| Judith Wagner:
Inspiration ~ according to Webster’s dictionary ~ “something that stimulates the human mind to creative thought or the making of art.”
On Christmas day, 2007, Judith Wagner, my friend of more than 30 years, was inspired to paint the beautiful picture that appears on the cover of this book. Some months earlier, I had asked Judith if she would consider painting something that could become a book cover. I gave her the title of the book and a very basic idea of what I had in mind. Then I started praying that she might find the time in her inordinately busy schedule to undertake this assignment.
By that particular Christmas day, I had all but decided I was asking too much, and that maybe I should just do a sketch myself and try to figure out how to paint it ~ even though painting is far beyond my artistic ability. But, thanks be to God, that wasn’t necessary. I could never have produced anything half as beautiful as the work of art that graces this cover. Before the day was over, Judith called to tell me that she had awakened that Christmas morning inspired to paint the cover ~ and that she was really happy with the work. “It’s not quite finished,” she said, “but I like it!” Such a statement from this modest, often self-critical artist was nothing short of enormous.
A week later, we met in Scottsdale, Arizona, for a big horse event and Judith presented me with one of the most beautiful gifts I have ever received. “I was inspired,” she told me again, refusing to take payment for this work of love from her hands and her heart. “It was meant to be a gift, not an assignment.” I still don’t know what to say in gratitude.
In addition to being a brilliant artist whose work is sought after by collectors the world over, Judith Wagner is also an internationally renowned and highly regarded equine photographer. Completely self-taught in both mediums, Judith epitomizes the kind of artist who honors the gifts she received directly from God.
Marlene Bagnull
A Note from the Editor
It has been a joy and a priviledge to be a part of this journey with Jo Hardesty. I never knew much about horses before. But editing all three books of this Trilogy, I’ve come to believe that this tale is true and that God has indeed blessed the horse and given it a special role in the civilization of the world. This assignment became for me a labor of love, and more.
Jo asked me to share a little bit about myself. So here’s my story. I felt a call to full-time Christian service as a teenager. If anyone had told me then, however, that God was calling me to 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.
God’s plan was certainly not my plan. Instead, it is “infinitely beyond [my] highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes” (Eph. 3:20 tlb)! He has given me the joy and privilege of being part of Christian publishing since 1968. I have made over 1,000 sales to Christian periodicals and have authored five books including an expanded edition of Write His Answer ~ A Bible Study for Christian Writers (Write Now Publications, 1999). I am the compiler and editor of For Better, For Worse ~ Devotional Thoughts for Married Couples (Christian Publications, 2004) and My Turn to Care ~ Encouragement for Caregivers of Aging Parents (Thomas Nelson, 1994, and Ampelos Press, 1999).
The Lord has opened so many doors, including the opportunity to serve on the faculty of over 75 Christian writers conferences and to give my one- and two-day Christian writers seminars over 50 times around the nation. And I never cease to be awed by what He does at each year’s Colorado and Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference that I direct. When He blessed me with an honorary Doctor of Letters in May 1999, all I 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.
Marlene Bagnull is a gifted author, editor, teacher, and motivational speaker. She is the director of two major writers’ events, the Colorado Christian Writers’ Conference and the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers’ Conference. Marlene also teaches Christian writers’ seminars around the nation and At-Home Writing Workshops, a correspondence study program. The author of seven books, with more than a thousand sales to Christian periodicals, Marlene is a tremendous creative talent. She is a much sought after editor and a publisher whose company, Ampelos Press, is growing and gaining well-deserved respect. For information on Marlene’s availability as a speaker or on participation in one of her seminars or conferences, you may visit her website: writehisanswer.com ~ or write to her at Write His Answer Ministries ~ 316 Blanchard Road ~ Drexel Hill, PA 19026
Phyllis Waltman
Phyllis Waltman is a rising star in the world of equine art. She grew up on a farm and ranch on Colorado’s rugged Western slope, totally absorbed with horses. From an early age she was both drawing and riding horses. For her, it was paper horses, rather than paper dolls.
Phyllis began working earnestly in the art world in 1981, depicting, of course, the horse. With precise yet sensitive detail, Waltman captures the expressiveness of these magnificent creatures.
Her work has received numerous awards and has appeared in shows across the country, including having been shown at the Churchill Downs Museum (home of the Kentucky Derby). In addition, her work has been the subject of features in Equine Images Magazine, The Artist’s Magazine (U. S. and Italian editions), Western Horseman, and Equine Art News.
Both Marlene Bagnull and Judith Wagner are far more to me than contributors to these books.
They are my friends.
Thank You, Lord.
Thank you, Marlene and Judith.
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