Winning Kids – Pastor Julie Sandeen

Monday, April 27, 2009

ARE WE RAISING OUR KIDS TO STAND FIRM FOR THEIR BELIEFS?

I couldn't help but be moved and inspired by the recent comments and subsequent publicity over Miss California, Carrie Prejean's answer to a difficult question during the Miss USA pagent.

"I think it's great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage," she said. "And you know what? I think in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised."

These words were her response to a question by an openly gay judge, Perez Hilton during the interview process of the pagent.

Since the pagent, Miss Prejean has been asked by her sponsor's to apologize for her comments. She has refused. She recently stated in public at her home church, The Rock, in San Diego that she knew she was being tested by God and that she has no intentions on taking back what she said because that is what she believes.

I couldn't help but ask myself the question, have I raised both my daughter and my son to stand firm, to fear God more than man, to not only say that God's values are their values, but that if challenged would they say and do right the thing? Have I taught them to love unconditionally, yet speak truth? Do they allow others to have their process and love them in the midst of it?

Will my children and yours have the same response that Miss Prejean had? "I learned that God has a bigger crown than any man can give you."

Posted By Julie Sandeen At 2:32 PM •

Friday, April 17, 2009

Shirley Goodnest and Marcy

A mom was concerned about her kindergarten son walking to school. He didn't want his mother to walk with him. She wanted to give him the feeling that he had some independence but yet know that he was safe.

So she had an idea of how to handle it. She asked a neighbor if she would please follow him to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, so he probably wouldn't notice her.

She said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well, so she agreed.

The next school day, the neighbor and her little girl set out following behind Timmy as he walked to school with another neighbor girl he knew. She did this for the whole week.

As the two walked and chatted, kicking stones and twigs, Timmy's little friend noticed the same lady was following them as she seemed to do every day all week. Finally she said to Timmy, 'Have you noticed that lady following us to school all week?

Do you know her?' Timmy nonchalantly replied,'Yeah, I know who she is.' The little girl said, 'Well, who is she?' 'That's just Shirley Goodnest,' Timmy replied, 'and her daughter Marcy.' 'Shirley Goodnest? Who the heck is she and why is she following us? '

'Well,' Timmy explained, 'every night my Mom makes me say the 23rd Psalm with my prayers, 'cuz she worries about me so much.And in the Psalm, it says, 'Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow me all the days of my life', so I guess I'll just have to get used to it!'

Posted By Julie Sandeen At 6:26 PM •

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

T.E.A.M.

I think we all hear the word TEAM at least once in a week if not more like every day! I began to wonder how this word applies to us as parents in our families. Here are some thoughts:

T = Teach- what are we teaching our kids? Do we teach them that what they have or what they can do will make them successful or what they will amount to? Or are we teaching them that who they are in Christ is what is lasting and will give them definition?

E= Enforce- Are you rewarding good behavior and imposing fair and consistent consequences? Or are you being inconsistent and only addressing things when it bothers you, or gets under your skin? Are you reacting instead of responding, ultimately giving consequences that are unreasonable?

A= Allowing- What we allow we model! Ouch! Have you set up values and priorities for your family? Do your kids know what those are? Do you need to reevaluate what is allowed in your home to line up with what God says will build godly character in your children?

M= Model- Are you setting a good example in what you say and do? Or does your house reflect the old saying; "Do as I say, not as I do?" Do you hold yourself to the same standards that you set for your children? When you make a mistake or mess up are you quick to apologize sincerely? Are you accountable to others? Are you acting the way you want your children to act, or do you live a double standard? Can it be said that you are the same person at home as you are at church, or work or at another house?

Remember that things are caught not taught! We MUST consistently be aware and working our ourselves in order to influence and impact our children.

Posted By Julie Sandeen At 8:10 AM •

Thursday, April 09, 2009

HE HAS RISEN!!!!

"He is not here. He is risen, just as he said" (Matt. 28:6).

LET'S CELEBRATE THE RISEN LORD!

HE HAS RISEN! HE HAS RISEN INDEED!!!!

Posted By Julie Sandeen At 10:17 AM •

Sunday, April 05, 2009

STOP

Silent...Take an extended time of silence to calm your heart and settle your mind.

Time...The time is now, not when, but NOW to stop the spin. What one thing will you "stop doing" today?

Open...Open yourself up to one or two friends and ask them to help keep you accountable with your life balance.

Ponder...Reflect on where you are and God's promises to you. Here is a great place to start. Because of the LORD'S great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV

Posted By Julie Sandeen At 9:29 PM •