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Are You Growing in Your Faith?

5 Lessons from the Grapes

“Are You Growing?”

My late Senior Pastor used to love asking the congregation that question.

Pastor J knew and stressed the importance of growing and maturing in the Lord (and in different areas of our life). He emphasized that God wanted His children to grow and mature just like earthly parents expect their kids to grow and mature and develop.

How do we grow in our faith?

Some key ways are by consistently spending time reading the Bible and praying and worshipping and fellowshipping with other believers.

It’s that simple and yet that challenging …

If you’re one of my faithful Readers, you probably already know that God likes to show me things through nature.

I’m sharing the above pics of grapes because these pics speak volumes to me.

I took the pics on three separate occasions earlier this year to document the growth process.

The grapes show some truths about growth:

  • Growth takes time.
  • Growth happens in stages or seasons.
  • Growth happens as we stay connected to the vine.
  • Growth can be painful, but pruning is a necessary part of the process.
  • Growth happens on God’s timetable. We can’t rush the process.

The grapes didn’t grow overnight.

Neither do we.

Are you growing in your faith?

Or are you feeling stuck or stagnant?

Are you staying connected to the True Vine?

Consider what Jesus says about abiding in Him. These are some of my favorite Bible verses:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (John 15:1-8 NIV)

If you’re looking to grow in your faith, here are a few ways I can help:

Empowering Online Class for Ladies: Don’t miss the Abounding Faith: Choosing Faith over Fear course that starts next Tuesday evening on September 13. Learn more here.

Personalized Life Coaching: I’d be delighted to help you grow and go from feeling:

  • frazzled to focused
  • frustrated to fruitful
  • fearful to fierce

Learn more about Christian Life Coaching here.

Inspiring Books Be encouraged and inspired as you walk by faith, prepare for your breakthrough and dare to live your God-given dreams. Abounding Faith FIVE Christian living books empower and equip you to stand firm in your faith.

Uplifting email: Sign up for Abounding Faith’s FREE email list and get a dose of inspiration delivered right to your inbox. When you sign up, you get immediate access to the FREE 5-day Feisty Faith Devotional Sampler PDF. The sampler gives you a taste of the inspiring and empowering 365-day devotional, Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day devotional (available on Amazon). Looking forward to sending you uplifting emails on Monday afternoons with info about my latest encouraging blog posts, upcoming books and other projects or events.

Encouraging Social Media: I’d love for you to be part of Abounding Faith’s online community. Abounding Faith is on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Be encouraged as you scroll throughout the week.

Edifying Podcast: The uplifting Abounding Faith for Today podcast has 40 short and encouraging episodes that will help bolster your faith. You can listen to the Abounding Faith for Today podcast wherever you listen to podcasts including:

Inspirational YouTube Channel: There are 155 encouraging and uplifting videos on Abounding Faith’s YouTube channel that will inspire you and help spur on your faith. The short videos are shot near and far (including during past short-term missions trips, vacations, around NYC and trips to my bday castle…). Check them out and be sure to subscribe, like, comment and share the site with others.

Let’s grow and flourish together this year!

And may your faith be fueled, your hope ignited and your heart set ablaze with the love of God!

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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.

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.™

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Let's SOAR Together at Abounding Faith's 1st Women's Conference
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“Ripples” – Tuesday Thoughts (Part 6)

Click here to watch the video clip.

I’ve recently started sharing some Tuesday Thoughts on Abounding Faith’s social media. From time to time, I’ll share some of them here. If you’d like to see them as they’re released, be sure to connect with Abounding Faith on Instagram. Blessings!

Our lives have an impact on those around us… what kind of ripple effect would you like to have on others?

Christian Communicators & Creatives and Audacious Dreamers & Doers and Ministers & Leaders, let’s remember to live lives worthy of our calls and leave a legacy of love as we dare to live our God-given dreams 🙏

Tuesday Thoughts 🔥

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3 NIV)

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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.

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.™

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Happy National Book Lovers Day 2023
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Tuesday Thoughts (Part 5)

I’ve recently started sharing some Tuesday Thoughts on Abounding Faith’s social media. From time to time, I’ll share some of them here. If you’d like to see them as they’re released, be sure to connect with Abounding Faith on Instagram. Blessings!

Are you prayerfully choosing to collaborate with others or are you stuck competing, comparing or copying them?

Christian Creatives & Communicators and Audacious Dreamers & Doers and Ministers & Leaders, let’s continue being the original masterpieces God has created each one of us to be while prayerfully continuing to make wise Kingdom-connections with our brothers and sisters in Christ as we dare to live our God-given dreams 🙏

Tuesday Thoughts 🔥

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17 NIV)

Don’t shrink back … SHINE 🔥

Christian Creatives & Communicators and Audacious Dreamers & Doers and Ministers & Leaders, let’s remember to be salt and light as we dare to live our God-given dreams 🙏

Tuesday Thoughts 🔥

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. (Hebrews 10:36)

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV)

God is more interested in building your character than building your platform 🔥

Christian Creatives & Communicators and Audacious Dreamers & Doers and Ministers & Leaders, let’s remember to remain humble before the Lord as we dare to live our God-given dreams 🙏

Tuesday Thoughts 🔥

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” (James 4:10 NIV)

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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.

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.™

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Go Forth – Motivational Monday with Coach Nancy, Abounding Faith Coaching & Consulting

Hey Audacious Dreamers and Doers,

I hope you’re soaking in all the last bits of sights and sounds of summer! (And keeping cool!)

I also hope you’re finding ways to GO FORTH and use your gifts, talents and abilities to continue to SHINE for Christ.

What do you feel God calling you to do in this season?

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

If you’re feeling stuck or unsure about how to move forward in this season, I’d like to come alongside you as your Life Coach and help you experience that breakthrough you’ve been praying and preparing for.

I’d be delighted and honored to prayerfully help you gain the clarity, confidence and courage to say yes to God’s call on your life.

I can prayerfully help you:

  • Discover your God-given gifts
  • Develop your unique giftings and skill set
  • Dare to live your God-given dreams

You don’t have to go it alone. Let’s SOAR and GO FORTH together!

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

Learn more about Christian Life Coaching right here.

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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.

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Happy Book Lovers Day! (8/9/2022)

Happy Early Book Lovers Day to all my Lovely Readers!

These pictures still make me smile because I still remember taking these pics or posing with my fabulous Readers. These pics were taken at at least seven different events and occasions pre-pandemic.

I LOVE how my diverse readers represent different backgrounds, cultures, races, ages and life stages.

Thank you to every Reader who has picked up copies of Waiting on God Well, Abounding Faith, Crossing Your Jordan River, By Faith and Feisty Faith for you and your loved ones!

It’s so sweet when I’ve gotten to see a Reader surprise their unsuspecting friend standing nearby by buying them a signed copy of my books. It’s also so lovely to hear the stories about who the books are being signed for.

Back when I was a journalist writing for The New York Times and Latina magazine and other publications, I had countless readers but I didn’t have much of an opportunity to interact with them.

What a difference it is to author Christian living books and devotionals and to get to connect with YOU on social media and at past in-person events.

My prayer is that you’re encouraged, inspired and empowered by my books and other work. If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Please feel free to leave a comment here or on Instagram.

If you want to help other book lovers discover Abounding Faith’s inspiring and empowering books, please leave a kind Amazon review and rating.

Your reviews are greatly appreciated and make such a difference in the book publishing world. Gracias!

Here’s a glimpse of a recent review. So sweet!

Which book lover can you bless with copies of Abounding Faith’s books?

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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.

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Ladies, Registration is Open for the Abounding Faith NYSB Online Class

“Taking this course changed my life.” – Abounding Faith NYSB Student, 2019

“I love the class.” – Abounding Faith Online NYSB Student, 2020

“How I miss your class, last year was amazing.” – Abounding Faith NYSB Student, 2019

I’m still in awe of the beautiful feedback I’ve gotten from students who have taken my Abounding Faith course through the New York School of the Bible (NYSB).

What a blessing it is whenever I get to teach a class based on one of my books!

It’s a joy and honor to encourage my students to choose faith over fear and BELIEVE!

One of the students quoted above said reading the Abounding Faith: 30 Bible Heroes Who Will Inspire You to Believe God for the Impossible devotional helped to awaken barren places in her life and helped her be content in other areas of her life. Glory!

What will God say to YOU through this class?

Ladies, I hope you’ll join us for the Abounding Faith: Choosing Faith Over Fear online class this September! REGISTRATION OPENS TODAY!

Class starts the evening of Tuesday, September 13.

You can learn more about the class here.

This empowering class will help you grow in your faith and will encourage and inspire you to choose faith over fear and believe God for the impossible!

I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of teaching this class, which is based on my book Abounding Faith: 30 Bible Heroes Who Will Inspire You to Believe God for the Impossible, in person pre-pandemic and online during the height of the pandemic during the summer of 2020. That time we had a student from Taiwan join us.

Don’t miss this class that you can take from the comfort of your own home wherever you are in the world.

I hope you and your friends will join us.

P.S. Fellas, please tell the ladies in your life about this empowering online class.

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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.

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Special FLASH SALE to Help You SOAR in 2022
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Tuesday Thoughts (Part 4)

I’ve recently started sharing some Tuesday Thoughts on Abounding Faith’s social media. From time to time, I’ll share some of them here. If you’d like to see them as they’re released, be sure to connect with Abounding Faith on Instagram. Blessings!

How diverse is your bookshelf, church or social circle? If everyone you interact with looks and thinks exactly like you, maybe it’s time to prayerfully widen your circle.

Christian Creatives & Communicators and Audacious Dreamers & Doers and Ministers & Leaders, let’s continue to learn from a variety of brothers and sisters in Christ as we walk by faith, hope and love and dare to live our God-given dreams 🙏

Tuesday Thoughts 🔥

“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26-28 NIV) 

God is more interested in building your character than building your platform 🔥

Christian Creatives & Communicators and Audacious Dreamers & Doers and Ministers & Leaders, let’s remember to remain humble before the Lord as we dare to live our God-given dreams 🙏

Tuesday Thoughts 🔥

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” (James 4:10 NIV)

Don’t shrink back … let your light SHINE 🔥

Christian Creatives & Communicators and Audacious Dreamers & Doers and Ministers & Leaders, let’s remember to shine for Christ as we dare to live our God-given dreams 🙏

Tuesday Thoughts 🔥

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16 NIV) 

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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.

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.™

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Ladies, Join Us for the Abounding Faith Online Class through the New School of the Bible

Ladies, I so hope you’ll join us for the Abounding Faith: Choosing Faith Over Fear online class through the New York School of the Bible this September!

This empowering class will help you grow in your faith and will encourage and inspire you to choose faith over fear and believe God for the impossible!

I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of teaching this class, which is based on my book Abounding Faith: 30 Bible Heroes Who Will Inspire You to Believe God for the Impossible, in person pre-pandemic and online during the height of the pandemic during the summer of 2020. That time we had a student from Taiwan join us.

Registration for the Abounding Faith course opens Monday, August 1.

Class starts the evening of Tuesday, September 13.

You can learn more about the class here.

Don’t miss this class that you can take from the comfort of your own home wherever you are in the world.

I hope you and your friends will join us.

Here’s a few pics from a past class.

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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.

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Keep Shining – Monday Motivation with Coach Nancy, Abounding Faith Coaching & Consulting

Hey Audacious Dreamers and Doers, I hope you’re having a wonderful summer!

How are you using your gifts, talents and abilities to continue to SHINE for Christ?

What do you feel God calling you to do in this season?

I’d like to help you live God’s call on your life and SOAR!

If you’re feeling stuck or unsure about what to do in this season, I’d be delighted to come alongside you and coach you through your process to help you reach your breakthrough.

As your Life Coach, I’d be honored to prayerfully help you gain the clarity, confidence and courage to say yes to God’s call on your life.

I can prayerfully help you:

  • Discover your God-given gifts
  • Develop your unique giftings and skill set
  • Dare to live your God-given dreams

Let’s SOAR together this year!

Be fierce. Be faithful. Be fruitful. Be who God is calling you to be!

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16 NIV)

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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.

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.™

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5 Ways to Show Your Support for Abounding Faith

I hope and pray Abounding Faith’s content is inspiring and encouraging you as you walk by faith, hope and love and dare to live your God-given dreams.

As you may know, Abounding Faith has tons of uplifting and empowering written, video and audio content available for FREE including the:

If Abounding Faith is helping you grow in your faith and love for God, wonderful! I hope you’ll like, comment, share, and subscribe wherever you’re reading, watching, listening or following Abounding Faith.

And I’d love to hear your feedback. Feel free to leave a comment here or on social media.

If you’re looking for ways to show your support for this Christian Latina Author, Creative & Communicator, I would appreciate your prayers and for you to prayerfully considering the following ideas:

1 Grab copies of Abounding Faith’s FIVE inspiring and encouraging Christian living books and devotionals on Amazon for you and your friends, small group, local nonprofits or libraries, etc… and leave kind ratings and reviews to let others know about these uplifting Bible-based books.

Positive Amazon reviews help encourage others to buy these edifying books.

And your purchases make a huge difference in the book publishing world. If you’d like to see more authors of color, especially in Christian publishing, it’s vital to support those of us already writing Christian books.

Note: Amazon Prime Day is July 12-13.

2. Find Abounding Faith on social media and like, follow and comment on posts. I’d love for you to be part of Abounding Faith’s online community. Abounding Faith is on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Your follows, likes, comments and shares are greatly appreciated and make more of a difference than you realize.

Looking forward to getting to encourage you as you scroll throughout the week.

3. Sign up for Abounding Faith’s FREE email list. If you’re looking to grow in your faith and would like a dose of inspiration delivered right to your inbox, I invite you to sign up to get my weekly emails.

When you sign up, you get immediate access to the FREE 5-day Feisty Faith Devotional Sampler PDF. The sampler gives you a taste of the inspiring and empowering 365-day devotional, Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day devotional (available on Amazon).

I look forward to sending you uplifting emails on Monday afternoons with info about my latest encouraging blog posts, upcoming books and other projects or events.

4. Buy this writer and creative a virtual coffee (or too or three). I appreciate your generous support as I live out God’s call on my life in this season and continue to create content that encourages, empowers and inspires people of diverse backgrounds, ages and life stages who live near and far.

5. Join Abounding Faith’s Dream Team! Let’s SHINE together and continue inspiring women and men, young and older and those of diverse backgrounds to grow in their faith and love for God.

You can learn more about all the benefits that come with joining Abounding Faith’s Dream Team on Abounding Faith’s Patreon page.

No matter where you are on your faith journey, I hope Abounding Faith’s inspiring written, audio and video content is helping you as you travel from your wilderness into your Promised Land.

Blessings as you walk by abounding faith, hope and love and live your God-given dreams!

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

Let’s SOAR together in 2022 and beyond!

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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.

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