Jackie's Journey "HAPPY THANKSGIVING!"

Our young knights being welcomed by the King and princesses for a celebration at the Castle

 Thanksgiving is this Thursday!  We have everything to be grateful for, don’t we?  Gratefulness is making known to God and others in what ways they have benefited our lives. I Corinthians 4:7    Thanksgiving Day is a perfect time to do this!

 Thanksgiving weekend is full of traditions for our family, as I am sure it is in your home.  It is the official beginning of the Christmas season.  The Christmas trees go up, the Christmas C.D.’s fill the house with music, the wreaths are hung on the front doors, the garlands are placed around the house with care, and the lights from the bannister shine out from the second story as a welcoming beacon for all who enter over the coming days of celebrating our Saviors birth. 

  My bulging gift closet is opened up after a year of accumulating its secret chattels and the “to do list” is formally inducted into the hustle and bustle of Christmas giving.  The stacked boxes full of gifts, just waiting to be wrapped, are pulled out and the forgotten person, item or the missing piece of a waiting gift is duly noted and one by one will be addressed and added to its appropriate package over the next few weeks. 

 “Making a List and Checking It Twice…”

 In the Princess Parable Series book “A Royal Christmas to Remember”, the princesses and young knights are busy checking off all that must be organized and accomplished with all the activities that come with planning and preparing for the Holiday Season.   Unexpectedly, there is a disruption at the castle door.  Fear silences their demanding schedule.  News of marauding robbers heading toward the castle gates has immediately reached the King.   Abruptly frozen in their tracks, their thoughts are focused on the pending danger and Christmas preparations are lost in the newly presented event at hand… 

Who knocks at the door?  What could it be?  What has happened?

  Organizing activities requires lists!  There are many kinds of lists.  They can be the director that keeps us on track.  They are the reminders that sustain us on our trek in a time crunch.  They put our weekly menu together and they assure us that everything is packed in a lunch bag or backpack.  They maintain our priorities.  Lists are good things…fresh reminders, motivators to keep us keeping on…

 I have been thinking about a list that has been in a notebook next to my Bible for years.   It accompanies my journal and is the key of the day and the lock of the night.  It is a list of names and needs of …family members, missionaries, church families, neighbors, people we are witnessing to, people we are mentoring, people with special needs during the holidays, church leaders, leaders of our great nation, prayer requests…

 “Watch and pray…”  Matthew 26:41

“God heard them, for their prayer reached heaven…”  II Chronicles 

“So… we fasted and petitioned our God about this

and He answered our prayer.”  Ezra 

 “The moment you wake up each morning, all your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals.  And the first job each morning consists in shoving it all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other, larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in.” C.S. Lewis

 “If you are a stranger to prayer, you are a stranger to power”

If we are too busy to pray…then we are too busy!  Hurry is the death of prayer!

“Satan laughs at our toiling but he trembles when we pray!”

Will you join me daily this busy time of year to take time

 to enter your “War Room” with your prayer list and talk to God… first?

~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 "Which World are You In?"

 As moms, we see God, family and responsibility through a lens that is often clouded by information being flooded into our vision through social media and what others are saying or have lived or experienced.  We see them as examples and take their teaching as gospel truth.  Because our biblical worldview is not being fed by time in the Word and knowing the heart and mind of God, we are often misled and our children suffer the consequences.

 Someone left this on my desk last week and it seemed so simplistic that I set it to one side. A few day later, while sitting at my desk, out of the corner of my eye…I glanced at it again and grasped the two world-views being compared!  Take a look:

 Which world-view captures you?

 We are responsible to God, first and that means

 His world-view is the only one that counts!

~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 "Fan or Follower??"

In 1963 William McDonald nailed some principles of New Testament discipleship on my heart!  I had seen them in the Word, but somehow concluded that they were too extreme and impractical for the complicated age I lived in. During my last year of college, I was challenged to take a good look at what the Word said and to admit to myself it was applicable today…not for someone else, not just for weekends, or not for when I retire or when I was more mature spiritually to receive its truth!  A life dedicated to the cross is one that obeys Him in all that He has commanded; whatever the cost may be… a total commitment.  

As a young mom the message of these words would sear my conscience as my demanding life was processing its truth.  Nothing less than unconditional surrender could ever be a fitting response to His sacrifice on Calvary.  To this day He is still seeking the heart that is solely satisfied with Him, plus nothing! 

 A few years ago, someone put a book in my hand called “Not A Fan”.  The same demand and those same passages in Luke 14, again, spoke volumes to me and a new generation.  The challenge of those verses is still being shouted in the wilderness. The urgency to respond is still there for us to forsake all and to follow Him! 

 The author, Kyle Idleman, defines a fan as a person who has made a decision for Christ; she is an enthusiastic admirer of Christ; but no sacrifice is required.He defines a follower as a person who has made a commitment to Christ; she counts the cost in following Him; and the commitment requires sacrifice.  He continues:

Fans are unaffected by their Christian responsibility.

Followers have their lives turned upside down.

Fans don’t mind Jesus doing a little touch-up.

Jesus wants a complete renovation!

Fans come to Jesus thinking tune-up.

Jesus is thinking overhaul!

Fans want Jesus to inspire them

Jesus wants to interfere with our lives!

 “Jesus was never interested in having fans.  When He defines what kind of relationship he wants…enthusiastic admirer is not an option!  Many American churches have gone from being sanctuaries to becoming stadiums, and every week all the fans come to the stadium where they cheer for Jesus but have no interest in truly following him.  The biggest threat to the church today is fans that call themselves Christians but aren’t actually interested in following Christ.  They want to be close enough to Jesus to get all the benefits, but not so close that it requires anything from them.” Kyle Idleman

 Are you a Fan or a Follower?

A follower of the King of Kings would have her life 

affected and turned upside down for the benefit 

of others and the glory of God!

~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 "What Captures Your Attention?"

We demonstrate what we value by what we give our attention and affection to.  Dedicated moms know where their children are all the time.  If one is missing, even for a moment…panic sets in.  We value our little ones!  

The object of our devotion reveals

what is important to us.

 I walked into the Mall over a month ago and was greeted by sparkling lights, festive music, fully decorated Christmas trees of every size and color, and the warm scent of cinnamon and pine wafting in the air…it was October 1st!   Thanksgiving was six weeks away!   Christmas was two months away!

 The materialistic focus had begun and the most celebrated event of the year was lost in a world of themed decorations, color coordinated ornaments, hearth garlands and welcoming wreaths ready for our front doors…an obvious demonstration of what the world values.  I looked in vain for a Nativity scene.  Where was the real object of our celebration…our “Reason for the Season”…Jesus Christ?  

 “Christ is not valued at all unless He is valued above all!”

In our seasonal book, “A Royal Christmas to Remember”, the princesses found that although the entire village had been ransacked by a band of marauding outlaws, they were amazed to find the Nativity scene had been left unscathed! They stood gazing down at the baby Jesus and thanked God that HE had come into the world and that no one was injured in the brutal attack. Their focus was on the Savior who had come to save and bring peace. Regardless of the circumstances around them, their hearts were captured by the wonderful gift God gave us in His Son. They were filled with unspeakable joy.

“Christmas is not a myth, not a tradition, not a dream. It is a glorious reality. It is a time of joy. Bethlehem’s manger crib became the link that bound a lost world to a loving God. From that manger came a Man who not only taught us a new way of life, but also brought us into a new relationship with our Creator. Christmas means that God is interested in the affairs of people; that God loves us so much that He was willing to give His Son.” Billy Graham

“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given…and he will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9: 6

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and then Christmas!!

Who is the object of your attention?

~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 "What Marks TRUE Character?"

Character determines our actions! Character marks the life of a TRUE prince or princess!

 A Biblical worldview should influence all areas of life.  Articulating that worldview within our sphere of influence is what the Princess Parables are all about!  While surface problems (Covid-19, hate, riots, murder, anger, addiction…) attract media attention, they merely reflect and are symptomatic of the deeper need we have as people…the need for godly character!  

 Character determines our responses, regardless of the circumstances presented to us in life.   It defines us and tells others who we really are!  Character is written on the heart of every person.  It is universal and transcends culture, race, age, social status, religion, gender and nationality.  

 Godly character marks the life of a true prince or princess!!  For years Princesses Joy, Grace, Hope, Faith and Charity have been a large part of my life and I have grown to love each of them, as distinct and separate personalities, with unique engiftments and an adventurous story to tell.  They form a cohesive body of work that speaks to the need for early development of godly character in our little prince and princesses in a pragmatic way, that they can relate to, with Biblical terms attached. 

  I recently read, “A dear old Quaker lady, distinguished for her youthful look, was asked what she used to preserve her appearance.  She replied sweetly, “I use for the lips, truth; for the voice, prayer; for the eyes, pity; for the hand, charity; for the figure, uprightness; and for the heart, love” (Jerry Fleishman).  

 The Princesses are designed to inspire godly thoughts and actions.  The key to this wise “Quaker lady’s” answer and the challenge to us is to maneuver victoriously through this new day and its many opportunities… each revealing our TRUE character through our moment-by-moment responses!  

 Who am I really?

 My daily response to life situations 

brings to light the REAL me!

~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 "In A Land Far Away..."

I am a Princess! 

 How do I know?

  I know because my Father called me “Princess” most of my life!  My legal name is Jacqueline Johnson, and I am delighted to be co-author with Jeanna Young for the Princess Parables Series. The original purpose of these weekly blogs, is to love and encourage you dedicated moms who are diligently working to raise your children with character and love for Jesus. 

My first granddaughter, Princess Catherine

I am a former foreign missionary and Pastors wife, a mother of two beautiful girls and a grandmother of three delightful princesses and four young princes with the same goal of character focus with eternal values in veiw.  I was born in St. Joseph, Missouri as our country was resurfacing from its worst Depression.  I attended parochial schools and I was baptized, “catechizemized”, confirmed and on my way to hell! 

  I knew something real was missing in my life and I desperately needed purpose and definition to all that was going on around me.  While attending the University of Arizona, pledging Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, I was challenged to visit a church that introduced me to a God I could know personally through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.  This was the missing piece…a person!  When Christ walked into my life it was never the same again!  I became part of a true Royal Kingdom!  “…He has rescued us out of the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of His Son…”(Colossians 1:13).  I knew God’s hand and call was on me, and my life’s journey from that day until this moment has been filled with change and eternal purpose. 

 My co-author Jeanna and I had long searched for wholesome stories for our children (and my grandchildren), and God put it on our hearts to create the Princess Parables Series. The stories introduce a character quality in the name of the Princess and take the storyline from a Parable that was taught by the greatest teacher that ever lived.  They have been specifically created to put a functional tool into the hands of young mothers, grandmothers, teachers…that will proactively allow parents to nurture the character of their little princess with a Godly worldview. 

The Princesses are designed to inspire godly thoughts and actions in your daughters.

 These weekly blogs are my reflections and beliefs,

and hopefully, will inspire you young moms 

and advance HIS Royal Kingdom.

.I can’t wait to get to know you better, caring reader,

and encourage you on your journey.

My first two princesses…Princess Catherine and Princess Alexandra Grace

Jackie's Journey "Gratefully Disillusioned!"

Since my mother’s passing in June, I, along with my three sisters, have had the privilege of walking through her thoughts, getting her Estate in order.  I am finding a wealth of information about her “seasoned” heart and my heart has responded to the love expressed in her times of trial, rejection and failure!

 C. S. Lewis once defined history as “the long terrible story of man trying to find happiness apart from God”.  The secret of a satisfied heart is NOT the pursuit of satisfaction or happiness…they are the by-products.  Discovering God, HIS path of obedience and HIS love in actual practice is the basis of genuine growth, absolute gratefulness and joy in life.

 Discouragement often accompanies times of trial, rejection and failure. “For you have tried us, O God; you have refined us as silver is refined.  You brought us into the net; you laid an oppressive burden on us, you made men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water, yet YOU brought us out into a place of abundance.” Psa. 66:10-12

 I am reminded of the way God works to bring new release,

greater fulfillment, abundance and growth.  It is usually wrapped in the package of truth…

The more desperate the trial, the greater the growth!

 A while back, my life was completely disillusioned by a person very close to me that had always demonstrated loyalty and trust.  My attention was instantly drawn to the distress and directness of the accusations against me. I felt that “ person riding over my head”! 

 I kept hearing the words…God is not interested in helping us maintain 

a sense of worth  independent of HIM.

 I accepted temporarily an “oppressive burden” and knew the “fire and water” was surely inevitable. God “arranges” circumstances…(even, and especially in our failures), to break through our resistance until we honestly acknowledge and accept our need for HIM alone! Every other love, than God’s, is limited by some degree of distance, hesitation or distrust.

 I was then, and am still now, daily challenged to focus on how HE sees me and the treasure chest of truths on what delights HIS heart and NOT on the disillusionments and disappointments of life.  

Greater growth…greater trial.

 Trials come to help me reach my chosen goal, even though it sometimes frustrates my surface desires…therefore, I’m going on record to say…I welcome it!  Tribulation is God’s fastest road to patience, character, hope, confidence, genuine love…etc.!  In these days of confusion, riots and unrest, I continue to rest in a simple quiet purpose of heart…asking God for a celebration in the form of exuberance! (Antselvania)

 God continues to answer my prayer…I am not too old to serve, too seasoned to teach, too stubborn to learn, too weak to lead, too confounded to be productive…etc.  

 I am in perfect position for growth!!

 Will you grow with me?

~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 "Are You a Traumatized Citizen?"

I’ve been thinking about what it means to be an American citizen.  Just the title screams privilege and responsibility.  I was born an American citizen.  With it came all the parts that make this country so great.  To experience the privilege, its integrity must be preserved.  I have certain unalienable rights that come wrapped in responsibility. I have lived in a third world country and believe me, when I say, I am an American through and through, with pride of ownership!

  There is a description of another citizenship that I am a part of, that also, comes with privilege and responsibility.   I guess you could say I have dual-citizenship, like my daughter, Kim, who was born in Panama.  I was reading the responsibilities of that citizenship and those who “will live in the tent of the Lord” and “live on His holy hill”!  

 I’m no slacker, but this list in (Psalm 15 and Psalm 24:3-5) was an eye-opener, because it came with such promise!  The person who:

1.     Walks in integrity

2.     Works righteousness

3.     Speaks truth in his heart

4.     Does not slander with his tongue

5.     Does not do evil to his neighbor

6.     Does not take up a reproach against his friend

7.     Honors those who fear the Lord

8.     Swears to his own hurt and does not change

9.     Does not put out his money at interest

10.  Does not take a bribe against the innocent

 The promise for obedience is that

“he who does these things will NEVER be shaken!

 Sounds good to me!  In these days of world turmoil, we don’t need an earthquake to be shaken. There’s certainly enough going on around us, in just the unknowns, “to keep the pot stirred”!  

 This is a promise, given with love, provision and conditions…

I’m, earnestly, taking it seriously…

 How about 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 "Amazing Exchange!"

I thought we were out of the woods with the opening of retail stores, restaurants, elementary schools, universities, etc.…  However, that was short-lived!  Again, we find ourselves subjected to closed churches and beaches, missed fireworks on the fourth of July and avoidance of social gatherings. Each restriction of our “old” life is compounded by our unwilling acceptance.  For me, the old normal was good enough…there is no need for a “new” normal.

 There is an interesting exchange in II Kings 6 between Elisha and his faithful servant.  In my opinion, prophets don’t “get a break” because they consistently cry out truth and no one wants to hear it!  So enraged by this prophet’s message, King Ben-hadad sent his soldiers by night to surround the town where the prophet ministered and the object was to kill Elisha and everyone in Dothan!  

 With so many depictions of this scenario currently on TV in mini-series, complete with swords and armor, it is not difficult to visualize this happening (not to forget...the riots in our streets!).  Elisha’s servant had risen early and gone out, only to become acutely aware of the overwhelming presence of horses and chariots swirling around the city.  He ran in fear to tell his master Elisha and ask, “Alas, my Lord, what shall we do?”

 Elisha, the hated prophet, simply stated,” Do not fear …for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”  Then, Elisha prayed and asked to the Lord to “open the eyes of his servant, so he could see.”  

See what??

This is the good part…

 “And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha!  I don’t know about you, but I am mighty glad for those chariots of fire, as I face life and the days ahead. 

  It gets better…

Elisha prayed to God, “Strike the people with blindness.”  And HE did!  And they never returned!

 It is easy to be blinded by the world and its false message.  The prophet Elisha led the way in exposing those of us who know God’s ways and follow Him, to the undeniable truth that “those who are with us are more than those who are with them”.

 Let’s ask God to… “Open our eyes”!

Little eyes are watching…

~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.