Naty Matos's Blog, page 54

The Shoes: Guest Post by Author Lynn Mosher

After a weekend designated to giving thanks I am grateful to present to you a great Christian Author; Lynn Mosher. She has come to The Rising Muse to share with us a short story. This is what it's really all about.

Warning: Get your tissues ready!

Enjoy!

The Shoes

The dark, gray skies overhead threatened an early snow. Rushing shoppers, all bundled up to ward off the cold, crowded the sidewalks, lost in their to-do list for Thanksgiving.

Oblivious to their surroundings, no one noticed a small, shivering boy standing in front of the shoe store, his nose pressed against the window, barely dressed and only flip-flops on his dirty feet.

However, one man did see him and stopped, dead still in his tracks, causing others to bump into him. He didn't notice the bumps and grumblings, but he did notice the small boy because he had a son about the same age.

Thinking how he would feel if this were his son standing there, barely clothed, the man quietly slid next to the boy, the man stood there for a moment, and then said, "They have some nice shoes here, don't they?"

"Yeah," came the soft reply.

"Which ones do you like?"

"That pair over there…the cool running ones."

"Oh, I'll bet you could run fast in those."

"Yes sir. I sure could. Like the wind!"

"You know, I have a little boy just about your age."

"Oh, yeah? I'll bet he has shoes like that."

"Yes, as a matter of fact, he does. But I have an idea."

"Yeah? What's that?"

"How 'bout I take you into the store and buy you that pair of shoes?"

The boy stood there motionless. After a few moments, with tears in his eyes, he looked up at the man. "You want to buy me shoes?"

"I sure do. Your feet must be freezing and I'd love to buy them for you."

The boy couldn't speak another word.

The man took the boy by the hand and walked into the store. Finding the manager, the man described the pair of shoes and asked the manager to please get a pair in the boy's size, along with some socks. Then, he said he and the boy would be in the restroom and would he please bring the shoes and socks in there.

The manager gathered the shoes and socks and, upon entering the men's restroom, found the man on his knees washing the young boy's feet.

"Can't stick dirty feet into clean, new socks and shoes, now can we?"

The young boy just stared at the man as he lovingly washed away all the accumulated street-dirt and gently dried his feet.

Feeling he was intruding on a very special moment, the manager quietly placed the shoes and socks on the floor without saying a word and backed out of the restroom.

After placing the socks and shoes on the boy's feet, the man stood up, and with hands on his hips, said, "Okay. Let's see how they look. Walk around."

The little boy couldn't move. He stared down at his feet that felt glued to the floor. He looked up, tears now streaming down his little face, and said, "Mister, are you Jesus?"

The boy's words took the man's breath away. So overcome with emotion, the man could barely speak. Finally, he muttered, "No, son, I'm not. But I know Him very well. And this is a gift from Him."

"This is the greatest Thanksgiving ever. Would you tell Jesus thank you for me?"

"Well, let's go for a walk and I'll tell you how you can do that yourself."

Thanksgiving blessings, Lynn

Lynn delights us with her writing on her blog Heading Home. She's the writer of upcoming book "Ready or Not Here I come"

To connect with Lynn:

http://lynnmosher.blogspot.com

http://twitter.com/lynnmosher

http://www.facebook.com/LynnMosher

http://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnhmosher

gplus.to/LynnMosher

And the winners of our two books Giveaway are: Donna B. Snow and Dana Ellington. I will be communicating with you guys today for your price. Congratulations!

Remember it's Cyber Monday and you can give eBooks as gifts through Amazon.com So grab your copy of Growth Lessons, which is still for 99 cents only through the Christmas season, that way you can get a copy for yourself and for those who you know will enjoy it.

Be Blessed!

WF: Thank you and Book Giveaway

After eating a week's worth of food in one sitting, remembering why you don't call your Aunt Molly the rest of the year and standing in the cold outside pushing through the crowd to get a towel for 99 cents, it's time to settled down and refocus. Yes it was fun or stressful but was it really what it was all about?

If you didn't have the opportunity between pies, turkey and the sales, you have another chance today to just stop for five and a half minutes and understand how blessed we are.

Author Kristen Lamb said on her blog on Wednesday about the things she was thankful for and I wanted to share those because it really places things in perspective.

"I am thankful for all the laundry I have to do, because it means I have clothes to wear.

I am thankful for the dishes that need washing, because it means I didn't go hungry.

I am thankful for the big electric bill, because it means my home has lights and heat.

I am thankful for the sheets that need to be changed, because it means I own a bed.

I am thankful for all the reading I have to do, because it means that I am literate.

I am thankful for the car that needs an oil change because it means I don't have to walk miles and miles to get what I need.

I am thankful for that parking space waaaaayyyy out in the back, because it means I don't have to park in a handicapped space. I can walk.

I am thankful for the garage that needs to be cleaned out, because it means I am blessed with plenty.

I am thankful for the chores to be done, because it means I have family who love me enough to travel to see me.

I am thankful for the litter-box that needs cleaning and the dog blankets that need washing because it means I have pets who love me unconditionally.

I am thankful for the split ends I have, because it means I haven't lost all my hair to chemo.

I am thankful for the Christmas cards I need to send, because they could as easily be funeral announcements.

I am thankful for the traffic snarls that catch me, because the body the firemen pulled out of the fatality accident could have been me.

I am thankful for the gutters I need to clean, because it means that I have a home.

I am thankful for all the Christmas shopping I have to do, because it means I am not alone.

I am thankful for my less than perfect thighs. It means I didn't lose my legs in a car accident or to an IED.

I am thankful that I sometimes have doubts and confusion about my future and my purpose when I think of the lives cut short before they ever had a future.

I am thankful for the government I like to gripe about, because I don't fear going to prison or being shot if I disagree with my country's leadership.

I am thankful for my freedom and the amazing men and women who put their lives on the line to protect it."

So sit with me and enjoy this video that also places in perspective the things we need to be grateful for and sometimes take for granted.

May this so called Black Friday shines the light of God in you. As a token of my gratitude to all my readers I'm giving away two copies of my new book Growth Lessons. So if you comment on this page, post this link on your Facebook page or tweet (‎#99centevent #blackfriday Growth Lessons @NatyCMatos http://tinyurl.com/3pzxopg RT & you could win free copy #book #giveaway) I'll put your name in a hat and you can win the copy of the book.

If you tweet more than once, your name will go in as many times as you tweet it! The same with the Facebook postings. The winner will be announced on Monday here at The Rising Muse, so you have all weekend to increase your chances.

Enjoy your family and be safe

God bless you!

Reader's Choice: The Evolution of Thanksgiving

This is our last Reader's Choice post for 2011. I want to start by thanking those who participated in. I will be sending you a little surprise on your e-mails, be on the lookout.

The question and very fitting for the holiday we are celebrating this week is, how did the Thanksgiving festivities evolved from the original festivities to what we do today? We were taught in school that pilgrims and Indians sat together with turkey and pumpkin pies and had a friendly meal together. History says it wasn't quite like that.

So how did it happen?

It is said that the very first harvest feast between Indians and colonist was celebrated in 1621. The colonist arrived in the Mayflower the prior year. Not having the survival skills to whether the winter they stayed in the ship, but many were very sick and malnourished. The Indians (Squanto, a returned slaved who knew English and others) taught them how to cultivate corn, avoid poisonous plants and help them forge an alliance with a local tribe for their survival. So when everything the Indians taught them proved to be true and beneficial the colonist decided to celebrate a three day feast.

And they ate turkey?

Yeah, not quite; the exact menu is unknown. We know there were lobsters,

seals, swans and wild turkeys amongst the meats of choice. Personally I'm upset that we kept up with the turkey and not the lobster, nothing against the turkey, I love it…just a preference.

What it is known is that there were not all those pies that we currently eat. First of all the Native American didn't eat much sugar and the sugar supply from the Mayflower had dwindled down by then, so no dessert.

So how did we get to the point where we are now?

From History.com "In 1817, New York became the first of several states to officially adopt an annual Thanksgiving holiday; each celebrated it on a different day, however, and the American South remained largely unfamiliar with the tradition. In 1827, the noted magazine editor and prolific writer Sarah Josepha Hale—author, among countless other things, of the nursery rhyme "Mary Had a Little Lamb"—launched a campaign to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday. For 36 years, she published numerous editorials and sent scores of letters to governors, senators, presidents and other politicians. Abraham Lincoln finally heeded her request in 1863, at the height of the Civil War, in a proclamation entreating all Americans to ask God to "commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife" and to "heal the wounds of the nation." He scheduled Thanksgiving for the final Thursday in November, and it was celebrated on that day every year until 1939, when Franklin D. Roosevelt moved the holiday up a week in an attempt to spur retail sales during the Great Depression. Roosevelt's plan, known derisively as Franksgiving, was met with passionate opposition, and in 1941 the president reluctantly signed a bill making Thanksgiving the fourth Thursday in November."

The bottom line is that currently we use Thanksgiving as the designated day to gather with family and friends, to remember the things that we are thankful for. It's a good time to do inventory of all our blessings and realize that we have way more than we acknowledge some times.

For me, I'm grateful to be loved by the Creator of the Universe, the Alpha and the Omega, the Lord of Lord, the King of Kings, my beautiful Jesus. I'm grateful for the family He has given me, for my gifts and talents. I thank Him for my friends and for the special people in my life. I am grateful for all my experiences, the good and the bad that have made me who I am. I'm grateful for my readers who have become my friends and source of inspiration. And of course for the four-legged child that's curled up on my feet as I write this post, she's my daily joy and reminder of what unconditional love looks like.

As always I love to hear from you. What things are you grateful for this year? What little and big blessings make your life meaningful?

Be Blessed

Join Naty Matos and 9 of her author friends at Women's Literary Cafe's Christian Book Launch, December 13-15. Ten authors will discount their eBooks to just 99 cents. Buy 3 get 1 FREE!

http://www.womensliterarycafe.com/content/december-2011-book-launches

Emotions and Christianity

I was reading an article on the magazine "In Touch" the other day. They will have to forgive me because I don't remember the specific author or the edition of the magazine that I read. The article was talking about how as believers we tend to have unrealistic expectations of what our emotions should be in determined situations. I think the saddest part about it, is that we permeate this culture of unrealistic expectations when we attempt to provide support to someone in distress.

I'm guilty of telling someone one that they are not trusting God on a situation, because they are exhibiting anxiety or distress and I know I'm wrong for that. I also know that I've accused myself of not being submitted enough to God for experiencing things like: fear, anger, sadness, anxiety.

There's this wrong perception that if you're a believer everything in your life has to be going absolutely perfect. We forget to read that part of the Bible that says, "In this world you will have trouble" (John 16:33). Who can forget the scene where Jesus kicked everyone out of the temple? He was angry. The Word says, "be angry but do not sin"…it doesn't say you're not allowed to be angry.

Where do we even get these ideas that because we believe we're going to be walking in clouds, our children will be perfect, and our relationships will be perfect? Yes, we have deceived ourselves.

The interesting thing that we missed, that was addressed in the article was that we are made as God's image; this means every emotion that we have, he has and made for us. It's what we do with our emotions that could either edify us or destroy us. If we use our emotions and turn them into prayers, instead of complaints, and remember that the test is only the beginning of the testimony; we would see our life with different eyes.

I had a situation this week, where everything that could go wrong, went wrong. At the end of the day, I was tired, frustrated, overwhelmed. I kept praying God's peace. I surrounded myself with my accountability support people. I finally came to the conclusion that this was the test becoming a testimony. The testimony is that every single thing that looked impossible on Monday was resolved without my intervention and in ways that only God could have shown himself. The fact that I cried and was frustrated doesn't mean that I didn't know that God had it in his hand and was going to deal with it. I didn't' doubt it for a minute. I just had a bulk of emotions; I recognized them as such and treated them as such.

Sometimes we lose focus that not only the lost souls struggles, but our fellow believers have struggles too, and how can we be of help when instead of mercy, we hand out judgment.

Be Blessed!

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WF: Let my words be few

Once unconditional love is experienced, we can't just settled for the things of this world. Being accepted, loved, cherished and valued are some of the things that undeservingly Jesus gives us. We woke up this morning, we are breathing, we have access to technology (otherwise you wouldn't be reading this post. Let's be grateful for this day and all that it brings. The good because we get to enjoy it. The not so fun parts because they are lessons to enhance our future.

Bask in his love today, be amazed how much the Creator of the Universe, the Alpha and the Omega, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords….LOVES YOU!

I love you Jesus!

Be blessed.

WF: Worship Friday

Remember to pick your copy of Growth Lessons today in print and e-book!

Join Naty Matos and 9 of her author friends at Women's Literary Cafe's Christian Book Launch, December 13-15. Ten authors will discount their eBooks to just 99 cents. Buy 3 get 1 FREE!

http://www.womensliterarycafe.com/content/december-2011-book-launches

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Guest Post by Author Shawn Lamb: Faith in Writing

We have the honor to be visited by Christian writer Shawn Lamb who will be sharing her perspective on how her faith influences her writing. She also has a new book that you should all check out.

"In several interviews I've been asked if I consider myself an author who is a Christian or a Christian author. My answer is the same – I am a Christian and I cannot compartmentalize my life. Who I am in Christ comes out in everything I do. I make no apology for the Christian influences or message in my stories.

When one is an author, or trying to break into the industry, there is a great deal of pressure to compromise, to make the story palatable to the reader. This can take the form of inclusion or exclusion according to the mandates by the publisher. Such was the case with The Huguenot Sword when I actively shopped it around to publishers.

Over the course of 3 years, the manuscript was bounced between 6 publishing houses. And I mean literally bounced. Four of the publishers were Christian, and when one door shut, the editor of a house recommended me to a fellow editor at another publishing house. Not a very common occurrence in the industry, to recommend a perspective author to a rival publisher, but that is what happened to me. For 18 months Bethany tried to find a way to sign me, but for one reason or another, it fell through. During these submissions, some editors wanted me to exclude historical facts and dumb down my language in description and dialogue. In short, they wanted to turn my well-researched historical fiction into historical light.

In the meantime, 2 of the Big Six in New York tested me with various requests before considering a contract. But they wanted the inclusion of sex and inappropriate material. Colossians 3:23- whatever you do, do heartily as to the Lord and not unto men. For me it was an easy decision to refuse. Yes, I lost a publishing contract, but I could sleep at night with a clear conscious of honoring God.

I learn a lot during this intense period – authors are at the mercy of publishers and often requests go against what the author feels is best for the story. The need for compromise is ever present in the choices we face each day. Where Scripture is clear, the choice should be easy. But in the gray areas, is where we falter. Authors have stories to tell, and must decide whether to honor God in our stories or not. To dumb down the language wasn't a really horrible compromise to make, if I had agreed. But it was not God's timing back then. Now it is.

With the advances in self-publishing and having complete control the content, after 35 years, I'm able to present The Huguenot Sword in its entirety. This is the first book I ever wrote when I was age 16, and by God's grace, now is the time for it to see the light of publication. Enjoy!"

Shawn Lamb is the author of the epic Christian YA fantasy series Allon and once wrote for the animated series BraveStarr, produced by the same studio that did He-Man and She-Ra. She has won several screenwriting awards including a Certificate of Merit from the American Screenwriters Association.

Website: http://www.allonbooks.com

Her books can be found on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Shawn-Lamb/e/B002LPYXF0/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Connect with Shawn Lamb on Facebook:

Join Naty Matos and 9 of her author friends at Women's Literary Cafe's Christian Book Launch, December 13-15. Ten authors will discount their e-books to just 99 cents. Buy 3 get 1 FREE! http://www.womensliterarycafe.com/content/december-2011book-launches

Reader's Choice: God's plan not our plans

This is the second post requested by one of our readers. Growing up everyone asks you what do you want to do when you grow up? Nobody asks you, have you discovered God's purpose in your life? How many times we choose a career path or a living because of it's financial profits, the propensity of power or our personal exposure instead of our gifts, talents and purpose?

The world view of human life is formed from the point of view of achieving status, hoarding possession and being selfish about our own well being. When we discover Christ, we realize that life has nothing to do with that.

So what is the plan? First of all we are not here by coincidence. God created humanity for a purpose. In both Genesis 1:26 and Genesis 2:15 it is said that God created mankind to rule and work the earth. In other words, it's not ours, we are here to take care of it. We were also created to use our gifts and talents for the Glory of God and to disciple the nations of the world.

Individually we also have a plan and a personal purpose. We read in Ephesians 1:11 NIV "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will." We need to seek God and discover what our individual purpose is. In my book Growth Lessons there's a lesson about "Operating in your gifts" that I would recommend if you're searching for your personal purpose.

Life lived with purpose its worth living, otherwise we wander our days unsatisfied. When we live for our own goal, within our own plan and not those that we were created to fulfill, likewise life is unsatisfied.

We first need to discover our individual plan, that in the large scheme of things will be attached to the larger plan. Once we do, we will find purpose, fulfillment and satisfaction. No earthly riches, fame or power can accomplish that.

Remember,"Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is" Ephesians 5:17

"The greatest tragedy in life is not death, but life without reason. It's dangerous to be alive and not know why you were given life."Anonymous

Be blessed

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PS. Remember that we will have Best Seller Author Shawn Lamb this coming Wednesday on The Rising Muse talking about the influence of her faith in her writing and presenting her new book. I know we are all looking forward to her visit.

WF: Shake Heaven

Tonight is the live Album Recording for Shake Heaven at Victory World Church. This is the new hit song by Montell Jordan and Victory World Music. I love this song not only because the rhythm is catchy but because it tells a very real truth, God created music to express love and worship Him. The world has turn the gift of music into obscenities and lust.

So it is time to shake the heavens with music and take it back to where it righteously belongs.

Enjoy!

WF: Worship Friday

 

Remember that Growth Lessons is now available in Print and Kindle versions. The best way to learn to manage the details that keep us connected to God. Grab your copy today!

Reader's Choice: How is God using my writing skills?

I gave yesterday my readers the opportunity of choosing what blog topics they would like and for the next couple of weeks we will have a Reader's Choice post. After I opened the proposal I prayed, God please don't let them ask me anything I have no clue about. No worries, even if that was the case I would do the research and we would both learn together. Isn't that what this walk is all about?

So, the first question was: How is God using my writing skills?

When I started seriously writing two years ago I had a serious case of WIMS (Woe IS Me Syndrome). At the same time, I had no choice but to give into what God wanted me to do because it was pressing so hard in my heart. I'll start by saying what it has done in my life.

Writing has given me a sense of completion. After years of wandering like the Israelites I'm finally in my element. There's no better satisfaction at the end of the day, that no matter how many hours you spend in a project, you are enjoying what you are doing, because you love what you do; and I love what I do. This experience has enriched and deepened my walk and knowledge of the Word of God. The fact that the bible is my source of reference for everything I write helps me learn every day more and more about His Word and His purpose for my life. It has also helped me stay accountable. I truly hear from some of you if I miss a posting.

This writing journey has given me a new community. The only Christian writers that I knew before this were those from whom I had bought their books and probably met two at a book signing. I now belong to an awesome group called Grace and Faith Authors Connection. He has placed in my path a huge writing, supportive community of writers, Christians and Non-Christians that have taught me so much. Just like when I started back my journey with Christ and I felt like a two-year old learning how to walk, eat, speak and dress…My writing journey has felt somewhat like that. Every day I open my eyes and one of these fabulous people has something to sow into my life. Just know that I'm trying to pay it forward and I hope that I'm doing the same for them.

I also learn from my readers. The beauty of writing, especially blogging is that you can have a conversation with others about a specific topic. I appreciate all of your comments, inside the site and outside. You are a blessing to me and my walk.

Part of my WIMS; was the fear of who is going to read this Lord?  I'm humbled by saying that I have followers from all over the country and as far as I know I have a few from United Kingdom and other places. It is great that I get to witness and share the love of Christ with so many people. The Glory is to God!

As for you, this is what I've heard. I get e-mails and messages with testimonials quite often about how something I wrote has touched someone's heart, has inspired their day or was the answer to a prayer they had. The one that sticks out the most in my mind was a devotional I wrote titled "A Spirit of Cinderella", which is now part of my book Growth Lessons. This devotional talked about the fact that sometimes as believers we think so little about ourselves that we feel like we are still living in the dungeon when our Prince Charming has already come to the rescue.

I received a message from this beautiful lady who happened to be a model. She expressed how she was feeling so insecure of herself and how she had been praying to God to lift up her spirits. She ran into my posting and apparently was the answer to her prayers.

I'm totally humbled by this experience, as all I do is show up to the paper and share what God wants me to say or is doing in my life.

As always I love to hear from you. Is there anything from "The Rising Muse" that has touched your heart in a special way? If you're shy and want to share in private I still want to hear from you, you can send me an e-mail at therisingmuse@gmail.com

To obtain a copy of Growth Lessons, which also talks about the things that God has been placing in my heart and my new living lessons, click on the picture to get your Kindle edition. The rest of November will be Reader's Choice Month, so if you have something specific you want me to talk about, go to my Facebook page and let me know about it.
In Christ

Naty

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