Winning Kids – Pastor Julie Sandeen

Friday, February 29, 2008

"DA - DA"

I watch very little TV. Mostly because there really isn't anything on that I find interesting let alone encouraging to me. However every now and then when I do, I get stuck watching commercials. Mostly, I can't stand them (unless it's during the Superbowl!), but the other day I caught a commercial that struck me.

I am sure I'll mess it up, but I'll do the best I can, describing the commercial and the abstract connecting for me.

It is a Pamper commercial (I think) where a dad is changing his baby after (see I don't even know if its a boy or girl) waking up from a nights sleep. He keeps saying DA DA, wanting the baby to say Daddy. The baby keeps saying MA - MA. (Remember those days?) You can tell on his face his is bummed out.

Then he goes down stairs and they are eating breakfast and the baby is in the highchair and looks over at him and says DA DA!

Well...you see the immediate smile on his face and his immediate response to the baby.

This doesn't happen often to me, but at the moment I saw the commercial, I sensed the Lord say to me, just like when the baby said DA DA, and the daddy responsed with a huge smile that is how I respond to you, when you call out to me. Just like the dad in the commercial, I am here to take care of your practical needs. And the moment you call my name I respond!

Just wanted to pass that along as an encouragement to you, don't forget to call on the name of our Heavenly Father, Abba, Daddy God. He responds immediately!

Have a blessed weekend!

Paator Julie

Posted By Julie Sandeen At 5:18 PM •

Monday, February 25, 2008

PROPER HUGGING OF A BABY

Instructions for properly hugging a baby.

1. First, spy a baby.

2. Second, be sure that the object you spied was
indeed a baby by employing classic sniffing techniques. If you
smell baby powder and the wonderful aroma of wet diapers
this is indeed a baby.

3. Next you will need to flatten the baby before
actually beginning the hugging process.

**Note: The added slobber should help in future steps by
making the 'paw slide' easier.

4. The 'paw slide'
Simply slide paws around baby and prepare for possible close-up.

5. Finally, if a camera is present, you will need to execute
the difficult and patented 'hug, smile, and lean' so as to
achieve the best photo quality.

Dogs, if this is properly done, it will secure you a warm, dry,
climate-controlled environment for the rest of
your life.

For all of you dog lovers!

Posted By Julie Sandeen At 9:10 PM •

Friday, February 22, 2008

Precious Time

This week I was able to steal away a couple of days to go visit my daughter and son in law in Mesa, AZ.

Brenna and I had a chance to visit the Phoenix Zoo while Paul had to attend Medical school on Monday. Here are a few pictures from our little adventure.

Brenna zoo.jpg

Being able to go to the zoo and hang out with Brenna reminded me of when she was young and we use to take day trips or weekend trips to visit nature, or history. I am thankful, than neither she or myself are too old to still enjoy the simple adventures of life like the zoo.

Don't miss out on opportunities to have adventures with your kids no matter how young or old they are or you are!

Posted By Julie Sandeen At 6:38 PM •

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

I DON'T WANT TO BE CRIPPLED!!!

On Sunday I had one of those ah ha moments while praying for someone who is desperate for change in their lives.

Here it is: If I don’t push through and do my exercises (in my case) 3-5 times a day, I will not improve and could potentially become crippled (worst case scenario) in the physical sense. I say I want to get better physically and be out of pain, yet if I don’t make a commitment, make it a priority and regardless of how much it causes me pain, do the exercises my physical therapist gave me, then I am or will be crippled now and possibly for the rest of my life.

Isn’t that the same for us spiritually? We say we are desperate for change in our habits, or in our time with the Lord, or we say this year 2008 is going to be different; we want to get in new patterns, deepen our relationship with God. Yet we find we are creatures of habits. It is easier to just do what we always do and how we always do it. There is pain in trying to change, sacrifice in change. Are we really desperate for change, for improvement? Are we really willing to prioritize our day to fit in “exercise” time regardless of how much it will cost us in getting something else accomplished? I saw that there is potential to be crippled as a disciple of Christ because we don’t want to be in pain, is the same way I am experiencing in the physical. We are taught to STOP doing whatever we are doing if we are in pain (speaking of the physical) Could it be this training spills over into our spiritual lives as well?

Each morning I have to have a renewed commitment, and have perseverance to do my exercises, regardless of how much I know it is going to inflict pain on me, if I don’t, I run the risk of being crippled and limited physically in the days, weeks, and months to come, maybe even permanently.

I’m asking myself the same question about my spiritual life, my relationship with God. Am I desperate enough to “get well”, to get ‘healed” and to function in “wholeness” (the way He created my body to flow with freedom of movement), that I am willing every morning to renew my commitment, and persevere through whatever it takes to do my “exercises” (sow into the “roots”) so that I will not be crippled now or permanently?

Posted By Julie Sandeen At 8:44 AM •

Friday, February 15, 2008

WEAKNESS MAKES US STRONG

This past week I celebrated my 5 year anniversay as the Children's Pastor here at the Sanctuary! It also marked my 10th year in full time Pastoral Minstry. As I have thought about this milestone in my life, I was reminded again about Pastor Marty's message on December 30th, "New Beginnings."

When I said yes 10 years ago to being a Children's Pastor, I attended a conference immediately in hopes to learn "how to" be the best Pastor I could. I was deeply impacted at that conference, which shaped my subsequent 5 years of ministry.

II Corinthians 12:9 says; " My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness. Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size - abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stonger I become." (MSG)

There has never been a time like this in my life that has reminded me of how weak I am. I am still recovering from shoulder surgery which required additional manipulation under anesthesia this past week to try to strengthen my muscles and tendons. As a result of this process, I have had to face up to how weak I am, not just in the physical sense, but in the spiritual sense. Each time I get my eyes on my physical state and off of Jesus, I have found myself sinking deep into discouragement and despair and hopelessness.

Limitations are good, they cut me down to size. I am reminded daily of the need to allow Christ to take over, each time I allow Him to, I become strong again. Strong in my faith and trust and with resolve to push through in the physical sense.

We are early into 2008 still; it has already been New Beginnings for me personally. Accepting my limitations in the physical sense, requires me to accept my limitations in the spiritual sense as well. (Things in the natural speak of the supernatural) I want to see my weakness as a gift, admitedly I am not there yet, however I have a feeling that some of the new beginnings may include keeping that truth directly in front of me, giving me daily opportunities for His grace to be all I need.

As I celebrate an anniversary and this milestone, I am choosing to celebrate my weakness so that the Power of Christ can be made strong in and through me. Won't you join me?

Pastor Julie

Posted By Julie Sandeen At 10:48 PM •

Monday, February 11, 2008

Genuine Affirmation

I’m not much for celebrating Valentines Day. I’m not sure why, maybe it’s a secret rebellion to the media, and marketers? (Well now it’s not a secret huh?) You can ask my kids, after a certain age I stopped buying them gifts, or cards, etc. I know that sounds mean, but I don’t think my kids are any worse for the wear as to say.

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about ways I can communicate love to my family and others especially during this Valentine season. Here are a few ideas that I think might be good to show to those we love, our spouses, our children, our friends, our families. Though it’s not at all in line with the marketing schemes, I do think it will have a much longer lasting effect than one day a year!

Look for these attributes in someone you love and give them genuine affirmation.

1. Faith – when they demonstrate faith especially in a faithless generation. I think of the story mentioned in Matthew 9:2 about the friends who brought their friend the paralytic to be prayed for or the woman in Luke 8:48 who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment because she had enough faith that she knew she would be healed.

2. Gratitude – People who have been forgiven much often love much.

Luke 7:47 speaks of the woman who washed Jesus feet with her tears. Luke 17:16-19 tells of the leper who returned to give thanks for his healing.

3. Humility – Jesus honored those who seemed to seek honor the least. In Matthew 5:3 one of the Beatitudes,

We are blessed if we recognize our spiritual poverty. Whoever humbles themselves like a child, Matthew 8:14.

4. Generosity – People who expressed earthly generosity, Jesus appreciated. Whoever gave food to the hungry

Jesus praised, read Matthew 25:34-36. In Luke 21:2-4 Jesus praised the widow who tithed two mites, which was all she had.

Have fun looking for these attributes in others. Not only will you have an opportunity to affirm them, but you will be blessed as a result of seeing it!

Posted By Julie Sandeen At 8:50 PM •

Friday, February 08, 2008

A VALENTINE THOUGHT

Tonight I had the honor of being with 28 fifth and sixth graders for two hours. Our Pink Hearts and Sweet Tarts event was a success! Not because I planned it, but because you parents found time in your busy schedules to get them out; yet another night this week!

Last year I believe God spoke to me, that we needed to provide an event at least on a quarterly basis for our 5th and 6th grade kids. It needed to be social in nature, building community and continuing to prepare our 6th graders to transition to UTURN.

This was our second event. Last October we had an outdoor movie night. It too was successful.

You may be asking what makes it successful? Well...if you just went on the number of kids who came, that would be enough. Toinight we had 28 kids with 9 leaders. We didn't need 9 leaders, but we have this amazing team of teachers and small group leaders who serve with our fifth and sixth grade kids who wanted to be there. Along with Mr. and Mrs. Salzarulo who are there getting to know our incoming 6th graders into UTURN.

If your child attended, be sure to ask them what we did and ask them if they had fun and why?

Speaking of talking with your children. Valentine is known as an "adult" celebration for those who are in love. I want to challenge you to model to your child during this Valentine season, the LOVE of God to them. Take some time to buy them a card, honor them, even if they are boys. You'd be surprised how much the boys enjoyed getting valentine cards from one another tonight. Regardless of what the intent of this celebration is, you can do many simple things to let your child know they are a priority and your "valentine."

Just a reminder to "LOVE" on your kids extra this week. If they are getting it at home in a safe environment, they will not have any reason to look elsewhere!

We had a blast tonight and be sure to check your kids pockets, purses and bags for extra, extra candy that was had by all tonight!

Blessings!

Pastor Julie

Posted By Julie Sandeen At 11:11 PM •

Monday, February 04, 2008

SAFETY IN THE HOME

Every now and then someone will send me some information that I think to myself; “gosh, others would want to know about this, wouldn’t they?”

So for those of you who have never heard of this technology or seen this video, please proceed with this two step process.

The first link I want you to click on is to view a video about smoke alarms in your home and how your children respond. Please watch it all the way through.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/880989/children_and_fire_alarms/

The second link it to view a company that actually offers new smoke alarms that you can program with your voice speaking to your kids.

http://www.safemart.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=6407&roiid=1586&gclid=COvjtPTUq5ECFQISlwodyB-Gfg

I am NOT an alarmist (no pun intended), however, I think that this is a very valid point, and I happen to live with people (husband included) that could sleep through WW III.

Hope you find this helpful!

Pastor Julie

Posted By Julie Sandeen At 3:04 PM •