Category: God-Given Dreams

I’m so excited that in about ONE WEEK God-Given Dreams: 6 Ways to Live Your Divine Purpose (NavPress, March 5) will be released into the world!

My prayer is that God’s beloved daughters near and far will find the encouragement they need to have the courage to say yes to God’s plan for their lives.

I’ve poured my heart and soul into this book.

I’m thrilled that I can share an excerpt from this inspiring book below and a few lovely endorsements.

May you be encouraged by this excerpt from God-Given Dreams:

“We’re to bear good fruit for the Kingdom, and that includes growing in the fruit of the Spirit. Living your God-given dreams is acknowledging that God has chosen you to collaborate with Him.

God chose us to be His loving hands, feet, mouth, and more in this world. God has ordained us to fulfill certain Kingdom assignments. If you’ve ever thought you didn’t have any special gifts or talents, think again.

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

God may have given you the ability to sing, dance, write, lead, speak, or teach. Ask God to show you how He’d like you to use those gifts to serve Him.

It’s easy to be tempted to compare with, compete with, or copy someone else’s gift, but let’s instead remember that God is creative and generous. He has plenty of gifts and talents for all His children.

When I first started meeting people at church, I would hear them talk about their “ministries,” and it made me wonder how they were assigned their ministries. I wondered if I had missed a meeting where ministries were handed out. I gradually learned that God has given each of us different Kingdom assignments, or ministries. When we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, He blesses us with at least one spiritual gift to carry out those assignments.

Scripture offers a window into what kinds of spiritual gifts are available to believers. For example, take 1 Corinthians 12:7-11:

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

We don’t earn our spiritual gifts. The Holy Spirit distributes them as He determines.

In Romans 12:3-8, the apostle Paul reminds us that all spiritual gifts are necessary. We all belong to the same body of Christ. We’re to use our gifts according to our faith, and with generosity and diligence and cheerfulness:

By the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Ephesians 4:11-13 says Jesus placed apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers in the church to help build up His body so we can mature in our faith, become more Christlike, and minister to others as He did.

Serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, and showing mercy are just some of the gifts available to believers.

I found it so helpful and affirming to discover my spiritual gifts by taking a class and filling out spiritual gifts surveys. These things confirmed that I was already using some of my gifts and helped me understand how God had wired me to serve Him. You may want to take a spiritual-gifts class at your church or speak with your pastor or a trusted ministry leader to learn more. There are also books about the different spiritual gifts. You might even want to take a free spiritual-gifts survey online.

Our gifts don’t belong to us. Our gifts and talents are to be shared with others. We truly are blessed to be a blessing.”

Excerpt from God-Given Dreams: 6 Ways to Live Your Divine Purpose (NavPress) © Nancy Gavilanes.

I hope you’ll pre-order your copy of God-Given Dreams today at any of these sites:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble’s website

Books-A-Million

ChristianBook.com

NavPress’ website 

Target’s website

Walmart’s website

Preordering books sends the message to the publishing world that this book matters.

FYI: I’m going to be sharing a special promo code with Abounding Faith’s Email Community. Are you signed up? Be sure to sign up for my email Community right here.

Thanks for your prayers and support!

To God be the Glory!

What People Are Saying:

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Are you part of my email community? Join my email community to get updates about my forthcoming book and other projects I’m working on as well as encouragement sent straight to your inbox. Sign up right here and get access to a free gift.

“Our gifts don’t belong to us. Our gifts and talents are to be shared with others. We truly are blessed to be a blessing.” – Nancy Gavilanes, God-Given Dreams: 6 Ways to Live Your Divine Purpose

I’m thrilled that the launch of God-Given Dreams: 6 Ways to Live Your Divine Purpose (NavPress, March 5) is just 2 WEEKS AWAY!

My early copies of God-Given Dreams have arrived and they look SO LOVELY!

I’m looking forward to sharing photos and more info with you.

What a journey it’s been to get this close to launch day…

All the praying, planning, preparing, writing, editing, revising and so much more …

I’m now in the thick of scheduling and preparing for upcoming interviews about my new book. More info on the way. Please stay tuned.

As I’ve mentioned before, writing a book can be a solitary journey. So much goes on behind the scenes.

But we’ve gotten to the part where I can share more images, quotes, endorsements, and info about my new book. I hope you’re Following Abounding Faith on social media and Liking and Sharing posts.

I’m also going to be sharing a special promo code with Abounding Faith’s Email Community. Are you signed up? Be sure to sign up for my email Community right here.

It’s been a long and winding road to get to this breakthrough. Thanks for staying on this journey with me!

When God called me out of my successful journalism career years ago, I didn’t have a plan B. Writing books was definitely NOT on my radar. My writing went into hiding for YEARS.

But God had a plot twist for me.

I went from living my dreams to living my God-given dreams.

What’s the difference? I write about it my new book

I wrote God-Given Dreams because I know how frustrating and confusing it can be to try to figure out what God’s calling you to do and how daunting it can feel when it looks like all the odds are stacked against you.

It can feel discouraging, disappointing, and downright disheartening.

It can even make you wonder if you misheard God.

Thankfully, I also know the joy of answering God’s call.

My prayer is that you will also know the joy of being God’s beloved daughter and will be able to flourish in all that God is calling you to do.

God already knows what’s on the other side of our yes!

I’ve included personal anecdotes of my own faith and writing journey in God-Given Dreams. I share how I went from being a young Latina writer to a successful journalist to how God called me to become a Christian author, speaker, podcaster, life coach, Bible school instructor and more.

I’ve learned many lessons and insights along the way that I’m looking forward to sharing with my readers

I’m sharing Bible stories and Bible characters who have inspired me. I’m also sharing the Six Cs of Transformation framework that I created for my Bible school students and coaching clients. The feedback that I’ve gotten about this material is that women feel affirmed and accepted and loved and joy and so I pray that these Six Cs of Transformation will also encourage and inspire you. I’ve also included reflection questions activity ideas and prayer starters.

Are you excited about reading God-Given Dreams? Preorder your book today! Preordering this book sends the message to the publishing world that this book matters.

You can preorder God-Given Dreams on:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble’s website

Books-A-Million

ChristianBook.com

NavPress’ website 

Target’s website

Walmart’s website

To God be the Glory!

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 NIV)

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Are you part of my email community? Join my email community to get updates about my forthcoming book and other projects I’m working on as well as encouragement sent straight to your inbox. Sign up right here and get access to a free gift.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

“It’s easy to be tempted to compare, compete, or copy someone else’s gift, but let’s instead remember that God is creative and generous. He has plenty of gifts and talents for all His children.” – Nancy Gavilanes, God-Given Dreams: 6 Ways to Live Your Divine Purpose

It takes a village to release a book. I hope you’ll be part of my village.

God-Given Dreams is filled with encouragement and inspiration for God’s beloved daughters who could use more courage to say yes to God as they dare to live their divine purpose.

I hope you’re moved to tell others about it. Some ways you can help God-Given Dreams break through the noise to find its intended audience:

• Preorder God-Given Dreams today! Preordering books sends the message to the publishing world that this book matters. The sites include:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble’s website

Books-A-Million

ChristianBook.com

NavPress’ website 

Target’s website

Walmart’s website

• Write a review of God-Given Dreams on Amazon or Goodreads. Kind reviews and ratings help tell others learn about this empowering book.
• Recommend God-Given Dreams to people in your direct sphere of influence.
• Give a copy of God-Given Dreams to your friends, family, small group members, Women’s Ministry members, etc.
• Talk about God-Given Dreams on your social media or other communications.
• Follow, Like, Share or Comment on Abounding Faith’s social media posts.
• Connect with me by joining Abounding Faith’s email community right here.

If you’d like to invite me to be a guest on your podcast, Instagram live, Facebook group live, YouTube channel, blog or other media outlet or virtual or in-person event or if you have other ideas for collaborating, please message me on social media.

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Are you part of my email community? Join my email community to get updates about my forthcoming book and other projects I’m working on as well as encouragement sent straight to your inbox. Sign up right here and get access to a free gift.

“The woman who stares back at you in the mirror each morning is dearly loved by God and is His masterpiece. Let that truth silence any lies you may have believed, and let it change the way you see yourself.” – Nancy Gavilanes, God-Given Dreams: 6 Ways to Live Your Divine Purpose

I’m thrilled that there’s only 1 MONTH until the launch day for my upcoming book God-Given Dreams: 6 Ways to Live Your Divine Purpose (NavPress, March 5)

I’m excited to be able to start sharing quotes and more details about God-Given Dreams and can continue sharing some behind-the-scenes updates with you.

I wrote God-Given Dreams for women who desire to have more courage, confidence, and clarity as they discover and dare to live God’s call on their life. This book is designed to inspire and encourage and empower Christian women of diverse backgrounds as they live for Jesus and walk by abounding faith, hope, and love.

God-Given Dreams is for the woman struggling to find her purpose and battling with feelings of insecurity, doubt, or fear of being unqualified or unworthy. God-Given Dreams offers hope and encouragement through six transformative truths—that we are Created, Called, Chosen, Conformed, Clothed, and Commissioned—which will help women break free from the chains of doubt and fear. God-Given Dreams is filled with Scripture and includes reflection questions to help readers dig deeper, activity ideas to help readers take actionable steps, and prayer prompts to help readers connect with God.

I’m praying that women near and far are inspired by God-Given Dreams. My hope is that this book is not just read in solitude but that women read it together with others—their friends and family, small group members, or Women’s Ministry members.    

As we get closer and closer to the launch day, I’m honored to be getting interviewed on a podcast by a well-known author and on different sites, getting invited to speak to a few wonderful groups, and planning my launch events.

I’m delighted to see many getting excited about the upcoming release of God-Given Dreams and agreeing to share the news with their friends, family and network.

If you’d like to help tell women everywhere about this new and inspiring book, I would appreciate you posting about God-Given Dreams on your social media and preordering the book today at any of these sites:

• Amazon
• Barnes and Noble’s website
• Books-A-Million
• ChristianBook.com
• NavPress’ website 
• Target’s website
• Walmart’s website

If you’d like to invite me to be a guest on your podcast, Instagram live, Facebook group live, YouTube channel, blog or other media outlet or virtual or in-person event, please message me.

To God be the Glory!

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 NIV)

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Are you part of my email community? Join my email community to get updates about my forthcoming book and other projects I’m working on as well as encouragement sent straight to your inbox. Sign up right here and get access to a free gift.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

I’m thrilled to be kicking off the new season of the Abounding Faith for Today podcast by sharing some updates about my upcoming book God-Given Dreams: 6 Ways to Live Your Divine Purpose (NavPress, March 5th) with my lovely podcast listeners near and far.

You can check out Episode 49 of the inspiring and encouraging Abounding Faith for Today podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

If this podcast inspires you, please leave a kind rating or review, subscribe and tell your friends about the Abounding Faith for Today podcast 

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Are you part of my email community? Join my email community to get updates about my forthcoming book and other projects I’m working on as well as encouragement sent straight to your inbox. Sign up right here and get access to a free gift.

I’m so excited that it’s almost time for the release of my upcoming book God-Given Dreams: 6 Ways to Live Your Divine Purpose (NavPress). I’m thrilled that March 5th will be here before we know it.

God-Given Dreams is filled with encouragement and inspiration for God’s beloved daughters who could use more courage to say yes to God as they dare to live their divine purpose.

If you’d like to help tell women everywhere about this new and inspiring book, I would appreciate you posting about God-Given Dreams on your social media and preordering the book at any of these sites:

• Amazon
• Barnes and Noble’s website
• Books-A-Million
• ChristianBook.com
• NavPress’ website 
• Target’s website
• Walmart’s website

If you’re really excited about telling your circle of friends and family and you network of colleagues about God-Given Dreams, I’d like to invite you to join my launch team.

Here’s more info about this fantastic opportunity to help this book get into the hands of your sisters in Christ.

What’s needed?

• A heart to tell women near or far about this empowering book.
• A willingness to tell your friends, small group members, women’s ministry members and your network online (via your social media, blog, website, podcast, video, email, text, etc) or in person about this book.
• Preordering God-Given Dreams so you can be one of the first to receive it when it launches on March 5th. Preorders are one of the best ways to show your support for an author’s new book.
• A strong willingness to write a book review on Amazon or GoodReads around March 5 – 10.

As a God-Given Dreams launch team member, you’ll receive:

• Exclusive access to excerpts from God-Given Dreams so you can be among the first to start reading and encouraging others to preorder this uplifting book.
• Images and sample language you can use on your social media.
• The opportunity to be among the first to participate in a YouVersion reading plan based on God-Given Dreams.
• A possible Zoom or online gathering with the author.
• Joy and satisfaction knowing that you’re helping to spread the word about this empowering book so it can reach women near and far who need to be encouraged and inspired as they dare to live their God-given dreams.

If you’re interested in being part of making this God-given dream come true, wonderful! Please send an email to info@aboundingfaith.com by next Friday, January 26 for more details. Please include the answers to these two questions:

• Are you part of a book club?
• What are the links to your social media, website, blog, etc?

If you’d like to invite me to be a guest on your podcast, Instagram live, Facebook group live, YouTube channel, blog or other media outlet or virtual or in-person event, please email info@aboundingfaith.com

To God be the Glory!

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 NIV)

P.S. Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day! I launched this blog on MLK Day eleven years ago.

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Are you part of my email community? Join my email community to get updates about my forthcoming book and other projects I’m working on as well as encouragement sent straight to your inbox. Sign up right here and get access to a free gift.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

What a joy and honor it is for this Audacious Dreamer & Doer and journaler turned journalist turned author to see my upcoming book God-Given Dreams: 6 Ways to Live Your Divine Purpose in NavPress’ current book catalog!

Only God could do that!

God-Given Dreams is filled with encouragement and inspiration for God’s beloved daughters who could use more courage to say yes to God as they dare to live their divine purpose.

I’m currently in full marketing mode as we get closer and closer to the March 5th launch date.

I’d appreciate your continued prayers as we work on the audio version (more info coming soon) and I start speaking with the media to help get the word out about this inspiring book.

The writing and refining of God-Given Dreams with my fabulous editors was challenging in a wonderful way!

This marketing part is a bit surreal.

What a difference it makes to have the support of a stellar marketing team and publicist!

When I worked at a prestigious newspaper and a women’s magazine, we had marketing and promotions departments to promote the publications.

When I worked as a communications specialist at a nonprofit, I used to create media lists, do media outreach and schedule interviews for others.

As a journalist, I used to reach out to publicists, and I was the one doing the interviews.

God sure did have a plot twist for me.

God knows what’ s on the other side of our yes!

I’m grateful that God has called me and gifted me to write and speak about Him and to encourage you as you walk by abounding faith, hope and love and dare to live your God-given dreams!

I wrote God-Given Dreams to encourage, empower and inspire you to say yes to what God is calling you to do.

Will you join me in praying that many women near and far will be blessed by this book?

A great way to show your support even now is to preorder this inspiring book today for your friends and family, small group members, women’s ministry, etc. at any of these sites:

• Amazon
• Barnes and Noble’s website
• Books-A-Million
• ChristianBook.com
• NavPress’ website 
• Target’s website
• Walmart’s website

To God be the Glory!

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 NIV)

_____________________________

Are you part of my email community? Join my email community to get updates about my forthcoming book and other projects I’m working on as well as encouragement sent straight to your inbox. Sign up right here and get access to a free gift.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

My “One Word” for this year has been Rejoice. God has given me much to rejoice over this year.

Of course, it hasn’t been a perfect year. Do those even exist? There’s been challenges, but it’s also been a tremendous year with many milestone moments of breakthrough.

As another year winds down, allow me to reflect on some of the highlights from this year. You can see a quick video here and read the captions below.

This year kicked off with celebrating 10 years of blogging.

Me? The private introvert who only wrote about other people’s stories? That’s only been by the grace of God.

This year has been a year of quiet preparation for what’s to come in 2024 and beyond. Here’s just a snapshot of some of the highlights:

God-Given Dreams Book – This was the year that I worked on writing and refining God-Given Dreams: 6 Ways to Live Your Divine Purpose (NavPress, March 5, 2024). So much of the work takes place behind the scenes. Thank you for celebrating as this book went from manuscript to edits to being on it’s way to be printed. There’s been so many prayerful steps to get to this point. It’s exciting to be getting closer and closer to the launch date. It feels like the slow climb up a fun roller coaster … stay tuned… lots of updates and inspiration coming your way. Please take a moment to preorder God-Given Dreams for the women in your life at any of these links:

• Amazon
• Barnes and Noble’s website
• Books-A-Million
• ChristianBook.com
• NavPress’ website 
• Target’s website
• Walmart’s website

Our Daily Bread Author – This was the year that I started writing for Our Daily Bread‘s main devotional. It’s the year I got to meet fellow Our Daily Bread authors. I’ve been quietly writing article after article. This ride is going to get rolling publicly in May when my first article appears. It’s also been a blessing to write for an upcoming Our Daily Bread VOICES Collection special devotional and for ODB’s marketing department.

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Teaching at the New York School of the Bible – In a year when two Christian colleges in NYC closed, I’m even more grateful to see how the Lord has preserved the NYSB. It’s been a blessing to teach my students throughout another school year. I’ve had local students and one joining us from South Carolina. God even surprised me by blessing me with a student who’s an Olympian. This former Olympiac could’ve never imagined having an Olympian as a student. Only God could do that! (Pic above is of just some of my lovely students throughout the years.)

Speaking – It’s been a blessing to complete my second year of devotional and prayer times for my CWEN Sisters near and far. It’s a delight to encourage my fellow Christian women entrepreneurs with entries from my 365-day devotional Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day.

This year I also got to speak to the staff at The Bowery Mission.

Writer’s Conference Faculty Member – What an honor for this Latina journaler turned journalist turned author to be part of the faculty at this year’s Publishing in Color Conference! I’ve been wanting to speak at a writer’s conference for some time. This was the year that it happened. I’m told that my presentation was deemed to have “merit” which is so lovely to hear.

So much more happened this year, but these are the highlights I’m sharing for now.

Thanks for staying on this faith journey with me and for your encouragement, support and prayers!

I pray you have a blessed and Merry Christmas!

Let’s get ready to SOAR in 2024!

P.S. This blog post is now available as Episode 48 of the Abounding Faith for Today podcast. Check out this encouraging podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

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Are you part of my email community? Join my email community to get updates about my forthcoming book and other projects I’m working on as well as encouragement sent straight to your inbox. Sign up right here and get access to a free gift.

Will you rejoice with me? God-Given Dreams: 6 Ways to Live Your Divine Purpose (NavPress, March 5, 2024) should be off to the printer as I write this!

What a long and winding journey it’s been to get to this place in my faith journey and writing career!

Ladies, lots of activity has been going on in the secret place to get this book ready for you.

God-Given Dreams is filled with encouragement, Bible verses, prayer starters and more to help spur you on as you dare to have the courage to live God’s plan for your life.

There’s been lots of praying and praising and dreaming with God.

There’s also been hours and hours at the computer throughout the year.

Writing. Editing. Revising. Proofreading.

Plans are underway for the marketing and promotion for the book’s spring release.

Plans are also underway for the audio version. More details to follow.

These are exciting times. Glory to God!

This audacious dreamer and doer is going into overdrive soon.

I’m realizing how much of a sprinter I am instead of a marathoner (figuratively speaking since I’m not much of a runner in real life).

When I see a to-do list that seems miles and miles long, I just want to bolt and start checking off all the tasks.

But I’ve learned the importance of pacing myself so I can persevere to the finish line of this particular race.

I’m a reflective person, so even now I’m taking time to stop and soak in all the steps in this particular book release journey.

What a difference it is to be gearing up for a book launch with the support of my wonderful editorial and marketing and publicity team.

Note: I said team.

I don’t get to say that much.

I’ve been on quite a solitary journey over the years.

I’m grateful to those who have stayed on this faith journey with me for years.

As I enter the marketing and promotional stage of this book journey, I’m reminded of my years as a communications specialist. I find it a bit surreal that I was the one doing media outreach and helping to coordinate media interviews for others.

I wasn’t thinking about writing books or being interviewed back then.

My writing was in hiding for years after God called me out of my journalism career.

But God had a plot twist for me.

Now I’m working on promotions for my upcoming book…

God has a sense of humor.

He’s been preparing me all this time for such a time as this.

Now this particular God-given dream is coming true.

And He’s been preparing you, His beloved daughter, for what He has in store for YOU!

I’m looking forward to continuing to encourage you as you walk by abounding faith, hope and love.

I hope you’ll preorder God-Given Dreams today for you and yours at any of the sites listed below.

What a statement it would make to the publishing world if everyone reading this blog post would preorder copies of this encouraging and empowering book!

I’ve got so much more to share as we get closer and closer to March 5.

Please stay tuned so you don’t miss any updates.

You and your friends or small group or women’s ministry can preorder God-Given Dreams today on:

• Amazon
• Barnes and Noble’s website
• Books-A-Million
• ChristianBook.com
• NavPress’ website 
• Target’s website
• Walmart’s website

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Are you part of my email community? Join my email community to get updates about my forthcoming book and other projects I’m working on as well as encouragement sent straight to your inbox. Sign up right here and get access to a free gift.