Contributing Writer for Our Daily Bread Ministries’ VOICES Collection’s NEW Black History Month Devotional, Faith to Overcome 

I’m delighted to share that I’ve written a devotional article for Our Daily Bread Ministries’ VOICES Collection’s 2025 Black History Special Edition Devotional, Faith to Overcome 🙌

My devotional article that mentions the one and only CeCe Winans is on Day 7 🙌

You can place your order now for free print copies of the special edition right here.

Please feel free to share this information with others. This free resource goes fast so order today.

The 10-day digital reading plan will be available online closer to February 2025.

IMAGE CREDIT: Our Daily Bread Ministries’ VOICES Collection

P.S. Happy Martin Luther King Jr Day!

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Reflecting on being an Our Daily Bread Devotional Author

It’s been such a blessing to be an Our Daily Bread devotional author! I’m sharing a few reflections in this post and in Episode 64 of the Abounding Faith for Today podcast episode that you can listen to wherever you listen to podcasts. I’ll be sharing even more thoughts and reflections from this BREAKTHROUGH year in next week’s post.

Back when I won Our Daily Bread‘s Online Writing Contest for Readers, I took that as confirmation that I was on the WRITE track.

I felt drawn to write for the little devotional that my Mom used to bring home while she was in seminary and that I’d seen in my church’s lobby and had given out during evangelistic outreaches.

I’m not sure why but I was drawn to the blend of Bible stories and life application. I really liked how compact they are. The devotional booklets can easily fit in your purse or backpack so you can read it wherever you go. You can now also read it on Our Daily Bread Ministries’ website, app and listen to it on their podcast.

I had no idea that it would take TEN YEARS after winning the writing contest for my devotional articles to start appearing in the ODB devotional.

God knew this was my BREAKTHROUGH year for this particular God-given dream.

Here are some thoughts and reflections from having my first ten (now eleven) articles run in ODB:

It was super special for my very first article to be about my Mom and my family’s salvation story. It was extra special that it was the article that ran on Mother’s Day. Only God could do that!

Some of my favorite articles are when I get to share a memory about my Dear Dad or memories from my short-term missions trips.

It’s also nice when I’m watching the news or reading an article and I get inspired to connect that story with Scripture.

Writing so tight and succinctly for the devotional is an art form. You’d be surprised how challenging it can be. I’ve been surprised.

Writing a book or long article is challenging, but writing a short devotional also has it’s challenges. It’s like putting together a puzzle. What joy when all the pieces fit together!

I LOVE that the Our Daily Bread devotional is translated into 50+ languages. These devotional articles go further and faster than I ever could. It’s such a delight to hear the devotionals read in Spanish and other languages.

It’s been a blessing to get to meet (virtually) many of my fellow Our Daily Bread authors and to work with my editors. I’m so grateful to be part of the team.

It makes me smile when I see the ODB devotional around town. It’s even sweeter now that I’m one of the authors. I recently saw the booklets being used to save seats at my home church. That’s a common sight there.

It’s been nice to hear from readers. I’m so touched to hear that they’re being blessed by my articles (I’ve included a few notes below).

So far, I’ve heard from readers in at least 10 states and 1 other country (I’ve listed them below). It’s also lovely to hear from ODB Ambassadors who give out the ODB booklets in their neighborhood.

I’m so grateful that God has Created, Called and Chosen me for this assignment for such a time as this.

As I’ve shared in the past, after God called me out of my journalism career my writing went into hiding for YEARS! I didn’t think I’d ever write publicly again.

But God had a plot twist for me.

This writing breakthrough has been years in the making, but I’m honored to be in this season now.

I pray you’re encouraged by my devotional articles.

I also pray and am grateful to God for continuing to inspire me with words to write.

If you’ve missed any of my articles, you can find them all here.

Thanks for your prayers and support!

To God be the Glory!

Be encouraged. God-given dreams do come true!

If you’re an ODB devotional reader, please let me know on Abounding Faith’s social media.

So far, I’ve heard from ODB Readers in the following states and country:

  • Arizona
  • California
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Indiana
  • Maryland
  • Minnesota
  • New York
  • Texas
  • Washington
  • Bahamas

If you don’t see your state or country represented, please feel free to let me know where you’re reading ODB from.

Many blessings!

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Join Abounding Faith’s Email Community to get updates about different projects I’m working and to get encouragement sent straight to your inbox. Sign up right here and get access to the FREE “Discovering Your God-Given Dream Checklist” today

Our Daily Bread December Date – My 11th Devotional Article

What a God-given dream come true that my ELEVENTH article is appearing in the Our Daily Bread devotional. It’s my final ODB article for this BREAKTHROUGH year.

Please be on the lookout for my article Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 10 in print or on Our Daily Bread Ministries’ website, app, podcast, YouTube channel or social media.

If you’re encouraged by my articles, please feel free to say hi on Abounding Faith’s social media 👋

If you receive the monthly printed Our Daily Bread devotional, I’d love to know!

Please feel free to share the article with others who could use some encouragement 🙏

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Join Abounding Faith’s Email Community to get updates about different projects I’m working and to get encouragement sent straight to your inbox. Sign up right here and get access to the FREE “Discovering Your God-Given Dream Checklist” today!

Dates for My November Our Daily Bread Devotional Articles – My 9th & 10th Articles

What an honor that my NINTH and TENTH articles are appearing in the Our Daily Bread devotional this month  🙌

Please be on the lookout for my articles today, November 4 and November 25 in print or on Our Daily Bread Ministries’ website, app, podcast, YouTube channel or social media.

If you’re encouraged by my articles, please feel free to say hi on Abounding Faith’s social media 👋

If you receive the monthly printed Our Daily Bread devotional, I’d love to know!

Please feel free to share these articles with others who could use some encouragement 🙏

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Join Abounding Faith’s Email Community to get updates about different projects I’m working and to get encouragement sent straight to your inbox. Sign up right here and get access to the FREE “Discovering Your God-Given Dream Checklist” today!

Dates for Our Daily Bread October Articles – My Seventh & Eighth Devotional Articles!

My SEVENTH and EIGHTH articles are appearing in the Our Daily Bread devotional this month  🙌

Please be on the lookout for my articles on October 17 and 29 in print or on Our Daily Bread Ministries’ website, app, podcast, YouTube channel or social media.

If you’re encouraged by my articles, please feel free to say hi on Abounding Faith’s social media 👋

If you receive the monthly printed Our Daily Bread devotional, I’d love to know!

Please feel free to share these articles with others who could use some encouragement 🙏

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Join Abounding Faith’s Email Community to get updates about different projects I’m working and to get encouragement sent straight to your inbox. Sign up right here and get access to the FREE “Discovering Your God-Given Dream Checklist” today!

Septembers to Remember – Sydney & Winning Our Daily Bread Writing Contest

The gal smiling in these pics (above) had no idea what God had in store when He chased her down during one amazing week in Sydney …

So much happened during that one week in September and in all the years that have followed.

My life has never been the same 🔥

I share some of my faith journey in my books and devotional articles including in my latest book God-Given Dreams: 6 Ways to Live Your Divine Purpose (NavPress). It’s available wherever books are sold.

This September also marks 10 YEARS since that September I won Our Daily Bread‘s Online Writing Contest for Readers.

Winning that writing contest was great confirmation that I was on the right track in this season of my writing journey.

You can watch the short video I shot for the staff at Our Daily Bread after I won their Online Writing Contest for Readers below. They played this video at their staff meeting. I was told folks applauded at the end 💕 So honored to now be an Our Daily Bread author for their main devotional 🔥

This September also marks eight years of being part of the Times Square Church family.

Walking by faith isn’t always easy. The road can feel long and winding.

Every now and again, it’s good to stop and reflect on how God has been with you all along your life.

Thanks for staying on this faith journey with me.

To God be the Glory!

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Join Abounding Faith’s Email Community to get updates about different projects I’m working and to get encouragement sent straight to your inbox. Sign up right here and get access to the FREE “Discovering Your God-Given Dream Checklist” today!

Our Daily Bread Devotional Date for September – My 6th Article!

I’m so excited that my sixth article is appearing in Our Daily Bread Ministries’ devotional next Tuesday, September 17 🙌

I’m sharing about a touching moment with my Dear Dad during one of my visits to his beloved Ecuador 💕 It’s such a blessing for me whenever I get to help keep his memory alive through my writing 🙌

Please be on the lookout for my article in print or on Our Daily Bread Ministries’ website, app, podcast, YouTube channel or social media.

I pray you’re encouraged by my article.

If you receive the monthly printed Our Daily Bread devotional, I’d love to know!

Please feel free to share my article with others who could use some encouragement 🙏

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Join Abounding Faith’s Email Community to get updates about different projects I’m working and to get encouragement sent straight to your inbox. Sign up right here and get access to the FREE “Discovering Your God-Given Dream Checklist” today!

Summer Updates & August Our Daily Bread Devotional Article Date

It’s been a while since I shot a quick video greeting. I’m sharing a few updates in the short video (above) I recorded last week.

One of the updates I’m sharing is that I’m delighted that my fifth article is appearing in Our Daily Bread Ministries’ devotional on Friday, August 30th.

Please be on the lookout for it in print or on Our Daily Bread Ministries’ website, app, podcast, YouTube channel or social media.

I pray you’re encouraged by my article. I’m sharing about when God called me out of my journalism career.

And here’s the link to the NEW FREE Leader’s Guide PDF for God-Given Dreams: 6 Ways to Live Your Divine Purpose (NavPress) that I mention in the video.

Who will you study God-Given Dreams with?

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Join Abounding Faith’s Email Community to get updates about different projects I’m working and to get encouragement sent straight to your inbox. Sign up right here and get access to the FREE “Discovering Your God-Given Dream Checklist” today!

Fuel Your Faith this Summer – July Our Daily Bread Article Date & Books for Amazon Prime Day

I’m stopping by to share a few quick July updates. I hope both updates will help you fuel your faith this summer!

God knows we could use extra doses of faith, hope and love these days.

I’m so delighted that my fourth article is appearing in Our Daily Bread Ministries’ devotional on Wednesday, July 17. Please be on the lookout for it in print or on Our Daily Bread Ministries’ website, app, podcast, YouTube channel or social media. I pray it encourages you.

And ff you’ll be shopping this Amazon Prime Day (July 16-17), I hope you’ll pick up copies of my books pictured below.

My newest empowering book God-Given Dreams: 6 Ways to Live Your Divine Purpose (NavPress) is available wherever books are sold, including Amazon.

My previous five Christian living books and devotionals are also available on Amazon. Be encouraged and inspired by Feisty Faith, By Faith, Crossing Your Jordan River, Abounding Faith and Waiting on God Well.

Kind ratings and reviews on Amazon or Goodreads are always greatly appreciated!

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Join Abounding Faith’s Email Community to get updates about different projects I’m working and to get encouragement sent straight to your inbox. Sign up right here and get access to the FREE “Discovering Your God-Given Dream Checklist” today!

Celebrating God-Given Writing Dreams Come True this Mid-Year Check-In, YouVersion News & Today’s ODB June Devotional Article

“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.’ And God granted his request.”

(1 Chronicles 4:10)

By God’s GRACE, we’ve made it to the middle of 2024. That’s reason to rejoice!

If you recall, my One Word for this year is … BREAKTHROUGH!

I’m holding two major writing breakthroughs in my hands. Praise God!

This first half of the year hasn’t been perfect, of course, but it’s been a lovely whirlwind.

God-Given Dreams: 6 Ways to Live Your Divine Purpose (NavPress) launched on March 5, and my first devotional articles in the Our Daily Bread devotional started appearing on May 12.

You can find my Our Daily Bread devotional article for this month TODAY, June 3rd!

If you know me, you know these milestones haven’t happened overnight.

Both of these writing breakthroughs have been more than TEN YEARS in the making.

There’s so much I could say about these major milestones. I’m going to take some time to ponder and process these moments. I’m sure I’ll have much more reflections to share down the road.

ANOTHER WRITING BREAKTHROUGH Be on the lookout for the God-Given Dreams YouVersion reading plan that should be available this Wednesday, June 5th! You might recall that I was part of the “Serving Together” Our Daily Bread Ministries’ YouVersion reading plan for Hispanic Heritage Month in 2022. I’ve been wanting to write my own YouVersion reading plan for some time now. I guess now is the time!

Another highlight from this first half of the year is that I’ll be teaching my Crossing Your River Jordan online class through the New York School of the Bible starting today, June 3.

I also had the joy of speaking at online events and being interviewed by various media outlets for my book launch, sharing a prayer and encouraging words for the online Spring Publishing in Color Conference and sharing a devotional for Our Daily Bread Ministries’ online Global Prayer Shield.

I have more updates to share, so please stay tuned here and on Abounding Faith’s social media. You can also sign up for Abounding Faith’s Email Community and get a FREE “Discovering Your God-Given Dream Checklist” PDF right here.

I’m also sharing this mid-year check-in in Episode 54 of the Abounding Faith for Today. It’s available wherever you listen to podcasts.

If you would’ve told me as a young journalist that one day I’d be writing and speaking about God and faith and the Bible, etc., I probably wouldn’t have believed you.

But God had a plot twist for me.

You can read about parts of my faith and writing journey in my previous five books as well as my new book God-Given Dreams (available wherever books are sold, see below for a special offer) and in some of my upcoming devotionals for Our Daily Bread.

Many people have come and gone from my life over the years. People have given up on these seemingly far-fetched God-given dreams I’ve had for years, but I’m so grateful that nothing stopped God’s plans for my life from coming to pass.

My Dear Dad would be so proud of these latest accomplishments. He loved celebrating my writing and God’s work in my life.

I’m so grateful to my Mom for continuing to pray me through and cheer me on.

I’m also grateful for those who have stayed on this long and winding journey with me.

Being a Christian Latina Author isn’t easy, but I’m so grateful that God has called and chosen me to honor Him through my writing and speaking gifts.

If you’re new around here, Welcome! I hope you’re encouraged and inspired by my blog, books, videos, the Abounding Faith for Today podcast, social media posts and more!

If my books have inspired you, please take a moment to leave a kind rating and review on Amazon or on Goodreads. That helps even more Readers find these edifying books.

Living your God-given dreams isn’t for the faint of heart.

How is YOUR year going?

I hope my writing and speaking encourages you as you walk by faith, hope and love and dare to live your God-given dreams.

You can find links to Abounding Faith’s inspiring content at AboundingFaith.com

If you’d like me to come alongside you to help you SOAR in 2024, learn more about Individual Christian Life Coaching right here.

May the rest of the year be the best of the year!

May you keep the faith as you continue to love and serve the Lord.

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)

SPECIAL PROMO OFFER – Save 30% when you order a printed copy of God-Given Dreams and use the promo code DREAMS30 only on NavPress.com. Offer only valid for orders in the United States. This special offer is valid for a limited time so order today!  Good through 6/30/2024.

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Join Abounding Faith’s Email Community to get updates about different projects I’m working and to get encouragement sent straight to your inbox. Sign up right here and get access to the FREE “Discovering Your God-Given Dream Checklist” today!

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.™