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. 

Jackie's Journey "A Journey of Discovery!"

Fields of Fire!

In writing “The Princess Parables”,  learning how to become the most effective “translator” of spiritual truths for the benefit of little prince and princesses was our vision. By introducing a biblical parable with a character quality that little ones could identify with and aspire to become, our target was reachable, as the exciting princess stories unfolded.

 It often brought back memories of a life lived in the jungles of the Darien and the life-lessons  that were “translated” and discovered there.  Jungle fires can be devastating.  One afternoon the whole village stood on the river bank and watched an approaching wall of fire across the river sweeping through the forest floor! There was no fire department to call, even if we had a phone.

 The entire area for miles was a patchwork quilt of gardens planted with banana trees, papaya, pineapple, rice, yucca, corn, etc., all, laden with produce.  We were watching the fields of many of the new believers, as well as their unbelieving neighbors.  The fire zig-zagged, as the believers stood together and prayed.

 To our unbelieving astonishment the fire leaped over the believer’s fields and consumed the others!  It was a biblical spectacle…not one field of the believers was touched!  God was the “translator” of a foundational spiritual truth the Kuna’s would not likely forget.  His demonstration of His Sovereign power and control over that wildfire was undeniable.

 All of us can be satisfied by living on the cutting edge of discovery.  What we discovered that day became the mark of the way we perceived our only true God of the universe!  It changed everything…Our God is big and powerful and controls the elements!  As we stepped into a new day with new opportunities…we walked with the God of the impossible!! It gave us power and confidence and a greater desire to learn and discover more.

Where are you in your journey of discovery?

~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 "Trial by Fire"

In “Princess Grace and the Lost Little Kitten”, the frantic search for her special friend taught her a valuable life-lesson.  The fearful unknowns were over-whelming, but she did not give up…

 Ever had one of those days?

 …This was one day in my life that marked me forever…

 Dusk was cascading over the torrential waters, enveloping our dugout into the dark silence of the unknown jungle.  Along the mangrove-lined shoreline we could hear twigs breaking and see shadows of what appeared to be dark bodies racing to us to the remote landing in the deep stillness.

 For eight hours we had traveled upriver, pressing on against the rapid current of the Tuira River, through lightening bolts, thunder and rain.  The river had risen 8’ as we fought the current in our long journey up the turbulent jungle waters.  Our goal to reach the isolated Indian village on the Colombian border in Panama was now within our reach!

 Underneath the make-shift tarp that protected us from the worst of the violent storm were two little princesses.  One almost three, was exceedingly excited and could not wait to get out of the wet boat and the other, just a few months old, was securely wrapped in my arms.  Our piragua was piled high with everything we would need for the next six months.

 The boat brusquely hit the bank and as I stood, dripping wet, to face all the unknowns that had brought us to this sandy beach, the warm little bundle in my arms was abruptly snatched from me and disappeared into the darkness of the night!!  I quickly grabbed my once excited and happy three-year-old by the hand.  She was now very confused.  Her contentment was exchanged for eyes full of fear!  I pulled her close to me and began calling for my kidnapped daughter…

 At the same time, the crowd pushed and shoved us up a short trail that led to our mud-floored, bark-walled house.  My insistent calls were ignored and unanswered.

As I stepped over the threshold of our unfinished new home, the rats…at least, I prayed they were rats’…scurried among the barrels that had been sent a month ahead of us and now stored our rice and dried beans in the very open tin-roofed room.  The sound of the rain on that tin roof was deafening!

 My worst fear had come upon me!  Job said it first, “What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me.  I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.” Job 3: 25,26   I screamed again into the crowd and again received no response.  I lifted my three-year-old into my arms and determinedly turned back through the crowd to return to the river’s edge…

 Where had my baby gone?  Who had taken her?

Instantly, my panic turned to terror…

 The familiar promise in Proverbs 1: 33 eluded me…”Whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.” 

 What was happening?  Why had God allowed this? 

There are three Biblical Principles regarding trials:

1.     Trials are common to all of us. No one escapes unscathed  “No temptation has seized you except what is common to men.  And God is faithful.  He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear and He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”  No excuses and no victims here!  The real question is “Why not, Jackie…don’t you trust ME… I am in All your circumstances?”

2.     Trials are given with divine purpose and will pass.  “In this you may greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” I Peter 1: 6

3.     Trials are life-lessons NOT to be wasted.  “Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1: 4

C.S. Lewis wrote in “The Great Divorce,“  “There are two kinds of people: Those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done’ and those to whom God says, “All right then, have it your own way.”

I was standing at the door of decision!

 What is your attitude toward the trials in life? 

How would you respond?

~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 Challenge?"

Have you been shopping lately?  Fall merchandise is everywhere!  Halloween, Thanksgiving and even Christmas ornaments are taking over store aisles. We are in the middle of August, celebrating Labor Day week-end!  it’s not even September! Our children are just returning to school after a summer full of activities. This is definitely pushing the envelope for me…Thanksgiving and Christmas ride on the heels of Halloween!

 Included in “The Princess Parable Series”, were two seasonal books.  “A Royal Christmas to Remember” and “A Royal Easter Story” were written to give our princesses the opportunity to  show their true princess character by opening their hearts to others when their lives were being personally challenged and circumstances around them were chaotic.

I am a mom, whose little princesses found their lives enmeshed with ours in a ministry far outside the norm…tangled in the dense jungles of the Darien, living among an indigenous group of Kuna Indians.  The village was as remote as you can imagine and the culture far removed from their own.   It gave “off the grid” new definition. Reality gripped us daily, as our hearts were challenged to reach out for these who had yet to hear the name of Jesus.

 Although the girls in “The Princess Parables” series lived in a palace, the challenges were there.  Learning to count the cost for the benefit of others was clearly understood and practiced through the teaching of the series and lives of each princess. In “The Royal Christmas to Remember”,  the girls are surrounded by glittering gifts, a huge Christmas tree in the parlor, sparkling candles, and a dramatic night sky with one star bigger than all the others! 

 A sudden rap at the door of the castle puts the girls and the kingdom on immediate alert! Will a marauding band of outlaws ruin the princesses perfect Christmas Eve?  Life takes on new perspective when threatened by reality!  Alertness is the awareness that we are being stalked by a deadly enemy. “Set a strong guard about your outward senses; these are Satan’s landing places, especially the eye and the ear.” Wm. Gurnall

 As we face the needs around us and the challenges and commercialism of the pending seasons, “take heed and beware of covetousness; for a man’s life consists not in abundance of the things which he possesses.”Luke 12:15  Like the princesses, our true character is hanging in the balance of how we focus on the challenges at hand and how we see the need of others.

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.