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The journey begins

The 3 day literary marathon is on!
Contrary to the single summary I posted on the Lancaster Christian Writers’ conference, I thought I’d “take you along for the ride” via a short blog post in which I capture the main action of each day.

Ready? Let’s go!

5:30 a.m. I wake up after snatching about 3 hours of sleep. Tired? Absolutely! But it’s okay; that’s what coffee is for.

One problem. Caffeine intensifies dizziness in high altitudes so… no Lavazza for me today. Or for the next three days in fact.

After a flurry of activity, I’m on board the train toward the airport. En route, I catch another train then–heart pounding–I arrive at my gate just as the call to board is made.

JP Robinson drafts his next novel, a young adult thriller while en route to teach a writing workshop at the Colorado Christian Writers conference
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The plane is crowded and, with 2 bags in tow, I’m sure I earned a few mean looks. But the time in flight is well-spent. By the time we touch down in Denver, I’ve completed a two page summary of my first Young Adult novel which I can’t wait to begin writing!

Our diligent conference coordinator, Marlene Bagnull, is well-organized and a ride to pick myself and another passenger, Jim Hart from Hartline Agency, arrives in short order. I’m blessed to engage in meaningful conversation with Jim during the 90 minute drive through Colorado’s breathtaking vistas.

Gorgeous mountain scenery in Estes Park Colorado

Around 6 pm, my coffee-less day is catching up with me. I have been going for 14 hours, and I’m grateful to slip into my room where I catch my breath at the view. It inspires me to pray and to write.

Tomorrow officially begins day 1 of this literary marathon. Join me in praying that it will lead me to good roads hitherto unexplored.

JP Robinson

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“This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Psalm 118:24

Today will have its challenges but, remember, if Christ is in control of your life, there’s nothing you can’t face. True empowerment comes from giving the steering wheel of your day to God.

Put Him in charge of your commute to work, let Him guide your response to emails, and trust Him to move your mountains.

Hey, I think that’s even better than coffee. 🙂

Have a great Monday everyone!

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And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
1The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

Exodus 14:13-14

What an amazing experience it must have been for the millions of former slaves to see God’s power deliver them from their oppressors. But the best news is that, for the child of God today, His power is still ready to work in our lives.

Whether we’re struggling against an addiction, emotional turmoil or health issues, it’s important for the Christian to remember that God is on our side. No matter the chaos that surrounds you, remember that He’s the greatest warrior ever.

Stand firm upon His words of promise, believe, and watch Him do amazing things.

Have a blessed weekend!

JP Robinson

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When you think of something heroic, a pencil is probably the last thing that would come to mind. True?

Same here.

But as I was trying to find an appropriate metaphor for a youth service that I’m teaching tomorrow evening, I realized that I had undervalued our standard 7.5 inch (19cm) combination of wood and graphite. Like most of us, there’s more to the pencil than meets the eye.

1. It was designed for a specific purpose.

The Bible shows us that our lives are no accident. Each of us comes to this world with a specific part of God’s plan that only we can fulfill. It’s up to us to find that purpose and accomplish it.

2. It’s what’s on the inside that counts.

The true quality of a pencil isn’t how beautiful it is on the outside—what matters is that bit of graphite on the inside. Without it, you can’t make a mark on the world or achieve the purpose for which you were born.

Without the Spirit of God in our hearts, it’s impossible to achieve our true purpose. Jesus Christ taught that what’s in the heart determines what comes out of our lives. Our world sees the outward—sex appeal, careers and wealth—as indications of success but the pencil begs to differ.

3. It must be shaved down to make a mark on the world

Imagine you were a pencil, thrust between sharp blades that cut into your flesh. Sounds painful, right?

But that’s the only way the pencil can make a difference. Without the cutting, shaping and molding, it’s unable to write a thing. The same can be said of our lives. Christ molds, shapes and cuts us to His will in order to bring us to the place that our life’s story can make a “mark” on someone else.


But now, O LORD, you are our Father;
we are the clay, and you are our potter;
we are all the work of your hand.

Isaiah 64:8 ESV

It’s easy to become discouraged, or even rebel, when life’s circumstances cut into our very soul. We’ve been conditioned to think of God as the author of good things—which He is—but we tend to forget that He’s also a teacher who corrects, inspires and challenges us by giving us hard problems to face. Only when we see God for who He is, can we truly understand who He wants us to become.

Like being inspired? Why not follow my blog?

JP Robinson