Authentic Joy

by Matik Nicholls

This novel sprung forth from the dark earth of my failure and despair. I gave my life to Christ at age twenty but only found a truly joy-filled life in Christ twenty years later. The difficulties that I faced in those two decades in between - the tireless grappling with my hedonistic tendencies, the vanity of religion, my failures in one marriage after another, the sin that beset me, the deep desire for fulfilment that remained unmet, the people that God used to shape my character and reveal my mission – all provided the resource material that inspired Authentic Joy.


However, that is not the subject of this book. The subject is God. It is a fictional tale that reveals the non-fictional character of an incomprehensibly wise, astoundingly merciful and absolutely sovereign God who transforms darkness and rancour into light and joy!


In my deepest destitution and despair, I found the joy that I was looking for in the presence of God Himself, or I should say, He brought me to the end of myself so that I could experience Him as He really is; my greatest treasure and highest joy! I wrote this novel simply to share with you the obstacles that kept me from this deeply satisfying intimacy with Christ and the nature of the Life that I found on the other side of those obstacles. My hope is that you too will see Him more clearly, treasure Him more deeply and experience authentic joy in Christ more fully than ever before!

140 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 17, 2018

About the author

I was born in the twin Caribbean islands of Trinidad & Tobago. I grew up climbing trees and frolicking in the waves. Surrounded by the vibrant creativity of the music and pageantry of my island people, music and celebration are in my soul.
I strive to live my life in expanding ripples with Jesus at the centre. My desire is to be fully alive in Christ and that all that I am emanates from pure divine Love and that all that I create glorifies His name. I'm married to my partner in life; Tricia and together we have a beautiful blended family of five children and one granddaughter. I have an amazingly supportive family and wonderfully genuine friends.
I am also part businessman, part churchman, part author, part surfer. My passion is to inspire, equip and empower people to walk in their purpose and fulfill their potential. I'm particularly passionate about wooing people from dutiful religion toward a vibrant and life-giving heart-to-heart relationship with Christ. Everything that I write has this mission in mind.

Reviews

[Colvin Peters]

Good read.

Interesting reading of the frailty of our relationships with ourselves, each other and our beliefs.

Thank you for sharing your experience.