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HEALTH AND FITNESS

What is GMO?

DESHAWNSNOWformer Real Housewives

of Atlanta Star

Interview withF E A T U R E

Tips on how to stick to your fitness plan

Get ready, get set, Dare to Dream!

MUST HAVE FALL

COLORS

Digital Edition: September / October 2012

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Dania Hernandez Ad Sales

305-720-5841contact@inspiredwomenmagazine.com

Ada Hernandez Ad Sales

contact@inspiredwomenmagazine.com

in this issue3 | PUBLISHER’S NOTE

7 | Mama Bear and Brave:

7 | A Post for Every Christian Parent

9 | Write the VISION...Write the DREAM

18 | Deshawn Snow Interview

21 | GMO: You Are What You Eat?

22 | What Am I Doing?

25 | Lifting my Head

september/october 2012

inspiredwomenmagazine.com

Karin Syren

Laurette Willis

Phyllis Stewart

Daphne Tarango

Lori Hatcher

Mia Green

Dawn Ferry

Lanette Kissel

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

WelcomeWelcome to our first digital edition of Inspired Women! We hope that you will enjoy reading IWM and that we are able to accomplish our mission of encouraging, motivating and inspiring divine excellence in you.

Regardless of where you find yourself today, we all need some encouragement and inspiration. We hope that Inspired Women Magazine is one of those tools that will shed light and encourage you to move forward with God’s purpose for your life.

There is power when women come together and unite as daughters of the King. These articles are written by ordinary women who like you, desire to live extraordinary lives to honor the gift placed inside them.

In this issue you will read about DeShawn Snow, former Ex-Real Housewives of Atlanta star. Her story, like many of us, is about the struggles of life and the victory she attains through standing firm in her faith. Today, she stands strong and using her talents to help other women and “tweens” find their inner strength.

We hope that you will enjoy this issue and others to come. If we can ask one thing of you and that is that you help us spread Inspired Women Magazine to others that may not have heard of us. Our mission is to go all over the world with Inspired Women....Help us do that!

Be Inspired,

Adriana Zamot

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Wisdom Speaks Excellence

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As we promised in our June article, we are con-tinuing this month with our examination of what Wisdom speaks to us. (see Proverbs 8:6-14) As we dedicate ourselves to speaking the words that God has spoken, His wisdom, we can be assured of a good har-vest. (Isaiah 55:11) What incredibly practical insight we have been given to help us live our daily lives! Af-ter all, God is eminently concerned about our day-to-day existence and wisdom is the vehicle He has pro-vided to insure our success. (Psalm 138:8)

The kingdom of God is seedtime and harvest (Genesis 8:22), so today let us set our intention to sow nothing but words of wisdom, good seed, into our sur-roundings and we can expect the same kind of harvest that God Himself reaped throughout Genesis 1 – God said and then God saw.

Thomas Jefferson said honesty is the first chap-ter in the book of wisdom. So if excellence produces right things, then honesty, which is simply transparent truth in all things, freely salted with love, would seem to be a good place to begin. Let’s begin by checking to make sure our words are excellent and true. Straight dealings with no twists or bends will be the result.

“For my mouth shall speak truth; And wickedness is an

abomination to my lips.”Proverbs 8:7 KJV

One cannot speak excellence without speaking truth; the two are inextricably linked. The excellence of Wisdom is founded in Truth (John 14:6). Proverbs 8:7 takes it a step further and assures us that anything but truth is wickedness and cannot be in the mouth at the same time as truth and still be called Wisdom. (See James 3:11) Truth and wickedness are incom-patible on every level and nothing less than truth is acceptable to Wisdom. Not only is Jesus Christ Truth personified, but 1 Corinthians 1:30 assures us that He has been made Wisdom to each of us who has chosen Him as our focal point. Hallelujah - we are not left to our own devices! (1 John 4:4).

What changes might you experience in your sur-roundings if the only words that came from your lips were excellent and true and each time you opened your mouth, you were assured that your words pro-

by Karin Syren

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true,whatever

is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is

pure,whatever is lovely,whatever is of good

repute,if there is any excellence and if anything

worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these

things.”Philippians 4:8 NAS

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The Greek word for life in John 14 is Zoe and it denotes the God kind of life, the high life, if you will. If we take time to ponder it, we will admit that is the kind of life we are all seeking. Living in the Way will result in this high Life of God, and Truth and Wisdom are its characteristics!

Make your own quality decision today to walk in the Way, speaking only Truth in excellence, and ac-tively submitting to Wisdom’s way in your life. This will definitely exercise your faith, but after all, we are meant to walk by faith and not by sight. (2 Corin-thians 5:7) Consider a word study of truth in both Old and New Testaments. It may well reveal to you that an adjustment in your personal concept of truth is in order for you to be in agreement with the Biblical standard.

duced only right things? The Hebrew word for right things is miyshor, meaning straightness, concord, honesty, equity, righteousness, a level land.

“Listen, for I shallspeak noble things;

and the opening of my lips will produce right things.”

Proverbs 8:6 NAS

Take a few moments to consider quite specifi-cally what would be produced in the circumstances of your life if each time you opened your mouth, the words which came out were words of wisdom. Would you perhaps be better positioned for healing, for pro-motion, for healthier relationships, and a great deal more, if your words were in line with God’s words, reflections of true Wisdom?

What do you have to lose? Begin today by moni-toring your words closely. What is coming out of your mouth? And what is the fruit you have been experienc-ing? If you are not pleased with your results, make a quality decision to fill yourself with the Word of God and then to speak from the overflow of a heart filled with wisdom. (Matthew 12:34).

Acknowledge that you have the Greater One in you and that He has been made Wisdom to you, that you have the mind of Christ and Truth itself lives within your reborn spirit. Then purpose this day, and every day going forward, to speak into your world, not the world’s wisdom, but the Wisdom that is the Word of God. This requires a critical quality decision not to go back and forth between the wisdom of the world and the Wisdom of God (see James 1:8)! The change in your circumstances will not only be measureable, but breathtaking and awe-inspiring as well!

Jesus said in John 14:6, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. And since we have learned that Jesus Christ has been made Wisdom unto us (1 Corinthians 1:30), we have also seen that we can be assured that it all ties into one package. Jesus makes it abundantly clear to us that it all goes hand in hand.

“The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportionto their commitment

to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.”

Vince Lombardi

Copyright ©2010/2012 Karin SyrenAdapted & Reprinted with permission from The Bible Minute: One Year of Concise Bible Studies for On the Go Christians Order your copy at BarnesandNoble.com

Karin is a Vision Coach helping individuals and groups articulate and realize the manifestation of their dreams. Increase your confidence by developing a clear picture of where you are going and how to get there. Discover what makes you unique and how to form your future around it. You may contact Karin for information about her Life With A Plan program and So-lu’shunz Leadership Services at ksyren@solushunz.net. For more information about Karin’s private and group coaching offerings, check the So-lu’shunz Leadership Services website at Solushunz.com.

***Turn your RESOLUTIONS, DREAMS & VISIONS into REALITY with Karin’s powerful 6-week private coaching program Resolution to Reality. For details, email Karin at ksyren@solushunz.net

For more information click Solu’shunz Leadership Services Or visit http://solushunz.com/home.html.

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It’s been a while since a cartoon moved me to tears, but Brave, Disney’s new release by Pixar, did just that.

An enchanting story about the wonderful, some-times awful, always complex relationship between a mother and daughter, Brave begins with a curly-haired redhead sitting at her mother’s knee learning the basics of life as a princess. Along with the decid-edly manly pursuits of archery and horseback riding allowed by her father, Merida learns the dress, deco-rum, and skills necessary to one day rule a kingdom.

And like many modern-day princesses, she chafes at her mother’s tutelage and chooses instead to go her own way. She rejects her mother’s vision for her life and casts off the perceived shackles that come with living out the destiny of a king’s daughter.

Through an exciting series of events, Merida real-izes the value of her mother’s traditions, while Elinor, her mother, realizes that her daughter should have the freedom to choose her own future. Perhaps it’s ok, she concedes, for her daughter to be a bow-toting, horse-riding princess. Maybe it’s not just ok, she acknowl-edges, but even good for a young adult to choose her own recreation, profession, and spouse.

The movie is a thought-provoking, sensitive en-couragement to mothers and daughters to respect and embrace each other’s differences.

But what’s a parent to do when her child rejects the faith of her parents in her quest to make her own way in the world? Pixar doesn’t examine the spiritual side of destiny and calling, but the parallels are there.

In order to respect our children’s independence, must we concede our children’s right to choose a path that travels away from God? Must we allow them to cast faith by the wayside like so many traditions in their quest for independence and self-government?

I say no.While most Christian parents acknowledge their

young adult children’s right to choose their own pro-fessions, spouses, and recreation, we do not have to stand idly by and watch our children fling the faith of their fathers to the wind. Unlike the myriad of possi-bilities for a major, a profession, or a job, all of which can be subject to the individual interests and inclina-tions of our children, there is only one viable option for our children’s spiritual lives:

Faith.“I am the way, the truth, and the life,” states Christ,

“no one comes to the Father except through me.”“See, I set before you today life and prosperity,

death and destruction. For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.

by Lori Hatcher

FAM

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Mama Bear and Brave:A Post for Every Christian Parent

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But if your heart turns away and you are not obe-dient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to oth-er gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed.” (Deuteronomy 30:15-18).

Without spoiling the ending for those who haven’t seen it yet, one of the most intense and poignant scenes of the movie comes when Elinor, Merida’s mother, fights a raging, maniac bear that threatens to rip her precious daughter to shreds. As the bear looms over Merida with its teeth bared and its jaws dripping, Eli-nor springs to her rescue as only a mama bear can do.

It is a life or death battle that the mama bear fights with every ounce of strength she has. There is no oth-er option.

A great and terrible battle wages for our children. Instead of a grizzly bear trying to sink its teeth into their tender throats, the enemy wants to destroy their souls. He will not rest until he has devoured our sons and daughters, and it’s up to us, Mama and Papa bears, to vanquish him.

We must do battle for the hearts and lives of our children.

We must fight with every ounce of spiritual strength we possess.

We must win this battle of all battles.There is no other option.“For though we live in the world, we do not wage

war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds” (2 Cor-inthians 10:3-4).

“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take

your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our strug-gle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rul-ers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand” (Ephesians 6:10-13).

Will you join me in doing battle for the hearts and lives of our children? I invite you to stand with me as I wrestle in prayer before God like Jacob, who stated, “I will not let you go until you bless me!”

May God in his mercy grant to each one of us the lives and souls of our children.

Lori Hatcher, EditorReach Out, Columbia magazineAuthor of Joy in the Journey ~ Encouragement for Homeschooling Moms and the blog Be Not Weary www.lorihatcher.com

A transplant from Bristol, Rhode Island, Lori has lived in Columbia for 32 years. She is the author of Joy in the Journey — Words of Encouragement for Homeschooling Moms, due out in early 2012 and available on Mardel.com. A contributing writer to South Carolina’s Reach Out Columbia magazine and The Mother’s Heart Magazine. Lori has been published on Christian Devotions and the WOW (Writing on the Word) blog and is a featured blogger for Inspired Women Magazine. She has feature articles pending publication in P31 Woman, Inspired Women Magazine and At the Shelter Magazine. She loves reading, writing, and walking with her dog Winston.

PLACE YOUR AD HEREFOR MORE INFORMATION

email: contact@inspiredwomenmagazine.com

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Many of you live busy lives and you play multiple roles: mother, sister, friend, boss, peer, daughter and mentor. As the rush of life goes on, it becomes harder not to lose sight of someone very important, someone you once paid much more attention to—-YOU. God never stops planting seeds in your soul, God never stops paying attention to you or the plans He has for you. Even when you can’t find time for yourself.

Remember when you were growing up and you spent a great deal of time looking towards the future? You most likely spent time dreaming about whom you would be-come, who you would marry, how many children you wanted to have, what your house would look like, the car you would drive and what career you would choose? Then slowly day by day life got more and more complicated and you became distracted, putting your dreams and visions on the back burner. Slowly, you went from a long term vision to a day to day routine.

There are some of you that have been lifelong dream-ers, but have stopped dreaming. You have lost your vi-sion for the future and feel a lack of desire not because of

the routines of life, but because you question whether it is worth the effort. Many think, “Well, if the Lord is com-ing soon why even bother to dream or do anything more?” But His word clearly says that no one knows the time or the hour. So, until that time...keep busy!

God has been waiting for you in the wings, waiting for you to look back to Him and the plan He has for you. It is not a mistake that you have certain passions and desires in your heart, Psalm 37:4 says, Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. In-teresting enough, if you are walking closely with the Lord, He most likely placed those desires in your heart.

So, what is your first step? How can you get back on track? How can you, write the vision and make it plain? (Habakkuk 2:2).

Take a long deep breath, close your eyes and ask your-self; “How will I grow? How will I dream? How will I learn? How will I celebrate the talents God has given me? What is most important to me? What did I once do that I stopped doing in the hustle and bustle of everyday life?” Open your eyes.

Write the VISION...Write the DREAM

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Create your Master Dream List for each area of your life:

1. Before you begin writing your list, understand what has stopped you from attaining your dreams or living out your passion and vision. Fill in the blanks.

The dreams of my life have slowly faded because ____________________________________________

____________________________________________. I realize I have falsely believed ______________

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____________________________________________________________________ but I know God has

________________________________________________. I repent from _________________________

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_____________________________________________________________________________. I replace

my negative beliefs with___________________________________________ because my deepest de-

sires have been to always ____________________________________________. I must renew my mind

and faith by ___________________________________________ because God has declared that I am

________________________________________________so, I will start new by __________________

___________________________________________________. I commit today to inspire my dreams

and those around me by __________________________

You just saw a glimpse of your vision for the future. Perhaps you are tired or maybe you are ready to reach the next level in your career. Maybe your kids are growing and you are redefining yourself or maybe you have found your-self unexpectedly unemployed looking at the future with uncertainty. Whoever you are, wherever you are, you can be bigger than you are!

God says in Philippians 3:13-14; Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Are you willing to forget what lies behind? Are you willing to strain forward by bringing all of the life experi-ences you have had thus far as resources for your vision to soar?

God plants talents and gifts in His people not only for their enjoyment but for His ministry. We have a responsi-bility to God to grow our passions and to use our talents to impact the lives of others in a positive way. You are a living

ministry and it is no mistake that you desire certain pieces of your vision; God has placed those desires in you. What-ever nagging goals you have allowed to lay dormant, you must now put out for all to see as instructed in Habakkuk 2:2 and the LORD answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.

Write it on your heart and put it out for all to see so that God may grant the desires of your heart as it pleases Him. Sit quietly while you do the following exercise. What are some of things that inspire you and have been depos-ited within you? Is it to live in a big city, the country, the beach? Is it to laugh more and know happiness? Is it to go back to school? Find a new career? Understand your pas-sion better? Whatever it is, write it down.

Inspired Women Magazine would like to partner with you and provide you with the inspiration and the tools you will need to write your vision, make it plain and then to see it flourish. Please write us and let us know how you are doing.

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2. Pray daily about your dreams and ask God to lead you into which ones to pursue now and ask Him to reveal which ones over time weren’t so important after all. It doesn’t mean you can’t add to the list as things change, but there may be some that later you may feel different about.

3. Keep Focused:  It’s easy to get discouraged. Don’t let hindering thoughts come between you and your dreams---dreams that have been placed by the Master. There is a quote that says, “If it is impor-tant to you, you will find a way. If it is not, you will find an excuse.” There is a lot of truth to this. Be care-ful of those thoughts and people that come to snatch your dreams. Remember, God wants to give you the desires of your heart.

4. Create a Vision Board. Some people are very visual and creating the images of the things you have noted may be a way to consistently keeping your dreams before you.

5. Get ready, get set, Dare to Dream! The list you will be creating is not about getting rich or getting bigger homes, cars, or material things. It is about drawing out your full potential and in the process helping others around you too.

Shape your life’s potential by listing everything you’d ever want to do and achieve. Remember that God is the source of your dreams and that it doesn’t matter your age because even if you accomplish one thing you’ve purposed, you have honored something inside you.

Spiritual Dream List This category encompasses all the spiritual desires to which you aspire. It may also include accomplishments of a more tangible nature connected with these aspirations.

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Romance Dream ListIf you are married, write down how you visualize your marriage. Write how you’d like to see it grow and the efforts that together you can make to get it there. What kind of passion do you envision? If you are single, write down what kind of mate you desire. What dreams have you had of this marriage or future husband? Write down your dream wedding.

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Family Dream List Here you may have wanted a family reunion to create a deeper connection with your family. You may have desired a family vacation somewhere you’ve never been. Perhaps there is forgiveness from deep wounds that you have dreamt about.

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Finance Dream ListList here the monetary dreams you hope to attain (i.e. debt free, money in the bank, etc.) and a listing of anything which is symbolic of financial success.

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Health Dream ListThis encompasses more than health. List here the dreams for your weight, conditioning of your body, nutrition, physical activity you have always wanted to try. Perhaps the pampering you’d like to experience.

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Career Dream ListList here the dream job and the type of career you have always wanted to have. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

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Education Dream List

This list should encompass all the things you’d like to know, the degrees or education you’d like to attain—formal or informal. Also include any form of recognition connected with your intellectual development.

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Community Dream ListList here how you would like to impact your community. List any dream involving social activities. You may also list any type of volunteer work you’d like to be a part of.

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May the seeds of your thoughts, imagination,and dreams grow and give birth to the greatness that’s inside you!

Adriana Zamot is editor and publisher of Inspired Women Magazine. IWM began as a two page newsletter when she wanted to share with a few friends some of the highlights of Christian conferences that she had attended. She enjoys writing

and sharing of the Lord’s goodness and mercy. Her hope is that IWM will inspire, motivate, and encourage other women towards their divine excellence. Most people refer to her as “AZ.” She has a Master Degree in Human Resources Administration and Development. She attends Calvary Christian Center in Ormond Beach, Florida. You may contact her publisher@inspiredwomenmagazine.com

Dawn Ferry Dawn Ferry is a single mother of two young boys who resides in R.I. She has spent the last 12 years working in the Hospitality Industry in Training and Development. She is a part time contributor to IWM and a full

time reader. Dawn has a strong faith which has carried her through all of her life’s trials and blessings. Dawn has a passion for graphics, film and theater. She has a B.A. in Communications. Dawn lives by the motto; there are no mistakes, only lessons.

© 2012 Contributing writers:

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Eyes

Lightly dust soft shades of orange across the lids, and if you’d like to make a bolder statement with your look then sweep a bit of color underneath the lower lid as well.

*Remember to use a shade of orange that compliments your skin tone.Note* If you have blue eyes then this is the color for you because orange will make your blue eyes even more blue.

Summer is almost over as we are swiftly moving into another season and this year the must have color for your fall wardrobe and accessories is a beautiful shade of orange, a deep rich burnt orange to be exact. I love it because it’s such a versatile color that can look great on everyone.

Lips

Often times as women we can be a little afraid to step out the box and take a risk with certain looks, but if you are looking to create a striking look during this year’s fall season, then you do it with a matte orangey shade of lipstick.

*Remember to line your lips with a lip liner in a similar shade to avoid your lipstick feathering or bleeding.

Accessories

If you are not too excited about using orange cosmetics in your beauty looks, then you can use the color as an accent to accessorize with. The sky’s the limit when you’re creating fashion looks with a pop of color. So, let your mind run wild with creativity as you search for handbags, belts, scarfs, shoes, and jewelry to add to your collection this fall.

Fall Beauty

P.S. If orange is a color that you detest don’t worry there are other beautiful shades of color for you to choose from! Check out the color palette for the 2012 fall season.

Psalms 90:17, NKJV “And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us.”

BEAU

TY

Mia Green is a professional makeup artist, and the owner of Les Fleur Cosmetics a makeup studio that specializes in ethnic skin and custom blended cosmetics. For more info you can visit www.lesfleurcosmetics.com

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INSP

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Receptive Soilby Lanette Kissel

“And other (seed) fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundred-fold.”

Luke 8: 8 (KJV)

Some of Your seeds fall by the wayside where it is overlooked and ignored.I don’t want to be blind and barren ground refusing to recognize Your value, oh Lord.

I don’t want to be that stubborn rock where Your seeds fall only to disintegrate upon a heart that is arrogant and hardened, because I must be master of my own fate.

I don’t want Your seeds sifting through the cracks, or for the tide to slowly wash them away, if Your word falls on slippery, shifting sand when I long for it to take root and stay.

Some of Your seeds fall among the thorns, like the ones that encircled the Savior’s head.I don’t want to be those sharp needles, which caused Your wounds that so freely bled.

Let me grow into the choicest of wheat, so I can be made into the finest of bread, so that whoever would partake of me will find their lives by Your spirit led.

I long to be receptive and fertile soil that will produce the strongest and deepest root, so Your word can take residence in my soul, and I will bear Your most amazing fruit.

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Some of you may remember the beautiful DeShawn Snow as the former Real Housewives of Atlanta star and the ex-wife of Eric Snow a former professional basketball player who played with the Seattle SuperSonics, Philadelphia 76ers and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Her life may have appeared picture perfect. In fact, she was let go from the RHOA because she seemed “too normal” on the show. However, we all know that even those that appear “normal” experience life’s issues. Two years after being let go from the show and after being married 12 years, her husband filed for divorce.

Today, DeShawn has come back stronger and has a clear message to women and young girls. She inspires us with her message of perseverance, faith, and how she pulled through these difficult moments of her life. We had an opportunity to ask DeShawn some questions in which you can sense her strength, humility and passion to live out her purpose in God.

Q. You have been described as a strong and classy woman. What builds that confidence and strength in you?

A. I am blessed by the compliment. The two things that have built my confidence and strength are:

1) My faith in God.

I know that God never ends on a negative note and that I am guaranteed a victory. This gives me the confidence that I need to keep pushing through whatever I am faced with.

2) The various trials I have experienced throughout my life.

As the old saying goes, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!” All of the various trials I have endured have produced staying power. The rough diamond that doesn’t remain under the chisel will never become a precious jewel.

DeShawn Snow Interview

DeShawn Snow

FEAT

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Interview

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Q. Were you always confident as a child and did you know what you wanted to do when you grew up?

A. I definitely knew I was destined for greatness; however, I was not always confident as a child. In fact, I suffered from low self-esteem (especially during my teen years).

When I was growing up, I always wanted to be a businesswoman. I didn’t exactly know to what capacity, but I always knew I would be an entrepreneur of some type.

Q. What have been some of your biggest trials growing up? How did you overcome them?

A. When I was younger we moved around a lot. I had to start a new school every year from 6th-9th grade. This was very challenging for me because I was always the new girl, and I had to worry about making new friends and fitting in. Eventually I realized that I had to stay true to myself and not worry so much about what people thought or whether or not they liked me.

Another issue I had was low self-esteem. When I started seeing myself the way that God saw me, I stopped dishonoring myself. Faulty behavior results from a faulty belief system.

Q. You went through a painful divorce. How was that for you? And how are you now?

A. It was unexpected, life changing and very traumatic for me. It was a very humbling experience that brought me to my knees. I know that God was using this divorce to get my attention…that there was something unfolding that was so far beyond the pain that I was feeling…so I had to try to focus on God’s purpose for the trial (rather than focusing on my pain). I also know that this situation is my opportunity to shine the light of Christ on those who observe me.

Now, I like to say that I am “growing” through it. Healing is a process, it

“I know that God never ends on a

negative note and that I am guaranteed a

victory.”

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doesn’t happen overnight. I am much better than I was and I am looking forward to what is on the other side!

Q. Last year you dropped some weight. It’s obvious one of the many things women struggle with. How did you do it and why?

A. The summer that Eric filed for the divorce, my friend and former trainer, Trey, got me out of my bed and into the gym. He wouldn’t ask me any questions, I didn’t have to talk about anything, and we just worked out. This was very instrumental because it took my mind off my problems and it got me back into the routine.

From there, I started taking it seriously. Everything that was happening in my life was out of my control and I felt that the working out and dieting was something I could control. So I got consistent with my work out and went on some intense diets.

Altogether I’ve lost about 35 pounds.

Q. How was it being on the Real Housewives of Atlanta? Any regrets?

A. Being on the first season of RHOA was an amazing experience for me and I don’t have any regrets. I enjoyed it and was really looking forward to the second season. I was disappointed that I wasn’t asked back and it took me a long time to accept the fact that God has something else planned for me. Ultimately, I am happy that my divorce did not have to play out on national television!

Q. Although you have three boys, you have a passion for girls. Why?

A. I have a passion for girls because I was a little girl/teenage girl trying to find my way. I didn’t always make the right choices, but I eventually got it right. I feel that it is my life’s purpose to empower, encourage, and enrich the lives of young women.

Q. You have a foundation to help teenage girls….tell us about that?

A. I established the DeShawn Snow Foundation to assist teenage girls with low self-esteem issues; girls that face challenges and roadblocks like I did. I think it’s important for girls to know that it does not matter what mistakes they’ve made, what labels they’ve been given, or what experiences they’ve endured – they can have life and have it abundantly! I believe that together we can make a difference and have a substantial impact in steering our teenage girls toward successful life paths. “Together we can create stepping stones that create success and opportunities for every girl.”

Q. You have written a book series for little girls titled, “Lil Shawnee.” What inspired you to write the books and how are they different from other children’s books?

A. I decided to write a book series for preteen girls as an extension of my life’s

purpose (to empower, encourage, and enrich young girls/women). I have nieces and friends who have girls, not to mention I have boys in the same grades that the books target; so I understand the level of peer pressure and the type of things girls are exposed to at much earlier age. I feel it is necessary to start planting seeds in girls younger than the girls I serve in my foundation.

Lil Shawnee is a classic book series that provides empowering and encouraging messages perfect for tween girls in grades three to six. Nevaeh, Lil Shawnee’s spiritual guide, provides a sprinkling of heavenly advice and a “you can do it” message to overcome negativity and build inner strength.

Two distinguishing key features and benefits of the books are 1) it has an

African American character with multiracial friends, which means that minority children can identify with it and see how adversity can build a better future for all of us; and 2) There are strong biblical messages intertwined throughout Nevaeh’s stories and teachings offering girls an alternative culture that will help them counter the media and pop culture’s unhealthy messages.

Q. How can others support this foundation or ministry?

A. People can visit the website, deshawnsnowfoundation.org, to make a donation and/or sign up to volunteer for future programs.

Q. What’s next for DeShawn Snow?

A. We are currently in the process of finding a home for my adult book, “Drawing Strength: How God Uses Your Challenges to Fulfill His Plan for You” as well as my teenage book series, “Vanderbilt High.” Additionally I have some television projects that I am developing and pitching.

Q. As we close this interview, what is the one thing people should know about you?

A. People should know that although I’ve been humbled, I am not off course. God is doing a mighty work in and through me and I can’t wait for His glory to be shown on the other side of this!

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GMO = Genetically Modified Organisms. Someone said that in light of man’s attempts to “im-

prove” on what God has created, GMO stands for “God, Move Over!” That seems like a very sorry recipe indeed.

I experienced food poisoning recently for the first and by-the-grace-of-God LAST time in my life. The topic of food purity suddenly became of great interest to me.

Genetic engineering of our food supply is being called “Cell Invasion Technology.” It is estimated that GMOs are found in 80% of the foods we find in our supermarkets (in-cluding GMO corn, canola, soybeans and sugar beets).

Believe-it-or-not, up to 90 percent of all major U.S.

grown crops are grown with genetically engineered seed, and can be used in our food with little or no safety testing or labeling.

Since being introduced into the food supply, multiple chronic illnesses jumped from 7% to 13% of the popula-tion and food allergies doubled. Coincidence? Many think not.

Abstaining from foods?Scripturally speaking, 1 Timothy 4 speaks about the

deception and “doctrines of demons” that will come in the last days. In part this includes “commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanks-giving by those who believe and know the truth” (1 Timothy 4:3 NKJV).

Notice the italicized “which God created.” Genetically Modified Organisms invade the cellular integrity designed by God (much as bacteria or a virus would do). Injecting genes from cold water flounder into tomatoes so they can withstand colder temperatures (yes that is really done) is not my idea of food which God created.

This next verse of Timothy’s many of us have used to bless the Triple-Decker Belly Bomber with fries we were about to eat: “For every creature of God is good, and noth-ing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”

Doesn’t that cover us? I believe if we are evangelizing in a foreign country, for example, and handed an unusu-al something to eat (such as a monkey meat sandwich), we are definitely covered when we sanctify/bless the food “by the word of God and prayer.”

However, I question whether organisms man has “Frankensteined” into something else can qualify under the “every creature of God is good” category. Wouldn’t it be wise to avoid such foods whenever possible?

What Can We Do?Be proactive. Study about GMOs and support legis-

lature to counter Genetically Modified Organisms being introduced into the food supply. You can shop at local farmers’ markets, thus supporting your local economy, too. You may need to educate your commercial grocers, asking them to direct you to non-GMO foods, and to or-der more foods without GMOs.

What do you think? Is Genetically Modified Organ-isms in the food supply a good thing, bad thing, or “no big deal”? Share your comments. We’d love to know what you think!

Christian Fitness Expert Laurette Willis is the Director of PraiseMoves Fitness Ministry (http://PraiseMoves.com and on Facebook http://facebook.com/PraiseMovesFan). Get your free fitness kit at http://ChristianFitnessKit.com and something brand new: www.MIRAdance.com – MIRA! is Christian

Fitness with a Latin Beat! Hallelujah!!! ©2012

GMO: You Are What You Eat?

FITNE

SS

by Laurette Willis, PraiseMoves.com

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Please tell me that Paul and I aren’t the only ones that have had these thoughts, anyone? You read the latest diet book, carefully write out an exercise plan, and you have written out your positive power state-ments on index cards for your spiritual health. Next, you pull out your calendar, you schedule each cardio and strength training workout, and then head to the grocery store to purchase all the healthy foods you need to guarantee your success in transforming your body. Yes, I’m really going to do it this time!

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday—you have completed your workouts and stuck to the eating plan every day—yea for me!!!! Before you know it, it’s been almost three weeks, you’ve done an amazing job, and it’s starting to show up in how your clothes fit and in how you look in the mirror.

Week four, you have a busy day and you say, “Oh man, I’m tired. I will do my cardio and weight train-ing workout tomorrow.” You were running late, didn’t plan your food over the weekend and think, “I’ll find something to eat at the deli by the office; no big deal.” I would agree with you if it was only day but, what we really have to be careful about is making sure one day doesn’t turn into one week, two weeks, and so on. Pretty soon we have returned to our old eating habits, and not exercising and think—what am I doing? I’m right back to where I started?

I think you can guess why I know this scenario all too well. I was reading something in Beth Moore’s Bible Study on the book of James this morning, and this statement struck me, “Usually when I’m most passionate about a subject in my teaching, it is either because I struggle with it myself or because I’ve been personally injured by it.” Amen sister!

What Am I Doing?15 I don’t realize what I’m

doing. I don’t do what I want to do. Instead, I do what I hate.

Romans 7:15 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

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So, we know the problem right? None of us want to stand at the altar of conviction so let’s come up with a few strategies for success, huh?

23 Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly as though you

were working for your real master and not merely for humans.

Colossians 3:23(GOD’S WORD Translation)

Plan-It’s far easier (in the long run) to be proac-tive in life, rather than reactive. Plan your goals, food, workouts, “what if ” strategies, free days, devotional time….all of it. Don’t leave anything to chance.

Don’t be too rigid-Seriously, this is a lifestyle change which in all practicality means--this is something we will sustain. When you are plan-ning your goals and strategies don’t make it so hard on yourself that you are doomed before you even begin.

Free day-I bet you were wondering when I was coming back to the “free day” that I glossed over in item number one didn’t you? Schedule a day off that you simply rest, and also give yourself a day or meal once a week that you eat what you want but, make sure you get right back to “living right” the following day.

Progress not perfection-weigh in days and measuring are a way to check your progress. If you didn’t get the (reasonable) desired result, you go over your week and see what you might need to change. For this reason journaling is a great tool for checking your progress.

Forgive yourself-If you mess up, forgive your-self and move on. Berating and beating yourself up won’t really do you any good. If you are like me you have probably been there, done that--move on!

Phyllis Stewart is the author of God’s Temple-40 Steps to Total Transformation, Christian Fitness Coach, and Personal Trainer. You can contact Phyllis at Phyllis_L_Stewart@yahoo.com.

Change-Your body will learn to adapt to your current program whether it’s an eating plan or workout plan. This usually takes place within 3-4 weeks. The latest buzz word is muscle con-fusion. Just another way to say, avoid hitting a plateau…change it up.

If you’ve read anything that I’ve written before, you will hear me say over and over again, “glorify God with a healthy body.” I really mean that and end my blessing over meals referencing that statement. Your body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit. Glorify Him through great health. Every effort that you make will be rewarded.

in·spire (n-spr) v. in·spired, in·spir·ing, in·spires~ To affect, guide, or arouse by divine influence.

~To fill with enlivening or exalting emotion: ~ To stimulate to action; motivate~ To affect or touch~ To breathe on.~ To breathe life into

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He extended his arms to her and gently raised her head so she would look him in the eyes.

“Come here, baby girl. Lift your head up.”

He caressed and reassured her.

“Daddy always wants you to lift your head. There’s no reason to look down.”

Our dog has this habit of walk-ing with her head down. Sometimes she even approaches you, cowers, and tucks her tail in between her legs. Some would say she’s overly submissive, and I agree. Others would say it’s a result of being disciplined, and I would also agree. And yet others would say she knows when she’s done something wrong. Agreed.

 But this isn’t about my dog. It’s about me. It’s about you. It’s about what we do when we approach God–and others. Our pasts weigh us down.

• Lies.• Cheating.• Abuse.• Addictions.• Hurts.

We feel humiliated, beat down, guilty, and ashamed.God wants me–He wants you–He wants us to ap-

proach Him. He wants to forgive us. He wants to lift our heads. When we accept His forgiveness, there is no reason to hang our heads.

If you set your heart on God and reach out to him, If you scrub your hands of sin and refuse to entertain evil in your home, You’ll be able to face the world un-

ashamed and keep a firm grip on life, guiltless and fearless.

You’ll forget your troubles; they’ll be like old, faded photographs. Your world will be

washed in sunshine, every shadow dispersed by day-spring. Full of hope, you’ll relax, confident again. ~Job 11:13-18

 If we would only look to Him! Our faces are never covered with shame. ~Psalm

34:5 God will shield us from shame. He will ground our

feet. He will lift our heads high. Psalm 3:3  Come here, my child.  Come alongside…What keeps you from holding

your head high? Would you allow your Daddy to forgive you, to raise your head, and blot out your shame?

Lifting My Headby Daphne Tarango

Daphne Tarango is a freelance writer and speaker who comforts others with the comfort she herself has received from God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). She lives in the Southeastern U.S., where she is a leader in a Bible-based recovery program. Visit Daphne’s blog at http://blog.daphnewrites.com/.

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