Jackie's Journey "Time to Give Thanks!"

FROM MY FRONT DOOR TO YOURS!

 Thanksgiving is not a season.  It is a posture of our hearts.

 “Oh, give thanks to the Lord!  Call upon His name;

Make known His deeds among the peoples!” I Chronicles 16: 8

 LET US GIVE THANKS…

…for God’s grace and forgiveness

…for God’s blessing in our lives

…for the freedom to worship as we see fit

…for God’s promise of provision in response to our giving

…for the modern technology which enables us to receive and share the Gospel

…for the guidance of God’s Word, the Bible

…for the work of the Holy Spirit directing our paths day- by- day

…for the sustenance, the shelter, even the clothing which we so take for granted

…for the strength to carry on

…for the “hope of glory” (Colossians 1: 27)

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!  For His mercy endures forever.”

I Chronicles16: 34

Examining the posture of my heart…what about you?

From the heart of our home to yours…we are thankful for each of you!

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "On Guard!"

Our friends have a five-year-old Downs Syndrome boy who was having a fabulous time at Sea World.  In an instant, his parents realized he had wandered off, and in a panic, they began to run in every direction, calling his name.  After a few minutes others joined in…frantically searching the vast pools of deep water filled with every aquatic fish imaginable. 

 Finally, after a series of hopeful leads, he was spotted…head to toe, dripping wet and muddy…running to his dad, who scooped him up in relief and hugged him reassuringly! Upon arriving home, they bathed him and tucked him into his cozy warm bed and proceeded to get his wet clothes out of his over-stuffed backpack.  In disbelief and total amazement…out popped the cutest little live penguin they had ever seen! (Story shared by Yvonne Foust)

.Our little ones can certainly identify with this little happy and excited boy…I know I do!

 We are sometimes like that little boy.  We see or hear something that captures our total attention.  We get caught up in the exciting moment and throw “caution to the wind”.  The something may not be bad, but the distraction keeps us from following the best.  God has given our children a safety net in times like these by giving them…US!  Parents carry the responsibility of protecting their children.  They make sure these little ones are taught and learn to choose to stay close to where mom and dad can see and hear them.  Hence, they sense protection and security. 

 Alertness is the awareness that we are being stalked by a deadly enemy.( I Pet. 5: 8)   Listening and obeying…especially when we are in new places…keeps us alert to danger!  When little ones slip away where they cannot be seen or heard, they not only hurt themselves…they hurt others.  That little boy’s daddy and mommy were afraid because they love him.  That little boy had been in water somewhere and could have been in great peril!  That little boy took something that wasn’t his (his friend penguin). That little boy took iniative and made a bad decision on his own…without asking permission from his parents.  That little boy made the circumstance life-threatening for the baby penguin and himself!

 We need to stay alert under the umbrella of protection.  Our authority keeps the rain and pain of life from hitting us and gives us peace and security, IF we stay under its shelter.  When we choose NOT to listen and go off on our own, we walk away from our safekeeping.

 This, of course, is true for us, adults, too…

Do we remind ourselves in these busy days that we are in a spiritual war?

Do we maintain and guard our daily time with the Lord and His Word?

Do we see the need to be on guard to the subtle dangers

creeping into our lives and homes?

 Let’s be alert this week to our spiritual condition…

and  aware of what is taking place around us

so we can have the right response.

HAVE  A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "Distractions!"

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and the anticipation of family and friends gathering Is a welcoming reality.  We will embrace the time given to those who arrive by plane, train and car to celebrate a season set aside to giving thanks together for God’s daily blessings.

 I pulled into John Wayne Airport last week to pick up my youngest daughter, arriving from a week’s visit in Texas with her best friend.  As I waited patiently, in my car, I observed scurrying individuals attempting to make their connection with those of us in a long line, each of us scouting for our peep!  Without exception, every single person had phone in hand.  Some were talking, some were listening, some were seated playing a game…but all were distracted and pre-occupied with something more important than the task at hand.

 It occurred to me that distraction had become the enemy.  The TSA workers were being hindered in their job of keeping the line moving by boarders consumed with the more important priority of a disrupting phone conversation!  How can one be attentive to the task at hand and distracted at the same time…it is an impossible conundrum! “A wise person will hear and will increase learning.”

 Attentiveness is showing the worth of a person by giving undivided concentration to his words. How many times do we call the name of our child and have them not respond?  Who gets priority when your husband calls your name and you are on the phone?  What about your quiet time?  Do you take the interruption and answer your phone or do you give a “hearing heart” and listen to the voice of God speaking to you through His Word? Those who listen best (undistracted) learn most. “Attend to my words, incline your ear to my sayings.” (Proverbs 4:20)

 Thanksgiving  gatherings are premier occasions for our laying all distractions aside and showing support to those we value by looking at them when they are speaking to us, leaning forward into the conversation showing keen interest, sitting and standing up straight to show we value and respect the opinion of others and then, asking as many questions as we can (listening carefully to the answers).

“A good listener is not only popular everywhere, but after a while he knows something!”

(Wilson Misner)

 I need to be more attentive this week…want to join me?

There is no time for distraction!

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "Haste Makes Waste!"

In my garden I have multiple butterfly bushes that are amazing to watch in the spring.  The butterflies come and the garden comes alive with activity.  When the chrysalis of a butterfly finally splits open, the butterfly must quickly free itself.  The pressure of this struggle inflates the butterfly’s wrinkled wings with vital fluids.  Without the struggle, a butterfly’s wings harden into misshapen stubs!

 It takes patience to wait and watch the entire process of butterfly reproduction.  In life we dodge the difficult situation, rather than just simply accepting it patiently, without giving God a deadline to remove it.  Those who wait on the Lord through great loss experience great gain. “Never think that God’s delays are God’s denials.  Hold on; hold fast; hold out.  Patience is genius!” (Buffon)

 “No one will ever know the full depth of our capacity for patience and humility as long as nothing bothers us.  It is only when times are troubled and difficult that  we can see how much of either is in us.” (St. Frances of Assisi)  How do we view the sovereignty of God? Do we joyfully endure pain and suffering?  Are we patient to wait on God and His timing in times of turmoil? James tells us to “welcome trials as friends”!  We are commanded to “run with patience the race that is set before us.”(Hebrews 12: 1)

 Most of us will have an opportunity to see this proved out in our life, as the holiday season takes on expectations and new challenges that call for endurance,  renewed strength and hope.  The promise is that ”they that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength; they will mount up wings as eagles; they will run, and not be weary; and they will walk and not faint”.(Isa. 40: 31)  

 The test of our maturity is how long we can wait between achievement and reward.

Have a great week!

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "Easy Transitions!"

Each morning outside my kitchen window, I watch tiny hummingbirds flutter and feed.  They exhibit amazing flexibility! These agile, three-and-a half-inch birds dart between and hover as they drink sweet nectar from my feeder.  These remarkable creatures can fly backward, forward, up and down, sideways or just float in place! They ably catch insects in flight and give new meaning to “rolling with the punches”.  The wind blows them “ hither and yon” and they never miss a beat.  They are masters!

As the holidays approach us with the added responsibilities and expectations, I am reminded of the need to not set my affections on plans, places, ideas or people that could be changed. Change produces tension. Being flexible with a willingness to change my plans with a good attitude for the benefit of another, benefits me with new insights and perspectives regarding deference-living. It’s a win…win.  Life calls us to maintain a constant state of flexibility. However, I cannot lie…change is not my favorite activity!

 In the seasonal Christmas Princess Parable book, “A Royal Christmas to Remember”, the Princesses Joy, Grace, Faith, Hope and Charity have carefully planned the most dramatic and dazzling Christmas celebration ever…until a knock at the front door of the castle on Christmas Eve changes everything.  Will a marauding band of outlaws ruin the princesses perfect Christmas Eve?  How flexible will our princesses be with these new circumstances? 

 The degree of pain we experience when required to bend and yield,  reveals the extent to which our affections and will are already inflexibly set!  There is a natural tendency to resist change and maintain “statis quo” in our comfort and convenience.  Growth comes when we step outside that space and settle in to “ride the wave” of continual adjustment. Flexibility is based on the desire and delight to do the will of God and follow His leading and an inflexible attitude reveals a persistence to do our own will.

 Those little hummingbirds are my daily reminder

to check my attitude when my carefully laid plans are challenged or changed…

 What is your response to an “interrupted plan”?

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "Weathering the Storm!!"

I now understand why my husband always had a love for palm trees.  I thought they were stately, but I was more drawn to weeping willows blowing in the wind or a blooming magnolia tree.  The source of life in a palm tree is at its center rather than just beneath the outward surface, as in other trees.  Its roots go deep into the ground and draw nourishment during times of drought.  The longer it endures, the sweeter its fruit becomes.

  The palm tree tolerates abuse that would kill other trees, because it is not harmed by surface wounds. While living in Southern Texas, the palm trees were severely tested when a hurricane struck our town.  We watched those stately trees sway and bend, not giving in to the torrents of  roaring winds, crashing rain and pelting hail and debris.

 The next morning, fallen trees of every kind were everywhere, roads were blocked…but no  palm trees! Through the storm, the palm trees had the strength to endure it all!  “The righteous will flourish like the palm tree: he will grow like a cedar in Lebanon.”  I want to flourish like the palm tree and be found faithful, enduring whatever He chooses to bring my way.  No…correction… I want to be found rejoicing… in the midst of the storms, trials and tribulations.  We need strength to endure.  Endurance is that inward strength the Holy Spirit gives us to withstand stress…and keep going! 

 Quitting is not an option.  Prioritizing  goals and pursuits so there is no time, energy or talent wasted is imperative.  Learning to bend, instead of break, under pressure is a requirement. Leaving discouragement at the door becomes vital.  Learning to do what is right even in hard times is a given…

 Whatever “storm” stress you are facing this week, will you join me

 in the pursuit of “endurance”…tapping into His strength…

rejoicing always…never giving up?

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey “Impish Mouse!"

Do you believe God has given you all you need?

How content are you?

I have talked about the impish mouse that moved into the hood of my car and made a huge nest, have I not?  She did it once, twice and the third time I was advised by the mechanic to sell my “all- time” favorite car, because little mischievous mouse was so warm and content that she would continue, indefinitely, rebuilding and returning to “her home”!

I was disappointed and really did not want to accommodate the little mouses life at the expense of my own.  Note: Job’s response would have been, “the Lord gives and the Lord takes away.” However, I was convinced that that car would make my life happy.  I had set my affection on getting to keep that car.  The evidence…the mechanic told me that once the mice move in…they don’t move out…but I was sure the mouse would get the point when I trashed, no obliterated (!) her house… three times!

 To my dismay…she settled the issue…the car had to go!

 Are you disappointed or dissatisfied with something in your life; your marriage; the progress of your occupation; your health; your children, the world’s situation; your friendships; your spiritual growth…?  Being content is realizing God has already provided everything we need for our present and future happiness. “It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy”…that brings contentment!” C. Spurgeon

 If I am not satisfied with what I have, I will never be satisfied with what I want.  My desire was being driven by the trap of thinking I had security in that car when the real secret of contentment is in enjoying the security of the presence of the Lord and His provision for me.  I am drawn back to the truth of eternal treasures versus temporal ones. Do I believe that God has given me all I need?

 “I have learned (am learning) in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content.”

Phippians 4: 11

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "Dare To Be Audacious!"

In “A Royal Christmas to Remember”,  the five princesses are confronted with a deliberate and planned attack against their kingdom.  A sudden rap on the door of the castle calls their father and the knights away, and in their absence, a band of marauding outlaws forcefully enters the castle kitchen doors and the five princesses are faced with pending danger. What would they do?

Captured and held captive until help arrived!

Not all of us will be faced with the threat of danger or death, but all of us will be faced with choices that could alter our entire future.  Sometimes it comes by our own volition (the cause-and-effect sequence/ we reap what we sow) and other times it is forced on us by God’s over-powering will and purpose. 

 We are responsible for being alert to what is going on around us and to act accordingly.  My best friend’s daughter was at a concert with friends and a shooter began killing people randomly in the crowd.  She walked away, but remains haunted by that indiscriminate act.  We watched in horror as threat became reality when Charlie Kirk was shot down before our eyes!

While ministering in the jungles of Panama, a group of Colombian guerrillas entered our village and kidnapped three young missionary men. They were martyred and two of the fathers had small children. 

 We are in perpetual warfare with an enemy that is a master of deception.  When danger lurks, “the righteous are called to be bold as a lion.” Proverbs 28:1   We are to be bold in the face of death and confident that what we have to say or do is true and right and just in the sight of God.   Boldness is welcoming any suffering that comes from doing what is right with joy and thanksgiving.

 The most powerful people on the face of the earth are those who have no fear of death. My husband had no fear of death or of man.  For 60 years I observed his total confidence and freedom to live and experience life as God means it to be.  He was bold in his leadership of our family and his witness before men with his faith. God is calling me to that same courageous spirit this morning…

 Will you join me?

 “We fear men so much because we fear God so little.  One fear cures another.

When man’s terror scares you, turn your thoughts to the wrath of God.”

William Gurnall

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "Fainthearted Persistence!"

I have been thinking about our need to be “warrior women” with passionate resolve…mothers that look at the insurmountable obstacles that face us, as opportunities to cry out for God’s supernatural intervention!  Motherhood calls for extreme determination and presupposes that we have considered the cost and requirement necessary to see the task at hand accomplished and what it will take to achieve that goal.

 While on the mission field, I was continually challenged with what seemed to be the impossible.  To mention a few “obstacles”…from the time it took to just live… without electricity or running water to the medical clinic where we sutured, set broken arms and delivered babies; to the breaking down the language and  learning it; and then, the desiring to be the “hands on” mom with two little girls isolated in a jungle environment, who needed me and… needed to learn to read. I am not the best multi-tasker, so it all seemed over-whelming and unachievable!

I was not seeing from God’s perspective! Life consists of choices.  Making right choices is imperative…I wanted the blessing that came with that.  Checking my choices became a daily exercise.  At the Memorial for Charlie Kirk, there was a catch phrase that resonates with my remote living experience…”NEVER GIVE UP!  NEVER SURRENDER!”  Hudson Taylor wrote, “At first the task looks difficult, then impossible; and then it is done.”  I had to reject distractions, like guilt, failure, discouragement and doubt.  I had to accept that “faithful is He who called me, Who would also do it”. Gal. 6: 9

 I don’t know what you are facing this week,  but be encouraged that we have a calling, God has a plan and our right choices will keep us in harmony with Him or our wrong choices will mark our defeat. “And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, “iF WE DO NOT GIVE UP!”  Once a decision is made, it takes determination to carry it out.

 Have a great week…

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "Stepping Up to the Plate!"

These past eleven days have been a brutal opportunity to “look up and not around “ at circumstances surrounding us.  Today we were able to share in the Memorial for Charlie Kirk.   We witnessed the assassination of a courageous 31-year-old patriot on Wednesday, the 10th of September.  He was a “happy warrior” of his country and his faith. Not college educated, he stood heads above those he spoke to in colleges around the country who challenged the basic principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  His walk was consistent, his resolve steadfast and his love for family and the values that make families and America strong and “great” were unwavering.  On Thursday, the 11th, we faced the memory of 3,000 lost lives on September 11, 2001. 

The field has been leveled, or should be, as we look to the future.  We determinedly pursue truth boldly or we retreat in fear and faintheartedness. Our character is being tested continually by the choices we make… it is powerful in its positive influence or it has yielded to compromise of principle, weakness and defeat.  The reality of our virtue is on the line…can the moral excellence and purity of spirit (that should be radiating from our lives, as we live and obey God’s word),  be seen, heard and clearly articulated? Or have we lost sight of eternal values and replaced them with temporal ones; sacrificing the permanent on the altar of the immediate, as time and opportunity slip by?

It is the will of God that every believer experiences the power of virtue and uses it to benefit others.  “The kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” (I Cor. 4:20)  According to His divine power, He has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who has called us to glory and virtue.”II Peter 1: 3)

 No more excuses…no remorse…no rationalizing…Virtue is the power of the Holy Spirit energizing the lives of those touched by it. In Proverbs 31,  moms, the question is, “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies…favor is deceitful and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears the Lord, she shall be praised!” 

Shall we step up to the plate and boldly proclaim what we know to be true?

Have a great week!

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights.