Woman 2 Woman Lounge

November 7, 2007

A multi-hat wearing women destined to prosper is a brief and to the point description of this busy women of God. She is a wife and loving mother of four. She aspires to help others and see them "make it" as she would like to.

Her name is Dana Neal. and she is the CEO (Christian Education Officer) of C.K.Q. Gifts. Her online store inventory consists of baskets, bath & body products, Jewelry, Handbags, and Lingerie. Dana is also the network leader for the Profit-NonProfit Connection on the Ryze Network. She is a Christian excited for the Lord and all that He has done for her. You can see this upon viewing the entries in her “E.s.s.e.n.c.e (Edified Saint Saved to Excel the New Birth in Christ Exalting the Lord) of a Women” Blog. Dana has a desire to be encouraging to other women and couples and has a fervant desire to share the word with them. This interview has been a long time coming and we are happy to be able to publish it here in our Woman2Woman Lounge.

Now lets read what Mrs. Dana Neal had to say about her life, her family, and her business.

Her interview:

W2W: Dana tell us about your Businesses C.K.Q. Gifts & Essence of a Woman?

Dana: I want to first say thank you for the interview. It's a blessing to share my business testimony.

C.K.Q Gifts was established after I had to leave the traditional work force to be at home with my youngest child in 1999. The acronym stands for the initials of my children's first names from oldest to youngest: Candice, Kenneth, Quintin; these 3 are my gifts from God. C.K.Q is an online gift store selling lingerie and jewelry adding clothing in the near future.

E.S.S.E.N.C.E of A Woman started because a partnership fell through. I loved to plan events and I wanted to be out there in the limelight, etc! That was in 2002. I changed the name slightly in 2006 after rededicating my life to Christ. It now stands for Edified Saint Saved to Excel the New birth in Christ, Exalting the Lord!!!! E.S.S.E.N.C.E of A Woman is an event planning business. We will plan conferences, fund raisers, weddings etc.

W2W: Having your own Businesses can be demanding. What boundaries do you set to keep from experiencing burn out?

Dana: I experience burn out everyday! No, seriously, I try to stay organized and work my business around my family. I never work on Sunday and I'm learning to take a day off.

W2W: What do you enjoy most about being a wife and mother?

Dana: I'm enjoying every one of them (husband and children) and their different characters. I see myself in my daughter, my father in my middle son, God (hallelujah) in my youngest and my husband in my step daughter. In my husband, I see a man after God's heart (even if he doesn't realize it)

W2W: What scripture in the Bible gives your soul peace when you began to feel overwhelmed?

Dana: Psalm 48:9--Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.

W2W: What person has been a great inspiration or role model in your life past or present?

Dana: I always look to the Lord for direction; HE is my role model. Yet, if I must name a physical being Esther Russell was a great inspiration. She was a loving person and a Christian woman through and through. She encouraged me to do what I wanted to do in life and always told me not to worry what others think.

W2W: Maintaining balance between work and family can be a struggle. How do you delegate your time between the two?

Dana: I work my businesses around my family. They are the reason why I started the businesses so I don't want to take from them at all. I have my talk shows in the middle or at the very end of the day; I sell online and I schedule appointments around activities.

W2W: How do you hope to see your businesses grow in the next year?

Dana: I pray to see an increase in clientele and allow me to leave my 9-5. This increase will help me grow in financial prosperity, but will also help me grow the Lord's kingdom.

Moms Working for the Kingdom wants to thank Dana Neal for being a member of our ministry and for taking time out to grant us this interview. I encourage you to visit the website and Ryze page of this multi-tasking women of God to find out more about her.

http://www.essenceofawomanevents.com
http://www.ryze.com/go/business

Be sure and visit us next week when MWK interviews another Woman of God.

Sherri C. Walker
Founder & Editor of the
Woman2Woman Lounge &
Moms Working for the Kingdom
http://www.momsworkingforthekingdom.org

November 14, 2007

The description of the woman of God we last interviewed is an ordained minister with a Doctor of Divinity degree and bachelors degree in Pastoral/Biblical Studies. She is a graduate of Temple University’s School of Social Administration, a Motivational Speaker, a Gospel Poetess, the Senior Pastor of Scriptures Evangelistic Ministries, Inc., Publisher of HALLELUJAH Christian Woman's Magazine, and author of 6 inspirational books. She has a weekly preaching program on Urban Cable Works also named "Hallelujah". She gives the Lord praise for blessing her with over 50 speaking engagements yearly.

Her name is Evangelist Dr. Orphialasertrella Adams-Taylor.

Pastor Taylor says she knows that God's chosen mission in life for her is to spread the Gospel as much as possible whether, it be preaching, speaking, and or publishing. She is a living witness to the scripture Mark 16:15. She has been preaching, speaking, and teaching for over ten years. She is a very much requested Women's Day speaker, revivalist, and conference speaker for various churches throughout the East Coast. Evangelist Orphialasertrella Adams-Taylor is a well known columnist/writer for the Philadelphia Tribune. She has two beautiful daughters, Lativida and Wannikki Taylor, together they publish Hallelujah Christian Women magazine which is available locally in the Philadelphia area. Evangelist Adams-Taylor is known for her praise phase “I’m a Survivor because Jesus is my Savior!” We were blessed to have the opportunity to interview this amazing Woman of God.

We hope you enjoy this interview we were blessed to have with Pastor Orphialasertrella Adams-Taylor.......

W2W: What Inspired you to start Hallelujah magazine?

Pastor Taylor: While I was a Columnist for three area publications, The Philadelphia Tribune, The Gospel World News, and The Logan Source. The Lord laid it on my heart to start a Christian newsletter to encourage, edify, and evangelize to women of all ages. I mention this vision to my youngest Daughter, she has the gift of writing too, who was 12 years old at the time. She is now a senior in college majoring in Journalism. She asked when was I going to start, I said, "let's start it now". I shared it with my oldest daughter, who was in college at the time. She graduated in 2001. God blessed her with the gift to draw, she also wanted to be a part of it. The first Hallelujah Newsletter was published in January 2000. I named it Hallelujah so ever time you say the name it gives God praise. I started with four featured articles each in age catagores plus a sister servant highlighter which showcased someone local working hard for the Lord! After three years of the Hallelujah Newsletter the Lord blessed us to turn it into a magazine in May 2003. My parents always said if you share your blessings, the Lord will continue to bless you! I told my oldest daughter, Lativida that I wanted Hallelujah to become a magazine, the very next day she went to the computer and designed a magazine cover. God has blessed her with drawing, she is the magazine's graphic artist. My youngest daughter Wannikki is the senior writer for Hallelujah. I thought it would be a blessing to give other Christian writers an opportunity to share their God given talents so Hallelujah magazine invites others to submit Christian articles, poetry, and testimonies. We also have a section just for the brothers entitled "A word from the brothers". We have subscribers from New York to Atlantic GA. We as a family, come together to stir up the talents and gifts God has given to us to evangelize.

W2W: How do you balance being a Pastor, Mother, and Business Woman?

Pastor Taylor: Praise The Lord ! Because I work my gifts/talents for God's glory, while keeping Him first in my life! Balancing my life in being a mother, business women,and a Pastor is not work, it's Jesus' Joy! They are all God given gifts that comes with the anointing God has placed on my life, which is a truly blessing.

W2W: Besides Jesus, who has been an inspiration to you past or present?

Pastor Taylor: My parents who were both God fearing, God Loving Christians, who were ambitious, they owned their owned business. I am the only child born to Orphia and Samuel Adams, after having 3 previous miscarrages ( the last being a set of twins) they were told to not even try having children but they stepped out on faith, went to Mother Dabney's prayer service one evening and had her pray for them to have a child. After being married over 12 years, They had me, their baby girl Orphialasertrella Adams. Yes, the name is all one
word and it means "Lady of the stars". I grew up in a joyful household both my parents had friendly outgoing personalities. My daddy a self employed carpenter/plumber. Mom had a house product and my homemade pound cake selling to neighbors and family members. No selling or buying on Sunday my parents would say all the time. My dad also said get yourself an education and a skill to have your own business, so if you get laid off from work you will still have your own business to pay your bills and tithes.

It wasn't my diploma nor degrees that molded, inspired, and encourage me, it was my Christ-centered parents. Presently, I have several Christ centered sisters and brothers thatare encouraging and supporting me in my Journey for the Lord. My two daughters, my Bishop, several ministers, faithful family members, and my true friends. I don't have one special person. God says "He is an ever present help in my time of need". He always sends an inspiring person to help me with the visions He has sets before me.

W2W: What is your favorite bible verse and how is it relevant to your life?

Pastor Taylor: I have several and here they are...John 3:16- To know that God loves me just that much is awesome and I try to live my life to be a blessing to Him.

Mark 16:15 "Go out and Preach the gospel to every creature. I live by this daily, it isn't a day that goes by, I haven't told someone about my Savior. Spreading the Gospel comes natural, before I was ever ordained I knew God had chosen me. I would talk about the Lord, people would say are you a minister, I would always say you don't have
to be a minister to work for Lord!

Romans 16:17 says " Those who cause division avoid them". I'm not one to be apart of a Christian cliques nor co worker cliques because there is usually some confusion going on. Satan causes divisions in the body of Christ and the work place. I try to live peaceful among the saved and unsaved (which is how you really win souls). As a Pastor I don't just talk the talk but try to walk the walk for Jesus.

W2W: How did you start your pound cake business and what has this experience been like in doing so?

Pastor Taylor: Along with being a Pastor, public speaker, publisher, and community prayer service leader, God has blessed me to venture into the kitchen and start a baking business. Aunt Orphia's Delicious Homemade Pound Cakes. It's named after my deceased mother who use to bake this pound cake as well. I started after my mother passed away.

After one day tasting a cake at a lunch truck I started thinking out loud that my mother made a better tasting cake than this and the lunch truck owner heard me and said "if your mother's taste better than I will sell it on my truck". I told him my mother had passed and He replied can't you make it ...that's how it all started. Now you know I found a way to evangelize while cooking cakes, so on each label of every slice there is one of my inspirational slogans talking about the Lord. Now Aunt Orphia's delicious pound cake is sold in at about 10 locations in the Philadelphia Area including Delaware, we also ship gift baskets full of pound cake
slices worldwide. We sell whole cakes.

W2W: What valuable lesson in life have you worked towards teaching your two daughters?

Pastor Taylor: I try to lead by example, in showing them to be a women of God's word. It's easy to talk God's word than to live God's word. Just last week, I preached a women's day service at another church. The women's day Chairlady called both my daughter's up to read my bio and introduce me. When they finished reading it, both said individually that they were members of my church because I'm the same way in public as a home and that I live the life I preach about. It brought tears to my eyes. Children learn more by what you do than what you say. Lativida and Wannikki are both nice God loving young women and I'm so happy God choose me to be their mother. I give God all the Glory.

W2W: What is your greatest accomplishment in life thus far?

Pastor Taylor: My greatest Accomplishment is being chosen by God to preach and teach His Almighty Word. I praise Him for the opportunity to serve
(and teaching my two beautiful daughters to do the same at an early age). I was first Ordained as an Evangelist than again as a Reverend. He has blessed me with over 50 preaching & speaking engagements yearly in being His servant to win souls for His Kingdom. I am also blessed with multiple talents and gifts along with the anointed ambission to stir up my gifts for His Glory. Everything I do is done to minister to lost souls and to encourage those who are saved. Preaching His Word in the pulpit or on the street corner, as an anionted writer sharing my Gospel poetry, and anointed advice books,Publishing Hallelujah Women's Magazine, evangelizing and encouraging Christian sisters of all ages, creating Rhoda, the handmade Rag Doll to remind African American sisters how God has blessed us with beautiful hair, along with Aunt Orphia's Delicious Homemade Pound Cake's graced with my God inspired slogans on each label ...says it all. Only what you do for Jesus Christ is what really matters in life.

Moms Working for the Kingdom wants to thank Pastor Adams-Taylor for taking time out to grant us this interview. I encourage you to visit the website of this multi-tasking women of God to find out more about her.@ http://www.scripturesministries.com/scriptures.htm

Sherri C. Walker, Editor of the
Woman2Woman Lounge &
Moms Working for the Kingdom
http://www.momsworkingforthekingdom.org

November 21,2007

This women truly embodies the essence of a Mom working for the Kingdom of God. She is a wife and mother of four boys. She is a published author, inspirational speaker, and a life and relationship coach who is dedicated to providing godly wisdom, mentorship, and positive influences for young women all around the world.

Her name is Marla Mc Carthy and she is the founder and Managing Director on the board of In His Image Ministries. Her emphasis in ministry is the personal development of teen girls and young women. Her success in ministry is attributed to the grace and favor of God, and the Word of God being the foundation for everything taught.

Marla McCarthy has taken a stand to encourage women to begin aligning their lives with what God has called them to do and be in His Word. She strives in every aspect of her life to be an example to the participants and volunteers of this ministry and its programs through her daily walk with God.

Marla is a Christian life coach and founder of Lighted Path Coaching. She is passionate about working with individuals who want to lead successful and fulfilling lives. As an author and co-founder of The Real Life Series Publishing Company, she strives to provide reading and multimedia material to encourage and bless the lives of others. She is a columnist for the “No More Sclerosis” online magazine with a column entitled “Growing Up in God”. Mrs. McCarthy also established the Women of Wisdom Mentorship Program, a fellowship of women that meet quarterly to create and implement ways to mentor and sow into the lives of young women internationally, and Leaders United By Purpose, a network of Christian leaders in ministry, business and organizations.

It is Marla's vision for In His Image Ministries to build recreation centers in which to hold its programs and classes, and for those recreation centers to be a safe haven for young people to have fun and interact with each other. She also plans to develop a home for teen girls and young women seeking refuge from abuse, and those searching for solutions for everyday struggles. The group home will be a place where God's daughters will be brought into a position of complete healing, abundant faith, and total life prosperity. Marla passionately encourages women of all ages to walk daily with God and fulfill His mandate for their lives.

Moms Working for the Kingdom was fortunate to be granted an interview with Mrs. Mc Carthy and is honored to be able to share her story here in the Woman2Woman Lounge. I hope you too will be blessed just as we were by her testimony and what we recently learned about this extraordinary women of God through this interview.

W2W: What inspired you to develop In His Image Ministries?

Marla: I was inspired to develop In His Image Ministries for teen girls and young women for several reasons. One reason is that during the first five years of my marriage my husband and I both lost our mothers and all of our grandmothers. Still being a young woman myself, I felt a huge void. The most important, beautiful, influential women in my life were no longer around for me to seek wisdom, counsel and advice from on being a woman, wife, and mother. So I decided to sow in the area that I was in need.

Also, I have had several women during the process of developing this ministry ask me why I would take on the challenge of mentoring and sowing into young women when I have four sons. The important part of their question is that I have four sons. I would like for this world, for our society, to be an environment in which my sons have high-quality, God-confident, loving, whole, virtuous women who can be a part of their lives. Instead of just complaining about what I see around me, I decided to take action in an area where a change is definitely needed.

Another reason I put my energy and effort into developing In His Image Ministries is that I have made many mistakes as I have grown up and matured concerning relationships with men, being caught up in the sin of fornication, putting my relationship with a man above my relationship with God, etc. And those decisions took my life in a direction I never wanted it to go. I am the type of female that feels it is important to just be real about what I have done, decisions I have made, and the consequences of it all. Hopefully, my honesty will help as many young ladies as possible avoid the pitfalls that I fell into. Teen girls and young women are in need people who will be real with them and also explain the why behind what they are being told not to do. I have a desire to do whatever I can to help young ladies around the world heal from their past, begin to make the most of their present, and protect their futures. I want them to be able to realize their purpose and walk in it with as few mistakes as possible along the way, so that they can fulfill their destiny and become all that God created and intended them to be.

W2W: Tell us about the different programs your ministry has?

Marla: In His Image Ministries currently has 5 programs:

R.O.S.E. Program (Raising Our Standards and Expectations):
The purpose of the R.O.S.E. Program© is to instruct young women on how to operate in relationships with men. It promotes and encourages the practice of abstaining from sexual activity until marriage for the protection of the physical, emotional, and spiritual life and well-being of young women around the world. This program is about empowering young women to preserve and protect their futures.

The IHIM Personal Development Program© provides teen girls and young women with a comprehensive course designed to help them recognize who they are as a daughter of the King. It also instructs young women on how to begin to reflect His character in their daily lives. The foundation of the wisdom provided through this program is the Word of God, the Bible. The use of the Word of God as their principle center provides the participants of this program with the self-awareness, confidence, and high self-esteem needed to become highly successful, productive women of God.

The Naomi's Daughter Program is about reflecting God's friendship and faithfulness in our relationships with others. It is the goal of the Naomi's Daughter Program© to teach young women how to form right relationships and true friendships with other young women. It is our desire for the participants of Naomi's Daughter to learn to listen, help, encourage, love, and give in the lives of other young women and people that they encounter on a daily basis.
Naomi's Daughter is a Christian high-quality relationships group which consists of teen girls and young women who wish to distinguish themselves from many of their peers and the rest of popular society. To differentiate themselves from those who seem to be developing more of a cut-throat, jealous, out-for-yourself, cliquish mentality. It is a group or "city of refuge" for teen girls and young women to come and develop high quality, lasting, right relationships with each other. Naomi's Daughter will be, and be known as, a soft place to fall, a place where young women can feel safe to develop friendships, hang out, and share their interests, hopes, dreams, as well as their fears.

The IHI Economic Empowerment Program© is about empowering young women to reach their full potential, and achieve their goals, hopes and dreams. By providing them with an avenue to wisdom, knowledge, and information, we provide them with unlimited possibilities and access to the world. It is the goal of the IHI Economic Empowerment program to instill in young women the ability to become self-sufficient through entrepreneurship, job & interview training, homeownership, and accumulation of wealth. We endeavor to create and environment where preparation, success, and living lives of excellence are the norm. As young women gain knowledge and insight through the IHI EEP, it is our prayer and desire that their current economic situation be improved. Through this program, they will become more financially aware and secure, so that they will be able to build awesome futures for themselves and their families.

(W.O.W.) Women of Wisdom© is a fellowship of Christian women that have come together to create and implement ways to sow into the lives of other women. Through this group of magnificent women of God, women gain knowledge of God's Word, learn how to live daily by His Word, and discover how they can impact this world with the wisdom God has imparted to them. Women of Wisdom is a venue through which more mature women can impart insight to and share past experiences with younger women to keep them on a path to fulfilling their destiny. It is a place where women of all ages will grow in wisdom while walking with God.

W2W: Where do you hope to see your ministry in the next five years?

Marla: In the next five years, I plan to still be encouraging and empowering teen girls and young women to fulfill their God-given destiny. We are planning to expand our ministry through providing online courses, instruction, and information to teen girls and young women around the world. It is our prayer that these courses will help participants of IHIM learn more about themselves and their potential through the teaching of the Word of God, inspirational activities, and motivational instruction. It is our goal to continually strive to create opportunities for fellowship, service, and support. We are working toward developing a covenant-minded community of young women that effectively engage in personal development, leadership development, prayer life development, social engagement, fellowship and true friendships, a disciplined lifestyle, and economic empowerment.

Also, we want to be closer to our goal coming to fruition of building recreational centers in which to hold programs and classes. The recreation centers will be a safe haven for young people to have fun and interact with each other. We also plan to develop a home for teen girls and young women seeking refuge from abuse, help as young mothers, and those searching for solutions for everyday struggles. The group home will be a place where God's daughters will be brought into a position of complete healing, abundant faith, and total life prosperity.

W2W: Marla tell us about some of the books you have been inspired to write.

Marla: We have several books being released from our publishing company (The Real Life Series Publishing Company, LLC.) throughout this next year. I am currently finishing a book called R.O.S.E. Raising Our Standards and Expectations: Transforming Your Ability to Handle Relationships. The purpose of this book is to assist women in getting their lives together, in spite of their pasts in order to be able to handle relationships and fulfill God's mandate for their lives. It contains wisdom on getting our priorities, standards, and ability to properly interact with men aligned with God's Word so that He can release us into our destiny. R.O.S.E. was written for teen girls and young women so that they can see what pitfalls to avoid before they reach them, but it contains wisdom for women of all ages. It is an absolute must read for the young women in your life that you love and treasure.

We also will be releasing a novel that will compliment the relationship guide called Rose from the Basement written by Jerome McCarthy. This book contains parts of my life story, but much of it is fiction. It actually brings to life much of the information that is contained within the R.O.S.E. relationship guide.

Also being released this November, is a book also written by Jerome McCarthy called Marriage As Advertised. If you are married, were ever married, or hope to one day be married, this is definitely a book you must get for your collection. Marriage As Advertised is a novel which provides us with a glimpse into a troubled union, and how communication between a man and a woman can get lost in translation. You will journey with a couple as they reach a defining point in their marriage. Relationships will be born, family secrets will be uncovered; temptation will lure them, and tragedy will test them. All I can say is get the book, get the book, get the book!

W2W: How do you balance being wife, mother, and ministry leader?

Marla: I balance being a wife, mother, and ministry leader by following God's order for my life. God first, my family second (husband and then my children), ministry third, and everything else falls in line behind that. I live my life with that order at the forefront of my mind because if I chase my goals and dreams and lose my family in the process, there is no testimony to the world in that. I truly believe without my personal time and relationship with God, there would absolutely be no vision and no ministry at all. And without my family, my ministry would be much less affective.

W2W: What words of wisdom do you have for other women striving at developing a women's ministry?

Marla: First, spend time with God to find out what your purpose is. Make sure that whatever it is you choose to do, that it is what God formed and fashioned you to do. There is a price that comes with being in ministry. Your eyes must be wide open to the fact that satan is not going to let you go out into the world and take over large territories for God without attacking you and your family in the process. Before you ever envy the ministry of another person, be sure to remember that there was a price they had to pay to be able to minister to people on that level.

Second, after you know what it is that God has called you to do. Spend time with God consistently. God is where your strength, your peace, your your joy, your creativity and your vision will come from. Without consistent time with Him, and guidance and direction from Him, anything you build will crumble. Whatever you build without Him (ministry, relationships, businesses, etc.), you will also have to maintain without Him.

The third and final bit of wisdom that would give is to make sure that you enjoy your life everyday in the process. If you do not enjoy your life, take care of yourself, love and maintain your family while doing ministry, people will see that about you and your life. Consequently, they will not desire a relationship with the God you serve and are trying to tell them about. So on a daily basis make sure you have fun, love, laugh, learn and live your life to the fullest!

W2W: What scriptures inspire you most in the Bible and why?

Marla: I have so many. But one is, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)" Because that is one of the main messages that I want to get across to the teen girls and young women that God allows me to come in contact with. He loves us so much, we are not just here by chance and He has an awesome plan, a method for achievement, for our lives.

Another one is definitely Romans 8:28. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." It inspires me because "all things" means all things. It means that there is nothing that satan can send into my life to destroy me. It can only be used to push me further into my purpose and destiny. Everything will be used by God for His glory and for my eternal good. When you have an understanding of that, you realize that you can push past whatever negative things have happened to you in your past by using it to help, encourage and minister to others. You can also push through whatever obstacles you see ahead of you because whatever negative things you see, you know that God is even using that to direct you. Disappointments, closed doors, relationships that came to an end, etc. are all used by God to direct you and for your good! If we choose to believe His Word and act in faith and love, with God, every bit of pain, suffering, or hardship can still be turned into an absolutely glorious conclusion!

Moms Working for the Kingdom wants to thank Mrs.Marla Mc Carthy for taking time out to grant us this interview. I encourage you to visit the website of this woman in ministry to find out more about In His Image Ministries.

http://www.IHIMonline.org

Be sure and visit us next week when MWK interviews another Woman of God.

Sherri C. Walker
Founder & Editor of the
Woman2Woman Lounge &
Moms Working for the Kingdom
http://www.momsworkingforthekingdom.org

December 5, 2007

Our woman in the spotlight this week is a Christian Life Coach, a Faithprenuer and a Blessingprenuer. She has dedicated much of her time and resources to cheerfully bless others, especially those in business. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. She graduated from New York University with a degree in Journalism, specializing in broadcasting.

She is none other than Motivational Speaker, Paula Quick. Her quest is to help people who are trying to figure it all out as far their businesses are concerned and how they REALLY can have success.

What do you do when life has given you a bowl of lemons? With people being let go from corporations left and right, the "set for life" job is becoming more and more of a distant memory. As a result, entrepreneurship is booming. It is vitally important to have a game plan, says Paula, a God plan, for dealing with the ups and downs of life and business.

As a Christian Life Coach, her joy is to help people get through uncertainty, ambiguity and vagueness in their business and personal lives, especially people who have stepped out completely on faith to start their businesses.

She envisions extraordinarily successful Christian small business owners and entrepreneurs who are unshakeable in believing in the success of their business because they fully comprehend, understand and stand firmly in the Living Word of God. She shines at helping her clients get excited, motivated, and inspired and to move them from ambiguity to clarity.

One of her latest ministries that hit home with me was Blessingprenuer. The reason why it struck a liking with me is because its definition described in totality my vision for starting the Handmaidens for God ( Moms Working for the Kingdom) back in May 2007. A Blessingpreneur is someone who uses his or her business for the sole purpose of blessing others so that the recipient may know God's greatness and all that God has to offer. In other words, while making a profit is nice the Blessingpreneur feels a "calling" to bless and truly feels it is better to give than receive. In business and in life, they are guided by Biblical Blessings and principles which they profess boldly before others. In a world of political correctness, they are proud to be "bringing the Bible back."

Moms Working for the Kingdom is pleased to bring the interview of a true Blessingprenuer to the Woman2Woman Lounge......Enjoy!

W2W: Paula how did Blessingprenuer come to fruition?

Paula: I have learned that God always puts these things in my heart by having multiple exposures to the idea. When I heard one of my favorite teachers, Dr. Nasir Siddiki, talk about shalom and how that word means so much more than "peace" it really caught my attention. Shortly thereafter, I came across a home decor item that has "The Blessing of Shalom," on it, which I always love to hear the preacher say before church is dismissed. For reference it is:

The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious to you;
the LORD lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you shalom.
(Num. 6:24-26)

W2W: What is your favorite quote that Jesus said and how has it affected your life?

Paula: I have so many but one of my favorites, especially for business is from John 14:26-27:

"All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

This is incredibly powerful! When I left a six-figure corporate job to start my own business, I KNEW that despite the unknown aspect of starting a new business, particularly on a bit of short notice, that starting a business was something God wanted me to do. I felt deeply and still do, that I would not have grown as a Christian if I had moved to a "new" location working under a "different" management. I would have been so focused on working humongous hours and pleasing my new bosses, that developing an intimate relationship with God, as I have now, would have flown out the window. It is being led and guided by the Holy Counselor, Comforter, Spirit, that has a given me sense of peace around this.

W2W: What thing are you most thankful to our Heavenly Father for?

Paula: I am SO thankful for having had a birth father who was my biggest champion and whose sense of adventure and "can do it-ness" shaped my life before I even began school. He was a life long learner and I LOVE learning! I miss him deeply. Complementary to that I am thankful for my mother who lives with me. Her only agenda, so to speak, was to be a good mother. She wasn't trying to be "Supermom - Career-mom, Back to-school" mom. Her only desire and reason for existence was to be home for my brother and me when we got home from school, keep a clean house, cook, and make sure we were clean and neatly dressed." I recognize and appreciate how truly an honor and privilege that was. While we often clash now because of my own ambition, she "keeps it real" for me because of her own ownership of knowing who we was.

W2W: What tips can you give to anyone seeking to start their own business?

Paula: I have three:

a). Make sure you have a God-ordained Vision. Somehow or the other what you are doing should uplift the Kingdom, even it is not directly faith-related. It could be as simple as providing great customer service. That's still uplifting the Kingdom by brightening someone's day and being Christlike in your actions.

b). Make sure you ABSOLUTELY love what you are doing. If not, it doesn't matter how popular it is, how many people are doing it, if it doesn't make your heart sing to be doing it, it will get old, tiring and boring very fast.

c). Make sure you have a plan and write it down. Habakkuk 2:2 says: "Write the vision, and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it, because surely it will come."

W2W: What would you advise the entrepreneur who is suddenly faced with taking care of an aging or ill parent(s)?

Paula: For sure it is important to take care of your parent. At the same time it is vitally important to take care of yourself. At the end of the day, if you are to have a business that is going to run smoothly you need to not let that go. Whether you have to call on a relative, hire someone, or whatever, you must take care of your business. Equally important you must not let yourself go. I've been on the other side of making extreme sacrifices for a parent who because of the illness does not even remember the sacrifice or the degree of the sacrifice. You do no one any good, to be tired, worn out and beat down because of business/care taking duties. You MUST find that balance - as delicate as it might be. In the end, everyone will win from your exercising due diligence in that area.

W2W: What is your favorite of the 4 Gospels of the Bible and why?

Paula: My favorite is John, from the beginning to the end and all the red letter quotes from Jesus such as "I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly."

Then there are the words from John: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word has with God and the Word was God." And at the end, he indicates that we have seen only the tip of the iceberg: "Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books what would be written."

John is one of the most convincing books about Jesus Christ and his work.

W2W: What is your biggest joy in being a Blessingpreneur?

Paula: My biggest joy has and always will be helping others. It is a wonderful feeling to see someone succeed or get further ahead because of a "blessing" you have given.

Moms working for the Kingdom wants to thank Paula Quick for her time in giving us this interview. You can find out more about being a blessingprenuer by visiting her website @http://www.blessingpreneur.homestead.com/

Sherri Walker
Woman2Woman Lounge, Editor & Founder of
Moms Working for Kingdom
http://momsworkingforthekingdom.org

December 12, 2007

Empowering young people and women to use their gifts and weapons to make a change in the world is this woman's mission in life. She is a licensed Evangelist
and a graduate of San Bernardino Valley College with an Associates degree in Liberal Arts and Living Waters Theological University with a Bachelors degree in Christian Education, a Masters degree in Sacred Music and a Doctorate degree in Christian Education Administration. She knows that education is the key and what better subject than the word of God.

Her name is Malaika Brown. This wife and mother of two first love is music. Singing since the age of 6, she has sung in numerous choirs and praise teams across the country and even backed up such gospel greats as Hezekiah Walker. She is also an accomplished director and worship leader. Music is an expression of her love, PRAISE. She doesn’t just believe that praise is what you do; she believes that praise is who you are.

Malaika‘s testimony is not one of a person who has never made a mistake but of one who knows too well about God’s grace and mercy. She believes that it is not how many times you fall but how many times you get back up and press forward towards your goal. Malaika emphasizes within her ministry the importance of getting back up and never losing your praise in the process. Praise changes ANY situation. Woman2Woman is honored to bring you the interview of this Evangelist of promise. Let’s sit back and relax and visit within the heart and spirit of Malaika Brown of J1 Ministries…

W2W: Malaika when did you first sense your call to ministry, please tell us about your journey.

Malaika: I was baptized in Jesus’ name and received the Holy Ghost at the age of seven. When I was eleven years old, I felt the calling of God on my life to preach the word of God but I was afraid. I didn’t want to acknowledge such a great calling. I eventually accepted the call at age 19. But there were going to be rough times ahead once I made this choice. Growing up in the Apostolic church, I lived a very restricted life, or at least in the eyes of a child. I felt that I was missing so much of life. By age 20, I wanted to experience what I felt was out there for me. After some time trying to “experience life”, I finally realized how great God was. I no longer lived according to tradition but started to develop my own relationship with God. When I made THIS choice I began to see such a change in my walk with God. Since this time, I have devoted myself to studying and understanding God’s word. I went to Bible College and systematically studied the word so that I could effectively impart God’s word to His people.

W2W: Who or what is your continued inspiration?

Malaika: I would have to say that Jesus Christ is and always will be my continued inspiration. His love and patience with me is enough to keep me pressing when I don’t always feel like it. He shed His blood when He didn’t deserve to just for me, so I can give my life to Him.

W2W: There are many with a heart for ministry. What words of advice or encouragement would you give to those sensing or obeying God’s call to ministry?

Malaika: I think we have to realize that ministry is servitude. So we must have the mind of a servant. If we are not ready to serve, then ministry is not for us. But if we desire to suppress our own needs and desire so that others may be empowered and uplifted then my advise would be to start on a firm foundation. Prayer, fasting and studying your word are key. If you get into this mode early, knowing and hearing God’s voice will come easy. Once you know God’s plan, all you need to do is move towards the goal. Always consult God’s direction for every decision.

W2W: Malaika you have sung with one of my favorite gospel artist, Hezekiah Walker. I believe being able to praise God in song is such a gift, honor, and joy. What is your favorite gospel song and why?

Malaika: I would have to say my favorite gospel song by far is “Total Praise” by Richard Smallwood. The lyrics say it all. When I needed help, I lifted my eyes to the hills and found help. Jesus is the source of my strength. I love the end where it simply says “Amen”. Amen means it is done and complete. I don’t need to look anywhere else because Jesus has everything I need.

W2W: Can you share with us some things you have learned through experience that would help other women get through times with faith and strength?

Malaika: Having survived a hard marriage, I ended up being a single mother of two beautiful girls. I was working full time and going to school full time. This experience, the bad marriage and single parenthood, helped me learn faith in God. I had no one else to turn to but God. I was so dependent on Him that even when I was homeless, I still had joy! In the midst of the ashes was when God started His rebuilding process. The mate He had for me was waiting in the wings and God gave me a husband who is a God-fearing, praying man of God. He has embraced my children and shown me love that comes only from God. Women who are single mothers, God has someone for you out there. Never feel like no one can love you with children. I am a witness that it can happen!

W2W: How do you hope to see your ministry grow in the next few years?

Malaika: I would like to begin traveling more extensively and ministering to youth and women across the world. I am praying for God to open up financial doors so that I have the flexibility to do this. I also would like to start my own school. I want it to be a charter or private school for grades k-12 with a biblical base. I believe educating our youth is the greatest gift we can give them aside from giving them God.

W2W: Malaika do you have any final thoughts or words of encouragement that you would you like to give to young women today?

Malaika: to every young woman out there, don’t rush into things. If you are single, enjoy being single and draw yourself closer to God. In due season, you will have the life partner He has for you. For those who are married, cherish your husband and reverence him and make sure that you both reverence and worship God as a couple, and if there are children as a family. It makes the difference.

Woman2Woman wants to thank Malaika Brown for her time in giving us this interview. You can find out more about this Evangelist @ http://www.myspace.com/j_oneministries

Sherri Walker
Woman2Woman Lounge, Editor & Founder of
Moms Working for Kingdom
http://momsworkingforthekingdom.org

December 19, 2007

This week's spotlight is on a woman who is a wife and mother of three. Raised by a teenage single mother she was determined not to let her circumstances dictate who she would be and how far she would go. Statistics said one thing but she proved them wrong. Molestation, dysfunction, high school drop out, teenage pregnancy, non stability –these were some of the things that she had to face head on. But she took the bull by the horns and ran and kept on until she came to a place of solace which she eventually found in the Lord in 1995.

Her name is Nicole Cleveland and her life today is different than it was before she found her place of refuge in the Lord. No more would she have to fill the void she once had with Men, clubs, alcohol, and drugs because that emptiness was filled by Christ Jesus when he took up residence in her heart.

Nicole pressed on and is currently the Editor & Chief of Breath Again Online Magazine which she began in 2006. Her vision was to design a magazine that would uplift women and address the issues they go through. She is also a Fundraiser & Development Manager for her local Public Broadcasting station.

By the grace of God tragedy was turned into triumph for Nicole who came from the streets and overcame the odds stacked up against her. She stands by the scripture Genesis 50:20 and her life is a living testimony.

The Woman2Woman Lounge was please to have the opportunity to interview Nicole Cleveland. We know you will enjoy reading more of her story.

W2W: Nicole what inspired you to form Breathe Again Online Magazine?

Nicole: In 2004, three days after I gave birth to our third child, my husband, which is a minister decided he didn’t want to be married anymore. The bible says that “we are overcome by the words of our testimony” But I found that not a lot of people were willing to share their “true” testimony. At that time I needed to feel—touch someone that went through what I was going through. So the Lord gave me a vision to start a forum that women can post real life testimonies of overcoming adversity. I don’t want anyone to feel like I did. Alone & Suicidal.

W2W: What's your favorite Bible verse and why?

Nicole: That’s tough but I would have to say Psalms 91 and Isaiah 61:7

Psalms 91--In times of trouble and fear I turn to Psalms 91
“thou shalt not be afraid for the terror at night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day.

Isaiah 61:7 – For your shame ye shall have double
Lord knows I have had some shame and I find solace in knowing the Lord is going to bless me with double for my shame. I expect it, as he has promised me.

W2W: What encouragement can you give to other women trying to overcome battles in their lives?

Nicole: Just know that the storm is but a season. Just like we live and function is seasons in the natural. It is the same in the spirit. There are seasons of plenty, as well as lack/dry. Take your pain and turn it into a purpose. Next time the cares of the world take over. Ask the Lord, ”what are you trying to teach me”. Be still and let him show you. There is a lesson in it all.

W2W: How do you hope to see your magazine grow in the next couple of years?

Nicole: In the next 3-5 years my prayer is for Breathe Again Magazine to be a restoration forum. For women all over the nation to be able to find an article of encouragement, read and say. “ If she made it than I know I can make it” Money is good but it’s not about that (it’s nice but not the purpose ). I want to also attract solid business advertisers that will partner with Breathe Again Magazine.

W2W: What have some of your experiences been like in reaching out to other women through Breathe Again Magazine?

Nicole: It’s truly a blessing to be able to know that women are being blessed by reading the articles in Breathe Again Magazine. We have heard from readers in Hawaii , Germany and Africa . I am so humbled

W2W: How do you balance family and work?

Nicole: Pray for me in this area. I am still trying to balance. Wife, mother of three, employee, business owner, volunteer, church, sister, friend, full time job. It’s just not enough hours in the day.

W2W: What is your greatest stress reliever?

Nicole: Writing. Writing to me is therapy. A pot of coffee, classical music and a laptop, That’s my stress reliever.

Woman2Woman wants to thank Nicole Cleveland for giving us this interview. You can find out more about her and Breath Again Magazine @ http://www.breatheagainmagazine.com

Sherri Walker
Woman2Woman Lounge, Editor & Founder of
http://momsworkingforthekingdom.org

"Uniting, Edifying, Inspiring, Motivating & Empowering Women"