Beyond the Manger with Marlene Bagnull

My friends, by now you’ve heard that Kim Jong-il died on Sunday. Yesterday I wrote a press release and sent it off to media. Here are a couple links if you want to see what Hope’s up to right now:

1. Radio interview with Dr. Gina Loudon, one of the founders of the Tea Party; http://drginaloudon.com/category/showaudio/

2. Marlene Bagnull (see bio below) inserted the press release here: Please take a moment to read faculty member C. Hope Flinchbaugh’s article, “Why Are the North Koreans Crying?” by clicking here.

Most importantly, we have a BIRTHDAY to celebrate this week! Glory to GOD! The Savior is born! Oh, how we love you Jesus!!

When the conference director for Colorado and Philly Christian writers conferences sent me a Christmas poem, I asked her if I could post it here. Marlene Bagnull has been an encouragement, friend, and coach to me from the day I showed her my first novel! I am so honored to bring her writing to you here. I hope you’ll visit her conference links, too! Now here’s Marlene:

Beyond the Manger

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

Marlene Bagnull, Christian Writer Coach and Conference Director

Marlene Bagnull is the founder and director of the Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference (www.writehisanswer.com/Philadelphia) as well as the director of the Colorado Christian Writers Conference (www.writehisanswer.com/Colorado). Through her own writing, mentoring, and writing seminars she encourages and equips Christians to write about a God who is real, who is reachable, and who changes lives. She and her husband Paul have three precious grandchildren they babysit several days a week.

About Lift the Cross of Jesus!

My day job is writing--I'm an author and publisher of a number of books. More on that later. But there is nothing of greater importance to me than the early morning hours I spend with the Creator of the Universe. Although He knows everything there is to know, His greatest delight isn't to give us knowledge, but to give us love. My highest joy is to watch the sun rise with notebook in hand and write the words he speaks to my heart. I want to share some of those words with you here . . . words on the cross.

View all posts by Lift the Cross of Jesus! →

2 Responses to Beyond the Manger with Marlene Bagnull

Jean Oathout says:

December 21, 2011 at 10:33 AM

I copied and posted the poem on today’s post on my blog! Thanks for sharing it. Tell her that I appreciated it, too, please.

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Marlene Bagnull says:

December 21, 2011 at 10:59 AM

Thanks, Jean. It’s a joy to share what Father gives me.

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