Tag: Jesus

WF: Draw Me Close

On By Naty MatosIn WorshipLeave a comment

Falling in love with Jesus is quite an experience. Feeling a love that’s unconditional, when everything in life is based on performance, is refreshing but sometimes hard to accept.

Just like any relationship, our relationship with the Lord needs to grow, mature, and go through different levels. We should also keep it fresh and within the realms of our first love. Our relationship with Jesus requires work, because we require work to be closer to him.

I found this song and it reminded me of that desire to just be closer him in a deeper intimacy in this loving, growing relationship that He always provides. Let’s worship the Lord on this Worship Friday!

WF: Worship Friday

Looking to be inspired by a powerful story of redemption and forgiveness, check out my new novel The Road Home, Available in Kindle and Nook

The Road Home Cover (1)

4th of July, What are we celebrating?

On By Naty MatosIn Articles1 Comment

The 4th of July is one of those celebrations marked with family and friend gatherings, BBQ’s and fireworks. Do we really know what we are celebrating beyond having a day off and the opportunity to have fun?

I’ll make the history lesson as short as I can. On July 4th 1776, Americans became independent from the sovereignty of Britain and were not only declared an independent nation but founded this nation on some principles that in 2012 we seem to take for granted. If you want to read the whole document you can do it here. But today I would like to point out the one that stood out for me.

All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

2012 is an election year

Let’s pray that this country makes the right decision. Let’s pray that we elect someone who will uphold the rights in which this nation was founded. But as believers, let’s make the commitment that whoever ends up being elected, we will continue to pray for his protection and wisdom, in steering this nation.

This is my prayer:

That for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.(1 Timothy 2:2)

For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. (Proverbs 2:10)

Let’s not forget who is really in control. “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18)

Happy Independence Day!

When We Judge Others

On 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

TheRoadHomeFinalIt 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?

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!

A SPECK IN THE UNIVERSE

On By Naty MatosIn Inspirational Thoughts1 Comment

By Ada Brownell

Recently a Christian astronomer spoke at our church. He has a giant telescope and goes out on his driveway in the middle of the night and takes pictures of what he sees. His photos of the universe have been published by some of the most prestigious scientific journals in the world, including those of the National Space and Aeronautics Administration.

Dr. Richard Hammer is a chemistry professor at Evangel University, and his work with astronomy began as a hobby. Now he’s teaching astronomy as well.

After showing slide after slide of the sun, moon, stars and planets spreading endlessly across the sky, he showed us several awesome photos and pointed out how earth is only a little speck humankind can see through the windshield of our technology.

He reminded us David asked, “What is man that God is mindful of him?” (Psalm 8:4).

A whole universe, with galaxy after galaxy, and God chose this wad of whirling dirt moving at just the right speed with the correct amount of gravity and oxygen as the place to form a man and woman—His creation. We all know those humans rebelled and didn’t believe if they ate of the forbidden tree that they would die. After all, the serpent laughed and said, “You won’t die.” But not long afterward, they stood beside a dead son and then they died.

The last slide I remember Hammer showing was a photo of bloody hands, representing the nail-scarred hands of Jesus coming to deliver humankind from sin and death, and I couldn’t help but remember we are only a speck in the universe.

That night after we returned home I read 1 John 3: 1-3: “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are the children of God and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.”

John says it all.

© March 30, 2011

ada brownellAda Brownell bio

ADA BROWNELL spent 17 years as a newspaper reporter, mostly at The Pueblo Chieftain in Pueblo, CO. She has sold approximately 275 articles and fiction stories to 45 Christian magazines and wrote one story on assignment for US Magazine. Her new book Swallowed by Life is available at BookCoverImagehttp://amzn.com/1466200936

The Kindle version is http://amazon.com/swallowed-by-life-ebook/dp/B007BGCVSU/ref=sr_.1_3?s=books&ie+UTF8&qid=1330035854&sr+1-3

Her blog: http:/www.inkfromanearthenvessel.blogspot.com

Website: http://www.ada@adabrownell.com

Faith and Mental Health

On By Naty MatosIn Articles6 Comments

 Mental Health is one controversial subject in religious circles. Emotional disturbances are not necessarily visible and therefore sometimes not viewed as real health problems and the treatment of there or lack of thereof is not always addressed appropriately.

Emotional conditions are usually viewed in religious settings as a lack of faith, a lack of prayer or lack of surrendering to God. I don’t discount that there are times were a believer’s struggle are due to those things, but as with physical healing, I wouldn’t recommend a cancer patient to stop or not engage in treatment; I wouldn’t discourage someone struggling emotionally to do the same. Matthew 4:23 (MSG) states, “People brought anybody with an ailment, whether mental, emotional, or physical. Jesus healed them one and all”; which tells me that in God’s eyes they were all the same.

I think that sometimes believers fail to educate themselves in the nature of mental health conditions.  A high percentage of mental health conditions are biological in nature. Just like diabetes, they are due to a chemical imbalance in the body, in this case; the brain, which is as much as an organ as the pancreas is. Just like diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer, most mental health conditions have a pre-disposition genetic component. It is true that a pre-disposition doesn’t mean that it will happen, just that the chances are higher. This has been proven with alcoholism and depression.

Can God heal people from these conditions? Absolutely, however that doesn’t mean that these struggles are not as real as physical ailments and they should be treated as such.

Some churches have a more open minded approach to these issues and have counseling programs available to their parishioners. There are many Christian programs (like Celebrate Recovery) and counselors out there that can not only understand the condition but also provide the spiritual support to the person dealing with these struggles.

In my opinion there are three major mental health conditions that are majorly misunderstood within the faith community. Those are: depression, anxiety and addictions. Absolutely keeping God first in anything in our lives is a most. At the same time if you or a loved one is struggling with emotional conditions do not be ashamed to seek professional help, or to encourage and support a loved one to seek it.

James 5:16

Therefore, confess your sins to one another

and pray for one another,

that you may be healed.

The prayer of a righteous person

has great power as it is working.

WF: Blessed be your name

On By Naty MatosIn Worship2 Comments

I don’t know how is it where you are… Where I am is cold, rainy and windy. After a short week for some, a long and arduous for others; we need to remember that God gave us each and every one of those days, the ones filled with sun, the ones filled with rain, the warm ones and the cold ones, the happy ones and the challenging ones…and in all of them let’s make the choice to bless HIS name!

Happy Friday!

WF: Worship Friday

Don’t forget, you only have a few hours left to take advantage of obtaining your copy of Growth Lessons for just $1.99.

Book Signing Lessons

On By Naty MatosIn Writing Happenings10 Comments

036As some of you know this past Saturday was my first official book signing for Growth Lessons. Needless to say it was quite an experience. As a new author I didn’t know what to expect. The great thing was that most of my attendants were not only pleased with the event but admitted to have never attended a book signing before, so I guess that helped with their expectations.

The preparation for this event was quite interesting and challenging, but it reminded me every step of the way that I’m just part of the plan and that the King has it all under his control; therefore all I had to do was show up and string along. I can tell you about things being delivered at the last minute, while I was attempting to keep my shreds of sanity but what really happened that day is what it’s worth mentioning.

First of all I have to thank all of you who attended and made the day a special one. I kept hearing, “this day is about you”…it wasn’t, it was about each and every one of you and the things that God wanted to share with you through me, I hope it made a difference in your life. I do have to publicly thank Five Spot Frozen Yogurt for opening their doors to me and for being so 037accommodating. They are fabulous and have some great yogurt worth eating even if it’s 15 degrees outside, so if you’re anywhere close to NE Atlanta, go check it out. Also my four angels : Dora, Marion, Dee and Tonya who put up with my craziness ( I can be just a little neurotic when it comes to events…although I have to say I did very good this time) and for making it seems all so easy. God bless you.

Now to the good stuff. So what happened during the three hours where we were sitting there with yummy yogurt and chatting away. Here are some of the highlights…

  • Relationships were rebuilt. Yes, there were folks that had not seen or talk to each other in a long time and unknowingly found each other there and reconnected.
  • Relationships were built- There was such a camaraderie with people who never knew each other and started talking to each other and finding things in common and exchanging information.
  • God touched some hearts- I read a lesson from the book to those present. We all felt the presence of God in that place and later on, someone who has not been following the faith was asking me information about the church I attend and the time of the services because they felt a touch from the Lord.
  • Friendships grew– I had the most pleasant visit from my friend Author Tracy Ruckman and her husband Tim. Tracy and I met online through being authors of Grace and Faith, but had never seen each other face to face. When we saw each other was like embracing my best friend and like we had just not seen each other in a week. She’s not only an amazing woman, but don’t believe what you see in her pictures, she’s way more beautiful than that; inside and out. Smile
  • Love and laughter was everywhere– When the event was over I was so tired, but so happy. I received so many expressions of love, shared so many moments of laughter.

I want to share a small story that touched my heart. This little girl walked up 038to me with her mother as we were clearing our tables. She was attracted by the balloons I had. She saw the writing on the wall (literally) and asked me what was the occasion. I explained to her that I had written a book and had come to this place to share my book with other people. Her family, I discovered through the conversation are Christians, so I started a conversation with the mother about the book and Jesus. I gave the girl a balloon which was what had attracted her in the first place. The girl tells me, “ I sing in church”. I chuckled at her and said. “ I love praise and worship but baby that is not my gift”…she smiled back and said, “No, yours is to write books for Jesus” It just felt like validation from heaven.

I’m just grateful for whatever God is wanting to do with me and through me. I can’t deny that I enjoy writing, but even more if it’s for his Glory.

Many blessings!!

Too close to home

On By Naty MatosIn Inspirational Thoughts4 Comments

I’ve had several conversations this week with people who are struggling with the fact that their biggest troubles are with the ones closest to their hearts.  In the middle of the storm is hard to remember that the enemy makes a point to know where things will hurt you the most. If you were to have the same issues with someone who wasn’t closer to your heart you would not care as much, and the purpose of the enemy is to steal, kill and destroy, so he’s not going to have tender thoughts towards us, because YOU servant of God are a threat to his plans.

The bible warns us about this when it says, “ From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” Luke 12:52-54

The most important thing is to remember that there have been times when we have allowed ourselves to be used by the enemy to hurt others and that at this moment when you are the one hurting it’s not them, it’s him.” 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” Ephesians 6:12

Try not to engage and fall for the trap. Retrieving is not a sign of weakness but of wisdom. Go to your Father because “the Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:14) Pray that the Lord will give you wisdom to handle the situation. Sometimes the Lord will tell you that you need to confront the situation and set boundaries with that person. Sometimes the Lord will tell you to allow him to deal with them, and then ask him to comfort you on your pain…

As always I like to hear from you… Have you been in a situation when you feel defeated because the hardest blows are coming in the shape of the ones you love? If you want to share, I’m here to hear it. Even if you don’t I pray God’s wisdom over you.

Many blessings

Do you want to be encouraged in times of trouble? Do you know someone who could use some light out of their tunnel?  Don’t forget to pick your copy of Growth Lessons, which is still at 99 cents. It’s never late for giving the gift of faith.