What a Great Church!

Hi Friends.    Just an update.... I've been living in Edmonton for over three years and Alberta for four years.  God put me in a really great church.     For a while I wondered because we didn't have a pastor and we would get different speakers but the worship was great so I stuck it out.

Now we have Pastor Chris and Nicki Mathias from the States.  The new name is The Summit Edmonton.   It's been such a blessing because they  believe in training up the believers and have a ministry team.   Not only is it a protection from burnout for them but it's such great training for the body!

On top of that, Pastor Nicki is starting a school of music ministry for kids and people of all ages that want to learn how to play or sing or both!   They'll be able to learn an instrument,  learn how to be on a worship team and how to sing a new song to the Lord!  How amazing is that?   I am so thrilled for the  people of our congregation! 

Finally, we have a very anointed evangelist that goes out regularly to  share at the malls and other places.   I tried to connect with him once but it didn't work out.  Think I'll have to try again.

All in all, the Lord has been restoring my hope.  I know I need the body.   I'm just one soldier in this army and I'm thrilled to bear witness with what God is doing!

God has promised to turn my scars into trophies and I'm seeing it happen before my eyes!   The church is just one part, but so important to me! Hallelujah!

Here's the link to the facebook page where we have live services!

https://www.facebook.com/TheSummitEdmonton/

Have a great day with Him!
Blessings and hugs,

Brenda Gale

I saw some cute kids dancing at the back of church after the healing service was over.  They were so cute that I quickly grabbed my phone and caught some clips.

I tried to put them together in a meaningful way and this is what I came up with.  There is so much to learn about film production.  After I finish this intro course on Library Management  I might take a course on how to make better movies. We'll see.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fh0V_rbQDZA&feature=share&list=UU7E5UbsoEGA5NEGm3yirUmA




Oh.  Guess what?  I'm still going out to the malls etc. The other day I was handing out million dollar bills at a Dollarama store and a lady said,  "Thank you very much."  I went back to her and explained about the million dollar gift and she got more excited.  We talked and as I left she said, "Keep praying for me."  I told her I would.

Then at another store, I was going around when I thought I'm going to try what Matt Sorger was preaching about.  I said, "Come out in Jesus' name!" a few times as I walked down a few isles. (I wasn't yelling, lol)  I didn't see any demons manifest (Shucks!) but there were some Asian ladies that kept following me around.   It wasn't strange at all.  I could tell they just wanted to be around me.  I wish I could tell you that I had the courage to interrupt their conversation but I'm not there yet.  I don't speak Punjabi or whatever language they speak.

I'm still learning!  I'm getting more bold about praying for people in stores when I see someone sick or with a crutch etc.  Deliverance can be really messy.  I need more boldness I guess.  I'll have to start  decreeing Proverbs 28:1-- that I am as bold as a lion because I am righteous.

I did miss it at the library with a young man who wouldn't make eye contact.  He needed help with his computer and I got it fixed for him.  I could tell that he was so nervous with me being around him that I didn't want to push it.  As it was, as soon as I left he took off to the bathroom. Looking back, maybe I should have blessed him.  He was like a deer in head lights....  maybe next time.

So be encouraged!  I don't always get it right and Holy Spirit has never chastised me or reprimanded me.   If you hear stuff like that.... it's the accuser for sure!  Tell him to go back where he came from and keep trying.  You'll have a lot of fun and bless many, many people!

God doesn't need a perfect vessel, he just needs a yielded vessel. Hallelujah!

God bless you!
Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson

Waiting on the Lord

The Lord told me over a year ago that if I wanted to help birth this huge revival that I needed to spend 90% of my anointing on Him.  I have taken him at his word because he can't lie and He doesn't change.   He was the one who said that the pure in heart would see His face.  I am taking that promise to the bank.

That means that I haven't gone out to do much prophetic evangelism and I only went out to preach at a church once last year -- mind you I did prophesy over every person there, lol.  Most of my time was spent serving at my local church and waiting on the Lord.

Waiting on God is never a waste of time because it intensifies the anointing on you.  I led a little girl to the Lord a week or so ago.  I've been getting really accurate words of knowledge for people as I drive around and they've been healed. Just today I was able to share with a lady about the meetings at Kinburn and she wanted to know about God so I shared about getting saved, dreams and interpretation and I testified about all the different types of healings I've seen at Kinburn Revival.

Also, I went shopping  two weeks ago and I witnessed to the clerk, gave out some tracts to some young teens that were wandering around and I loved on a lady that God showed me was really lonely.

I want to encourage you to wait on the Lord every day.  He will give you your marching orders and make your time really fruitful.  We all want to make a difference right?  Lord, show us how!

On that note, here is a really good clip by Dave Reid, about the rewards of waiting on the Lord...
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBl-QzkVaXo

The Lord gave me a verse to help me be tenacious.  It's Is. 42:4, "I will not falter or be discouraged until your justice is established in the whole world."  AMEN!  We won't quit or be discouraged. We build ourselves up in our most holy faith by praying in other tongues. We do seek the Lord while he may be found. We are bold and courageous because we study His word (Bible).

Here's the latest video clip of myself at church sharing a vision that the Lord gave me.  Let it ignite your heart to seek Him More!   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP92N5zfKXc

Bless you!
Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson

Going to the Next Level

Sammy Robinson identified the spirit stopping us from going to the next level. He called in and insidious spirit.  Insidious means "Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects: "the insidious effects of stress" or "Treacherous; crafty: "an insidious alliance". 

Then he  warned us about losing our voice and to guard our voice.  This can happen so easily as we try to maintain some semblance of peace in our homes or workplaces.  However, it has a huge price tag.  We are called to war! "The Kingdom of God suffers violence and the violent take it by force".  

The next time someone starts to openly mock or taunt me I'm not going to walk away I'm going to pray in tongues and then speak what Holy Spirit leads.  Enough is enough!   Lord help us to separate the enemy from the people around us.  Help us to recognize the evil spirits.   Shed your love abroad in our hearts and help us to be bold and courageous for You!  Amen!

http://youtu.be/Hu-OSRcSC6E is Sammy's clip.  http://youtu.be/4no6S2PyudM   is part 2.

Have a great day!

Big hugs,

Brenda Gale Thompson

An Oasis

Pic from wikipedia.com

I will never forget the first time I went to West Carleton Christian Assembly (Kinburn Revival).  It was on a blustery Friday night, Jan. 1st as I remember.  There weren't many cars in the parking lot but I didn't care.  I had heard that God's presence was welcomed there and I was desperate for living water.

Just a few weeks earlier the church I used to go to had a guest speaker and his band ministering.  I was praising and dancing like a fool at the back of the church when a lady commented on how hard I was dancing.  I told her that I was so desperate for a breakthrough that if God told me to dance naked I would have.  That ended that conversation!

So anyhow, I got to this church I heard about  and had to wait for someone to unlock the door.  When I walked in I could feel in the spirit that it was different.  I started to pray and seek the Lord and the service started soon after.  When they invited worshipers to the front I was thrilled!  That's my favorite place to be!  It's so much easier to focus on the Lord when there's no one in front of you, at least for me it is.

During the worship the Lord told me to lay down on the floor. I hesitated and then thought, "What have I got to lose?"  Well did the Lord ever minister to me!  A fellow came by and told me to sit up a couple of times so he could give me a prophetic word and I couldn't!  I was pinned to the floor by an invisible force and I felt Holy Spirit taking away layers of pain and disappointment.  It was awesome!   I didn't want to get back up.  Wave after wave of love and encouragement flooded my soul and healed my heart.

This church has been an oasis for so many people.  This song goes out to all the people looking for an oasis.  May you find one within driving range soon!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHFVnc0kCBY&feature=player_embedded

Bless you richly!
Brenda Gale Thompson

Ps.  If you liked this article please share!

Crocheting detour

Well, I did it.  I finally opened up my crocheting storage bin after a years break to see if I could make these fancy 'Robin Hood' style slippers.  It felt like Christmas!  It was so nice to be able to create again.  Just have to find the balance in life so that I don't go overboard again and miss out on time with the Lord.

I listened to some great preaching while I was crocheting these pieces.  I keep a note pad handy so I can write down any insights I want to work on.

I thought I was ready for Christmas when I got a request from my daughter.  Turns out my grand daughter loves her new Barbie doll and could I please make her some clothes?  Ha ha,  I scoured the internet and took out a few books from the library and found a few patterns I thought I could do.   Finding the right kind of yarn was a bigger challenge. I found the dress while I was searching for suitable yarn.

Here's what I ended up making while  I listened to some great preaching and watched a boring movie with my hubby.

Two hours for a little hat and keyhole scarf!  The stitches are so tiny that it takes forever to crochet anything.   I even did an internet search looking for Barbie clothes to see if I could find a deal and save myself a few hours and found that there is not much out there.

Went searching the next day for yarn and couldn't find any so I called a friend and she had some leftover baby yarn. PTL!  I got it from her and finished this outfit.

It wasn't a waste of time because I was able to review many of my good confessions and build myself up in the word.  Jedediah Tham says that in many cases our times with God are unfruitful because we haven't spent enough time in the word of God.  No word in your diet equals very little to chew on or meditate on.

Looking back I can see where having a full diet of the promises of God has helped my meditation time.   Lots of Word gives Holy Spirit lots to work with, lol.  Also, lots of word in your diet gives you lots of discernment because, "the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:11-13)

Powerful eh?  So the key is to make sure that your activities don't leave you spiritually starving for meat.  You want lots of good word in your diet so that Holy Spirit can breathe on it and make it a living word for you in your devotional times or meditation times.

Let's activate this with our words: "Thank You Lord for giving us a hunger for your word.  Help us to always make time for your word and protect our meditation times from intrusion and spiritual attack.   We want to bear lots of fruit for You, Lord Jesus!  Amen!"

Bless you!
Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson

Breaking Strongholds in Marriages

This is from a precious friend who asked me to post it so that you would be encouraged.  He is so excited about the breakthroughs he is seeing in his marriage and his friend's marriages.  Be  encouraged!  God is on your side!

"Today I spent the whole morning breaking down strong holds in a married couple's house. When we thought that we where through Holy Spirit stayed and brought forth more and more revelation. After calling out peoples names living and dead we made a great step forward in discernment  by breaking off curses one at a time. 

Again, just as I said, we thought we were through, but HOLY SPIRIT wasn't. We felt to call out each of the married couples to forgive each other. After they both forgave each other we could feel something lifting off. 

I did this months ago with my wife and I also could feel something breaking off of me. Now here is the discernment that I was given at that time; when we get married we stand before the LORD and give a pledge to each other.  At this time our love is so great between us. 

As life goes on we start to drift. We don't keep our love guard up and become less loving and all that goes with it.  Oh how the devil is so glad. We don't even know what is going on behind the scenes. After some time in our marriages we start thinking about our partner in negative ways. Now look closely, we are just thinking. So where do you think these negative thoughts come from? 

It build and builds until there is great disagreement, bitterness and no forgiveness. Our marriage is now in great danger. Oh how the devil is so slippery. We think that we can do it on our own and that is such  a lie!

So what do they do now?  They split up and blame it always on the other partner because they cannot see through their own bitterness. 

This would not have happened, if right from the start we received the proper education. It is about 'being tried' people, just like Adam and Eve. We are all in this trial forever and without proper education we will stay in this prison forever. 

We have to fight back and take back what satan stole from us and the LORD says it is love. You see satan can't love and he doesn't want you to either. On the other hand, OUR FATHER is full of love, he heals with love and believe me his love is a total healing dictionary. A first aid kit that never runs out. The only time it runs out is when we run out of him. 

Lets go back to our love problem. We have to forgive each other and go back to the alter where our vows were and take a stand against satan. My advice is to kiss your spouse regularly. Tell them you love them. Hold their hand and watch the world look at you. Speak well of them all the time.  Focus on their good points, not the things that irritate you. 

The people around will all wonder and wish they had this. Choose to Stand on top of the world with your confession and faith in Jesus and Holy Spirit's comfort and counsel... instead of sinking into it to join the fallen."    (L.Jones)

Isn't that exciting?  I love to hear about people getting breakthroughs.  I don't want the devil to win in anybodies life!

Repeat this after me: I am a light set on a hill!  I am salt that is meant to preserve and flavor everything! I am a blessing everywhere I go!  I am 'love' walking and talking because his love is shed abroad in my heart as I ask him for it! I am his beloved and I can love those God puts in my path; especially my family, church family and coworkers!

Bless you!
Brenda Gale Thompson

Too Busy... No way!

I took a friend grocery shopping while in Ottawa yesterday, since they don't have a car.   First of all, I was shocked at how little they spend on groceries.  $50.00 was it! One big bag of mung beans and some other beans, vegetables, milk and eggs and that was it.  What a shock!  I spend around $100-150/week on groceries for the same number of people.

Yup.... it was a eye opener for sure.  Now I am looking for ways that I can trim my grocery bill a bit more, without sacrificing the variety of our diet.  I don't think I'm ready to have beans 4 different ways a week.

The other thing she pointed out was that I didn't give out a word of knowledge in the grocery store and she's right.  I have been so busy video taping and video editing that I've fallen out of the groove and slipped back into not doing much with what I have.

It's time to set up some better boundaries with certain individuals and stoke the fire again.  If I have been there once I can get there again.

Here's some confessions that I use to stoke the fire of God inside of me.  Speak them out loud and see how they help you!

Thank You Lord that You are always with me. That you will never leave me or forsake me.
Thank You Lord that I see with your eyes and that Your love compels me to reach out and help relieve suffering, wherever I find it.
Thank You Lord that I am full of you, Holy Spirit.
Thank You Lord that I am a walking conduit of Heaven's glory and presence.
Thank You Lord that I release the light of your glory within me every where I go.
Thank You Lord that I resist the devil and he has to flee.
Thank You Lord that I exult Your word above my experience.
Thank You Lord that I don't let a lack of instant results deter me from reaching out and commanding healing to flow to others.   I can always give them a church business card and ask them to contact us with their testimony later.
Thank You Lord for all the angels that hearken to Your word through me.  Show me what to decree so the angels get their testimonies today.
Thank You Lord that I resist fear and I walk with Holy Spirit.  Freely I have received and freely I give.
Thank You Lord that I don't grieve Holy Spirit today. 
Thank You Lord that I am quick to repent when I don't feel Holy Spirit's abiding presence around me.
Thank You Lord that I honor your 'nudges' above my need for comfort or security.
THank You Lord that I seize the moments to make a difference for You.
Thank You for Heaven on earth flowing through me.
Thank You Lord that I'm bold because I'm righteous!
Thank you Lord that I am Your revival vessel today, right now!
Thank You Lord for going ahead of me and preparing the path for me.
Thank you for opportunities to advance your kingdom and for your help to recognize what you would have me to say and do.
Thank You Lord for more of your love shed abroad in my heart to day. 
Thank You Lord for a great day with You.
Thank you Lord that there's nothing that can happen that we can't get through together.
Thank you that You are working all things together for my good.
Thank you for blessing and protecting Israel and all her people.
Thank You Lord for protecting all my leaders.  Bless them and guide them Lord.  Amen!

That's a good way to start.   Believe it or not, I have to get past the point of 'what if nothing happens' too.  Actually, something always happens when we pray for people.  It is just it starts on the inside first and works it's way to the outside.  Just like a cold starts inside before you ever have symptoms, so does healing start from the inside.

Therefore be encouraged!   You will get your testimonies!  God is faithful!  He won't test you beyond what you can endure.  And in the mean time he's pruning you and growing you into a short, bushy tree that bears much fruit for the Kingdom of God. Hallelujah!

Bless you!
Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson

Pete Cabrera... The REAL Deal!

This fellow has a refreshing perspective.  ENJOY!
http://petecabrerajr.com/?p=326

Like Calves???

I remember once years ago when my husband and I got a word from a Leader about us coming out of stalls like calves.  We didn't understand it and wondered why the Leader was associating us with calves.  Were we immature? Was he saying we were inexperienced?  It didn't make sense.  He wasn't an approachable fellow so we just had to leave it behind.

Of course.... now I know that he was quoting part of a Bible verse.  Really!  I was so surprised when I came across this verse years later.  "But unto you who revere and worshipfully fear My name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings and His beams, and you shall go forth and gambol like calves [released] from the stall and leap for joy." (Mal. 4:2 Amp.)

I now know so much more about this verse.  That leader was giving me a key to my future ministry and I didn't know it!

I can't think of a single ministry experience in the last two years where I have not lead people in prayers of forgiveness and prayed for God to heal the wounds in their souls that caused their walls and unforgiveness.

So much of the healing we want is blocked up because of unforgiveness.  So many prophesies are on the shelf because of the wounds in our souls.  Yes our spirits are born again but our souls need healing.

Only in God's love through Jesus and Holy Spirit do our souls find healing and the strength to live without walls and protection mechanisms.  His love heals us and frees us to the point where we don't need to live behind walls of protection anymore.

Many prophesies that are over us will not come to pass because of the wounds in our souls.  With testimonies comes persecution and stress and we need to be prepared to handle it with the fruit of the spirit.

I know I am working on healing some wounds in my soul.  I just had one show up the other day in something my husband did innocently that triggered a reaction in me I wasn't expecting.   Later in my quiet time I asked the Lord why I had reacted that way and he showed my something from my teenage years that I had lived through with great stress and fear that caused me to put up a wall. 

I then asked the Lord to heal me so that I wouldn't hurt anyone again.  As we behold him we are changed from glory to glory.  So we focus on Jesus, call on his name and decree the promises that will renew our minds and set us free.   I was singing, "There is healing in the blood of Jesus, there is healing in the blood of Jesus. There is healing in the blood of Jesus.  It washes (me) white as snow."

God's so good!  He's been helping me at home and the victories I've been getting at home I have been able to transfer to other people during ministry times.  They are getting free from stuff that has taken me weeks to work through in a few minutes.  Hallelujah!


In conclusion I want to bless you with a Happy Easter.  May the son of righteousness arise with healing in his wings and his beams and heal the wounds in your soul.  May you then be able to frolic around like calves let out from the stall, without a care in the world! Amen!  (ref. Mal.4:2)

Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson

Love And Heart Healing

photo courtesy of Photobucket.com

I was at the License Bureau in Carleton Place this am and a little boy of about two years old came in with his mommy and friend.  He was playing with a little red dinky car and I felt God's love for him. I asked the Lord a couple of questions to clarify what I was getting and then I approached the Mom to ask if I could share what the Lord was giving me as a way of blessing for her son.

She was all for it so I mentioned how her son had a grace gift of wisdom on him and that he wouldn't break her heart as a teenager.  There were a few other points the Lord gave me that I shared and I made sure that I mentioned Jesus in the conversation.

Then I gave out Million Dollar Bill tracts to all the people waiting and started telling another young lady what God had impressed me to share with her.


Then I shared with a different couple about the healing services at our church every Friday night and to bring anybody that might need some healing. I told them how much it grew my faith to see peoples' legs grow out in front of me and that people were coming from a long ways away for healing.

Are you starting to wonder what caused all of this?  I mean I didn't pray in tongues for hours before I went out. I just thought about how much God loved this little boy and the river flowed.

I'll tell you what happened.  We have some great people at our church that are really experienced in facilitating inner healing.  A few weeks ago Holy Spirit nudged me to go see them and I obeyed.  You might not think I would need to as I've been a Christian for 25 plus years and I am on the ministry team at church, but in some cases being on a ministry team means you should go for regular check-ups because of all the spiritual retaliation that can happen.

I went on Thursday morning and the people were very kind and gentle and Holy Spirit showed the man what he wanted us to visit and heal.  I said, "Sure," and it was so amazing.

Initially, I had a picture in my mind that was filled with pain and abandonment and then when the Pastor asked me to look at it again with Holy Spirit, it was like a transparency was laid over the picture and I could see all the glory and angels protecting me.  Did it ever change my perspective!  I was never, ever abandoned!  I was so wanted!  I could feel the scars melting away as I absorbed this new perspective.

Then the Pastor felt to pray that the stings I was getting because of my boldness would not hurt anymore.  That was really cool.  I could see a swarm of wasps flying around me but they couldn't sting me. Hallelujah!

I felt like I was 10 pounds lighter on the way home!  I knew all about the ministry of inner healing and had done seminars with John and Paula Sandford as a young believer, but this took it to a whole new level.

Is it any wonder that my ministry gifts would be much stronger after such a revelation of the Father's love and care?

I ministered powerfully to many people last night and then this morning it was as natural as breathing. Yay God!

I guess I want to encourage you to go for inner healing/counseling if Holy Spirit nudges you.  I had some concerns that what I shared might be used against me but then Holy Spirit showed me one Sunday that our church was a safe place to grow. That clinched it.  I don't ever want to hurt anyone and if my getting fixed up means that I can help others more, I am going to do it.

I bless you today as you pursue Jesus.  As you focus on God's love for those around you the gifts will flow, in Jesus' name.  Now go have fun with your Daddy. He loves you so, so much!

Big hugs and blessings,
Brenda Gale Thompson

Honor

This is not an easy post for me to write as I am still learning what it means to honor people. I don't have a problem honoring most people, but when they are mean to me,  I want to pull back and protect myself.

What I do know is that the fog that I wrote about in my last post cleared when I chose to honor my husband instead of stating the obvious.  I had the opportunity to say bluntly what he was like, but I chose to say what I appreciated about him instead.

Two minutes later as I was driving home and I got the song, "Here comes the bride, here comes the bride."

So I put two and two together and figured that, for me at least, it's not okay now to state the obvious. It doesn't matter what kind of a stinker he has been, I still have to walk in love. I heard myself telling a lady that when the going gets tough, to just imagine that her husband is Jesus, and how she would you treat him... then act accordingly.

Not the easiest thing to do that's for sure.  It's back to Phil. 4:8... think about (and speak about) whatever is pure, lovely, praiseworthy, noble and of good report.  I am also calling forth those things 'that be not as though they were'. (Rom 4:17)  God told me I could have a better marriage than I dreamed possible and I'm hanging onto his promise and speaking it out loud as a war declaration.

That doesn't mean you don't get help or don't speak the truth.  "I'm hurting, " is very real.  It just means be careful who you talk to. The whole world doesn't need to know about your 'stuff'.  What the Lord told me once is that, "If you wouldn't say it to Me in prayer, then don't say it, period."

It gives us an idea of how far the Lord wants us to take this supernatural love.  Every time we run out of love we can ask Holy Spirit for more because there is an unending supply. (Rom. 5:5, Psalm 136, 1John 4:8)

Since I have been given the opportunity to be on the ministry team at church I have had many more opportunities to pray for people.  I started asking the Lord, "How do I activate your power flowing through me to them?"  He said, "Just love on them."

I started experimenting during ministry times and when I am the support person I just put my hand on them and say quietly how much I love them and how I know that Holy Spirit loves them so much more. People have stopped me and asked me to move my hand to where they hurt because they can feel the heat of Holy Spirit flowing into them. That is very encouraging.

I hope I have helped you. I certainly don't have it all together.  I am going to keep working on this honor thing and not judging another man's servant.  With the Lord's help all things are possible. (1Cor. 1:26-29, Rom. 14:4, Mark 10:27)

Bless you as you go, in Jesus' name!
Big hugs,
Brenda Gale

Flowers!

What a nice surprise!  After supper my husband made me close my eyes and then put some flowers with a card in front of me.   The card said "A more real way to recognize your work at the Mall helping people.  Dad and kids."

That made my day!  Better than the word I gave out at the grocery store even.   That is the first time my hubby has done something like that to affirm my prophetic ministry.  I was stunned!

So ladies, do not give up hope!  Get some powerful friends to pray for your marriage and your ministry, like I did and watch God break through!

Special thanks to my friends who were praying for me.  It was tough on my family because I was gone so much at the mall. They managed to survive without me, I am happy to report.  I am trying to work myself out of a job you know.  Who wants to be the maid of the house forever? Not me!

Anyhow,  Let's keep praying the word:

Thank You Lord for giving us better marriages than we ever dreamed possible.
Thank You Lord that “The secret of the Lord is for us who fear/revere You. (Psalm 25:14)
Thank You Lord that the secret things belong to You, but the things revealed belong to us and your children forever. (Deut. 29:29)
Thank You Lord for revealing the secrets we need, to break through our situations as we pursue You. (Ps. 112:4)
Thank You Lord that Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path (Ps. 119:10).  Thanks for showing me nuggets in Your word to help me grow into Your likeness.

Thank You Lord that the work you have begun in me, You will finish. (Phil. 1:6)

Okay, somebody needs to hear this. It's His job to finish the work in you.  Your job is to be available and teachable.  He has promised to lead you into all truth. He is faithful and He cannot lie, so relax and enjoy the journey. Really,  relax and enjoy His sweet fellowship.  You bring delight to the Father's heart every day.  It's not about the spectacular finish. It's about the day to day walk and talk with Him.  That is what He is after.  That is what His heart cries out for.  His heart can fellowship with the whole world at the same time and still have room for you. He is that big.  So don't grieve His heart.  Just tell Him You love him more than anything else, and show it with your choices.  Amen.

Bless you!
In His love,
Brenda Gale

Update

Hi there.  It has been over 21 days since I started this endeavor to seek His face and has it been interesting.  You never realize how many distractions there are until you decide to lay them all aside for the best thing.

On a good note, His presence around my life has been increasing.  There have been many new songs, many new revelations and an ease I have found to staying in His presence while I work or look after my children and other responsibilities.

The Lord asked me to fast idle words a few weeks ago.  That has been a little more difficult.  I didn't realize how careful I have to be to think before I speak.   This precludes mouthing off when upset of course.  I am not done learning how to master my reactions in any and all circumstances.

I want to say emphatically that pursuing Jesus in your quiet place is so worth it!  In fact an hour a day is not enough!  I was just told by somebody on Friday that I am now going in a new direction. He had no idea that I was on a secret mission.  How cool is that?  Breakthroughs are abounding on the family front, for my friends and for those I pray for while on the ministry team at church.  It has been a very good investment in time.

So that is why I am not posting much these days.  I will have lots to catch up on... someday.

Bless you!
Big hugs and blessings in Jesus' name!

Brenda Gale

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!

Haying This Summer (written Aug, 2000)

The weather this summer has been horrible for the farmers in our area because of the incessant rain. This also happens to be the first summer we are harvesting our own hay. It could have been a recipe for disaster but I've been crying out to the Lord for mercy and guidance because I know so very little about what to do to get good quality hay for our horses.

Thankfully God always gives grace to the humble and He's been making up for our mistakes, which have been huge and hilarious in hind sight.

After we had harvested half of our first cut of hay our neighbor, Dick, who also happens to be a prominent dairy farmer in the area came over. He couldn't believe that we had baled dry hay. He kept commenting on that so I asked him, "Would you like to inspect our hay?" He said, "Sure," so he, my daughter and I went up into the loft to inspect the hay.

He inspected a number of bales of hay and said, "I can't believe you've got dry hay." He was checking for moisture which leads to mould and worthless hay. He asked me, "How did you do it?" and I said, "I prayed. I asked God to have mercy on my husband and I, 'city slickers', and to help us not ruin the crop." What a testimony God gave us!

Just this week we were trying to harvest our second crop of hay which is mostly alfalfa and the weather had turned against us. (In hindsight I realize that I believed the weather man more than I believed God because I hadn't even prayed that morning.)

I called the farm around the corner and got a hold of Case, Dick's father and asked if they could use the hay for silage since it didn't look like we would be able to bale it before it went mouldy. He said "No, we aren't set up for it right now." So I said, "Well, I had better start praying." He commented, "You should be happy with a barn full of good hay in such a bad summer." He was right of course but we were believing that we would be blessed abundantly so we could give an additional offering to one of our ministries.

We said our goodbyes and I prayed and asked the Lord to intervene with the weather so we could be a blessing to others again.

I felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit to go rake the hay around lunch time but it was still really overcast and the weather forecast was for thundershowers in the afternoon. A few minutes later I felt the prompting from the Holy Spirit again so I obeyed and went and raked the hay in fourth and fifth gear. By two o'clock when I was finished raking the hay the weather had completely changed and it was partly sunny with nice white clouds. I called my husband to come home to help and I started baling (square bales) with my 13 year old daughter.

Around five o'clock Case came by and talked to me on the field and said, "Look what happened when you prayed! I remember what you said at lunch, that you said you were going to start praying. The next time I need help with the weather I'm going to pray and come see you for help to pray too, okay?" I said, "Sure." He said "We are cutting hay because we are running out of time." I said, "But it's supposed to thundershower for the next three days."

He remarked, "Is it?" and he had a big smile on his face. I understood that he was hoping I would pray for him (which I did). Guess what? We didn't get any thunder showers. They all went by us in response to our prayers. Isn't God good? We were able to put 500 bales of excellent quality alfalfa hay in our barn which will sell for $1,000.00 to $1,500.00 depending on market conditions. Case and Dick's hay didn't get ruined either, Praise the Lord.

I'm so thrilled that I finally realized that my ministry is wherever I am right now. The Lord Jesus sure gave us a witness this summer! I'm praying that the Lord will encourage them and bring them into a stronger relationship with himself.