Priscilla: a wife, a disciple, and an example of spiritual maturity and understanding of the faith

This post is the last of my Women in the Bible series. I started in 2020 and it has been a great learning experience for myself and I hope that it has brought some insight for you, my readers. We end with Priscilla. Priscilla is one of the first missionaries and leaders of the early church. Along with her husband, Aquila, she risked her life for the apostle Paul. A woman of spiritual maturity and understanding of the faith, she helped build the early church. While she experienced opposition to the gospel from both Jews and Gentiles, she had the great joy to spread the gospel and nurture the church. What is her story? Why is she and her husband always mentioned together? What lessons can we learn from her example? 

Forced to leave Rome after Claudius ordered all Jews out of the city in 49 AD (Acts 18:2), Priscilla and her husband, Aquila, took their tentmaking trade to Corinth, a wealthy seaport, famous for its commercial might and appetites for vices. There they would become leaders of the church there. Her faith had begun many years prior in an atmosphere of strife and controversy in Rome and would be tested time and time again. In Corinth, she and her husband met Paul and witnessed the spread of the gospel as well as strife and opposition. After eighteen months, the Jews of Corinth would have Paul detained for spreading an illicit religion. Priscilla and Aquila would follow Paul to Ephesus (Acts 18:18). There, they would meet a Jew named Apollos, who was speaking with great fervor about Jesus (Acts 18:24-25). When Priscilla and Aquila realized Apollos wasn’t teaching the gospel fully, they invited him into their home and instructed him on salvation and “the way of God more adequately” (Acts 18:26). 

There are some couples that when one is mentioned, so is the other. They are a unit, never really without the other. They know how to make the most out of life. They complement each other. They capitalize on each other’s strengths and pick up the slack where one is weakest and form an effective team. Priscilla and Aquila were such a couple, never being mentioned without the other. In marriage and in ministry, they were a team. They worked as a team in their trade and in their church. They were partners in all they did. In an age when the focus is on what happens between a husband and a wife (i.e. conflicts, issues, etc), Priscilla and Aquila are an example of what can happen through a husband and a wife [emphasis mine]. Their effectiveness together speaks volumes about their relationship together. They didn’t stay in Ephesus. They would go back to Rome and continue to preach the gospel. Paul mentions them in his letters. First in Romans. “They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them” (Romans 16:3-4). Second, he instructs Timothy to “greet Priscilla and Aquila” (2 Timothy 4:19). 

There are a few lessons we can take from Priscilla’s story and example. First, she worked with her husband in life and in ministry. Couples can have an effective ministry together. Through prayer, support and encouragement, couples can learn how to work within their strengths for the Lord. Second, the home is a valuable tool for evangelism. Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians 16:19 that “the church that meets at their house.” Any believer’s greatest ministry is within their home with their spouse, with their children and then can extend to the greater community outside. Third, every believer needs to be well educated in the faith. Studying the Bible is how we learn to apply its principles and we teach others about Jesus. How can we spread the gospel when we don’t know it? It would be like teaching someone how to cook without all the ingredients. 

In conclusion, Priscilla was a valued disciple being mentioned several times in Paul’s letters. One who made a difference in Paul’s life and in the lives of those around her. She was a woman of wisdom and faith. She is an example of a wife working alongside her husband for the Lord. She may not have realized that each task she completed, great and small, was an opportunity to spread the gospel and work for the Lord. We often don’t realize the influence we create as we interact with those in our lives. Our lives are meant to have a rippling effect from one person to another through our influence and faith. May God make a few waves, rock a few boats with our acts of faith and spread His love, grace and gift of salvation. 

Archer's Voice: a story of healing and love

Archer’s Voice by Mia Sheridan is the first book in the Where Love Meets Destiny series. Bree Prescott is running. Running from the painful memories of her hometown. She escapes to Pelion, Maine, a sleepy lakeside town where she hopes she can finally find the peace she desperately needs. On her first day, she meets Archer Hale, an isolated man who holds secrets of his own. She finds herself pulled to the man who cannot speak, a man that everyone else in town seems to not see. Bree and Archer begin a simple friendship that burns into something more as they share their painful pasts and find a healing they never thought possible. However, there is someone in town who desperately wants to keep Archer silent and Bree out of town. Can their new love find the strength to fight against the forces that would keep them apart? 

I was gifted with a copy of Archer’s Voice from a friend who passed along her copy once she was done. After hearing great, good and even bad reviews of this story, I was intrigued by the story. Archer’s Voice is a multifaceted story. It is a story of a woman who feels chained to the painful memory of one horrifying night. It is a story of a man who has lived on the outside of society and a painful past that keeps him silent. It is a story of a town who finds the courage to find back against change no one wants. It is a story of powerful healing of love. I loved this story. With twists and turns, it is a book that I thought about long after I put it down and one I was eager to pick back up. I highly recommend Archer’s Voice. 

Archer’s Voice is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook

Blackbird: a story of survival and determination

Blackbird by Kay Bratt is the ninth book in the Hart’s Ridge series. In the small town of Hart’s Ridge, the echoes of Lydia Grimes’ abduction still ripples through the community. As they continue to come to grips with her profound loss, new clues and ideas may lead to understanding what happened to Lydia and where she is now. Deputy Taylor Gray feels deeply about every case that comes through Hart’s Ridge. With a mix of joys among the lingering sorrows, Taylor finds herself helping Caleb Grimes find the closure he needs to get his life and his family back on track. A young named Allison Curran, whom Taylor helped so many years ago, needs help again to leave a desperate situation. Can Taylor and Grimes find out what happened to Lydia and put the case to rest? Can Allison finally find peace, a home and a fresh start? 

Oh wow! What a story! From the opening prologue to the closing cliffhanger, Blackbird is a story of survival and determination. There were moments of heartbreaking tears and joyful smiles. There were moments of nail biting suspense and a race against time urgency. The Hart’s Ridge series just keeps getting better and better. My heart broke for Caleb and his daughters, especially Grace who struggled with their new reality and fears. I cheered Allison on as she worked to better her life and hoped with every turn of the page that she finds who and what she needs to find her feet again. I can’t wait for the next book to find out what happens next! This story will keep you on the edge of your seat and keep you guessing. I highly, highly recommend reading this series and if you have read the series so far, you will love Blackbird. 

Blackbird is available in paperback and eBook

Hart’s Ridge series books 1-8 are now available in paperback and eBook

Miss Morgan's Book Brigade: resilience of the human spirit to survive and rebuild

Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles is based on a true story of Jessie “Kit” Carson, an American librarian who worked in a war zone to bring books to the people. In January 1918, as the Great War rages on, Jessie Carson takes a leave of absence from the New York Public Library and works for the American Committee for Devastated France (CARD). Founded by Anne Morgan, the daughter of JP Morgan, this group helped rebuild the war torn French communities along the battlefront. When Jessie arrives, she creates children’s libraries. Turning ambulances into bookmobiles and trains French women as librarians. Then she disappears. Sixty-nine years later, in 1987, Wendy Peterson, a NYPL librarian and aspiring writer, stumbled across Jessie Carson’s name in the archives. With only a passing reference, Wendy becomes obsessed with discovering more about the elusive librarian. Is she prepared for what her search will reveal?  

I loved Jane Skeslien Charles’s The Paris Library and could not wait to read another adventure of the importance of books and community, even in war time. It is a story about the resilience of the human spirit to survive and rebuild. It is a story of inspiration and courage. I loved that Jessie felt the call to join CARD and leave her safe home for a war zone. I also loved that she did not let disappointment discourage her from doing what she set out to do. She was a librarian and was going to bring books back to the community. I also loved Wendy’s dedication to find out Jessie’s story and tell the world about her. This story is well researched and I enjoyed the author’s notes at the end about the real life individuals. If you enjoy stories about WWI and books, I recommend Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade. 

Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade will be available 

in hardcover, eBook and audiobook April 30, 2024

Sugarcoated: a brother's best friend romance

Sugarcoated by Erin Nicholas is the first book in the Hot Cakes series. Aiden Anderson and Zoe McCaffery practically grew up together. Everything was fine between them until she showed up in his bedroom in lingerie and asked him to take her V-card. It surprised him that she asked and it surprised her when he refused. Embarrassed and humiliated, Zoe threw herself into the family’s bakery business, determined to forgive Aiden and the whole incident. Now five months later, he is back in town, realizing his mistake and determined to tell her he has fallen in love with her and wants to make her his forever. However, there is a snag in his plan. He also has to tell her that he bought her biggest competitor. Aiden realizes he has his work cut for him. 

Sugarcoated is my first book by Erin Nicholas. It is a fun brother’s best friend romance. It was a fun and fast read. Zoe is spunky and sassy. Aiden is sweet and sexy. Their banter and flirting was fun to read. When it came to their spicy, sexy moments, it wasn’t as sexy. I literally skimmed over that part. Their flirtation was much better. The issue of Aiden buying her competitor and it’s revelation to Zoe was slowly built, yet over and forgiven a little too quickly. I enjoyed the secondary characters and their interactions with Aiden and Zoe. The story gives hints as to who pairs off in future stories in the series. Overall, I enjoyed it and wouldn’t mind picking up the rest of the series. If you enjoy fun romance, I recommend Sugarcoated. 

Sugarcoated is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Make Me Wilder: a fun, sweet, sexy romance

Make Me Wilder by Serena Bell is the first book in the Wilder Adventures series. In the small town of Rush Creek, Oregon, Gabe Wilder and his brothers operate the Wilder Adventures. Offering everything from fishing, hiking, survival camping and more, they have done well. That is until new businesses came to town and the new tourists have no interest in getting dirty in the woods. Enter Lucy Spiro, a city girl  sticks out like a sore thumb. She has been hired to give Wilder Adventures a bit of a makeover and help the family business thrive once again. Gabe and Lucy have an instant connection and while they are on the opposite ends of the ideas for the business, they cannot fight their attraction. Lucy is there to do a job and go back to New York City. Can Gabe show her that life in a small town with him would be worth it? 

Serena Bell is a new author to me. Make Me Wilder is a fun, sweet, sexy romance. I could not put it down. The banter and head butting between Lucy and Gabe had me smiling and the grand romantic gesture at the end made me sigh. I loved Gabe as the strong, older brother who felt a duty to take care of the family and the family business. I loved Lucy as a woman out of her element and yet willing to prove she can be as rough and tumble as the small town. Their banter and spicy moments were wonderful. I also enjoyed the secondary characters and look forward to reading their own stories. Every character felt real as their strengths, flaws and fears were relatable. If you enjoy easy to read, page turner romances with great banter, I highly recommend Make Me Wilder. 

Make Me Wilder is available in paperback and eBook

Never Lie: a domestic psychological thriller with unreliable narrators

Never Lie by Freida McFadden is a domestic psychological thriller with twists and turns. Tricia and Ethan are newlyweds who are searching for their dream house. They come to the remote manor that once belonged to Dr. Adrienne Hale, a renowned psychiatrist who disappeared without a trace. When they are forced to stay at the estate when a sudden blizzard blocks the roads. In her search to pass the time, Tricia comes across a secret room filled with taped sessions of Dr Hale with her patients. Tricia learns the chain of events and a web of lies unravels which led to Dr Hale’s disappearance. As the blizzard rages outside, there are strange events happening inside. Are Tricia and Ethan alone in the house? Or is someone watching? 

I have seen Freida McFadden books everywhere online; however, I haven’t had the opportunity to read one before. Never Lie is my first book by Ms. McFadden. It was a fast paced, easy to read, engaging story. With narrators you aren’t sure you should trust, readers will pick up clues and watch as twists and turns of a rollercoaster until the final page. I closed the book with a sense of awe and amazed at the all around craziness that occurred on the page. Overall, I enjoyed the story. I wasn’t wowed by it but I enjoyed it. I will try other Ms McFadden’s books in the future. If you enjoy fast paced psychological thrillers, I recommend Never Lie. 

Never Lie is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook