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. 

Jackie's Journey "Focus!"

 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, Labor Day is next 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 and our hearts were challenged to reach out for these who had yet to hear the name of Jesus.

 Although the girls in The Princess Parable 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 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 what we focus on 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. 

Jackie's Journey "As Long As It Takes!"

My daughter has been in Israel this past week, sending pictures of an ancient land.  For centuries, the camel has served as a reliable source of transportation, enduring the elements across these dry impassable regions.  Most animals are stopped dead in their tracks by the sheer challenge of the hard desert conditions.           

 I received a call from a good friend who is going through a very long and arduous time of suffering. She has been discouraged and is looking for strength and stamina to see her through the maze.  My thoughts took me to my sweet mother, who at 101 years old longed to be with the Lord. There have been times when the truth, “He gives power to the faint and to those that have no might , He increases strength”… becomes the most important reality!

 While in the Darien jungles, with the stifling heat and humidity that drained all energy for the task at hand, I found myself challenged by the words, “If you run with the footman, Jackie, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses?  And if in the land of peace, where you trusted, they wearied you, THEN HOW WILL YOU do in the swelling of Jordan.””! (Jer. 12: 5)

 We are called to endure hardships, afflictions, persecutions, tribulations, grief, chastening, and temptations.  (II Tim. 2: 10)  Discouragement is not an option!  There is a secret to endurance and my mother set the bar for me.  Quitters miss experiencing the power of God’s love that comes from rejoicing in trials and difficult circumstances. He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might, He increases their strength.!” 

 Do you live as a soldier who is in the most critical spiritual war ever waged, or as a civilian in a time of peace, prosperity and pleasure?  Your mindset regarding this question will determine how you make life’s required adjustments to long-suffering and prevailing in life’s trials. Will you thank God for each circumstance, rejoicing with hope in all things (even crying out when necessary), and will you on becoming an over-comer by doing good in your turmoil?  These are the keys to the secret of endurance.

 “And let us not be weary in well-doing;

 for in due season we will reap, IF we do not faint.”

~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 "Only Two Options!"

Ok, moms…sometimes life throws us curve balls.  We grapple with how to handle our response to life’s situations, as they unexpectantly slap us in the face and we know our first reaction is the one our little princess or prince is sure to read, emulate and reproduce! We, immediately, realize that our “feelings” cannot be given the upper hand. What do we do?  What recourse do we have?

 I guess it is the “great test” of our true character and responding with a positive and “powerful for good” attitude is our calling.  Moms are the book our little ones read daily and they trust us to do the right thing, as we take their hand and begin this complex trek through those early years of life. We are telling them to “make right choices” when they are fussing with their brother over a toy or we hear a sassy reply to our request, instead of a compliant, “OK, Mom” with instant obedience.

 How do we respond when the interruptions of life disturb our need for space and solitude, when disorder becomes the rule, when our carefully laid plans become intrusions and our contentment is thoroughly challenged?  What do we do when the hustle and bustle of living leaves us with a sense of being forgotten or neglected, our wishes are crossed and our advice is disregarded?

 We, moms, are forever standing at the crossroad of right decision-making.  We are continually faced with entering into the realm of  intentional positive and “powerful for good”, life-changing choices that make a difference in the lives of those around us or choosing the alternative… an unending cycle of murmuring, complaining and ungratefulness that only compounds our trouble and influences others toward evil.  One leads to peace and one leads to confusion and chaos.

 None of us want our home filled with discord and unhappiness…

 The battlefield awaits…what do we choose today?

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 "Muddled Focus?"

I’ve been thinking this past week of the myriad of issues that we, as mom’s, are being challenged with and the decisions we are being asked to make, both for ourselves and our children.  How are we to know what is best, not just expedient? 

With social media giving unprecedented direction into every area of our lives, where should our focus be?  The supreme court is arguing this morning over “mandates” regarding some of these issues and what should be Federal Law?  With the turmoil and evil in our world and the global world spinning out of control, where do we go to get grounded?  Where is the hiding place of refuge?

“He (She) did EVIL because he (she) did not set his (her) heart to seek the Lord”. (2 Chron. 12: 14)   For moms, the thought of “missing the boat” with our children is always there!  We only have one short span of opportunity with them.  To seek the Lord is a present progressive verb…meaning… ongoing, never-ending action.  We are to connect with Him daily. (Romans 6:18 )  We are “freed from the bondage of evil and forgiven… to do right”.  New Focus!

This is the most concise definition of evil found in the Bible.  It says that we are robbing God and ourselves by not living in that way.  “Setting our heart” is fixing it on the Creator, the One in total control. We are created to fulfill what He, through us, will do.  Our designed purpose is “to do the will of God on earth, even as it is being done in Heaven” (Matthew 6:10)

We are “created for a life of good works that He has prepared before-hand for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)   He has given us the equipment we need to face the disorder and to step up to the plate, with God-confidence, that we are not hindered by “evil” in our lives and can face the future without fear.

 “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (and all these things mentioned above v. 27-32) will be added to you”. Matthew 6:33    This is the section in Scripture on why we, moms, do not need to worry! He wants to supply for His family, like any good father, as His family yields to His will and ways.

Evil is doing our own thing.  We have two choices:  “Wisdom from above”, as described above or “wisdom from below”…Satanic, that which is selfish, proud, and envious. (James 3:13-15)   We cannot separate selfishness from Satan or pride.

 Sacrificing our will and desires means surrendering to God’s will, bringing us into His will and our purpose. (Romans 12:1,2) In Matthew 7:21,22  There was a group of people in the New Testament doing their version of God’s will, doing it their own way.  He said, “depart from me, I never knew you.” They were doing, what appeared to be the same as the apostles, but it was in self-motivated satanic power. 

Who discerned that?  The Lord Jesus did!

What is His will in general for all believers?  Fish for men. (Matt. 4:19); Walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16.); SeekHim in the Scriptures daily to understand His heart.  It always involves service.  He came to serve, not to be served.  He lives in the believers to continue to do just that.  He is the same today, yesterday and forever.

 “The eyes see what the heart loves.  If the heart loves God and is single in this devotion (focus), then the eyes will see God whether others see Him or not.” Warren Wiersbe, Live Like a King

Let’s be wise moms and stay “God-focused”…

(This is a study my husband, Ralph Johnson,  gave one Sunday night at our family supper)

~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 "Life's Enquiries!"

I am a mom of two princesses, who now, each, have young knights and princesses of their own.  It was important to me, as a young mom, that my girls understood the Four Imperative Life Enquiries (Ravi Zacharias) that demand a response.  All creation cries out for an answer to these four crucial questions about life.

My two princesses, Kim and Christina

 We moms are so often busy and preoccupied with the “success” and safety (riots, shootings, child trafficking, internet interruptions on school study websites with pornography, false teachings, etc.) of our child that these four are often not addressed and when “our babies”  leave home our young knights and princesses are ill-equipped to survive the worldly pressures, let alone lead the way, as a prepared soldier for a lost generation.

 We are inundated with social media and a multitude of ways that will readily educate our children incorrectly, and the home values are side-stepped by influences that are strategically programmed to the detriment of our young, impressionable heritage.

 Have we dropped the ball??

 Young men and women of this generation are gasping for air, as they face the uncertain road ahead…unprepared and unaware.  So much emphasis has been placed on the temporal, rather than the eternal. The fruit we discern in the lives of our young prince and princesses is the obvious revelation of our neglect. 

 What do you see when you look around?  What do you hear?  Do your children listen to you with kind respect when you speak or do they roll their eyes and look for an escape? Are your children an inspiration or a discouragement to you?  Do they respond to their siblings with the purposed intention of making their brother or sister more successful or is there blatant competition, belittling and discord?  Is there a joyful attitude or a demanding one in your home?  Do you find your prince or princess interested in eternal things or focused on temporal values? 

 I am observing this new generation that will one day lead with the cross of Christ or will be lost to follow the world in discontentment.  Have the four life enquiries been addressed in your home?  Are the questions that all of us seek been answered to satisfy and settle our souls?

 1)    What is the origin of the universe, the world and us?

2)    What is the meaning of Life?

3)    What is morality and does it concern us?

4)    What is our destiny?

 Has your prince or princess found a safe place in you to easily talk about these imperatives?  Do you have the answers?  The Word of God is very explicit in the clarity of explanation to satisfy these probing questions. I Have you talked about these four goals and some thoughts on how to address and reach them?  How do you see the need of your child?

 How do you see your need? 

How do your children read you when they witness

 the way you address life and these four imperatives?

Will they be prepared?

Are you?

Will you join me, as we prepare ourselves and this next generation

with the answers for the obstacles of life they will encounter?

~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 Promise and A Possibility!"

Moms, have you thought about the culture our young children are growing up in? Our faith is marginalized, immorality is expected and acceptable, socialism is fashionable, life is under attack, our Christian values and religious freedoms are deemed outdated and offensive…

 Time cannot be expanded, accumulated, mortgaged, hastened, or retarded.  It just keeps on…”

I usually begin my introspection regarding ‘time ‘after Christmas when facing the New Year! However, I can’t stop thinking about my seven grandchildren and how quickly time has passed from the day in the hospital when each one was placed in my arms until today when I look up (they tower over me!) and I realize how adult they all are!

 They were tiny little ones not too long ago, just a blink, wrapped in a promise and a possibility. Time has flown and every call or contact is a special blessing, as they each find their own voice of influence.  They are the declaration for the next generation…  

They are our future.

 Maverick, the little boy in the center, is getting married this Sunday!

  I never dreamed that years ago in the jungles of Panama that God would bless us with the opportunity and privilege to live locally near all my grandchildren. Our hearts desire was to serve the Kuna Tribe in the Darien until…forever!  God had a different plan for us and our time here in the states became planting Spanish-speaking churches and discipling leadership to move on to a different location and start another church.  We have seen God establish seven churches (in Panama, Mexico, and in Southern California). 

 The challenge, now, is to not drop the ball!

 Where are you in the growth of your family?

 Are they being prepared to face the culture

that is clamoring for their souls?

~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 "Eating Crow!"

While watching two noisy crows this spring build a massive nest under our bedroom eve, I started thinking about how crows communicate.  They are loud and demanding…especially after they realized I was NOT happy with their endeavor!  They would rowdily swoop down over me when I came outside to see their progress.  I can tell you…they were NOT speaking kindly!

 In life, “eating crow” is never fun!  If we never opened our mouth or spoke, we would not have to eat our words.  Words have the power of life or death. Pro. 18: 21 They can bless or curse.  They can encourage or bring despair. 

 William Boetcker was a Presbyterian minister in the early 20th century.  He once spoke on the seven “Mischievous Misses” of the tongue.  They were misinformation, misquotation, misrepresentation, misinterpretation, misconstruction, misconception and misunderstanding. I think he pretty well covered for all of us the areas responsible for our tongue troubles! 

 James, the half-brother of Jesus in the New Testament called the tongue a “fire, a world of iniquity”.  He compares it to the bit of a horse and a rudder of a ship. Both of these control and influence direction. We are to keep a tight rein on our tongue. Bridled speech manifests maturity.  Impulsive speech manifests the opposite. We all stumble in our speech at times.  We may say something unintended or maybe we meant to say it, but it created trouble and we want to take it back.

 Just like the bit and rudder control the horse and ship, our speech needs to be under control.  “How can you, being evil, speak good things. For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.  A good man (woman) out of the good treasure of his(her) heart brings forth good things, and an evil man(woman) out of the evil treasures brings forth evil things.  But I say to you that for every IDLE word we speak, we will give account of it in the day of judgement.  For by our words we will be justified and by our words we will be condemned.” Jas. 3:34-37

 The point is we cannot “just share what is on our heart, as long as, what we say is what we really believe.”  “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked”. Jer. 17: 9 Our intent should be to speak as we are led by a gracious God who has our best interest at heart and has the success of the person we are attempting to help in focus. Advice is cheap, but if not regulated and controlled by His Spirit, we can be assured of having to “eat crow”. We are admonished to ‘let no corrupt word proceed out of our mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it might impart grace to the hearer. Eph. 4: 29 

 We can control Shamu, the whale at Sea World, but fail to take control of our own tongue!

We can either nurture blessing with our tongue

or cause damage that cannot be undone.

Which will it be this 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.