Tag: christianity

Topic for Discussion: How do Christian Parents Deal with Sexually Active Teens?

On By Naty MatosIn Writing Happenings15 Comments

I started thinking the other day about this and figure it could be a great topic for a healthy conversation. As always I clarify that I’m only a mother to a four legged child and that she was fixed very early in her life, so I personally have not and probably will not have to deal with this issue.

Working with teenagers at the church and watching some of the things they post on social media it makes me wonder how are Christian parents approaching the issue of their children being sexual active. As a general consensus amongst believers is that sex is supposed to happen within the boundaries of marriage. Let’s part from the premise that as parents you have favor the position that abstinence is the favorable choice for spiritual, emotional and health reasons.

Here’s the question: What would you do if even after you have advocated for abstinence, you find out that your child is sexually active?

I really would like to hear from you on this subject. I think parents and anyone working with teenagers could benefit from this discussion.

As a token of my appreciation, all those who comment will have their names The Road Home Cover (1)placed in a hat for the chance to win a kindle copy of my new book The Road Home.  On the subject, you can find out how Desiree managed the discovery of her teenage daughter being sexually active?

The winner will be announced on July 27th here at therisingmuse.com Looking forward to hear your comments and for those who have read the book already feel free to express how you felt Desiree handled the situation.

Fear of what’s coming

On By Naty MatosIn Inspirational ThoughtsLeave a comment

I remember when I was a child and I had done something or I thought I had done something, the hours waiting for my mother’s reaction to my behavior or actions was total agony. Even now as an adult, expectation is not one of my favorite experiences. Can you imagine how Jesus felt that night before knowing exactly what he was about to go through?

Let’s see what the scripture says: Luke 22:41-44 ”He pulled away from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, “Father, remove this cup from me. But please, not what I want. What do you want?” At once an angel from heaven was at his side, strengthening him. He prayed on all the harder. Sweat, wrung from him like drops of blood, poured off his face”

Hematidrosis (also called hematohidrosis) is a very rare condition in which a human being sweats blood. It may occur when a person is suffering extreme levels of stress, for example, facing his or her own death.

Think about how stressed out Jesus was to get to the point of sweating blood. The worse stressful day of your life can’t compare to it, how do I know? Did you sweat blood? The knowledge that you are going to die and in the way you’re going to die, the pain that you’re going to endure and for people who are not grateful for it and then he still loved us so much he went through with it.

There are no words for how amazing this is…If Jesus was able to endure all this pain for us, He will get you through anything you may be afraid of. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”Proverbs 3:5-6

Give yourself the opportunity of reading this powerful story of forgiveness, faith, friendship and redemption. It will change your life. The Road Home, available to you in Kindle and NookThe Road Home Cover (1)

WF: Light up the sky

On By Naty MatosIn WorshipLeave a comment

Sometimes in life, even when we know that He is always with us, we feel alone or distressed in the journey of life. Stopping our race and looking around can give us the answer we desperately seek.

We look at the skies, we look at our children, our pets, and our plants and we can tell that undeniably someone is in control of our lives. We as believers know who that is and that’s the hope we need when we feel alone. When we feel like things are overwhelming us, that’s what we need to remember; that God lights the sky for us and that he’s always in control. That things always work for our good as we believe in our higher power Jesus Christ.

Happy Friday!

WF: Worship Friday

Seeking for a moving story of faith, friendship and redemption. Get your copy of my new book, The Road Home, which is getting great reviews and has readers at the edge of their seats. Kindle or Nook

The Road Home Cover (1)

WF: In Christ Alone

On By Naty MatosIn Worship4 Comments

This has been a challenging week. I can say that this song represents everything that I feel and that has been true for me. In Christ alone I find the strength to move on regardless of the obstacles in life because I know Christ alone can help me. In Christ alone I find peace, because he’s the only one that can give peace in a way that the world can’t give it. In Christ alone I find joy, because the joy of the Lord is my strength and I can testify to the truth of that.

Join in me in praising God and acknowledging that Christ alone can be everything to us. Happy Friday!

WF: Worship Friday

Looking for a weekend read, pick up your copy of The Road Home available on Kindle and Nook TheRoadHomeFinal (2)

Perseverance

On By Naty MatosIn Inspirational Thoughts5 Comments

I heard the word persevere yesterday and it really stuck to my spirit. As a believer it is very easy to stick to God’s plan when things are flowing and going well. When things are not working and not moving in a positive direction we want a way out. We want to try something different and if we’re not careful we may stray for the right path.

I’ve been working out for a month (yes, miracles do happen!) and have seen great results, but the last week there have been no changes on the scale. I’m frustrated about it to say the least. I’m looking at other areas in my life where my expectations had placed things moving in a certain way; after all I’m doing all the right things and have submitted them to God.  Now God has brought up this word of perseverance.

My friend Webster, whom I had not talked to in a while, defines perseverance as a steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. Did you read that?  It says in spite difficulties, obstacles or discouragement. C’mon, sigh with me!

So then I went to the Word of God and I found a promise. Revelation 3:10 says, “Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world.” Wow, perseverance is actually a command and we will be protected during our test for being obedient. To me this means that the test is precisely the difficulties, the obstacles and the discouragement.

What are you struggling with today? What has you discouraged? If you don’t mind, share it with us so that we can pray together. If you want to share in private, do so at my email: therisingmuse@gmail.com

Hold on to the promise; good things are to come.

Be blessed.

Don’t forget to get your copy of my new book “The Road Home” available on Kindle and Nook. If you want an e-autograph, just place your request on kindlegraph.com

How to do right

On By Naty MatosIn Inspirational ThoughtsLeave a comment

Doing the right thing should be a lifestyle just for the pleasure of pleasing God and to live the way we’re supposed to. When we do the right thing just to get accolades the Word says that we have already received our prize.

When we live a life focused on eternity, we should not focus on what others think or in advertising our good deeds. We should do what’s right out of love and obedience to our Heavenly Father, that’s when doing the right thing feels great. It will be God who will bring up to the light all your good deeds.

What good thing will you choose to do today?

John 3:21 (NLT)

But those who do what is right come to the light gladly,

so everyone can see that they are doing what God wants.”

TheRoadHomeFinal (1)Remember to pick up your copy of The Road Home on Kindle and Nook. The must read new novel already reviewed at 4.5 stars. Compared to “The Notebook” and categorized as a powerful story.

Until next time,

Be blessed.

Let Hope Rise

On By Naty MatosIn Inspirational Thoughts1 Comment

There are some days that are harder than others. When life decides to throw us a curve we tend to think or worry about how we’re going to go on. The reality is that God is always working behind the scenes, paving the way for our benefit.

If we don’t lose hope and trust God and His love for us, we will know that no matter what’s going on, something good will come out of it in the end for us. I firmly believe that when a bad day happens, that the sun will shine in the morning and I always hope that I have the chance to see my challenges as an opportunity instead of seeing things as struggles.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

So we’re not giving up. How could we!

Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us,

on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace.

These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times,

the lavish celebration prepared for us.

There’s far more here than meets the eye.

The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow.

But the things we can’t see now will last forever.

Blessings!

It’s a new day!

On By Naty MatosIn Inspirational Thoughts3 Comments

I was reading the scripture below and it reminded me that we should never take for granted that the best thing God made was one day after another. The pain of yesterday can be the strength of today and the blessings of tomorrow.

It is good to remember that his mercies are brand new everyday. That His love is endless. On those days where you think you can’t go on anymore, know that you are still loved and cared for. Know that there’s hope and to never give up. Life goes on aside from our personal tragedies and usually we come out stronger, wiser, and with a brighter future.

Let’s start this week with an attitude of praise. We are alive, we are healthy, we are loved and we are cared for (sometimes we need more than one reminder). Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is not here; live today intentionally.

  • If life took you down yesterday you have the choice of standing up today. This is a new day. This day is a new present with new mercies that God has provided for you.
  • If you were hurt yesterday, it’s time to forgive and forget and not bring into today the pain for the past forgoing the enjoyment of today’s blessings.  Do not forget that forgiveness frees your soul.
  • If you made a mistake yesterday. Forgive yourself, ask God for forgiveness, learn from your mistake, and move on. It’s a new day where you have a brand new opportunity to do a new thing with your life. Embrace it!

Lamentations 3:22-33

(The Message)

God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out,
his merciful love couldn’t have dried up.
They’re created new every morning.
How great your faithfulness!
I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over).
He’s all I’ve got left.

God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits,
to the woman who diligently seeks.
It’s a good thing to quietly hope,
quietly hope for help from God.
It’s a good thing when you’re young
to stick it out through the hard times.

When life is heavy and hard to take,
go off by yourself. Enter the silence.
Bow in prayer. Don’t ask questions:
Wait for hope to appear.
Don’t run from trouble. Take it full-face.
The “worst” is never the worst.

Why? Because the Master won’t ever
walk out and fail to return.
If he works severely, he also works tenderly.
His stockpiles of loyal love are immense.
He takes no pleasure in making life hard,
in throwing roadblocks in the way


Be blessed!

WF: East to West

On By Naty MatosIn WorshipLeave a comment

As Christian we have the crazy notion that we have to be perfect. We have the tendency to show very little grace with ourselves when we make a mistake.

When we fall instead of quickly repenting and quickly returning to the path of righteousness we dwell in our mistake thinking that God can’t forgive “this” one…or “this again”. Like this song says, How many times have you felt like you are just one mistake away from God giving up on you.

We are not perfect beloved, but it is perfect He who we love and serve. He who created us know that we are not perfect and has new mercies for us every new day. He will always welcome you with open arms

Happy Friday!

WF: Worship Friday

WF: You are God alone

On By Naty MatosIn WorshipLeave a comment

In our humanity we tend to forget that we have a God that although we are created to His image, He is not like us. He can be omnipresent, all powerful. He chooses to be loving, forgiving and merciful.

Our evil hearts should be very grateful that he doesn’t think and forgive like we do because we would be the first ones in trouble. Let’s Praise He who created it all and who loves us in spite of us.

WF: Worship Friday