Marlene is offering one copy of her powerfully helpful, non-fiction WRITE HIS ANSWER to one randomly chosen commenter. The winner will be announced here on Friday, April 11th, between 5-6 PM EST. For convenience, please leave your contact information within your comment. Thanks!
Only God . . . by
Marlene Bagnull
If
anyone had told me when I was growing up that one day I would have a writing
and speaking ministry, I would have said, “A loving God would never do that to me!”
I
hated English in high school, and I was terrified of the public speaking class
we were required to take. Still, I couldn’t shake the call I felt to full-time
Christian service. After reading the entire New Testament in King James
English, I searched the shelves of my local library for Christian novels. Back then
they were scarce. I devoured The Robe
and read Taylor Caldwell’s Tender Victory
at least five times, never dreaming that one day I would write words that
others would read.
The more
real Jesus became to me, the more I longed to share Him with others. But how?
Where? Certainly not in the halls of my high school. I read about the exploits
of missionary evangelists. Yes! That’s what I would become. I would go to a
remote jungle and boldly preach
the gospel. It obviously didn’t connect that I’d have to speak!
I
knew I’d need a college education. Hopefully it would help me overcome my huge
inferiority complex. My parents did not support my decision. “What makes you
think you’re college material?” they scoffed. Evidently the people in the
admissions office of my top choice colleges agreed. Finally, a little Bible
college down south accepted me.
Meanwhile,
I had fallen in love with a sailor. When he broke up with me, I was devastated.
“Okay, God,” I sighed. “This must be confirmation that you do want me to go to
college unless – unless You bring Paul back into my life.” He did! And I said
yes when Paul asked me to marry him over fifty years ago.
I’ve
never regretted my decision or ceased to be amazed at the way God has worked
out His plans for my life despite my self-doubts. For years I felt ashamed that
I was only a high school graduate. I questioned how He could use me. It was
easy to believe the lies of the evil one that I was not smart enough or good
enough.
Still
the call to ministry never went away. Ever so slowly I began to believe God’s
promises and to step out in faith to do things I was not qualified to do. I
clung to the words of the apostle Paul. “When I am weak, then I am strong – the
less I have, the more I depend on him” (2 Cor. 12:10 TLB).
Today,
I’ve made over 1,000 sales to Christian periodicals and published nine books
including Write His Answer–-A Bible
Study for Christian Writers that has been in print for twenty-four years.
I’ve watched the Lord expand my ministry of writing and speaking, in
Ephesians 3:20 ways.
Thirty-one
years ago He led me to begin the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers
Fellowship. He didn’t tell me that this ministry would grow into a three and a
half day conference or that fourteen years later He would call me to direct the
Colorado Christian Writers Conference. I’m sure I would have run the other way!
After all, I wasn’t qualified. I’m still not. But I’m learning that “I can do
everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and
power” (Phil. 4:13 TLB).
What
is holding you back from becoming all God is calling you to be and to do?
Marlene's Ah-hahs To Tweet:
Everyone’s Story: Meet Marlene
Bagnull, author & Christian writers conference director. (Tweet This)
Everyone has a story: how
Marlene Bagnull overcame inferiority complex to achieve her goals. (Tweet This)
Marlene Bagnull: what is holding
you back from success? #BookGiveaway (Tweet This)
Author's Bio:
Marlene Bagnull is the author of
five books including Write His Answer: A
Bible Study for Christian Writers and the compiler/editor
of four other books. She also has made over 1,000 sales to Christian
periodicals. Marlene has given her Write
His Answer and Get Your Book in Print
seminars over 50 times around the nation in addition to serving on the faculty
of over 75 Christian writers’ conferences. She teaches At-Home Writing
Workshops, freelance edits, leads two critique groups that meet in her home,
and helps Christians publish affordably and professionally through Ampelos
Press. She has directed the Colorado Christian Writers Conference since 1997
and the Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, which she founded, since
1983. In 1999 she received an honorary Doctor of
Letters. All she could say was, "Wow! Only God could take someone who felt
as inadequate as I did (and often still do) and make all this happen.”
Places to connect with Marlene:
What a powerful story! I have so often felt that my past meant that I wasn't "good enough" to write Christian fiction. Jesus reminds me daily through reading God's word that He loves me as I am, but He won't leave me this way. He keeps working in me to draw me closer to Him.
ReplyDeleteMarlene do you conduct any online Bible studies? I would love to do your Bible study, especially if you have a group sharing the Word together. It is my goal to get to Philly next year (2016). I already signed up for two conferences this year, so my budget has been spent. But, I WILL get to Philly. I've heard wonderful things about it from my friend Becky.
Oh, Lisa, how I can relate. I used to feel like one day, upon waking, everyone would be pointing fingers at me and laughing, shouting out that I'm an impostors or a foolish dreamer with lofty ambitions. But, the more I keep my heart focused on Him, the less I've been worrying about what others say or think. I can't control others, but I certainly can control what I write.
DeleteYes, Lisa. Your words remind me of the powerful hymn, "Just As I Am," that so many - me included, have gone forward to in a Billy Graham Crusade. We need to remember that Satan is "the accuser of the brethren" and not embrace his lies. When we do believe the "I'm not good enough" like, it's like saying Jesus' death on the cross was not enough.
DeleteI don't do any online Bible studies, Lisa. I do try to daily post a Scripture on my Facebook page and weekly I begin my blog with a biblical truth. I know there are writers' groups around the nation that are using WRITE HIS ANSWER when they meet. I'm not aware of any who are using it online.
God bless you and your writing.
Marlene, love your story. I've never believed God calls the equipped--He equips those He calls. Would love to attend either conference some day! pat at ptbradley dot com
ReplyDeleteWell said, Pat. Well, said.
DeleteYes, indeed Pat. He uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things when we choose to say yes and trust Him to enable us.
DeleteHi Elaine -
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to see Marlene here! I've known her for years, and she's been an encouragement to me and probably thousands of other writers.
The workshops, continuing sessions, and meetings with industry professionals prepared me as a writer. One little known fact: If you register early for Philly, you can get up to 5 appointments with editors, agents, and authors. There are so many opportunities at this conference.
A big "thank you" to Marlene for her faithfulness and all she's done for the writing community.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Thanks for your visit, Susan. I echo your sentiments.
DeleteGood to see you here, Susan. I'm surprised that the number of appointments at the Philly and Colorado conference is a "little known fact." Some conferees end up with more than five since we open it up on Thursday afternoon for them to sign up for additional appointments. Gotta shout this one from the rooftops.
DeleteYour words are such an inspiration, Marlene! You've been a great blessing to writers (and readers) of Christian books. So glad you followed God's lead.
ReplyDeleteNice to see you again, Kathy. I agree--Marlene's words are truly an encouragement. I was just telling someone at church this morning how my present blog guest doubted herself but followed God anyway and how He blessed her journey and everyone else she's met on they way.
DeleteThanks, Kathy, for your encouraging words. Tonight in the small group from church that meets in our home we discussed the joy we experience in using the gifts God entrusts to us.
DeleteI too, have the privilege of calling Marlene my friend, through my attendance that the CO Christian Writers Conference. Marlene is truly a servant of God who desires to empower writers to Write His Answer for the hurting world around us.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Sandy, to Everyone's Story. One day I'd like to attend the Colorado conference. It is such great planning upon Marlene's behalf to host conferences at two locations.
DeleteThanks, Sandy, for your encouraging words and the gift of your friendship.
DeleteThat ole' inferiority complex does rear its ugly head, doesn't it? And it continues to plague us through life. How I long for the day when I hear "welcome home, my good & faithful servant," because I plan to keep obeying in spite of feelings of inadequacy!
ReplyDeleteWelcomee, Sally, to Everyone's Story. I'm also learning every day how to live to hear those words as I tamp down the temptations of earthly wants and negativity.
DeleteHope to see you again.
Amen, Sally. We keep on keeping on in His strength. I'm so grateful for His promise in 1 Cor 1:7.
DeleteMarlene, I've been using Write His Answer as my daily devotional and it's been eye-opening for me. I learned to fully embrace the calling and treat it as being a literary missionary. That way I can say no to things I don't need to be doing, and concentrate on what God called me to do. THANK YOU!!!
ReplyDeleteAne, thanks for visiting with us. And the best part of following God on the writing missions He directs us on is No Guilt!
DeleteThank You, Father, for speaking to Anne through Write His Answer and giving her wisdom to know when she needs to say no to good things so she can do the better things You're calling her to do.
DeleteMarlene, it's good to hear the story behind the story -- so many people have been blessed through your obedience.
ReplyDeleteJanet, I appreciate your visit this afternoon. I've attended Marlene's Philly conference twice and have always left with more motivation than when I first pulled up to the dorms to unload my car and to begin what I thought would be just a typical writing conference but ended up as a bonus of pure inspiration.
DeleteJanet and Elaine, I really appreciate your encouraging words. Thank You, Father, for helping me do what I could never do in my own strength. Please bless this year's conferences in Ephesians 3:20 ways.
DeleteMarlene, it's been a pleasure to host you this past week on Everyone's Story. I hope this exposure will further help you to accomplish helping other writers having confidence enough to follow God's lead in achieving their dreams. I know you've helped me!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks too for your lovely giveaway of your book WRITE HIS ANSWER. And the winner of Marlene's book is…
Sally. Congratulations, Sally. Both Marlene and I will contact you in private emails.
Hope to see everyone again. Blessings to all.