tag:trentguillory.svbtle.com,2014:/feedTrent Guillory2015-06-04T09:50:50-07:00Trent Guilloryhttps://trentguillory.svbtle.comSvbtle.comtag:trentguillory.svbtle.com,2014:Post/gods-onesided-covenant2015-06-04T09:50:50-07:002015-06-04T09:50:50-07:00God's One-Sided Covenant<p>In Genesis 15, God makes a covenant with Abram that his “reward will be very great” (Gen. 15:1). God also promises to give him land to possess (Gen 15:7). As a way to officialize this covenant with Abram, God orders him to gather a few animals, cut them in half, and create a lane bordered with their half-bodies.</p>
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<p>He said to Him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” And he brought him all these, cut them in half, and laid each half over against the other.</p>
<p>Genesis 15:9-10 (ESV)</p>
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<p>It is widely understood that this procedure was a common way to symbolize a serious agreement between two people at that time. After this gruesome lane was constructed, the two people who were making the agreement (or covenant) would walk between the animals. It basically meant “If you break this covenant, what has been done to these animals will be done to you.” (See Jeremiah 34:18-20 for an instance of this in the Bible).</p>
<p>After making this lane of dead animals, Abram fell asleep. He awakes to see God in the form of a flaming torch walking down the lane of animals. </p>
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<p>When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates…”</p>
<p>Genesis 15:17-18</p>
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<p>This is such good news. God knows that man is flawed and will not be able to uphold a covenant with him, so <em>He alone</em> walks between the animals. God makes this covenant with Abram and takes full responsibility to see that it is completed.</p>
<p>God has taken the responsibility for our sin and given us Jesus that we would be made right with Him. All this he knew at the time of Abram, foreshadowing his ultimate plan of redemption.</p>
tag:trentguillory.svbtle.com,2014:Post/ownership-rewritten2015-06-01T22:51:52-07:002015-06-01T22:51:52-07:00Ownership (rewritten)<p>The man who owns this land I do not know, <br><br>
But down this path I’ve seen him go. <br><br>
Here’s his flowers and there’s his trees. <br><br>
No greater beauty has ever grown. <br></p>
<p>Yet this owner is just a man, <br><br>
One of many to possess this land. <br><br>
What man calls owning is but a lease, <br><br>
Merely borrowing from divine hand.<br></p>
<p>The one who owns is the one who made. <br><br>
Flowers and trees, he spoke, he laid. <br><br>
In their place one story they tell, <br><br>
Power and glory, divine displayed. <br></p>
tag:trentguillory.svbtle.com,2014:Post/first-week2015-05-27T09:29:27-07:002015-05-27T09:29:27-07:00First Week<p>This first week in Montana has flown by. Everyone here has shared their testimony and we’ve really grown close as a group. Working at the Hilton and hiking together with others has brought me much closer to a few people specifically.</p>
<p>Although work is fun it’s pretty hard work. I never realized how intense housekeeping could be. We’re budgeted 30 minutes to clean each room. Sometimes it takes a third of that time just to pick up the guest’s trash! I’m learning how to move faster though. Also I’m learning how to clean, make beds, and fancily fold towels. </p>
<p>I spent my two off days this week (Monday and Tuesday) hiking. I made videos of the two hikes because I know I could never describe how beautiful it all is. </p>
<p>Monday hike:</p>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OOb7kfHAl5Q"></iframe>
<p>Tuesday hike:</p>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HMZFYZGnkp4"></iframe>
<p>I took tons of photos too but that’ll take a while to go through. </p>
<p>As far as discipleship goes, I’m learning so much from our mentors and the others in this program with me. I’m being spiritually challenged in many ways and I know God is using this summer for the best. It’s been wonderful to be surrounded by rich teaching and admire his amazing creation all at the same time. </p>
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tag:trentguillory.svbtle.com,2014:Post/orientation-day-12015-05-18T07:50:40-07:002015-05-18T07:50:40-07:00Orientation Day 1<p>Today, Marcus (my roommate) and I, finding ourselves awake pretty early, decided to take a walk around the campus. From what I can tell both the campus and Bozeman itself are very pretty. On our walk I saw this really pretty flower patch. It looks so natural too. </p>
<p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/EFUQN5Xh.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>I took some other pictures around campus. They have an odd combination of really old and traditional style buildings and really modern ones. </p>
<p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/yVUlAlyh.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/Jt8sgeXh.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p><img src="http://i.imgur.com/yjGK7Kmh.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>I also took a selfie with their mascot cat statue thing. He was smiling pretty big too. </p>
<p><img src="http://i.imgur.com/KolPUUGh.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>Also, through the buildings of the school you can see some of the many mountains surrounding Bozeman. </p>
<p><img src="http://i.imgur.com/IjUuHx7h.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>This was only the beginning of the day though. The day turned out to be a day of sitting, listening, and learning. Dick and Joy Schroeder went over house rules and how we should conduct ourselves. After that they got into how we should be acting toward one another in Christ.</p>
<p>They talked a while about how to introduce yourself to others, or introduce a friend of yours to others. It sounds basic but they made some points and examples that I’d never heard before. Much of what they said will be very crucial for my success as a small group leader next semester. </p>
<p>Other than that we had a really good bible study and following discussion. Then Dick and Joy and a few of the staff here shared their testimonies. It was really nice to hear all they had to say. </p>
<p>With all of these things combined I feel our group is getting really close already. It’s unbelievable how fast we’re bonding. Last night a large group of us went on a run (it was 10pm!). After I stayed up very late talking to Stephen and Hope. It was a great discussion and I’m really glad we got to talk for such a long time. </p>
<p>So far things are great. </p>
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tag:trentguillory.svbtle.com,2014:Post/arrival-in-montana-12015-05-16T23:30:55-07:002015-05-16T23:30:55-07:00Arrival in Montana<p>The flights from Alexandria to Dallas to Seattle to Bozeman were all good. There were no issues and all went as planned. The flight from Seattle to Bozeman was beautiful. We passed over some small range of mountains, but I’m not sure which ones. The covering of clouds across the sky was so pretty.</p>
<p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/t05YZKVh.jpg"></p>
<p>At the Bozeman baggage claim were Mr. Dick Schroeder and a few other Summer Job Project participants. I got to meet most everyone tonight. I’m really enjoying it so far. Everyone here is a joy to be around. </p>
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tag:trentguillory.svbtle.com,2014:Post/night-before-montana2015-05-15T21:46:36-07:002015-05-15T21:46:36-07:00Night Before Montana<p>Can’t believe I’m heading off tomorrow morning for Montana. I’m excited and also a bit nervous. I know it’ll be fun though. I searched “Montana” on imgur and this was the first result. Not a bit disappointed. </p>
<p><img src="//i.imgur.com/OdvtJwJ.jpg" alt=""></p>
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tag:trentguillory.svbtle.com,2014:Post/ownership2015-05-10T21:15:50-07:002015-05-10T21:15:50-07:00Ownership<p>Whose woods these are I do not know,<br><br>
But his traces reveal him so.<br><br>
Not of the owner do I speak,<br><br>
For up from childhood did we grow.<br></p>
<p>The true owner I count him not,<br><br>
For many men have owned this spot.<br><br>
To call a thing “mine” is but a lie.<br><br>
Our possessions outlive us lots.<br></p>
<p>Across each person it does span,<br><br>
This lie itself, same age as land.<br><br>
Blind we toil as slaves to this lie.<br><br>
The rights of earth transcend all man.<br></p>
tag:trentguillory.svbtle.com,2014:Post/his-work-is-done2015-03-04T21:30:11-08:002015-03-04T21:30:11-08:00His Work is Done<blockquote>
<p>Cursed was man, all hope was lost, ‘til one cursed himself on that wretched cross. He partook of flesh and blood, to receive in our place the wrath of God. </p>
<p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/landon-lingenfelter/id948715648"><em>“Cursed Was Man”</em>, Landon Lingenfelter</a></p>
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<p>The above lines are from a song my friend Landon wrote. The entire song is built on Hebrews 10, which compares Old Testament sacrifices to the final sacrifice of Christ. </p>
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<p>And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God..</p>
<p>Hebrews 10:11-12</p>
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<p>We cannot remind ourselves enough of this central theme of God’s Word. Christ stands in our place as the spotless Lamb of God. Our sins have been forgiven and our relationship with God has been repaired by Christ. Praise the Lord that we have been saved by Him!</p>
<p>A few verses later, the writer of Hebrews reminds us that Christ’s sacrifice has given us direct access to the dwelling place of God. He instructs us to draw near to God and encourage one another, “all the more as we see the Day drawing near.”</p>
<p>Guys, don’t forget to praise God for these truths. Let us serve and worship him until His return.</p>
<p><em>Christ is seated, His work is done.</em> </p>
tag:trentguillory.svbtle.com,2014:Post/give-thanks2015-02-25T22:31:18-08:002015-02-25T22:31:18-08:00Give Thanks<blockquote>
<p>Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.</p>
<p>James 1:16-18</p>
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<p>Guys, don’t forget to give thanks to God. God has given us so much that sometimes we become numb to his blessings. James writes that we shouldn’t overlook even the smallest gifts from God. He calls God “Father of lights”, referring to the stars in the sky. Even those are a blessing. So is the rest of nature, and our friendships - even school. For all these things we should be thankful.</p>
<p>After reminding us that God is the source of all good things, he mentions <em>the best thing</em> that God has given us. That is, salvation. That last sentence in the verse above should excite us. “He brought us forth by the word of truth.” Praise God that we have been saved by Jesus’ sacrifice! Our debt has been paid. </p>
<p>Today, give thanks for the small things. But also, remember the best thing. We have been bought with a price, given a gift we didn’t deserve. Look past present struggles to focus on the promised glory to come! Praise the Lord. </p>