Jackie's Journey "What Part Will You Play?"

“God has a purpose for your life

And no one else can take your place.

 God possesses infinite knowledge and an awareness which is uniquely HIS.  At all times, even in the midst of any type of suffering (or turmoil), I can realize that He knows, loves, watches, understands, and more than that…HE has a purpose.” (Billy Graham) We are facing an unprecedented time in the history of our great nation and how we respond to all that is going on around us, will determine our future.

 As a young high school student, I was exposed to the possibility of what we are seeing transpiring today. I never dreamed that in my life-time these current events would find their voice in our nation, states, communities, elections, homes and latest conversations.  As confounding as it may seem or appear, there is divine purpose and explanation.  “Many are the plans in the mind of man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” Proverbs 19:21

 We are standing on the threshold of a new year with all its promises and possibilities. With the lies and corruption swirling around us, we have an opportunity to be focused on the One who holds our future and to get in harmony with Him. There are two basic ideologies being tossed around and there is only one clear choice that will guarantee the future of our country and our heritage.  

My husband is a Veteran Paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne.  He stood in the gap to uphold the freedoms of this nation.  America needs to “clean the swamp” and preserve the God-given nation that we proclaim as patriots!

 I’ve been reading an interesting manuscript about an “entitled and ungrateful” group of people in the book of Exodus.  They were a people close to the heart of God.  They had purpose and a leadership (Moses and Aaron) that sought to follow what God asked of them.  They were participants in some of the most dynamic miracles, ever, to date. They were rescued from the heavy hand of an Egyptian Pharaoh that bound them into slavery.  They were supplied with light by night and shade by day and given food from the sky daily.  BUT…these people were continually demanding and thankless.  They couldn’t see the God of deliverance through Moses and rebelled.  

 Remind you of any people you know?

 Our nation is a republic that must be preserved for the generations that follow us.  We are being pressed to stand up and count for righteousness. Deception and stealing our voice (our vote) is not the way.  To roll over and do nothing will not solve what is happening to us.  Our freedom is dependent on those of us who hold it dear, to stand with a leader who will give us less government control and more individual initiative.  We vote for a leader with our values, not a personality.  We vote for a man who can overcome the unwarranted and immense abuse and still keep going…strong… for our benefit and for a nation that is being threatened with tyranny on every front.  

 Our votes have been cast…BUT…not all of them counted!

Some were tossed in trash cans.  I know it and so do you.

 What’s next for us?

What part will you play?

~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 Pressures!"

We live in a culture where being a “bully” is not only acceptable behavior among many but is also admired.  Recently a high school baseball team was involved in a “knockdown drag- out” fight on the field.  The coach stood and cheered the “bullies” on and then punished the team payers that refused to participate in the angry event calling them weak!  Needless to say, my blood began to boil as I rehearsed the multitude of basic life principles that were being violated and the life lessons lost!

Our little prince and princesses face a world that is nothing like the one we grew up in.  They require exceptional preparation in defining right from wrong and exemplary assistance in forming personal warrior convictions.  No pressure, mom’s…right?  How many parents do you know that are struggling with one or more of their children over issues presented to them from our perverted culture?

Living in our present world, if you live by sound theological convictions, you are likely to be called a “zealot”, “Jesus freak”, a "bible thumper" or even a cultist!  The opposing sides in this spiritual battle are becoming clearer and clearer.  Rejection is to be accepted, even welcomed, if you stand for something. 

 Where do you stand?

To torment another person you have to violate that little voice inside that helps us discern right from wrong.  Slowly, like the frog in the heating pan of water, we have been desensitized into thinking wrong is right and right is wrong!  The culture is dictating its perspective and peer pressure stands firm, pulling harder than ever!

Scripture describes a bully by its many synonymous terms.

Ø  Tormenter

Ø   Intimidator

Ø  Oppressor

Ø  Persecutor

Ø  Tyrant

Ø  Aggressor

Bullies threaten.  They terrorize.  They attempt to alarm us.  They frighten and scare us.  They endanger our society by endeavoring to represent those of us who know better and are struggling to get our voice out there!

Be reassured that “right and wrong” was established in Bible times and first recorded in the book of Genesis and the current culture does not define it, change it or alter its course…it can only work at desecrating it.  Knowing what is right by God’s standards and acting accordingly frees us from societies domination.  Our biblical convictions give us courage to stand against the onslaught on every side.   And to those who use the rationalization, “well, it must be acceptable because everyone is doing it”, as an excuse to be participants in what is clearly known to be “wrong”, you will find yourselves in the same line in the end with the cultural idols of our day (Hollywood, comprimising Christians, double-minded believers…). 

Israel was exiled for following false gods and the practices of other nations.  When warned by God they “would not listen and were stiff-necked.  They did not trust their God”. II Kings 17:13-14   They followed worthless practices and themselves became worthless (losing their salt).  They imitated the nations around them although the Lord had ordered them, “Do not do as they do”!

Are your convictions and practices based on what is scripturally true

 or what is presented to you by a corrupted culture??

Who are you imitating?

 “But the people who know their God

shall stand firm and take action.”

Daniel 11:32

~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 discipling 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.