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Reflecting on Past July Missions Trips

Three of the 5 short-term missions trips I’ve been on took place in the month of July. My missions trips have taken me to the Amazon Jungle in Brazil, the Andes Mountains in Ecuador (left pic) and the streets of Ethiopia, Honduras (right pic) and Peru (bottom pic). Missions trips weren’t on my radar when I was growing up, but when God calls, it’s best to listen. He knows what’s on the other side of our YES!

I share many miraculous and lovely testimonies from these trips and more in my book, By Faith: Adventures and Reflections on Walking With God Here and Abroad. By Faith will stir your heart to follow God’s plan for your life. It includes a chapter on how to live your God-given dreams and a discussion guide you can use with your small group or book club. By Faith is available in print and on Kindle on Amazon.

Here’s a short excerpt from By Faith:

“I must say I am an accidental short-term missionary. At least in my eyes. I never grew up wanting to go on missions trips. I certainly didn’t know any missionaries. Over the years, I did discover that I enjoyed traveling. My goal years ago was to travel to the cities that hosted a certain major sporting event. And God allowed me to go to stadiums in Athens, Greece, Sydney, Australia, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Los Angeles, California. Not bad! I am so grateful for all the wonderful places I’ve gotten to travel to over the years.

But God had different plans for me. After years of traveling for vacation and for work and after my amazing time in Israel, I knew it was time to give back.

All this talk about traveling can sound kind of glamorous to some, but it’s not always easy to get on a plane, leave all your loved ones behind, and go to some foreign country. There are shots to take beforehand (and sometimes gigantic malaria pills to swallow during the trip!), money to raise, vacation time to be used. There’s also lots of prayer and fasting to get ready for the spiritual battles that will take place.

Surprisingly enough, sometimes the toughest battles are fought long before even setting foot on the plane!”

May you be encouraged, empowered and inspired by reading By Faith. Blessings!

P.S. – All these pics were taken at such pivotal moments in those trips. That stadium experience in Honduras (top right pic) was incredible! I felt like an Olympian for Jesus. God is Good!

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Want to know what’s happening at Abounding Faith? Join the mailing list and get updates about Abounding Faith’s books, online training, podcast and more. As a thank you, you’ll get access to the free “7 Journal Writing Prompts to Fuel Your Faith” PDF.

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Forward By Faith Week

Walking by faith isn’t easy, but I think many would agree it’s been especially challenging during this year. As you look ahead to the rest of 2020 and beyond, are you feeling tempted to stay frozen in fear or paralyzed by panic? Are you resigned to just go through this season or are you ready to grow through it? God has designed you for a specific purpose and for such a time as this. I’ve dubbed this week Forward By Faith Week. I’d like to share five different tools and resources to help you grow deeper in your faith and to live with passion and purpose.

Get Reading – You can grow deeper and stronger in your faith this summer by continuing to read your Bible and by reading other inspiring books . Abounding Faith’s books are perfect for your Summer Reading List. These Bible-based books will empower, encourage and inspire you as you walk by faith, hope and love and live your God-given dreams! By Faith, Crossing Your Jordan River, Waiting on God Well and Abounding Faith have been inspiring Pastors, Pastor’s wives, missionaries, evangelists, chaplains, Christian counselors, ministry leaders and Bible school students as well as people just starting out on their Christian walk or living in women’s shelters and nursing homes. These edifying books are great to read on your own or with your online small group or book club. Abounding Faith’s books are available in print and on Kindle on Amazon.

Get Learning: – Do you believe that God has designed you for a specific purpose and for such a time as this? Now is the perfect time to explore what God has in store for you. The “Discovering Your God-Given Purpose” online course will help to stir your heat to dream big and say yes to God’s will for your life. This short and easy-to-follow course will help you:

  • Uncover your unique God-Given Purpose.
  • Identify action steps you can take to live your God-given dreams.
  • Develop a lifestyle of living out God’s call on your life.

Learn more about this empowering online course by clicking here.

Get Guidance – It’s important to surround yourself with people who will help encourage you on your faith journey. If you’re fretting about your future and things seem a bit fuzzy, I’d like to help bring some clarity to your life. I’d like to help you go from feeling:

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

As your personal life coach, I would prayerfully help you set goals, hold you accountable and help motivate and inspire you along your journey. Learn more about private life coaching by clicking here.

Get Moving – So many people dream of writing a book one day. Are you one of them? If you’re feeling called to honor God by writing a book but you’ve hit a brick wall and could use some guidance from someone who has been down that road before, I’d be delighted to answer your burning questions and help you break through that specific area you’re struggling with. Learn more about the “Write that Book” Strategy Call by clicking here.

Get Connected – If you appreciate and value Abounding Faith’s books and other projects and you’re looking for a way to be part of Abounding Faith’s community and to join forces and SHINE together, I’d like to invite you to join Abounding Faith’s Dream Team. Let’s continue to encourage, empower and inspire women and men near and far as they walk by faith and live their God-given dreams, The different levels have just been updated. You can learn more by clicking here.

Many blessings to you as you live by abounding faith, hope and love and live your God-given dreams.

Stay Well. Stay Encouraged. Let Your Faith Arise!

You might also enjoy reading:

Fuel Your Faith this Summer - July Our Daily Bread Article Date & Books for Amazon Prime Day
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Reflections on Teaching the Abounding Faith Class During Such a Time as This and an Announcement

“This class has uplifted my faith.” – Abounding Faith Online Class Student, NYSB

“The class gave me the opportunity to explore how God is faithful in every area and aspect of life.” – Abounding Faith Online Class Student, NYSB

What a delight and honor it’s been to teach the Abounding Faith: Choosing Faith Over Fear online class during this historic and unprecedented time in our nation and world!

We prayed for the students who would sign up for the class. God assembled a lovely group of people in New York, North Carolina and even Taiwan. The class included Sunday school teachers, an outreach leader and a deacon. God is Good!

What an honor to get to teach my second class at the New York School of the Bible! And what a blessing to get to teach a class based on one of my books! The Abounding Faith devotional is dear to my heart. I’m grateful I get to encourage, empower and inspire people in their faith in God.

As the pandemic, protests and other drama was raging, our class faithfully met online and dug into God’s Word and found the hope, inspiration, instruction and fellowship that was so needed at this time.

“Your book is really encouraging.” – Abounding Faith Online Class Student, NYSB

If you couldn’t join us for this class, you can get the uplifting and challenging Abounding Faith devotional in print or on Kindle on Amazon. It’s perfect to read on your own or with your online small group or book club.

And please mark your calendars. I’m thrilled to announce that I have been invited back to teach another online class for the NYSB next June. I will have the honor of teaching from my book Crossing Your Jordan River: How to Posses and Prosper in Your Promised Land. You won’t want to miss it.

Blessings to you as you continue walking by abounding faith, hope and love and live your God-given dreams.

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Grateful for YOU - Happy Thanksgiving!
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Book 5 Update

“You did a stellar job with uplifting, encouraging, and inspiring the reader.” – Book 5 Editor

I’m thrilled to share that Book 5 has entered the editing phase. The quote above is just part of the lovely feedback my editor recently sent me.

God is Good!

I’m so looking forward to sharing more details with you about my upcoming book.

God willing, Book 5 will be released in the fall. Please stay tuned!

And please pray as Book 5 goes through the editing and production phases. Even now, please pray for all the readers who will be touched and encouraged by Book 5.

If you’ve been blessed by any of Abounding Faith’s books, I’d love to know. Please feel free to leave a short and kind review on Amazon or to email me at info@aboundingfaith.com.

If you haven’t had the chance to read any of Abounding Faith’s books, now is a great time to pick up copies of Waiting on God Well, Abounding Faith, Crossing Your Jordan River and By Faith for you and your friends. The books are available in print and on Kindle on Amazon.

Abounding Faith’s uplifting books will encourage, inspire and empower you as you walk by faith, hope and love and live your God-given dreams. Blessings!

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Want to know what’s happening at Abounding Faith? Join the mailing list and get updates about Abounding Faith’s books, online training, podcast and more. As a thank you, you’ll get access to the free “7 Journal Writing Prompts to Fuel Your Faith” PDF.

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5 Bible Verses to Help You Move Forward By Faith During the Pandemic

As we slowly navigate through this “new normal” and carefully enter different phases of reopening during the pandemic, it’s natural to feel worried, afraid and a mix of other emotions about these uncertain times.

But God doesn’t want you to stay frozen with fear.

God can help you move from fear to faith, worry to worship and panic to praise.

This transition time, that includes the civil unrest and protests going on nationwide, can be an opportunity to  drawer closer to and trust God in a deeper way.

This new season can be a fresh start for you.

May you move forward by faith! And may you be filled with God’s love, joy, peace and boldness.

God is speaking during these trying times. May you take the time to really listen to what He is saying and draw strength and hope from Him.

It’s so important to continue reading the Bible and to keep praying and praising.

May you take courage knowing that as a believer:

1. God’s Holy Spirit Empowers You  – “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV)

2. God Can Handle All Your Burdens – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)

3. God is Working things out for Your Good – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NIV)

4. God Will Provide for You Day by Day – “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:33-34 NIV)

5. God is in Control from Beginning to End – “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

The road may be rocky now, but it won’t stay that way forever. May you take heart and keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of your faith (Hebrews 12:2 NIV).

Stay well. Stay Encouraged. Choose Faith Over Fear and Move Forward By Faith. Blessings!

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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Want to know what’s happening at Abounding Faith? Join the mailing list and get updates about Abounding Faith’s books, online training, podcast and more. As a thank you, you’ll get access to the free “7 Journal Writing Prompts to Fuel Your Faith” PDF.

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Blessed Start to the Abounding Faith: Choosing Faith Over Fear Online Class

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

“I am so excited to join class, and thanks for your instruction to the class.”  – Abounding Faith Online Class NYSB Student

My classroom may look different from the one I used last June (pictured above), but what joy it is to teach the Abounding Faith: Choosing Faith Over Fear online class through the New York School of the Bible during this unique time in history!

We had a blessed start to the empowering class last Monday, as you can tell by the two students quoted above.

I’m thrilled that we had a student in Taiwan join us. She’s my first truly international student and most likely my first reader in Taiwan. God is Good! We also had a student in North Carolina join us.

Within the first half of the class, one student shared that her faith was already being strengthened. Praise God!

A few students burst out in song after the closing prayer. Beautiful!

Amid the fear and unrest and waves of other emotions sparked by the ongoing pandemic and recent protests, it’s an incredible time to be encouraging students in their faith in God!

These are such trying and turbulent times we’re living in, but God is in Control and He is Greater than anything we will ever face.

I’m so grateful that in these dark days, this class is a ray of sunshine.

Thank You to all who are praying. It’s such an honor to help empower people in their faith! Please continue to pray that God will continue to use me to reach students near and far and that He would continue to meet us in special ways.

Amazingly, my class roster continues to grow.

If you can’t join us for class but would like to bolster your faith, be sure to read your Bible and you can get a copy of the challenging Abounding Faith: 30 Bible Heroes Who Will Inspire You to Believe God for the Impossible in print or on Kindle on Amazon. This powerful devotional is great to read on your own or with a group.

Stay Well. Stay Encouraged. Move Forward By Faith!

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Want to know what’s happening at Abounding Faith? Join the mailing list and get updates about Abounding Faith’s books, events, podcast and more. As a thank you, you’ll get access to the free “7 Journal Writing Prompts to Fuel Your Faith” PDF.

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Teaching the Abounding Faith Online Class at the NYSB in June

I’m thrilled to announce that I will once again be teaching a summer class at the New York School of the Bible (NYSB). The Abounding Faith: Choosing Faith Over Fear class will be an online course taught on the following Monday nights: June, 1, 8, 15 and 22.

Ladies and Gents, I hope you will join me for this timely class that will help fuel your faith. You can take the Abounding Faith class from the comfort of your own home, no matter what state you’re in.

Join me for this powerful time of fortifying our faith by delving into God’s Word and discussing God’s awesome track record for coming through for His people.

Here is the course description:

As Christians, we are called to walk by faith and not by sight.  Many times that is easier said than done, especially during this trying time we are facing.  In this class, we will look at the lives of various Heroes of Faith from the Bible and examine how their faith in God was tested and thus learn how God came through for them in their greatest time of need.  The insights we glean from their experiences will help to equip and empower you to trust God’s faithfulness no matter what challenges or obstacles you may face.  This course is designed to fuel your faith for without faith, it is impossible to please God.

Registration should open today. Please click here for more information.

I’m honored to be part of the NYSB’s faculty. It’s such a blessing to get to teach this course that is based on my second book, Abounding Faith: 30 Bible Heroes Who Will Inspire You to Believe God for the Impossible! 

It’s a joy to inspire others in their faith.

God is Good!

Please tell others about this empowering and faith-igniting class.

Thanks for your prayers and support and thanks for staying on this faith adventure with me.

Stay well. Stay encouraged. Choose faith over fear 🙏

 

 

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Special Message of Hope for the Hurting During the Corona Virus Pandemic

I trust you had a glorious Resurrection Sunday! He is Risen indeed!

As we continue passing through this trying time, my heart and prayers go out to those who have lost loved ones due to the pandemic. I’m sharing a message of hope for the affected families, those fighting the virus, those on the frontline and those practicing social distancing and staying at home. May you be encouraged by this new Abounding Faith “Fuel Your Faith Chat” (above) based on Psalm 23.

Please feel free to share this post with someone who could use help choosing faith over fear during this turbulent time.

You can also listen to the podcast version of this special message below:

For more encouragement, visit Abounding Faith’s Fuel Your Faith page. You’ll find videos, articles, podcast episodes and images designed to help boost your faith during this pandemic.

Stay safe. Stay encouraged. God is Good! Blessings.

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Want to know what’s happening at Abounding Faith? Join the mailing list and get updates about Abounding Faith’s books, events, podcast and more. As a thank you, you’ll get access to the free “7 Journal Writing Prompts to Fuel Your Faith” PDF.

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Special Pandemic “Fuel Your Faith Chat” Episodes – “Abounding Faith for Today” Podcast

May you be encouraged by Season 5 of the “Abounding Faith for Today” podcast that features the inspiring “Fuel Your Faith Chats” designed to spur you on in your faith during this pandemic. 

 

You can listen to the uplifting episodes on:
Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2FoPkZM
Google Podcasts: bit.ly/2A5g2AL
Spotify: spoti.fi/2Kmpjt7
Stitcher: bit.ly/2Tqz6lN
PodBean: https://bit.ly/2BQXNAI

 

or by clicking the links below:

For more encouragement during this trying time, check out: 
Please share these links with someone who could use a boost in their faith.

 

Stay well. Stay encouraged. Choose faith in God over fear. Blessings to you and yours 🙏

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Want to know what’s happening at Abounding Faith? Join the mailing list and get updates about Abounding Faith’s books, events, podcast and more. As a thank you, you’ll get access to the free “7 Journal Writing Prompts to Fuel Your Faith” PDF.

You might also enjoy reading:

It Ain't Over!

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3 Keys to Fuel Your Faith During the Pandemic – Get Your Free PDF Copy

If the pandemic has you paralyzed with panic, fear or worry or if you just need an extra dose of encouragement, this free “3 Keys to Fuel Your Faith” (PDF), is for you. It was designed to help your faith in God arise.

May the tips and Scripture help you choose faith over fear and spur you on during this trying time. You can grab it here,

Please feel free to share this link with others who could use an extra encouragement.

For another boost of faith, I’d like to share the image below:

Stay well. Stay encouraged. Choose faith over fear.  God loves you!

You might also enjoy reading:

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