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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What I’ve Learned from Mary DeMuth

‎I’m not sure when I first became aware of Mary DeMuth. I know it was online while doing research three or four years ago. Next I bought one of her books at a Christian book store which helped me assess her tone and message. It did not take long for me to realize four things about Mary: one, she is a prolific Christian author; two, she is passionate about helping people; three, she is also passionate about her writing; and, four, she offers coaching services for writers. At some point I subscribed to her blog to receive it via my email inbox. She concludes each email with a prayer for her subscribers.

I had prayed for Mary and her ministry for a couple of years and had participated in her and Frank Viola’s book launch for The Day I Met Jesus. I felt concern for her. Mary shares with her readers some of the tensions in her life. I felt both concern and excitement for her.  She was going for it, which allows for an extra amount of vulnerability. I think God wanted me to take notice of her. She would come to mind when I was praying.

Today, as in the past, Mary’s story resonates with me. I see myself in some of what she says. I know she is in the process of working through the most delicate parts of her past. That is another reason why I have committed to praying for her. She is on the front lines and needs consistent prayer partners to help with the heavy lifting.

Mary’s been through ups and downs. She allows herself to be vulnerable by sharing her story in real life. And it’s not an easy one at that. Sexual abuse and other circumstances left her wounded. Later God came in and changed her life. Healing is a process that continues to this day. God walks with her as she continues to move forward.

I particularly appreciate Mary’s determination to live out her purpose and carry on despite the difficulties that come her and her family’s way. The author journey is complicated. Remuneration for hours spent are slim at times. I credit her for staying with the mission she’s been given even when other directions might have seemed more viable financially.

To move forward one must persevere, trust fully in God, open self to learning, and follow God’s leading. Here I share a few things about Mary DeMuth and what I’ve learned through following her blogs and our interactions. These are shared to encourage us to follow faithfully the path God has set before us.

  • Serve God with your heart. She pushes through, which equals determination and belief.
  • Treat people right. You are a reflection of your Father God. Mary maintains professionalism.
  • Be gracious and respectful. Mary is respectful of who she is interviewing and her listening audience
  • Care for the right things. Mary asks key questions that address her audience’s needs and interests
  • Be wise. She flushes out answers to the hard questions–about church, family, healing–with practical and spiritual applications
  • Help others. Using first-person accounts, Mary illustrates the concept of restorying your story (how to repurpose your past)
  • Right focus. Mary is in this to bring glory to God and to share his message of hope and healing

Mary and I first connected through emails. Eventually I decided to contact Mary to let her know of my prayer support. One thing led to another and then I got this email asking me if I’d like to be one of her Restory interviews. Using my story is something I do, so I jumped at the chance. Mary DeMuth interviewed me on February 19, 2018 for her Restory series. Mary is posting podcasts on her ReStory site. I hope you avail yourself by listening to mine and other true stories. In addition, Mary conducts a Restory Conference in Texas every year. These conferences are a beautiful way to connect, story to story, person to person.

For my part, this interview was a first for me and my first time talking with Mary. I was nervous and my voice was scratchy. I had prayed and prepared in advance but the dialogue didn’t go exactly as I had imagined it would. Her questions and comments were sharp and thoughtful.  I believe the Holy Spirit, through Mary, took the interview in a distinct direction. Much of what I had planned to say was left unsaid. It was a wonderful opportunity to share what God has done and what he means to me. I hope it has blessed those who have listened to it.

 

The rock I was given, described in the interview.

This just goes to show, you never know what God is going to do or how he is going to use you. I hope you enjoy Mary’s and my interaction and are blessed by it. Please share the interview link with anyone who comes to mind or ask God if there is someone he wants you to share it with. He will have a purpose in it.

Thank you to Mary for allowing this opportunity to reach more people with the message of hope found in Christ. You may visit her website here.

Here is a live link to the interview: Mary DeMuth with Norma Brumbaugh.

The address: https://www.marydemuth.com/5-12/

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When God says “Trust Me”

Last week I received a piece of discouraging news. My book proposal was turned down by the agent I’d picked from an agency I was hoping to interest. I was grateful to hear back so soon. Now I know and can make appropriate decisions. After reading the polite standard rejection letter (not what we’re looking for at this time) the most amazing thing happened. Even though it was discouraging and painful, my response was different than my usual reaction. I didn’t cry or tear up or feel sorry for myself. I chose to not moan about it to others. Instead, I prayerfully whispered to God, “What’s next?”

I am not surprised, though. God has to go before me with this one. I know my book will be a hard sell. Yet it is my hope that it will sing on its own merits and its message will reverberate with clarity.

God answered my “What’s next?” as soon as the thought became a prayer. I understood his answering message loud and clear, I’d heard this one many times before. “Trust Me,” he said. How familiar the words sounded. For a period of five years God’s answer to me on almost everything was always “Trust Me.” God didn’t elaborate on my next steps, he just asked me to trust him to take care of whatever. This process took me to the place of “further still.” I learned to listen for him and to trust him for basic things common to existence like employment and financial concerns and for miracles of healing and faith.

 Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?  If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!    –Matthew 7:9-11  NIV

Trust does not come easy, but I do trust in the One who asks me to trust. He is a good Father. A good father does not give a stone to his children rather than bread. Father God doesn’t tell us how he is going to do what we trust him to help us with or what he is going to do for us, or who he is going to tap on the shoulder to assist us, or how many years it is going to take. “Trust Me” is open ended, just like “Show me” is open ended or “What’s next?”

We learn to wait while we trust, and with an expectation to receive. This is an active waiting. My mind anticipates what God is going to do, but I’m rarely close. I draw strength in knowing God does only what is good.

 

On April 4th I began praying over my completed book proposal and will do so for forty days. As I pray I acknowledge how God is the author and finisher of our faith, and I ask him to lead and guide in all aspects of my book. I will send my proposal and queries wherever God shows me or nudges me.

Early in January I asked God to show me which of my manuscripts I should finish first (I have several) and the answer was, “the monastery book.” I wanted to protest, “no, not that one,” though I didn’t. The monastery book is my most controversial book. I draw a line in the sand about something I have come to believe with my whole heart. I can’t say I wanted to do this book first, because it puts the fat in the fire and will draw criticism.

I believe it will also open eyes where they need to be opened. From the get-go I have felt this book has a message for the Church at large and that the world also needs to hear. I share the message of Christ’s gift of salvation, Christ’s love for all people and Christ’s Church. I cross over traditional boundaries to anchor my statements. Christians are to love one another and follow Christ as the head of the Church.

What now? I truly don’t know, but I do have a plan. For one year I will seek traditional publishing  and if not successful I will self-publish. I don’t know who will take an interest in it, but I know the One who knows the agent, agency, editor, and publisher. “Lead on, O King Eternal.”

Lead on, O King eternal,
we follow, not with fears,
for gladness breaks like morning
where’er thy face appears.
Thy cross is lifted o’er us,
we journey in its light;
the crown awaits the conquest;
lead on, O God of might.

–Verse 3.  Lyrics by Earnest Shurleff

Please pray for me. Thank you so very much. God is in control. To God be the Glory.