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It’s been more than twenty years since Terri Gillespie (who I “just happened” to meet the first time I visited Beth Yeshua) encouraged me not to miss a concert Marty Goetz was giving. I’m so glad I listened. That evening was life-changing as I was drawn more deeply into God’s presence than I had ever experienced.

Since then I’ve had the joy of introducing Marty to hundreds of writers at the Colorado and Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference. I’ve never forgotten the first year Marty came to Colorado. After the conference was over, one evening the staff and I literally sat on a mountaintop for more than an hour worshiping with Marty as his CD played in the car deck.

During the past seven weeks (or is it now eight?) that I’ve “sheltered in place” I’m so grateful for how I have again been blessed by Marty every Tuesday and Friday evening (7 pm CST) through his live “House of Worship” on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/martygoetz).

Dozens of Marty’s songs have become favorites through the years, but the new song Marty and his daughter, Misha, shared on Friday has touched me even more deeply. Marty writes:

Our Newest Song is Here! ‘Historic’ is the word many have used to describe this worldwide pandemic we have all experienced. In times of crisis and uncertainty, such as these, history has a way of turning ordinary people into extraordinary heroes. Every one of us has been called upon to make difficult and costly sacrifices. Still, there are those who have been on the frontlines in this battle against our invisible enemy – doctors, nurses, first responders, and the many people who have gone to work daily on our behalf, providing our essential needs. We are releasing this new song in honor of them. It tells the story of a young girl named Esther, who, at her time in history, was called upon to be a hero – saving the lives of her Jewish people. In that spirit, and in gratitude to all of you who have done what needed to be done, we hope you enjoy and are inspired by, ‘For Such a Time as This (Esther’s Song).’ Please like and share this new song & video with the heroes in your life!

See below for a story I wrote about how Marty’s music has impacted me. It was included in Changed – True Stories of Finding God through Christian Music (Standard Publishing, 2005).

Waiting

Saturday was the first time I’ve driven my car in seven weeks. It felt really strange. At least I hadn’t forgotten how to drive! And I didn’t get lost finding the church where I was scheduled to pick up a box of food for my daughter. I wore a mask and was careful to social distance.

Although some states are beginning to reopen, it’s likely to be quite some time before the Philadelphia area where I live will return to normal. I’m growing impatient. I’ve never been very good at waiting, and I admit I’m anxious wondering what restrictions the new normal will require. Will I again be able to hug my grandkids? And will it be safe to hold the July 22-25 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference? I don’t know. I’m still waiting and praying for a clear answer.

Be still and rest in the Lord;
wait for Him and
patiently lean yourself upon Him.
Psalm 37:7 AMP

A good thing to do during any season of waiting is to learn from a master crafts- man. Cec shares valuable, bite-sized lessons such as:

* How to get beyond the amateur look;
* Why writing articles is a good place to start;
* The importance of showing and telling;
* Choosing the best words and tenses;
* Using dialog to move your story along;
* Writing from the right perspective;
* Keeping your reader happy;
* Working with publishers, editors, and agents;
* Making a living as a writer.

Special price $7. Click here to order.

“The most comprehensive and recommended resource on the market for finding a place to sell what you are writing or locating an agent, an editor, a designer, a podcast, or a writing coach.”

I purchased two boxes (40 books) for $590 for the Colorado conference. It has cost $102 to ship them back to Pennsylvania. I am unable to return them and, honestly, I can’t afford to lose what I invested. Please help me and yourself by purchasing a copy at $18 (only .75 cents more than my cost). Regular price is $24.99. Click here to order.


I highly recommend this book for everyone who writes fiction. Time-saving tips, revision-made-easy charts, short checklists, and more.

  • Create great characters
  • Maintain a compelling pace
  • Craft believing dialogue
  • Expand your creativity.

246 page hardback. Full color
Retail $19.95.
Half price special $9.97.
Click here to order.

Please note: I’m finally updating the Write His Answer bookstore – something I’ve not had time to do until the pandemic has put both conferences on hold. I’ve got far too much tied up in books (I still have loads more to add) that are doing nothing to help the huge financial loss of postponing the Colorado conference. Knowing that financially things may also be difficult for you, I’ve greatly reduced prices. Quantities are limited.

Be sure to also check out the Other Titles that include 30 books I’ve edited in addition to the 14 Ampelos Press books I’ve edited and published. Amazing. Thank You, Father, for Your Ephesians 3:20 blessings.

Someday life will return to normal, although only Father knows when and what the “new normal” will be. Until then, I believe He want us not to waste this time but to use it to:

Make the most of every opportunity
you have for doing good.
Ephesians 5:16 (TLB)

Before I share how I’ve been using this new found time, here’s what my friends Karen Bouchard and Michael Klassen are doing.

On Wednesday evenings at 6:30 MT they are presenting free webinars for writers. We’ve missed #1, but #2 is coming up this Wednesday night (April 22) and then the four Wednesday nights after that. There’s no charge—you just need to register ahead of time and then you’ll receive a Zoom link to participate on the video call.

Here’s a list of the webinars coming up:

  1. How to create an e-newsletter in MailChimp (and other platforms)
  2. How to create lead magnets and grow your list
  3. Do these things to get your books into more bookstores
  4. Tips on writing to today’s internet-influenced readers
  5. How to navigate today’s three best publishing options
  6. Bonus: Get answers to FAQs about writing, publishing, and marketing

Now, for how I’m using the time that I would have been spending on preparing for the Colorado and Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference (I’m still not certain whether or not I’ll be able to hold the July 22-25 Philly conference), I’ve been working with authors Father has gifted with an important message. I urge you to use this time to read one or more of the following books that I have had the privilege of editing:

A book every parent needs to read
and every pastor needs to recommend.

I was blessed to edit, design the cover, and provide the following endorsement: “In Victory through Light: How to Overcome the Growing Cultural Darkness Victoria Dorshorn confronts the ‘darkness that is growing in our culture today’ through the light of God’s Word. This is not a quick and easy read. Rather, it is a book to thoughtfully and prayerfully study. I especially recommend it as a resource for small groups and Sunday school classes.”

A timely and gripping novel you won’t be able to put down that I’m grateful I had the opportunity to publish as an Ampelos Press book. From the back cover:

“Remember Scenario 5? Are you ready?” With these five words, Angela Norsworthy’s world turns upside down. Before seventy-two hours are up, Angie and her daughter, Rose, are plunged into an escalating spiral of fear and darkness. Her friend, a colonel and medical officer on a U.S. airbase in
Germany, is sending Angie desperate texts to warn her of the danger to come. A deadly terror, the like of which the world has never known, has been unleashed. This could happen today. Are you ready?

Father has given Susan Paulus a gift to write stories that make the Bible come alive. As you read these short stories, you will feel like you are there and be drawn closer to the Lord. Please, Sue, keep writing these wonderful stories!

Ebook available on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/34Ra1GG

And one more book that I finished editing in December before I knew how dramatically all our lives would change. Order from https://www.marjistevens.com/books

Thank you, Marji Stevens, for taking me deeper into God’s Word and revealing the amazing ways He speaks through trees. I highly recommend this unique Bible study for all who long to be “rooted and built up in Him” (Colossians 2:7 NKJV).

“I want you to learn to wait patiently, productively, and expectantly,” the Lord told me many years ago when I was griping and feeling sorry for myself because doors were not opening for the publication of my work.

The productive part sounded okay. But patience? Surely the Lord knew I had (and still have) a problem being patient. Yet I knew if I failed to learn the lesson of patience, I wouldn’t be prepared to persist during other dry spells. The challenge Lee Roddy once gave me, “write so heaven will be different,” would never happen if my lack of patience caused me to quit.

The bottom line that is as true today as it was then: If I fail to learn to wait patiently and expectantly I will be denying a Scripture I promised years ago to heed. “I will keep on expecting you to help me. I [will] praise you more and more. I [will] walk in the strength of the Lord God” (Ps. 71:14, 16).

Friends, let’s ask Father to help us make the most of the opportunities during these challenging days. Let’s trust Him to enable us to write and to live His answer.

What is the Lord saying to you during this waiting time? What lesson is He seeking to teach you?

Scriptures to encourage you: Psalm 27:14; 32:8; 42:11; 130:5; Isaiah 40:29-31; Hebrews 11:1.

It’s hard to believe that the story below was first published almost 36 years ago by Christian Standard. It went on to be reprinted by The Mennonite in 1983, Pentecostal Messenger in 1984, Advocate in 1985, and Vision (below) in 1989. But it feels appropriate that the Lord brought it to my attention today as I prayerfully consider stepping out in a new ministry to His scribes during the “new normal” we are experiencing.

Of course, I long to return to the old normal, but sadly the days of gathering on the mountain for the Colorado Christian Writers Conference are over – at least for this year. I already had the YMCA of the Rockies reserved for May 12-15, 2021, and most all this year’s faculty are saving the date. I do not yet know if it will be safe to hold the July 22-25, 2020, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference.

What I do know is the need is greater than ever for us to “Write His Answer.” And I believe that’s why Father called my attention to the story below. Although I’m having a “Crisis of Confidence” over learning new technology, I’m going to take a baby step on Friday and video my “Hook ‘Em from the Get-Go” workshop. Please pray for me and be watching for the announcement that it’s online.

Father, please encourage everyone reading this blog to seek You during this time when our lives have been so disrupted – really turned upside down – by this pandemic. For many the “new normal” has created great financial hardship. Still others are experiencing the much greater pain of losing loved ones. Please be their comfort and strength. Please lead medical science to find a cure and vaccine. And please help us to write words that will turn hearts to You and to Your love that has not and will not fail.

______________

I also needed to re-read Chapter 23, “Crisis of Confidence,” in my book Write His Answer – A Bible Study for Christian Writers. Click here to download the chapter. Even if you’ve done this study before, now would be a good time to do it again and to journal your thoughts at the end of each chapter in “Responding to God’s Call to Write.” It’s been in print for 28 years, and almost weekly I hear from someone it has blessed. It sells for $10 on my website, but I’m cutting the price to $7 (half of the $13.99 Amazon price) plus $3 shipping. Click here to order.

Write His Answer is not just a book to read and put down . . . I keep my copy close to my manuscript and journals, dog-eared and tattered from use. I purchased the original version years ago at the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference when I had no idea how to begin a writing ministry. Although I’m excited about getting the new edition, my first copy filled with personal notes is simply irreplaceable. More than a devotional or a “how-to-and-continue-on” manual, Write His Answer is written by a woman who knows the heart of God and the heart of a writer. This has been a rich resource to encourage and challenge me to respond and remain faithful to God’s call and use His Word as my guidance for every page.
This is a classic . . . for keeps. ~ Verna Bowman

They had believed He was the Messiah.
Leaving everything behind, they followed Him.
The Kingdom of God had seemed so real, so near.
He healed the sick, fed the hungry,
calmed the storm at sea –
and in their hearts.
His words had given them life
and hope and purpose.
But now He was dead.
How could they have been so mistaken,
so misled?

Hiding in the room
where He had broken the bread
and passed the cup,
hopelessness and despair
closed in around them.
They laughed –
a cold, hard, bitter laugh –
when Mary said she had seen Him.
People didn’t come back to life
after dying on a cross.

Jesus and Thomas

Suddenly
the darkness shattered
at the sound
of the familiar voice.
“Peace be with you.”


Jesus stood before them
not dead – but alive!
Light filled the room
and the darkness in their hearts.
Everything He had taught them
was true.
He was and is and shall be alive –
forevermore!

Christ is risen.
He is risen, indeed!

Only Love

Despised and rejected.
Forsaken – it seemed,
even by His Father
who turned His face away –
Jesus writhed in agony,
His hands and His feet
nailed to a tree.

“They’re not worth it,”
Satan must have taunted.
“Come down from the cross.
Give them what they deserve.
Death – now
and for eternity!”

All of heaven’s armies
stood on alert – ready
to obey the Son’s command.
Would Jesus choose
to save Himself – or men?
Would He endure to the end?

Only love kept Jesus on the cross
knowing only His blood
could set men free.
“It is finished!” He shouted.
Sin and death no longer reign.
Christ has won the victory!

Marlene Bagnull

Today we remember how Jesus rode into Jerusalem as the crowds cheered, “Hosanna!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” Yet less than a week later they shouted “Crucify him!”

Jesus entering Jerusalem

None of this caught Jesus by surprise. Indeed, we’re told in Hebrews 12:2 (TLB) that “He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterwards.”

Have you stopped to consider that you are the reason for His joy?

Years ago my pastor’s wife told me that if I was the only person on this earth, Jesus still would have come and died just for me.

We know that He is coming again but that He tarries because He does not want even one to be lost. And so He is calling you, He is calling me, to share His love with those who do not yet know He loved them enough to go to the cross.

blessed

“Blessed is He
who comes in the name of the Lord!”
The crowd cheered and sang praises.
They waved palm branches
and threw their cloaks before Him.
But Jesus was solemn as He traveled that road –
that road to the cross.

As God incarnate He knew all that was to come.
He saw not just His own death on the cross,
but the persecution of His followers
and the destruction of Jerusalem.
He saw nation rising against nation –
the madness of yet-to-be-born rulers.
And Jesus wept.

He would be wounded and bruised for our sins,
chastised that we might have peace,
lashed that we might be healed;
yet few would accept His gift of life.
The darkness of evil would continue to reign,
but the light of His love
would not be extinguished.

Entrusted to us,
His light will grow brighter.
A cloud of witnesses are cheering us on,
to daily take up our own cross
and follow Him closely.
Blessed is He who is coming – again!

Marlene Bagnull

It’s now been almost four weeks since our daughter insisted that we not go out in public, even to church. As a physician, she saw the potential for the coronavirus to become a deadly pandemic. I thought she was over-reacting, but I’m so glad I listened.

The past month has not been easy for anyone, and it’s likely to become even more difficult in the weeks ahead. Despite the thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours I invested, I was forced to cancel the May 12-15 Colorado Christian Writers Conference. (It would have been our 24th conference!) I do not yet know if the 37th July 22-25 Greater Philly conference will happen. But compared to those who have lost loved ones to covid-19 or are on the front lines of trying to save lives, I am grateful to be safe at home.

With our daily routines drastically altered, we can no longer use the excuse that we’re “too busy” to write. Now, more than ever, “People Need the Lord.” He is calling me, and calling you, to “get the Word out” that He is with us.

Click here for a more readable PDF of the above Bible study that I’ve given several times as a keynote. In addition to asking Him what new writing He wants youhttp://categories to do, you may already have manuscripts looking for a home or books in print that would make a difference in the lives of readers if they knew they were available. I do!

little over a year ago I republished my testimony of God’s faithfulness during the five years we raised my half sister who was sexually abused by her father, my step-father. Sadly, I’ve done a pathetic job marketing #MyFamilyToo! – How Our Family Coped with Childhood Sexual Abuse.

Click here for the website.

If you have a book in print that needs to reach a wider audience, I want to encourage you to join me in studying Secrets to Effective Author Marketing – It’s More than “Buy My Book” by Maggie McVay Lynch. From the back cover of this 365-page book:

Have you put your book out there and been disappointed in your sales? Perhaps you’ve tried a variety of marketing tactics to boost discoverability: blog posts, social media, book tours, paid ads in a variety of venues. But nothing is working. This book provides specific techniques to exploit the value of your book without resorting to the typical overexposure in social media and newsletters with “Buy My Book” sales messaging.

I have only five copies available and am happy to sell them first come at my price of $11.89 plus $4 shipping. Please email me at mbagnull@aol.com and I’ll invoice you if I’m not sold out.

If you have a book that has not yet been published or stories, articles, devotionals, or poems, you need the 2020 Christian Writers Market Guide. I still have copies available at my price of $15.24 (retail $24.99) plus $4 shipping (or $6 shipping if you order both books). Again, please email me.

If you order one or both of these books, I’ll be glad to include a free CD of my “Get the Word Out” keynote.

Father, the needs are so great. Please help us to write and to live Your answer!

CCWC Postponed

This I declare about the LORD:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
Psalm 91:2 (NLT2)

I’ve been praying and waiting until the Estes Park YMCA reopened April 7 to decide whether or not to cancel this year’s Colorado Christian Writers Conference. Since daily the pandemic has worsened with no end in sight and I learned that the Y is now closed until April 30, I have finally made the very difficult decision to postpone CCWC to May 12-15, 2021.

It would have been our 24th year on the mountain, but I believe it’s the wisest thing to do since I seriously doubt the CDC will say it’s safe for groups of 50+ (or even 10+) to meet in just a little over six weeks or for folks who are high risk to attend conferences. As for social distancing, I don’t see how that would be possible.

Because of a printing glitch, I have an extra 2,500 brochures for this year’s CCWC. I can easily change the date. So far all the 2020 faculty I’ve heard from are on board for 2021. So please put May 12-15, 2021 on your calendar and bookmark the conference website at https://colorado.writehisanswer.com.

I have prayed about the possibility of offering this year’s conference online, but with the loss of income so many are experiencing I don’t know there would be a strong enough response to cover the cost. Instead, I’m hoping to offer some online workshops throughout the year for a donation of whatever, if anything, you can afford. I’m also hopeful that it will be safe to hold the July 22-25 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference.

My husband and I are in our 70s and have invested thousands of dollars in this year’s CCWC that we expected to recoup after all the conference expenses were paid. Would you please help us by considering one of the options below?

Grow Your Writing Ministry

MP3s of my latest seminar plus 20 pages of handouts. Originally $18 plus $3 shipping, but now available for a donation of any amount.

Workshop 1 – Go, Grow & Write through the Hurts
Jesus never promised it would be easy to follow Him, but He has promised always to be with us. Biblical principles for those times that test and stretch our faith and later become the focus of our writing and speaking ministry.

Workshop 2 – Discover God’s Plan for Your Ministry Is God calling you to write an article, story, or book? Who is your audience? What are their needs? How will you reach them? Should you look for a publisher or go indie? What are the advantages and disadvantages of traditional and indie publishing?

Workshop 3 – You Can Do It! “For such a time as this” God has provided the technology to reach the world with the words He is calling us to write. How to indie publish affordably yet professionally.

Workshop 4 – Think Big Because You Serve a Big God How to cut the old tapes, stop listening to the wrong voices, and accomplish what God is calling you to do.

Books

Write His Answer has an inventory of several thousand dollars of books. I’m glad to let you have them at the price I paid for them plus $4 for postage for one, $6 for postage for two or more. For now here are just a few that I highly recommend:

Christian Writers Manual of Style – This 622 page essential reference book is the Chicago Manual of Style for Christian writers.  Retail, $34.99; my price $22.

Communicate to Change Lives – Written by Jim Watkins, I think this is a book every Christian writer needs to read. Retail, $10; my price $6.

2020 Christian Writers Market Guide – Retail, $24.99; my price $15.24.

Write His Answer: A Bible Study for Christian Writers – The third edition of my book that has been in print for 28 years. It sells for $13.99 on Amazon; for $10 on my website. You can have it for my cost of $2.99, proof that indie publishing is something to seriously consider.

MP3s of workshops from the 2019 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference.

Click here for last year’s brochure to see what was taught, and click here to listen online or download workshops to your computer at 50% off the price noted on the webpage.

CDs from last year’s CCWC.

Click here for last year’s brochure to see what was taught and click here for the order form. Again, you can take 50% off the price.


If you’ve not already downloaded the free MP3s of two workshops I taught last month, I encourage you to do so. They are “The Power of Story – of Your Testimony” and “How to Write Personal Experience Stories.” Click here for more info and the link to access them. One of the gals in my critique group shared her testimony in a letter she sent to all of her neighbors.

Father, please rest Your healing hand on those who are sick and protect our health care workers who are on the front lines. Give wisdom to those working to find a cure and to develop a vaccine. Help us to grow closer to You and to “write Your answer.” Turn our nation back to You.


Trusting in the Lord – Marlene

Some prayer requests:

Please pray for our daughter. She is a pediatrician and is in the office five days a week to hopefully keep children out of the ER. She said children can get covid-19 but not as severely as adults, so she may already have been exposed. She is wearing a mask and gloves and isolating herself in her bedroom when she is home. Because she still could be bringing the virus into their home, we have not been with our grandchildren for 3 weeks. I long to hug them, but we social distance when they come over to walk our dog.

Our son-in-law’s brother is in the ICU with covid-19, and our county has the most infections in Pennsylvania. I can’t imagine the fear folks in New York City and other hot spots are experiencing. It does make the need to “write His answer” more urgent than ever.

Please pray for staff/faculty member Darcie Gudger’s dad and mom. Darcie writes, “My dad, Robert Yetter, has been in the hospital for several weeks in Wilkes-Barre Geisinger Wyoming Valley, PA. He isn’t doing well. It’s been a roller coaster of health. Today, he suddenly lost his vision. Pray for a miracle. It’s especially hard during this quarantine time. Mom can’t be with him. She is alone. My sister (in Blue Bell, PA) has to stay home b/c it’s one of the highest concentrations of COVID19. My dad’s business is suffering b/c no one but him can do the billing. Bills are piling up, Mom doesn’t have income. It’s a mess. They love the Lord. My dad even shared his faith with the hospital chaplain who had never heard the gospel before. Pray God will be glorified and that we will be able to see my dad this summer when we come out to PA for GPCWC. Feel free to share with your prayer people. This is a desperate plea to the Lord.”

Please prayerfully consider giving to the YMCA of the Rockies COVID-19 Sustainability Fund. They are good people. See the difference they are making at https://blog.ymcarockies.org/ymca-of-the-rockies-gives-back/ and click here for an impressive overview of what they did in 2018.

What a wonderful God we have—he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 TLB

Friends, we have stories we need to share, testimonies that will make a difference in the lives of people who are terrified as the covid-19 pandemic sweeps through our nation and world.

As daily the news becomes more grim, we have Good News to share.

Despite all this, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us enough to die for us. For I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels won’t, and all the powers of hell itself cannot keep God’s love away. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, or where we are—high above the sky, or in the deepest ocean—nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when he died for us.
Romans 8:37-39 TLB

Click here for free access to MP3s of two workshops:

The Power of Story –
of Your Testimony
Biblical guidelines for writing your testimony.

How to Write the Personal Experience Story
Seven essential elements of a personal experience story and pitfalls to avoid.

Thank You, Father, that “for such a time as this” You have provided the technology to reach the world with Your message of salvation. Help us not to get caught up in the pandemic of fear but to instead make the most of this opportunity to live, speak, and write Your answer.