Write His Answer

Seeking His Wisdom

January 25, 2012 by Marlene Bagnull

If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father.
He loves to help. You’ll get this help,
and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it.
Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought.
People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves.
Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way,
adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.

James 1:5-8 MSG

Good morning everyone –

This week I’m in the process of finalizing the faculty and workshops for the May 16-19 Colorado Christian Writers Conference. (Secure online registration opens February 1.) Each year it seems more challenging. I know more gifted authors I’d love to invite, and Father keeps expanding my connections with agents and editors. It would be easy to “worry my prayers,” especially when I consider the cost of flying in a large faculty. I always intend to shrink the faculty but, as usual, that hasn’t happened. Check out the website. We now have 62 on faculty and our eight continuing sessions are in place. (Yes I know the file name for the continuing session’s page says 2011. I’m still trying to learn Expression Web 4.)

If we’re honest, we often feel overwhelmed and even clueless about what to do next. What should we write? Where should we send it? How can we effectively market not ourselves but the message Father has given us? How can we build that “platform” we’re told is so important? And how do we fit in everything we feel we need to do in days that are already packed full?

I’m so grateful that I don’t have to figure this out on my own – that my Father and yours “loves to help.” It’s up to us to seek Him and to listen. He will give us the guidance we need through His Word, through what are clearly “God-incidents” and not mere coincidences, and through the counsel of others.

I appreciated the counsel one of our faculty members gave last Thursday in her blog. Amanda Luedeke is a literary agent with MacGregor Literary. In her third post on tackling the “Platform Monster,” Amanda gave eight easy steps for success in article-writing and why it’s a great way to build your platform. I encourage you to read it and to look at the opportunities CCWC offers to connect with 13 editors who represent 18+ periodicals. Exciting! (My writing ministry began with writing for Christian periodicals. The 1,000+ sales Father enabled me to make I’m sure have reached more readers than my eight published books.)

One final word – warning! Be sure to seek the Lord first. Look at the precarious position this fisherman got himself in when he hooked a bull elk!

Father, please help us not to run ahead of You or to lag behind. Remind us to look to you for the guidance and wisdom we need.

Photo from a conferee who wrote: This guy from Texas was fishing this week on the Big Thompson outside of Estes Park. It was his first ever fly-fishing venture. A crowd gathered on the highway to take pictures, including a Denver Post guy. One of the pics is on the front page of the Denver Post.

Posted in Colorado Christian Writers Conference, God's promises, Publishing journey | 1 Comment »

Trusting the Lord

January 18, 2012 by Marlene Bagnull

Planning the Colorado and Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference is a huge step of faith for me each year although I don’t think I worry as much as I used to. 🙂 I certainly shouldn’t for Father has been so faithful . . .

I’m reminded of the words I wrote over 20 years ago in my book, Write His Answer – A Bible Study for Christian Writers (now in a second edition and still in print).

God has called me to write. Neither I nor my husband question his call. I know Paul fully supports my choice to stay home and write. But I also know our financial obligations make my writing seem like an unaffordable luxury. If I put in the same number of hours at a “real” job, there would be a regular paycheck. I wouldn’t need to worry about how we are going to pay for college for our two children or the repairs our house desperately needs. And Paul would not have to work a second job delivering pizzas.*

It’s as if I’m engaged in a tug of war between what I know I am supposed to be doing and the realities that make it seem unrealistic. I feel guilty staying home and writing when I see my children doing without some things I’d like to be able to give them. And then the doubts come. I wonder whether I’m torturing myself with writing aspirations that are only pipe dreams. . . .

I am reminded of Jesus’ words about God and money in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus knew the hardships his countrymen endured because of the heavy taxes Rome imposed. When crops failed or the nets were empty, no doubt many went hungry. Yet Jesus told them not to worry about food, drink, or clothes. He sought to change their perspective – to help them see that they should be grateful for life itself.

Jesus drew their attention to the birds of the air. “They don’t worry about what to eat – they don’t need to sow or reap or store up food – for your heavenly Father feeds them. And,” he reminded them, “you are far more valuable to him than they are” (Matt. 6:26 TLB).

He pointed to the lilies in the field. “King Solomon in all his glory was not clothed as beautifully as they” (Matt. 6:29 TLB). Again he spoke words of reassurance. “And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t he more surely care for you, O men of little faith?” (Matt. 6:30 TLB).

His words convict me. My faith is little. My perspective is wrong. Although God promises to meet all my needs, I waste a tremendous amount of emotional energy worrying. This gives Satan a dangerous foothold in my life. I allow him to rob me of the joy of writing when I embrace negative thinking patterns and my list of “have nots.” As a result, more times than I want to admit, I’ve wondered if I should just give up. Because my work is not selling and ministering to people? No. Because what I earn from manuscript sales never seems to be enough.

Then something else Jesus said comes to mind. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matt. 6:33 NIV).

That is the key! I must keep my priorities in order – must keep my eyes on the Lord and the kingdom work he is calling me to do. I cannot lose sight of my call by allowing my writing to get tangled up with my worry about our finances. I need to see God as our Source instead of trying to “produce” bigger and better manuscripts that will bring in larger and more frequent checks. I have been assuming a burden God never meant for me to carry instead of trusting Him to provide.

______________

* More than twenty years later I can witness to the fact that God is and has been faithful. My son graduated from college and my daughter from medical school the same spring I received an honorary doctorate. Our house didn’t fall down around us, and Paul no longer delivers pizzas. He’s now retired, and two years ago we moved to a new home within walking distance of our three precious grandchildren. Our old house is still on the market – another faith-stretcher. We thank God that it is paid for and that He is enabling us to absorb the extra expense of taxes, insurance, and utilities along with our new mortgage payment. And I am so, so grateful that I didn’t give up and get a “real” job.

The above (minus the * postscript) is just a portion of the chapter, “Seek First His Kingdom,” and just one of the thirty-three chapters in Write His Answer – A Bible Study for Christian Writers that address issues such as self-doubts, writer’s block, rejection slips, discouragement, procrastination . . . Best-selling author, Lee Roddy, says,

“This book can change your life.
It not only gives ongoing encouragement
to respond to God’s call to write,
but helps you keep on writing.”

Click here to view the Table of Contents and two free chapters as well as info for ordering at the discounted price of $11.90 (retail $14.00). Mention this blog in the “comments” section of the secure online order form and take an additional 10% off through the end of January.

Father, You know the struggles we face as we seek to “write Your answer.” Thank You for Your promises. Help us to see the challenges we face as opportunities to trust You more.

Posted in Called to write, Colorado Christian Writers Conference, God's promises, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference | 3 Comments »

Encouragement

January 15, 2012 by Marlene Bagnull

“Be strong and courageous and get to work. Don’t be frightened by the size of the task, for the Lord my God is with you; he will not forsake you. He will see to it that everything is finished correctly” (1 Chron. 28:20 TLB).

These words that King David spoke to his son, Solomon, when he commissioned him to build the Temple have again convicted and encouraged me. Even though I’ve been directing the Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference since I founded it in 1983 and the Colorado Christian Writers Conference since 1997, I still struggle with feeling fearful and overwhelmed when it’s time to begin work on the conference websites. I admit it’s easier to procrastinate than to “get to work,” especially this year as I face the daunting task of learning Expression Web 4.

I am praising God for reminding me that He is with me and for the progress He enabled me to make today. Although I’ve still got tons to learn, I am trusting “He will see to it that everything is finished correctly.”

The continuing sessions, clinics, markets, cost, and lodging pages now have 2012 info. I’ve added four more editors to the faculty:

Robyn Burwell – Editor, Leafwood Publishing

Catherine Lawton – Publisher/Editor, Cladach Publishing

Nicola Martinez – Editor-in-Chief, Pelican Book Group (White Rose, Harbourlight)

Ginger Kolbaba – Editor, Kyria.com, Christianity Today

I’m also praising God for the exciting line-up of continuing sessions:

Surviving in the New Publishing World – Dave Lambert

Take Your Fiction to the Gym – Tim Shoemaker

Breakthrough Scriptwriting – Dr. Ted Baehr

Gift Books and Devotional Writing – Karen Moore

Narrative Nonfiction: Changing Culture Through the Power of True Stories – Craig von Buseck

Please, NO Pat Answers! – Lissa Halls Johnson, Sue Cameron, Liz Babbs

Marketing for the Promotionally-Challenged Author – Rob Eagar

Writing Suspense/Thrillers – Robert Liparulo

There’s still a huge amount of work to be done in order to open online registration February 1, but I’m trusting His promise that He will not forsake me.

Have you claimed a promise for your writing this year? Do you believe that He can use the words you will write to make a difference in the lives of your readers? Are you making it a priority to “get to work” or are you procrastinating?

Michael Hyatt, the former CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers, posted a helpful blog this week on 10 Practical Ways to Boost Your Energy Level. His number one point was “Connect with God.” He wrote: “You were not created to function without a connection to God. He is the ultimate energy source. Trying to navigate life without Him is like trying to ride a motorcycle without starting the engine. You can do it, but it only works downhill. Unfortunately, a lot of life is uphill. The way I connect is by reading several passages from the Bible . . .”

James Duncan, a pastor who has attended the Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, is challenging his congregation to read the Bible through more than once this year. His blog entry, “Reading the Bible – It Doesn’t Take Long” has some thought-provoking facts I encourage you to consider and act on.

Father, thank You that I can choose to wallow in my self-doubts or to look to You and trust You to help me do what I could never do in my own strength. Thank You that the very best place to be is dependent on You.

Posted in Colorado Christian Writers Conference, God's promises, Overcoming distractions | 2 Comments »

2012 Conference Plans and More

December 31, 2011 by Marlene Bagnull

Happy new year everyone!

As promised, I’ve begun to upload info for the May 16-19 Colorado Christian Writers Conference to the website. (I hope to get some info for the August 1-4 Philly conference uploaded before midnight!) Of course, I haven’t gotten as far as I hoped, but you can view the list of 50 authors, editors, agents, and PR specialists presently on Colorado’s faculty by clicking here. Sadly, once you click on this page the navigation structure disappears. My ten-year-old, no-longer-supported FrontPage software finally crashed. I’ve “upgraded” to Expression Web 2. The 972 page online manual is intimidating to say the least.

I’m reminded again of the apostle Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 12:10 (TLB):

“When I am weak, then I am strong –
the less I have, the more I depend on him.

My paraphrase:

“When I am tired and overwhelmed,
confused, and frustrated,
and when I do not feel smart enough
to learn how to use my new Smartphone
or master a new computer program,
then I can know His strength –
the less energy, time, wisdom,
and computer expertise I possess,
the more I depend on Him.”

How I thank God for His promises. They are my “faithful armor” (Psalm 91:4) when the evil one tries to convince me something is impossible.

This year I’ve committed to again read through the entire Bible. (It’s been too long!) I’ll be using Tyndale’s The One Year Study Bible that I purchased a month or two ago. Despite all the hoopla, I’m still not sold on ebooks and do not own a Kindle. I like to hold a real book in my hand, turn the pages, and mark them up. I am excited, however, about the hundreds of free reading plans in various translations that http://www.youversion.com/about/reading-plans offers. They can be downloaded to your computer or phone or sent daily via an email. I hope you’ll visit their website and ask Father to show you the plan He wants you to follow. After all, if we’re going to “write His answer,” it’s critical that we spend time in His Word.

Father, thank You for the freedom we have to study Your Word. Help us to make it a priority to bury Your Word deep in our hearts. May all that we think and write, say and do be a reflection of You in this coming year.

Looking to Jesus in this new year – Marlene

Posted in Called to write, Colorado Christian Writers Conference, God's promises, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference | Leave a Comment »

End of year message and free workshop

December 30, 2011 by Marlene Bagnull

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.

Posted in Called to write, Colorado Christian Writers Conference, God's promises, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Our Christian witness, Praying for our nation | 1 Comment »

Please pray for North Korea

December 20, 2011 by Marlene Bagnull

I know you are busy with Christmas just a few days away, but the news from North Korea compels me to write you.

As you may know, my heart is burdened for our brothers and sisters around the world who are persecuted for their faith and especially for the children who see things children should never see.

Please take a momen to visit my website (www.writehisanswer.com) and read faculty member C. Hope Flinchbaugh’s article, “Why Are the North Koreans Crying?” I also urge you to read the press release from International Christian Concern, “South Korean Church Leader: ‘Pray that the Sacrifices of Christians over the Past 65 Years Will Finally Bear Fruit.'”

Most of all I urge you to pray – and not just for North Korea but for Christians everywhere who are threatened, harassed, persecuted, beaten, and even killed for their faith in Jesus whose birth we are about to celebrate.

And let’s not forget to pray for our nation. Every year the effort to dim the Light of Christmas grows stronger. I cling to the promise:

His life is the light that shines through the darkness –
and the darkness can never extinguish it. 1 John 1:5 TLB

I also am reminded that you and I are called to be His lightbearers – to speak and write His answer and most of all to live it.

Because He came and is coming again – Marlene

Posted in Called to write, God's promises, Our Christian witness, Persecution of Christians | Leave a Comment »

Beyond the Manger

December 18, 2011 by Marlene Bagnull

How tiny and helpless
how wonderfully human,
yet so mysteriously divine
was the baby born to Mary.

How great the promises
of who He was,
of why He had come,
of what He would do.

But did Mary know,
did Mary see,
beyond the manger –
to the Cross?

Did she know
that He would bear
our grief and sorrow,
be wounded and bruised
for our sins?

Did she know
He would be chastised
that we might have peace,
and lashed
that we might be healed?

This Christmas
will we be drawn
just to the manger
or also to the Cross?

Marlene Bagnull

Posted in Pondering Biblical Truth | Leave a Comment »

Give the Gift of Words this Christmas

December 5, 2011 by Marlene Bagnull

It’s December – already! Although it’s a cliché, it’s true. This year has flown by, and while my grandkids are impatiently counting the days until Christmas (and thinking it will never get here), I’d like to put on the brakes. Knowing how hectic the days until Christmas are likely to become, I want to encourage you (and myself) not to miss the opportunities to give the gift of words.

Instead of just signing your name to a store-bought Christmas card, why not enclose a letter? Family and friends you rarely see will appreciate an update even though it’s a copy of a mass-produced letter. But more than just the “news,” ask Father how you can encourage them through sharing a story of something He has taught you this year through a struggle.

Write a Christmas poem or story and post it on your blog. (Yes, it’s important to blog!)

Post Scripture promises to Facebook, Twitter, ShoutLife . . .

Write a Letter to the Editor of your local newspaper to address efforts to take Christ out of Christmas. Write an intelligent, well-informed response and avoid preaching.

Give books by your favorite authors to family and friends. You’ll find some of my favorites at www.writehisanswer.com/Bookstore.htm as well as over 100 titles for writers. All are discounted 25% through December 10.

Give yourself the gift of The One Year Study Bible. Tyndale House released this bestselling Bible in the New Living Translation September 29. The paperback edition is $24.99; hardback is $29.99. I’ve ordered one for myself. I can offer you a 25% discount and $4 shipping.

Plan now to make 2012 the year of growing your writing skills by saving May 16-19 for the Colorado Christian Writers Conference and/or August 1-4 for the Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference. Yes, I’ve missed my deadline to begin posting 2012 conference info on the websites by the end of November. I can tell you that about half of the faculty is in place for each conference and that I’m expecting Father will again do Ephesians 3:20 things. I’ll let you know when I begin posting 2012 info.

Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son. Thank You for the promise that “His life is the light that shines through the darkness – and the darkness can never extinguish it” (John 1:5 tlb). Help us to be bearers of His light through the words we write and lives we live.

Posted in Called to write, Colorado Christian Writers Conference, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Our Christian witness | Leave a Comment »

Thankful for His Blessings

November 23, 2011 by Marlene Bagnull

We Thank You, O Lord
To the tune “We Gather Together”

We thank You, O Lord, for Your mercy and blessings,
Your love that we never can merit or earn.
Our praises we’re bringing to You on this Thanksgiving.
We worship You, O Lord -, our hearts for You yearn.

We need You, O Lord, in our lives, in our nation.
Forgive us for failing to follow Your way.
Thru darkness please guide us, please build us up and help us
To hold fast to our faith in these difficult days.

We cling to Your promise, we know You are faithful.
Our land You will heal if Your people will pray.
If humbly we’ll seek You and turn away from evil,
There’s hope that our- nation will see brighter days.

And so, Lord, we give You our praise and thanksgiving,
Our worries and fears we surrender to You.
We choose to rejoice in Your promise, Your provision.
We will trust You, O Lord -, for Your Word is true.

Marlene Bagnull
Thanksgiving 2011

Posted in God's promises, Our Christian witness, Praying for our nation | 3 Comments »

Going & Growing, Writing & Speaking through the Hurts

November 5, 2011 by Marlene Bagnull

At my writing seminars I’ve often said, “Some of you haven’t suffered enough to be a really good writer.” Ouch! I know that’s not what they, or you, want to hear, but I also know that it’s out of the crucible of suffering that our writing impacts our readers in ways that writing out of head knowledge, but not heart (and hard) experiences, is unable to do.

I’ve been writing since 1972. (Yikes that’s almost 40 years!) Most all of my 1,000 plus sales to Christian periodicals and eight books have been based on personal experience. As my mentor, Anne Sirna, used to tell me, I’ve got great grist for my writing mill because of all the problems I’ve faced. I’d sigh and tell her I didn’t need more problems to write about – that I hadn’t yet written about the last set of problems. (Problems are groupies – yes? It seems we never are confronted with just one problem at a time.)

Romans 5:3-4 (TLB) says, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials for we know that they are good for us – they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady.”

I don’t welcome problems, and I don’t pray for patience knowing it will be tested! But I am grateful for all the ways God has proved He is faithful and for the opportunities He has given me to write out of heartaches to encourage others. It is a joy and a privilege to “pass on to [others] this same help and comfort God has given [me]” (2 Cor. 1:4 TLB).

Recently, I taught a workshop on “Going & Growing, Writing & Speaking through the Hurts.” It is part Bible study, part testimony, and part how-to. The handout can be downloaded free of charge at http://writehisanswer.com/CDs_&_Tapes.htm. The workshop is available on CD for $6 plus $3 shipping. You can order securely online at https://writehisanswer.com/order_form.htm.

There are many ways we can weave our life experiences into our writing, but I believe one of the most powerful ways is through personal experience stories. Last month I taught my “Writing the Personal Experience Story” workshop for the Vine and Vessels Christian Writers Conference in Delaware. Click here for an outline of the workshop that lists the seven essentials and seven pitfalls of good PE story writing. This workshop is also available on CD for $6 plus $3 shipping and comes with a helpful writer’s check-off list. Save on shipping by ordering CDs for $15, or add to your order with one or more books at the following links:

Fiction Writing
Grammar, Punctuation & Style
Independent & Self-Publishing
Issues
Marketing, Publishing, and Promotion
Nonfiction Writing
Teen Writers
Writers’ Life
Writing for Children & Young Adults

There is no charge for shipping for orders over $35, and through December 10 you can take an additional 10% off the already discounted prices.

Father, thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for calling us to write out of our hurts to point others to You. And Father, please encourage
those who are presently facing difficult circumstances with the assurance that You are with them and will help them to go and grow through their hurts.

Posted in Called to write, Our Christian witness | Leave a Comment »

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