If your inbox is like mine, it was stuffed with pre-Christmas enticements to buy stuff we really don’t need. And now, pre-New Year, you’re also probably overwhelmed with requests for year-end donations from numerous ministries and organizations. The needs are legitimate and dear to my heart. No child should go to bed hungry, much less starve to death. No child or adult should be sexually abused or homeless. Human trafficking and the persecution of my brothers and sisters in Christ – the persecution of any person for we are all created in God’s image – is deplorable. How the Father heart of God must break.
Then there’s the burden I carry for the slippery slope our nation is on spiritually, morally, financially . . . Christians I highly respect are warning of the collapse of America. I can’t help but wonder if God will lift His mantle of blessing on our nation because of how we have turned away from Him.
And then I wonder how this will impact my family and especially my precious grandchildren – seven-year-old Laura, six-year-old Ryan, and three-year-old Erin.
You’re not alone if you feel overwhelmed and helpless. The evil one delights in feeding our worries and fears. When that doesn’t work, he lulls us into complacency and apathy.
But my “hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers” (1 Tim. 4:10 NLT). Rather than despairing, I am choosing to view problems as challenges and opportunities to make a difference.
I am more convinced than ever that “for such a time as this” God is raising up an army to “write His answer.” It’s what compels me to keep on keeping on directing the Colorado and Greater Philly Christian Writers Conferences even though I’m old enough to retire. (I can’t imagine ever retiring from the work I know Father has called me to do.) It’s why, despite the glum economic projections, I’m going to again go out on a limb with God to plan the strongest conferences possible and trust Him to cover the costs.
Over half the faculty is in place for both conferences. I’m excited! I’ll begin posting info to the conference websites (www.writehisanswer.com/Colorado and www.writehisanswer.com/Philadelphia) by the end of the year. Yes, I know that’s tomorrow!
Meanwhile, because I believe Father is calling you to “write His answer,” I want to offer you free of charge the keynote message I gave this fall at the Vine and Vessels Christian Writers Conference in Delaware. The ten biblical principles in this message will encourage and equip you to “Get the Word Out.” It can be downloaded at www.writehisanswer.com. See “My Gift to You” near the top of the home page.
Father, as we move into a new year help us to keep our eyes on Jesus and not to miss the opportunities You will give us to write and to live Your answer.
Because He came and is coming again – Marlene
P.S. The MP3 file will take approximately five minutes to download. If you prefer to listen to a CD, please send a check for $3 payable to Write His Answer Ministries to cover the cost of the CD and shipping. You can mail your check to me at 951 Anders Road, Lansdale, PA 19446.
God is raising up an army “for such a time as this” to live and write His answer. Bless you for hearing God and making such a difference through the conferences. It is a great honour to serve on faculty.