THE FE ARLESS ISSUE
A SWEET M ISSIO N
ZEWIDITU JEWEL
FALL INTO FASHION
KRISTINA STYLED IT!
I AM A KINGDOM RESPONDER DEVOTIONAL BY CHRISTIE M C K I N N EY- EVA N S
MiLan harris LIFE IS BU T A DRE A M
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E D I T O R T H E L E T T E R
F RO M
Dear Readers,
It is with immense gratitude and excitement that I present to you The Fearless Issue. To me, the essence of fearlessness lies in comprehending that when God stands with you, no force can stand against you. This profound concept resonates as both potent and reassuring. As we delve into this issue, I am excited to introduce our cover feature: the exquisite embodiment of fearlessness, Milan Harris. In absorbing her story, I found myself not only inspired but also awakened to the paramount importance of unwavering trust in God and an indomitable faith. Milan's unwavering commitment to standing on His word showcases a level of courage that many would find daunting. It serves as a reminder of the profound blessings that stem from embracing our faith. Furthermore, it was our distinct privilege to engage in a heartening conversation with Zewiditu Jewel, gracing our "Let Your Light Shine" feature. As one of the owners of Cloudy Donut Co., her journey and insights serve as a beacon of light. I'm excited for you to meet our exceptionally gifted features and contributors! Our devotional piece will not only resonate profoundly with you but also leave a lasting impact. These personal stories possess a unique power that is bound to ignite a strong motivation within you, encouraging a seamless integration of Jesus into every facet of your daily existence.
Stacy Sorrell-Moore EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
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The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.
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The path to recovery was long and grueling. Therapy became her lifeline as she battled post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, fear, and sleepless nights, all while grappling with the grief of what she had endured. A stark contrast to the joyful marriage she had envisioned just six months earlier. Both emotionally and physically scarred, she persisted, meticulously navigating the legal process to ensure her abuser faced justice. This perseverance resulted in a sentence of seven years and three years on a separate charge. God’s grace shone upon Michelle's life as a supportive community rallied around her. With their encouragement, she embraced the healing process through counseling, prayer, baptism, and a deep connection with the Holy Spirit. Overcoming life's most formidable challenges, Michelle not only survived but thrived. Her unwavering determination drives her to extend a helping hand to others facing similar harrowing circumstances.
In her newfound connection with God, she discovered the beginnings of deliverance from the weight of her traumatic past. No longer bound by fear and pain, she made it her mission to share her story whenever possible, determined to help others find their way out of the darkest moments in life. In her journey, she learned that miracles are real, and her survival stands as a testament to the unyielding love of God. Michelle's journey goes beyond survival; she has become a beacon of hope and resilience. Engaging actively with domestic violence organizations, she tirelessly works to create a meaningful impact. Her ambitions stretch further—she plans to write a book and establish a nonprofit dedicated to supporting survivors and raising awareness. Michelle's gratitude for her second chance at life is matched only by her acknowledgment of the miracles that have shaped her path. In becoming a source of inspiration, she embodies the miraculous transformation she underwent.
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Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light."
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speaking, we all exist within a dream. The question is, whosee dream is it? God uses dreams to steer us onto the path that leads us toward living life more abundantly in His will. However, the devil comes quickly to steal, kill, and destroy your dreams. That’s why you must be fearless to follow your dreams. Keep reading; we’re still rowing the boat. MB MAGAZINE: What did being fearless
look like for you as a child?
Harris replies, "Not taking 'no' for an answer. I was always a leader, creating something from nothing. When I was in the 10th grade at BU Derby High School, I rallied and petitioned to create a dance team so that we could perform during Homecoming. Everyone else was scared to take the lead in presenting the idea to the principal. Especially, since we couldn’t dance [laughing]. But not me. I was like, 'We are going to figure it out and come up with a dance and make school history.' That’s exactly what we did.” MB MAGAZINE: Was it difficult to penetrate
barriers as a youth growing up in Philly?
"When you look back at it, I normalized a lot of things as a child. Like going to more funerals than weddings and going to more funerals than baby showers.” Harris explains. “I feel like my family was in a struggle, but we didn't know that we were in a struggle. I was introduced to God at a young age. I always knew that God is real. A lot of times people would ask me, 'How do you know that God is real?’ and I could not quite put it into words. I wasn’t really big on people questioning my faith. So, I would always say, ‘I just know.’" “A lot of the things that I encountered growing up were a struggle, but what stands out the most is watching people that you love be there one day and gone the next day because of gun violence. I feel like I normalized that. It wasn't until 2019, when I was in Los Angeles having a conversation with my hairstylist, 34 | MINDBLOWING MAGAZINE
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TH E LOOK This look is layered to perfection in street style chic. Denim on denim, best known as “the Canadian tuxedo” will remain on trend for fall 2023. This viral corset denim jumpsuit from Zara.com was paired over a Barry Long Sleeve Button Down Top in White by Frank & Eileen ($278 revolve.com). With Molten Lava (181555 TCX) vibrating so brightly in the fall 2023 color palette, there was no hesitation when choosing it as the color to break up the blue denim. These vintage over the knee boots by The Wild Pair were scrunched to create a baggy vibe that perfectly complements the scrunched denim jumpsuit. Once again, mini bags are crossing over into a new season. Get sassy with the Monogram Mini Bucket Bag in red (glamaholiclifestyle.com $60). Are you ready to stop traffic with the All Ears cap in red ($59 shopcaribbeancowgirl. com)? If you’re still a little apprehensive, go incognito with a trendy pair of shades by Dollger Eyewear ($13 Amazon.com). To add balance, this look was accessorized with top quality vintage gold accessories from the chain belt down to the earrings. To finish off this masterpiece, this Long TRF Denim Trench in light blue ($119 zara. com) was chosen to knock this look out of the park. HAIR: Malika Goins | @beautywithmalika MUA: Moriah Mierre | @beatbymo PHOTOGRAPHER: Quatiece Salter | @lxvemedia WARDROBE STYLIST: Kristina Smith | @kristinabowmansmith STYLE ASSISTANT: Leah Humes | @leahlux__
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Lord, I admit I am a sinner. I need and want Your forgiveness. I accept Your death as the penalty for my sin, and recognize that Your mercy and grace is a gift You offer to me because of Your great love, not based on anything I have done. Cleanse me and make me Your child. By faith I receive You into my heart as the Son of God and as Savior and Lord of my life. From now on, help me live for You, with You in control. In Your precious name, Amen "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9) .
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