Naty Matos's Blog, page 51

Don't wait too long

I have the pleasure to share with you a new Christian Author friend Joana James. I hope you enjoy this!

The other day I wrote an article on Waiting on the Lord , but as it was pointed out to me today, there are two sides to every coin. It's very important to wait for God's timing before we move. It could be the difference between failure and success or life and death. But what happens when we wait too long? What happens when God says to go and we hold back?

There are several reasons why we may not move when God says to. One of them is fear. God may be moving us in a direction that we are afraid of. He may be calling us to a particular ministry that we feel ill-equipped for, so we say "Lord, I'll do it later."

Or we may have our own agendas, so we say, "God, as soon as I send all my children off to university, I'll become a missionary for you."

Or the devil may be planting seeds of doubt in our mind, "Is it really God talking? Maybe you should wait, if that house is yours, it will come back to you."

I remember as a teen, I came across a poster and it has stuck with me since and I think it will stick with me for the rest of my life. It was the image of a woman's skeleton sitting on a park bench. She was dressed in a bridal gown and veil and she appeared to be waiting for something. The caption above her head said "Waiting for the PERFECT man." She'd waited so long that she missed her opportunity. She was dead, and she could no longer marry.

Some of us wait so long to move forward that we lose our opportunity for great things. We procrastinate and complain at everything God places before us. If we don't think it's good enough, or we don't feel ready but whatever it is, we don't move when God says we should. So we abort our destiny.

It's so sad to see lives wasted because of procrastination. To see time, treasure and talent unused must certainly hurt God. My encouragement today is to move in the timing of God. Don't run ahead of him, however don't waste time either. By the time you are ready to move, you may just miss your destiny.

Joana James – Author of Nightmare at Emerald High & Alana and Alyssa's Secret

    

Joana James is a young Christian author from the island of Saint Lucia in the Caribbean. She is an I.T. professional by day but in her free time she escapes from the logical world of technology into the artistic world. She is an avid reader and her kindle is her favourite piece of technology. Music is her best friend and that manifests itself through her love for dance and singing.

Joana writes stories that portray the reality of her world. Her first book, a two-part short story series called Rise from the Ashes featured the lives of two young girls struggling in dire circumstances.

Her latest book, Nightmare at Emerald High, brings to the fore a world that everybody knows exists but no one talks about.

Follow Joana's blog for frequent devotionals and for a list of some of the best and most affordable Christian Books available for Kindle. http://joanajames.blogspot.com

Baby Steps

If there's something that is constant in life, it's change. We are living our life normally (whatever our definition of normal is) and all of the sudden something happens that takes the wind out of our sails. You are living and someone you love dies, someone in your household loses a job or both of you do, a relationship breaks or starts (yes, new relationships can be stressful too even as happy as you may be), the car breaks, someone gets sick, I can go on forever…and at that time you feel like life has hit you on an all time low. What can you do?

One moment at a time- The part of the serenity prayer has never been more true than in these situations. You can only handle your emotions and the situation that is in front of you. Fretting over what will happen tomorrow will only enhanced the anxiety and not solve a single thing. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" Matthew 6:34
Take care of yourself- even when some of these events may not be happening to you but to a loved one, you need to take care of YOU. When you're on an airplane they always tell you to place the oxygen mask on you first and then on your children; that is because you can't do anything for your kids if you're not breathing. The same principle applies to other parts of life. "Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul" 3 John 1:2
Take a leap of faith- When we are at our lowest, we automatically slow down life and we wait for that magical moment that will give us the clue that its safe and ok to get back on track. I have something to tell you that moment doesn't exist, you make that moment. No matter what you're going through, there is never going to be a moment where the pain magically goes away. You have to take a step in faith to move forward with life. You have to take a stand and that's when you will find yourself again. Maybe it is a new self that you find, and that is ok. Life is all about changing and evolving as long as it is for good.
If you need to, seek help- Sometimes we have to build something and we only have a butter knife in out toolbox. There's no shame on talking and asking for help. This happens to me all the time, sometimes all I need is to talk things out loud to hear myself and find the answers. Sometimes I need someone to correct my stinking thinking and speak truth into my life. Either way, seeking good council is a biblical principle, therefore use it!

Regardless of what you're going through, know that you are loved by God. If there's a particular prayer need that you have I would love to pray for you. If you have a prayer request you can leave it on the comment section or if it's a private matter just email me to  therisingmuse at gmail dot com (have to spell it to avoid hackers…lol)

Be blessed

BEES IN YOUR BONNET

by Peggy Blann Phifer

Have you ever gotten into your car and an uninvited guest joined you. Like, maybe, a hornet? But you don't realize he's there until you've driven a mile (or a few blocks) and then it decides to buzz around your head or cruise the windshield, driving you crazy. The more you swat at it or wave it away, the more it bugsyou. All that bee wants is to get out. You roll down the window, hoping it'll seize the opportunity and escape, but it doesn't. Finally, for safety's sake, you find a place to stop, open the door, get out, and the bugger exits and happily buzzes away.

That hornet is the beginning, the start of a story buzzing around in my head, refusing to leave. Sometimes it will go dormant and I won't hear it for a while. Other times its incessant droning compels me to the computer, or a notepad, or a pad of sticky-notes, whatever is at hand, and get the words down, even if they don't make sense.

You see, I'm what they call a pantser . . . a seat-of-the-pants writer. I don't lay out a plot first and then write the story. For me, it usually happens the other way around. Something catches my attention, or tickles my imagination, and I'm off to chase it down. An intriguing face, a snippet of a news headline, even a name, is all it takes to start the buzzing.

I've written about this in another interview so I won't repeat myself here too much. But what is now my debut book release, To See the Sun, began with a young woman's pensive face I saw in a women's clothing catalog. She appeared several more times in that issue and I had to cut her pictures out and keep them. Shewas the first 'buzzing' sound for me, the hornet in the car. And that hornet, a lovely, pensive, tousle-haired young woman became Erin Macintyre, heroine. From victim to victory.

A second hornet joined the first . . . a handsome cowboy model from Sheplers Western Wear. (Clothing catalogs are excellent sources for finding faces for your characters, by the way.) My male lead, even before I knew where I was going with the book, had always been a cowboy in my imagination, and the name Clay Buchanan stayed constant through all the rewrites.

To See the Sun has only two POV characters . . . Erin, and Clay. As I wrote, the other characters buzzed in. Some stayed, some flew right back out. The characters of Racine and Paul, by the way, were total surprises. But they introduced themselves at exactly the right time. Where they came from I have no idea. But I loved them immediately.

That's the fun part of being a pantser. I never know what's going to happen. And, since I have no real plot to stick to, I'm pretty much free to let the story, and the characters, take me where they want to go. The only thing that might be considered a plot, in my writing world, is that I have the ending fairly well set. I know where I want to go. I just have no idea how I'm going to get there. And it's a great ride!

Thanks, Naty, for having me on your blog.

I'm offering a free giveaway of To See the Sun in the form of a Gift Card for download for either the Kindle or Nook version. Followers of my blog will receive an extra entry.

Back Cover Blurb:

Pregnant and widowed hadn't been part of her "happily ever after" dream. And now, someone was trying to kill her . . .

Erin Macintyre never expected to be a widow and a new mother in the same year, anymore than she expected mysterious notes, threatening phone calls, and a strange homeless man who seems to know all about her. The thought of raising a child without a father is daunting enough—worse when you have no idea who might want to harm you. Put an old flame into the mix, and her life begins a tailspin into a world she never knew existed.

When P.I. Clay Buchanan, stumbles upon Erin at her husband's gravesite, he's totally unprepared for her advanced pregnancy. Her venomous reaction at seeing him, however, waspredictable. But Clay can't let her distrust, or his guilt, get in the way—not when he has evidence that proves Erin's life is in danger.

With few options left, Erin begrudgingly accepts Clay's help . . . and it just might be her undoing.

Read the first chapter: http://peggyblannphifer.com/my_books.htm

BIO:

Peggy Blann Phifer is an author and columnist, book reviewer and author interviewer, whose work has appeared on various Web sites and writer periodicals both in print and online. She is also an avid reader who loves to escape by diving between the covers of a good book. Peg enjoys handcrafts of all kinds and her home shows off some of her work, though most end up as gifts for friends and family. A retired executive assistant, Peg now makes her home in southern Nevada with husband of 25 years, Jim.

TO SEE THE SUN is her debut novel, released January 2012

Contact her at her website at: http://peggyblannphifer.com

Visit her blog "Whispers in Purple" at http://www.whispersinpurple.com

Facebook.com/pegphifer

Twitter.com/pegphifer

Where to get To See the Sun:

· Amazon.com

· Amazon Kindle

· B&N (nook)

WF: How Much

This week the focus was on love demonstrations to those in our lives. We know how much we love others, but do we know how much you are loved, especially by He, the one who is love itself. Join me to worship the Lord knowing that we are worthy of his love, not because of anything we did, but because he created us to Love us.

WF: Worship Friday

Giveaway Winners:

As promised, today we announce the winners of our Book Giveaway: Love Letters to my Queen Bride. Know that you will be individually contacted via email to provide you with your awarded copy in the format of your choice (kindle or paperback)

And the winners are:

Rachel Hardeman
De Fleischer
Michelle Jacobson

Book Review: Love Letters to my Queen Bride

I think this has been one of the most challenging book reviews I've written recently. The reason for that is that I can't find enough words to describe this book, but I think it can be summarized as live changing.

When I started reading this book I had to stop myself, this is not a book you read in one sitting. This book has to be savor in bits and pieces, no more than a letter a day. Each letter is so rich with love, energy and spiritual enlightenment.

On a day like today where people have chosen to celebrate true love, I chose to celebrate the source of Love, and this book is a great way to understand the Love of God. Love Letters are letters that seem written personally by the hand of God expressing in simple English his love, his need for us, the way he sees us and his purpose for our lives. This book is bible based and it speaks so much truth. I recommend this book for every woman and if you have teenage daughters, this is an awesome gift to give them. It's never too early to understand where real love is found.

Now let's meet the author behind this awesome book:

Beth Walker has been married to her husband, Ben, for over 40 years. She is the mother of three adult children and seven grandchildren that she adores.

After raising her children she founded a Christian counseling center where she served as director and counselor for sixteen years. She also founded and directed in her home town Drug Free Clubs for high risk youth at 23 sites. For over eleven years she has led an interdenominational worship group. She also has served as a Christian speaker, Sunday school teacher, and Eucharistic minister.

Among the various organizations that she has served as volunteer include the Board of the Montgomery Mental Health Association for twelve years and the Montgomery Board of Women's Aglow International.

She is quick to say only through the help of the Holy Spirit was she able to do anything and will be able to do anything in the future. Her passion is Christ. She says, soaking in worship and then listening to Him, after knowing His word is the only way to go.

If you want to obtain a copy of his wonderful book just click on the picture above, but even better; if you want to win a Free copy of this book, today is your last day to enroll in our Giveaway. Go at the top to the Book Giveaway page and leave us your email. The winner will be announced this Friday.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

WF: Unrestrained

Surrendering to unconditional love is scary, experiencing the true nature of it it's amazing. Men (women) can fail, but God's love never fails. How should we live in love?

The Word of God says that "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails". 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

That's the love God gives us, that's the love we need to learn to give…Unrestrained

WF: Worship Friday

Talking about unrestrained love, remember out book giveaway "  Love Letters to my Queen Bride" by author Beth C. Walker. not going to disclose much about it because I have a treat for you. You can win one of the three copies of this wonderful book that will be given away on Valentine's Day. All you have to do is go to the page that says "Book Giveaway" give us your name and email address (at least your email if you don't want to give your name) and you can win a copy of this fabulous book in the format of your choice (Kindle or paperback)

Also remember that you can obtain a copy of Growth Lessons on sale for $1.99

I'm Not Perfect… I'm Priceless

My dear friend Staci Stallings is visiting us today with a special message for us, without further  delays I'll let you enjoy this delightful read…

By: Staci Stallings

My almost-ten-year-old daughter got a little too much of her mother in her.  What is it with this perfectionist gene?  You'd think one generation would be far plenty for it to run its course and leave us alone.  Alas, it has not.

My gorgeous, lovely, loving, wonderful daughter got this one in spades.  I first knew this the year she took violin lessons and adamantly REFUSED to play for anyone she knew.  When Grandma came over, we begged and pleaded and bribed… to no avail.  She simply would not play a note lest she not sound just perfect and reveal to all the world that she was anything less than.

We battle this monster in school.  She has all-A's for now.  And truth be told, I'm not looking forward to that streak coming to an end.  (I still haven't recovered from MY OWN three-week cry-fest when I got my first B in 5th grade.  Don't laugh.  Trust me, it makes it worse!)

With the beginning of volleyball, we are wading once again into the deep waters of perfection psychosis, and I have to be honest with you–I would have thought that since I'd been through this one, it would be easy to diagnose and treat in my own child.  Sadly, I was mistaken.  The diagnosis has been easy, but wow is this thing hard to heal.

Tonight on the way to volleyball, my beautiful, kind, wonderful little girl spent most of the trip in tears.  "Why does everyone think I have to be perfect?"  "They don't."  "Yes, they do. If I do one little thing wrong, they yell at me."

Now, really.  How do you argue with that?  Because too often we do sound like we're yelling.  Our corrections sound to a delicate perfectionist like we don't or won't love them if they aren't perfect.  It's such a vile, rotten trap.

On the way home later, we were hashing out the whole perfection thing again because this time it was the coach who yelled, "just because I missed one serve!  I got all the others."

I finally made this simple observation.  "You know, you're not perfect.  You're priceless."

That stopped her. "What does that mean?"

"It means you are not perfect.  You have chips. You have flaws. You make mistakes.  But God and Mama still believe you are priceless, and no matter what, that will never change."

Strangely she stopped arguing and crying at that point, and inside, so did I.

Maybe I'm not perfect, but God says I am priceless, and who am I to argue?

Copyright Staci Stallings, 2008

Thank you Staci for those wonderful words. Guys, don't forget to enter into our Valentine's book giveaway. Go to the top and give us your email address for a chance to win one of three copies of "Love Letters to my Queen Bride". The winners will be picked on Valentine's day and announced on Friday February 17th.

To add sweetness to the pot, you can get your copy of Growth Lessons for $1.99 until Valentine's day (better than chocolate).

Find Staci online:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/StaciStallings @StaciStallings

Facebook profile:http://www.facebook.com/staci.stallings.author

Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Spirit-Light-Author-Staci-Stallings/266593276699576

Where love starts

February is the month with a heart. It's the month that people dedicate to talk about love and the demonstrations of love. You can't talk about love without talking about the source of love.

It says in Deuteronomy 7:9 says "Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments"  It is wonderful to know that our God has a covenant of love with us. A covenant is bigger than a promise, it deeper than words. It's a permanent compromise to love us.

His love is unconditional. He gives us the freedom to love him back or not and even if we choose not to love him, he will still love us and receive us when we decide to come back.

Have you ever said that you forgive but don't forget? Have you ever been told that you were forgiven but your transgressions were not forgotten? He who determines out eternity doesn't measures us that way. "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy."Micah 7:18

If you have been around for a while, you know that I like things to be plain, simple and down to earth. I ran into a book titled " Love Letters to my Queen Bride" by author Beth C. Walker. This is not only a must read, it's a book that has personally improved my relationship with Christ because it has really given me practical way too see his love for me… But I'm not going to disclose much about it because I have a treat for you. As a sign of my love for all of you my readers, you can win one of the three copies of this wonderful book that will be given away on …you guessed it…Valentine's Day. All you have to do is go to the page that says "Book Giveaway" give us your name and email address (at least your email if you don't want to give your name) and you can win a copy of this fabulous book in the format of your choice (Kindle or paperback)

Also remember that you can obtain a copy of Growth Lessons on sale for $1.99 until Valentine's Day as well as a token of my love for all your support.

Have a blessed and loving day!

Naty

Don't wait to say I love you

I want to share with you a very personal story about one of my favorite Aunts. I have a huge family although it doesn't seem so. I have cousins, aunts and uncles that I have not met and probably never will that's how big my family is. We're just not one of those close families, but if we decided to do a family reunion, we sure would need a stadium to hold it.

This particular aunt and my mother kept a close relationship telephonically as we were geographically ways apart. It was more than ten years ago and I was going through a very rough time and I needed to go away. I was at my mother's house and she was talking to my aunt, to whom I had never spoken before and whom I had never seen before. I grabbed the phone and jokingly said, "I'm coming over". She became excited and told me I was more than welcome to come. To make a long story short, I did make arrangements and went there.

It was funny when she went to pick me up at the airport, we had never seen each other, so we got on our cell phones until we were finally face to face. Although it was the first time we saw each other, I was home. I spent a week with her. She spoiled me rotten. After that week we kept in touch and she became the person I would go to when I needed encouragement. Even at a distance she became a second mom.

This past July I was supposed to come over to see her, but miscommunication made us miss the date and then I got so busy with the things around my new book that I never got around to make the arrangements to spend some time with her again. I had planned that this year I was going to make it there because I miss her, now its too late. She passed away this last Friday.

I do regret not having made a bigger effort to make that trip happen earlier. I do thank God for having given me the gift of knowing her and the love she gave me through the time I had her.

Rest in peace, Juliana!

Whose fault is it?

Look at the picture above. It is one of our favorite mental pictures. It is very easy for us to assign responsibility to others when things go wrong, but do we think what our part in the process was? If we look at the hand, there's one finger pointing outward and three inward. If you're doing the pointing there are three fingers pointing at you.

Some things are out of our control in life; I'm not negating that…but it's not as many as we tend to think.

Have you heard yourself say things like: this person makes me feel (angry, upset, irritable) or made me (eat, scream, nag, throw something)…unless the person has a weapon and threatening your safety. Was is truly this person's fault or did you allow yourself into the behavior or emotion?  We also blame the circumstances around our lives. Most time we created those circumstances as well.

Sometimes we forget to take accountability for our own actions because it's easier to blame others or the circumstances. The denial of our responsibility falsely releases us from having to address it or work on fixing it. By placing the responsibility outside of us, we convince ourselves that the answer is out of our hands, not realizing that is inside that fist, hidden behind those three fingers that are pointing at us.

Stepping out of that denial is not an easy thing. It makes us see ourselves for who we really are. It also finally addresses the issue that we need to work on, that's true freedom!

So I just invite you to stop and think; every time there's a situation in your life and you are ready to blame someone else; ask yourself, what part did you play for things to happen?

Be blessed

Did you enjoy this post? This is one of the lessons included in my book Growth Lessons , get your copy today! Do you already have the ebook and want my autograph…submit your request on kindlegraph and i'll be honored to process it.