CONTENTS Transformational4Real Interview with the Prophetess and Visionary Come as you are Diabetes type 2 Recipes for transformational eating Eight weeks of combating Weight Gain during the Pandemic Trafficking Modern Day Slavery Epidemic Ministries working to transform the lives of God’s people
Contributors Joy Belle Claricia Harvey Ashleigh Jones Shola Smith 2
Michelle Smith-Forde
WELCOME Transformantional4Real WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME. TAKE A SEAT. WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US ON OUR INAUGURAL MAGAZINE OF TRANSFORMATIONAL4REAL. As we start Transformantional4Real I am really, really excited to see the manifestation of one of the things that God has called and ordained for me to do and be. In 2002 He called me a mouthpiece to the nations. (more on that in another issue. Sometimes God keeps us in the shadow to see how faithful we would be to another man’s vision. I was faithful to Grace & Glory Magazine for about 10 or more happy and enjoyable years. I therefore give a big shout out to Jackie Epps, Owner of Grace & Glory magazine for using one of my gifts for those ten or more years. God is finally moving me out into a platform to watch Him transform the lives of those He have sent and will continue to send who are in need of some of things that are not dealt with in churches. Things like sexual, verbal, physical, mental and sexual abuse of both men and women. God wanted me out in the Market Place and is giving me a tribe, hallelujah. When my Pastor at the time, Apostle Kenneth O. Robinson taught a series on Marketplace people, I honestly cannot remember how much of it I retained in my memory, but I am sending a “shout out” to Apostle Kenneth O. Robinson of Dream Life Worship Center to thank him for his tenacity in teaching on Marketplace and that I know for sure that I am market place person. Join us as we journey through sexual abuse, people very close to me have been dealing with that issue and I continue to walk them and others through it and watching God change the lives of those people. It is a long process, but if you don’t acknowledge the abuse, you can never get through it and see deliverance and transformation4real. I have been verbally and mentally abused by a stepfather, being in a domestic violence for a short period of time until I came to my senses and ended that cycle for myself and prayerfully my lineage. Here is some advice “TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: God has called you and He has not forsaken or forgotten you. He gave me the name of my ministry in 1998. I am just beginning to see a inggreat part of one of the promises He has made to you for you. He is not a man that He should, and He certainly don’t have to repent.
Donna Jennifer Royalty Ross Visionary 3
INTERVIEW WITH OUR VISIONARY AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Donna Jennifer Royalty Ross
by Shola Smith
Transformational4Real A
ccording to Wikipedia, a spiritual gift is an extraordinary power given by the Holy Spirit. This extraordinary power gives you the ability to fulfill God’s purpose for your life. We all have these gifts but if not stirred up, they can lay dormant and ineffective. However,
the beauty of what occurs when you start to stir up your spiritual gifts as Apostle Paul recommends is phenomenal. You begin to transform! Transformation is the process of changing from one state to another. Everyone’s transformation timeline is different.
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Thank you for taking the time to talk to me today about your spiritual gifts and the opportunity to contribute to your magazine, Let’s start with your transformation.
Who is Donna Jennifer Smith Williams (Royalty) Ross? Donna Jennifer Ross is a transformed child of God starting out. Lol. My mother named me Donna Jennifer Smith but in 1972, due to a mix-up, my name was changed from Smith to Williams. I am the wife of Earl Ross. I adopted and at some point will legalize “Royalty” to my name because I am a part of the royal priesthood of my Father. Tell us a little bit about the start of God’s transformation of your life 4 real. There were so many transformations in my life. Actually, transformation after transformation occurred until I got to the transformation 4real. I was transformed from Guyana, South America to Brooklyn, New York, USA. What a transformation from two seasons: rain and sun to four seasons: winter, spring, summer, and fall. My mind was transformed. My body was transformed, and my spirit was transformed. I had to develop a new mindset beginning with public transportation, which consisted of trains, buses, and taxis. In Guyana, we walked almost everywhere — and enjoyed it. You said “hello” to passers-by, stopped and chatted with your friends and neighbors. In Brooklyn, I had to get on a train, bus or take a taxi to get around. I had to know between what two streets I was going, etc. My body was transformed because I didn’t have to walk everywhere; hence, my size four physique was gone. My spirit was transformed because I had none of my school friends here, and I felt lost.
At what age did you receive Christ, and what was that experience like? I first accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior at about ten years old. I remember the little church — Pilgrim Holiness across the street from my home in Kitty, East Coast Demerara, Guyana. Did you know what would happen after that life-altering experience? After that experience, I just went back to living. As I look back at that conversion, there was nobody there to nurture me. I didn’t understand I was a born again child of God with a plan and purpose for my life. Are you saying that you did not begin to live a godly life at the time of conversion? Correct, I didn’t live a godly life because I didn’t know that there was a godly life to live. I just continued to live. My mother migrated to the USA and my life of partying and hanging out began. My next transformation was not seen until 1986 when I openly, with full knowledge, recommitted my life to Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. A lot of people think after you receive salvation, you are done but that’s just the first step of the process! Oh no, you are far from done. In fact, you are just beginning. It is the start of Jeremiah 29:11, “I know the plans that I have for you.” Can you remember the first time you realized God had called you to do something more on the earth? Instantly, after I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior in 1986, I felt
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differently. I used to walk with my head down from as far back as I can remember. From the day I got saved, I never walked looking down because I felt differently. I felt like the child of God I am. When you identified your spiritual gifts, did you think you were crazy or weird? This is when you have to know for yourself who God called you to be. I was told by some of my teachers and mentors that I was called to pastor a church. However, I pastored two small churches and realized that was not what God called me to do and be. I remember crying out to God after closing our second church, asking Him what He had called me to be. It would take a few months later at a “Know Your Calling and Purpose” conference on February 23, 2003, that I would hear that small voice telling me, “I have called you to be a mouthpiece to the nations.” The fact is God, the Master, does nothing without first telling His prophets the whole story. (Amos 3:7) You are an ordained licensed minister and prophetess. God uses you to speak direction into the lives of others. What was your first encounter using this powerful gift? One of my first memories of God really using my gifts was on a Sunday. My husband and I were on our way to Maryland. I was singing my heart away. In the middle of singing, I heard my husband say, “She can’t even hold a note in a paper bag.” I looked around at him and said, “I know that I can’t hold a note in a paper bag, but I can make a joyful noise unto the Lord.” In shock, my husband said he didn’t speak it out loud. I told him
of the Enemy. I am absolutely tenacious about the Word of God. In fact, I told this man on FB that I would fight him for the Word of God. I mean it. I have shed so many tears in private because many people do not understand me.
that I heard what he said in my spirit. That was only one of the many times I would hear what others were thinking. Being a prophet means you are on the offensive; you speak the mind of God to His people. For those who may not know much about the prophetic gifting, tell us a little about your experience with this gift. Walking in the office of a prophetess is a very lonely walk. I found that because I can come off as being and sounding harsh, people can only tolerate my boldness, honesty, and no-nonsense approach for so long. Even though, for the most part, I have the best interest of the people I minister to or mentor at heart, people believe I am coming against them. But actually, I am coming against the lies
What is the office of the prophet? Prophets are people who regularly engage in deep intercession regarding the purposes of God to be fulfilled on the earth. By the Holy Spirit, they plead with God to move on the earth. Prophets take what they hear from God and boldly pray for His will to be done on the earth. A prophet expresses the will of God in words. Sometimes, he uses signs to back up what he says and to demonstrate God’s power behind it. A true prophet speaks for God, delivering a message He has ordained him or her to give. Can you share four characteristics of a person who is called to the prophetic office?: 1. Need to express self; 2. Prophets tend to make quick judgments about what they see and hear; 3. Alertness to dishonesty; and 4. Desire for justice.
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What advice do you have for people, young and old, who are spiritually gifted but have experienced traumatic experiences in their lives that are hindering them from moving forward? My advice to those who have experienced trauma in their lives is to start rejoicing. I have dealt with many, many traumatic experiences. However, it is those experiences that give me the right and privilege to minister to God’s people. We are hindered when we allow the Enemy to bombard us with thoughts of unworthiness. When we look at Moses, the murderer, David the adulterer, and Peter the liar, we realize traumatic people fit right at home with the rest. They do not allow the lies of the Devil to ever hinder them again. Abuse seems to be a sign that a gift is inside you. Can you speak on that? We all have gifts given to us by God. Every last one of us came to the planet earth with different gifts from Him. I am not sure if I would call it abuse. However, I would say the Enemy’s job is to mess us up with distrust for God. Satan understands that “Without faith, it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). So he brings things that cause us to believe God does not love us. I believe that once the Enemy knows the assignment on our lives, he starts his process of getting us to distrust God. What’s the first step to healing from abuse? The first step to being healed is acknowledging you have been abused. Do you believe God can still use
someone who isn’t fully healed of his or her past abusive trauma? Well, let’s put it this way — if God could use a donkey, He absolutely can use someone in the process of being healed. I can remember times when He used me in my work-inprogress self. Normally, we think of women as victims of abuse; however, men have received various forms of abuse as well. What can you say to the men who are spiritually broken due to the trauma they experience in the past? How can they begin to transform? Many times, men are too ashamed to let people know they are broken in the same areas as women. Men have to first acknowledge the pain, hurt, and disappointments they had or are facing. Sometimes, they are abused by mothers, fathers, and others in relationships; they are disappointed with life. Transformation comes when they look inside themselves and ask God to help them heal and move forward. What do you hope people can take away from this awesome publication? I hope they will take away from the magazine honesty and integrity, as well as the transformation and desire to share transparency, so others can know they are not alone. Other people are dealing with real-life issues as well. Thank you, prophetess, for being real. Transformational 4 real!
Shola Smith
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COME AS YOU ARE
By. Ashleigh D. Jones
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n previous generations, the statement “Come as you are” was perceived as a tool of evangelism. Christians would say those words to make the unsaved that were coming to church feel at ease and welcome in the attire they felt most comfortable. Of course, this was a risky approach. It left people to use their own judgment about what to wear. Hence, a woman who felt low-cut blouses or tiny denim shorts were acceptable might wear them to church. A gentleman who sagged his pants or refused to remove his cap would do the same in the church. Your invitation to “Come as you are” might have been extended to the underprivileged who might not have had regular access to a shower or couldn’t afford to do laundry. So that person may have been dirty and smelly. Either way, it was a risk we were willing to take because we believed the glory of God would so consume those people, they would develop a natural desire to change their “offensive” way of dressing. It’s no secret some people use the excuse they don’t have acceptable church attire to decline an invitation to church. They stress that everyone else would be in their Sunday-best and they didn’t want to be stared at or mocked. In other words, they did not want to be “judged.” What happens when regular church attendees decide it’s just too much to get up an hour or more ahead of time and adorn themselves for Sunday’s church gathering? What happens when folks get too holy? When I say “holy” I’m not talking about the standard of righteousness. I mean it in a ripped jeans sort of way. What’s considered too loose and too tight? Will muscle shirts on men and leggings on ladies hinder people from entering God’s gates with thanksgiving? What happens if the assembly decides to follow some of the corporate work trends and have a dress-down Sunday? No matter where we stand on these issues, we must remember when we enter the church, we are standing where the presence of almighty God should dwell. If transformation truly takes place in our minds, there will be a visible difference in our lives. We will not be the same as when we started our journey. As the Bible states in Colossians 3:12, “Above all else as God’s chosen people, we should clothe ourselves in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” So no matter how people are dressed, know that as long as they are submitted to God and committed to the process of true transformation, they will come as they are into God’s glory.
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DIABETES TYPE 2 (DIABETES MELLITUS)
By. Michelle Smith-Forde
your blood cholesterol levels, triglyceride and the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.
So you just got word from your doctor you are a diabetic. What does that mean? Initially, you are shocked, scared, in denial, and experiencing various emotions. Take a deep breath. Relax! This is manageable. God’s got you! He will put the right people in your path to help you to take care of yourself and your health: God, your health care team, family, friends, and you. Educating yourself to manage your diabetes is extremely important to avoid complications and control your blood sugar levels.
Prevention Plan 1. Limit refined carbohydrates. Instead of sugary drinks use water. 2. Portion control 3. Eat a high-fiber diet 4. Exercise, exercise, exercise 5. Do an activity you enjoy such as dancing 6. Form a walking group with others at your church; social support helps to increase your commitment to exercise 7. Quit smoking 8. Keep all follow-up appointments with your diabetes specialist, endocrinologist, and ordered lab tests 9. Wear proper fitting shoes, even indoors to avoid injuring your feet. Check your feet daily for injuries 10. If prescribed medications or insulin, please take them as prescribed by your medical provider 11. Let your medical provider know of any over-the-counter medications or herbal medications you are taking. This can cause a negative interaction with your prescribed medications 12. Be honest with your medical provider who can advise you With dietary modifications, exercise, lifestyle changes and/ or taking prescribed medications, and keeping all followup appointments with your medical provider blood glucose levels can remain within acceptable limits and may prevent life-threatening complications related to diabetes. Simple lifestyle changes can help us to live longer, fuller, active lives.
Objectives Describe ways to prevent diabetes or slow its progression in our population. Develop dietary skills to manage your blood sugar by limiting your intake of sugary and high-carb foods.
Definition of Diabetes Diabetes is a disease where there is an excess amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The pancreas works by secreting insulin, a hormone that helps to move the sugar out of the bloodstream and into the cells, thereby decreasing the excess glucose in the bloodstream. This process helps to utilize blood glucose when needed for energy. When the body can no longer utilize the excess amount of sugar floating around in the bloodstream, damage can occur. The excess amount of glucose in the blood can damage the blood vessels causing a buildup in the inner walls of the arteries. This can lead to kidney failure, heart disease, blindness, strokes, and other serious illnesses.
Some of the Warning Signs of Diabetes 1. Excessive thirst 2. Frequent urination 3. Frequent hunger 4. Weight gain or weight loss 5. Fatigue, extreme tiredness 6. Yeast infections 7. Slow-healing wounds While there’s no cure for diabetes, it can be managed with an appropriate diet plan including portion control, as well as limiting your sugar and refined carbs intake. Start a weight loss plan if you are overweight by implementing an exercise schedule, for example, walking daily, swimming, and working out regularly. Avoid a sedentary lifestyle; take up dancing if possible. Some patients may manage their glucose with diet and exercise but some may need medications such as pills or insulin as prescribed by their primary medical provider.
Michelle Smith RN, BSN, CDN, CNN Disclaimer: The author and publisher disclaims any liability in connection with the use of this information. This information is provided to use in conjunction with your medical provider for your health management. My name is Michelle Smith-Forde. I am a registered nurse for over 25 years. I currently work in nephrology nursing taking care of patients with kidney failure, diabetes, and heart disease.
Your provider will measure your hemoglobin A1C. This is a blood test that will tell your provider how well you were managing your blood sugar over a two to three-month span. Testing your blood glucose level will also inform your medical provider of your blood glucose control. Tests include
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RECIPES FOR TRANSFORMATIONAL EATING
By. Joy Belle
simple, yet delicious high-protein meals or meat substitutes Cook and prep time approximately 30 mins
Ingredients -----------------------------2-1lb cans of chick-peas 1/2 of a medium onion 3 cloves garlic 2 stalks scallions 2 sprigs of thyme 2 tbs oil (olive oil preferred) 2 stalks celery Salt and pepper to taste 1 1/2 cups water
SautĂŠ chopped onion, celery, garlic in oil over medium heat in a medium saucepan Then pour rinsed and drained chick-peas into the saucepan and stir. Stir-fry for 2 mins then pour water and add thyme. Cover and let simmer until most of the water is evaporated then add chopped scallions, salt, and pepper to taste. Wal-ah! Enjoy this high-protein meal or as a side salad. You can add ground cumin and curry powder to make curried chick-peas.
Joy Belle 10
EIGHT WEEKS OF COMBATING WEIGHT GAIN DURING THE PANDEMIC By. Herline Knights.
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f you resolved to improve your health during this pandemic, you’re more likely to succeed if you gradually make healthy changes. Over the next few days, keep a food journal to help you identify areas that need improvement. Keeping a food journal helps you pinpoint your eating pattern and will enable you to easily modify it. If possible, have your Registered Dietitian review your journal.
Check the serving size on the nutrition facts panel and use the correct measuring utensils to get an idea of what a serving looks like. For example, one serving of pasta means ½ cup of cooked pasta. However, most restaurants serve a pasta dish with 3-4 servings of pasta. You do not need to finish and clean off the plate every time. You can simply save the leftovers for another day.
Week 1
Week 4
Eat a healthy breakfast every day. Many people often skip breakfast. Some skip it because they are often rushed in the morning and have little time to prepare. Some people skip breakfast as a measure to control their weight. Studies have shown that breakfast eaters have a higher metabolism and are more successful in work and school than those who skip that meal. Oftentimes, skipping a meal results in an increased total caloric intake, than if we just ate more frequently throughout the course of the day.
Eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Keep a bowl of fresh fruit on the kitchen counter and stock your refrigerator with baby carrots, celery slices, raw broccoli, and readyto-eat salads. Fruits and vegetables are packed with beneficial fibers, vitamins, and antioxidants. They fill up your stomach fast so you feel full earlier. They are also low in calories and help to keep your calories count low.
Know your fats. Look for foods low in saturated fats, Trans fat, and cholesterol to help reduce the risk of heart disease. Most of the fats you eat should be polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. Keep your total fat intake between 20% and 30% of calories. Sprinkle flaxseeds on yogurt, cereal, and casseroles, and eat seafood twice a week. Instead of snacking on chips, and cookies, munch on a healthy trail mix made with nuts, dried fruit, and low-fat popcorn. Limit fried foods to one or fewer servings per week, and use olive oil or canola oil when cooking and baking.
Week 5
Week 8
Make the switch to low-fat dairy products to reduce your intake of artery-clogging saturated fat. Try 1% or skim milk, nonfat yogurt, reduced fat cheeses, fat-free sour cream, and low-fat ice cream. For healthy bones and teeth, aim to have 3 servings a day.
Reduce sodium (salt) intake for a healthier heart. Research shows that eating less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium (about 1 tsp. of salt) per day may reduce the risk of high blood pressure. Most of the sodium that people eat comes from processed foods, not from the saltshaker. Look for low- sodium canned soups and vegetables, and limit salty snacks. Enjoy fresh meats and produce, and flavor with herbs and spices.
Week 2 Drinking more water instead of soda, juice, sweet tea, coffee or other sugarsweetened beverages drinks saves calories. Even the zero-calorie diet soda offers no nutritional value- it’s just water with added artificial sweeteners and caffeine. Carrying a bottle of water with you will encourage you to sip it instead of reaching for sweetened beverages. Week 3 Practice portion control.
Week 6 Boost fiber intake by eating whole grain foods and beans. It’s an easy way to lower your risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and obesity. Make half your grains whole. Eat at least 3 ounces of whole grain cereal, breads, crackers, rice, or pasta every day. One ounce
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is about 1 slice of bread, 1 cup of breakfast cereal, or ½ cup of cooked rice or pasta. Look to see that grains such as wheat, rice, oats, or corn are referred to as “whole” near the beginning of the list of ingredients. Week 7
Finally, it is very important to find your balance between food and physical activity. Becoming a healthier you isn’t
just about eating healthy; it’s also about physical activity. Regular physical activity is important for your overall health and fitness. It also helps you control body weight by balancing the calories you take in as food with calories you expand each day. The centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with the American College of Sports Medicine, recommends adults get at least 30 minutes of moderately intensive physical activity daily. For instance, walking at a moderate pace for 30-60 minutes most days of the week will help you maintain aerobic fitness and decrease your risk for heart disease. It will also keep muscles flexible, reduce stress, and help prevent osteoporosis. Healthy Eating Guidelines are intended to promote overall health while reducing the risk of developing nutritionrelated diseases like cancer and heart disease. They are directed at all healthy individuals over the age of 14. There is nothing difficult about healthy eating. It is simply a common-sense approach to food that is easy to live with, once you get used to it.
TRAFFICKING MODERN DAY SLAVERY EPIDEMIC By. Claricia Harvey
The most common way people stay informed nowadays is through social media, especially if you only use streaming for your television services, and you don’t have cable or a satellite dish. I am one of those people who use streaming for television services. With that being said, I am honestly terrible with my social media presence. I simply post my stories; they just popup and go away within 24 hours. However, when I do browse, I have noticed a lot of people talking about human trafficking. Many women, children, and men are going missing. These victims can be of any age, race or creed, and it is happening more commonly in the United States. However, it appears as if many of them are people of color.
The fact that so many people of color are missing is truly disheartening. It is extremely sad also because I am sure not a lot of attention or resources will be poured into locating and recovering those missing individuals. You may read a story or watch a news segment once but perhaps never hear about them again. More has to be done to end this atrocity and sick epidemic. After having watched a few movies like “Taken,” “Trafficked,” & “The Whistleblower,” I would have never thought any of this would hit so close to home. Now, you have to be more vigilant than ever. It is sad that these criminals out there are willing to hurt innocent people and sell them as if they are their personal property. Human trafficking is modernday slavery. That is extremely alarming and disturbing. How can we prevent this from happening to another family? Reading material on how to stay vigilant and knowing what to do to be safe in an uncomfortable situation is important.
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There are many resources like Homeland Security, the Human Trafficking Hotline, and websites with information like: https:// www.kidcentraltn.com/health/ safety/look-for-warning-signsof-human-trafficking.html. Becoming a parent is a joyful, wonderful experience I wouldn’t trade for anything. Being blessed with the opportunity to raise such precious gifts is truly awesome. I would do any and everything to keep my children safe. I never would have thought I would have to pray against people wanting to kidnap and harm others just to make money. Safety is important. I don’t want my children to go outside and play because I am fearful of what sick people are doing to others. I can only imagine the heartache and pain these families are going through because their loved ones are missing. Protect yourselves and loved ones from being a grave statistic. Be an advocate for change, safety, and passing laws against human trafficking to keep us all safe. Even with all of these bad things occurring, God is in control. We must lean on Him no matter what the situation looks like.
MINISTRIES WORKING TO TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF GOD’S PEOPLE Introducing and sharing some of Dr. Eion Greaves bio. He will be sharing some of his vast knowledge on ministries in our next article.
By. Dr. Eion Greaves
With four internationally acclaimed albums, two musical plays and decades of Ministry experience under his belt, Guyana’s very own Prophet /Psalmist Eion Greaves is not slowing down with his work on religious and social frontiers. While he is best known for his music and celebrated gospel singles such as “I Have a Plan” and “Restoration,” Reverend Greaves is committed to working with the United Nations (UN) to tackle the grave social issue of suicide. The singer/songwriter’s work has also impacted the local gospel music scene and his music has blessed many in Barbados, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Antigua, and throughout North America. Prophet Greaves disclosed too that prayer /fasting and reading books about his faith and listening to healthy conversations keeps him focused and grounded in difficult times. Psalmist Greaves disclosed nonetheless that his desire is to work in the social arena in Guyana is not just to preach the gospel and sing but to add to the solution for the suicide issues the nation currently faces. Such a desire catapulted him into becoming an international chaplain to the United Nations (UN) to tackle suicide and work on finding solutions on the issue for all peoples. Asked about his key motivators and the reason his music seems to withstand the test of time, Prophet Greaves surmised that “the Word of God is my ultimate inspiration and life issues are the secondary. Every day brings a song because every day has a story.” Prophet Greaves disclosed too that prayer, fasting and reading books about his faith and listening to healthy conversations keeps him focused and grounded in difficult times.
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DONNA JENNIFER ROYALTY ROSS BOOKS
W W W. I T M G LO B A L .O RG