In The Living Room With Missionary & Author Sheila L. Jackson

Author Sheila L. Jackson is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana and a very dear and wonderful friend. She is the prime example that it is not where you come from, but indeed who you truly are and where God is taking you. Sheila lives by the motto, "I want more out of life than just to exist", and she has proven just that by opening her heart and mind to the endless possibilities that God has her name on.
I am so happy to introduce this awesome woman of God to you and share a little about her life and obedience to Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

---

Tell our viewers who you are and a little bit about you.

I was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, where I still reside with my husband and two daughters. I graduated from Booker T. Washington H.S in 1984. I work as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist and hold a Bachelor’s of Science degree from ULM of Monroe, LA. and an Associate of Science degree from Southern University, Shreveport, LA. I was not the product of a Christian home, but at an early age God revealed things and worked through me, even when I didn’t know what it all meant at the time. I have been speaking for over 15 years, teaching for 18 years (on many topics & genres), and a published author for 5 years.  I am the author of “The Enemy Within” and “Through the Eyes of God”. I penned many articles, such as: Only the Strong Survive, Count it all Joy, and Suffering in Silence, which appeared in Dream Magazine. I also wrote: Voting Booths, allow you to speak now or forever hold your peace (during the presidential election) and The Effects of Bullying in our school system,which both appeared in the Shreveport Times.

Do you truly believe that you are walking in your purpose and Sheila what did it take to get you to this point?

Yes, I know that I am walking in my purpose. Just to see so many people that are helped by what God has put in me, let’s me know that I’m where He wants me to be. It took stepping out of my comfort zone and refusing to be just another bench member to say, “Yes God, whatever you want me to do, I’ll do it”, but do nothing at all. When I said that, I truly meant it,  but it came with a price: the alienation from family, friends, and jealous church members that I surpassed when it came to being an obedient servant of God.

What advice would you give to a young woman who knows that God has something special for her, but somehow can’t seem to get enough faith to walk in her purpose?

I will tell her first to pray and ask God to strengthen her where her faith is weak. Secondly, surround yourself with strong women of God that are stepping out and walking boldly in their purpose. Thirdly, not worry how things are going to work out, because if God has given you the vision, it will surely come to past.

All of us have gone through some rough times, Can you recall a time when you really believed that God had left you by yourself and how did you overcome?

I remember when God first started speaking to me about my ministry. As long as I was doing nothing, everybody loved Sheila, but when I accepted the things that God was calling me out to do, the hellhounds broke loose. I felt alone and thought I had heard wrong, the mission that He had called me out to do.  God later revealed to me that I had to go through those wilderness experiences to develop tough spiritual skin. I’ve learned that as God elevates you higher, the attacks from Satan are that much stronger. God sends us through the storm, because it will keep us on our knees depending on Him. Even when we feel that we are alone, He is there.

In Ten minutes, would you give our viewers testimonies of God’s goodness and something specific that has happened in your life that will encourage, change, or usher them into a new perspective on life.

When God spoke to me about writing a book, I thought I was imagining things. Nevertheless, I was obedient and signed my first contract within 8 months of completing it. I was raised in an abusive home, where neither parent attended church, but God planted a seed in me at an early age to seek Him. I never would have thought a person like me was worthy of Him using me to proclaim His Word.
God has blessed me to touch so many lives, because I was willing to step out by faith to do His will and in return He has blessed my family and me tremendously. I’ve learned to never let anyone tell me what I can and cannot do, when God has already anointed me for the job.

Find out more about Sheila L. Jackson by going to www.sheilajackson2.com. 

CWS Press/Interview with Sheila L. Jackson

I would like to welcome Mrs. Sheila L. Jackson and known to some as Missionary Jackson from Shreveport Louisiana. Mrs. Jackson is an anointed speaker, teacher, and writer that utilize her gifts to carry the Word of God to those in need of spiritual soul food. She is the author of “The Enemy Within” and “Through the Eyes of God.”

Hello Missionary Jackson and welcome to Christian Women Lifestyle xPress. Tell the readers about yourself and what inspires you to use your craft to feed God’s children.

Hi Christian Women Lifestyle xPress.

 I still reside in Shreveport with my husband and two daughters. I graduated from Booker T. Washington H.S in 1984. I work as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist and hold a Bachelor’s of Science degree from ULM of Monroe, LA and an Associate of Science degree from Southern University, Shreveport, LA. I am currently working on my first Christian Fiction Novel. But, I do plan to continue writing Christian Non-fiction. Because I love to inspire, encourage, and motivate people to be the best that they can possibly be.

My love for people inspired me to use my gifts to feed God’s children. Since childhood, people have always confided in me with their most intimate secrets, things they couldn’t entrust with family members or close friends. So, it seems natural as an adult to continue that trust along with sharing God’s Word to those that seek answers to their everyday problems.

Tell us about “The Enemy Within” and Through the Eyes of God. What message did God want you to deliver through these books?

“The Enemy Within,” deals with self. Many times we blame others for our shortcomings, but Romans 7:21 says, “When I would do good evil is present with me.”  With all the good that we do, there is still, room for improvement.  It teaches also that there is a war raging inside us all and depending on the ammunition we use (God’s Word or Worldly Knowledge) will determine the outcome of who will win─ your flesh or your spirit man.

“Through The Eyes of God,” deals with how we allow the words of others to mold and shape us into someone we’re not. Psalms 139:14 say, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made”. This book brings out tough issues, such as self-hatred, identity crisis, the grasshopper image (believing the negative words people speak into your life), and prejudging others.

God spoke to my spirit about writing these books, because there are so many people that are hurting. Most books only give us what psychologists’ says. But I use God’s Word to show the reader how to become who created them to be.   

How long have you been a missionary? Explain to CWL readers a missionary job and how to become a missionary?

I have been a missionary for 13 years.

 At the church where I attend, missionaries’ roles are the same as ministers (to preach God’s Word). But we are to also go out and minister to those that are confined in hospital, prisons, or in their homes, because of illness that prevent them from coming to church.  We are to make ourselves available as counselors as well.

To be a missionary at my church, you must be anointed and show some evidence that God is moving in your life. Because, it’s a tiresome job and if it isn’t your passion, you will fall by the wayside. This is not a job that you can apply for. My pastor saw the gift in me, because I had been helping people long before I took the title as a missionary. God called us all to serve, so if you have a problem with serving others, than this job is not for you.

When you are performing your missionary duties where some of the places you visit and what are your main goals while you are performing these duties?

I visit schools, women and youth events, churches, hospitals, prisons, colleges, and nursing homes. I go wherever people need me or want to hear me.

My goal is to give people hope. When I’m lead to go to the nursing homes, my daughters and I will sing or play games with the elderly residents. Sometimes all they want is companionship. The other places I listed, I teach, pray, and listen at them voice their hurts or celebrate their accomplishments with them.

Many places call upon me as their keynote speaker to deliver an inspirational message to their congregation, youths, banquets, or women events

.

What words of encouragement could you leave with the readers who are struggling in their walk with God? We have all been there. But I am a praying woman, so I would encourage the readers to pray and seek God for the answers that they are searching for. Get away from negative people, so you can hear God when He speaks. Read the Bible; because that’s a Christian map to this tough journey we are on. Bible study and Sunday school is where it all begins, because with your pastor’s help, you can get your questions answered in those settings. Many people hate to attend them, but you will not survive as a Christian if you do not get your spirit man fed.

During the birthing process of your books what scriptures did you rely on the most and why? Habakkuk 2:2,  And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

2 Timothy 1:7, For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

These scriptures kept me going because, when God began to speak to me about writing. As long as I was doing nothing, everybody loved Sheila, but when I accepted the things that God was calling me out to do, the hellhounds broke loose. I felt alone and thought I had heard wrong, the mission that He had called me out to do.  God later revealed to me that I had to go through those wilderness experiences to develop tough spiritual skin. I’ve learned that as God elevates you higher, the attacks from Satan are that much stronger. God sends us through the storm, because it will keep us on our knees depending on Him.

There is so much more to Missionary Jackson, can you tell the readers how they can find out more about you? Yes, they can go to my website: www.sheilaljackson2.com, facebook.com/sheilalj, or http://twitter.com/sheilaljackson

How can your books be purchased? Through amazon.com, www.sheilaljackson2.com, Barnes and Noble, and on all online websites were books are sold.

I thank you Missionary Jackson for taking the time to speak with and encourage CWL readers. I pray God bless your craft to not only help feed souls but win them as well. Thank you for inviting me.