and so very excited to begin this semester, but right along with the excitement came a creeping lie of feeling the weight of the responsibility that comes with leading a small group in our
A few weeks ago, I looked at my calendar and was suddenly filled with anxiety. My schedule was just too full. I started to feel overwhelmed. Fearful. My first reaction was “what can I drop from my schedule to gain a few badly needed hours e
Did you ever watch Jay Leno, the king of Late-Night television for many years? He periodically ran a segment called “Jaywalking,” in which Jay himself would take to the streets of Los Angeles and ask random people questions. Some of them ar
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the thi
Imagine having coffee with a few friends–just the girls. Isn’t it likely that at some point, one of your friends will make a comment about her husband? Soon, everyone is “venting.” Our husbands are forgetful, they chew too loudly, and they
I’m very thankful for the review week of Falling In Love Again With Your Husband. Each day of homework takes participants through the other six weeks of homework that they have already completed. It’s amazing to go back and remember truths
