How to do right

On June 18, 2012June 17, 2012 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.”

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.

A Father’s Day in a Fatherless Nation

On June 17, 2012June 16, 2012 By Naty MatosIn Inspirational Thoughts2 Comments

On a day like today were fathers are honored, there are many thinking who will they have to honor. It is a sad reality that the majority of our social problems can be traced back the absence of fathers; who are not doing the job that they were called to do. Boys who grew up without being taught how to be men and women who grew up to not know how to be treated by them because their role models were non-existent, even if a father lived in the house.

“For if a man know not how to rule his own house,
how shall he take care of the church of God?”
1 Timothy 3:5

Fortunately we have those others. Those fathers who have taken their role serious. Those who know that being a father is more than a biological deposit and more than providing a roof. Those who know that their responsibility is to correct, guide, support, teach, and develop the life that was entrusted to them. Those are the fathers who we honor today.

“Don’t fail to correct your children.
You won’t kill them by being firm,
and it may even save their lives.”
Proverbs 23:13-14

I also want to honor those who have stepped up to the job for those children who are not biologically theirs, but they have taken their job just as seriously.

“The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a
wise son will be glad in him.”
Proverbs 23:24

Finally and more important I honor and praise Our Father, for creating us, providing for us, loving us, teaching us, and even sacrificing the life of His Son to give me eternal life.

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us,

that we should be called children of God!”
1 John 3:1

I encourage you to pray for all men, to recognize the higher calling and privilege that has been bestowed on them through fatherhood.

The Importance of Fathers (gordonkeith.wordpress.com)

When We Judge Others

On June 12, 2012June 11, 2012 By Naty MatosIn Inspirational Thoughts, Writing Happenings1 Comment

I think the best scripture to describe what happens when we judge others is found in Luke 6:42, “How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

I think that when we become judgmental it’s because we are filled with pride and have forgotten that we are also sinners who have been forgiven for our sins and that others deserve the same Grace that was given to us. We also forget that we are not perfect and that maybe, just maybe, what’s bothering us in those whom we judge is just a reflection of our own imperfections in someone else . Matthew 7:1 says “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” How does it feel when we are being judged?

God tells us, “Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.” Romans 12:17

It is not our job to judge others but to love them. Discover inside “The Road Home” how judgment plays a role in the challenges that Desiree faces throughout this thought provoking story.

Stop by tomorrow on The Road Home Launch Day, for a great treat. Are you ready to follow the path to The Road Home?

A good friend

On June 11, 2012June 10, 2012 By Naty MatosIn Inspirational Thoughts, Writing Happenings5 Comments

As much as we may love our families, we all would have loved to have a say in to who would end up being part of the clan. God as always made a way and that’s why he gave us friends. Friends are the family we get to choose.

In some instances, friends are those who are there to bail you out of a situation without judgment, even before our family. They are the ones willing to tell you the truth when we don’t want to hear it. Even the ones who are willing to support you when you have a bad idea, tell you it’s bad, but because the friendship is more important; they rather be there when we crash than let us walk the plank alone.

God never intended for us to walk in life alone. He created us in a community. Even Jesus spent more time with 12 of his closest friends than with his family. The word of God tells us in Proverbs 27:9 ”Just as lotions and fragrance give sensual delight, a sweet friendship refreshes the soul.” Take this day to evaluate the relationships in your life and thank God for the friends He has placed in our paths.

Talking about friendship, you will be delighted to check out my new book,“The Road Home”. Meet Desiree and her quest for true love, see how her friend Aimee supports her through all her ups and downs and is the one who shows her the way to the light at the end of the tunnel. The Road Home will be officially launching this Wednesday, June 13th 2012. Get ready to get your copy!

Let Hope Rise

On June 6, 2012June 6, 2012 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 June 4, 2012June 3, 2012 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!

Today we honor you

On May 28, 2012May 28, 2012 By Naty MatosIn Inspirational Thoughts1 Comment

Proverbs 21:21

Whoever pursues righteousness and love
finds life, prosperityand honor.

Today we thank you (all military active, veterans, those we have lost in combat and their families) for your sacrifice, for your pursue of righteousness and freedom for all of us. We will never forget.

May God Bless you,

Happy Memorial Day!

A story: Hope p.2

On May 9, 2012May 8, 2012 By Naty MatosIn Short StoriesLeave a comment

Thanks for coming back. I hope you enjoy the end of this short story of hope…

Paula slowly threw her leg over the rail. She looked at the water, it seemed so peaceful. All of the sudden she felt a tug on her other leg. Something was stuck to her pants, it was dark and she was not sure of what it was, but she just continued to feel the tug in the cuff or her pants. She returned the leg back inside. She couldn’t believe her eyes, it was a dog.

Part of the reason why she couldn’t see it well it was because the dog was black. It was a dachshund. She couldn’t believe a dog that small could have cling to her legs strong enough to stop her from jumping. She sat in the ground looking at the dog. She quickly noticedwhen the dog sat in front of her, that it was a female dog.

“Hey sweetie, why are you out here? It’s so cold” Paula starred patting her head. She continued to talk to her new found friend. “Did you escape? Or where you thrown out to life like me? “Paula started to cry again. The dog walked to her and started liking her hands that were covering her face.

“I wish you could understand how sad I am. I wish I could tell you all I have gone through. I also wish you would have let me jump; all this pain would finally be over. I’ve lost everything! I lost my parents, my job, my health, my boyfriend! I don’t have anything left to hold on to” Paula continued telling her story to the little dog as she jumped in her lap and settled herself between Paula’s legs. She started whining as she placed her little head over Paula’s knee. Paula pat her one more time.

Paula’s heart melted to the tenderness of this little animal. She felt so unloved, afraid and sad yet somehow as she sat on the ground, in the cold in the middle of nowhere, she felt at peace. Every time Paula pet the dog, she would wag her tail making Paula smile at the cuteness of this little dog. Paula finally looked at the tag and it read, “Hope”. There was no phone number, address or an owner’s name in the tag.

“So your name is Hope” Paula said looking at the little dog still cuddled in her lap. She took a deep breath and said, “Ok Hope, I guess you’re right…all I have is you and hope, hope that just like you who appeared to save my life out of the nowhere, things will work out somehow.” Paula got up from the ground hugging her new best friend, trying to warm her up with her own body with the hopes that after reaching the bottom things couldn’t go anywhere but up.

Sometimes just is the little things that matter the most. When you find yourself hopeless, look around…God is always handing out bits of Hope… Be blessed!

WF: East to West

On May 4, 2012May 3, 2012 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!