Naty Matos's Blog, page 56

It's beginning to smell like Nano

I can't believe November is around the corner. It's finally not a hundred and five degrees. I was able to sit outside without the fear of melting. The stores ahead of the game as always have already all the Christmas things out, but the best thing is that it's Nanowrimo time!

For those who don't know what Nanowrimo is, it's the National Novel Writing Month. It's where thousands of writers abandon themselves into the crazy challenge of writing a novel of 50,000 words or more in just the month of November. This will be my third year doing Nano, but different that my prior years, I have no clue of what I will be writing about.

Us Wrimos (Nano writers) are doing all sorts of preparations at this time. This is our Super bowl, our All Star Game, the moment we wait for all year long. Wrimos are starting to pre-cook meals for their starving families, taking pictures of themselves as that's all their families are going to see, blocking their calendars from other social events other than our write-ins (meetings of wrimos to write in public places)and buying extra underwear as there will be no time for laundry during the month of November. We will only stop for two hours on Thanksgiving because we need to be thankful to God for our lives, our muse and the turkey and then back to writing.

Do I have many wrimos out there? Do you have a plan set in place? I would love to hear from you. [image error]

Let every word count.

Related articles

It's Almost Time For NaNoWriMo! (quirkygurl.com)


[image error] [image error]

WF: Born Again

We hadn't had one of these in a while. Worship is the easiest way to God. So if you're struggling or even if you're happy, just rejoice today in the Lord and join me in worshipping He who deserves all praise and glory.

What a joy to be born again!

WF: Worship Friday

Related articles

WF: Listening to the right voice (therisingmuse.com)
WF: Bouncing back (therisingmuse.com)


[image error]

The abuse that nobody sees

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This is a cause very dear to my heart and once again I want to collaborate by bringing awareness to this illness in our society.

When most people think about domestic abuse they think of broken bones, black eyes and dishevel appearance. Usually the abuse is thought of as from a man to a woman. Although this stereotype is true, there's a silent, sometimes subtle kind of abuse that goes on in many households undetected, that's emotional abuse.

Emotional abuse is usually defined by instances where one spouse or partner belittlers, yells, name calls and is offensive towards the other spouse or partner. Some victims believe they are not being abused because they engage in the cycle by responding to the attacks.  I found this interesting article on emotional abuse that if you think you are in an abusive relationship you should read. It gives you the right questions to ask yourself to determine if you are in an emotional abusive relationship.

I've talked to Christian women in domestic violence situations that do not believe they are in an abusive relationship because there are no bruises on their bodies. They also quote scriptures about the wife being the role model to Christ for their husband. Yes, that can happen, if the man wants to be lead by Christ and not his emotions. When a man becomes abusive, he has become his own god, why would he need the real ONE?

I have been presented with this scripture in 1 Corinthians 7:12-16 ESV  "To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, (this particular portion makes a lot of women in abusive relations justify their acceptance to abusive situations, but like my pastor would say keep reading) and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? (Yes, as Christians we are to model Christ not only to our spouses but to everyone, but we are not the saviors, Jesus is. Only the spouses willingness to accept Christ and his lordship will save and change him) how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? "

God has a particular plan for your life, as stated in Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. See those plans are specific for YOU and they are not to harm you. If God Almighty doesn't want to harm you, do you think he wants you to be harm by your spouse? Read in the above scripture where it says, "God has called you to peace" Is that relationship bringing you peace?

I'm not advocating for any particular decision or solution, what to do is something you should decide with God in prayer. All I'm saying is that we need to look deeper into the Word and will of God for our lives. Slavery doesn't come from God. There are options to stop the abuse. You need to recognize your value as a child of God, to know that you are loved, precious and accepted. That tolerating abuse is not the answer as it tells the abuser that is ok.

Please be safe

Related articles

Emotional Abuse Test (mademan.com)


[image error]

Courageous: The Movie

This past weekend I went to see the movie "Courageous" and I can't say enough about it. It was a shame that there was not a lot of people at the theater because if there's a must see movie, this is the one. I have not seen a movie, Christian or not, that has actually evoked so much emotion in me in a long time.

This movie has it all: comedy, drama, action and a powerful message to share. I'll try not to spoil the movie as I would love for everyone who comes across this post to go see it. The central theme of the movie is men and their calling from God, but at the same time it's so much more. It deals with the issue of fatherless and its results. It talks about accountability, integrity, honor and commitment.

Every man should see this movie to understand and have a visual aid of what a real father and a man of God is called to do. Every woman should see this movie, to see how her role as a supporter of her household is unveiled. It shows the women in the complementary role as a wife and mother. These were not weak women, but strong and determined as well.

I make a special call to all my single women and teenage girls, go see this movie and see what a real man should look like. I know the Word of God is very clear in our roles within the family and society, but at the same time some of us are slower in understanding and this feature can have a powerful visual aid of what things should look like. And no, these people didn't walk on water in the movie. They were real people, with real traumas, real issues, real sins and real dilemmas; the same way you and I have them.

On a final note, take a box of tissues with you; you're going to need it.  There were only three rows with people at the theater, our row, two couples behind us and the row next was full. I say that to say, even you men take your hankies with you. I heard sniffling behind me through the whole movie and when it was over I realized that third row was nothing but men and that's where the sniffling was coming from. It's a great, great powerful movie.

If you have seen Courageous,come share your thoughts with us. If you haven't…what's wrong with you? Go see it this week and come back and tell us what you thought about it!

 Until then, be blessed.

Here's the Trailer:

Related articles:

Courageous! (familyofgrahams.wordpress.com)
COURAGEOUS – Tickets Available NOW (believersbattlecry.com)


[image error] [image error] [image error]

Do you want a peek at Growth Lessons?

Growth Lessons is my upcoming book. It will be released in the next month. Do you want a quick peak at it? Here it is!

https://www.createspace.com/Preview/1088962

The icon at the top is a draft of the cover, the final one will be much better, I just used that one for the preview. Tell me what you think about it.

Happy and Blessed Friday

[image error] [image error] [image error]

Blessings customs under the microscope

Achoo!…God Bless you! This is the first knee jerk response for most people when they hear someone sneeze. Gesundheit is another word used, which is a German word that according to my friend Webster means "to wish good health"

According to my research this practice stems from a bubonic plague in Rome around AD590. Pope Gregory I, ordered unending prayer throughout the streets and since sneezing was a common symptom of the plague, people would "bless" anyone sneezing as a chant of prayer against the disease.

In looking this up I found very interesting feedback. There are some people who are actually offended by someone saying "God Bless you" to their sneeze, even some believers who commented on an article that I read that thought that the practice was superstitious. In California, a teacher even scolded a student for "blessing" another one who sneezed. Wow!

The other blessing cliché that I've encounter is asking elders for blessings. Culturally, as a Hispanic, I'm accustomed to be blessed by my mother or any other family authority figure (aunts, uncles, grandparents). It is taught to the children to ask for their parents blessing when gathering or departing their presence. Even as grown ups most of us still ask for our elders blessing when interacting with them.  It's a sign of respect, endearment and fellowship.

Blessing others is not far from biblical principles either. In the Old Testament we see various characters even fight for their parent's blessing, which meant their wealth and prosperity in many cases. Read about Jacob and Esau and you will see how much a father's blessing meant.

Personally I don't mind being blessed; I sure can use all the ones I can get a hold of. So regardless of the setting, although it may be cliché, manners, and customs or in a deeper meaning, I don't think that wishing someone blessings or placing blessings upon others; even strangers could be a negative thing.

So from my heart to yours…God Bless you today!

Related articles

As Long As You're in My Classroom, You'll Abide By My Rules: No Blessing Anyone! (interesting12.wordpress.com)
California Teacher Docks Points if Students Say "Bless You" (homeschoolinghelicoptermama.wordpress.com)


[image error] [image error] [image error]

Helping others in the midst of our troubles

In conversations with fellow believers I've heard way too often" I'm too messed up to help others with their mess". I admit that I used to belong to this school of thought up to very recent. Ironically the other common denominator was the passionate desire of these women to serve God and others.

The enemy has done a good job pointing out each one of our mistakes to paralyze us from our destiny. We have the tendency to feel unworthy and inadequate to help others because of our life is upside down. Then we come up with the incorrect believe that as we become "perfect" or as close to it, we can then demonstrate the things that God has done in our lives and then be able to be an example. Who hired us for the God job?  God doesn't need us to ensure his image. He is who he is and he does what he does.

Our journey lasts a lifetime and the reality is that "THE DAY" of perfection is not scheduled on earth, but in heaven. So what do we do with that?

 Be real -Let's be honest with ourselves. Why are we trying to become holier that thou to feel worthy to assist others in pain. When we accepted Christ and started our recovery journey; who were those who we would be more inclined to listen to. Those who has situations or had been in situations similar to ours; who were strongly trusting God to see them through. We don't do well with those who we don't relate to.


 Share – Yes, if you have overcome some of your issues you can witness to those still in the struggle. My point is that not having arrived is not a requirement to extend to someone who is just starting the journey, of course maintaining awareness of providing support without affecting our own recovery. As it says in Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.


 Acknowledge God- Let's say you've only been working on your issues for six months. It would be unreal (if you're really honestly working in your issues) that you have not done any progress. Everything you have attempted, either if it has been successful or it has failed; its part of your walk and God has placed those blessings or obstacles to promote your growth.

 You may be surprise how much sharing even your failures can enlighten someone else. Remember that  those small or big step God has used to guide you through your healing. 1 Peter 4:10 says ,"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms"  The scripture says we should serve others with our God-given gifts not with our perfection skills.

Food for thought

[image error]

[image error] [image error]