There are a few things wrong with the above photo.
- I do NOT like to run.
- My arthritic knees would send me sprawling on my face if I even tried to run.
- I am not and never have been this thin.
- There are many who run [write] faster than I do.
But . . .
In 1983 Father called me to launch the Greater Philly Christian Writers Fellowship and direct our first event. Back then it was a one-day seminar with one speaker. Never did I imagine it would grow to be a 3.5 day conference with a faculty each year of over 50 authors, editors, agents, and other professionals.
And never did I imagine it and the Colorado Christian Writers Conference that I began directing in 1997 would both have to be postponed this year because of a pandemic.
Oh yes, I stressed over the time pressures in getting ready each spring and summer. And yes, I felt like I was constantly running (racing) from one task to the next with hardly enough time to catch my breath.
But each year when I stood to welcome everyone in the opening session, you would have seen me jumping for joy (if my knees allowed) and praising God for enabling me to persevere. Despite the huge obstacles I encountered with each conference, Father brought His scribes from the east and the west, the north and the south.
This spring and summer have felt so strange with no conference deadlines pressing in on me. Yes, I think I’ve finally caught my breath although I have kept busy. For the first time in many years I have vegetables growing in my garden although I’ve been fighting with the bunnies to not eat everything I’ve planted. The deer have been chomping on my lilies, and the squirrels have dug up almost all the bulbs I planted.
I’ve also kept busy editing over six books for others since the pandemic and finally (drum roll please) I have uploaded my latest book to kdp.amazon. I had hoped to have it ready the beginning of July but glitches with both Word and Quark slowed the process and tested my determination to persevere.
Who would have thought that adding one space after the title on Amazon’s book detail page would create the need for two phone calls to Amazon’s support (PTL they answer right away) and one to the ISBN folks at Bowker? Quark has again been quarky with menus disappearing, and I haven’t a clue why it created a first line indent that I didn’t request and couldn’t delete. Ah, yes, Father, another lesson in perseverance – and patience!
Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!
Hebrews 12:2-3 (MSG)
With the disappointment I’ve been feeling over missing the joy-filled fellowship on the mountain at the Colorado Christian Writers Conference in May and knowing I won’t be seeing dear friends at the Philly conference that was scheduled for next week, I’ve wanted to do something special to encourage you to keep persevering as you strive to “write His answer.” (Oops – long sentence. Would anyone like to diagram it?)
So . . . two surprise gifts!
Liz Curtis Higgs was scheduled to keynote at this year’s Philly conference. She graciously recorded a short video to encourage you, and she is planning to be with us next year. Click here to view her message. Thank You, Father, for how Liz has persevered in serving You through the ministry of writing and speaking.
Second, the book I just uploaded to kdp.amazon, How to Write His Answer – Testimonies and Personal Experience Stories, I wrote for you. This 78 page book along with its links to FOUR audio workshops (237 minutes of instruction) will inspire you and give you practical tools to write stories that Father will use in Ephesians 3:20 ways. As Lee Roddy prayed for me and the class he taught at the St. David’s Christian Writers Conference over 35 years ago, “Heaven will be different because of the words you write.”
Here’s just one of the nine endorsements it has received:
Few have the experience of Marlene Bagnull to teach writers and to give writers the tools they need to Write His Answer and to do it so well. These are practical items even experienced writers need reminding of, such as: have a clear focus, stay close to the Lord, search for truth, reflect (and journal) on your life experiences, stay humble, know your audiences—all of this to remind us that we, as believers in the Lord Jesus, are called to write His answer to those with so many questions. Written conversationally, this book invites you to take part in the work with a ready pen.
Eva Marie Everson
Bestselling & multiple award-winning author & speaker
President, Word Weavers International
With the conferences not happening this year, we’re facing financial challenges, so I’m sorry I can’t give you How to Write His Answer. But because this would have been the 37th Philly conference, for the month of July I’m reducing the $20.99 regular price by 37%. That makes the cost for the book plus the links to four audio workshops only $13.22. If you’re math challenged as I am, that’s a savings of $7.77. Wow! I hadn’t pre-calculated that, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence. Four 7’s – the number of days the Bible tells us God spent creating our world. While I can’t guarantee you’ll write your story or testimony in seven days, I fully expect Father will multiply many times over the number of people whose lives will be touched if you’ll persevere and get it in print. Click here to order an autographed copy from me or order from Amazon.com. Hopefully the reduced price will be available on Amazon tomorrow.
Father, thank You for the number of years You have blessed me with directing CCWC and GPCWC. Thank You for all the lives that have been changed by the words that have been written and published as a result of these 59 conferences. Help us not to miss the lessons You are seeking to teach us through these difficult days or fail to share them. By Your Spirit help us to deepen our commitment to “write Your answer” and to persevere.
Write His Answer 
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