What Is Glory?

• Proverbs 25:2 NIV

  It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.

• John 17:20 NIV

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

What is Glory?? Seems pretty important in the bible and like it might be a good idea to define.

Glory

Glo"ry\, n. [OE. glorie, OF. glorie, gloire, F. gloire, fr. L. gloria; prob. akin to Gr. ?, Skr. ?ravas glory, praise, ?ru to hear. See Loud.]1. Praise, honor, admiration, or distinction, accorded by common consent to a person or thing; high reputation; honorable fame; renown. Glory to God in the highest. --Luke ii. 14.

Glory

Glo"ri*ous\, a. [OF. glorios, glorious, F. glorieux, fr. L. gloriosus. See Glory, n.]1. Exhibiting attributes, qualities, or acts that are worthy of or receive glory; noble; praiseworthy; excellent; splendid; illustrious; inspiring admiration; as, glorious deeds.



I'll ask it again: What is glory? How would God define glory? What is HE describing when He uses the word "glory?"

Check It Out!! Do It!!

When I started this blog, I added a section called "My Favorites". I added it because I wanted people to have a resource - a special list that, no matter what you clicked on, you found something that was meaningful and encouraging. The funny thing is, I didn't realize that I'd be utilizing it as much as I do!!

I want to introduce my latest addition to this list because it's super special. It is called "Dwelling In The Secret Place" and it is the blog of Schlyce Jimenez, a wonderful minister and a cool woman.

Schlyce has been a signpost for change in my life! The first time I met her, she spoke at my church and (for me) her dynamic message fell so EXTREMELY flat that I knew something was wrong! Hahaha! I talked with God about it, and as a result, He showed me deep-seated beliefs I held that were completely wrong. It was a revelation about the kind of father He is, and refusing disappointment. (Check out the blog post here.)

It's only gotten better from there. I've had encouraging words from her that gave me the strength to keep pressing forward in difficult seasons. She has exemplified the sort of father-daughter relationship that I want with God. And on top of all of that, she's so relatable and REAL that it's impossible for me to fall into the trap of discouraging comparisons (i.e. "She's so much better than me!!"). To put it in layman's terms: She rocks.

Check out the link, read her blog, look into her ministry, and be blessed. God is pouring seriously good things through her. Don't miss out!

Journal Entry

April 15, 2008

God, why do I have such a hard time apologizing without rationalizing or "sharing the blame"? Why can't I just apologize and leave it there?

Sam, when you feel wronged, you get puffed up inside. You don’t just get hurt, you get angry. And then, no matter how much you say that you believe that I’ll accept you in any condition, you still hesitate to listen to my words. It becomes hard for you to believe that you’re hearing from me. That’s why the enemy wants you to stay in a constant state of “hurting”.

I’m here Sam. I haven’t left you. I’m not despairing over your attitude or level of maturity. Trust me Sam. When I say something, I mean it and I don’t take it back.

You think you have to defend yourself when you're hurt. You use anger as energy to fight for yourself and then you feel badly. Why do you feel badly? Because your spirit knows that you aren’t defeated and you don't need to defend yourself. The devil is a liar. See yourself as loved Sam. See yourself as loved by me.

Humbling yourself is agreeing with Me, Sam. Just agree with Me. So what if you’re not always right? You’re best friends with someone who is!!

Praise is key Sam. Just praise me and remember my face. I see you as clean, pure, holy, and whole. Wholly righteous. You are complete; complete in me. I’ll hold your hand and never leave you.

Hope this helps!! ^_^

Oh Can Anybody Show Me? The REAL Jesus??!

Matthew 16:15
"But what about you?" He asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Mark 8:29

"But what about you?" He asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, " You are the Christ."

Luke 9:20

"But what about you?" He asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "The Christ of God.

God highlighted these verses for me in Guatemala. It's significant. Like, who do I say Jesus is?

God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. At the same time, He's such a multifaceted Being - a fact that is reflected in the many names of God! What I felt the Lord telling me was, if I'm constantly coming to Him and only recognizing ONE specific aspect, I'm short changing myself.

In every situation, WHO do I say Jesus is? In the morning when I wake up, who is Jesus? When my car makes funny noises, who is Jesus? When I'm hungry and looking for a good place to eat, who is Jesus? In good times, who is Jesus? In bad times, who is Jesus?


Who do YOU say Jesus is?

(For all the suspect grammar, I deeply apologize.)

The Business of Growing Straight

So, I've been in Guatemala for a little over a week now. It's been an amazing trip. I'm so grateful to Rebecca Collins and Vida Ilumitada for inviting me.

I feel like I've quietly grown since coming here. I get up early in the morning, and when I take the laundry up to the lines on the roof the sky is beautiful. The world is so quiet, the only ones that seem to be stirring are the birds and the bugs. It's a chance for me to be quiet and consider my Father and His wonderful, gentle nature and goodness.

I've known from the beginning that part of this trip was about getting away and being alone with God. I love my church and my friends, but I've let the focus of spending time with God shift to getting answers for others and asking for wisdom for service. Good stuff, but my relationship with Him was refreshing and lively when I went into His presence mainly to enjoy time with my Father.

It’s so easy to say that God is the most important person in your life and believe in the idea... But it’s not really true. I used to spend a couple hours, just hanging out with God in my closet. Some times we’d listen to music, some times we’d talk, some times I’d just sit and listen. THAT was what brought growth in me. But more importantly, I was just loving God. I want my relationship with Him to be just that simple again. Nothing more, nothing less.

I could list all the benefits of those times, but I don’t want to. The truth is that God gives you gifts when you visit with Him. You’ll always come away with more than you had when you entered your quiet place. That’s just the kind of Father He is! He loves to show us things, delight us, and inspire awe in our hearts. You can’t spend time with Him without being changed. But if you’re always going to Him looking for the present, looking for the change, looking for the effect... Very quickly the quality of your times together go downhill. I know because that’s what happened to me.

There are any number of excuses I used to justify the change in my attitude when I came before Him. He was never mad, and always helped me with whatever I needed help with. And, hey, He still used me to minister to people. But I started to get sick-hearted. Very me-focused. Very stressed.

You know? Maybe you know what that feels like? It’s blehh. All I needed was time in a place where I had no excuses! That was all it took! (So I had to leave the country to do that... Those who love me say I’m dramatic!) No one needs me to pray for them in Guatemala; sheesh, most don’t speak English.

I pray this lesson gets way down deep into my heart. I pray that it so basically changes who I am that I’ll never be the same. I pray that I grow straight and strong, with motives that are pure, and priorities in the proper order. And may I never leave the shadow of His presence.

Goodnight!
Sam

Hi From Guatemala!!

Just thought I'd give you guys an update! Guatemala is BEAUTIFUL!! Mountains everywhere, stray dogs everywhere, very falling apart charming. Like I've said in more than one email, this place looks like something out of a travel magazine! (Not really what I expected for a mission trip, but hey, I'm not complaining!)

I'm staying with my friend Rebecca, who is a full time missionary to Guatemala. The ministry that she is partnering with provides a home for orphans and runs the school the children attend. Valentine's Day was the school's anniversary, so they had a concert and a party! There were games, songs, cake, and to top it all off a pinata! It was a lot of fun.

I'm taking lots of pictures and I'll be coming home on Saturday, so keep an eye out for a slideshow!

Love you all!
Sam
World Traveler

REWIND: A Quick Thought On Boldness!

~What is boldness? It's daring to throw yourself out onto the promises of God. To believe that He has only good things in store for you, and refusing to accept anything less. It's forgeting about yourself, and your image, and your reputation, and YOU. It's facing rejection, not once, not twice, but daily. It's living on the edge; refusing to settle, back down, become complacent, or stop taking ground. Man, what a lifestyle.~

The above is something I posted several months ago. It's kind of funny, when I'm feeling down, or discouraged, I'll often go back and look at things that I've posted before! It's such a surprising encouragement - I love it.

At the end of last year, I was invited to go to Guatemala in February and visit my best friend. (This will be my first mission trip!) When I prayed about it, I felt like the Lord very clearly said, "Yes, go." So since early November, I've been preparing to leave.

Every step of the way, no matter how simple the step there have been OBSTACLES. And through out a pervasive sense of "rush, rush, rush, hurry, hurry, hurry...Sam! You're holding everyone up!!" Clearly, it's the enemy.

I'm finding it so hard not to indulge in severe discouragement. I keep reminding myself that God is watching over me, that He's directing my steps, but I think my "Word levels" are low. So I guess my suggestion to anyone who is facing difficulties right now: DO be faithful in spending some time in the Word every day! Reading encouraging scriptures recharges your batteries and keeps your heart in the place of rest that God has prepared for every believer! (Speaking of rest, I think I'm going to go do that right now....!)

I post this scripture a lot, but it's so TRUE!! Chew the cud with me:

Jeremiah 29 :11-13
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.