Isn’t It Good to Be in His Care? - Pastor H. Al Sims, Jr.
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Interview With Apostle, Dr. Meta James
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Keeping up With Sophia Sparkle Youth Group and Doris Anetha Shelto McLennon -- The Effect on Parents Showing Favoritism to a Child/Children
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What a Mother Is- Melissa Brown
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Mother May I - Claricia Harley
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Transforming Our Lives - Sharon Weeks-Alleyne
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God’s Time - Athena Morrison
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Do Not Get Off Track - Apostle, Dr. Meta James
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5 Simple Rules for Healthful Eating - Herline A. Knights, MS, RDN, LDN
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Contributors Melissa Brown Claricia Harley Apostle Dr. Meta James Doris Anetha Shelto McLennon
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Athena Morrison Pastor H. Al Sims, Jr. Sharon Weekes-Alleyne
From the Desk of the Editor-in-Chief
Donna Royalty Ross
Happy Mother’s Day
I wish every woman reading this magazine a Happy Mother’s Days. Women, PLEASE NOTE -- you do not have to have physically given birth to a child to be a mother. According to Mothers in the Bible, a devotional. A mother in the Bible is a most honored woman, and great stress is laid upon the influence of mothers. The word “mother” appears in the Bible almost 300 times. According to Merriman-Webster the meaning of mother is a female parent, a woman in authority, the superior of a religious community of women, an old or elderly woman. Which one do you fall under this Mother’s Day? Whether you are a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, godmother, aunt, cousin or even a female who has rendered love to any child, I salute you today. Women are nurturers and as nurturers we all have offered food, protection, support, encouragement, or training to not only our children, but to other children. You may just have the role to mother children you have met as a mentor and a guide. Just know that your good words, thoughts, and deeds have left, is leaving right now, or in the future will leave a lasting impression in the lives of the children you have touched along the way.
us. They are little sponges absorbing everything that they see us do. As grandmothers who for whatever reason may be taking care of children in this pandemic, it may be challenging, having taken care of your own children and now having to be grandmothers. Just know that God has given you the stamina to nurture your grandchildren in this season. As great grandmothers, you have the pleasure of watching your great grands explore the world in a way in which you were never able to. As godmothers, aunts and even cousins, nurture in any way possible, as we all remember that our children, grandchildren, great grandchildren are the ones who will be taking care of us. Let us nurture them and pour God’s love into them, even as we were poured into.
As mothers, we may not have done everything right, however, our objective should always be to train up our children in a manner that would always glorify God.
On behalf Transformational4Real Magazine and ITM Global Ministries we once again extend Mother’s Day greetings to all mothers.
As mothers, especially those who have been quarantined during the last year or more, we must understand that our children are always watching
Donna Royalty Ross
Walking in God’s Scandalous Grace 3
From the Pastor’s Desk:
Pastor H. Al Sims, Jr. Senior Pastor of Bethesda Church of God, Sumter, SC
Isn’t It Good to Be in His Care? Isn’t It Good to Be in His Care?
B
eing cared for is something we yearn for from birth to death. Think about it, it is part of our nature to care for people and things, and to be cared for ourselves. A baby comes into the world needing care, not knowing what it needs or even how to communicate the need. Somehow parents and children develop a way of communicating various needs and thus a strong bond develops. It is amazing that a baby is unable to talk, yet in a short period of time, can let the caregiver know that he or she is hungry, thirsty, sleepy, in a good mood or needs a diaper change. That list can be even more detailed according to how attentive and caring the caregiver. As the child grows and matures, the care does not stop or at least should not stop. A real caregiver wants to make sure the child learns the basics of life and achieves a certain level of ability to care for themselves. Things like common sense, education, proper nutrition, money management,
work skills, household chores and tasks and the list can go on and on. A great caregiver also pours into the child’s core values respect for others, right from wrong, honesty and integrity, just to name a few. The Bible shows the greatest examples of caregivers in the persons of God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. In Matthew 10:29-31, the scriptures paint a beautiful picture of God, our Caregiver. It declares, “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing (penny)? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” Listen how the scriptures describe Jesus as a caregiver. In I Peter 5:7 it says, “Casting all your care upon him; for He careth for you.” In Matthew 11: 28-29 Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and
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lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” The Holy Spirit is also such a great caregiver! In John 14:26 the Holy Spirit is a helper who teaches and reminds; in I Corinthians 2:1011 the Holy Spirit is a source of revelation, wisdom, and power; in John 16:13 the Holy Spirit guides to all truth, including knowledge of what is to come; and in I Corinthians 12:7-11 the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to believers. So, as you can see the Holy Trinity are awesome caregivers! Now, what does that mean to you and me? It means that we have all we need to be comforted, protected and successful until Christ Jesus returns to gather his spotless bride (the Church/ Believers) to be forever with Him. In summary, “But my God shall supply all of your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:19. Isn’t it good to be in His care?!
interview
Interview with
Apostle, Dr. Meta James Apostle Meta, thank you for allowing me the pleasure of interviewing you for the T4realMagazine. Let me begin by welcoming you as one of the T4Real Magazine Contributors – you will be giving us a monthly article for the magazine so that others can hear your heart. It is my pleasure to interview you Apostle James, so tell us a little about yourself. Well, I am the daughter of Harold and late Reverend Hernine James and the fifth daughter of six children. God blessed me with 3 grown men and their wonderful wives and 10 grandchildren. Daniel my oldest is married to Clarice (Reese), Stephen my second is married to Sharena and David my last son is married to Kendra. I have 10 grandchildren: Carter, Stephen Jr, Sanai’, Skye’lar, Serena, Isaiah, Azariyah, Elijah, Jeremiah and Christopher. I have been serving the Lord since I was nineteen. Honolulu, Hawaii is where I accepted the Lord. When did you realize the call of God upon your life? As a child I could hear God’s voice but growing up and seeing how many treated my mother as a preacher I thought ‘nope not for me’. However, I joined a church and loved serving God’s people at a nursing home, going on youth retreats and having the opportunity to build a nutrition center in another country. Tell us about Meta James Ministries and some of the things your ministry is doing for the Kingdom of God. One of the ministries Meta James has is ‘SPAROW’ – Saved People Always Rending Our Will (to the Lord), was started to encourage women of all ages. It’s a place that women meet weekly to be encouraged; setting aside titles and just be themselves without the stigma of “what pastor so and so feels that way”. Nothing is taboo; we talk about any issue one may have. I believe the church has failed so many people by saying you cannot discuss problems, that if someone asks you how you are doing that you answer, “I’m blessed and highly favored”. Yet you are in a battle in your mind, you feel overwhelmed and thoughts of not wanting to live flood your mind. The bible says in the multitude of counselors there is safety. We discuss the issues, give Godly advice, and pray for one another. The titles upon you are many. Do you stop to ponder upon the number of assignments that God has given to you? It goes along with the scripture “to whom much is given, much is required.” 5
When I said yes to the lord, I was fully committed to my assignments. I take them one at a time and listen to which one God wants to me do. So many people have incomplete assignments because they are trying to do it all at once. God said write a book, He told me when to write and I literally sat down one weekend and wrote “Help the Church”. This is a short book on Amazon that discusses issues people deal with; marriage, divorce, depression, living holy, dumb things people say when someone dies, and other topics. How do you handle all the different people that are constantly seeking to hear your heart? It is important that we replenish daily. Praying, fasting, and studying the word of God is just the first step. You must have a covering that supports you and uplifts you. I have an awesome covering, Apostle Mark Walker Jr and the KEM Fellowship along with the affiliate churches are such a great group of people that speak what saith the Lord, right when you need it. So, as I pour into others God always reciprocates it back to me. Knowing what God has deposited in me, I freely give. Knowing when to rest is so important. What are the things in the ‘Kingdom of God’ atmosphere that grabs your attention the most? The dimensions of God’s Glory are amazing, believing that miracles do exist and allowing me to be that vessel; I am just so grateful. The presence of His Glory, to see supernatural things and know I am just one member doing my part. See, I did not believe in the Holy Ghost, not that I was taught against it, I just was not taught about it. So, how God filled me with divers tongues it still amazes me, how He moves in such a way that all I must do is submit and when I do, the Kingdom of God truly comes in every time, like fire, just like Pentecost. Was there a specific incident or circumstance that was pivotal in you knowing or deciding with determination that “for God, I will live and for God I will die”? I think when life was so difficult and I did not want to live any longer, God spoke to me and said you will live and not die and declare my wonderful works. God had a purpose for me, and no matter what came my way I knew that with God on my side I could make it and that nothing will come between our relationship again. I was so grateful because on that day I should have died and He allowed me to live. This was the power of God overriding a bottle of pills; my stomach was not pumped just me and Jesus. I am not ashamed because if I can help just one person know that God loves them and there is hope, then talking about one of the darkest times in my life has changed me forever. As God continues to position you in the lives of many, what would be the “thing” that you want to impart the most? That no matter what you go through Jesus will instruct you and teach the way you should go and guide you with His eye. That you may feel dirty like crimson, but Jesus will make you white as snow. His blood will wash and clean you and make you whole. Do not quit; keep fighting the good fight of faith because we go through many battles, we do not stay there, and the devil has already been defeated. That you can do all things through Christ that strengthens you. If you need to talk, I will always be there to listen, pray and give you the hope that lives within me. Apostle: It was my pleasure interviewing you. I am excited about where God is taking you and I wish you God’s richest blessings as you move forward doing the things that God has called and ordained for you to do and be. 6
Keeping up with Sophia Sparkles Youth Group and Doris Anetho Shelto McLennon. The Effect on Parents Showing Favoritism to Child/Children
B
eing the Founder of Sophia Sparkle Youth Group and Mothers Action on Social Issues, I have dealt with parents and their offspring for over two decades. There is so much that I have learned and observed; I choose to write about Favoritism. I often hear children joking about being their Mom’s or Dad’s favorite, about who will receive the better gifts on birthday or graduation, more hugs, more attention, etc. I want Parents to understand that playing favorite to a child is no joking matter. I personally did a survey a while ago on Parents, and from my findings, over fifty percent admitted to having a favorite child. Many Parents are aware that they are supposed to love their children equally, but no matter how hard they try, there are indeed parents who do express it out unconsciously that they favor one over the other. We must be incredibly careful because the child will know it. Ask a child who is Mom’s or Dad’s favorite and at the snap of a finger they will call a name of their sibling or siblings. I am also aware that there are times when Parents compare a Child to another and that their intentions are good. They are hoping that the contrast will motivate the child in question. Never set your child up to compete one with the other. Parents showing favoritism will lead to your child adopting a sense of rejection from you, and those feelings can follow them
into their adulthood. Feelings of depression, rejection, anxiety or even traumatic reaction, self- esteem issues can follow your child/children into their adulthood. We are also aware that Parents will indeed feel closer to a child with illnesses or a special need and that is understandable; the entire family can relate. STOP comparing them! Your child will translate this action to a belief that you really do love and prefer their sister/brother more. They will feel down and will believe that they cannot live up to the expectations of Mom and Dad. Each child is unique and different. Do not treat them differently than their siblings, give them the love and care perhaps a little differently, but equally. This can have a vital effect on your child, it develops jealousy and that can be bad and have serious consequences. There is nothing worse than the feeling of your Parents loving your siblings more. It can also lead to a child running away from home. Even if you love them equally, everything is based on your action. I refuse to close this article unless I mention this: you can raise your child well without physically abusing them. Avoid scolding your child in public. If he or she did something wrong, even if it was severe enough to warrant your child must be scolded or punished, do not do it in public. It seriously destroys them, and they will not ever forget it!
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You mean a lot to your children. They love you, so bear in mind that it hurts them and has a great effect on them to even hear you say certain things to them in anger. Words or phrases like ‘foolish child’, ‘useless’, ‘I can’t stand you’, ‘you’re just like your father’ or something along those lines. Also, phrases like ‘good for nothing’, ‘move from my presence’, ‘I don’t want to see you’, ‘go to your room and stay there’, ‘you’re not getting a meal in here today’ and the list goes on. These are very damaging to your children. One quick word of advice: take time out to spend with your children. Your time and attention are significant! Watch a family movie together, worship together, teach them to love GOD the CREATOR and putting GOD first in everything they do. Take time out with your children, it matters a lot. Psalms 127:3 declares “Children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is HIS reward. (5) Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them”. Proverbs 22:6 tells us to “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it”. Amen.
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Mother May I W
Claricia Harley
hen was it that you first became a mother? Was it the moment
you found out you conceived your child or when a young child looked up to you? Believe it or not, we all have a mothering and nurturing gene deep within us whether we realize it or not. God has equipped us to carry the loving ear to listen, a heart of wisdom, warm eyes to see when the same perspective of
all these mothers or specifically identify
others around us.
with one, all mothers are called for the
Mothers are welcoming, warm, full of
season of motherhood. Continue to
wisdom, and often those who push us to
walk out your motherhood journey and
our greatness. If you have been blessed
pass on your legacy of faith, relationship
to become a mother or just mother
with Christ and fellowship with others
those around you, it is a calling not to
to your loved ones.
take lightly. Sometimes our wombs are barren like Hannah and Sarah, but we believe in miracles like Elizabeth, we are
Pray with me:
favored like Mary, we have a mother-in-
Father I thank you for my mother and
law with such amazing faith like Naomi.
the biblical mothers before me. I pray
We are those who follow the rules like
that I seek wisdom
Samson’s mother, sometimes we have a
from all of them and apply it to my
plan like Jochebed, having to share like
journey as a mother. In Jesus name.
Leah and Rachel, the mother with such
Amen.
belief as Rebekah, or the will to endure
Happy Mother’s Day
like Hagar. No matter if we are a mix of 9
Transforming Our Lives Sharon Weeks-Alleyne
The Bible is full of scripture; Proverbs, Psalms, and stories that are there to assist us in transforming our lives. In this Month’s Issue I would like us to look at PSALMS 1 which is so helpful if we want to see changes in our lives. It starts out by saying: “BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT WALKETH NOT IN THE COUNSEL OF THE UNGODLY…” If you really want to be blessed/happy, you should not seek ungodly counsel and many times these are the type persons we seek out because they will tell us exactly what we want to hear. If we have marital problems, especially when we feel we are in the right, we don’t want to hear try the fruit of the spirit. We go to the person who will tell us the opposite because that is how we feel in the moment. We want to lash out, but The Word is telling us not to go that route if we really want to be Blessed and Happy. It also admonishes us: “NOT TO STAND IN THE WAY OF SINNER…” Growing up in Church we were taught this meant not going to the cinema, ungodly family gatherings or parties that were not Christian, but this is speaking to more than missing out on family gatherings. It is speaking of our everyday lives, who we associate with on a daily basis, the conversations, the things we do with others and the things we feed our minds and souls with. We may say ‘Oh, I’m fine, they can’t change me’, but it does. It is like taking a pure bucket of spring water and you keep dropping muddy, murky water in it, that water becomes contaminated and so do we. 10
“NOR SIT IN THE SEAT OF THE SCORNFUL…” This shows that after standing we get comfortable; we take a seat; we are relaxed in the setting now. We are participating in their lewd jokes, their mockery about Christians and Christianity. It doesn’t make us uncomfortable, and we are at the stage where we no longer mention our faith. “HIS DELIGHT IS IN THE LAW OF THE LORD AND HE MEDITATES ON IT DAY AND NIGHT…” This is straightforward…our happiness, joy and blessings come from meditating on God’s Word and the things of God. We do so every opportunity we get. “THE UNGODLY ARE NOT SO BUT ARE LIKE A CHAFF WHICH THE WIND DRIVES AWAY…” This is saying to us that the ungodly does not have the joy that comes from God. They keep blowing with every wind to find happiness; the next party, the next beer, the next high, they are seeking but can’t find satisfaction. “THEREFORE THE UNGODLY CANNOT STAND IN THE JUDGMENT, NOR SINNERS IN THE CONGREGATION OF THE RIGHTEOUS, FOR THE LORD KNOW THE WAY OF THE RIGHTEOUS BUT THE WAY OF THE UNGODLY SHALL PERISH.” So, we know if we are not rooted and grounded in God and His Word and we’re just blowing about like a dry leaf, we will not be able to stand in the judgement; as God knows the heart of all who are seeking Him and know Him, and their lives are reflecting Him. So we simply must make a choice, we must either be transformed by The Word or conform to The World. Joshua 24:14-15 states “CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY WHOM YOU WILL SERVE”.
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GOD’S TIME Athena Morrison
Considering where we are in our “waiting” period and the things for which we are awaiting, we may think we are never going to have those things or maybe they are not what God has in store for us. In times of hardship, we sometimes feel our prayers and cries to God are not being heard because we do not see an immediate change in our situations. In 2 Peter 3:8, we see the following “But, beloved, do not forget this one
thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
(NKJV) This should tell us that our earthly/fleshly timing is not in sync with the timing of God. We must therefore be in constant communication with God through fasting and prayer to see that He has a plan and time for all His children.
As we read the book of Genesis, we see that Sarah prayed daily to bring forth children but was not able to, and finally gave up believing that she could ever be able to conceive, which we all think of as the natural course of a wife and a woman. When God told Abraham that Sarah would become the mother of a son, Sarah laughed, thinking “I am past my childbearing age and my husband is old!”
In Genesis 18:14, it states “Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son” (NIV). This tells us that with God, timing is in His hands no matter when we think the right time should be.
No one can change the timing set by God, no matter how it seems, we must remember that the tough times we go through are the times the enemy fights us the hardest. He knows that God has something great in store for us and he knows that our waiting period is about to come to an end and his agenda is to make us believe that God has forgotten us. The reward of waiting is shown in Lamentations 3:25-26 “The Lord
is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord” (NKJV)
Salvation is offered to all of God’s children along with all the other things we pray and are waiting for. The price for this was paid in full when Jesus gave His life for us. Let us therefore stay in a prayerful state and as our relationship with Him progresses, we will have the ability to be patient, still and obedient and we will know without a doubt, that all will happen in God’s perfect timing.
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Do Not Get Off Track
Apostle, Dr. Meta James metajamesministries@gmail. com
Y
ou know I have been thinking about what has been going on in the world and the level of difficulties people
are facing. The greatest problem facing so many is death. To the believers we know to be absent from the body is to be in the presence of the Lord, but what about the unbeliever? This is where my heart aches. People have left this earth without accepting the Lord. We know that after death to judgement we all must go and only two homes: eternal life or eternal
damnation. The pain of burying a loved one; but do they know the Lord? Has our loved one, friend, acquaintances accepted Jesus and letting the fruit of the Spirit be evident in their life? We turn on the news and we hear about shooting, missing children, the senseless killings of George Floyd and so many others. I know many discuss over and over and get angry and national guard gets called out to guard so many states. Again, as much as it hurts to even view this on TV, and even talk about it, I still hear the spirit of God say, “Don’t get off track”. Our greatest commission seems to be overtaken by the TV, social media daily conversation with friends and family. Jesus is Alpha and Omega He knows that in this day and time what we would be going through and He does not change. We must get our focus back on track and encourage others 14
to accept Jesus into their heart. Every opportunity we get, it is our duty to win souls for Christ. Please do not get me wrong, I feel the pain of all the injustice and crimes happening, but we have to offer hope for this world. We cannot be so overwhelmed that we get off track and forget to offer a peace that passeth understanding. Precious people of God, during Jesus’ most difficult times He turned to the Father as an example for us. Flooding our eye gates, ear gates and our heart with trauma day after day is not what our Lord desires for us. We meet people in the supermarket and strike up a conversation with them about current events, but how about us being the person that will say that Jesus loves you and is concerned about your life. My friends, talking about death over and over brings discouragement and no hope. Let us turn it around and be that light in these dark times. I do not negate the facts that terrible things are happening, and God knows that I have prayed that justice prevails and that everything done in darkness will be brought to light. My heart is that Lord help us to remember that ‘God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life’. I decree that we will repent and get things right with the Lord. I decree life in these dead situations, that all the violence will stop, and people will treat each other with dignity and respect. I decree that we as the body of Christ will rally together and speak hope to those that feel hopeless. I decree that our children will turn to Jesus and not fall for the tricks of the enemy. I decree that marriages will be whole and that husbands will love their wives as Christ loved the Church. I decree that children will be obedient to their parents in the Lord. I decree that we will put the Lord first in everything that we do. This is how we get back on track and once we do this, then we can help those that seem to have lost their way and believe that Jesus has abandoned them. We can do all things through Christ Who strengthens us! Hold on my friend, and do not lose your faith in Jesus, for He will never leave nor forsake you.
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5 Simple Rules for Healthful Eating
Herline A. Knights, MS, RDN, LDN
D
iet advice is everywhere—on the Internet,
purchasing any food, but fail to look at the
in our favorite magazines, and passed
ingredient list. Many of the foods that look
on by word of mouth. Sometimes it is just
healthful at first glance contain ingredients
overwhelming. To make it easier, here are five
that you cannot pronounce—which may mean
foolproof guidelines to help you get a running
that the item is not nearly as good for us as
start to eat more healthfully.
the manufacturer would like us to believe.
1. If you cannot pronounce the ingredients,
2. Apple pie is not a fruit.
pass it up.
It is easy to play games with yourself when
Many people diligently look at the front of
you are trying to watch the way that you eat.
the package or the nutrition label before
Sure, some broccoli possibly is buried under 16
that cheese sauce or that drink may contain
and do not overdo any one food or food group,
some fruit juice, but if you are honest with
or completely neglect another.
yourself, you know better. How your food is
5. Choose whole foods.
prepared is often as important as what type of
Select whole fresh foods, not fresh fruit that
food it is.
is squished into a “100% real fruit” fruit snack
3. Eating all your pasta is not going to save
or a vegetable that is dehydrated, salted, and
any starving children.
baked into a cracker. No, we are talking about
Membership in the “clean plate club” does not
the kind of whole foods that grow out of the
offer any benefits. Stop eating when you are
ground and on trees. If you choose these foods
full. Have your leftovers boxed up, or put them
more often and their processed counterparts
away for tomorrow’s lunch. Listen to your
less often, you have already won half the
body.
battle.
4. A moderate diet is a healthy diet.
References and Recommended Readings:
Plato wrote this in The Republic in 360 BC:
The best diet: quality counts. Harvard School
“A moderate diet is a healthful diet.” He
of Public Health website. http://www.hsph.
continued, “And with such a diet they may be
harvard.edu/nutritionsource/best-diet-quality-
expected to live in peace and health to a good
counts/. Accessed September 10, 2015.
old age, and bequeath a similar life to their children after them.” This is sound advice today. Eat what you like from every food group, 17
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