Marlayne Giron's Blog: Marlayne's Blog, page 9
August 11, 2009
Some Pretty Well Known People Who Have a Copy of My Book
Arthur Blessitt
I met Arthur many years ago through one of his oldest friends who he had led to the Lord and who was then my pastor and small group leader. Arthur is a the closest thing to a modern day apostle and the most devoted servant of God I have ever known. He has spent his life carrying a large, heavy wooden cross literally all over the world to preach the gospel to anyone willing to listen. It took him 40 years and he has walked across every country and major island group. Despite his “celebrity” status, Arthur will answer any email sent to him or return a call.
John Styll, current President of the Gospel Music Assoc. and my former boss.
Almost thirty years ago I was in my early 20’s and working as John Styll’s secretary at Contemporary Christian Music Magazine (CCM) when it was known as the Christian version of Rolling Stone magazine in Orange County, CA.
John was the editor and I was his receptionist/ administrative assistant. At the time he hired me, the magazine had just changed its look from newsprint to a more professional-looking glossy magazine with Andre Crouch gracing the cover. During the course of my employment at CCM, we would have various Christian artists come into the offices for one reason or another such as The Archers, Daniel Amos, and Bob Bennett. At this time Amy Grant was getting consistent grief from one of the subscribers about her picture on the cover of her latest album (”Father’s Eyes”). We referred to him as the “two button man” because he kept making such stink over the fact that her white shirt wasn’t modestly buttoned all the way up to her chin.
Towards the end of my employment, I had the unique opportunity to meet my favorite Christian artist, Keith Green. I volunteered to drive up to Woodland Hills on my own dime/time and after hours to deliver the article on him and his ministry (Last Days Ministries) to he and his wife Melody for their review prior to publication. To say that I was besides myself with excitement would have been an understatement!
I drove the two hours in the rain with barely contained excitement and joy which reached its’ apex when I walked up to the door and rang the doorbell. Moments later, it opened and I was greeted by Keith’s adopted daughter, Dawn (then about 13) and was asked to wait with her and his then toddler son, Josiah and newborn daughter, Bethany. I waited for hours for them to return only to finally have Keith walk in, take the article, sit down for 2 hours to pour over every word with Melody, get up, hand it back to me, saying “thanks for coming” and then finally plopping down on the couch in front of the television, unceremoniously dismissing me. I cried all the way home.
Fast forward 30 years, my old boss John is now President of the Gospel Music Association and was kind enough to respond to my email to their general email box. He still remembered me! He helped me out with contacting Amy Grant’s management agency so I could give her a copy of my book that was inspired by her song.
Amy Grant
Being the gracious lady that she is, she was kind enough to autograph my copy (a genuine treasure) and she has the one that I autographed to her telling her thank you for the inspiration!
Stephen Lawhead, my favorite author
I don’t think it’s any coincidence that I have all these people in my life and background. When I used to work for Contemporary Christian Music Magazine back in the early 80’s, Stephen was a contributing editor. I found his management’s address in New York at the back of one of his latest novels and wrote a letter to him and received a very nice, personal handwritten letter back, providing me with his home address in Oxford, England to send him a copy.
Of course, my writing doesn’t even come close to his level so I am honored and humbled at the thought that my favorite author, who is almost on the same level to me as J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis has my puny little book in his gifted hands! I hope he likes it!
Hugh Hewitt
Hugh is a nationally known conservative talk show host, appeared today at my daughter’s high school to speak on careers in radio. At the end of his presentation, my wonderful daughter, Karina, went boldly up to him to tell him all about mom’s book. She called me with great excitement to tell me that Hugh signed the article about my book in the school newspaper for me and that he would order the book online. Wouldn’t it be great if he invited me on his show to discuss the book and how Jewish it is to believe in Jesus??? One can always dream…right?
Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel
Back in June of 2008, while The Victor was still in the editing stage, I acted upon sudden inspiration and wrote a letter to Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel to see if by some wild chance he might be willing to provide an endorsement of my book. I explained who I was, how I found the Lord and how I got the idea for the story. With his schedule and notoriety I really didn’t expect to get any kind of positive response (or any response at all for that matter) so I was incredibly surprised and honored that he wrote me back and send he was willing to take a look at it. I dropped off a printed copy, my hopes flying high but as ill-fate would have it, the deadline for the endorsement occurred the same week that Pastor Greg Laurie’s son died in a tragic car wreck. Even though Pastor Chuck could not provide an endorsement, I felt honored that he was at least willing to review it and kept his letter as a keepsake. When The Victor finally was out in print, Pastor Chuck got his own “thank you” copy.
...
I met Arthur many years ago through one of his oldest friends who he had led to the Lord and who was then my pastor and small group leader. Arthur is a the closest thing to a modern day apostle and the most devoted servant of God I have ever known. He has spent his life carrying a large, heavy wooden cross literally all over the world to preach the gospel to anyone willing to listen. It took him 40 years and he has walked across every country and major island group. Despite his “celebrity” status, Arthur will answer any email sent to him or return a call.
...
John Styll, current President of the Gospel Music Assoc. and my former boss.
...
Almost thirty years ago I was in my early 20’s and working as John Styll’s secretary at Contemporary Christian Music Magazine (CCM) when it was known as the Christian version of Rolling Stone magazine in Orange County, CA.
John was the editor and I was his receptionist/ administrative assistant. At the time he hired me, the magazine had just changed its look from newsprint to a more professional-looking glossy magazine with Andre Crouch gracing the cover. During the course of my employment at CCM, we would have various Christian artists come into the offices for one reason or another such as The Archers, Daniel Amos, and Bob Bennett. At this time Amy Grant was getting consistent grief from one of the subscribers about her picture on the cover of her latest album (”Father’s Eyes”). We referred to him as the “two button man” because he kept making such stink over the fact that her white shirt wasn’t modestly buttoned all the way up to her chin.
...
Towards the end of my employment, I had the unique opportunity to meet my favorite Christian artist, Keith Green. I volunteered to drive up to Woodland Hills on my own dime/time and after hours to deliver the article on him and his ministry (Last Days Ministries) to he and his wife Melody for their review prior to publication. To say that I was besides myself with excitement would have been an understatement!
...
I drove the two hours in the rain with barely contained excitement and joy which reached its’ apex when I walked up to the door and rang the doorbell. Moments later, it opened and I was greeted by Keith’s adopted daughter, Dawn (then about 13) and was asked to wait with her and his then toddler son, Josiah and newborn daughter, Bethany. I waited for hours for them to return only to finally have Keith walk in, take the article, sit down for 2 hours to pour over every word with Melody, get up, hand it back to me, saying “thanks for coming” and then finally plopping down on the couch in front of the television, unceremoniously dismissing me. I cried all the way home.
...
Fast forward 30 years, my old boss John is now President of the Gospel Music Association and was kind enough to respond to my email to their general email box. He still remembered me! He helped me out with contacting Amy Grant’s management agency so I could give her a copy of my book that was inspired by her song.
...
Amy Grant
...
Being the gracious lady that she is, she was kind enough to autograph my copy (a genuine treasure) and she has the one that I autographed to her telling her thank you for the inspiration!
...
Stephen Lawhead, my favorite author
...
I don’t think it’s any coincidence that I have all these people in my life and background. When I used to work for Contemporary Christian Music Magazine back in the early 80’s, Stephen was a contributing editor. I found his management’s address in New York at the back of one of his latest novels and wrote a letter to him and received a very nice, personal handwritten letter back, providing me with his home address in Oxford, England to send him a copy.
...
Of course, my writing doesn’t even come close to his level so I am honored and humbled at the thought that my favorite author, who is almost on the same level to me as J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis has my puny little book in his gifted hands! I hope he likes it!
...
Hugh Hewitt
Hugh is a nationally known conservative talk show host, appeared today at my daughter’s high school to speak on careers in radio. At the end of his presentation, my wonderful daughter, Karina, went boldly up to him to tell him all about mom’s book. She called me with great excitement to tell me that Hugh signed the article about my book in the school newspaper for me and that he would order the book online. Wouldn’t it be great if he invited me on his show to discuss the book and how Jewish it is to believe in Jesus??? One can always dream…right?
...
Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel
Back in June of 2008, while The Victor was still in the editing stage, I acted upon sudden inspiration and wrote a letter to Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel to see if by some wild chance he might be willing to provide an endorsement of my book. I explained who I was, how I found the Lord and how I got the idea for the story. With his schedule and notoriety I really didn’t expect to get any kind of positive response (or any response at all for that matter) so I was incredibly surprised and honored that he wrote me back and send he was willing to take a look at it. I dropped off a printed copy, my hopes flying high but as ill-fate would have it, the deadline for the endorsement occurred the same week that Pastor Greg Laurie’s son died in a tragic car wreck. Even though Pastor Chuck could not provide an endorsement, I felt honored that he was at least willing to review it and kept his letter as a keepsake. When The Victor finally was out in print, Pastor Chuck got his own “thank you” copy.
Marlayne's Blog
Ever since I was a kid writing Steve Austin (Six Million Dollar Man) short stories with my best friend Lisa, I dreamt of having a book published but I never had the “big idea” until I was about 22 yea
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