…By Their Fruits

September 5, 2010
The Second Pew

The Second Pew was on location last week to observe a function in Washington D.C. The following highlights concerns and affirmations with the event and its messenger.

…By Their Fruits
By Jason K. Woodburn

If you know who Glenn Beck is than you might already have an opinion of him. Whether that is good or bad makes no difference to this article. For Christians, there is much to be concerned about Beck as there is to be praised.

In the past year he has ignited a firestorm of interest and education in our founding fathers and the course they intended our country to travel. He believes they were divinely-inspired men, led by God to form a great land.

In the face of a society that is routinely growing towards agnosticism or apathy, Beck has called for a return to placing God first in our lives and honoring Judeo-Christian ethics to steer America back to greatness.

What Christian would object to that message?

Last weekend, my wife and I attended a rally in Washington D.C. hosted by Beck. Billed as Restoring Honor, the program went to great lengths to praise our military and their families, as well as show honorable citizens who exemplify faith, hope and charity.

Diverse in age, gender and race, the crowd was self-evidently Christian. A man walked near us carrying a huge cross to jubilant applause and “amen’s”. As the event began, a flock of geese flew the length of the reflecting pool, as if choreographed like the Blue Angel jets. Many took it as a sign of God’s presence. The name of Christ was raised more times than I have ever heard outside of a church. Surely a draw of people of this magnitude has to be attributed to more than one man.

As genuine as Beck may be, some cannot see past the messenger. Some believe every word he says. Others listen to Beck but have a watchful eye on the greatest concern about him: he is a Mormon. While Mormonism carries many Christian fundamentals, it is not considered Christian by most.

Is Beck’s call for placing God to the fore overridden by his Mormonism? I say no. However, should Beck use his platform to introduce Mormon precepts, then his message would become unacceptable. Author and Christian historian David Barton recently commented, “Christians concerned about Glenn’s faith should judge the tree by its fruits, not its labels.” Perhaps we should ask, “Can God use Beck to further His kingdom?” I say yes.

Only what the spectators take home and apply to their lives will tell if Restoring Honor was a water-shed in revival of Godly-minded people - refreshing and renewing faith, invigorating hope and increasing charity in the hearts and minds of God’s people.

Pray to God. Pray for America’s leaders. Pray.

Living Waterer

August 29, 2010

The Second Pew

To “steeple people” everywhere: The Second Pew is a weekly commentary and observation piece about life and how it relates to you and the church.

Living Waterer

By Jason K. Woodburn

“I’m your water boy”. Those are words spoken to my pastor about a need in our church for help irrigating new landscaping. I didn’t volunteer to join a football team looking to water sweaty players or hand out sports drinks. I was happy to lend a few hours each week simply because I had the time and I could fill a need.

Some folks might not want to spend their morning rolling out hoses and standing over a shrub, counting 45 seconds to themselves. They may not enjoy watering a pine tree for two minutes – they have other things to do. As for me, it is relaxing. What is more appealing is time with God and His creation. Trees, shrubs, plants, flowers and bushes provide not only beauty, but support ecology as a whole.

As I watered, I thought about the living waters within myself, offered freely to me when I accepted Christ. He said, “Whoever believes in me, as he Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him” John 7:38 (NIV).

This week as you are taking care of your own landscaping, marvel at His creation. Tell someone about Jesus and give thanks for the blessings and the beauty He has provided. Who knows? Perhaps one day, if we have served well, we may be water boys doused by an eternal, orange Gatorade cooler full of the purest water imaginable.

FUGE YOUTH CAMP 2010

Youth Camp Pictures

Brooke Vs. “The Wall”

Rachel’s Smile

Armada Cheer

Dominique Goes Up and Over!

EXHALT HIM

MAN CAMP

MAC / JAM Camps

PURE GIRL

Candle Light Service

YWER

Click here for more info

Women’s Enrichment and Renewal

CLICK HERE FOR WER INFO

Next Page »