Restoring Value

A friend recently told me how after 40 years she finally had enough of the family junk and told her brothers with the superior attitude what had happened to her from their friend, arranged by her younger brother!  Needless to say there was shock from her two older brothers and the oldest, who was a lawyer wanted to press charges.

She declined saying that it's taken her this long to come to terms with the rape and she didn't want to dredge up old wounds...

As she was telling me this I felt for her and said, "How refreshing that must feel to know that they were upset and hurt at what happened to you!"

"Yes, it makes me realize that I have value!"

Value!    We all need to recognize the value in ourselves and others!  Imagine living with a damaged value or self-worth for 40+ years!   We don't see how far reaching the effects are.   The negative connotations are huge.   "I can't do it, No one will believe me, no one will stick up for me,  I'm ugly, I'm not lovable, I don't matter, Why bother?"  I've heard them all before so many times!

Let's be the people that act like Jesus and choose by an action of our will to forgive the perpetrators and claim healing and restoration and payback from God.   After all... the perpetrators could never pay you enough for all the mental anguish, trauma and suffering you've gone through!  Only God can heal a wounded heart!   Trust me... He's a professional at it!   I'm living proof!

I can remember when I was just getting out of an abusive relationship and I had a  small baby.   I was working full time and trying to get over all the trauma.   I was so exhausted every night that I just wanted to go to bed... But Holy Spirit kept telling me over and over.... go brush your teeth.   Like How insignificant is that?   But I obeyed and brushed my teeth.    You see I didn't realize how damaged my self-worth was... Even a little thing like brushing my teeth was a step in the right direction.

Soon that little step led to another and then another... and Years later  I am healed, I take good care of myself and I owe it all to Him.... Little steps add up to big changes over time.

Sometimes we don't know how to even begin to start over.... Let me encourage you to listen to Holy Spirit and obey those small nudges.  He won't give you something too hard to do.  He knows how deeply you've been hurt!  You can trust Him!  He is forever faithful and when you think you've blown it too bad to ever recover remember that the Father's love and plans for you go on forever! 

I decree that you have hope, courage and strength to make it through today.   Holy Spirit will help you  and guide you every step of the way!  I decree joy  in your  journey with Holy Spirit!.   Have a great day with Him! Amen!

Big hugs and blessings,
Brenda Gale Thompson

Mercy Triumphs!

 (photo from Mercy Triumphs over Judgement)  Youtube video is here!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nCInUHPcas

 Hi there friends!  I am back!  Seriously... it's been a wonderful year and I am amazed at God's goodness!

My heart has been stirred recently but a person's situation....  I won't go into details just that the person was left with some health issues and told to live with them. How sad is that!

But God!  Of course this person is angry and bitter and has full rights to be angry, frustrated and bitter...  but I know a better way!

Like Pastor Mark Redner used to tell me... They can't pay you back or make it up to you... Better to let them go and claim double from the Father.  Double the healing you need, double the recompense you need...  better dreams than the dream life you had before.  Only God can make up for man's short falls.

Like someone used to tell me a doctor is only an engineer with two more years of science.  If an engineer can make a mistake you better believe a doctor can make a mistake! 

Does that make sense?   I was praying for this person and my heart broke.    Such pain, horrible pain and broken dreams and it was such a mess I didn't know what to pray for first!  (That rarely happens to me).  I came away with my heart and soul crying out for mercy because honestly I didn't think I would be able to forgive the doctors if those things had happened to me!

Then this morning I was praying again for this person  I was wondering what to pray for next and I heard, "Through our God we shall do valiantly!  For it is He that treads down our enemies!" (Ps. 108:13)

Holy Spirit said I had a key!   With the Father's love in my heart,  putting myself in the person's shoes and crying out for mercy I had a key that would move Heaven and Earth.  Hallelujah!

I am waiting for the results..... I know what God showed me.... if I won't quit praying and making demands and decreeing promises Holy Spirit brings to my remembrance!   He won't quit because "He is forever faithful!" (Psalm 100:5)

So that's my exhortation today... Don't give up on people.... Doctor's do what they can and often fail us... however we have another recourse,,, God!  I dare you to pick up where you have given up on someone or some situation.   Ask God for a strategy or encouragement to keep pressing on and claim the healing promise (Isa. 53:5, 1Pet. 2:24) or dream (Ps. 37:4)  He's shown you!

Big hugs!
Brenda Gale

Dreams and Hard Work

I have been getting a horse ready for sale the last two weeks. It's a lot of work. She (Tina) is not quite three and would like us to believe that she has forgotten everything she learned last fall with the trainer. It takes a lot of time, dedication and vision to see the potential in a horse when they are acting like broncos or spoiled brats. The miracle is that with enough time, patience, training and hard work we can turn them into show winners.

In the same way there is no short cut to fulfilling a dream. They all take time, dedication, a willingness to learn and lots of work.

I think that is what Jesus meant when He asked us to consider the cost before we committed to Him. "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? (Luke 14:28)

What would happen if I quit on my horse? She would never attain her full potential and there's a very good possibility that her life would be cut short. Horses with bad manners, that you can't ride are not good for much.

To me the cost is worth it. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel because my trainer and I have trained a few horses. I know that if I work hard now, in a while she will be more manageable and it won't be so hard next year to get her ready for riding.

Can you see the light at the end of the tunnel? If you work hard can you see a part of your dream coming to pass? I guess the big question is, "What are you willing to go without or do without to pursue your dream?"

I know for me... I have been committing a couple of hours every second day to training plus the additional time of handling, grooming, feeding every day. I do not have time for many things right now, but that is okay, because I have made the choice to do this. When we decide what we will do with our free time it empowers us somehow. It's easier to sacrifice when it's not forced on us by others.

On that note, I am still trying to help a lady with her dream of learning to play the piano. She now knows how to chord a worship song and I am teaching her some music theory along the way.

What I've noticed though, is now that she's realizing how hard it is to play the piano well, she is reconsidering how much she wants the dream. You see, she has three young children and she works and she still wants to read her fiction books every night. As you can imagine... practicing the piano is not happening.

This happens to many people. We start off great but then when we realize that it will take a lot longer than we imagined to achieve our dream, we want to give up. Do not shelve or give up on your dream! Instead, break your dream down into many small steps and figure out what one step you can start on now. Be realistic with your goal setting.

For example, I am going to encourage the piano lady to make some baby sized goals to start with and see how see does with that. It can be a challenge breaking down a dream into manageable, bite-sized pieces, but it can be done. Pursuing a dream, however slowly makes us more alive, more vibrant. Do not let anything or anyone steal your dream because "hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life." (Proverbs 13:12) Even achieving the smallest part of a dream gives you courage to keep believing God for more and along the way or journey we become a tree of life to help others pursue their dreams. It is amazing how God changes us and uses us along the way!


Lord Jesus, You are so awesome! Bless this reader as they pursue You and Your dream for their lives!

Big Dreams Need Help

I do not know how to make my dream come true. It is so huge that only God can orchestrate it.

I felt the Lord tell me to get involved helping people make their dreams come true. Then I could use "my help" as seed for my dream harvest. I didn't have any teaching on this, just a nudge from Holy Spirit that He would be pleased if I did it.

We know from scripture that seed time and harvest, day and night, summer and winter, cold and heat will not pass away while the earth remains.(Genesis 8:22) I have used this Law of the Spirit to sow for a harvest of self control, friends, finances, jobs etc. I had not heard of anyone doing it for dreams but Holy Spirit thought it was okay, so why not? I had nothing to lose.

Over the years I have had the greatest time helping people make their dreams a reality. Sometimes it's only encouragement they need, or an alternate idea to get them going again in the right direction. On other occasions I have been able to facilitate their dream come to pass and watch it happen.

I know it has changed me into a more Christ like person. I have been partnering with the Biggest dream maker of them them all -- God, and it has stretched me to dream bigger and higher. Also, I am not a dream stealer anymore. I know that All things are possible with God. (Matthew 19:26)

Right now I am giving free piano lessons to a lady who always dreamed of being able to play the piano. Another friend got a dream job but has no way to get there the first week so I am going to drive her.

Then there was the lady from work who always dreamed of learning how to crochet so I taught her how to crochet. She has now completed three large blankets in various patterns.

Another lady always dreamed of having an appaloosa horse so I tried to give her one of mine; a beautiful black and white spotted filly. She didn't understand the "Seed being worth more than money" principle so I was able to explain it to her. She ended up giving me a nominal amount for the filly, just to keep her husband happy.

I don't think we can go wrong helping people pursue their dreams. The bible says, "Where there is no vision, the people perish,..." (Prov.29:18) A dream gives us focus, purpose and a destiny that we would otherwise not have. I remember once just thinking about God and how He has lost so much and yet His dreams are coming to pass in the world. He never quits. You know what He told me that day? He whispered to me that His love and plans go on forever. What a concept! It doesn't matter how many times we 'mess' up, He always has a back up plan.

There is hope for the dream He has given you. It might take some time to rediscover your dream but it is possible. Ask God to help you. He's really good at that. "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:..." (Psalm 37:4-5).

For more encouragement and direction in pursuing your dream I suggest you read the book, "Chicken Soup for the Soul, Living Your Dream". It has many uplifting stories of how people have pursued and achieved their dreams.

Bless you in Jesus' Name as you pursue God's dream for your life.

A Dream Given to God Doesn't Die

Sometimes you have a dream so big you don't know how it's ever going to happen.

I know that God can make dreams come true because He's done it for me before. You see, when I was in Engineering I had my western saddle situated in my bedroom and whenever I would get tired of studying I would look at that saddle and what it represented, and I kept going, because I knew I needed a good job to pay for my dream.

Well life didn't work out like I thought and when I moved out East years later with my 18 month old daughter, I didn't have room in the trunk for a saddle, never mind the expense of boarding a horse. The Lord told me to move out here; I had no connections, no job and one friend that said I could stay with her a couple of weeks till I found my bearings. I had five weeks left of Unemployment Insurance to live on till I either found a job or went on social assistance.

Time moved on and three years later I was living in the country and married to a great guy -- two major miracles. Then, two years later, I had the opportunity to rent some property behind our place and get a horse for my daughter!

If you had told me that moving out East was reasonable, I could tell you about all the people who thought I had lost my marbles. Guess what? God always has the last word.

So if you ask me, "Does it pay to obey God?" I would say, "Yes!" Even if it doesn't make sense... obey God. If you are wrong, He is able to correct you. If you don't obey, you will never know what you might have missed.

Give your dreams to the Lord. Trust Him in this and He will bring them to pass (in His perfect timing)(Psalm 37:4-5)
P.S. The picture is of my daughter and horse in our first horse show.

Loving with Actions

Last Friday I heard that some people that we know were moving. They have three young children so I asked my husband, Roy if we could go help. He said he would go for the morning and I convinced him to take my 14 year old son. I couldn't go as my other two girls needed chauffeuring around town. My son wasn't too happy at first but I know it was the right thing to do. We did not have to help. We were not asked. We have not gone to that church in over a year and we live 45 minutes away -- but it was the right thing to do.

You see, I remember trying to move a three bedroom house when I was eight months pregnant. We had let all our friends know and the church know and when moving day came, only one of Roy's friends from Toronto showed up. (He drove five hours to help us).

I tried calling some people but everyone was busy. I can't begin to tell you how disappointed I felt. The crew included my husband, his friend, myself -- as big as a house, and my twelve year old. She helped me look after my four year old and three year old while I moved boxes etc.

We somehow did it. I had everything packed up which helped. I was praying for supernatural help most of the day. I was crying out, "Lord! Where's the body when we need it?" That was a 12 hour move with a 29 foot UHaul van. It took us three trips. I drove because I'm used to driving big vehicles. We cleaned the house later. We didn't even unpack, as we were too exhausted. Nobody got hurt which was a miracle.

Ever since then, I make sure we show up when people are moving. I am not going to let that happen to someone else!

I am not sure why, but so many churches do not have a community spirit, when it comes to work. I'm not sure what to do about it. I really started praying that God would raise up the men out of their complacency. There's nothing wrong with a good day's work. You feel like you accomplished something at the end of it. Best of all, you make better friends when you work and take breaks together.

The church we are in now is different. Two of the members are great at calling the men to get help for big projects. That blesses me so much! The ladies are great at pulling together for funerals, baby showers and the like, but it really makes a difference when the men pull together. It gives me hope for Revival in our area because Revival is a huge team effort.

Anyhow, that's what was on my heart today. Incidentally, my son was quite happy after moving because Roy took him to Canadian Tire, to buy him a badminton racket for the school team. He was telling his dad how he whooped them on Monday. LOL!
"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." (1John 3:18)

Encouragement From The Vineyard

One day when I was discouraged about ministry opportunities that are not opening around here Holy Spirit told me to go pray upstairs.

When I got upstairs He told me to check out Matthew chapter 20, the parable of the the Workers in the Vineyard

"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard." (Matthew 20:1-3)

I understand this part. This is the route that many students take. They go to school to become pastors so they can work in the vineyard right away. That's what I wanted to do but the Lord said no. He wanted me to work for a season. I didn't think it would be for 23 years! Let's continue with the parable.

"About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' So they went. "He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing. About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, 'Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?' (Matthew 20: 3-6)

This is where my heart cringes. It might look like these men are "doing nothing" but I beg to differ. These poor guys have been waiting patiently in the market, enduring the judgmental, perhaps scornful looks of people passing by. They have their work gear on and they are acting enthusiastic, trying to get the Vineyard owner's attention so they will get picked next. I imagine by five p.m. their hopes are flagging. No one likes to be the last person picked on a team. Remember the anxiety you faced as a child trying not to be the last one picked? That happened to me far too many times. The rejection these men have endured is humiliating and they deserve credit for waiting this long. Most people in a casual work pool won't wait past 8:30 a.m. never mind enduring the heat and the looks till five p.m.

"'Because no one has hired us,' they answered. He said to them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard.'" (Matt 20: 7)

This is what I am waiting for. I have been diligent. I have been hoping and waiting and getting ready as Holy Spirit has led. I have three libraries full of books, teaching tapes and cds that Holy Spirit told me to study and testimonies that would fill a couple of books. Am I in the vineyard full time? No, not yet. I keep trying the doors, but none are opening, yet. I am wearing the right clothes and I am asking Holy Spirit to put the right perfume on me so I smell good to the Vineyard Owner. For sure, I am not taking the opportunities to get offended and quit.

"When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.' The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 'These men who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, 'and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.'" (Matthew 20: 8-12)

I see resentment from the earlier workers because they felt cheated. I wonder what is harder, to work all day with your job and your diploma and the respect of the people... or to wait, working a regular job with the hard work of keeping a dream alive over so many years? I think both are hard positions, but if you are where you are supposed to be, you will hear Holy Spirit say, "Well done," every day. I know that is what I am living for. Let's finish the parable.

"But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?' (Matthew 20:13-16)

So here's the kicker, we all get the same wages. In fact it seems totally unfair to the college grad that started in ministry right away. What was the point? I totally agree. If God isn't calling you to be a pastor or leader you don't want it. It's a heartbreaking job. Almost like being a parent multiplied a hundred times over.

This is where motives really tell. If they were doing it because Holy Spirit told them to, then they will hear His "Well done."

For those of us still waiting to be told, "Go work," this is really encouraging. He knows how long we have been waiting and He has not forgotten us!

I know I am called to do evangelistic crusades and God will open the door at the right time. In the mean time does anyone want to go street preaching, prophesying, and healing with me? I need prayer back up and a witness, in case something bad happens. LOL!

New Song Deliverance

One morning, on my day off a number of years ago, I was doing my devotions when I really felt the Lord leading me to praise and worship Him. I did for about a half an hour when I felt a new song birthing in my spirit. I didn't get all the words for it and I was still singing it under my breath when the Lord told me to go to the mall in town. I thought okay, I need some groceries anyhow. So I got dressed and left.

When I got to the mall I was drawn to the mall doors, not the grocery store door. So I went in, took a few steps, and sort of looked around while asking the Lord what to do next.

A blond lady, about 5'3" and approximately 50 years old came out of nowhere it seemed and wanted directions of some sort. When she got about 3 feet away from me, all of a sudden we felt an explosion, like a big "POOF!" in the air between us and she burst into tears.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank You! " she said over and over as she grabbed my hand and shook it in both of hers.

I said "Your welcome. God Bless you!" and she shook my hand some more, then we parted.

I started walking back to my car, stunned and I asked the Lord, "What was that?" because Holy Spirit was so happy. He showed me that this precious lady was set free from an evil spirit, as she got close to me, because of the presence of the Lord that I was carrying. I did not have to pray or drive the demon out. I did not even get to say anything and it left her! All because of worship and the new song of the Lord. So I prayed right then, that she would be forever free in Jesus' name.

As you can tell, I still have lots to learn, but praise the Lord, He will use us if we are available! At that time in my life I did not even know how to pray out a demon, ( LOL!) and He still used me. To God be all the Glory!

I was reminded of the verse, "He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it and fear, and shall trust in the Lord." (Psalm 40:3)

Yes, many shall see it, (the effects of the New Song of God) and fear reverentially, and shall trust in the Lord. Hallelujah! There is power in the new song that God gives you. Power to set captives free and help others. Another verse that speaks of this kind of "setting captives free" is Job 22:30, "He will deliver even one who is not innocent, who will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands." It works!

The bible says, "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils, they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." Mark 16:17-18 Amen! Holy Spirit wants to help us, help others. Praise the Lord!

You know, singing a new song is easier than you think. Start at home or in the car where you won't have anyone listening to you. Think of a song where you don't know all the words and start singing what you know of it. Then when you get to the parts you don't know ask Holy Spirit what you can sing to Him. He will give you new words to the song and you will be singing a new song from your heart to Him.

Another way to sing a new song is to ask Holy Spirit, "What can I say or sing that will bless Your Heart?" Ask Him for a few words then ask him for a melody to put the words to. It can be a melody you know, like a popular song or a children's lullaby and sing it. You can start with something simple and just practice singing it over and over. Sometimes you might start to notice Holy Spirit moving in around you like a sweet presence, or you will notice your eyes will tear up. Singing a new song really blesses the Lord's heart. Truly, "He inhabits the praises of His people." (Ps 22:3)

Here is an example song the Lord gave me one day. It is very simple, yet Holy Spirit loves it.

"God, He is good. His mercy endures forever." two times then, "God You're so good. Your mercy endures forever." two times.

You see, it doesn't have to be difficult or complicated. So have fun and don't stress out about it. As you ask Holy Spirit questions and follow His promptings you will get better at discerning His voice and you will also be blessing the Father's Heart.

If music is not your forte, why not try doing a rap song or speak out your words like poetry, with lots of emotion? That will work too and you will feel better as you do it. We all need an outlet to express our gratitude for what the Lord has done for us. I have got to say, in twenty five years I have never been able to out give the Lord. As I try to bless His heart, He always gives back, so much more.

Be blessed in Jesus' name! It is so amazing what God will do, if we are willing and obedient. I give Him all the Glory! Please feel free to write me back about your practice song sessions with the Lord. I am very excited for you.

Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson