Naty Matos's Blog, page 34
May 15, 2013
Persistent Love
Download on Kindle ( http://amzn.com/B00CHAE3QS)
Free Tuesday May 14th and Wednesday May 15th
Persistent Love:
Christian Romantic Suspense Novella set in 1685, England.
Fear has been Tara’s constant companion since age nine when she witnessed her mother’s murder. Tara’s father moves his family to the ancient castle of Raven’s Cliff, far from the ships that could carry her back to India and the answers she believes lie there. Andrew offers her friendship and guides her gently to the One who will give her peace. Will she find hope for something other than revenge?
A Brief Q&A with the Author, Laura J. Marshall.
Q: Did you learn anything along the way as you wrote Persistent Love?
A: I learned writing is harder than I ever thought possible. I also learned that even in the head-banging, why-am-I-doing-this-to-myself moments that writing is part of who I am and I couldn’t stop even if I wanted to.
Laura J. Marshall is the full-time mother of five sons and part-time writer and blogger. She operates a popular blog called The Old Stone Wall. Laura is the best-selling author of the Battle Cry Devotional Series. Visit www.LauraJMarshall.com to find out more about Laura’s books.
May 13, 2013
Stop The Culture of Death
I sat down yesterday afternoon after a great day with my mother to watch television and think about what was I going to write about for today. While I was just browsing for ideas for my post, I decided to check out the news from this weekend. All the news stories were related to death and children.
In New Orleans, during a Mother’s Day Parade 18 people were shot, 2 of them were children. It’s hard for me to understand what would make someone open fire in a Mother’s Day Parade.
In Valley Springs, California a 12 year old was arrested for stabbing his 8 year old sister.
In New Jersey, a man killed a woman and kept her three children hostage in the bedroom with their mother’s dead body until Sunday morning when they were finally released and the kidnapper was killed by the police.
In Kansas, the body of an 18 month old, who was missing, was found. Earlier last week her mother and two other men were found dead in a farm where they lived, but the child had been missing until her body turned up over the weekend.
I think I can stop there before we all crawl inside our closets to cry. Having said that, I refuse to allow the world of terror to paralyze my purpose. I truly believe that beyond grieving, this is a blaring call to action.
Parents, be aware of the things that your children have access to. 
Violent games and movies may seem innocent,but even when you tell yourself that your child knows that this is fantasy, it also desensitizes them to violence.
The rest of us should stop patronizing any company that promotes violence in the media. If we don’t buy it, they will have to change their ways. There are millions of Christians. How serious are you about what will you do to defend your faith? Will you allow yourself to be lukewarm and blend in the culture of this world or will you take a stand for what you know to be righteous?
We can also take action to those around us that we notice are dealing with mental health issues. Early intervention can make a huge difference. Sadness goes away with a change of scenery. Real depression, anxiety, anger and addictions are just as real diseases as diabetes and cancer and need to be treated by professionals. Being in treatment does NOT negate your faith.
I invite you TODAY to take a step against the culture of violence. Don’t ever think that there nothing you can do. It takes each and everyone of us, as the body of Christ, to work together in this war.
Never forget what we read in Ephesians 6:12
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Yes, we need to pray, but we also need to take action. As it says in James 2:26
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Until next time, be blessed
Remember today is the last day of my Mother’s Day Sale, get your copies now!
$2.99 (save $2) $0.99 (save$1)
May 11, 2013
A Mother’s Love
When I think about a mother, my frame of reference is obviously to think of my own mom. As many daughters, my relationship with my mother has had many stages. If there’s one thing I’m always sure is that no
matter what, my mother loves me and that I love her too. Some days she drives me absolutely crazy, but that is her job and she does it very well. Some days I catch myself behaving just like her, reasoning like her and saying the same things that she says.
Last year for her birthday my brother came to visit, I heard him say something that I could hear myself saying and I joked, “I think we are related”. He then replied, “Don’t forget we have the same mother” Which reminded me that our wit comes from that little 4’10 woman full of personality.
From her I’ve learned that a mother’s love is sacrificial, supportive, unconditional, protective and educational. A mother’s love is essentially the closest thing on earth to God’s love.
Now a mother is more than someone that has a biological connection with another human being. Being a mother is a more intimate connection than DNA. Therefore I know for a fact that there are more mother’s out there than those who have carried a child inside of them.
“Don’t you see that children are God’s best gift, the fruit of the womb his generous legacy? Like a warrior’s fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth. Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children! Your enemies don’t stand a chance against you; you’ll sweep them right off your doorstep.” ( Psalm 127:3-5, MSG )
As a gift to all the mother’s out there, I’m placing both of my fictional books on sale! They make a great gift for all the mother’s in your life. This sale is only through May 13th by clicking on the book covers below
$2.99 (save $2) $0.99 (save$1)
May 10, 2013
WF: Give me your eyes
Sometimes we have to be careful what we pray for, because once its received, it may not be the easiest thing to handle. Sometimes we ask the Lord to be able to see things through his eyes. I just can’t imagine the amount of grief he has over what we have made out of the life he gave us.
At the time I’m writing this, the verdict on the Jodi Arias trial has come down as guilty on premeditated murder. Part of the attraction to this trial has been the gore of the awful way that victim, Travis Alexander, died and all the sexual components to the testimony.
But there’s another case in the courts right now that hasn’t received as much attention and has really pulled every string in my heart. In Philadelphia Dr. Kermit Gosnell is being accused of murder. He is a doctor who practices abortions at a clinic. For the moment lets set aside the usual discussion about abortion. In this case, this man is accused of performing third trimester abortions, which are illegal. The most aggravating fact of this case is the accusation that many babies were actually born alive and that this doctor killed them outside of the womb. Some of the things I can’t get out of my head are the thought that he put scissors into these babies necks in order to kill them. Other babies were beheaded. They even found baby feet in jars at the clinic. One of the mothers died in the hands of this doctor during the procedures. 
Unless you live under a rock, you have atleast seen a newborn baby. 
These babies were full term, so they were about the size of a newborn baby. I just can’t fathom the image in my head or my heart. Who could protect these children when their own mothers took them there to be slaughtered?
I have lost sleep over this issue. It has truly grieved my heart. These are some of the things that we get to experience when we ask God to allow us to see through his eyes. What does it do for me? It makes me very angry, but at the same time, it makes me realize that I can’t sit idle. There’s so much more work for me to do for the kingdom.
Matthew 18:6 But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
We are in a war beloved and we all have a part to play. Let’s keep the prayer that God allow us to see through his eyes so that we can never sit complacent. But more than just grow in awareness of the horrors of this world, let’s do the part that we have been called to do because there are lives depending on it.
Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
WF: Worship Friday
“ For God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” -1 Samuel 16: 7
More pictures and articles are hyperlinked. I chose not to post them due to their graphic nature.
May 9, 2013
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Throughout this book, Christian women share their stories of how they have struggled with body image lies and a distorted view of themselves. However, each of their stories also contains hope – the hope of replacing these lies with God’s truth. Our prayer for you is that you find encouragement within these pages and allow Christ to transform you with His truth.
We Are Each Created Unique
God has created each one of us with unique abilities, unique talents and a unique personality. As women we are influencers and God has given us that role and our beauty to share with others. Yet so often we settle for a counterfeit. The enemy has counterfeited our idea of beauty, convincing us to share our beauty with the world in a distorted way. Today that often means that we see our beauty as what we look like on the outside.
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Shelley has been ministering alongside her husband, CJ, since 1998. They currently travel and speak to teens and adults around the country. Shelley’s main passion is to share God’s truth and the freedom in Christ she has found with others. She does this through her books, websites and speaking engagements.
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May 6, 2013
Christian view on the death penalty
Reblogged from Naty Matos' Blog:
I’ve always had a clear position on the death penalty. I don’t believe in it. I think that if I didn’t grant someone’s life, I have no right to take it away regardless of their actions. Let me clarify that birthing or providing the seed for a child is participating in the process of life, in my definition only God grants life.
I had to revisit this post as we are in veredict watch for The State vs. Jodi Arias trial. A woman who has confessed to murder her ex boyfriend. Her allegation that it was self-defense, although her lawyers changed their view during closing arguments to claim it was heat of passion.
When I originally wrote this article, it was because I was studying the conversion of Jeffrey Dahmer and the posibility of Casey Anthony getting the death penalty. I have followed the Jodi Arias trial very closely and I have to say that the autopsy pictures of victim Travis Alexander will haunt me forever. I don't have a weak stomach. I watch many real crime shows (and fictional ones) and the gruesome reality of what this men went through is beyond imagination.
I have to admit I have struggled with my position once again. I do still firmly believe in my position that if I didn't give life to another one, I would be a horrible juror incapable of sentencing someone to death. Do I believe this case proves premeditated murder one? I do. Is life without parole enough? I honestly don't know and that's where I have struggled. Do I believe she deserves the death penalty. I will rely on Romans 13:1-5 once again and let the authorities, who God has given the authority to make that decision do their job.
Regardless of what the veredict is, just like I heard my favorite earthly judge, Belvin Perry, say this morning "regardless of what the earthly judges determine, she will have to face the Judge of Judges" And so we wait to see what the results will be...
Until then, be blessed
The Little Things
In a busy life, we hope for big changes, but they are not always possible. We want to run away, have a vacation for a month, a massage, a lump sum of money that will clear our debt. We can continue to dream about those things that we would think that will solve every problem of our lives. As we sit by the side of the road waiting for that chance, we see our lives go by without relief
Take a minute every day to enjoy the little things God gives you. At the end of each day you will realize that you have way more than what you ever wished for. A rainy day can just turn into a day of much needed rest. Solitude is not loneliness, but much needed peace that provides time for contemplation. Sometimes I even smile at the innocence of my dog sleeping by my feet while I’m working. Those of you with children could experience the same type of feeling.
What are the little things that fill our life today? A coworker’s comment that makes you laugh in the middle of a crazy working day. The forgotten dollar you find at the end of your pocket.
I think back to how I spent a weekend where finances were 
tight. I couldn’t go anywhere because I just had enough gas in the tank to get me through the work week. I found that lost dollar in my pocket. My dog was a puppy so I remember going to the kid’s playground and sitting on the swings for quite some time while my dog ran around. With that dollar we walked to a nearby gas station and bought a frozen popsicle. Until this day I smile when I remember how good I felt that weekend.
Let’s be grateful for the little treasures that we have. Let’s pray to God to open our eyes to see those treasures that we take for granted that are more accessible than we care to admit.
Matthew 6:31-33 (MSG)If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
Until next time, be blessed
In Growth Lessons, I was reminded of this beautiful truth: Our walk with the Lord is a process of growing up into the image of Christ. P. Yates
I would recommend this book for anyone who would like some common sense and light added to their life. C. Cunningham
Great for meditations and daily devotions. N. Thames
May 1, 2013
True Leadership
I was having a conversation with a friend regarding leadership. My friend’s point of view was that because he was in a particular position, he would consult those “under” him, but that the last word would always be his. After all, that’s what his position entitled him to do.
The conversation was funny to me because humbling yourself through leadership is more than taking others into consideration. It’s about service. Being a leader it is about asking those who you are responsible for, as much as you are willing to do.
Leadership is not a title, accolades or a position. The truth is that the higher the position, the higher the responsibility.
Actually the Word of God tells us in
Matthew 23:11 “The greatest among you must be a servant.”
Leadership is not about being served but about serving others. The truth is that we have all been called for leadership. I know that doesn’t sound true to everyone, but it is true. As a believer, wherever you go you are to be salt of the earth. If you are light and salt, it means that others are looking or asking what you do to guide themselves to Christ. So know that even if you do not hold a particular position at work, church or your community, you are still called to be a leader.
So how do you know how to be the right kind of leader? The bible gives us a simple guide:
“Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.” Philippians 2:5-8 MSG
A lot to think about. Until next time, be blessed
Tag for The Road Home
“This book certainly held my interest straight through to the very emotional ending. ”Mary Anne Benedetto
“With the ever-constant presence of her closest friend, Aimee, Desiree slowly makes her way to God and learns the greatness of His power and love. ”Cynthia
“A very engaging story about faith, love, and friendship, and the trials and tribulations that life can bring you. ”Jersey Gina
April 29, 2013
Can you handle it?
I’m sure at some point or another we’ve heard this scripture:
1 Corinthians 10:13 (MSG)No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.
The common saying for this scripture is that “God will never give us something we can’t handle.” I know that my friends and I joke around saying that God has quite an opinion of us, especially when we find ourselves in difficult moments.
That’s part of the issue when we go by popular word instead of the Word of God. It’s not that God’s expectation on us is quite high. Read that very last verse where it says “ he’ll always be there to help you come through it” That’s the key. God knows that we will be able to over come because he’s not trusting us to do it, he’s just wants us to have the faith and let HIM do it.
When we think God has called us to do it, (whatever it is) we get overwhelmed. We don’t know the answers to the questions. If we actually read what the scripture wanted us to do our lives would be much easier. He wants to do a work in us and through us. All we have to do is have the faith to allow him to do HIS job.
Until then, be blessed.
“This book certainly held my interest straight through to the very emotional ending. ”Mary Anne Benedetto
“With the ever-constant presence of her closest friend, Aimee, Desiree slowly makes her way to God and learns the greatness of His power and love. ”Cynthia
“A very engaging story about faith, love, and friendship, and the trials and tribulations that life can bring you. ”Jersey Gina
April 26, 2013
Resurrection
While I was writing my post from Wednesday, “Come Forth” I kept thinking of this song. As with any relationship, our walk with Christ has it’s peaks and valleys. I’ve discovered in my own walk that I create my own valleys by getting caught up in the details instead of focusing on the mission.
The enemy is quite savvy at distracting us from our purpose in life. He doesn’t do it boldly but chipping away slowly until we find ourselves far away from where we started or where we were supposed to be headed. [image error]
I am frequently asked, how to achieve that fire and embrace the will of God? Although it sounds simple, its actually difficult for some. My answer is simply: surrender. If there’s anyone that can take whatever is broken and not fix it, but make it new, that is our Lord.
God has never left, we are the ones who walk away. When we find ourselves in those desert moments in our faith, usually there’s something that’s either dead or that needs to die inside of us so that we can live the promised life to the fullest.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10
Did I say that I love this song? If I did, just join me in worship and let’s revive our fire through His resurrection.
Until then, be blessed.
In Growth Lessons, I was reminded of this beautiful truth: Our walk with the Lord is a process of growing up into the image of Christ. P. Yates
I would recommend this book for anyone who would like some common sense and light added to their life. C. Cunningham
Great for meditations and daily devotions. N. Thames
