Miracle In Our Orchard

The last few years we have had apple scab attack our apple trees.  This has been devastating as it takes a lot of fungicide spraying to control the fungus and we don't normally spray our orchard.

Last year we decided to go take the course required before we could by the fungicide, but when we found out it was going to cost us a couple of hundred dollars, we postponed it and then found out that there were not any more courses to take that summer.

It was a horrible crop last year.  The apples were the size of a walnut or smaller and black with split skins.  Most of them didn't ripen and we had only a couple of younger trees that were scab resistant. I ended up getting apples elsewhere so I could make apple crisps  for the freezer.

This year I was prepared to take the course and pay the substantial fee when my husband found out that we do not qualify to take the course because we are not a commercial orchard with farm income.

Well,  there was nothing else I could do.  All my options were exhausted.  So I told the Lord, "It's up to you. We have tried everything we can."

Every time I wanted to grumble I kept quiet.  Every time I wanted to get frustrated with all the mowing and maintenance I chose to Thank God that He was looking after it.  I ended up avoiding the orchard for a whole month.  You can imagine how tall the grass was!

I finally had to go cut the grass and as I was cutting I couldn't help but notice that most of the trees were scab free and the apples were looking really good on them. Could it be?  I told my husband and we went back to inspect the trees and we determined that almost all of them were scab free.

How does this happen?  I don't know.  Once the fungus is in the soil it's almost impossible to get rid of, even when you use an aggressive spraying regime.  We had nothing to spray with and we didn't want to destroy the trees and replant with scab resistant varieties.

All I know is that as I worship Him and exalt His name, He does stuff. Faith rests. It doesn't gripe.  Resting in faith is almost like giving up.... but you keep your confession lined up with His word and what you are believing for. 

We have the privilege of serving a great, loving God.  He is so awesome.  He can cleanse our land so easily.  He can cleanse our hearts just as easily-- if we will let Him.

On that note I want to encourage you to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Don't lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge His sovereignty and He will direct your steps." (ref. Prob. 3:5-6)

For us, He knows that we love to give hay-wagon rides through our orchard. He already knows how much fun we have walking through the orchard, fellow-shipping with Holy Spirit and enjoying all the fruit. He knows how many people will be blessed by our place. He knows!

Someone once said, "When God is all you have, then you have everything." That sums up life well.

I bless you today as you pursue Holy Spirit. May you know his sweet fellowship and communion more and more. Amen!

Big hugs,
Brenda Gale

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

Summer Hay & Seeking God

Hi all.  Summer is such a busy season on the farm, between harvesting hay and keeping up with the apple orchard we are very busy.   We know it's for a season so we are enjoying it while we are here.  There's only one thing that's guaranteed in life and that's change-- at least when you are pursuing God.

So I have been singing songs to the Lord while I drive tractors and I have been listening to all the songs I have recorded the last few months.  It's weird but I  am really enjoying the quiet on the tractor.  Amidst all the noise it's special to just be able to ask the Lord questions and hear what He has to say.

Hay has to be cut a certain way and dried a certain way and baled a certain way if you want good horse hay.   Every day the weather conditions change and we try to figure out what to do.  My husband has gotten very adept at asking me if we should do this and then wait.  I ask the Lord what to do and then we do that.  He's looked after us every time.  As we keep our hearts clean from offense and stay in touch with Holy Spirit we can have a running conversation with the Lord all day long, even while you are working!

That's my tip for today-- Repent quickly.  Whenever you get the slightest bit offended with anyone, forgive them and bless them.   God's blessing will help them change faster!  And more importantly, it will keep the enemy from attacking you with his half truths. Truly, your battlefield is your mind.  Offense and unforgiveness send out shock waves in the spirit realm that attract the wrong kind of attention.  Conversely, if you keep praise and thanksgiving coming out of your mouth you attract God's angels to help you.

Sounds simple I know, but it works.  God is looking for those who will sign up to walk in his glory and live in his glory.  I know that is what I am pursuing with all my strength.  I want to be a walking conduit of Heaven.  Whatever that looks like or sounds like-- I want it all!

Therefore, I exhort you to have a great day with the Lord!  It doesn't matter what's happening, He has promised to turn it around!  He will cause all things to work together for your GOOD as you praise and thank him.  (ref. Rom. 8:37)

Thank You Jesus that nothing can cause us to stumble or become offended because we love your law (Ps. 119:165)
Thank You Lord that we are wise, we don't give full vent to our anger because we have self-control. (Prov. 29:11)
Thank You Lord that we are quick to hear, slow to speak and very slow to become angry or offended. (James 1:19)
Thank You Lord that words of love, grace, mercy and kindness flow from our lips today.
Thank You Lord that Your love is shed abroad in our hearts by Holy Spirit. (Rom. 5:5)
Thank You Lord that we can't fail for winning, we can't lose for succeeding, we are always victors through the blood of Jesus and spread everywhere the fragrance of Him. (ref. 2Cor. 2:14)
Thank You Lord that Your favor has come and touched every area of our lives.  We are growing in favor with You and with all men. (ref. 1Sam. 2:26)

Thank You Lord that.... (your thanksgiving goes here)

Have a great day with Him!
Big hugs and many blessings,
Brenda Gale Thompson

Desperation for Him

There was a young boy crying out at one of the services last week.  He was wailing for more of God for almost a half hour off key yelling, "I love you God! I want you God!"  I could feel God" presence all around me and many others were getting touched by Holy Spirit, but this little fellow was so distraught that he was oblivious to it all. I could feel his throat starting to get sore and the frustration in his voice as I started to pray for him.

You see, that used to be me. For years I cried out for more of God because I didn't know what else to do.  I was so desperate for more of Him.  "The God Chasers" by Tommy Tenney really kindled the fire in me even more. Unfortunately no one told me the next step.  I stumbled upon it when I heard an off-hand comment by a preacher.

"Everything in the Kingdom of God works, or is accessed by faith."  Holy Spirit enunciated His words and it kept reverberating through me.  I asked Him what to do when this desperate hunger came upon me and nothing would satisfy.  Holy Spirit told me to go to the next step, which was to believe I received, regardless of what I felt at that moment.

That is not an easy thing to do when your flesh is all worked up.  You have to quiet yourself if you want to hear His gentle voice. Elijah the prophet was hoping God would talk to him in the storm or the wind, but no... it was the quiet, gentle voice.

So this little guy was getting caught up in a frustrating cycle just like I had been.  God was all around and he was basically oblivious.   My heart went out to him.   I laid a hand on his back and prayed for peace and that God would show him the next step.

We owe it to people to not leave them frustrated. I got so exasperated with seeking God that I chose not to, for a time, because the emotional upheaval was exhausting and I felt so unfulfilled.  

Now I know better.  When the desperate cry of hunger comes on me, I cry out to Jesus, break open my alabaster box of worship and adoration and then calm myself at Holy Spirit's lead to receive whatever He wants me to receive.   It can be a hug, a hint of His presence, a bubbling joy, an impression or a  word of knowledge.  I just receive it all as a gift from Him.

May you always find Him and never leave a worship service frustrated. He is closer than you know. He has promised that those who seek will find Him when they search for Him with all their hearts.  The next time you feel totally frustrated with crying out, ask Holy Spirit if it's time to stand still,  then quiet yourself and believe you receive by faith.  Then ask Holy Spirit to open up your spiritual senses so you can receive even more.

Let me pray for you now. "I bless you in Jesus' Name.  May the zeal of the Lord consume you. May you always be passionate for His presence.  May you discover keys to walk in His presence more and more every day, every where you go. Amen!"

You are blessed and highly favored by the greatest King of all, Jesus!

Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson
(p.s. photo is from  http://npgallery.blogspot.com)

Heidi Baker - Radical Love Equals Radical Obedience

This is what it's all about. When we are so in love that we obey no matter the consequences.

Break my Heart

 Break my heart... Huh?  Those are dangerous words. Are you wondering why I'm writing this?
 I am writing this because I saw a lady today crossing a parking lot with a decided limp and I didn't do anything about it!

What's wrong with me?  I was sitting in my car, waiting for my daughter to finish work and I had nothing  to do.   She walked haltingly into the McDonalds and I wondered what had happened to her but didn't think to go pray for her.  A few minutes later she came out with her McDonalds with her little bag of fast food and she stopped by to comment about my dog Scoobie.  Just a few seconds... but if I had been with it, I would have capitalized on the opportunity to ask her about her back.

What bugs me the most is that I used to do this kind of thing all the time and I saw many people touched by God.

I am thinking that I am too complacent. It's almost like a sleepiness is trying to come over me so that I slip into apathy.  Been there, done that...  almost a boredom.   I cannot allow this to happen! It doesn't get any better than seeing Heaven manifest on the earth!

Jesus paid such a huge price for me to have the power of God flowing through my hands and words.

"Lord, please break my heart with the things that break Yours.  Help me to keep my heart tender to hear Your  gentle voice. I humble myself under Your mighty hand. Forgive me of all the opportunities I have wasted and give me another chance.  Help me not to spend my days frivolously.  Guide me to the right teaching and show me how to keep Your fire burning all the time. I decree that I am on fire for You forever and that I am bold because I am righteous and that I capitalize on opportunities to share and pray for people.  Let Your kingdom come in my life and Your will be done in my life today. Amen!"

May we always be passionate for our Lord and Savior! Amen!

Bless you!
Brenda Gale Thompson

Open Heaven then What?

The visiting Evangelist told us  that we have an open Heaven over our church. I have heard this before from other visiting leaders and I know we do.

So what do we do next?  How do we get it to spread?  That's what I am asking the Lord these days. This move of God has got to get outside of the church walls!

It is nice that people are experiencing visions and supernatural encounters and yes people are getting saved and healed, but something in me is not satisfied.  There is a longing inside me for more, for something deeper.   He has promised that if we would seek him that we would find him when we seek Him with all our hearts.

So I am going to continue seeking Him every day and  I will record the songs He gives me and write down all the visions He shows me.

If you are hungry for more than pray with me, "Lord we want more of You in our lives because nothing else matters,  You said that the pure in heart would see Your face, so we are coming.  We determine to surrender all for You, for Your presence and for Your pleasure.  May we bless Your heart today Lord.  Holy Spirit help us to hear Your precious voice and give us determination to obey you at all cost. Amen"

Bless you!
Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson