WF: Let my words be few

On By Naty MatosIn WorshipLeave a comment

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

On By Naty MatosIn Writing HappeningsLeave a comment

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: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000208991898&ref=name

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

On By Naty MatosIn Inspirational Thoughts2 Comments

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

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

On By Naty MatosIn WorshipLeave a comment

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?

On By Naty MatosIn Inspirational ThoughtsLeave a comment

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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Testing the waters

On By Naty MatosIn Writing Happenings5 Comments

One of my struggles throughout the year is finding time to write. I have a regular full-time job. I have a lot of ministry responsibilities. I have an elder mother who somewhat depends on me. So when I’m home,sometimes the cleaning, the finally having a chance to sleep or finally having a moment to have dinner with a friend cuts those moments short. I still manage to do it, but some days are more challenging than others.

I think my biggest challenge is that I’m a night person and have the ability to be up and ready early for my regular job I had to be in bed by a certain time. I’m not complaining at all. I’m very grateful for the job that I have, I’m just stating a fact.

This past week I had the opportunity to see what my life as a full-time writer would look like for the first time. In the past when I took a vacation, it was to do a specific errand or travel. This time I took my vacation time to write. As you all know I’m participating in NaNoWrimo and today starts the second day week of the challenge.

I was concerned that I could not be disciplined enough to be home, do what I needed to do and keep up with my writing. I’m proud to say that I proved myself wrong. Since I’m a night person, I woke up early, not by choice but my dog can’t walk herself. I prepared a full breakfast. I have not had one of those in years. I did loads of laundry, worked on my platform for a few hours in social media, read some of my educational blogs, finished the questions for an upcoming interview, by then it was lunch time. I took a quick nap (30 minutes) because I had gone to bed at 3am.  Got up, took a shower and went to my first hosted write-in where I cranked an additional 2k words. As of now I’ve written a total of 30,000 words and it’s just been a week. I know that this is a first draft that requires a lot of revision, but I actually enjoyed the pace of life I had during that week, and I honestly worked harder than my usual weeks.

This gives me hope, that yes, in God’s will and in due time, I can be discipline enough to make my gift, my full-time job and lifestyle.

Wrimos, lets keep on writing!!!

Be blessed.

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WF: Running in Circles

On By Naty MatosIn Worship1 Comment

I’ve been wanting to share this song with you for the longest time. I just didn’t know the name of it, to find it. Every time I hear this song I can’t but feel a great communion with the Lord and an upmost sense of peace, because like the song says, “you’re the only one who gives me peace”.

No matter what we are going through, we can take five minutes to be revived by the peace that only the Prince of Peace can give.

WF: Worship Friday

book2

Please remember that if you’re in need of guidance and inspiration , get a copy of my book “Growth Lessons”  This opportunity ends tonight. Grab this wisdom pearl for just 0.99 cents…just for today using promo code NF98U

Be Blessed!

 
 
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Did Jesus talk about Grace?

On By Naty MatosIn Inspirational Thoughts1 Comment

There was a recently heated discussion on twitter about Grace. The points of contention where the following:

  • One side argued that Grace was the invention of born again Christians, but that Jesus never spoke of Grace, therefore there was nothing to it.
  • The other side argued that although Jesus per se didn’t mention the word Grace, his action and other statements implied the concept of Grace.

I think we need to start by defining what is Grace to have a frame of reference. I looked in dictionary.com and it defines Grace as mercy, clemency and pardon. It also says that it’s a manifestation of favor especially by a superior.

Starting from this frame of mine, I think that both schools of thought would agree that we consider Jesus Christ our Superior and Higher Power. I found in John 1:14-17 the following scripture “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying,

“This is he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

Now if I’m understanding this correctly Jesus is the Word who became flesh. The scripture says he was full of grace and truth. It also says that the law was given to Moses, meaning all those rules about the things we needed to do to be able to obtain favor in the eyes of God, but that grace (meaning clemency and undeserving pardon) came through Jesus Christ.

Jesus actually said that he didn’t “ come to abolish the Law or the Prophets;but to fulfill them. Truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven” (John 5:17-20)

So does that mean that the other parts of the bible are just as important as his literal words? I think so. Does he call us out of legalism when he says that we should do more than the Pharisees and teachers of the law? I think so too.

As someone who has sinned and have been recipient of the Grace of God, I’m very glad that it does exist. No, Grace is not a license to sin and relay in the Grace of God, which I think is the misconception that those who feel that Grace is not real believe is the interpretation of born again Christians. But I didn’t deserve forgiveness for the sins I committed and break the laws established by God and I have to be thankful to Jesus for redemption and Grace and giving me a new opportunity to start again.

Don’t forget to check out my new Devotional Growth Lessons, and obtain a 10% discount with the coupon code PN34W.

Be blessed.

NaNoWriMo has arrived!

On By Naty MatosIn Writing Happenings6 Comments

…and we shall surrender to the fire that runs through our veins. We shall abandon it all for the upmost desire, the one that will allow the adrenaline to run, the words to entangle and the body to stop breathing…

Oops! I had not seen you there! I’m just getting ready for tomorrow…well tonight. NaNoWriMo starts right at 12:00am and I’ll be ready. I did my last trip to the store to stock on goodies for the month.

By now, some of you have gone to your kick off parties and have received tons of tips and advise from experienced Wrimos, but just in case let me do for you a virtual Nano Prep-Kit:

Icy Hot is your friend- I discovered that during my second Nano. When you are going to many write-ins and having many word wars your wrist become unhappy, but you need to continue writing to get through that word count. It works like magic…it does smell, but it’ll wake you up to make you write some more.

Fill your pantry with hot pockets and ramen noodles- it’s not because of budget reasons. You don’t have too much cooking time. Save your grocery money for your write-ins and take that opportunity for a good meal, but unless you have someone else cooking at home… you need to do something quick. You have writing to do! Remember to buy frozen meals for your family if you’re the one in charge of meals…it’s against the law to cook in November for Wrimos…I tried to warn you!

Coffee– This is vital, you don’t need sleep. You can sleep in December. November is for writing. We will allow you a quick nap here and there so you don’t hallucinate…although that may help your story.

The rules for Thanksgiving– I use to host Thanksgiving every year at my home. Nano broke me out of that bad habit really quick. Now I allow others the opportunity to cook for three days and have their houses to clean afterwards and I offer to bring dessert; which will be carefully made by a local supermarket. Lessons to be learned.

Treats- buy your favorite treats and reward yourself after different milestones in your word count. Also buy your kids, dog, cat or all of the above new toys and treats so that they have something to do while you’re writing.

SAVE YOUR WORK!-Omg! You have no idea how many times we have lost thousands of words, full pages and some have lost their whole work because someone accidentally clicked on the wrong button, the cat decided to crawl over the keyboard, the baby thought the keys looked appealing, the computer decided to die…the thought alone gives me a panic attack. But do not fret. The other thing I’ve learned is about dropbox.com It’s a free storage place for your documents and pictures. You can access it from any computer as long as you have internet access. You can even access it from your Ipad and IPhone. So if the computer dies your novel doesn’t go to the grave with it…but not even dropbox can save the novel for you. Do not trust auto save…every 15 minutes or so hit the save button, it takes 1 second and it will save you from a heart attack or pulling your hairs out.

I finally want to say that I’m very excited as this year I’ll be hosting some 111030-161919write-ins for NaNoWriMo. YAY! Look in the nanowrimo.org site and go to the forums to find out when there will be a write-in close to you. It’s a great experience. For those Pandas in the Atlanta Area that will be going to the write-ins hosted by ‘therisingmuse” look out for these two cute faces.

Happy Noveling!

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New Release for Melissa Foster: Come Back to Me

On By Naty MatosIn Book Review2 Comments

I had the honor of reading the book Come Back to Me before it’s official release. This is another great book from author Melissa Foster. It narrates a love-tragedy story of a couple separated by the war in Iraq.  The story is very intriguing and filled with suspense. It really draws you inside and you feel like you’re finally a fly on the wall inside the scenes of this book.

The book does have some language. I have to admit that around the second quarter of the book it got a little slow. If it happens to you, push through it…it’s so worth it! After that very small snag the story not only picks up, but get’s to be absolutely great and it will keep you at the edge of your seat. I know I found myself talking back at the computer screen, like I was trying to talk to the characters. (Yes, I’ve upgraded from reading on my phone…LOL)

This book talks about the strength of love, resiliency and the mistakes we can make when we run life on assumptions. “Come Back to Me” will be available on Amazon as of November 1rst. If you thought Megan’s Way was a must read, you should really pick up this one.

We asked Melissa some questions about this book and this is what she had to say:

Melissa what inspired you to write this book?

My husband was preparing to be deployed to Iraq when this idea came to me. When a loved one is sent into a war zone, all sorts of things go through your head, and of course one of those things is wondering what would happen if he never came back. I took that idea a step further, because I like to spin things into happy little yarns, and let the twists and turns come around after his return.

How did hard was for you to place yourself inside a culture different to yours?

That part of writing was really thrilling for me. It was very difficult, but I truly enjoyed it. Suha is one of my favorite characters, probably one of my favorite that I’ve written to date. Her personality is so different than mine, and her background, of course, is completely different, providing a challenging project. As for the culture, much of my research was done while my husband was in Iraq. I would provide him with questions and he would obtain answers from the Iraqi people who were on his base and from other Americans who had been stationed there longer and had lengthy exposure to the culture.

What’s next for Melissa Foster?

I’m very excited to be writing my next suspense book, THIRTY SIX HOURS. Here’s a sneak peak.

Kara Knight has just thirty six hours to find her way out of her obsessive captor’s delusional world. Mistaken for Roland Greer’s long-lost fraternal twin, Kara struggles to make sense in the darkness that envelopes her, and plan her escape, as the hours tick away and Roland Greer plays out his plan. In thirty six hours, at the exact moment of their birth, he will take them both into death–never to be separated again.

THIRTY SIX HOURS is a psychological thriller that will make you question your every memory.

Talking about new books, remember to check out my new devotional Growth Lessons, and obtain a 10% discount with the coupon code PN34W.

Blessings

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