Nancy Sebastian Meyer is our woman in the Spotlight

This months woman in the spotlight is a Wife, Mother, Author, Christian Speaker and Musician who loves connecting people to God and watch His amazing hope heal hurting hearts and restore joy to the lives of others. Whether speaking or writing, she believes in getting real—sharing real pain, God, and hope.

Her name is Nancy Sebastian Meyer and she wants you to know you too can experience unshakeable hope, restful peace and delightful joy. Nancy has written books that minister to women, provide encouragement, and help them in their daily walk. You will be touched by her rock-solid faith in God and His Word.

Nancy's Hope4Heart Ministries is a ministry that helps wives, women, mothers, and daughters to hear God's Word, understand His truths, and apply godly principles to their lives. Through this ministry she also communicates God's love, hope, grace, and peace. Nancy is our woman in the spotlight for the month of July.




W2W: Nancy tell us about your call to ministry and its primary focus.

Nancy: As a young girl, God gave me unusual communication and "platform" skills, plus a desire to marry a pastor. I pursued my strengths and married a youth pastor--who defected after four years to secular work and then rejected his faith completely several years later. Over the next bewildering and rocky patch of life, God showed me the sin in my life (and helped me let go of my husband's sins, failures and weaknesses). The result of God refining me so impacted my husband that our love returned and our marriage healed. We just celebrated 25 years!

As our romantic love for each other returned, I found myself writing an inspirational romance novel (as yet unpublished). God used that to get me to my first Christian writers conference where He uniquely called me to write our true story. Today this includes several Bible study books, 2 vocal CDs, submissions in several compilation books, articles, national radio and TV interviews and 3 nationally published books: Beyond Expectations: Finding Joy In Your Marriage, Talk Easy, Listen Hard: Real Communication for Two Really Different People, and Spiritually Single Moms: Raising Godly Kids When Dad Doesn't Believe.

As our daughter, Becky, goes to college this Fall, God is beginning another chapter in my life and is starting to reveal short- and long-term goals. Because of God's great provision in paying nearly all of Becky's tuition with scholarships, I am still free to share the hope, help and truth God has and is working out in my life and marriage.


W2W: How has this call directed your life?

Nancy: Knowing my ministry is actually God's call on my life and not my idea makes me stick tenaciously to it despite pressures from inside (feelings of inferiority, discouragement, fatigue...) and outside (my husband's pressure to "get a real job" and "step up and fulfill a financial obligation to our family"). And, yes, God does meet all of my/our needs--always on time, hardly ever early, always in His special ways!


W2W: What aspects of your ministry give you the most joy and satisfaction?

Nancy: On a professional note, letters and emails from women who now know they are not alone in their struggle and are finding help and hope in the same truths God taught me so I could teach others. Personally, in those tear-filled moments when life seems overwhelming, I remember that without the constant struggle I might not remember how my readers and listeners feel. For sure, my ministry gives the pain in my life purpose.


W2W: What are a few scriptures that you draw inspiration and strength from?

Nancy: The passage I include every time I sign a book for someone is Psalm 40:1-3. These verses tell what God has done in my life and what I hope each Christian will allow Him to do in theirs!

* My favorite passages are:
o Jeremiah 29:11-13
o Philippians 4:4-8
o Psalm 139:16b and Ephesians 2:10
o Isaiah 55:8-13
o Acts 17:26-28
o 2 Corinthians 10:5 and Romans 12:2
o (ahhh! there are so many more!!!!!)


W2W: I myself firmly believe in the power of prayer, share with us how you feel your life has been shaped through prayer.

Nancy: I've been a Christian for 43 years, and I keep learning more about prayer and enjoying God more as the years go by! Everything about my life has been molded by the prayers I've prayed and those prayed for me by so many others. Our prayers don't change God's mind or convince Him to do anything outside His will, but they serve to make us aware of what God is doing because we are watching Him to see the outcome of situations in our lives.

People praying for me are a significant source of encouragement that keeps me going when life gets unbearable. They have included parents, family, Sunday School teachers, friends, teachers and professors, church members, and most recently with ministry, my prayer partners and advisory team.

Finally, life would definitely be impossible if I couldn't personally pray my heart out to God, hear His still small voice, and dialogue with Him throughout each day. Not possible. Absolutely impossible. I need Him!


W2W: Do you have any words of encouragement for other women in ministry?

* Comfort those in any trouble with comfort you have received from God (2 Corinthians 1:4)

* Rejoice in God's blessings, even when life is hard (Philippians 4:4--it is a verb, a doing word!)

* Be careful of sin and other entanglement as you live out God's call on your life (Hebrews 12:1-2) - watch Jesus!

* Subscribe to "e-talk," my monthly e-newsletter of encouragement for ministry leaders and the general public--go to the "e-talk" button on my home page: http://www.nancysebastianmeyer.com.


W2W: What can we as your sisters in Christ be in prayer for you about?

Nancy:

* Faith for my husband, Rich, and a good transition to college for Becky this Fall

* Wisdom and strength to be the wife, mom, and woman in ministry He wants me to be (less of me, more of Him)

* The new Bible study book I am writing this Fall

* Opportunities to share my story where God's family needs desperately to hear it

* Personal purity, right priorities, compassion, discipline, and a sound mind (no stinkin' thinkin')


We thank Nancy Sebastian Meyer for this inspiring interview. If you would like more information about her ministry and books, please visit her website at http://www.nancysebastianmeyer.com

Sherri Walker
Woman2Woman Lounge, Editor & Founder of
Moms Working for the Kingdom
http://www.momsworkingforthekingdom.webs.com

Have a Safe Holiday Weekend!

Wishing you all a Safe, healthy, and happy Holiday with your loved ones!

26 Beautiful One-liners

1. Give God what's right -- not what's left.

2. Man's way leads to a hopeless end -- God's way leads to an

endless hope.

3. A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.

4. He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.

5. In the sentence of life, the devil may be a comma--but never let him

be the period.

6. Don't put a question mark where God puts a period.

7. Are you wrinkled with burden? Come to the church for a face-lift.

8. When praying, don't give God instructions - just report for duty.

9. Don't wait for six strong men to take you to church.

10. We don't change God's message -- His message changes us.

11. The church is prayer-conditioned.

12. When God ordains, He sustains.

13. WARNING: Exposure to the Son may prevent burning.

14. Plan ahead -- It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.

15. Most people want to serve God, but only in an advisory position.

16. Suffering from truth decay? Brush up on your Bible.

17. Exercise daily -- walk with the Lord.

18. Never give the devil a ride -- he will always want to drive.

19. Nothing else ruins the truth like stretching it.

20. Compassion is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.

21. He who angers you controls you.

22. Worry is the darkroom in which negatives can develop.

23. Give Satan an inch & he'll be a ruler.

24. Be ye fishers of men -- you catch them & He'll clean them.

25. God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

26. Read the Bible -- It will scare the hell out of you.

Now take 60 seconds and give this a shot! Let's just see if Satan

stops this one. All you do is:

Simply say a small prayer for the person who sent you this, e.g.

LORD, God, bless this person in whatever it is that You know he

or she may be needing this day....)


Then sit back and watch the power of God work in your life for doing the

thing that you know He loves.

What we do in life echoes in eternity....

Hallelujah Magazine Salutes Christ centered Mothers

Sherri Walker has been chosen by the Editor & Chief of Hallelujah Magazine, Evangelist/ Doctor Orphialasertrella Adams-Taylor, to be Hallelujah! Magazine's Spring 2009 Sister Servant Cover Girl! and is featured in its Spring Edition. Hallelujah Magazine is a Christian Magazine for Women of all ages. It is published every other month throughout the Delaware Valley. Such talents as Shirley Ceasar and Vickie Winans has graced the cover of this popular magazine. Mrs. Walker has had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Orphialastrella Adams-Taylor in person and on two occasions in 2008 had her poetry featured in the poetry section of the Magazine. Sherri is counting it all joy and gives honor and glory to God for this true blessing of being chosen as Sister Servant Cover girl for their spring edition. To read more click here to visit her website.

Let the Son's light shine through you!

Many people in the world today are filled with fear, sadness, despair, anger, desperation, depravity, and loneliness. Their lives are miserable, their conditions are so wretched, they see themselves hanging on a string that could break at any moment. They feel hopeless. So many live daily with an abundance of pain but keep it hidden for fear that if they speak on it, it would only increase the pain they are already experiencing.

Christians know the name that can put lives back together, heal bodies, minds, and spirits, the name which all these demons tremble and flee from.

Christ said he came for sinners, not the righteous. Once we are delivered we are not to get full of ourselves and think we are better than those who are not saved to the point that we turn our backs on the people still in darkness, the darkness that Christ brought us out of. Christians have the Holy Spirit within them, and the Holy Spirit wants us to move! God put you on this earth to do a job, and it is in our best interests to go ahead and do it!

Our job is reach people and show them the light, let them know there is HOPE. We have to tell people about Jesus Christ, our redeemer, protector, provider, healer, justifier and defense. He is our only savior! Salvation is of and through him and God has commissioned us to go tell of this good news to others. This should be our life long mission in life to spread some Sonshine!

Monica Marie Jones is our Woman in the Spotlight

This months woman in the spotlight is an author whose published works include The Ups and Downs of Being Round and Taste My Soul. She is also a contributing author in Chicken Soup for the Girls Soul, New Directions for Youth Development and several publications and youth development training materials for the High/Scope Educational Research Foundation. She has worked as a columnist and freelance writer for the Michigan Front Page Newspaper and does consulting, editing and content development for businesses and non-profit organizations. She is also a member of the Motown Writer's Network, Business Women Attaining Millionaire Mindsets (B.A.M.M), Elysian Business Group, and Fully Figured Out.

Her name is Monica Marie Jones. In November 2008 we featured Monica's Book, The Ups and Downs of Being Round. Over forty-six percent of the women in the world today deal with weight struggles. We were compelled to feature her book which deals with issues women face concerning their weight.

In addition to being an accomplished writer Mis Jones is also a professional dancer, dance teacher, and aerobics instructor. She has danced with Gospel recording artists including several venues around the United States with Dorinda Clark-Cole and a three-city tour in Japan with Kierra 'Ki-Ki' Sheard. She also works with the Spirit of the Moment Praise Dance Ministry. We had the pleasure of interviewing Monica and getting to know more about this multi hat wearing author.



W2W: What inspired you to write?

Monica: I have always kept a journal to process my emotions. As I got older I began adding poetry to my journal entries. One day I decided to share my poetry with some friends and I was amazed at how it evoked emotions in them. Shortly thereafter I began writing The Ups and Downs of Being Round. In the midst of writing it, I sent an excerpt from it (That just happened to be a true story) to Chicken Soup for the Girls Soul. After having their staff, and then girls around the world review the story they decided to publish it and they sent me a letter saying, "Congratulations! You are an author!" From that point on I felt that it was confirmed that I had a gift that was meant to be shared with the world.


W2W: I felt compelled to showcase your book The Ups and Downs of being Round on our website because so many women struggle with weight problems, what do you hope readers will learn and take with them after reading it?

Monica: It is my hope that readers will learn that weight loss, or any other external factor for that matter, does not guarantee happiness. You can only find true joy within which is a direct connection to our relationship with God. We must love ourselves if for no other reason than the fact that we are HIS children.

I also include a guide in the back that teaches people how to lose weight by changing their lifestyle as opposed to dieting. It is the plan that I created, after much research, and used to lose 65 pounds and over 50 inches.


W2W: Who are your favorite authors, and why do they inspire you?

Monica: My favorite author is Jacqueline Thomas. She inspires me because she writes inspirational fiction but it deals with the real issues that we face everyday. I believe her writing style is an extremely effective means of ministry because when you read it you don't feel bad for not being perfect. Her writing speaks to you instead of preaching at you.


W2W: What is your advice to an aspiring novelists?

Never stop. I use this mantra in everything that I do. Even if it is the smallest thing, continue to do something toward reaching your goals every single day. So to all of the aspiring novelists I say this:

1. Write everyday, whether it is a journal entry, a blog, or a scene in your book, just write.
2. Do your research, read books about the craft of writing, and read books that are the same genre of the book that you plan to write.
3. Immerse yourself in the literary world. By this I mean, network with other authors, join listservs, subscribe to newsletters, attend conferences. If you can't afford the conference fees do like I did for years and volunteer :)

W2W: Are there any new projects your working on? Will there be another book?

Monica: I already have a poetry book called Taste My Soul and an Urban Contemporary fiction book called FLOSS published. Currently I am working on another installment of the FLOSS series called SWAG, the sequel to The Ups and Downs of Being Round, which is called, The Flip Side of Fat, and the Child and Teen versions of the Ups and Downs of Being Round.


W2W: You are also involved with the Spirit of the Moment Praise Dance Ministry. Tell us a little about your involvement in this beautiful ministry.

Monica: I have danced with the Spirit of the Moment Praise Dance Ministry for a little over a year. Currently I have taken a leave so that I can focus on my writing and my Breakthrough Book Tour, but I am still a member. I just help behind the scenes when I can. You can see pictures and video of my involvement at http://www.spiritofthemoment.com


W2W: Monica what are your three favorite scripture verses and why?

Monica: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 This is one of my favorite scriptures, particularly verse 12 because is reminds me of what many have forgotten about the ministry of marriage. Throughout the verses leading up to 12 it talks about how two are better than one...but at the end of verse 12 it says that a three-fold chord is not easily broken. To me that represents how when we add God into the equation and keep Him there, then we have strength beyond measure.

Philippians 4:13 - This is my favorite because whenever I doubt myself or my ability I simply repeat this scripture over and over to myself. "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me."

Luke 12:48 - I feel like God constantly whispers this to me in so many ways. "To Whom much is given, much is required." When you have been given the gift to minster to others whether it be though writing, speaking, being a good listener, or dancing...you have a great responsibility. You are given so much because it is meant for you to share, not to keep it all to yourself.


W2W: Do you have any final thoughts to share with us?

Monica: I just want to say that I have stepped out on faith and left my job to write full time :) So I am a living testimony that it is possible to follow your dreams and pursue your purpose and your passion and still prosper. I not only write to entertain, but to inspire, educate, motivate and add value to the lives of others.

We thank Monica Marie Jones for this inspiring interview. If you would like to learn more about her or her books, please visit her website at http://www.monicamariejones.com or email her at monica@monicamariejones.com


Sherri Walker
Woman2Woman Lounge, Editor & Founder of
Moms Working for the Kingdom

Simplify the Season: Celebrate the Savior

Thanksgiving is now past tense for 2008, Christmas is near. People are scrambling to shop, craft, and deck the halls. Advertising is at an all time high in order to draw people into the stores ergo boosting sales.

Sometimes you turn on the news and there is such madness going on, some events even tragic. Some become so frantic around the Holidays. Thanksgiving is based around being thankful for what we have which in fact we should have this attitude daily. Christmas is based around giving and Love which is what God showed us when He sent his son to die on the cross so that we could live. The word of God says that He showed his love toward us that while we were yet sinners Christ (His Son Jesus) died for us. It also says God so loved the "world" that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. He sent his Son in the world not to condemn but that the world through "Him (Jesus)" might be saved.

Yes, there is a big question mark as to the actual birth date of our Savior and many will say that the 25th of December is not it. Whatever the date may be I am just thankful that He was indeed made flesh and dwelt among us. Christians know that Christ's existence did not begin the day he was born of the Virgin Mary and we are just glad that a day has been set aside in the world to observe the fact that he did truly come. No matter what pagan practices may have been played out centuries ago surrounding this date Christians do not reflect on these practices, we reflect on Jesus and he is at the heart of our celebration. We joy in the fact that our Savior came into the world in bodily form to save his people. Although Christians decorate their homes for the pure pleasure of the beauty of the season, Jesus is who we worship, not the brightly colored decorations, the tree, nor the Nativity scenes.

If our focus was kept on this fact the Holidays could be carried out smoother with less chaos and confusion. There is nothing wrong with giving in the name of love and in the spirit of the season but we shouldn't become stressed out or consumed with competing to out buy or out give another. When we give in the name of love it is not suppose to be of the demands of another's request necessarily. We give what we can, then it doesn't becomes a burden of meeting a quota or a specific request of another. There is nothing wrong with trying to find out what another likes and acting upon information found to please them even more, if we are in the position to do so but if we are not we can just give what is within our allowance. You don't always have to give a expensive store bought gift to show someone you care, you can give them the gift of more of your time, love, and understanding. Sometimes the simply things mean more than you think. Just reflect on the great gift the Father in Heaven gave us, it wasn't a gift bought in the store, wrapped in pretty paper with a bow on it costing hundreds of dollars.

He gave us a "Love" gift, his Son, which to many is PRICELESS. Let's teach our children and grandchildren the true reflection of the 25th of December, they will grow up to appreciate receiving gifts that much more, whatever the gift may be. They will in turn pass on this legacy to generations to come after them. I know you may think its hard because of what they as kids may see going on around them but its not, this is why the word of God says, "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is older he will not depart from it." It begins with us. Simplify the Holiday, celebrate the Savior.

Peace and Joy this Holiday and always,
Sherri