<![CDATA[Pageant Wagon Publishing: Celebrating 13 Years of Independent Publishing!

<![CDATA[Pageant Wagon Publishing: Celebrating 13 Years of Independent Publishing! - Good News Writers BLOG]]>Wed, 27 May 2026 20:45:49 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[El Roi: The God who Sees Us]]>Thu, 09 Jan 2025 22:48:38 GMThttps://www.pageantwagonpublishing.com/good-news-writers-blog/el-roi-the-god-who-sees-us

We hear that God cares about both the big things and the little things in our lives. No prayer request is too small for God. But is that really true? We believe that He is omnipotent, but does He actually care about those small things that may seem insignificant to people in the world?
Author and PWP Writing Mentor, Linda Slomin, shares a recent experience where she discovered the God of great things is the God of small things, too.

I recently learned that God truly is faithful through a challenging experience in my life when I wondered if God actually cared.

It wasn't a concern about a health issue, a family member's salvation, or somebody struggling with drugs or suicide. You know—those big prayer requests. It revolved around a missions trip to Israel I organized that had been canceled one week before the Hamas War started.

The airlines gave us, as individuals, our money back—but not the missionary organization with which we were connected which required us to select a different missions destination.

But my group specifically wanted to go to Israel, and that was a closed door. I felt responsible for refunding my team their hundreds of dollars given to this organization as a deposit. My idea was to form a new trip with this organization and a brand-new location. If I could find 15 people, I could reimburse the first group with this new group’s deposit.

The challenge was in finding fifteen people who had passports and the money to go. Our destination would be Prince Edward Island in Canada, a place that I had never heard of before. The date selected was August 17th which gave me a few months to recruit after our last missions trip, but before children went back to school.

I chose to go with a travel company called Fly My Group. They were friendly, efficient, and could discount group airline tickets. I leapt out in faith and secured fifteen plane tickets, but my high expectations soon turned to disappointment and a stressful situation.

I recruited all that I could from the canceled trip and new people from my church, but it didn't equal fifteen. Even worse, some who committed to going, with money paid, backed out. As the numbers fluctuated, so did my stress level. In addition, if I didn't meet Fly My Group's deadline, they would keep my entire deposit of $2,250—money I could not afford to lose.

I reached out to prayer lines and friends for support. I heard from some, "Maybe you missed God because this is causing you too much stress." It implied that God's grace is only on those things that come easy to us.

I wasn't trying to be stubborn in my goal of fifteen people. I wanted to be faithful as a leader. I wondered if God really cared about this venture since it wasn't about a life-or-death situation—a dramatic rescue or even just paying an electric bill before my electricity got cut off.

As I continued to lean into my Lord to help me through this valley, He granted me the miracle I sought—but not without hurtful opposition.

Those that I hoped would support me did not. The miracle came through a stranger who is now my good friend: a missions-minded Pastor from a church in Philadelphia. Not only did he help me supplement the cost of several of my attendees, but he recruited two other people and came on the trip as well. He remained humble the entire time, allowing me to lead as the trip's leader. Even so, I was thankful for how God used his wisdom and gentle guidance when my team needed it.

My Lord met me as El Roi.

We first learn about El Roi, the God who Sees, in Genesis when Hagar runs away from her mistress, Sarai. Instructed to be Abraham's secondary wife, Hagar laid with him and became pregnant. Pride entered her heart, and she looked down on Sarai with contempt because Sarai could not conceive a child.

This incited Sarai to complain to Abraham, who then gave his wife permission to do with Hagar whatever she wished. Sarai treated her harshly and humiliated her. So, Hagar fled alone with her son Ishmael into the barren wilderness.

But she did not go unnoticed by God! As recorded in Genesis 16:10-13, an Angel of the Lord found Hagar by a spring of water and told her, “ . . . I will greatly multiply your descendants so that they will be too many to count.” Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are God Who Sees;” for she said, “Have I not even here [in the wilderness] remained alive after seeing Him [who sees me with understanding and compassion]?"

God sees the lonely and lowly in the deserts of their lives and blesses them. He saw me in my valley of doubt and disappointment. He sees you in all your life situations—big or small. He is aware and He cares. Don't ever doubt it again!

Linda Slomin's heart for missions ignited the power of story to share the gospel with children on foreign mission fields through a puppet show. Eventually, she published her story in a picture book format with award winning artist George Perez, The Very Sensitive Princess. Find Linda's book in the PWP Bookshop today!

]]><![CDATA[Why Does It Have To Be A Must?]]>Sat, 10 Aug 2024 20:46:57 GMThttps://www.pageantwagonpublishing.com/good-news-writers-blog/why-does-it-have-to-be-a-must

Author of The Real Life Mom series of devotional books, Christine Strittmatter, has a passion for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Here she echoes a question she once asked before she found the way.

Note: Find Christine's latest Real Life Mom devotional in the PWP Bookshop!

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God . . . So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’”
John 3: 3, 7 NLT

Why does this Scripture—why does Jesus’ directive—have to include the word must?
It sounds so . . . so awkwardly odd, so stifling, so strange, so confining, so narrow, so absolute, so restrictive, so hard, so contrary to what many think.

So contrary to what I thought before I became born again.

In the Bible, there’s a conversation when Jesus speaks to Nicodemus about the Holy Spirit giving birth to spiritual life. Jesus explains one must be born again to enter the Kingdom of God before earthly life closes.

Jesus didn’t say, If you prefer. If you like. Or if perhaps.

No, He said we MUST in order to enter Heaven.

This isn’t a game, a hoax, a fictional fairy tale, or even cult theology. It’s the key to everlasting life with God. The only way. Jesus said He is The Way. (John 14: 6)

Make no mistake—do not miss this crucial decision for eternal life. We must be born again. We need a sinless Savior to atone for our sins. (John 3: 1-8)

We cannot save ourselves. We’re not sinners because we sin—we sin because we’re sinners. And we need Jesus, the Savior. This is why we must.

Drop your pride and rebellion. Pray and ask God for His forgiveness and yield to His Lordship. If you’re serious, He will meet you. Pick up the opportunity to make today the day you’re born again—born of the Spirit of God. You will be changed as His Spirit comes to live within you!

]]><![CDATA[God Was at the Mall: A Divine Appointment]]>Sat, 13 Jul 2024 18:41:27 GMThttps://www.pageantwagonpublishing.com/good-news-writers-blog/god-was-at-the-mall-a-divine-appointment

Author Christine Strittmatter received an unsual request from a desperate man. Her answer may surprise and inspire you to be so bold for the Good News of Jesus Christ in the marketplace. She tells all in this touching recount of a divine appointment.

READ ON . . .

“ . . . Peter said, I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”
Acts 3:6 ESV

Do you know what’s better than Bazooka Bubblegum?

That’s the question I asked the man at the mall.

On a sunny July afternoon at the local mall, my friend Maria and I stationed ourselves at the community booth which served as an outreach post to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to passersby.

We go there regularly to offer prayer and information to men, women, and children, sharing the reality and goodness of God and His love for them. We especially treasure opportunities to explain that Christianity is not a religion, but rather a relationship with a God who is reachable and relatable—anytime, anywhere.

After two hours had passed on that particular day, my eyes connected with a man who darted toward us as if by radar on a determined mission—like an arrow soaring to its target. “Can you tell me where I can by Bazooka Bubblegum?” he asked with harried urgency in his voice. He appeared to presume that Maria and I were customer service mall employees! I discerned his request to be genuine and no joking matter.

I offered a few locations outside the mall, such as Rite-Aid and Walmart, where he might find what he was looking for, but that did not suffice. Maria suggested he look online, but he expressed plainly that he had no desire to do that. He only repeated his wish, “Bazooka Bubblegum. You know, the kind with the small comic strip neatly tucked inside the wrapper.”

After exhausting all our bubblegum options and seeing his disappointment, I sensed a sacred moment and boldly asked, “Do you know what’s even better than Bazooka Bubblegum?”

He looked directly at me and curiously replied, “No. What?”

I gently and gingerly responded, “Accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.”

After a long and thoughtful pause, we spent the next fifteen minutes exploring the truths of God’s grace and love towards him. Misguided ideas about God from his past had soured his thoughts and padlocked his heart toward accepting new life in Jesus through a personal relationship with Christ.

In those few moments, we witnessed a divine encounter between God and this man’s heart. He had approached us seeking something to temporarily satisfy, but it would only grow tough and stale, to be spit out, like thousands of other temporary pleasures in life. Instead, he heard news to quench his soul and spirit for a lifetime and beyond into eternity—if he chose to receive it.

Prior to the outreach, friends and I had prayed for God to prepare the way, and He mightily answered that day. A seed was planted as that man on a mission heard our message of hope and grace. He made no commitment to Christ while with us, but hopefully our non-threatening explanation of a loving God opened a sealed and misguided heart. We redeemed those few moments to impact an adrift life with the message of Truth that could change his destiny forever.

Somewhat similar to our mall experience, Peter and John, in the Book of Acts 3:6, were in the right place at the right time to minister to a lame man. Peter offered a life-altering opportunity proclaiming, “I have no silver or gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”

The lame man responded as he gripped Peter’s hand and received a miraculous gift when his feet and ankle bones strengthened. He stood and walked to the amazement of all who witnessed it. His cooperation—reaching out to receive—made all the difference for this once crippled man.

What will it be for you? Are you on a mission—driven to discover that special something to gratify a longing soul? Please remember: Bazooka bubble gum satiates for minutes, but new life in Christ yields everlasting satisfaction!

Further Reading:
A lame beggar is healed—Acts 3:1-10

Prayer:
Father, Your unconditional love for even one person proves how deeply You care and to what lengths You’ll go for every person to draw them to Yourself. Thank You for hearing our prayers and orchestrating divine appointments. With grateful hearts, amen.

]]><![CDATA[Return to Restoration Family Farm]]>Tue, 09 Jul 2024 19:06:43 GMThttps://www.pageantwagonpublishing.com/good-news-writers-blog/return-to-restoration-family-farm

Well, it's been a couple of weeks, but I am still licking my lips just thinking about the delicious farm to table venision dinner Chris, Stacy, and I enjoyed out at Restoration Family Farm, our annual PWP Retreat home, with hosts Pastor Rob and Jen Schwinge!
Read on to hear what's up on the farm!

It was great to be back on the farm again!
RESTORATION FAMILY FARM!
. . . our facility partner for our annual Pioneers with Pens Retreat & Workshops!

FARM FRESH FEAST AND ALL THINGS VENISON!
Good News Christian Writing Mentors, Stacy Lee Flury and Christine Strittmatter, recently joined me with their husbands, Dan and Dave respectively, at our friends Pastor Rob and Jen Schwinge's Restoration Family Farm. It was great to be back where we enjoyed our 2023 retreat and recent spring 2024 Accountabili-TEA.

They welcomed dozens of RFF friends, family, and supporters to enjoy a four course "farm to table" style meal featuring fresh picked veggies and venison meats of varied cuts and preparations. To say the fixin's were delish would be an understatement!

Even the heat and scorching sun upon our arrival at 5:30pm on Saturday, June 22, could not melt our enthusiasm once we found shady places next to the fruitful garden to begin the feast fare. Venison prepared as hot dogs, kielbasa, and pulled barbeque were served with veg, cheeses, toppings, and spreads in rolls or flour tortillas. Thankfully, there was plenty of water to be had in chilled containers, flavored with mint, lime, and cucumber. Plus hibiscus iced tea.

Soon, we were encouraged to move onto the second meal station in the pasture by the sheep and goat pens for venison stew, fresh sourdough bread, and parsley pasta. A small petting-pen for the newest baby goats, ducklings, and bunnies entertained young and old. Our own Stacy was especially taken by one of the baby goats!

She spent a good deal of time snapping the best shots of his ornery self in order to capture him on canvas in a future planned artwork. Currently, she has created a series of animal paintings in luminous tones celebrating the glories of God's creation. You'll be able to see them in the art gallery exhibit we'll have of her work at the October 25-26 retreat!

AN EVENING FILLED WITH HIS STORIES
We ended the evening maxing out the Conference Center--in air conditioning--and filled our plates with a magnificent venison roast, mashed potatoes, and the greenest, freshest salad ever.

At each juncture of the meal, Pastor Rob invited guest speakers to tell God's Story through their story of how the Lord ministered to them through the family restoration ministry of Rob and Jen, and the anointed grounds of the farm.

I know those of us who attended last year's PWP Retreat have stories of our own to share on that score!

This was a special fundraising event to assist Rob and Jen with the financial upkeep of the ministry that has already, in a short three years of ministry, touched hundreds of families throughout Southern New Jersey. RFF functions via Love Offering only and it was my pleasure to be able to bless them with our Pioneer's with Pens' generosity after both the retreat and spring tea.

HOW CAN WE SEED MORE SUPPORT?
If you would like to further seed into this God-blessed ministry on a recurring basis, I urge you to pray about becoming a monthly supporter with any amount. Visit the DONATION PAGE of their website to learn more.

]]><![CDATA[Dedicated Discipleship]]>Mon, 01 Jan 2024 20:27:16 GMThttps://www.pageantwagonpublishing.com/good-news-writers-blog/dedicated-discipleship

In this New Year 2024, we have the opportunity to begin anew in areas of our lives that we want to improve. Good News Author Christine Strittmatter shares a devotional thought on how best we can improve our lives as dedicated disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christine is part of our Pioneers with Pens Christian Writers Mentoring Team and is always a go-to person for wisdom in His Ways.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15 KJV

Several years ago, I injured my knee and my daughter helped with rehabilitation. Joy is a certified fitness specialist and developed an exercise regimen to strengthen it.

Each week I visited her worksite—a professional center with polished equipment. The place buzzed with swarming clients expecting to receive expert instruction.

Joy guided me from one piece of equipment to the next explaining the correct form. If I whined about the difficulty of an exercise, she’d matter-of-factly state, “Mom, you will be challenged, but not to the point of pain. This will strengthen you.”

Ugh!

But when the session ended, even though my legs wobbled like partially-set gelatin, my heart smiled because I knew my knee was improving.

My daughter successfully strengthened my knee because she studied health science. Her years in college equipped her to rehabilitate clients. She provided individualized attention without a cookie cutter approach.

Similar to Joy’s commitment to study medical textbooks, the Bible is our handbook to instruct us to live sanctified lives. When we read the Word, we protect ourselves from false teachings that lead us astray, and we bolster ourselves for a lifestyle of godliness. We’re assured the Bible provides sound teachings as 2 Timothy 3:16 reminds us that all Scripture is Holy Spirit inspired. We can count on its integrity to rehabilitate our fallen natures.

Consider: The Word is personal, practical, and profitable. How will you commit to deeper study and reflection to become a better student of the Bible?

Further Reading: Joshua 1:6-8 and 1 Timothy 4:1-2, 7

Prayer: Father, may You be glorified as we devote our time and heart to committed study and practice of Your Word. Amen.

]]><![CDATA[Ringing in the New Year]]>Mon, 01 Jan 2024 20:00:57 GMThttps://www.pageantwagonpublishing.com/good-news-writers-blog/ringing-in-the-new-year

Good News Author, Linda Slomin, kicks off 2024 with a bit of clarity on a biblical view of New Year's Resolutions. For those of us making a resolutions list, this word keeps us walking inthe liberty of the Lord while pursuing our best potentials.
Linda is part of the Good News Christian Authors Mentoring Team at PWP.

It’s a new year!

With confident anticipation we look forward to what the Lord has for us in 2024 as individuals and as a church body! The Lord created the seasons, seed time and harvest, and new beginnings.

With each new year comes New Year’s Resolutions:

“This year I’m going to read the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation.”
“This year I am going to walk in love towards that family member who’s really hard to love.”
“This year I am going to avoid breads and sugars so that I can be healthier and lose weight.”

Ugh! In all honesty, New Year’s Resolutions rarely seem to work even when our heart motives are good. Why is this true? Because we put ourselves under the law about the changes we hope for.

When we make something a law we are under a curse.

For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written:
“Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”
Galatians 3:10 NIV

Perfectionism creeps in and we beat ourselves up the first time we fail. Discouraged, we give up on the whole thing and ignore the good intentions we had because we feel condemned when we can’t follow through.

Our defeat is assured if we depend on ourselves for change in our lives, excluding the Lord. His Word reminds us in John 15:5 that apart from Him, we can do nothing.

Instead of a New Year’s Resolution this year, where you hope to “change” something about yourself, consider the simple value of growth in an area of your life. Change is an end result of growth.

Ask the Lord what areas of growth He would have you focus on and pray for the Holy Spirit’s help in that area. With Him leading you, victory is assured!

]]><![CDATA[Happy I Love to Write Day Pioneers with Pens!]]>Tue, 14 Nov 2023 21:35:39 GMThttps://www.pageantwagonpublishing.com/good-news-writers-blog/happy-i-love-to-write-day-pioneers-with-pens

. . . And what better way to celebrate than by recalling the ministry of our two-day Christian writers retreat and workshops at Pioneers with Pens 2023 on the lovely grounds of Restoration Family Farm in the heart of Southern New Jersey! SLIDE SHOW HERE!
by Kathryn Ross, Retreat Director

A total of 22 creative women who love to write gathered together on a stunning Autumn weekend for two days of retreat and recommitment to the pioneer writing assignment they had received from the Lord.

October 27 and 28, 2023, dawned with clear blue skies and sunshine igniting the brilliant golds and oranges and reds that exploded across the wooded landscapes at Restoration Family Farm in Bridgeton, New Jersey. Summer temperatures took us by surprise requiring last minute wardrobe plans of cozy sweaters be traded for tank tops and t-shirts.

The Good News Christian Writers Mentoring Team--Stacy Lee Flury, Christine Strittmatter, Linda Slomin, and Trish Weldon--gathered early Friday morning for prayer prior to welcoming our eager budding authors. Pastor Rob, our facility host, drew us into the presence of the Lord with a tender time of worship and almost immediately we felt the bonding one to another in the Spirit. Expectation filled our hearts and soon we were well into the Schedule of the Day.

Four instructive teaching sessions at the top of each morning and afternoon were followed by five break out group sessions featuring small group study in writing craft excellence, devotional writing, children's writing, vision board creation, manuscript critiques and plein air painting with our special guest mentor, award winning local artist Dawn Kohansky.

Our Pioneers with Pens enjoyed plenty of free time to visit in the group sessions or enjoy the amenities of the farm including animals, corn-hole toss, ax throwing, quiet time spots, and more between the main instructional teachings.

Meals were simple and attendees worked as teams to serve one another at lunches and dinner. Firepit fellowship after dinner at dusk perfectly capped the first day with everyone eager to return in the morning.

By Saturday morning, I woke hearing the words of the Lord in my spirit, "The hub for Christian Writers and Speakers in South Jersey has been birthed!"

GLORY TO GOD!!

That had been my prayer for Pageant Wagon Publishing for years. I am overwhelmed at the goodness of God to give us such an incredible weekend to launch our network fellowship of writers and authors--Pioneers with Pens taking territory for the Kingdom of God as we tell His Story through our stories.

By Saturday morning, I woke hearing the words of the Lord in my spirit, "The hub for Christian Writers and Speakers in South Jersey has been birthed!"

We knew we could not wait a whole year before gathering again. To that end, we will be meeting at the farm in 6 months for an Accountabili-TEA to celebrate our forward advancements in our individual writing assignments. Plus--we may have quarterly Zoom meetings in between!

Be sure to check out the Pioneers with Pens Retreats tab to see a slide show retrospective of our two days together with tons of photos. Some amazing writers and speakers have fully stepped into their calling and it will be amazing to join with them--like the pioneer wagon trains traveling together--and boldly take territories on the printed page and eventually in a reader's heart for the Kingdom of God.

Watch for new blog posts here on the Good News Writers Blog from some of our Pioneers on varied topics as we blaze new trails with our pens and laptops in 2024!

]]><![CDATA[Sneak Peek at a New Book: Shatter the Strongholds by Stacy Lee Flury]]>Sun, 30 Jul 2023 20:37:11 GMThttps://www.pageantwagonpublishing.com/good-news-writers-blog/sneak-peek-at-a-new-book-shatter-the-strongholds-by-stacy-lee-flury

Pageant Wagon Publishing is proud to announce the Thanksgiving 2023 release of award winning author Stacy Lee Flury's second book, Shatter the Strongholds: Pray with Authority Over Your Child in Crisis! Stacy is the 2021 Enduring Lights Silver Medalist for Exemplary Christian-Themed Books since the year 2000 for her first book, Turning the Tide of Emotional Turbulence: Devotions for Parents of Teens in Crisis, available in print and ebook.
We are sharing the first draft of her introduction to acquaint you with how this book will be invaluable for families seeking more effective prayer for their children. See the links at the end of the post to PRE-ORDER your book today!!

Introduction--First Draft
by Stacy Lee Flury
Prayers with cries of desperation often feel empty and ineffective when fighting enormous battles for your children against disorders, illnesses, addictions, and more. With all honesty, there were times when I had given up and just hoped the prayers that I did pray would be enough.

So why was my faith downtrodden and hopeless? Because I had let my guard down with a ho-hum attitude. My armor of God hung in the closet covered with dust while Satan fed me lies to say my broken family would never be healed. I did not feed on the Word of God like I used to. I collapsed—tired, weak, and hopeless; overwhelmed with guilt, shame, and sadness.

Recently, an unknown author posted a meme on social media that jolted me awake: "If you don't feel like praying, force it. Because something is forcing you not to pray." What an eye-opening truth!

I could see several more crises around the corner for my family, and I knew there had to be a change in how I prayed for them. I had a choice, as we all do. I could sit there and wallow over my mistakes, laziness, and disobedience, OR ask for the Lord's forgiveness and become proactive in praying. I chose the latter.

But once I returned to the path of my prayer journey, I still felt a lack of power and authority. How could this be? I was a spirit-filled Christian. Was I not using the right words? Was I not passionate or sincere enough in my heart? Did I have a doubtful attitude before I even started? I may need to get a book on prayer. It will teach me how to pray, I thought.

With a click here and there on Google, bookstores, and the like, I found many books on prayer. Unfortunately, there were not many books on battling through the specific issues I was dealing with, especially not many using the Word of God to break strongholds.

While in prayer, the Lord ignited a passion in my heart. He wanted me to write a book on how to pray for our children in crisis with power and authority. That day, Heaven poured out a powerful download into my spirit on how to SHATTER the strongholds over our children.

In this book, Shatter the Strongholds: Pray with Authority Over Your Child in Crisis, you will learn critical elements in the prayer journey for your family. Part One consists of how to receive the power and authority Jesus secured for us through the cross and His Resurrection, why the Armor of God is so crucial to your pray life, and the importance of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Part Two is the Word of God paraphrased into personal prayers for your child. If you want to see power, healing, and deliverance, I encourage you fully study through Part One of this book first. Otherwise, you will pray over your child with results such as mine—empty and ineffective.

Today, begin your new prayer life to shatter strongholds, restore, and heal your child!

PREORDER from the Pageant Wagon Bookshop TODAY!
Shatter the Strongholds:
Pray with Authority Over Your Child in Crisis

Stacy Lee Flury is available for speaking events
on various topics for Christian Parents with Children in Crisis.
Contact her at Christian Women Speakers online!

See this post simultaneously published on Stacy's blog at
Hope for the Broken Family

Other Good News Blog posts by Stacy Lee Flury:
Discern the Customer Who Buys Your Book
Don’t Be an Ishmael

]]><![CDATA[Discern the Customer Who Buys Your Book]]>Sun, 21 May 2023 20:23:14 GMThttps://www.pageantwagonpublishing.com/good-news-writers-blog/discern-the-customer-who-buys-your-book

The Good News Christian Writers have been in ministry at some vendor events this spring. After one of the shows, award winning author Stacy Lee Flury shared her thoughts about knowing and meeting the needs of her readers in a Spirit-led way:

In my travels marketing my book as a vendor, I have come across three types of people that will consider buying my book--or your book, perhaps. Let’s take a closer look at these customers.

#1: The person buys the book for a friend or family member in need.
This customer will often make a statement at the beginning of their discussion with you about how their best friend Cathy or cousin Rodney would enjoy your book and get a lot out of it because of the theme of your book. They happily purchase your book--or two--and go on their merry way.

#2: The person buys the book as a gift.
This customer starts off the conversation saying they are purchasing it as a gift for someone in the family or a friend due to a birthday, holiday, theme, or need. They are not there long enough and express no desire to engage more personally with you. They make their purchase--with your autograph, of course--and continue on their way.

#3: The person buys the book for themselves for personal need or enjoyment.
This customer seems to have a magnet--perhaps the pull of the Holy Spirit--that makes it hard for them to leave your table. They may sense that your book can meet their inner need in some way. They may linger at the table, thumb through the contents section, read the back of the book, walk past your vendor table only to return and ask questions, or perhaps listen in as you converse with someone else that appears to have a common interest.

No matter what type of person considers the purchase your book, you can be sure that they will ask themselves a number of questions before they pull out the purse. These are just a few things your customer will mull over before a purchase:

Is it worth the money?
Will this book help me or those that I love?
Being on a budget, does the book topic pertain to what I need right now?
Will this book still be relevant in my life five or ten years from now?
How will this book benefit or change my life?

But, there is one other type of customer I want to bring to your attention: the reluctant and anxious customer.

Customers exhibiting this behavior seem to gravitate to my table and when they do so, the Holy Spirit nudges me to listen carefully--to them and to Him.

For example, at a recent vendor event, I met a lovely lady from a different nationality and culture. I watched as she slowly walked past my table and noticably glanced at my book. She stopped, lingered for a bit, then continued on, only to make a full circle and repeat her actions again--stop, linger, continue on.

After finally picking up my book, she thumbed through the pages, looked at the contents, viewed the back of the book, and repeated the same pattern. At this point, I knew it was time for me to pull a little information out of her to learn how I might encourage her to buy the book.

Now, I had some understanding of her culture and knew that buying my book could lead to issues with her husband and other family members. I cautioned myself to proceed with care. She was clearly a hurting and broken mom, trapped and alone in a culture that would not allow for her to seek help outside of her family. Though always unspoken, it was taboo to do so.

In my heart I KNEW this dear woman NEEDED the powerful message in my book. I could see how weary she was as I looked into her eyes--tired of feeling alone with no one to help her in her family crisis.

Nervously, she stroked the cover of the book and looked anxiously around, her eyes unfocused, deep in thought and clearly torn as to the purchase of the book.

In that moment, the ministry side of me stepped in and closed the marketing door. This wasn’t about making book sales anymore. This was about reaching out to comfort a woman in desperate need.

I never remember what I actually say to women like her who drop by my table at vendor events. But, when I allow the Holy Spirit to lead, the right words come out and the gates of relationship open wide for conversation.

Listening closely, responding compassionately, her walls broke down and tears dropped onto her cheeks. She allowed herself to be vulnerable in order for me to help her. After some time, I offered to pray with her and she gratefully accepted. I gave her a hug and let her know that she was not alone in her journey. God was with her.

She didn’t purchase a book that day.

I gave it away.

I knew she would not be able to get help outside of her home. But she certainly could get a lot of help inside, curled up in a chair somewhere with a book striking to the heart of her need. I sent her off in God’s hands, well tooled with the words I birthed onto the printed page in the wake of my own journey so similar to hers. God would continue the mission He started through me.

Marketing our books is important and we should find creative ways to expand the reach of our words to a growing customer base. However, we must never allow the exchange of cash for goods to supersede a Divine encounter set up by the Lord. When we allow ministry to be our focus, we position ourselves to be used as vessels to do His work on earth as it is in Heaven. Book sales happen and will be more blessed when we hold to it loosely and defer, on occasion, to ministry moments, free of charge, led by the Holy Spirit.

When you are ready for your first or next marketing event, pray and ask God to give you wisdom and discernment for each of your customers so that in its moment, you will know to open the marketing or ministry door.

"Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back."

Luke 6:38 NKJV

Stacy Lee Flury is the award winning author of Turning the Tide of Emotional Turbulence: Devotions for Parents with Teens in Crisis, a publication of Pageant Wagon Publishing. She is faculty and staff with the Good News Christian Writers and part of the ministry team for our annual Retreat and Workshops for Christian Writers and Speakers.

Visit Stacy at her ministry website: Hope for the Broken Family

Meet Stacy and all the Good News Christian Writers at our 2023 Retreat and Workshop: Pioneers with Pens, this October 27 and 28, at Restoration Family Farm. REGISTER TODAY!

]]><![CDATA[Pioneers with Pens in New Wineskins]]>Fri, 12 May 2023 12:38:55 GMThttps://www.pageantwagonpublishing.com/good-news-writers-blog/pioneers-with-pens-in-new-wineskins

For the past two years, the Lord has been speaking to me about the pioneer life. Not that I'm rolling the clock back and homesteading with a backyard full of chickens, garden fresh veg, and a cow in the barn. I will leave that to my daughter who has crossed the threshold on that score.
No--I mean pioneering in the Spirit, blazing Kingdom trails into this new era of restoring all things as the Glory of God covers the earth. What new things has He prepared for those of us bold enough to take up our pen and tell His Story through our story?

“For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets." Amos 37 ESV

Prophetic voices worldwide have been blowing the clarien call to hear the Word of the Lord speaking to the churches. We must not harden our hearts to His voice speaking loud and clear. In this critical moment of world history--His Story--that we have the privilege of living through, prophetic Scriptures literally jump off the page in both the Old and New Testament shouting much like Horton's Who's in Whoville, "We are here! We are here! WE ARE HERE--in this prophetic fulfillment season!"

But "here" is not just some Suessian story and neither is the Body of Christ a speck of dust seeking significance. The voices of the prophets of old join with the rising tenor of prophetic voices today and have reached a crescendo of agreement that is unprescedented in world history. We are watching biblical patterns repeat, but this time, all the fire power of Heaven has our back as God judges the wicked and delivers the righteous and called according to His purposes from evil--because, as you know, the Kingdom, the glory, and the power belong to Him.

To that end, the pioneer spirit is rising in His people to blaze trails in domains neglected or those thought to be out of reach.

Welcome Independent Publishing
Technology advanced in the 20th century as in no other century before it. The rise of the internet and desktop publishing put tools in the hands of good and evil. We've often lamented, "Why should the devil have all the good tunes," remaining stuck in complaint and criticism at new things rather than forging ahead first in the freshness of our creative and innovative Father God.

God's people must take the reins of their pen and saddle up their laptop, so to speak, and publish tunes that drown out the drone tones of the enemy. Our stories declaring His Story must fill the earth with His glory and crush demonic narratives with supernatural effect.

And they will . . . IF . . . we actually tell the stories!

False Starts and Turning the Wagons Back
I used to teach Little House in the Big Woods as a literature study for second and third graders. It was the first of Laura Ingalls Wilder's beloved books documenting, as an adult, her memories of childhood pioneer days in the1880s American mid-west.

When Pa and Ma packed up the covered wagon with all their earthly possessions, they closed the door to their cabin and comfortable life in the Big Woods and bid farewell forever to their family--parents, grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles. Following the reports of those who had gone before, they steered into the unknown to set their mark on greater territory, root into it, and build upon it. They took with them the tools they had from their past and a willingness to innovate for what would need to be created in their future, in order to expand in a new place of occupation with goodness and peace.

Fearless. Brave. Committed. No false starts. No turning back. Pa and Ma laid a foundation for their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and beyond.

Pioneers conquering the plains of a young nation or pioneers writing the deposit of the Holy Spirit impressed upon their heart for publication lay foundations upon which to build something that will produce good and nurture peace for generations to come.

Innovate--Don't Turn Back
Are you a pioneer with a pen? Is there a prophetic stirring in your spirit to forthtell His Story through your story and affect this generation and those to come for the glory of the Lord? Do you know how to pack a wagon with the tools you need and saddle the horses to sallie forth into the unknown territory of manuscript completion and publication for your sphere of influence?

Today, more than ever, we all have publishing tools at our fingertips--literally at our fingertips. But, do you know how to use those tools? And with historic transition into the promised victories secured for us through Jesus Christ, are you ready to innovate into the NEW THING God is doing in this NEW ERA of NEW WINESKINS?

New wineskins are not just for church structures and governmental entities. They are for every institution of man--including the world of independent publishing.

Keep the Vision in Focus
On every step of my personal journey in writing, publishing, and influencing--which began in my childhood--I have encountered obstacle upon obstacle. Others got in my way, certainly. But most often, I tripped over my own inadequacies and fears. My focus could easily be blurred by the jostling of the wagon as it encountered potholes in the road, and my vision would be blocked when I followed misguided trails into dark valleys.

Praise God that He never let me stumble too far off the path and stirred me with inner resolve to stay the course. He provided what I needed along the way--inspiration, opportunities, mentors (Thank you, Jesus, for my mentors!), finances, and circles of support. Sometimes only one or two of those things, which meant I needed to innovate to fill voids. New strategies. Outside-the-box thinking to reach the next rest area on the pioneer map.

And there are rest areas.

But, don't linger there too long, or you'll get stuck and lose vision--your most valuable provision in any venture for the Lord in this life. It is to be heavily guarded and returned to whenever your focus strays to bunny trails and sticky mud pits that derail and stop the forward progression of wagon wheels and axles.

After 20 years of seriously setting out on my writing and publishing journey--leaving my comfy cabin in the Big Woods--I currently entered a pioneer season unlike anytime before in my life. When my dearest Ed, husband and ministry partner, transitioned to Heaven last year, it would have been easy to lose my vision in grief and wonder if I'd been on a bunny trail for 20 years, after all.

Instead, the Lord taught me how surrendering a seeming setback to Him can actually sharpen vision, rather than destroy it.

Ed would never want me to dumpster the 20 years we both invested in the calling of Pageant Wagon Productions and Publishing. He left earth and left me a legacy to steward--not the least of which is the publication of his close to 40 years of biblical storytelling through his Clementine Jones gold prospector character. Read more about the coming debut of Gold Nugget Chronicles Chapter Books here.

The writing and book shepherd mission vision of Pageant Wagon Publishing has only sharpened in the wake of both his loss and that of my writing mentor and original co-leader of the Good News Christian Writers, Janice Hall Heck. Seeing them both off to Heaven within two years felt like two legs being hacked off a four legged chair. Down I go--BOOM! On my butt!

OUCH!

But God, my ever present help in time of need, was a close as I allowed Him to be. For me, I could do no better than to run to Him, my comforter and the lifter of my head.

Yes, I feel Ed and Jan's absence in my life keenly. But I feel the presence of the Lord moreso and therein, my Vision Wagon rolls on--sharper than ever and focused sure as a compass on the territory ahead to be occupied.

Restoration on the Road
So here I am at this moment in history--His Story--anticipating the my destination stops in 2023:

Publication of Trish Weldon's first book in August
Publication of the first Gold Nugget Chronicles Chapter Book in September
Pioneers with Pens Retreat and Workshop 2023 in October

God's restoration in my writing life manifested through the provision of the Good News Christian Writers--Stacy Lee Flury, Christing Strittmatter, Tabatha Scheffler, Trish Weldon, and Linda Slomin. What Jan and I started as a writers critique group ten years ago, transformed over the past three years into a secure wagon train on this writing journey. And, if you know your pioneer facts, the best mode of travel when setting out as a pioneer was to connect with a wagon train of other pioneers on the path.

We all need our support group. Traveling in tandem with those of like vision and calling, we build each other up, undergird in times of need, restore that which is broken, and empower for the miles ahead.

In essence--my fellow Good News Christian Writer pioneers lifted me up from where I fell off the chair and restored my broken support legs to stability, vision, and refocus in God's calling, once again. And stronger for it.

God is so good!

Pioneers with Pens Retreat and Workshop 2023
Earlier I asked if you feel called to the unknown pioneer territory of writing and publishing His Story through your story. If you answered YES to that question, then I invite you to join our Pageant Wagon Publishing Good News Christian Writers Retreat and Workshop 2023: Pioneers with Pens on October 27-28.

We'll help you pack your wagon and saddle up the horses to your writing and publishing purpose with an emphasis in three areas:

ENVISION your life as a writer!
DEVELOP achievable manuscript goals!
WORK with writing craft excellence!

Check out all the details, download the Registration Form, and use our online Pay Portal to attend, then plan what you'll bring to the retreat and workshop as an interactive participant. Over the two days of the event, you'll get help to reach your writing and publishing territory:

Craft a vision board.
Brainstorm your writing project ideas.
Get professional feedback on your manuscript.
Set a course for publication.
Retreat on the grounds of our host facility at Restoration Family Farm.
Process all you learn.
Hear God's Spirit direct your path.

ONWARD, PIONEERS!
We have territory to possess and restore for His Kingdom to come and will done on earth as it is in Heaven!

NOTE: The quote meme at the outset of this post is from Christa Elisha Joy .

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