Riding The Line

by Candace Cortez

I have declared myself to be a crazy mom. Not because I get angry or lash out, but because my husband and I have decided to raise our kids how we choose, even if it puts us in a place where we are different than everyone else. Some of these crazy mom things include no screens during the school week unless they have spare time before school after getting themselves totally ready. We also do not use our phones or screens during meals. I don’t let them watch YouTube when I’m not in the room. Headphones are a hard no. And they can’t go to friends houses until I meet their friend’s parents. My son has never played Fortnight, and my daughter isn’t watching certain doll-oriented shows on Netflix. I force them to clean their own rooms and bathroom, as well as help me in the kitchen with both cooking and cleaning. They put away their own laundry, and are solely responsible for all cat duties.

This is just a snapshot of the long list of ways I have become a crazy mom. Sometimes, my kids love it. They experience the uniqueness of a family dynamics as a novelty and special. Sometimes, they can get trapped in comparisons and would prefer more freedoms that look like the rest of their peers.

These standards help our household run smoothly and help fight against the pull of potential obsessions. I want the important things to be given more time and space than things that don’t matter. There are reasons behind most standards, even if the kids don’t understand all of them. However, because everyone else is doing it, and they are getting older, they will often ask the question, how come I have to do is this way? After hearing our hearts as parents who passionately love them and care about not only their current situation but their future, they understand. Sometimes. Sometimes, they would prefer to negotiate with a more lenient line. For those particular issues, they tend to go as far as they can without breaking the line, and after riding the line for so long, they feel confident enough with my love and grace, that crossing the line is not a big deal. Big mistake.

I often feel this same tension in my own spirit. I see everyone doing a thing. Like speeding for example. I know speeding is against the law. But when every person on the 198 is doing 75mph, it absolutely feels natural to also drive 75mph. Does this make it ok? Does the quantity of offenders make the standard lower? Nope. But it gives me the feeling of justification.

As Christians, we have justified lying, ignoring the lost and hurting, and allowing our words (verbal or in print) to tear down other people or groups. We can easily justify this when everyone else is doing it. It just becomes a part of the noise. I have recently been convicted of how closely I have decided to ride the line to appear more like other people, instead of staying close to the standard set by my Jesus. This is partially out of convenience. Following Jesus’ way is expensive both in time and money. It’s inconvenient because it will not require my lazy attitude. And it is self-sacrificing because it will mean the needs of others are just as valuable as my own needs. 

Do you sometimes feel like we serve a crazy God? As if His way and standard are too high? Me too! And it’s true! We cannot live according to His will and way alone. We have to have His help. I am grateful for the covenant relationship, which means there is a mutual partnership in the process. He both sets a standard, and helps us reach it, and loves us when we fail. As a Father, I am looking for His heart in the standard not just His rule. As I understand why and where He is leading, I am more inclined to get off the line, and further into obedience.

Leaders Needed

by Tim Howard

There are many leaders but not all are worth following.

The Bible has many leadership stories – some talk about great leaders and some not so great. From a Biblical perspective, Godly leaders are instructed to treat people with dignity, lead with integrity and set the ‘bar’ higher for themselves than they do for others. In the New Testament we are told: “Don’t be in any rush to become a leader, my friends. Teaching others the way to live is a highly responsible work. Leaders are held to the strictest standards.”

If one does aspire to become a leader, however, he or she ought to know some of the advantages and disadvantages.

When you are a leader you have three advantages. First you have a POSITION that allows you to become more recognizable and affords a greater opportunity for growth. Second: with position comes POWER, which means he or she can do more. Third: A leader has certain PRIVILEGES, which means he or she can have more. With position you can become more – with power you can do more and with privilege you can have more.

 These are great things but attached to these three advantages are three temptations. Thomas Carlyle once said, "For every one hundred people who can handle adversity there is only one who can handle prosperity."  I think most people can't handle being at the top.  When they get into a leadership role it changes them.  In fact, success destroys some people.

Three Temptations Great Leaders Recognize and Overcome

1.  Leaders will be tempted to misuse their position. 
Have you ever had a friend who got a promotion and suddenly became a little dictator. You thought you knew them but their position went to their head and they started to think more highly of themselves than they should. They were nice until they got the promotion.  Then they start treating everybody in a demeaning way, making excessive demands on people. They are guilty of misusing their position.

2.  Leaders will be tempted to abuse their power.
In the Reagan administration there were over 200 government officials that left office because of ethical problems.  They abused their power! How many times has that been repeated over the past 25 years since his presidency – not to mention the centuries preceding? "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely."  When leaders misuse their position and abuse their power, everyone hurts. None of us likes to work for a domineering leader - the ones who never take time to explain why they've asked us to do something.  The favorite phrase of a domineering leader is "You do it because I've said so!" 


Mark 10:42  “You’ve observed how godless rulers throw their weight around,” Jesus said, “and when people get a little power how quickly it goes to their heads.

Mark 10:43  It’s not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant.”

3.  Leaders will be tempted to profit from their privileges. 
In our society, "Membership has its privileges." So does leadership.  Usually they're paid more, have more benefits, exercise more freedom with their schedule and have an expense account.  Maybe that’s why the Apostle Peter said to not allow monetary gain be your main reason for leading. 

If you are a leader: 1. Don’t think more highly of your self than you should. 2. Remember the power given you is to serve others – not yourself. 3. Hold yourself accountable to the people who provide your current privileges. We need some good leaders!