Blog Archives
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)
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. So to every woman who has mothered someone from her heart. Happy Mother’s Day!
“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)
Amelia’s Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
Here’s a challenge to all my readers. In my new novella, Season’s Greetings from Amelia, she uses cranberry oatmeal cookies for one of her interventions in Daisy’s life. Can you tell me what Amelia uses cranberry oatmeal cookies for? The first
two people who comment with the right answer will get an e-copy of my devotional “Growth Lessons” for free (2.99 value).
It’s like buying one get one free, however my new novella it’s only 0.99 for the month of December. So get your copy now, answer the question and get your other book of a higher value for free.
Now, we can’t talk about cookies if we can’t make some, right?
Here’s an awesome recipe I found at Allrecipes.com I hope you enjoy them.
Don’t forget to get your copy of Season’s Greetings from Amelia on for just 0.99 cents on Kindle,Smashwords and Nook only during the month of December.
Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
Submitted By: Sarah Parker Photo By: Tricia
Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cook Time: 10 Minutes
Ready In: 25 Minutes Servings: 24
“A crispy chewy cookie my mom used to make when I lived in Oregon. Dried
cranberries are also divine in this.”
INGREDIENTS:
10 tablespoons butter
2/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 pinch salt
1 2/3 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup rolled oats
2 cups chopped cranberries
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
DIRECTIONS:
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Blend butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well. In a separate bowl sift flour, baking soda, and salt together. Stir into butter mixture. Stir in the oats. Fold in nuts and cranberries. Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough onto ungreased cookie sheets, spaced at least 2 inches apart. These cookies spread.
3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges are crisp and the centers appear dry. Cool on wire racks and enjoy.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2012 Allrecipes.com
Printed from Allrecipes.com 12/8/2012
How God Speaks…
When I think about the mysterious ways in which God talks to us, it still amazes me. We live in a world moved by drama and scandal, yet we serve a God that is the total opposite. We expect for God to give us billboard signals on what to do or what to say, but it’s in the silence that he will manifest his words.
He utilizes the most random unexpected things to allows us to feel his presence. A song, a flower, a conversation with a friend, or even the correction of a stranger will be utilized by God to get through to us. He knows we can’t handle the large scheme of things.
Think about it, if God was as loud as our entertainment or all the advertisements wouldn’t his message be lost in the noise. Have you ever been watching television and someone talks to you, you respond but you were not completely sure of what they said in the first place. That’s what would happen to us if God was trying to compete with all the noise in our life. Instead he always brings us to a place of peace, rest, and quietness to hear his voice.
He knows that we are stubborn and that sometimes we either don’t understand his message or simply do not want to comply. That’s why his revelation to us it’s a process. Salvation is a decision, conversion is a journey.
I read in Isaiah 28:12-14 the following scripture “God will speak to this people In baby talk, one syllable at a time— and he’ll do it through foreign oppressors. He said before, “This is the time and place to rest, to give rest to the weary. This is the place to lay down your burden.” But they won’t listen.
So God will start over with the simple basics and address them in baby talk, one syllable at a time— “Da, da, da, da, blah, blah, blah, blah. That’s a good little girl, that’s a good little boy.” And like toddlers, they will get up and fall down, get bruised and confused and lost.”
It reminded me when I was finally born again, where I felt lost. I didn’t know what to eat, what to wear, how to speak, how to feel. Reading the bible was vital, but it was not and it is not like reading the manual of how to play a video game. The Word of God is food for the spirit that should be consume daily and constantly because our lives are not a toy, but a purposeful journey.
I’m so happy that God had the patience, and that he still does to speak to me in baby talk, in a way that I can understand his purpose for my life, his instructions and corrections. I’m also glad that when I still stumble and fall, he cleans my face and tries again.
Check out my new release ”Season’s Greetings from Amelia” This great novella brings mystery, suspense and the best stocking stuffer for your favorite e-reader. You can get your copy for just 0.99 cents on Kindle,Smashwords and Nook only during the month of December.
Daisy has the perfect life, beautiful children and a wonderful husband. And Christmas is right around the corner. Tis the season to be jolly… Or is it
Daisy’s life is flipped upside down by strange letters that are sent to her by her best friend, Amelia. And as her life continues to quickly spiral out of control, she realizes that something BIG is about to happen. Can she put aside her confusion, hurt, and anger in order to solve a mystery that may have a horrific ending????
Can Daisy’s life ever return to normal regardless to whether she does or doesn’t?
Related articles
- Seasons Greetings from Amelia (therisingmuse.com)
- WF: Me Without You (therisingmuse.com)
Seasons Greetings from Amelia
The Rising Muse has the pleasure to announce
Naty Matos’
new novella
Daisy has the perfect life, beautiful children and a wonderful husband. And Christmas is right around the corner. Tis the season to be jolly… Or is it.
Daisy’s life is flipped upside down by strange letters that are sent to her by her best friend, Amelia. And as her life continues to quickly spiral out of control, she realizes that something BIG is about to happen. Can she put aside her confusion, hurt, and anger in order to solve a mystery that may have a horrific ending????
Can Daisy’s life ever return to normal regardless to whether she does or doesn’t?
This great novella brings mystery, suspense and the best stocking stuffer for your favorite e-reader. You can get your copy for just 0.99 cents on Kindle, Smashwords and Nook only during the month of December.
Enjoy this fun read!
WF: Me Without You
I have to start by saying I love the music of Toby Mac. His songs have spunk and at the same time are so deep.
November was quite a challenging month for me. I was trying to do way too many things at once. I was determined to participate on NaNoWriMo. I was determined to finish my new book, “Season’s Greetings from Amelia”. I was also determined to go to the gym four times a week, all after 8 hours of work, a semi part time job and ministry responsibilities.
One morning, stressed out ( I wonder why?) I was driving and this song came on the radio. Where would I be without you God? Trying to do what I can’t do. Trying to build my kingdom instead of yours. So I stopped, I remember that it was a Saturday afternoon and I chose to do nothing the next day. I had already gone to church service Saturday night and I was having me a date with Jesus.
I didn’t work out, I didn’t write, I didn’t clean that Sunday. All I did was focus on what God needed to tell me. I needed to know what he wanted me to do. I focused on my novella and was able to finish it. The workout thing, I’m not saying that God told me not to do it, let’s say I just skipped it, but I did go for a few walks. I focused on my worship time and in reading more of the Word of God.
Guess what? I was able to do it all, (well except going to the gym, but I still know that was me) The novella launches tomorrow and if I’m diligent I will finish my 50k words before midnight tonight.
Oh God, where would I be without you?
So join me in worshiping the Lord and enjoy my new novella “Season’s Greetings for Amelia” for just 0.99 cents.
Happy Friday!
Daisy has the perfect life, beautiful children and a wonderful husband. And Christmas is right around the corner. Tis the season to be jolly… Or is it?
Daisy’s life is flipped upside down by strange letters that are sent to her by her best friend, Amelia. And as her life continues to quickly spiral out of control, she realizes that something BIG is about to happen. Can she put aside her confusion, hurt, and anger in order to solve a mystery that may have a horrific ending????
Can Daisy’s life ever return to normal regardless to whether she does or doesn’t?
