“Ichabod” is a Hebrew name found in the Bible. If you wonder why you’ve met lots of kids named Sam or Eli or David, but not an Ichabod, here’s why. Ichabod comes from the Hebrew word meaning “no glory, inglorious, or where is the glory?” The book of 1 Samuel starts out with the story of Israel’s defeat, the loss of the Ark, and the death of Eli and his two sons. Ichabod’s broken-hearted mother, one of the son’s widow, gives her newborn his despairing name as she dies in childbirth.
It wasn’t supposed to be this way. Before Israel betrayed God and started worshipping other idols, they lived as ONE under God’s sovereign protection, whose glory shone from the holy of holies inside the tabernacle. After the restoration of Israel by David, his son Solomon would build a holy temple, and the glory of the LORD would fill the house of God until Israel would stray again.
The Hebrew word for glory is Chabod. It translates “full glory, the full glory of the Lord.”
Ichabod vs. Chabod. Just one I of a difference between no glory and full glory. Funny? No. I-cky? Yes.
From the beginning, you and I were born for glory. As St. Irenaeus put it, “the glory of God is man fully alive.” But like Israel, we have all gone astray, seeking glory on our own, whose holy trinity is me, myself and I. I-ck! We’ve become I-ckabods because we have an I problem — our I-nfantile ego.
Like toddlers stealing toys from another, so it is with us and glory. Glory isn’t for the taking — it’s meant to be received. When we are self-centered/other-controlling, we seek glory from another. We become glory hounds.
Our prescription for sainthood takes just a dose of hum-i-lity to remedy our I problem.
Embrace it. Live it. Love it (Thanks, Toto)…
BUILT TO LEAD 
This reminds me of how a friend teaches parents about dealing with kids’ big emotions. They call it the Carly Simon principle. (You’re so vain…you probably think this song is about you…).
It’s not about you. They are having a difficult time, not giving you a difficult time. The sooner we look up and glorify Him, be there for others, be good, do good, the better. Ask how can I help, what can I learn, who needs my time, talent or treasure?
I get in my own way often, and have to continually remind myself to look up and give thanks. In doing so, I remember whose I am and the the plans he has for me.
We’re distributing meals today for a fundraiser for our men’s ministry. I’ll be outside of church for 3 hours on the coldest day of the year. It’s not about me. I get to do this, for glory to God and to help those in need. How blessed am I to serve as his hands and feet doing something I love… serving others. More love to’s. More love.
I find this video to be very inspiring as a Man,husband and Father of 3 boys
My job as a father is to instill in my sons a good sense of what’s right and wrong, and to be men of honor integrity and character, and that doing the right thing isnt always the “RIGHT THING” most importantly what’s the “popular” consensus isnt always the “right” thing and believing in what is Truly “RIGHT” you may become branded as unpopular or a freak or in today’s language a “BIGOT”
It’s my job as a Man and a father to “Lead By Example” and to show them at the end of the day as long as the man staring back at them in the mirror is proud of them then that’s all that truly matters.
Wow. Thanks John. This was so good. I think about the verse in Proverbs that says “A man is tested by the praise given to him.” The Lord brings this verse to mind, almost without fail every time I get praised for something. The test is will we, will I direct the praise, the glory, to where it belongs, Christ alone?