Author Archives

Norma L. Brumbaugh

Inspirational Writer, Author, and Speaker

PO Box 6432, Chico, CA 95927
nlbrumbaugh@gmail.com

Keep a smile in your heart.

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WITH SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT: Pause and Consider no. 2

MORE THOUGHTS ABOUT LIFE

A COUPLE OF SUNDAYS AGO I went to a Trappist monastery in a neighboring county. I absorbed my first visit to the newly constructed, new-from-old church. My mind sorted while classifying what I was seeing, hearing, and considering. Phrases, tunes, chants, and homily all met my inner being in that quiet place of peace.  The pipe organ under the command of a monk played the old familiar tune to “Fairest Lord Jesus.” My thoughts took a wide berth that day.

A contemplative person likes to contemplate. (duh) That’s me. I contemplate all the time, all day long, even at night. I wish I could turn off the narrative. Well, actually, I do whenever I’m praying, talking, reading or watching a program. Pondering and wondering come naturally to me. Reading is a close second. I think it wonderful to have a mind that eagerly desires to think. You never know what it is going to produce.

CONTEMPLATION

LANGUAGE OF LOVE

WISDOM SPEAK
. Words that affirm, speak the language of love.
. Glances that communicate acceptance, speak the language of community.
. Actions that help others, speak the language of kindness.
. Gifts that enrich relationships, speak the language of connection.

 

GOSPEL IN MINIATURE

THE GOSPEL in one sentence–

“He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised for our justification.” Romans 4:25

 

LASTING IMPACT

I LOVE a book that leaves me pondering its deeper truths. My mind takes pleasure in thinking through the book’s message. It’s like unwrapping a gift, delighting in it, and then using it according to its intended purpose. Books have the ability to impact me for forever.

 

SAY WHAT?

HOW WE FEEL is important. What we KNOW is important. Which one is MOST important? Feelings can bend. What we know is where we find its true nature. Thought vs Feeling is a go-to exercise in problem solving. Feelings can mislead us. Ask yourself, what is true about this? There you have it.

 

TRUE TRUTH

TRUTH STANDS ALONE. One of God’s standards is truth. When lies proliferate around us and seemingly bury the idea of a one true truth, they still cannot change what is. Truth still stands whether its believed or not–even when its being impugned, mocked and assailed.

Nor do I wish the call of God to go unanswered. When God speaks, listen to Him. When God calls, answer Him. When God convicts, confess His name. When God approaches (in thought or word), bow the knee and worship. God is near, very near, and He knows your name and mine.

OPEN EYES, OPEN HEART

I AM CONVINCED that most people see only what they want to see when it comes to the spiritual. Until. Yes, until. Until they are willing, open, and responsive to the things of God. God calls, impresses, loves, welcomes. One can resist, refuse, deny. Only believe.

 

SPIRITUALLY AWARE

BE PROACTIVE in your private, spiritual life. When the Spirit speaks, heed it. Never discount the spiritual realm. Train your spiritual eye to know God’s Word. Train your spiritual ear to discern God’s direction. Train your spiritual heart to follow God’s truth.

Be encouraged.

Thanks be to God for His wisdom, grace, and truth.

 

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A PEACEFUL PLACE for the HEART

SWEET DREAMS

Many of us have dreams that we hope will be fulfilled some beautiful day.  My dreams are never about money.  In fact, money doesn’t drive or beckon me. Other things in life—like looking at a beautiful sunset, going for a walk at dusk, talking with a good friend, or seeing someone smile who often seems sad—are what pull at me and bring satisfaction.  

My dreams are in the dream category not in the goal category.  I like goals but I think I’m too creative at heart to be bound to a rigid plan or an expected outcome. But I have dreams in my life, good dreams, happy dreams, hopeful dreams, wistful, wishful dreams, and sweet dreams.  

“Sweet dreams” were my closing words to my children after I prayed with them at night.  I always liked the sound of those two words joined together side-by-side, sounding like a warm embrace when said out loud.

A Peaceful Place for the Heart

If dreams could come true, I would live in an open area of semi-wooded land in an inviting place of solitude and retreat. A tiny chapel would be located somewhere on the land, where people could come to pray and meditate. Pathways intersecting on the grounds would weave between the trees and over hill and dale by fern-laden ponds and blackberry bushes. Its trails would be lined with verses carved on posts made of driftwood with an occasional bench to rest and reflect awhile.

Statues here and there would grace the beauty while their images reflect in the pool. For sure an angel statue holding an infant would be there for all the lost children and would give us a place to grieve their loss. A place of peace it would be, much like an outdoor sanctuary. Informal sing times on Friday nights in a room full of people or around a campfire or fire pit would blend our voices with acoustic guitars and harmonicas, banjos, ukuleles and whatever, to old favorite tunes. Our gaze would enthrall at the mesmerizing night sky as music delights our being. You, too, would be invited to the party.

Such would be a place where innocent, unspoiled love represents healing graces as a place where everyone is welcomed. All visitors would gather together for a shared meal of hearty, healthy fare, not fancy or complicated, just warm and wholesome. If you’ve ever been to the Lord’s Land, it would be that sort of place, where silence is your friend, where love is the answer, where conversation lends itself to the richness of spiritual life, where pause and consider is the facilitator for renewal of the soul.

Sweet dreams enrich our lives. I doubt anything will come of mine, unless God wills and supplies. Sometimes, though, dreams just may come true.

I wish for you ‘Sweet Dreams’ today, tomorrow, and in the future.

Do you dream impossible dreams? What is your dream?