The Potter’s House Podcast

Walk It Out Wednesday: Focused on Glory | Pastoral Panel

Date: March 12, 2026
Host: The Potter’s House Pastoral Panel (Pastor Don Johnson, Dr. Oscar Williams, Pastor Cora, Vinshad Dobbins)

Episode Overview

This episode of Walk It Out Wednesday features a dynamic, interactive discussion from The Potter’s House Pastoral Panel on the theme of “Focused on Glory.” Panelists dive deep into the meaning, experience, and practical implications of carrying the glory of God. Drawing from biblical narratives, personal testimonies, and congregational questions, the team unpacks how believers can be fortified, focused, and faithful as carriers of God’s glory—offering memorable metaphors and actionable encouragements throughout.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Understanding Glory: Definitions & Distinctions

• Church Language & Clarity

  • Many believers use words like “anointing” and “glory” interchangeably but often don’t grasp their distinct meanings.
  • Dr. Oscar Williams:

    “Sometimes in church, we use words that we think people understand... but tonight we're inviting questions to really dig deep into the understanding… there’s the Shekinah, there’s the kabod—that glory.” (05:10)

• Anointing vs Glory

  • Pastor Cora:

    “Anointing is the active power of God being worked through you. Glory is the weight of His power being manifested outside of you.” (07:26)

  • Pastor Don Johnson adds:

    “The anointing is from God, yes, the glory is God. God is not anointed. He is glory. But He anoints us to destroy the yokes of the enemy.” (10:51)

  • Warning not to conflate being used by God with God’s approval of a person.

    “Don’t confuse God’s use of you as His approval of you.” (11:26)

• Metaphor of the Cup and Water

  • Hayden:

    “I see anointing as the glass or the cup. I see glory being the water… Pour out what I put in you in order for there to be an overflow. Most times, we’re frustrated with what’s in the cup, that we don’t pour it out.” (08:18, 09:43)

2. Glory Carriers: Fortified for the Task

• Old Testament Imagery—The Ark and the Glory

  • The physical manifestation of God’s glory in the Ark required discipline, posture, and purity of those who carried it (Levites).
  • In the New Testament, we “carry” His glory in our lives.
  • Dr. Oscar Williams:

    “There’s a certain posture, discipline, and purity you have to have to carry God's glory… this glory does not come easy. After you’ve endured hardship as a good soldier, then glory starts to get deposited into your life.” (13:47)

• Being Fortified

  • Latin “fortis” (stronghold): both a physical location and a declaration—“this place will not easily fall.”
  • Application:

    “The first step toward becoming fortified is clarity about the nature of your opposition… a person who does not know what they are protected from, cannot fully appreciate or inhabit the fort God has provided.” (16:28)

• Fort vs Fortress

  • Fort: Temporary defense; Fortress: Habitation and permanent dwelling.

  • God is our fortress—a place to continually abide, not just visit in crisis.

    “Many believers have a transactional relationship with God as fortress. They enter in during crisis and exit when danger subsides.” (21:27)

  • Practical Advice:

    • Build consistent rhythms of prayer and community; establish identity as citizens of God’s fortress.
    • Community is essential—no fortress is inhabited by one person alone.

      “If you can get you on your own, then you have to be the governor of your own security… But tell somebody, God is the governor of my soul.” (22:38)

3. Isolation vs Community & Being Fortified

• Community and Shared Strength

  • You cannot carry the glory alone.

    “It was four people carrying the glory, not just one. That’s why community is important... you need me and I need you.” (31:34)

• Isolation—A Double-Edged Sword

  • Panel cautions against spiritual isolation, distinguishing God-led “solitude” from enemy-induced isolation.
  • Dr. Oscar Williams:

    “Be very careful when your theology causes you to do everything in isolation… If the anointing is what it is, it will protect you.” (27:58)

4. Focus: Staying the Course Despite Distraction

• Walking as Glory Carriers Among Critics

  • Sometimes, carrying the glory requires walking past people who disqualify you, or lowering your praise out of fear of others’ opinions.
  • Hayden:

    “You have to stay focused... You will never give God glory until you accept that you are God’s child. Most times, we do not focus on the glory because we are distracted by other people’s opinions.” (36:41, 38:40)

• The “Glory” Acronym

  • Hayden:

    “G.L.O.R.Y means God’s Love Operating Rough Years.” (41:21)

• Praise as a Weapon Against Trauma and Distraction

  • Encouragement not to let trauma or the opinions of others muzzle your worship.

    “When the Holy Spirit hits you, he wants you to respond with trauma… but you get to make the devil mad when you praise outside of trauma.” (62:50–64:10)

5. Rest, Boundaries & Rising Up

• Rest Versus Rising

  • Sometimes you need to “rest” (trusting God in adversity), other times you need to “rise” and set boundaries.
  • Pastor Cora:

    “You can’t rest until you start rising. Get up and set some boundaries... My boundaries start when my peace stops.” (47:38, 48:46)

• Addressing Family and Community Conflicts

  • Panel provides prophetic encouragement to those stuck in old relational patterns or circles, urging them to step into new seasons and break silent suffering.

    “Do not have to hold somebody else's burden permanently... Rise up and become the woman that God has called you to be. You don’t owe anybody or nothing an apology. Walk in the destiny that the Master has placed within you.” (65:41–69:13)

6. Faith & Consequences of Disobedience

• Why Don’t We Discuss Disobedience More?
  • Pastor Cora:

    “We’re too busy disobeying him. It's hard to talk about it when you’re in it.” (50:00)

  • The panel emphasizes teaching about relationship with God over fear or manipulation, focusing on love rather than legalism.

    “Love converts faster than fear does any day. He loves you through your mess.” (52:44–54:52)

7. Navigating Emotions & Obedience

• Managing Emotions While Staying Obedient
  • Dr. Oscar Williams:

    “God is not afraid of your emotions… Be angry and sin not… Always consult and default to what is the Spirit of God in me telling me to do in this moment.” (59:16–60:52)

• Anger, Trauma, and Congregational Worship
  • Don’t let past trauma keep you from worshiping freely.

    “Remind yourself that this is not your fear, this is the enemy’s fear… You get to make the devil mad when you praise outside of trauma.” (62:50–64:10)

8. Call to Action: You Are Equipped!

• Stepping into Your Assignment
  • Panel closes with a strong affirmation:

    “You are equipped to carry the assignment that God put on your life... You’re not easily broken, you’re not easily distracted.” (84:24–85:44)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Don’t confuse God’s use of you as His approval of you.” – Pastor Don Johnson (11:26)
• “The anointing is from God… the glory is God.” – Pastor Don Johnson (10:51)
• “You will never give God glory until you accept that you are God’s child.” – Hayden (38:40)
• “G.L.O.R.Y means God’s Love Operating Rough Years.” – Hayden (41:21)
• “Boundaries start when my peace stops.” – Pastor Cora (48:46)
• “Love converts faster than fear does any day.” – Pastor Don Johnson (54:52)
• “God is not afraid of your emotions… Be angry and sin not.” – Dr. Oscar Williams (59:16, 59:23)
• “You still look how far he’s stretching—look at all the stuff you thought was going to break, but you didn’t bend.” (Slinky metaphor, Pastor Don Johnson, 46:05)
• “You’re too gifted for that, you’re too anointed for that… Walk in who He created you to be.” – Hayden (69:13)
• “You are equipped to carry the assignment that God has placed on your life.” – Panel (through closing, ~84:30)

Important Timestamps

• Defining glory & anointing: 05:10–08:10
• Cup & water metaphor: 08:18–10:20
• Glory carriers & Old Testament context: 13:29–15:47
• Fortified vs. fortress: 16:28–22:38
• Community and citizenship: 23:20–25:04
• Isolation vs. community Q&A: 27:20–31:34
• Difference: experiencing glory & Holy Spirit: 32:32–34:00
• Focus and overcoming people’s opinions: 36:41–38:40
• Resting vs. rising up, setting boundaries: 47:38–48:46
• Discussions on dealing with consequences & mercy: 50:00–54:52
• Managing emotions and trauma in worship: 59:16–64:10
• Breaking out of old circles & stepping into assignment: 65:41–73:15
• Affirmation & call to action: 84:24–85:44

Flow & Tone

The episode is passionate, honest, and intensely pastoral—marked by metaphors, scriptural depth, transparency about personal struggles, and lively audience participation. The pastors blend practical advice with prophetic encouragement, always circling back to the essentials: the power of community, the necessity of boundaries, authentic praise, and unwavering assurance that God equips and fortifies His people to carry His glory—no matter the season or struggle.

Summary Takeaways

• Glory is God’s manifest presence—far beyond emotion or one-time experience.
• Anointing is about God’s power working through you—distinct but related to glory.
• Carrying glory requires fortification (strength, clarity, discipline, community) and a willingness to set and enforce boundaries.
• Isolation can be a tool of the enemy; community is a divine design for believers.
• You are uniquely equipped to carry God’s glory in your context—as yourself, not an imitation of others.
• Practical steps include developing consistent rhythms of prayer, committing to community, and boldly stepping past trauma, opinions, and self-doubt into your God-given assignment.

Final Call to Action:
“I am equipped to carry the assignment that God has placed on my life!”
Declare it. Own it. Walk it out in glory.