Posted by Posted in Bible, faith, God, Jesus, Living for God, words

Remember Your Freedom

Sometimes we can forget the true extent of our freedom in
Christ. The reality is that if you have turned from your sins and trusted in Jesus you are free from sin, forever. I want you to convince you of this incredible truth through Bible verses. Lets embark on this search about freedom in Christ together.

“If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
John 8:36

Freeindeed. I think this is key. It doesn’t say just free, it says free indeed or really, truly free. If Jesus sets you free you are really free. It is not the superficial freedom the world offers us, it is true, real freedom.

“Now the Lord is Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.”
2 Corinthians 3:17

When we are walking with the Lord we have peace, love, and freedom! The Lord is all of those things.

So this freedom is not everyones. It is only if you trust in Jesus for your sins. Before you do that you are a slave to sin, you are under the burden of sin and you are a captive to it. Every unbeliever lives with a burden, just like Christian in “Pilgrim’s Progress”. Only when you reach the cross will you become free from that burden.

“For freedom Christ has set us free, stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.”
Galatians 5:1

You never think about it that way do you. If you forget the freedom you have and feel guilty and ashamed you are bending to the yoke of slavery! Christ paid the price for your freedom. He gave it to you!

“There is therefore now no comdemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of Life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1-2

Notice the words “in Christ Jesus”. We need to make sure that we keep our eyes on Him and remember that He is the only one that we can go to for that freedom.

Now I wanted to post the bridge of a song called “Man of Sorrows” by Hillsong. It explains the truth of this freedom in a very joyful, thankful way and I love it. Here you go.

Now my debt is paid
It is paid in full
By the precious blood
That my Jesus spilled

Now the curse of sin
Has no hold on me
Whom the Son sets free
Oh is free indeed

Isn’t that truth amazing? Lets keep going.

Once we place our trust in God we are actually still slaves…..but to God and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom, right?

“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.”
Romans 6:22

So we are slaves still, but to God and that is a even better than being free by ourself.

“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover up for evil but living as servants of God.”
1 Peter 2:16

So living as a free people is the same thing as living as servants of God! Anything with God is better than anything else that isn’t.

Our freedom really has some power. This isn’t just like a ‘yeah yeah I am free, woo hoo!’ Its more like….

“I shall walk in a wide place because I have followed your precepts.”
Psalm 119:45

“You who were once alienated, hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, He has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you, holy and blameless and above reproach.”
Colossians 1:21-22

“Creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption, and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”
Romans 8:21

Yes, you heard me right, this freedom makes us children of God, above reproach before Him and walking on wide ways!

However, we must be careful with this freedom and gaurd it closely. We must not use this freedom that was freely given to us for wrong.

“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an oppurtunity of the flesh but through love, serve one another.”
Galatians 5:13

“Out of my distress, I called on the Lord and He set me free.”
Psalm 118:5

“The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has annointed me, to bring good news to the poor, He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.”
Isaiah 61:1

We are to use our freedom to love oneanother, proclaim liberty (Jesus’s liberty) to the captives and in our distress, call to the Lord and He will make us free.

I hope that after hearing these amazing truths from the word of God you would see that if you are in Christ you have freedom. Freedom with power.

This freedom keeps you from condemnation.

This freedom makes you a slave to God, not sin.

This freedom gives you the boldness and power to go proclaim that liberty to those still in bondage.

This freedom is God’s power in you.

So don’t keep quiet, shout it from the rooftops, yell it through the mountains, proclaim it from any high place.

YOU ARE FREE!!!

Freed by Christ,
Priscilla

Posted by Posted in adventures, Family, journal entries

Journal Entries- Road Trip to Texas

Before I start telling you what we did I will tell you about what we went to Texas for.

Basically, my big brother Jace has been doing a program called College Plus! since he was 14. In those three years he developed a relationship with his coach, took amazing courses like Comparitive Worldviews, Signature Leadership 1 and 2 and study skills, and tested out of college with CLEP tests. He has gotten involved with CP community, become a CP ambassador and made great friends.

This last week was the student conference called CPE3 in a town near San Antonio. There was a graduation for all students who will/have graduated in 2015. My brother finished his college the week before he left and though he still has to apply for graduation he is done with all his college work! Jace has a BA in History now. He is 17. Yeah. (!!!!!) 🙂

Our family wouldn’t miss his graduation for the world so we decided to take a crazy trip to Texas and support him in this huge milestone. Below I have my journal entries for all of the days of our trip so read below and see what our trip was like!

Day 1- Mooresville, NC
Today was a day of packing up, our Grandpa came down from Ashevelle to hitch a ride with us. We got our van inspected, packed food, clothing, books and car activities.

image

All my books. 🙂 From top to bottom:
The Bible, My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers, my journal, Kingdom’s Reign by Chuck Black, Beautiful Girlhood by Karen Andreola, The Light and Glory by Peter Marshall and David Manuel, William Penn by Janet and Geoff Benge, Beorn the Proud by Madeline Polland, Children of Hurin by J.R.R. Tolkien, William Penn (Landmark), Math-U-See Algebra 1 Test booklet, Exploring Creation with Biology by Dr. Jay Wile, my knitting and binoculars. Yeah its a lot.

We had a good trip but it was mostly driving so not much to tell. 🙂 That night was a little uncomfortable but I got a good few hours of sleep.

Day 2- somewhere in Louisiana
Early today, we drove into Texas, stopped at a rest stop, ate muffins, etc. We made very good time and made it to San Antonio, TX around 8:30 am. Everyone trooped out and we headed to the Alamo. The Alamo! What beautiful, brave history there. We bought postcards and really enjoyed that time.

Then we headed to the river walk. It was very pretty. We stopped and had some nacho chips which were really good. There was a guy filming a movie so we walked in the background and made goofy faces. 🙂 There were lots of pigeons, ducks and sparrows.

We checked into our hotel, did some swimming and went out to this authentic Texas burger place with some friends. Then we watched some TV (a rare experience) and crashed.

Day 3- San Antonio, TX
We woke up and had Texas shaped waffles for breakfast. We checked out of the hotel and met the same friends for a short hike at Comanche Lookout. There was a historic watchtower and a quarry for the kids to play in. We picnicked with them at a park and then hung out at the library before grabbing dinner at Chick-fil-A and getting ready for the graduation.

We found the resort and went in. Everyone was so nice. I got to meet Dewey Novotny, my Navigate teacher. It was a really special evening with worship a message from Mr. Novotny, the turning of the tassels and an ice cream social afterward. Lots of pictures were taken and we got to meet Eddy again.

Me and my college graduate brother!

Me and my college graduate brother!

After that, we headed home and there is not much to say because it was just sleeping, driving and reading.

Day 4- somewhere on the way home, Louisiana? Alambama?
More driving, sleeping and reading.

Day 5- Charlotte, NC
After picking up Jace from the airport we headed to Asheville, NC and spent the day resting and recovering at my grandparent’s house. My sister and I went shopping with my grandma but other than that we just hung out. We headed home that night and got to sleep in our own beds! Aaaah.

Well, that is the short journal entrie. If I see you in person I can tell you more but now I have to go.

Priscilla

Posted by Posted in Books to Read, Chrildren's Writing

Book Review- The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elisabeth George Speare

So I actually didn’t read this book until my teen years because it had witch in the title and we don’t do witches in our house. I missed out on a classic! This book was amazing.

Rating: ***** 5 stars!
Audience: Boys and girls would both enjoy it but I think girls would like it more because the main character was a girl and there was some who will marry who in it. Nothing sentimental or romancy though.

Characters:
Kit- orphan from the exotic island of Barbados
Uncle Matthew- Kits stern Puritan uncle
Aunt Rachel- Kits kind and submissive aunt
Judith- Kits vain but hardworking cousin
Mercy- Kits sweet, kind, loving, crippled cousin
Nat Eaton- the son of Captain Eaton of the “Dolphin”, friend of Hannah Tupper (He was one of my favorite characters)
William Ashby- Rich admirerer of Kit
Prudence- daughter of mean Goodwife Cruff, she is befriended by Kit and introduced to Hannah Tupper.
Hannah Tupper- The “witch” of Blackird pond, she is really just a sweet Quaker woman
John Holbrook- studious student of the Reverend, admirerer of Mercy

Basic Plot: When Kit goes to America to live with her uncle and her family she is not prepared for the stern, solemn way of life of the Puritans. She always seems to make mistakes and get in trouble and on top of all that William Ashby is trying to get her to marry him! She finds comfort and hope from Hannah Tupper, the Quaker “witch”. When the towns epidemic of sickness is blamed on Hannah, Kit helps her escape but what will happen when SHE is accused of witchcraft?

This was a beautiful piece of children’s fiction. It had a great plot and characters and kept you reading and reading. A most endearing work of art.

Priscilla

Posted by Posted in Home

News for You! -my vision for priscillajoy.com

Hello all!
Today I will be giving you an introduction into my vision for priscillajoy.com. I will tell you the things I hope to start writing about and hopefully I will keep up with it! 🙂 So here we go.

Lots of my topics that I will be writing about will be mirroring my loves, passions and interests. So you will be hearing about homesteading/self sufficient living, books, adventures, music, JESUS!, missions and maybe dabbling in things like homeschooling, true womanhood, and movie reveiws. I will break down some of my sepecific ideas below for you to read and get excited about. 🙂

Ok, lets review some of the things already going on here.

1. Army Training
I firmly believe that we are in a war and our greatest weapon is the Bible (Ephesians 6:17) Army training is basically a passage of Scripture to help you fight your battles and strengthen your soul.

2. Journal Entries
These will true to the title, be posts journalling my newest adventures, specifically trips I take. I will be adding a journal entries series in a little bit about our upcoming trip to Texas. So keep updated!

3. Book Reviews
Oh the joy and wonder of books! These posts will be reviews on some books I have been reading. Notice the SOME, if I reviewed all of the books I have read my blog would be SCREAMING at me!

4. NEW THING: Pioneer Living- Homesteading Tips and Tricks
I am very excited about this new thing I am starting. I will be posting recipes, things to make and do as well as tips about things like gardening, chickens, cheesemaking, candlemaking, breadmaking and other things to help you live like a pioneer.

5. NEW THING: Heroes and Heroines of Character
This series was made a little nervously but with lots of passion and inspiration. The lack of good Godly characters to look up to as your hero/heroine in books these days exasperates me! So because I don’t want to write a book at this point I will be posting short stories with boy/girl characters who will come from all different periods in history and all different social classes to teach a certain character quality (bravery, compassion, providence, purity, etc.). These stories will hopefully be FULL of adventure. I haven’t actually written one yet so that is the nervous part but I have a feeling these will be good!

Those are all my series so far but don’t worry! There will be plenty of other topics just in a regular post (not a series). So keep updated about what is going on and pray for me a lot so that I can keep up with my vision and make it reality!

Hopefully you are excited as I am!
Your one and only,
Priscilla

Posted by Posted in army training, Bible, faith, Jesus

Army Training- Colossians 2: 13-15

Here is some more word of God to strengthen you and help you fight your battles today!

“And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all of our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him.”

Colossians 2: 13-15