Hello, I’m Sophia Rowe! I’m a passionate Certified Holistic Health Coach, who teaches women and men how to bring balance into their lives, achieve their individual health goals, and thrive throughout life and in their bodies.

If you’ve been searching for more energy, a solution to weight loss and management, natural ways to safeguard your health against illness, or simply learn how to prepare and cook a healthy meal then you have come to the right place.

I work with women and men to help them take action towards a blissful and healthier life founded upon holistic principles.

I BELIEVE IN USING FOOD AS FUEL TO NATURALLY GET HEALTHIER.

Are you ready to embark on your own wellness journey to learn how to become healthier, happier, and lively?

Are you ready to live a better life full of thriving health by simply learning the best ways to nourish and nurture your unique body?

Your healthier future is waiting for you.

I help teach women and men who are searching for ways to live a healthier life how to make better choices to ignite more energy and a youthful appearance.

Living a healthy life all depends on how you nourish and fuel your body. I help you develop healthy habits, learn to eat the best foods for your unique body, and make healthier choices without having to sacrifice what you most enjoy.

True healthy living does not involve sacrifice or deprivation.

I’ve created unique customized health and wellness programs so that you can learn to live well and feel incredible by following my step-by-step simple life changing health plan.

Say hello to…

● feeling better because of your new enjoyable holistic way of living

● boundless energy sourced from healthy nourishing foods that taste delicious

● never dieting again because you’ll unlock the keys to clean eating without deprivation

● eating delicious food that will revitalize your body and nourish you to happiness

● your new vibrant natural glow, ageless skin, and toned body

● reclaiming your healthy, happy, and incredible new life

When you have the best guidance and support, you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to adapt a healthier lifestyle and reclaim control of your health and body.

Your journey to a healthier life is only one free health session away.

I’m here to help you renew your energy, invigorate your spirit, cleanse your body, and renew your mind.

Get ready to embrace a healthier lifestyle and begin to feel fabulous.

Get started now.

Does writing energize or exhaust you?

Writing energizes me. Anytime I can share what God has put on my heart that gives me a burst of energy. Being able to impact lives in a positive manner gets my blood pumping!

What are common traps for aspiring writers?

Initially for me it was just getting started. We have all these great ideas and we know that there is a book in us but we lack the confidence to even believe that someone would want to read what I wrote. Even when family and friends encourage you.

What is your writing Kryptonite?

It takes me a while to get the thoughts organized. Trying to stay focused on one project at a time can be challenging when you are receiving so much input. I have journals all over the house!

Do you think someone could be a writer if they don’t feel emotions strongly?

Absolutely. You don’t have to be emotional to write a technical piece. It depends on what audience you are trying to reach, what story are you trying to tell or share.

What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?

LaWanda Holliman, co-author of Madam President, has been instrumental in helping me organize ideas. She helps me see the big picture.

Cynthia Middlebrooks Harris, Author of The Other Side of Through, has mentored me in the business aspects of authorship, marketing and introduced me to a litany of tools to help refine my writing.

Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?

I want each book to stand on it’s own. The only connection between my writings would be they remind us that God is ultimately in control.

How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?

I am still in disbelief that I’m a published author! The process has given me insight about audiences and how they receive your work. Trying to get them to write reviews though, has been a challenge.

What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?

PR Materials. A banner, business cards and a table skirt can do wonders for your marketing strategy. When engaged in a book signing, the public will see your set up and make judgments about your book. What they see tells a story as well as the one you wrote.

What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?

As a member of the Armed Forces I responded to the words of drill sergeants and leaders across my career that have motivated me to do things I never thought I could do. Impassioned speeches that moved me to action and have made me the leader I am today. I use words and language to motivate people to take a stand, move forward or take a look back. Words are powerful – Proverbs 18:21 states “Life and death are in the power of the tongue”.

How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?

I have a collage of poetry – just need to sort through them and discover the themes for each book or books. I love discovering how God is going to pull it together.

What does literary success look like to you?

The dream is to one day be on the New York Times Best Seller List, but the measure of my success is if lives are positively impacted and changed because someone read my book or heard me speak.

=====================

You can pick up a copy of

From the Situation to the Destination

by Leslie Dillard

Lulu Publishers: http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Dillardl

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Situation-Destination-Leslie-Dillard/dp/1365434508

Sacred Art - Beyond Words

Guest post by: HolyArt.com

A picture is worth a thousand words, or so the saying goes. Sacred art represents pictures and images of value to those who possess it. This was particularly so in a time and era when very few people could read and write. Knowledge, as it relates to religious information, was passed down through oral traditions, and the sacred art was the picture that told the story.

Sacred art tells a story. When you look at a religious object, the intent is to see and understand the message and the story behind the item. One should never see sacred art as just some other type of decorative piece to brighten up a place of worship or a corner of the home. Like all other forms of art, sacred art speaks, and it does so loudly.

How Important is Holy Art Today?

Holy art no longer holds the same place it once did in Western society. Today, the average person can read and write, and access to information is liberal and far-reaching. Accordingly, the church no longer is the only source of religious information. With the click of a mouse or by reading a book, the average person can learn more about any religion and various religious topics.

So, what role if any does holy or sacred art plays in conveying a message in the modern world? Despite the changes, sacred art still speaks to those who will listen and the message is very loud if you are willing to listen.

For example, the sacred art can tell you a lot about the religious beliefs at the time the art was created. Different traditions place constraints on what art is allowed and how the message reaches those who need it. For example, some religions do not allow art in the likeness of any “graven image.” In contrast, statues and paintings of saints, angels, Jesus, and God himself are found widely throughout others.

In addition to different restrictions across each religion, there are changes in the details of sacred art within a religious group over time. Take the depiction of the baptism for example. During the first two centuries in every known representation of the baptism, the participants, including Jesus was nude. Renderings of the sacred ritual of baptism by artists record the nudity, which apparently offended no one at the time. However, today, such a representation would be frowned upon by both Christians and non-believers. Imagine new converts in the modern church standing before the whole congregation without clothes professing the faith while being baptized into the fold!

Even more so, the Church has been of two minds about nudity in art, starting with Adam and Eve. There is no way of getting around the nakedness when the art depicts the story of the first man and woman in the garden of Eden. Additionally, some historical evidence suggests that Jesus was crucified naked on the cross. However, any creator of sacred art or church goods must tread lightly in his or her depiction of nudity in relation to either of these two Christian stories. As society changes, the messages of the holy art will also change.

The Future of Sacred Art

Sacred art says as much about ourselves as it does about the subject. Despite changing traditions and cultures, holy art will always proclaim what we think is important. Sometimes it conforms to the norms and standards of society, even as it confronts them. Sacred art also speaks to what we want ourselves to be. It can depict ideals and spiritual truths to which the devotee aspires. One of the best reasons for acquiring sacred art is to use it as an object of devotion, or a source of inspiration. A simple picture or statuette of a Bible story or parable in one’s bedroom or on a desk can serve as a constant reminder of what is important in life.

In a world of daily distractions, we all need ways to remind ourselves that life is not primarily about what we earn, buy, consume, or own. It is about eternal values that can be expressed beautifully in sacred art.

==================

Visit Holy Art online today

Website: https://www.holyart.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holyartcom/
YourTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/holyartchannel/

I DO...25 Years Later: When A Military Adventure Leads To An Easter Elopement! (Real Talk Series Book 1) by [Braxton, Susan]

I Do... 25 Years Later: When A Military Adventure Leads To An Easter Elopement! by Susan Braxton

How did this book come about?

I was working on several writing projects but couldn't decide which to really buckle down and get published. After reading an email from one of my ebook coaches, I took couple of days and just focused on which book should be first. When this came up in my spirit I was surprised because I had not planned on it all. This book actually evolved from a video that was created as a gift. I noticed how people (young/old/married/single) had the same reactions to the certain parts, causing laughter or amazement, etc., so I decided to turn the video into a book.

Can you remember when you decided you wanted to publish your work?

Yes! Back in the early 1990s. That's when I decided to write using my pen name, Susan Braxton which was inspired by my mother's maiden name. A lot of time has passed since that decision but I've been pretty busy with Life so it doesn't feel that long ago.

What is your favorite genre?

When I was young kid it was mystery like Nancy Drew series but as an adult I love Harlequin Special Edition romance novels.

Tell us about the Lewis'.

The Lewis' walk us through their life together. They've created a special video for their 25th wedding anniversary as a gift for their children. They recap what happens when military adventures lead to an EASTER elopement! What happened when a small town country boy and a city girl's world collide, all the exciting places they traveled together and they each take turns sharing special, wacky stories about their many adventures. This was a really fun project for me and I would love to see it go from book to movie.

What can someone expect from reading your book?

One reader, after turning down a marriage proposal several times, decided to give love another chance and eloped! Others have said they've been inspired not to give up on getting married and one husband said he was inspired to work on his marriage.

Which chapter is your favorite?

I would have to say chapter 7 which covers the Easter elopement which is so romantic! I hope people become inspired by the story to stay open to love! Relationships, especially marriage, takes effort and work but at the same time you can have so much fun!

Was Indie publishing your first route of choice for publishing?

No, back in the 90's the traditional publishing route was all I knew. I started attending seminars and taking classes which all seemed to be leaning towards giving Indie publishing a try … I did! It has been wonderful & empowering, I'm so glad I overcame all the hesitations.

Do you have any advice for someone considering writing their first novel?

Yes - pursue it! Get your story out of your head and in written form. Connect with the resources to publish and don't give up until you accomplish it!

What have the responses from readers been?

I've received really great feedback and I'm glad I followed through with publishing it. A couple of comments that were awesome: “Humorous, enjoyable quick read! Educational for young couples” “…A beautiful story and most worth-while undertaking! It is spirit-filled and so heart-touching.”

Do you have anything else you'd like to share about the book?

There is a nugget inside waiting just for you that will at the appointed time inspire you just when you needed it!

Find Me:

twitter: https://twitter.com/susan_braxton

FB: https://www.facebook.com/Susan-Braxton-747735938678130/

Website: www.IDo25yearslater.com

Available on Amazon: www.amzn.to/19caEvY

Does writing energize or exhaust you?

Writing energizes me. English is such a rich language - Richard Lederer calls it a “portmanteau language” that it is both challenging and fun to figure out what you want to say and exactly how to say it. It is important to know what to leave out or edit out. Editing can be painful because you fall in love with your own words.

Does a big ego help or hurt writers?

You have to have a big enough ego to think that what you have to say is important enough that people will want to read it. At the same time, you have to have humility as well so that what becomes important is your reader, not yourself.

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

Your own voice is vital. By writing, and writing, and writing some more, we develop that voice and make it strong. That is originality and that is what readers respond to and feel comfortable with.

Do you think someone could be a writer if they don’t feel emotions strongly?

I don’t really see how you can write if you don’t feel emotions strongly. Human beings are both mind and heart. The best objective writers and critical thinkers are passionate about their message and their research. It is important to them. That to me is strong emotion. The other side of the coin is that you can’t let strong emotion cloud your objectivity. It is the yin and yang of writing, really.

Do you view writing as a kind of spiritual practice?

Writing is a spiritual practice. When you write honestly and passionately, and when you care about the subject you are writing about, by necessity you delve deep into your soul. Sometimes the deepest writing comes unbidden and that, to me, is a spiritual experience.

What is your favorite childhood book?

My favorite childhood book is E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web. My first-grade teacher read it aloud to us and it turned me into a lifetime fan of E.B. White. I have read everything he has published and have read Charlotte’s Web easily fifty times.

What were you like at school?

I studied fairly hard, I got good grades, I liked school, and I was athletic. I was known for my sincerity. I went from a classroom that combined 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd grade in one room – 10 of us in all - to a prep school, to full-scholarship Ivy league college. Each situation had its challenges and its fun. I loved it all (I can say that in retrospect).

Were you good at English?

My mother majored in English in college and she required us to be excellent in both written and spoken English. She revered great writing, was moved by it, and passed that gift on. I feel blessed by her tutelage.

Which writers inspire you?

I find every genre of writing inspiring. I am especially drawn to memoirs, fiction, poetry, and essays. I could name many authors in each category. Here are a few: Ivan Doig, E.B. White, Mary Oliver, Naomi Shihab Nye, David Whyte. What inspires me is when a writer says something that stops you in your tracks. It can be lyrical, funny, painful, sweet, or all of the above. You realize that they have worked hard to give you their best. That is inspiring.

What are you working on at the minute?

I am just starting to write a novel that is set in Wyoming and it will include my grandparents and be based on everything I know from growing up in the most magnificent ranching country you can imagine.

What is Walking from Here to There about?

This book is equal parts reflection, factual account of the challenges and joys of the Pilgrimage, and practical advice for preparing for it and making it the best experience possible. Read it if you are planning to walk El Camino de Santiago de Compostela. Read it if you know you never will and want to know what it is like. If you like first-person accounts full of facts and reflection, you will like Walking from Here to There.

==============================

Who is Christy Day?

I am a Wyoming ranch girl who migrated to the East Coast and is now firmly rooted in New Hampshire. I have two grown daughters who migrated West and they are my inspiration. I walked El Camino de Santiago de Compostela when I was 66 and it was the most transformative experience of my lifetime (so far). I love to travel, I love hiking and camping. I am sailor and I have my private pilot's license. Photography and writing are the two ways I express myself best.

In this interview, she talks about her debut book, Walking from Here to There: Finding My Way on El Camino, published bySeacoast Press, a Division of Mindstir Media, LLC.

What is the first book that made you cry?

“Heaven is for Real” by Todd Burpo is the first book that made me cry. During that season in my life, I needed a message of faith. I needed to see God in an atypical way and I found Him deep in those chapters and I wept. It got so bad one night I literally had to stop reading and resume reading on the next day it because I could not stop crying. I often say the season in a person’s life determines how he/she will be impacted by the rain. And although I am ordinarily a pretty tough cookie, at that moment in my life, I did a little more than shed a tear.

What is the most unethical practice in the publishing industry?

I cannot necessarily speak to the most unethical practice in the publishing industry because I have not done the research. But I can say from my observation I believe deceitfulness is definitely a commonly immoral practice. I believe deceitfulness strips a person of their innocence. After their naiveté is exposed they feel violated (or ashamed). Once a person feels like they have been deceived they will never patronize you again.

What are common traps for aspiring writers?

Getting lost in the feedback. After a person has written and in their opinion finished their manuscript, a person coming back with a lot of feedback can be overwhelming, intimidating and discouraging. They should let the feedback challenge them to another level of writing.

(Also, attempting to complete a piece overnight may not always happen. Sometimes we have clear and free flowing nights but other times it may take longer. Be content to take small steps. Our book may not be finished when we want but we should not give up)

Do you think someone could be a writer if they don’t feel emotions strongly?

Yes. Some people are creative. They write from their imagination rather than their heart or personal experience. Strikingly the outcome is believable even if they do not believe it.

What does literary success look like to you?

People/Readers being positively impacted by the content of my books.

What did you edit out of this book?

Messages that did not match the tone and flow of the book. Also clichés and common phrases. I may write them down but if I keep them I must explain them in detail. But for the most part, I delete them.

What is your favorite childhood book?

The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen. I felt I was an ugly kid and I always had hope in a good outcome for my life. I believed One day I would find my niche and the place where I belong and my finish would be so much better than my start.

Do you believe in writers’ block?

Yes. For me sometimes I am working on something while having other competing priorities and my thoughts do not flow the way they would ordinarily flow if I approached writing with a clear mind.

Were you good at English?

No failed English composition several times consecutively in undergraduate school. I could not properly compose a paper. I eventually learned how to write in a public speaking class in my junior year of college.

What genre are your books?

Religion/Spirituality/Faith

What draws you to this genre?

Often times we hear messages reminding us that we need to live righteously but very few teach us how to live to please God (and how to overcome temptations). Consequently, we make mistakes we did not intend to make.

What have you written?

Affirmations, Children’s books, adult books, blogs and more

Where can we buy or see them?

They can all be found on www.nicoleajones.com

==========================

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nicole A. Jones is an avid writer, published author, and successful businesswoman. She is the founder of N. Jones Enterprise LLC, En Prose, and N. Jones Music. She also collaborates with notable music producers as a distinguished songwriter.

Ms. Jones started writing as an avenue to relieve herself of the pain of several consecutive losses in her life but over time she had accumulated a collection of writing in the form of poetry, journals and songs.

When asked, what makes her writings so unique, she says, “I am not a distant writer; I walk through the storms of life with my eyes opened. I not only know what fear, pain, and hurt feel like, I also know what they look like. Despite the boisterous winds and rain and dark clouds I’m facing, I write. I write through my agony and my tears because I know that in the end, I will not only have the ability to relate to others but will also have the ability to explain the measures I took to get out of my storm.”

She adds, “I am not a storm chaser. I do not go looking for storms but if I happen to become caught in one, I try to benefit from it.” She concludes, “Personal failure and personal difficulties can be outstanding resources in our lives but it is the way we employ them that determines if we excel forward or remain stagnant.”

Ms. Jones earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health from Dillard University and her Master of Business Administration from Stratford University.

Ms. Jones currently resides in Northern Virginia with her family and enjoys participating in community outreach activities.

Guest Post By: Live By The Word

You are already blessed beyond belief. That is the Gospel truth!

This is neither one of an April Fools pranks nor an attempt to psyche you. It is the reality of who you are. All I want to do is to open your eyes to your blessings if you don’t already know. If you are in Christ, you are blessed. It is not a matter of ‘you are going to be bless’-you are already blessed! God says in His word that you are a blessed man and woman. Please meditate thoroughly as you study the Scriptures below:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who HAS BLESSED US in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, (Eph 1:3 ESV) (Emphasis is mine )

His divine power HAS GIVEN US everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. (2 Peter 1:3NIV) (Emphasis is mine)

I hope you see what I am seeing? Didn’t the scriptures say,’ you have been blessed?’. It’s past tense, not future tense. What am I saying here? I’m saying that God already made provisions for you even before you were born. And the realization of it gets into reality when you are in Christ. Therefore, enjoy the here and now. Regardless of what you are going through right now as long as you are in Christ God have you covered.

Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies, but you have done nothing but bless them!”

He answered, “Must I not speak what the LORD puts in my mouth?” ( Num 23:11-12NIV)

I know you have some needs still not yet met. I know you have a challenge in one area of your life or the other. Whatever you might be going through makes no difference to what God says.

Sometimes we tend to focus on what we don’t have and forget what we already have.

If you can look inward, I believe there are things you have right now that you should be celebrating.

Nothing in this life should be more important than your spiritual life. (Mark 8:35)
We must all learn to appreciate our spirituality more than anything else. Your spirituality should be more valuable to you than anything else.

CELEBRATE WHAT YOU HAVE

If you have any of these, celebrate it:

Celebrate that you are a born again Christian
Celebrate that God is your God and Father
Celebrate that you have eternal life
Celebrate that you are a candidate for heaven
Celebrate that you are a candidate for Rapture
Celebrate the priceless peace of God you have
Celebrate the gift of God you are endowed with

The Disciples of Jesus came back from their assignment one day with the excitement of miracles wrought through them. But instead of Jesus to join them in the groove, He swiftly corrects them to rather rejoice that their names were written in Heaven. This should be our joy at all times. Every other thing is secondary.

But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.” Luke 10:17-20 (NLT)

The recognition of this fact has helped me greatly. It has availed me to avoid being envious of people that are achieving greater things than I around me. I know that if I die today, what is important in life is to reach heaven. It has also helped me to be contented with what I own. My duty is to continue to thank God every step all the way for where I am now before I get to another greater level He is taking me to.

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.(Luke 17:15 NIV)

Ten lepers were healed in the Bible. Only the one that returned to appreciates God was made whole. The lesson from that story, tell me that it is possible to have fewer people appreciating God, comparable to those who don’t appreciate Him for what they own. Learn to thank him for what you have. If anything, for your spirituality. For me, I have made up my mind to always be among the few. But I want you to be part of the few too.

Anyone who is among the living has hope –even a live dog is better off than a dead lion! (Eccl 9:4NIV)

NO ONE CAN CURSE YOU

Do you recognize that the Children of Israel doesn’t even know someone is trying to rain a curse on them? Every effort made to curse them was altered by God. Balaam was influenced to bless them instead. This is an instance of an unseen battle God fights for us. They are being protected because they belong to God. Imagined if they have been cursed, their destinies would have been changed. As long as they are obedient, they continued to enjoy God’s cover. There are many invisible battles God has fought and is still fighting for you. And you are to appreciate Him for that. He decided to keep you alive, there is HOPE for you.

If you have never received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, this is the right time to do so. You are not reading this post by accident. Only confess your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour; prayerfully and from the depth of your heart. If you have done that, believe your sins are forgiven, and you are now a child of God. For your spiritual growth, you need to join yourself to a Bible believing Church in your area. You may contact me by submitting your details through the contact form in case you need guidance and counseling. God bless you.

Stay Blessed.

===================================
About the writer:

Richard Okunade - Bible Teacher/Evangelist/Blogger

Blessed with a passion for serving God through teaching and evangelistic online ministry. I am a Bible Study Teacher in a local Parish Church. I believe the application of Wisdom from God’s word is the solution to everyman’s problems.

You can find his blog at http://www.livebytheword.blog/