Jackie's Journey: "The Finished Work"

“The Finished Work”

“Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection,

not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.” Martin Luther

Springtime, after 10 years of drought, has displayed its beauty as never before!  The parched California ground has been flooded with life-giving rain and the mountains and valleys have exploded into the most spectacular and abundant colors and fresh new life! 

Revival has come to a dry and thirsty land!

The death, burial and resurrection of Christ, which we celebrated yesterday, was the revival of revival!  Easter is the annual reminder to us of the desperate need we have for revival in our lives daily.  Revival is the power of the Holy Spirit transforming God’s Word into our soul.   There has never been a need, as great as today for revived lives, revived families, fellowships, communities and nation. The desperate need is there but the realization of our personal need is not!  And revival starts with us!  

“For revival is not a green valley getting greener, but a valley full of dry bones being made to live again and stand up an exceeding great army. (Ezekiel 37)  It is not good Christians becoming better Christians—as God sees us there are not any good Christians—but rather Christians honestly confessing that their Christian life is a valley of dry bones, thus qualifying them for the grace that makes all things new”! (Roy Hession)  For the Christian, death is a promotion!  New Life springs from our continual choosing to die to our pride and selfishness.

 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy,

to offer your bodies as living sacrifices,

holy and pleasing to God,

which is your reasonable service.” Rom. 12:1

Some give Him a place; some give Him prominence; but what Christ wants in our lives is pre-eminence.  The fruit of His being pre-eminent in our life is a spiritual renewal that restrains the anger of God, restores our God-consciousness and reveals His continual activity in us.

For those who have humbled themselves under the mighty hand of God at that place where sin is washed away, it has meant revival of their Christian lives in the truest and simplest sense of the word.

As we celebrated the finished work of our Savior yesterday, let’s use this reminder to revisit our need for personal and continual revival.  His death and resurrection came with plan and purpose.  It was to give us life from death.  New life does not begin with someone else.  It begins in each of us.

Let’s exchange dry bones for New Life!

 “If you are risen with Christ, seek those things which are above,

where Christ sits on the right hand of God.”  Col. 3:1

~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. 

Jackies Journey "Obedience Required?"

As moms we’ve got this wired.  When we talk about obedience, our mind instantly goes to the need we have to teach our little prince and princess to be obedient, to listen and respond to our voice and learn the difference between the peace obedience brings and the chaotic consequence that comes when disobedience triumphs. After all, we are convinced that the right choice will determine their success in the future.  In the Princess Parable Series we were careful to reinforce the principle of obedience to their authority and father, the King.  It is important that our little ones learn to respect us and hear our voice, so, that one-day, they will hear the voice of the King of Kings.

This is great for the kids, but what about us?

Obedience should be the inspiration of every action and approach to Him.  As moms we are confronted continually with circumstances that call us to note if obedience to God’s truth is the rule in our life or just the exception.  If our obedience is the exception to the rule and disobedience is the practice, we need to be reminded that the provision for our success has already been made for us!  We have been given everything we need to live in godliness (obedience required!)…so we have no excuse!  “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness…!” II Peter 1: 1

Obedience to what the Word says has supreme importance in the Bible

and should have in our hearts and minds.

 Have we given obedience that supreme place of authority over us?

 It is easy to get up running and not look back until we collapse in bed at night!  Often disregarding that little voice that calls us to yield to the one certificate of Christian character…obedience to what He says.  “Seeing you have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth. I Pet. 1: 22   “The whole acceptance of the truth of God was not just a matter of intellectual assent or strong emotion; it was a subjection of the life to the dominion of the truth of God.   The Christian life was in the first place obedience”.  Andrew Murray 

”He that says I know Him but does not keep His commandments is a liar”! I John 2: 4 Obedience is the demonstrated fruit that authenticates a new and productive life.  Obedience is the secret of a good conscience and assures us that God hears us.

“And whatsoever we ask we receive of Him,

Because we keep His commandments

and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.” I John 3: 22

Our little ones know when we are lying on the phone (that so and so is sick or not home).  They know when we write a doctors excuse for the school office for an unexcused absence.  They watch us text and drive.  They listen to our attitudes and conversations with others and our spouses.  They watch as we take notes in church and nothing changes.  They see us consumed with social media, FB, Pinterest, Instagram, etc. They read our spirit when we are fearful.  They are continuouslywatching and listening…

Are we living a double standard where disobedience is accepted behavior

or do they see a confirmation that obedience

has that supreme place of authority in our lives?

 Obedience is not optional!

~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. 

Jackie's Journey "Keep 'em Busy" Part Two

HELLO.  This is your friend the devil writing again. This is our follow-up meeting from last week’s guidelines with some specifics that will help us accomplish our goal.  At our last convening we discussed the topics for our worldwide convention.  This morning’s assembly will be shorter in length, but more personal and direct in our reaching optimum success.

Remember the goal is to keep those moms busy while we steal, kill and destroy them from within. Jn. 8:44             Let me give you the key to see this plan successfully accomplished:

Teach them to think about themselves.  Talk about themselves.   Use “I” as often as possible.  Mirror themselves continually in the opinion of others.  Listen greedily to what people say about them.  Make sure they expect to be appreciated and that they are suspicious, jealous and envious.  They should be self-sensitive to slights from others and never forgive a criticism.  They should trust nobody but themselves.  Make sure they insist on consideration and respect.  They should demand agreement with their own views on everything.  They should sulk if people are not grateful to them for favors shown them.  Teach them to be on the lookout for a good time for themselves and to shirk their duties if they can. Instruct them to do as little as possible for others and to love themselves supremely.  Make sure they are not only selfish but full of pride, seeking comfort and convenience.  Teach them to focus on the temporal and superficial…”  

Does this paragraph sound like anyone you know?

 It’s a full proof plan.  When families are busy stealing joy from one another, killing Godly opportunities and destroying relationships and godly pursuits of righteousness…we will have them defeated. Division and fragmentation of the family will expedite our efforts. 

As moms we need to know the evil plan against us and take courage in the power of our Conqueror, Jesus Christ.  We do not want to be the door that opens activity into our homes to the evil one.  We are at war…there is no room for lethargy, rebellion and disobedience, pride or selfishness!  We don’t shoot our wounded.  We take action!  We walk in His holiness and set the pace for those coming after us. We commit ourselves to the One who has already won the victory.  We become aggressive followers of the King of Kings and do what His instruction book commands us to do without rationalization.  We enthusiastically seek the lost and disciple the saved.  We humble ourselves under the mighty hand of our Almighty God (I Pet. 5:6), practice His presence and give our little ones an example to follow and a hope for the future.

Doesn’t that sound like a better plan?

 We can’t walk with God holding the hand of the devil…

Whose hand are you holding?

~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. 

Jackie's Journey "Monotony is the Worst!"

To the degree a person is not developing his own ability toward a common objective… he will experience boredom!  To offset monotony and to escape a meaningless life and a sense of lack of purpose we find ourselves pleasure seeking.  Boredom and pleasure seeking are both signs we have set shortsighted goals or no goals at all.

At the first of the year we set lofty goals and our intentions were good.  I Thess. 5: 21 says to “hold on to the good…” but good intentions are not enough to combat the lethargy of our spirit!  Verse 22 says to avoid every kind of evil. Verse 23 says , “May God himself sanctify us through and through.  May our whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless…Verse 24, and then He says, HE is faithful and HE will do it!

We have no excuse for being bored or having unfulfilled goals!

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong (woman) stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done better.  The credit belongs to the (woman) who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends (herself) in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumphs of high achievement and who at the worst if (she) fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that (her) place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”  Theodore Roosevelt

 As moms, we are consumed with the desire to dare greatly in the lives of our husband, children and the success of our home.  We want to be the wife whose husband is admired and spoken well of at the gate because of our testimony and loving service.  We are living in a spiritual war zone and we can’t shelter warriors…we train them to prepare for battle and fight.  We have two goals…how do we reach a darkened, lost world and how do we heal a broken world.

We aspire to carry His burden by being equipped to reach the lost and encourage the saved.   We teach our children to recognize the enemy and to keep their eyes on the Victor and Savior of our souls.  We pray and focus on eternal goals and teach our little prince and princesses to see God in circumstances and struggles with grateful hearts, as we set the example before them.  We read the Bible to them and teach them how to hear God’s voice.  We teach them to fear God and the consequence of sin. 

There is no time to be world-weary or consumed with pleasure seeking.  We are pressed to dare greatly for the cause of the cross, following the One who actually knows where we are headed in this maze called life.  Inspired by His example we keep busy with the things on His heart and find our lives are filled, full and content.

Where do you find yourself this morning? 

Are you bored or are you enthusiastically looking for what God is going to do today?   Have your goals been shortsighted or are you on point?

My birthday was last Monday and I am choosing to tackle

the opportunities of another year and dare greatly…

Will you join 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 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. 

Jackie's Journey "We Moms Are Called A Lot Of Things, But..!"

Holy is in popularity only 10% of words.  Holy is one of the least used terms or adjectives to describe a woman.  We are called a lot of things but rarely does anyone describe us as holy.  Why is that?    New Testament letters are often addressed to holy brothers and sisters.  Could it be that the word “holy” is not understood and is an attribute only reserved for God?  Are we not called to be a “holy” people; set apart by God; dedicated to His global purpose; divinely commissioned and empowered by His grace and devoted to all that is righteous?

 “To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse.”  Col. 1:2.3   Who is the holy brother?  Not everyone is a “holy” brother or sister.  Elisabeth Elliott said,  “We are women, and my plea is… Let me be a woman, holy through and through, asking for nothing but what God wants to give me, receiving with both hands and with all my heart whatever that is.”  The “holy” issue is even addressed in our wedding vows…we are “joined together in the bonds of holy matrimony”

Holiness is a command and a calling.  Leslie Ludy wrote to all of us moms and grandmas regarding this important decision and I quote:

“God does not want:

·      a girl who trifles with Christianity. 

·      A girl who prays tepid, lukewarm prayers

·      A girl who is self-adorning with the latest fashion and trends

·      A girl who dishonors and belittles her parents or husband

·      A girl whose Bible is an accessory to her wardrobe

·      A girl whose tongue is a deceptive weapon of pride and selfishness

God does want:

·      A woman who is radically given to Christ

·      A woman who lives in defiance of the powers of Hell

·      A woman adorned with the inner jewelry of Christ given holiness

·      A woman who honors the authorities God has placed in her life and serves them with charity and gladness

·      A woman who hungers and thirsts to know the Lord and who diligently feasts on His Word

·      A woman whose words drip with the honey of the name of Jesus.

 I Thess. 4:7 “God did not call us to be impure, but to live a HOLY life.”

“Ironically, those most holy are the least likely to see themselves that way”.  Mark Buchana   “The greatest test of our holiness is whether it produces humility in us.  The holiest will be the humblest”. Andrew Murray   Our greatest enemy is pride and selfishness…the wicked antithesis of holiness.  Alas, our understanding of “holy” takes form. We are called a lot of things because we guard our pride and selfishness instead of surrendering them to experience His holiness!   

The exchange is life changing!

“Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God, according as we find His mind described in Scripture.  It is the habit of agreeing in God’s judgment, hating what He hates, loving what He loves and measuring everything in this world by the standard of His Word.”  J.C. Ryle      

“One of the consequences of pride and selfishness is that it makes the sinner pity himself instead of causing him to turn to God.  One of the first signs of new life is that the individual takes sides with God against himself!” Donald Gray Barnhouse

 On which side are you?

               Want to be holy? Want your kids to see what it looks like?

Walk a surrendered life with Him, aware of His presence with no unconfessed sin

and nothing between you and another person.

The key to holiness is knowing your need

and keeping short accounts with God. 

Make God’s heart happy…take a stand against yourself and choose holiness.

~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. 

Jackie's Journey "Just in Time for Valentine's Day!"

Princess Joy, Grace, Hope, Faith and Charity request the honor of your presence and hope you will join their enchanted celebration, whether as an extraordinary birthday with friends, a dreamy Valentines event, a fancy Tea Party or a treasured mommy-daughter bonding.

 We are announcing our Royal Princess Parable Party Packet just in time for Valentines Day!  Choosing to step outside fantasy and into the magical kingdom and authenticity of a loving and accepting God, our Party Packet will strengthen the belief that God made your little princess special and designed her with destiny and purpose.

 We designed our party inspirations for any event in the life of your little princess!  Tomorrow, Valentines Day is a perfect day to take a peek and begin enjoying the princesses’ party ideas.

 The Royal Princess Parable Party is a packet that can be downloaded from www.theprincessparables website.  It will inspire and enthusiastically motivate your child’s fun and enjoyable experience.  The Royal Party is carefully designed for girls 4-8.  It uniquely includes a personal invitation from each princess, detailed recipes, decoration ideas, activity cards with a specific character quality in the name of the Princess character, a Princess Parable Thought from the heart of the Princesses and instructions throughout that make it easy to create an event that is personalized and just right for the princess in your life.

 The innocent imagination of a small child and images of truth, hope, loyalty, joy, grace, charity and faith are a few of the magnificent opportunities that are ours when we accept the Royal Parable Princesses delightful invitation…

 COME…CELEBRATE WITH US!

Jeanna and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Nancy Sanchez for her hours of devoted labor, unending patience and perfect formatting of this work and Gina Johnston who, in nanotime, published it on the website in time for my birthday and Valentines Day!  Thank you, girls!  And thank you, Zondervan for the inspiration!

~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. 

Jackie's Journey "Where's Your Road Map Taking You?"

There is a lot to be said about a winner.  They are a unique breed.  They possess qualities that set them apart from the pack.  Not everyone is a winner. 

I have just spent a week with a collective group of winners-in-the-making.  As I observed their character and began to take notes on what makes a winner, I realized I was in the company of some very special people.

A winner:

·      Is not afraid of losing

·      Does not waste time

·      Says, “ I’m good, but not as good as I could be”

·      Notes when people are doing things right

·      Encourages habitually, celebrating others

·      Sees opportunities; not problems with a complaining attitude

·      Feels responsible for more than his/her job

·      Easily admits when wrong…no excuses or rationalizations

·      Is one who listens, doesn’t interrupt

·      Works harder

·      Learns from others

·      Loves harmony over demanding his own way

·      Wants to make it better for everyone

·      Has no need to control, leads with eye on the need of the others

·      Serves others first

·      Expects success, not failure

·      Does what is right because there is no other option

·      Shows no favoritism

·      Is not interested in exclusivity; It’s one for all and all for one

If we were handing out Golden Globes, Academy Awards or Medals of Honor, these qualities would reveal the true candidates!   There was not an absence of conflict during our vacation at the lake, but there was a definite determination to resolve it quickly and restore the harmony!  There is a spiritual road map that leads to mature hearts that have jumped outside the “me, myself and I” philosophy and embraced God’s plan for success.

Let me introduce you to these outstanding young people.

Albert Schweitzer once said, “Example is not the main thing influencing others…

It is the only thing!”

As moms, we want winners.  We pray for dedicated young people that will count for the cross of Christ.  We labor toward their success.  We cannot, at any point, underestimate the power of our influence, be it good or bad. 

When I think back to the many positive influences in my early life, I recognize that one of the greatest gifts I received was the way my family approached learning about God and the importance of His character becoming our character.  Doing right was not an option…it was an imperative and God’s Word was the standard.   In a world where a godly “road map” is nearly non-existent, our responsibility to build a pragmatic faith in our children and grandchildren is daunting!

Catherine

My eighteen-year-old granddaughter told me recently that her teachers at school had asked her why she was so grounded and had such firm personal convictions.  She answered that her foundation in Christian values and the open door of communication with her family regarding the Word and Godly principles of life had formed her “road map” and given her security in her faith and an “eternal value” focus on life!  She’s a winner!

 Where’s your “road map” taking 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 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. 

Jackie's Journey: What? A Balanced Life!

Is Your Life in Balance?

“The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it. To be wise, study the Bible; to be saved, believe it; to be righteous, practice it.”

Shortly after God walked into my life while attending the University of Arizona, Navigators, a campus Christian group, heard of my conversion and began to equip me with a powerful tool to maintain a dynamic Christian Life.  I made a note of it in my Bible and as I rehearsed its significance this morning, I decided to jot down the visual principles, in the event you girls might have an opportunity to apply them and to share them with your children.

There is a definition (you know I love definitions) for the word Bible that my husband gave me, as a young mom, when I was struggling with survival living and needing to take time daily to get in the Word.  It went like this:

 The Bible is the heart and mind of God.

One day you will spend eternity with Him, Jackie…get to know Him

THE NAVIGATORS WHEEL was that tool!

THE GOAL:  Keep the wheel balanced by keeping the spokes balanced.

THE HUB OR CENTER of the Wheel is Christ.  If He is not pre-eminent in your life, your life is already out of balance!

OBEDIENCE IN ACTION manifests itself in humility, growth and maturity.  (Phil. 3: 10)

The Key is learning to accept trials with joy and thankfulness!

PRAYER is the first spoke and is me talking to God.

“…Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint on his knees.”

The evil one laughs at our toiling but he shudders when we pray.

Satan knows that power comes from prayer and…he needs to fear!

The WORD is the second spoke and is the foundation spoke.  It's when God talks to me.

 Other books are given for our information; the Bible is given for transformation.

I am my neighbor’s bible:

He reads me when we meet,

Today he reads me in my house,

Tomorrow in the street;

He may be a relative or friend,

Or slight acquaintance be;

He may not even know my name,

Yet he is reading me.

II Cor. 3: 2

FELLOWSHIP is the third spoke and focuses on maintaining my relationship with God and man.

Fellowship with God means warfare with the world.  Charles E. Fuller   Martin Luther is quoted as saying, “To gather with God’s people in united adoration of the Father is as necessary to the Christian life as prayer.”  To be in fellowship ask yourself two questions:

1) Do I have any unconfessed sin?

              2) Do I have any unresolved relationships?

If you can answer "no" to both questions you are in fellowship with God and man.

 WITNESSING is the remaining spoke and is my sharing what I am; what I believe and what I am learning.

A testimony (sharing what I am) is merely translating my weaknesses into a life message for the benefit of another person and the glory of God. Bill Gothard

 “What the world expects of Christians is that Christians should speak out,loud and clear…in such a way that never a doubt, never the slightest doubt, could rise in the heart of the simplest man”. Albert Camus

The Provision Comes through The Word

The Peace = Comes through our Obedience

The Power = Comes through Prayer

The Production =Witnessing

This is a new year, new opportunities, new visions, and new goals …

Let’s make 2017 a year that others will speak well of our Lord because of us.  Let’s determine to allow His plan for a balanced life to become reality in us…

 Will you join 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 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. 

Jackie's Journey "Happy New Year: Where do We Begin?"

Where Do We Begin?

Oh, no…can it possibly be this time again?  We are starting another new year with everything that comes with it!  A new president, new responsibilities, and new opportunities… We set new goals and evaluate how we did with last year’s resolutions.  No, really…what happened to last year!!  There is a slight letdown after weeks of traveling, company and celebrations.  The re-grouping of priorities, getting the house back in order, school beginning after vacation and the need to get all that Christmas paraphernalia back into storage boxes is lapping at our heels.

Seriously, where do we begin?

“Our greatest danger in life is in permitting the urgent to crowd out the important.” Charles Hummel

Life is a race against time.  Time is limited and irrecoverable.  It is no respecter of persons.  We are accountable for how we spend our time and God establishes the number of our days.  Life at the longest is amazingly short. 

A converted Hindu who had been given a Bible and a clock said, ‘The clock will tell me how time goes, and the Bible will tell me how to spend it.”. Anonymous

The Bible uses several metaphors to help us visualize just how brief our life is.  My life is wind Job 7:7 and My days are swifter than a weavers shuttle. Job 7:6  The psalmist compares life to a fading flower or a falling leaf.  As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes…for the wind passes over it, and it is gone.  Ps. 103:15-16  Our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. I Chron. 29:15  And Psalm 90:9 reminds us; We spend our years as a tale that is told.  James 4:14 asks us, What is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.

“Life is so short that the wood of the cradle rubs up tight against

the marble of the tomb!”  George Sweeny

All of us are given an equal amount of time.  The only difference between us is in the way we spend it.

We are given 168 hours each week.

We spend approximately 56 hours for sleep, rest and recuperation.

We spend approximately 28 hours for eating and personal duties.

We spend approximately 40-50 hours earning a living.

We have 30-40 hours left to spend just as we wish!

How do we spend them?

Is the bulk of that time spent on:

Recreation and Entertainment

Devotions (Family and Private); Meditation  

Exercise and health

Family mentoring and fellowship (Mom's are blessed with more time in this area)

Regular worship of God

Personal Interests and Achievements

Conversations (Snapchat; Twitter; Instagram; E-mail; Pinterest; Facebook...etc.!)

Time entrusted in the name of Christ (Witnessing, discipling, teaching…)

The question is…

What do we do with our time?

Have we made wise use of our time as good stewards?

Maybe we are very busy with good things, yet too busy for the best things;

those things that have eternal value.  That is where we need to begin…

A New Year is an anniversary and “the chief value of an anniversary is to call us to greater faithfulness in the time that is left.” William Manning   Every hour that is lost is gone forever!

“So teach us to number our days that we might apply our hearts to wisdom. Psalm 90:12

~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. 

Jackie's Journey "'Twas the Week Before Christmas"

‘Twas the Week Before Christmas…

Well, here we are again…one week before Christmas Eve…in the throngs of chaos and deadlines!  The Nativity is center stage in every room, trees are dressed, the wreaths are hung, gifts are wrapped, the oven has not been turned off in days and music fills the house.  Friends and family are arriving from distant places, guest rooms have been readied and excitement is already in the air.  Expectations are high and time left is short and slipping precipitously by the nanoseconds.   The countdown has begun!  The blessing of fellowshipping with family and people we don’t have an opportunity to see all year makes it worth it all.

With the hustle and bustle of the holidays in full swing, we become acutely aware of our limitations.  Opening our home and believing God to use us to make others successful is the goal of hospitality.  It has been our joy over the years to have a home that is available to those God would bring our way.  Christmas is a lonely time for many who have not experienced the joy of His Coming. 

As moms, this time of year offers a multitude of opportunities to make ourselves accessible to others.   It starts in our homes with our husband and children.  The Christmas time of year offers the perfect training ground to introduce our children to the “real reason for the season”.  We, as parents, have the example of the One who left his home and dwelt among us.  He set the standard…

“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ:

Who being in the very nature of God, did not consider equality with God to be something to be grasped,

But made himself nothing taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death

Even death on the cross”!

Philippians 2: 4-8

 An open home means a heart that is wrapped in the needs of others before our own.  It is that life in opposition to comfort and convenience.  It is welcoming and finding joy in a life of servitude, humbly listening to His voice and instantly obeying.  It brings with it the blessing of experiencing His promise of grace with its power and the continual fascination of watching Him faithfully do it!  Philippians 2:13 and I Thessalonians 5: 24

 The dictionary defines hospitality as the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of visitors or strangers providing food, drinks, etc. for people who are guests.  We are commanded in Scripture to be hospital women. To invite people into our homes is to respond with gratitude to our God who made a home for us!

“Be hospitable to one another without complaint”.  I Peter 4: 9

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers,

for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it”!  Hebrews 13: 2

 At our front door, we have the words “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.”  As a mom with young children it was a challenge to keep it all in balance when the house was already full of noise, continual movement and the regular activities that keep the ship afloat!  The joy of youth is that there actually is enough energy to do it all, if the attitude is that of an obedient and humble servant!

From our house to yours,

Have a Blessed Christmas!

~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.