Glory...its what's for dinner!

I am preparing for a lesson in Sunday School, and part of my talk is on the idea of the Glory of God. These are just some general thoughts.

Glory Thoughts

1. Misc.

“Take my life and let it be
A living prayer my God to Thee!”

Glory of God – its what we live for – work for; its what’s for dinner! (II Corinthians 10:31)

2. Glory: Words
· OT Usage

KÂBÔWD – 3519
· Expression/manifestation of God (Num 14:10, I Sam. 4:21-22)
· Worth, value (I Chron. 16:24, Ps 24:7-8, Isaiah 48:11)
· Related to work of God’s hands (Ps 19:1, Ps 96:3)
· Above the whole earth (Ps 108:5)

TIPHKRÂH – 8597
· Measure of a person’s splendor – worth!! (Psalm 19:11)

· NT Usage

DOXA – 1391

DOXAZÔ – 1392

3. Scriptural Thoughts – on “glory”

· Greater than ALL of God's Goodness, Name, Graciousness, Mercy & Power (Exodus 33:18)
· What we declare about God (Who He is, What He’s done) brings him “glory” (I Chronicles 16:24)
· The heavens declare it (Ps 19:1)
· Ultimately reserved for God alone (Isaiah 48:11)
· Grace & truth are wrapped up in it (John 1:14)
· Nothing else is worth comparing to it (Romans 8:18)
· It’s lasting – it has eternal value (II Corinthians 4:17)
· God’s riches are wrapped up in it (Eph 3:16)
· God supplies what we need in His glory (Philip. 4:19)
· God's Glory is the basis of our redemption (Col. 1:27)
· God's Glory is the motivation for our “work” (Col. 1:28-19)
· It’s what lies beyond death & resurrection (I Tim. 1:16)
· Honor is linked to glory (Hebrews 2:7)
· “Glory” to be found in this life is at best, temporary (I Peter 1:24-25)
· Glory is the measure of someone’s worth (Revelation 4:11)


4. Questions to Consider
· If it’s not “glory” that motivates your life, then what is it?
i. Money
ii. Sex
iii. Relationships/Friendships
iv. Recreation – partying, hobbies, etc…:
v. Power
vi. Approval
vii. Religion
viii. Morality

· If it’s not God's Glory that motivates your life, then whose?
i. Your own: 80 + years, tops!
ii. Your wife/significant other: 50-60 years tops
iii. Your portfolio/bank account: only until the next terrorist attack or stock market crash
iv. Your friends:
v. Recreation: only as good as the last "high" or "thrill" or "toy"
vi. Approval
vii. Religion
viii. Morality: even if its good, this won't outlive you - even your "good deeds" are at best temporary

Truth to this statement?

What do you think - true or not!

From the song "My Iron Lung" by Radiohead:

Faith, you're driving me away
You do it everyday
You don't mean to
But it hurts like hell!

Yeah - I know the great thing about art and music is the artist is free to produce a work free of it having to be an absolute truth. But in your experience of every day life - does faith "hurt like hell"?

One Hot Mess

At least...thats what my wife would say! One hot mess - its something that happens that's so naturally strange, obviously predictable and painstakingly unavoidable. Its naming the obvious, when it happens right in front of you...

...thus the blog.

I have been enduring what I can only classify as a 3+ year mental/emotional/spiritual/general life sprint that has kept the preverbial monkey (me) dancing to so many tunes on the busy street corner (called life) that I've become dizzy w/ busyness. So much so that I have not had time to partake in one simple pleasure of mine -- thinking!

You would think by now, that this is rather odd - thinking to be a pleasure - but it truly is, for me at least. I value being able to process not only my own thoughts, but the world around me. Why? Well, I think everything has significance, for one. Two, I think that there is an incredible amount of wisdom to be gleaned from the events of everyday life, worth holding on to; call me strange, but I like to be developed, in stead of just inundated w/ everyone else's thoughts and agendas. But more than that, I believe in God. Not the tooth-fairy/Santa Clause/Bobble head dashboard "Jesus" figure we all have in our head when we hear that title; but I believe in God - that Creator of the Universe! The One who is at the same time completely foreign to my natural brain, but also, so close that He knows the very hairs on my head (and why I keep losing some!). The One who though my very attitude would rather rebel against Him, would take the first step and actually pursue a deep, meaningful and significant relationship with...me? The One who, as I believe it, is very active and present in this life - not just the next. I beleive He's also very interested in what is going on in the culture around me (or you, wherever you may be); not to criticize or condemn it - but to redeem it!

What does any of this have to with finding time to think? Well - I honestly don't know! But I know there's a correlation - a relationship between what's going on both in me and around me, and this God who cares. Like I just said I haven't had much time to think lately, so really, these are the first of my many mental ramblings that are like a splinter in my mind. they're there, and there just poking, prodding and taking up space, but I don't really know what they are, why they're there and why should I care. The fact is I do care, and want to explore these various thoughts and connections with real life. If its your speed, you're more than welcome to jump in this pool with me and lets see where the conversation takes us! Chances are, its going to be one hot mess!

Chris G.