Careful when praying for light

On November 28, 2012November 28, 2012 By Naty MatosIn Inspirational Thoughts4 Comments

We all have heard that we should be careful what we ask for because we might get it and it may not be what we have in mind. I’m a nosy person. Friends and family struggle with surprising me because with a minimal clue I am able to figure it out. But I’ve learned that with God things are a little bit different.

Sometimes when someone lies to us or we are in conflict about something, that we can tell that we do not have all the necessary information, we may ask God to reveal to us what’s hidden, but are we ready to handle what will come out?

The Word of God says in 1 Corinthians 4:5 (NIV) “Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.”

I’ve included this verse in many of my prayers and when things were opened and revealed I was either devastated or astounded by those things that were unknown to me. Now I’m not advocating to stay ignorant. God wants us to walk in truth, wisdom, and freedom.

What I decided to do was to add a little extra to that prayer. Instead of just asking the Lord to reveal what is hidden from me, I’ve also asked him to prepare my heart for those things that may hurt. I ask him to give me wisdom on how to react to the findings and for the peace to deal with it all.

There has never been a time when I’ve asked for revelation of the truth when God has not responded almost immediately, but now I prepare my spirit and my heart for whatever the revelation is.

Do you have an experience where a revelation caught you unprepared and changed your life? I would love to hear it.

Stayed prayed up and be blessed.

Talking about revelations, stay tuned for my new release on December 1st and find out what the letters from Amelia reveal to our main character Daisy Adair.

Living our life with purpose

On November 12, 2012November 12, 2012 By Naty MatosIn Inspirational ThoughtsLeave a comment

I was talking to a friend about things we were looking for in future mates. My friend made the comment, “ I don’t care if he’s a garbage man, as long as he’s the best garbage man than he can be and it’s proud to be one. But if he comes home complaining everyday about the garbage and doing nothing to do something about it, then I would have a problem.” This comment got me thinking.

Sometimes we hate where we are just because we don’t know where we’re going. I like the way this is spelled out in The Message version for Proverbs 28:18 “If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed.”

Once you discover your purpose in life and what you have been called to do, it doesn’t matter where you are and what you’re doing because you know that’s not your destination. Where you are can be a training element of where you’re going or a temporary way of provision until you can get to where God has called you to be.

I met this young man in a leadership class. He works at a fast food restaurant. He feels like God has called him to be a businessman and to eventually own a franchise of that said restaurant. I honestly don’t know his age, but he didn’t look a year older than 23. He had already gone from front line staff to a management position. He was trying to take as many courses in management and leadership as he could, to prepare for the vision he had. Now, fast food work is not easy. I know, I did some during my college years. He talked about his work with joy, not because he was enjoying the day to day, but because he saw it as an opportunity to learn everything better for when he owned the store.

With the economical issues we are facing, we all have had to make adjustments and sometimes God has steered us into places that are not what we dreamed about. Instead of looking at these places with defeat look at them as an opportunity. We need to remember that if God has allowed us to these places, “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 Let’s keep our eye on the prize and look to our vision.

What if I don’t have a vision? It’s time to get into the Word and into intimate conversation with God so that you can get your personal revelation. Yes, personal. God has a plan designed that is just perfect and specifically for you. Ephesians 1:4-5 NIV “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,”

Be blessed.

In Growth Lessons, I was reminded of this beautiful truth: Our walk with the Lord is a process of growing up into the image of Christ. P. Yates

I would recommend this book for anyone who would like some common sense and light added to their life. C. Cunningham

Great for meditations and daily devotions. N. Thames

WF: How he loves

On November 9, 2012November 9, 2012 By Naty MatosIn WorshipLeave a comment

I was driving home the other day and this song came on the radio. Have you ever been in love and a song brings your beloved to your mind? That’s exactly how I felt. I started thinking how even when I’m not good a corresponding his love. Even when I make mistakes, He always loves me.

God’s love is not a feeling but it’s palpable. His love is so supreme it’s indescribable. It always makes me smile. His presence is quite that nothing on earth matters when we are there in his presence. There’s no love like God’s love.

And as I’m writing this, my chest wants to burst, it’s almost hard to breathe, when I think about in spite of everything, in spite of me He still loves me.

Join me to worship the Lord this Friday and remember, how much he loves us

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“This book certainly held my interest straight through to the very emotionalending. ”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 andlove. ”Cynthia

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

WF: Eye of the Tiger + God will make a way

On November 2, 2012November 2, 2012 By Naty MatosIn WorshipLeave a comment

I know it must be weird to you that I chose Eye of the Tiger for this Worship Friday, here’s why? Today is Day 2 of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) The goal is to write a novel of over 50k words in just this month. This makes me feel like Rocky when he was training to defeat the Russian on Rocky IV. Although this is not the training but my actual Russian is here (my word count), I hear this song inside my head as I need to push through my sleep, tiredness and lack of muse to achieve my word count. So enjoy the Eye of the Tiger… (with a few Rocky scenes)

But I would not leave you without a song that brings glory to the real owner of my muse. So here’s a worship song to praise the King of Kings and Lord of Lords that will also energize me through this race. Because even when I have no time or no energy or no ideas, God will will make a way. He always does.

Happy Friday!

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In Growth Lessons, I was reminded of this beautiful truth: Our walk with the Lord is a process of growing up into the image of Christ. P. Yates

I would recommend this book for anyone who would like some common sense and light added to their life. C. Cunningham

Great for meditations and daily devotions. N. Thames

WF: I Will Survive

On October 26, 2012October 26, 2012 By Naty MatosIn Worship3 Comments

The great thing for those who believe in God is that there’s hope. It doesn’t matter how hard life gets or how gray the things around us look we have hope. We have the hope that not only we can survive anything that crosses our path, but also that God will use it for our good.

Romans 8:28

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

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Towdah: A Cancer Survivor’s Song of Hope

On October 22, 2012October 22, 2012 By Naty MatosIn Inspirational Thoughts1 Comment

By Sheryl Holmes

“Jumping up and jumping down, screaming NO(!) inside my heart,…atoms crashing one by one, frozen in the moment; releasing — rushing — over the cliff…. Let this not be true oh God, Let this not be true!”
These are excerpts of word phrases from the lyrics of a song I wrote in attempt to describe the nauseating and shocking state of being when I was given the diagnosis of cancer.
Universal to all are the emotions and the bewilderment. The anger and the fear. Is there anyone who does not shake their fist at God for a moment and demand to know, “WHY ME?” I sure did. Even after following the Lord for twenty-plus years, I stood indignant before God.
Weeping an gnashing my teeth, I drooled on my pillow as I bit it in frustration — silently wailing and heaving. Voiceless cries filled the night. I wrestled with God.
In the morning, I was weary; weariness gave up the weeping and the gnashing and the cries. Through the gentle reminder of a friend, came my answer to my prideful questioning of the Lord. I was asking the wrong question….not “why me?” — but I should’ve been asking “Why not me.”
Jesus had already done everything for me — “…while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8b
“Towdah: A Cancer Survivor’s Song of Hope” is my book. It is filled with hard questions like, “Why Me?” — “Is Salvation enough?” — “Would God stand by me? — by His promises? — Would He spare me of stage three cancer?” — “Am I going to die?” I weave these hard grappling’s throughout my book and sprinkle in childhood reminiscing, humor, and poignant studies on life as I have experienced it as a home schooling mother of nine children and a wife of 27 years.
Treatment was harsh and my body produced every side effect that was predicted: mouth sores, fevers, aches in the joints and muscles, nerve issues that even plagued me today 24/7. Radiation annihilated my feminine parts and forced me right through menopause reeking havoc on my relationship with my husband.
Yet, God’s mercy came in abundance. His grace and compassion came in various forms of support.
Treatment ended. My cancer is nonexistent at this time. One year out of treatment I struggle with what I am calling the second phase of recovery: grieving loss. I have been internalizing my losses – loss of who I was before I had cancer. I am not the same person physically, emotionally, or spiritually. I have a “new normal” and I do not really like it… depression lurks in the doorway of my life.
So where do I go now?
In the scriptures, Paul tells us: “Whatever was to my profit, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord….” My profits, who I was and what I had accomplished before are now lost. But, in giving the old me up, I am able to draw closer to my Lord and rely on Him for filling my losses with the gains of knowing Him deeper and deeper. The eyes of my heart have been opened. My reaction is thanksgiving and praise for who God is. I look to see His grace poured into my day — every day. He IS there! I call these God Sparkles and I share them often on my Face Book page and in my blog writings.
Fellow survivor of this difficult life – come join me in resting in HOPE; no matter your circumstance there is always a song of hope to sing! Check me out at: alwaysasongofhope.com — signup to receive my blog postings and LIKE me!
I also have been nominated on Yahoo’s online magazine as “A Woman Who Shines” — please vote for me by Oct 26th at:bit.ly/SherylHolmes and I will have the chance at winning a sweet prize and have a featured article spot in their magazine(!).

My book: “Towdah: A Cancer Survivor’s Song of Hope” is available on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble online for a mere $3.99 for ebook and $9.99 for paperbacks. Though my story is of my battle with cancer, it has a universal message of striving and persevering in HOPE through the pains and agony of life and all the trials we face in this world.
May Grace and Peace abound to dear reader friend. What God has done for me — He will do for you in a way that is unique to your being and life.
He’s just THAT kind of God!

WF: More Beautiful You

On October 19, 2012October 19, 2012 By Naty MatosIn WorshipLeave a comment

I’ve heard this song several times, but when I heard it recently thinking about our survivor series for this month I thought it would be more than fitting. Although I believe Jonny Diaz directed this song to teenagers with self image issues, the issues may start there but stay with women way longer.

It can be hard for a cancer patient can feel insecure about their worth, not only for the long days of feeling sick, but also for the toll that treatment can physically take on their bodies.

It’s also misplacement of value that causes abuse.The abuser doesn’t see the value of the person they are mistreating and the abused doesn’t seem to recognize their real value.

I’m here to tell you not what I have to say but what the word of God says, that you should know that this is you: “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14

Be Blessed

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

“I look forward to more from this author.”Rev

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

WF: Praise you in the storm

On September 28, 2012September 23, 2012 By Naty MatosIn Worship3 Comments

This is the last post of September and I wanted to use it to introduce you to some of what I am going to be doing in the next month. October is what I called “Survivor Month”. Why? Because it’s the month chosen for the awareness of two causes dear to my heart: Domestic Violence and Breast Cancer.

This year I would like for you to hear about different things regarding these causes. But this blog is not just for me, if you are a domestic violence or a breast cancer survivor and you want to share your story, please send it to me at therisingmuse @ gmail.com We would love to hear your story of going from victim to victory and encourage those who are still in the middle of the struggle. If your story is chosen to be featured here on The Rising Muse, you will get a copy of my new e-book, The Road Home as my token of gratitude for sharing your story.

And not forgetting that today is Worship Friday, I felt that there was no more appropriate song to worship the Lord with a song that actually talks about us putting our faith in Him through our struggles.

Have a blessed weekend!

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“Aimee is a constant positive influence in Desiree’s life, gently demonstrating God’s love and mercy. ”Mary Anne Benedetto

“Very well written. ”Emme

“I would recommend The Road Home to any romantic, any lover of books, anyone struggling with forgiveness, anyone. ”Cynthia

WF: The Desert Song

On September 21, 2012September 18, 2012 By Naty MatosIn WorshipLeave a comment

In life we go through struggles and sometimes all that keeps us going is our faith.

One of my favorite passages in the bible is the exit of the Israelites out of Egypt and how God saw them through. Sometimes we are in our personal dessert and have to trust that since we serve the same God, he too will see us through.

WF: Worship Friday

In Growth Lessons, I was reminded of this beautiful truth: Our walk with the Lord is a process of growing up into the image of Christ. P. Yates

I would recommend this book for anyone who would like some common sense and light added to their life. C. Cunningham

Great for meditations and daily devotions. N. Thames

WF: Where I belong

On September 14, 2012September 14, 2012 By Naty MatosIn WorshipLeave a comment

In the past couple of weeks I’ve had some life changes, not necessarily negative ones, but changes nonetheless. I was feeling the stress on the change in routine. For the past couple of months I’ve been so focused on my writing and these changes have rearranged my schedule, and I was getting anxious on how things were going to get done now that I had more on my plate.

I’ve been reading the book of Isaiah and reading this particular verse resounded with my spirit, ”No, we’re going to study the Scriptures” People who try the other ways get nowhere, a dead end!” Isaiah 8:21 I felt God was trying to tell me that the reason why I was feeling overwhelmed was because once again I had forgotten to give it up and I was trying to do things on my own, instead of trying it his way.

Then the next morning the Lord woke me up with this song stuck in my head. Living for God is not only amazing, but when we recognize that no challenge in this world compares to his greatness and to eternity, our perspective gains focus.

Let’s worship together.

PS: If you tried to tune in yesterday for my interview with “Friends and Neighbors” my apologies. The show producers decided to record and my interview will be aired on October 16th at 4:30pm. Thanks for your support.

Happy Friday!