Competing Faith

On April 1, 2013March 24, 2013 By Naty MatosIn Articles, Inspirational ThoughtsLeave a comment

Have you ever been in a competition where Christians discuss their denominational differences almost like football fans? I think what we miss as believers is that our differences are really as the many ways of making white rice. What do I mean?

Growing up I learned that to make white rice I had to place oil, water and salt, bring it to a boil then pour the rice. Some people use butter instead of oil, some add garlic powder. At the end of the day you get in your plate the same thing: white rice

The Word of God tells us in John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

I believe that our particular rituals work for us in our humanity. Just like music is a matter of taste, but at the end of the day is the message of the Word of God that we are called to live by. I also believe that our discrepancies are used by the enemy to distract us from our real purpose which is to spread the Good News to others. So when you find yourself and those around you that we are ALL here to do the work of the kingdom and not for our purposes. I also invite you to use that opportunity to come together and do something for the kingdom that all of those in the conversation can agree. You will see that you have way more in common than you imagine.

Until next time, be blessed!

“This book certainly held my interest straight through to the very emotional ending. ”Mary Anne Benedetto

“With the ever-constant presence of her closest friend, Aimee, Desiree slowly makes her way to God and learns the greatness of His power and love. ”Cynthia

“A very engaging story about faith, love, and friendship, and the trials and tribulations that life can bring you. ”Jersey Gina

Amelia’s Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

On December 24, 2012December 24, 2012 By Naty MatosIn Writing Happenings1 Comment

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

recipe image

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.

Putting Thanksgiving into Action

On November 21, 2012November 21, 2012 By Naty MatosIn ArticlesLeave a comment

This year we will not be talking about the turkey, the history of this holiday or the thousands of things we are thankful about. The reality is that this year I want to encourage others to put their true attitude of gratitude to action.

We sit together as families and tell each other how grateful we are of the things we have, the love and company of those near us and just bask in the thought of the gratitude. How about this year you make a decision to be the force behind someone else’s gratitude? Why not share those blessings with others?

So here are some ideas to do just that:

Invite over for dinner those who are away from their families. I used to do that for the longest time. Every one I knew that didn’t have a place to go, were invited to my house. The only reason I stopped doing it was because I don’t have the space to host anymore. It was such a rewarding experience.
Cook a meal for a family in need. If you know someone in your neighborhood who has lost their job, have a family member sick or have struggling, take them a plate or a few plates. You very well know that after two days you’re going to hate turkey anyway. You’ll have less leftovers and you’ll have made someone’s day.
Remember those who have lost everything-It doesn’t matter how big or small your donation is for those recovering from the damages of Hurricane Sandy, any little bit helps. Even if it’s not money, blood donations are also very welcome.
Donate your time and talent. You may not have resources. but you can spend some of your day with someone who needs it. I had a friend who use to spend two hours on these kind of holidays going a children’s hospice. She’s a divorced mom and her children are with their father on Thanksgiving. As a mother she understands that when you have a sick child you don’t want to leave them alone. So she spends Thanksgiving mornings there giving parents an opportunity to go home to take a shower or go get something to eat and then in the afternoon she goes to celebrate with her family.

These are just a few examples of way to give back to others. I am sure you can come up with other ideas as well. What am I going to do to put my gratitude in action?

I’m actually cooking healthy desserts for the place where I’m going to be reuniting with family and friends. I’m grateful that God had shown me a better way to relate to food. I know that as I reunite with some that have not seen me for a while I will be able to witness to them.
I’m donating 50% of all my sales for both of my books Growth Lessons and The Road Home from today until Friday to the Red Cross to help the relief of Hurricane Sandy. (You can help me with that)
I’m joining an initiative of authors in the South that are donating books to libraries in New York and New Jersey, for those who lost the books due to the hurricane Sandy.

Please be safe and to all a Happy Thanksgiving!!