Transformational 4Real Magazine, SEPTEMBER 2021 -- VOLUME volume 12, NO. 2

CONTENTS What Kind Of Benefit Package Do You Have?

- Pastor H. Al Sims, Jr.

...............................04

Interview With Athenia Rodney

..............................06

The Changing Of Seasons - Athena Morrison

...............................09

Teach Us To Pray - Sharon Weeks-Alleyne

...............................10

“Family Drama” It’s In The Word - Sharon Weeks-Alleyne ...............................12 Update On Sophia Sparkle Youth Group ...............................14

- Doris Anetha Shelto McLennon

Contributors Athena Morrison Doris Anetha Shelto McLennon

Pastor H. Al Sims, Jr. Sharon Weekes-Alleyne

2

From the Desk of the Editor-in-Chief

Donna Royalty Ross HICCUPS OR NOT. GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE: Yes, HICUPS do happen in real life. Well a HICCUP took place with our September magazine, thereby making it this late. I pride myself on have the magazine out on the first of every month – so what happens – HICCUP and the devil thinks that (1) I was not going to send out the magazine in September and (2) I would be too embarrassed to send it out late. WRONG ANSWER – satan, “father of lies”. One of the titles that I have given to myself if “realtalkdonna”. Which means that even in challenges and circumstances that are contrary, and I real could hide or act like it is not taking place – I don’t. I am realtalkdonna – all day, every day, and because I know God loves me unconditionally, I will continue to be “realtalkdonna”.

Here are 3 things that I have learned in the lateness of this magazine: 1. Know that when God has called you to an assignment – regardless of who comes joins with you – you go because God has given you the vision, not any other person. You will be held responsible for every gift and talent that God has given to you.

[Paul did not want to take John Paul with him on one of his missionary journeys because of a prior situation. (Acts 15:36-41)] 2. Regardless of how hopeless your situation may be -- remember than you can be strong in the Lord ad in the power of His might. God knows exactly what was going to take place and has made provision for the lateness. [STAND, when there is nothing left

to do you just STAND – which the Lord bring you through. (Ephesians 6:10-20)] 3. Do not allow your pride to stand in the way and hide behind excuses so that you do not accomplish because of contrary situations. [Always remember that pride goes before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18)]

I purpose in my heart to not allow challenges to shut down “Transformational4Real Magazine” and I also purpose in my heart to be back to having the magazine out -- if not the first day of every month going forward – at least within the first week.

NOTE: To everyone who is in limbo in their God-given projects – do not allow any trial, circumstance, or situation to keep you stagnant – God knew what was going to go down –He has you. SHINE for the glory of God, in spite of.

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

WHAT KIND OF BENEFIT PACKAGE DO YOU HAVE?

W

hen my wife and I first started out in ministry we did not have a very good financial package at all. We were both working side jobs as well as trying to

pastor a small church. To say the least, by world standards, we were living below the poverty level. A benefit package was something we hoped for but did not have. In the natural we did not have a lot of things that would help secure a strong financial future.

However in the spiritual we were blessed. I remember a member of our first church saying to me that my wife and I were rich. I busted out laughing and replied, “Rich?” We were living from week to week and doing a lot of praying. Looking back on that time makes me think that I was really wrong. What that member was observing was God’s benefit package. I was looking at the natural while he was observing the supernatural.

We had a nicer house, car, clothes and so much more than our financial circumstances should have allowed. God’s benefit package was already in effect, and I was not giving God the credit He deserved.

Oftentimes when people are discussing their jobs the question arises, what kind of benefit package do you have? People want to know things like do you have insurance, retirement, vacation, sick days, etc.? Those benefits are very important to some people but to others they are not a major priority. For those who do not really care about benefits it generally doesn’t matter until they get sick, in a wreck or are ready to retire.

Then all of a sudden, they realize that benefits would have been a great blessing. Most 4

people in that situation live in the now or in the moment. Often, they are young and feel they are invincible so why waste the time or money on benefits. Therein lies one of the major problems because someone chooses not to acquire benefits. They are simply considered too expensive.

Our heavenly Father has provided benefits that compare to no other benefit package around. As one song writer put it, “You’re a good, good Father”. The Bible declares in Psalms 68:19, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.” Did you catch that? Does that excite you? Well, it ought to. God does not just have a benefit package for His children, but He loads it up on us daily. That word load in the Hebrew has a connotation of loading up like how a pack animal would be loaded with supplies and God said He would do that daily.

When the Children of Israel needed water in the wilderness God provided. When they needed food God rained down manna from heaven. When Elijah was hiding out from Jezebel, God provided a clear cool stream and ravens delivered him food. When the 5000 were hungry on the hillside, Jesus took the loaves and fish and loaded them with a nice seafood dinner right there in the great outdoors.

Food is a wonderful benefit, but God’s benefit package is not limited to just food. In Malachi 3:10 God gives a challenge when he says, “prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of host, if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Earlier the word of God said that God loads us with blessings and now God promises to pour out so much we can’t contain it. Notice how God did not specify any particular category, so I’m believing this applies to things such as good health, houses, cars, clothes, jobs and so much more. The Bible clearly states that, “it is the Father’s good pleasure to give good gifts to his children” Matthew 7:11. If that is not enough, Philippians 4:19 declares, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus”. Also do not forget the testimony of the great Psalmist David who said, “I have been young and now I am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread”. So I ask one more time what kind of benefit package do you have?

5

Interview with

Athenia Rodney Logistics & Community Planner, Author, Speaker, Balloon Trainer, Zoom & Streamyard Strategist, Certified Wedding Planner, Juneteenth Festival Organizer and Worldwide Trainer, Mentor, Lover of God, and Education On behalf of Transformational 4Real Magazine, thank you for allowing me to interview you, so that our readers could get a glimpse of who Athenia Rodney is, what you are doing in your community, Brooklyn, New York and for Juneteenth.

T4RM: Wow! Where do I start? First, tell us a little bit about yourself.

AR: Sure, to start I am a child of God first and foremost. I am a wife, a mother of 3 beautiful children Mason 12, Marcus 7, and Madison 4. I graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont but did a stint at Spelman College in Atlanta Georgia where I was filled with so much love for being Black and God fearing in America which has led me to some of my ideologies of Black Empowerment today. Lastly, I am the CEO and founder of Umoja Events, a full-service corporate event planning company that believes that we can bring Unity to everything we touch.

TSRM: As a child growing up, did you see yourself where you are now?

AR: Entrepreneurship runs through my family. My grandfather had multiple businesses growing up and so did my Grand Uncles and cousins. I spent a lot of time around them- every Saturday to be exact helping them organize and run their business between jobs. I did not know that I was shaping my future back then, but I saw how they were able to take care of their families through difficult situations, go on vacations, have nice things, and help people when in need. All things that I knew I wanted when I grew up. I just did not know how I would get there.

T4RM: Tell us what UMOJA stands for and entails?

AR: Umoja is a Swahili word that means Unity. It is one of the principles of Kwanzaa. Actually it is the first principle of Kwanzaa. It is the principle that sets the stage for the rest of them to follow. Kwanzaa is a fairly new tradition started only 55 years ago by Maulana Karenga in California. Started to celebrate African American family, community, and culture.

T4RM: Because I know both your parents and grandparents, I shouldn’t ask this question, but I am. Were you in church all the time?

AR: Well, the answer is yes! Regardless of what I did, I still remained in the church. My grandparents would kill me if they were still alive to hear this, but I would go out to the club Saturday night, get home to shower and straight to Sunday school and then church afterwards. I was on the choir, the education committee, ushers board for a little while and orchestrated and got started with my event planning business in the church by planning trips to Great Adventures sponsored by the Elders for kids who did well in school. I say all this to say

6

that I was not perfect in the least, but God was always a part of my story. My home life growing up was not a very happy one so the only constant I had in my life was God and knowing that Jesus was there to save me whenever I needed him.

T4RM: Because of the many hats you wear, I have to ask you this question. Are you the kind of person who is structured in everything you do?

AR: Well before COVID-19 I would have told you yes, I was. Now that COVID has hit, creating structure has been rough. My grandmother left some very high standards to live up to. Great wife, mother, devoted Christian who kept an immaculate car and house at all times, always cooked or had something ready to go for her family at a moment’s notice to eat and did not play. I learned that I could not measure up to her standards, but I could set the bar for my own. I am structured right now in the areas that count like my finances, business, and family life. The other stuff I have learned can wait because if you wait just 2 more seconds it will be back to the messy space you just cleaned. Lol. So in other words, I have learned to give myself some grace.

T4RM: As a Logistics & Community Trainer, please give us a summary of what that entails for our readers to understand how that works.

AR: Sure, so Logistics is my thing. The way my mind works, I see an issue and I start putting plans in place to fix it, so it does not happen again and be better next time. I am masterful at fixing disasters and making it look artful is what I have been told. So what I do is help community organizations come up with strategic ways to approach communal problems. Most of the time it boils down to how do we bring different entities together so they can partner in a unified way. There goes that word again (Unity- Umoja). We really are always looking to find ways to bring people together.

We have helped to orchestrate Food distributions between churches, volunteers, schools, and parents.

Sometimes we have these entities, but they do not know how to talk to each other. We create spaces for that to happen.

T4RM: At the Shinnecock Business Consortium event, you spoke about the high cost of being a Balloon Trainer. I never knew or thought that there was such a thing as being a Balloon trainer. Please give us some insight as to being a Balloon trainer.

AR: Yes, there is a large world out there of Balloonists! That is what we are called. There are also twisters which most know who do clown and magic tricks. We get together bi-annually to learn new techniques and learn about new balloon products that are in the market. There are a couple of thousand people from all over the world who attend. There are contests of who can create the most creative balloon sculptures that are typically anywhere from 35-150 feet wide and tall. Some people even make dresses out of balloons. The ideas are truly endless. When I come back, I use what I know to help those who may not be able to attend an event like this by giving them some tools they can use to advance their business. There is more to balloons then just twisting and blowing them up with helium there is really a science behind it all.

T4RM: So many people can benefit from hearing and understanding what a Zoom and Streamyard Strategist is, please tell us some of what that entails?

AR: Sure, you are just pulling out all of the stops I see. Yes, a zoom and Streamyard strategist is someone who helps you identify ways to increase your exposure using some ready-made tools. During COVID I would attend events on zoom, and they were so dry. No music, no interaction, people would come in and be off mute making noise and no one would shut their mic off. I would get so annoyed that I saw it as a pain point not just for me but for others too, so I started offering my services and the services of my team members to enhance events to make them more appealing and lively to want to attend. Streamyard is a tool that is great for branding and communicating. It allows you to share information talk show style on multiple platforms at one time live or pre-recorded.

T4RM: I purposely left asking about Juneteenth for last because I know that you are heavily involved in Juneteenth in Brooklyn. Tell our readers about your connection and Involvement in Juneteenth.

7

AR: Juneteenth is my baby. I have been orchestrating Juneteenth for the last 12 years in Brooklyn so much so that it is the largest attended Juneteenth festival in NYC. We have gathered between 4-5k people on average before it was popular and last year during COVID we garnered 25k people near and far virtually. This year we were able to get some much national publicity about what we have been doing and the significance of Juneteenth to me. It was amazing. So you may ask what the significance to me is, well it is a space and time where we are able to celebrate each other, celebrate our culture, educate ourselves more on different topics and empower each other to make a stand for something you believe in.

T4RM: When it was announced that Juneteenth was now a holiday, I immediately thought about you and the joy that probably filled your heart. Tell us where you were when you heard that Juneteenth was now a holiday.

AR: To be honest, I really did not hear the news until pretty late. I was knee deep in planning Juneteenth as it was only days away and we were having challenges with permits from the city not wanting to open up because of COVID. It was not until later on in the day during an interview that the reporter shared with me what had happened and how I felt about it. I really did not have much time to process anything. It all happened so fast and on the heels of the day of celebration. I was a little saddened that it seems like people are starting to over generalize or use it for an opportunity to party instead of what it truly stands for which is freedom. Freedom of knowledge and overall freedom of what our ancestors endured.

T4RM: At the Shinnecock Business Consortium event, I noticed that your husband and sons were there and very involved, which tells me that your family works in unison with you. Tell us about how involved your family is with all you do?

AR: My husband and I have always been ying and yang. We both run our businesses together. It is very rare that you see one of us and not the other. We started in this entertainment world together and our wedding was the highlight for us that gave us confidence that we could do it. Then came the children. They are no stranger to entrepreneurship. They all are trying to find out what suits them that they would like to do. We are a family of many talents, and we plan to use them. Just like some more affluent families who breed singers and musicians, so shall we breed entrepreneurs. My family jumps in and helps whenever a hand is needed and that includes my mom and brothers too. Lol. T4RM: Tell our readers how and why you, Jerenia Brown and other family members decided to start the Shinnecock Business Consortium?

AR: We decided to start the Shinnecock Business Consortium because during COVID we had weekly meetings with the Elders of the family. We learned so many stories of family members who started businesses and employed other family members and encouraged them to start businesses too. We were in awe and thought to ourselves where did that all go. Right then Jerenia and I had a call and started to share our stories of what God put into our heart and how aligned they were with each other. We started reaching out to family members and sharing the vision and so the business was formed. The SBC is created to help family and friends to grow their business through support education and finances. The event you attended was put on and solely by family members from the space to the decorations. I must say that we have a very talented family with hidden gems.

T4RM: I know that the Shinnecock Business Consortium is geared towards your immediate and extended family. Is there a chance that you would train other families who may want to start what you and your other family members have started for your families?

The start of this is for the Shinnecock family but we are looking for this to branch off to be able to support and encourage all families. Once we get everything off the ground, watch out for what is in store.

Athenia: It was certainly my pleasure to interview you for our magazine. I look forward to interviewing you in June 2022 for Juneteenth 2022.

8

THE CHANGING OF SEASONS Athena Morrison

As we come to the end of summer, my thoughts are on the changing seasons.

There will always be changes in our lives, as there is in the seasons and each person deals with these changes in different ways.

But the bible tells us God is with us in every season of our life.

I marvel at the awesome power and beauty of God that shows up in each season and often think how blessed we are, as Christians to see the Hands of God in each of these seasons. Genesis Ch 8:22 states “While the earth remains, Seed time and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, and day and night Shall not cease”. NKJV How marvelous is our God? The seasons are at His command, but He has given us free will which allows us adapt and make the necessary changes in our lives!

Our lives will see change but not as those of the seasons but changes in the situations of our lives. We change our living situations, change our employment status we see changes in our family dynamics such as marriages, births, and deaths. During these changes one thing remains true and unchanging; God’s word is steadfast, true, and never changes.

During the change in seasons, we see how devastating some of these changes can be in the lives of people in different parts of the world. Each season brings a different set of weatherrelated challenges just as tells in Luke Ch: 21:25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring” NKJV These are the times for us to stay in the word and be strong. Each of these “hard” times should teach us to show compassion and empathy to our fellow man, we should use these changing times to become stronger in our faith. Galatians Ch. 6:9 says: “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not lose heart.” NKJV We must stay strong and be of good courage, we are able to withstand these difficult changes in the seasons by looking to the scriptures for solutions that will help us through these changes, remembering the following: Hebrews Ch: 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.”

This scripture gives me hope through the changing of seasons; it tells me that we have the hope of Jesus Christ to see us through these weather-related changes in the seasons. God will forever be with us, even in the darkest times.

9

TEACH US TO PRAY Sharon Weeks-Alleyne

T

he Lord’s Prayer as it is called, is really “The Disciples’ Model Prayer”. Some say we can pray it; others say we shouldn’t as prayers are not recitations, but I believe that’s up to God and we need to stop putting God in our box. I saw the testimony of

one woman whose car was caught in a tornado and all she knew was The Lord’s Prayer and she repeated it and the tornado, as she said, placed her gently in someone’s front yard without any harm. Our God is awesome! We just need to call, cry, groan and He will answer.

What we see here is after becoming Jesus’ disciples, they had a new revelation and needed to pray differently from the way they did under the law, so the disciples asked for a model prayer and Jesus gave them one. We too can ask to be taught anything we need to be taught and Jesus will do the same for us.

In Luke 11:2 account Jesus said when you pray; Matthew 6:9 says in this manner therefore pray. What Jesus is saying is use this format: FIRST, acknowledge Heavenly Father and 10

Who He is. He is holy, righteousness, omnipotent, omnipresent. Ascribe to Him what is due Him. NEXT, we pray for His Kingdom to come. Many were taught or are of the opinion that this means, the wealth, the gold etc. in Heaven is what we should have on earth and that’s what we’re praying for! While we know heaven wants us to have health and wealth on earth, Jesus was speaking of redemption’s plan. Jesus Himself said to seek FIRST the Kingdom of God and everything else would be added. This alone tells us the Kingdom is not about wealth. Paul says the Kingdom of God is not in meat and drink but RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE AND JOY IN THE HOLY GHOST. (Romans 14:17) THEN It is His will to be done... What is His will? It’s for us to spread The Good News!!!!

Like John the Baptist “THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND”. Like Jesus “THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND”. Like His disciples “THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND”. Let’s not put the cart before the horse as we need to tell the world of the Kingdom being a change in the way we live, (instead of seeking cars, houses, frolicking at parties and BBQs in summer with all the food). We need to seek to live right (righteously), that means repenting of our sins and living the way God expects and having God’s peace and joy, and then the health and wealth will be added. We need to renew our minds and thoughts putting things in the right prospective.

AFTER praying to do His Will, we pray for our daily basic needs and provision, remembering all the other wants and desires will be added.

THEN we pray for forgiveness with the knowledge we have to forgive those who have wronged us to be given forgiveness.

NOW it’s deliverance time! We’re saved, forgiven and we need to now seek deliverance (many Christians don’t feel they need deliverance, but Jesus said we do). We need deliverance from the lust of the flesh, the eyes, and the pride of life, and all the evil in the world that we so much desire instead of the things of God. We desire THINGS and not HIM but a renewed, delivered mind desires HIM not THINGS!!!

LASTLY, we (give) ascribe unto HIM (Our Heavenly Father) all the honor, glory, and praise and because of Jesus’ death and resurrection after teaching His disciples how to pray, we end our prayer by saying in Jesus Name as we understand we go to the Father through His Son who shed His blood to redeem us. (John 14:6). So let’s pray with the knowledge and understanding given by Jesus.

11

“FAMILY DRAMA” IT’S IN THE WORD Sharon Weeks-Alleyne

G

od called Abraham to leave everything and everyone to follow God’s lead. I picture Abraham discussing this with his family and relatives and his dad saying, “Abe I

got that same call, don’t try the unknown, I didn’t do it and look at me I’m doing okay”!

Abraham however decided to follow God’s lead and decided to leave everyone behind except Lot, probably because he took an

oath to take care of him because he had lost his family.

Uncle Abe took Lot under his wings and treated him as his own, but I speculate that somewhere at the back of Lot’s mind he was saying “he’s not my dad” or else he would have shut his herdsmen down when they started the land dispute and come to his uncle for a resolution. Uncle Abe older and wiser, settled the dispute. He didn’t say pack and leave, he didn’t say go over there. He told him to choose what he 12

wanted and where he wanted to go. It was a peaceful settlement and Lot thinking he was smart, chose where the grass seemed greener as we all do at times forgetting it will still have weeds. Lot’s weed was the lure of sin. He pitched towards Sodom and Gomorrah, but he eventually ended up in Sodom and Gomorrah, so when war broke out, he was captured along with everything and everyone who was with him.

When Abraham heard of what happened, he didn’t say “Serve them right!”, he went to Sodom and Gomorrah to recover Lot and all who were with him.

When Lot returned, he settled right back in Sodom and Gomorrah where sin was rampant and stunk to the high heavens. You see Lot was comfortable there, as we also get comfortable with all that’s going on in this sinful world.

Now Abraham, being God’s friend, was told by God what He intended to do, which was destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham didn’t pray like we might pray: “Lord you said vengeance is Yours to repay”, (but in our mind, we’re seeing the person covered in the volcanic explosion). No! Uncle Abe bargained over and over for Lot and his family and saved the day once again.

I hope Lot showed much gratitude after this, especially seeing his wife covered in that sulfuric ash after that volcanic explosion.

This Word is showing us even though God has called us and is leading us, we’re not exempt from “family drama”. How we deal with it is on us. There are times we need to use “tough love”, and times we’ll need to be the bigger person and let go lovingly.

Other times we will need to sever all ties, but, whatever decision we make, we must keep them in prayer and seek God on their behalf. Sometimes it may seem difficult to do but follow God’s instructions. He will bless you and that’s the best blessings, not silver and gold but treasures in heaven. After Abraham brought them out, Melchizedek blessed him.

LET GOD JUDGE BETWEEN YOU AND WHOEVER IS SOWING SEEDS OF DISCORD. DON’T LOSE YOUR BLESSINGS OVER FAMILY DRAMA!!

13

UPDATE ON SOPHIA SPARKLE YOUTH GROUP Doris Anetha Shelto McLennon Classes continue at the Sophia Sparkle Youth Group FRIENDLY SPACE, staying true to our mission of ensuring that learning continues. It seems the Covid 19 pandemic will be with us for some time, so we will keep our classroom open but safe.

There is no question that Sophia Sparkle Youth Group has shown incredible fortitude, determination, and discipline throughout this pandemic. It has been a difficult period for all of us, but with appropriate public health and safety measures in place, our classroom remains safe. We are not taking anything for granted.

We will continue our enhanced cleaning procedures, sanitizing our surroundings frequently. The wearing of facemasks, social distancing, and sanitizing has become the new norm.

A lot depends on us as teachers to ensure that our children continue to learn in a healthy environment, complying with our classroom ground rules, as well as the protocols established by our respective Ministry of Health.

The students are eager to learn as they engage in so many topics. Every session commences and concludes with praise and worship to GOD the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the parents of the children in attendance. Thank you for entrusting me with your most prized possession, especially during this time of fear and uncertainty.

Watching each child grow and mature both academically and socially warms my heart and ignites my love day by day for teaching and counseling these beautiful children. I thank God every day that I was obedient to His voice in providing an environment, and curriculum that challenges our children to reach their fullest potential. Thank you to the generous donors who have been contributing towards our group affairs. You are very important to us. Without you, we could not have made it this far. To continue in your support of us is saying to us “ we are following you, and we appreciate what we are seeing, and we are happy to help”. Thank you!

14

CHECK OUT d-royalty-4-real.myshopify.com For your socks and matching male and female underwear

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PRODUCTS

15

16