Monthly Archives: November 2014

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light, those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.” Isaiah 9:2

Remember the countdown chain? When I was a boy, it was a tradition to make a paper chain about this time of year and each day tear off a link. Time crawled slowly as we approached Christmas. That phenomenon is in Einstein’s theory of general relativity somewhere. As a child, the days seemed endless. The countdown chain proved time was moving. The end was nearing. The wait would be over.

But what do you do when you don’t know how long to make the countdown chain? In a way, that’s the situation faced by our ancestors in the faith. They faced darkness and looked for the Messiah. Isaiah gave them hope. The light was coming!

In 700 years.

That’s how long their countdown chain would need to be. They waited for centuries, tearing off one link at a time, on a chain of undetermined length. That’s the real challenge. They didn’t know how long the wait would be.

We face many situations in life that are darkness of undetermined length. “How long does she have left?” “Will he ever get better?” “Will he ever change? Or should I leave now?” These are some of the questions I’ve heard in the last month alone.

The first week of Advent reminds us of the way God’s people waited, and clung to the undated promises of the prophets. We often live in the meantime between promise and fulfillment. We’re like John the Baptist in prison asking his cousin’s disciples, “Are you the one? Or should we look for another?” Or the man with a sick child desperately telling Jesus, “I believe! Please help my unbelief!” When will things be better? How long is the chain?

The first week of Advent is an acknowledgment that we all spend gray days wondering when the light will come for whatever darkness troubles us. A single candle burns on the wreath, one flickering, vulnerable light extinguished by the next gust. We wonder how long the wait will be.

We need to take action! Wondering, doubting, even whining is natural and normal, but it sure is not a way to live. By action, I don’t meant trying to fix the shadows. You can’t heal anyone. You can’t break another person’s addiction. You can’t force someone to be nice. You can pray and ask God to take away your fear, or your agitation, or your anger, or your simmering bitterness.

God always answers that kind of prayer. In my experience, He either completely relieves my distress, or takes away enough of it so that I can make it through the day. Always. In fact, the only part He will leave is the part I still need to learn from. He will always give you what you need to handle your problems.

Regarding your darkness, I cannot tell you “it will be ok.” And I can’t tell you “it’s going to get worse.” I can only tell you with 100% certainty “it will be.” The chain may come to an end or stretch out beyond the horizon. In the face of that uncertainty the ONE THING you control, is the faith you bring to a situation. What makes the difference will be your resolve to pray, and pray again, when you feel the tension swirling up around you. The light will dawn when you cast that burden upon God, maybe hour by hour, knowing that He can be trusted more than you can. The darkness will never overcome a tenacious, no-matter-what faith.

A Christmas carol illustrates my point. In “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” Henry Longfellow wrote in the first two verses of the beautiful sound of Christmas bells and their main message: “Peace on earth. Good will to men.” He hears it, and it cheers him.

But then the tone changes in verse 3, and fits perfectly the first week of Advent theme. “And in despair I bowed my head, there is no peace on earth I said. For hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men.” He wrote that in 1864, after the devastation of the Civil War. Specifically, he thought about the empty places at the holiday table where sons, and husbands and fathers had sat for meals. Now they were dead. He had witnessed the strength of hate, and it drove him to a dark despair.

But not always! He kept listening, and what he heard he wrote down in verse 4. “Then pealed the bells more loud and sweet. God is not dead nor doth He sleep. The wrong shall fail. The right prevail, with peace on earth, good will to men.”

That is where you want to stand in life, not denying the darkness but not giving into it either. Goodness will prevail because God is with you. Now and always. The Light has come, and the darkness cannot overcome it. No matter how long the chain of this present darkness persists, you are not alone. Keep believing.

Grace,

Dr. Terry Ellis

November 30, 2014

“Then Jesus said, ‘Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except for this foreigner?’” Luke 17:17-18

Jesus healed ten lepers, but only one returned to say thank you. This 9-1 ratio is both revealing and common. We all receive, but few of us express real gratitude to God.

If that's the case, then I say let’s be honest. Let’s go ahead and skip Thanksgiving! We probably are anyway. Not the meal of course, but the soul-deep, thirsting for God, can’t-live-without-Him thanksgiving. I can think of three sure ways we can skip this kind of thanksgiving.

First, whine. I know whining sounds childish, but remember, we’re being honest. We’re good at complaining, and 90% of complaining at heart is whining. Whine about the weather, or your job, or politics, or family. The latter is especially fruitful this time of year as we all have family issues. Of course, if you have family you have family issues. But yours are especially tough! Make sure you let people know. They want to hear.

Whining’s chief contribution is that it enables you to focus your problems entirely outside of yourself. That way, you can avoid the messy and uncomfortable business of taking responsibility for your attitudes and actions. This glorious self-pity invites others to join you in the pile of ashes and feel sorry for you.

Now thanksgiving is the polar opposite of self-pity and complaining. It has a way of completely transforming your spirit. Some people profess thanksgiving in all circumstances, no matter how difficult. Don’t fall for that! I know it’s in the Bible, but it’s so unnatural that it must be impractical. Besides Paul may have been beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, and eventually beheaded, but he never had to deal with your family. So go ahead and whine.

Second, keep God as an afterthought. I’m betting the other nine lepers were grateful. Who wouldn’t be? If your nose is no longer about to fall off, then of course your grateful! So what if only one actually came back to Jesus and said the words? Doesn’t God already know what we’re thinking? Isn’t that enough?

Follow the example of highly successful businessmen who were asked who or what they credit for their success. The results? Hard work – 99%. Intelligence and good sense – 97%. Higher IQ – 83%. Being the best in every situation – 62%. Luck – 32%. Do you see the point? God hasn’t cracked the top 5!

You have to believe deep down that it’s really all up to you. You have to embrace the illusion of control. Be certain that you can arrange all of life to suit you, and that if anyone or anything doesn’t cooperate then default to suggestion number 1.

Third, ignore the “small blessings.” I’m sure if I had been healed of a terminal illness I would be thankful. I really think I would have been like the one leper. I mean, that’s a big miracle.

But I haven’t had any big miracles. I’m still losing my hair, I haven’t won the lottery ever, and Kentucky isn’t bowl eligible. A big miracle might change my mind but until I see congress and the White House cooperate on anything meaningful I’m not buying it.

Someone told me that when I wake up in the morning I should be able to think of ten things right then that I’m thankful for. Things like having a loving spouse, a bed, a home, air conditioning, actually waking up, etc. I say rubbish! Those are little things that most everybody has. Of course, the fact that billions of people can’t even match my short list doesn’t mean I can’t take them for granted. After all, that’s the point. I have to ignore the “small miracles” in order to skip Thanksgiving.

So let Thursday be just another day. It’s really not that hard. 90% of us are well on our way.

Grace, (if it’s even real)

Dr. Terry Ellis

November 23, 2014

“Your Father who sees things in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:4, 6:6, 6:18

When you think of the word “consequences” chances are you think of something negative, as in “you will suffer the consequences” of a bad action. This, of course, is indisputably true. Paul wrote, “Be not deceived. God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:7). You can tell how far back in my memory this verse goes for I quote it in King James. The verse is not comforting. It’s used by youth ministers to keep kids in line on a retreat. Do bad and you will suffer the consequences.

But not all consequences are bad. The verse(s) I quote at the beginning of this GraceWaves are from the Sermon on the Mount in the section about genuine piety. Jesus addressed three common religious expressions: alms giving, praying, and fasting. After each one He promised that God rewards us if we practice these things inconspicuously. Hence, good consequences.

Life is not terribly complicated, though it is often difficult. If you do certain things, you will feel better. If you pray, read devotional literature, worship, share your life meaningfully with others then life will be better. Cultivating a generous and graceful theology and then engaging people and life in general with a sacred kindness always results in a more joyous life. Always. God rewards.

Think of the good consequences you can expect this week if you embrace this positive faith in God! I’ll suggest three that I have experienced.

1. Your security will not rest in possessions or things going your way. Unfortunately we usually define rewards materially. I suppose some of this is true. My health is better when I stay away from unhealthy things. I have more money when I don’t spend to try and make myself feel better. Etc.

The greatest security, however, comes from a “no matter what” outlook. Whether you are abased or abounding you can learn the secret of being content in Christ. Markets will go down, cars will break down, health will fail. Eternal matters are untouched by time or trouble. No matter what comes the King is still in residence. His flag still flies! A sound spiritual program and a focus on helping others will clear your vision.

2. Fear will lose its grip on your life. I had a lava lamp when I was a teenager. Turn on the light under the globe and soon the wax heats up and begins to “blob” upward, cool then fall back to the bottom. My fears are like that lava lamp. They keep “blobbing” up.

For me the key has been turning down the internal heat by developing a simpler faith. I confess that my fear basically is a lack of trust in God. When I am afraid I am essentially saying that God is not to be trusted, for He has promised to never forsake me. What more do I need than His presence? In the autumn of my life I am still learning ask God to take my fear from me, and learning to let go of it.

3. You can appreciate difficult days. Much of our lives are devoted to avoiding or lessening pain. This is natural. However, life is difficult under the best of circumstances and some days will be very hard. Most of us are so convinced of our uniqueness that we’re at least slightly outraged that everything is not rosy.

God does not expect you to handle your problems alone. In fact, you only complicate things that way. The Bible teaches us that difficulties are an opportunity for God to demonstrate His strength. He’ll handle whatever you let go of, and you let go of it by refusing to obsess over difficulties.

So your Father is watching, and that is a very good thing. Good consequences await you this week, if you simply devote yourself to a few simple thoughts and actions. He will reward you.

Grace,

Dr. Terry Ellis

November 16, 2014

“Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will.” Romans 12:2

I was in my office, at a former church about 20 years ago, when Lauren, my five year old daughter, came running in tearfully confessing to some disagreement with one of our youth. She was nearly hysterical, explaining that Sarah, a 16 year old girl, had a bloody nose and that she, Lauren, was somehow responsible.

My daughter was a typical little girl. She loved playing with little ponies, flowers, blocks. She was sugar and spice, certainly having no history of a strong right cross. Sobbing, she led me to Sarah in another part of the office, her hand cupped under her nose and growing little pool of blood in her hand, a stunned look on her face.

Sending Lauren to a neutral corner, I focused on Sarah, staunched the blood flow and listened as she graciously explained that it was weird accident. The details are fuzzy, but somehow Lauren had unintentionally hit the end of Sarah’s nose, perhaps caught her with a fingernail, resulting in a bleeding nose. Lauren said she was sorry, end of story.

Not so fast.

On arriving home, Lauren was still quite upset. The details of the story had not changed. It was simply an accident, but Lauren felt guilty and that her apology had not been sincere enough. The youth were having a get-together at another house, so I suggested we go over there and Lauren could apologize again. It was really not necessary, and completely unimportant to me, but Lauren kept going back and forth about whether to go and make additional apologies. She would be embarrassed to go over there, she would feel guilty if she didn’t. I suggested she go ahead and apologize again, and relieve her over-sensitive conscience. This went on for about a half hour. Fun stuff.

Finally, we drove over to the house. Lauren was a nervous wreck. Sarah came out, puzzled about the purpose f the visit. Lauren said she was really sorry. Sarah was a jewel, assuring Lauren that she was just fine, that it simply been an accident, and she was not even thinking about it. She hugged Lauren and went back to the youth group.

Walking back to the car Lauren was floating on air. “I feel sooooo much better.” “Wow, I feel so good.” Over and over. My daughter parses emotions deeply, meaningfully, and sometimes endlessly. Bottom line, she felt great.

Now it was certainly a small matter, the product of an over-sensitive conscience. Lauren had committed no sin. She did not need to seek forgiveness, but there was a lesson there about what to do when the matters get bigger.

When I’m struggling about some issue, trying to discern the best way forward, I am almost always going to do what is easier for me, but if my choice is not the right one, then things get harder. For Lauren, staying at the house was easier. Just let the matter drop. But in her little mind, things kept getting worse and she struggled with guilt.

On the other hand, if I do the hard thing of confessing, offering an apology, or taking a risk that honors God things get much easier. For Lauren, going over there was hard and nerve-wracking, but then the relief was so palpable she couldn’t stop talking about it.

The principle is clear and applies for any age: My will at first is easier then gets harder. God’s will at first is harder, then gets easier.

I can usually tell what is God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will by how I initially feel. Short-term comfort is my goal for me, but never God’s goal for me. He’s not in the business of insulating me from pain and difficulty in the short run, if that pain and difficulty can teach me joy and peace in the long-run.

This week, don’t be afraid of making the overdue apology or the challenging commitment. It will be uncomfortable, possibly embarrassing, or worse. But if it is right, then relief and gratitude will result. That is God’s will for you.

Grace,

Dr. Terry Ellis

November 9, 2014

"Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.'" Genesis 1:26

A fairly common attitude among many Christians I talk to is that they are unworthy, damaged goods. God could better spend his time on people with a stronger faith and work experience. They feel they have been disqualified by some brokenness in their lives.

Well, in case you haven’t noticed, every single one of the great characters you read about in the Bible had some kind of great challenge to overcome, some great character flaw. From a human perspective they would be unworthy, possessed of disabling inadequacy.

Accepting personal brokenness is certainly the first step in recovering any sense of self-worth, but on the heels of that confession needs to come the recognition that you're not alone. The Bible is unsparingly clear about the clay feet of its most notable characters. If you're broken, welcome to the human race.

But ultimately we are not the key to our own recovery. God is. And realizing how God feels about you is critically important. It is here that the idea of the “image of God” is especially helpful.

Every human being carries within him or her the image of God. It is the part of us that is most divine. We can cover it up, ignore it, run from it into a foreign country, but nowhere in the Bible do we ever find that we can lose the image. Whenever, in our brokenness, we have a sense of longing for God, it is that image that draws us back to Him. God appeals to that image, restores it to prominence, and enables us to move forward.

Think of God's image as His vision for you. The image is what God made you to be. The image is what God restores through grace. Remembering the image is a key to joyful living.

Man of Lamancha, based on the Don Quixote story by Cervantes, depicts an aging nobleman who is struck by what one writer has called a “holy madness.” He see himself as a strong medieval knight, his humble servant is a proud squire. And most ironically he sees a common prostitute named Aldonza as the lovely Lady Dulcinea. Aldonza protests from the beginning, “I am no one! I am nothing!”

As funny as the premise is, the real story is not about an old man rattling about in a suit of armor with an old horse and a servant. The real story is about the transforming effect this man’s holy madness had on the people around him. Later in the story when Quixote was very sick and losing his “vision” Aldonza came to his bedside to plead that he somehow recover the vision that transformed her.

God has a holy madness in which He loves us in spite of our worst and would even die to restore us to our best. He longs to make the image rise up from the ashes of a burned out and burned up life. He can do this.

God’s vision of you, His holy madness, can transform you and make you hope again. He loves you and is proud of the image He created in you. By His grace He can mend every flaw and give you a glimpse of the glory of His image in you. That holy, unimaginable, even scandalous madness is God's vision. Trust that God does feel that way about you. Let His vision transform you!

Grace,

Dr. Terry Ellis

November 2, 2014