PastorTodd.net

I used this video clip in a message this past Sunday as a parallel mataphor centered on Luke 16:19-31. What first comes to mind when you hear the word “Ebenezer”? For me, it’s Ebenezer Scrooge, and it’s not positive. I think others might have a similar response.

Check out this intro of Scrooge as written by Dickens himself:

“Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster. The cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shriveled his cheek, stiffened his gait; made his eyes red, his thin lips blue; and spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice. A frosty rime was on his head, and on his eyebrows, and his wiry chin. He carried his own low temperature always about with him; he iced his office in the dog-days, and didn’t thaw it one degree at Christmas.”

How are Christians viewed? The video clip contains a man-on-the-street interview from www.crazychurch.com that would indicate it may not be all too different from Scrooge.

Upon further reflection, however, I’ve come to realize that Ebenezer Scrooge is actually the poster-boy that lives can change! The words “Ebenezer” and “Scrooge” should bring to mind someone who is generous, gracious and joyful – the same which should be seen in followers of Jesus Christ. We who have been shown such lavish grace get to reflect that same grace to others around us.

But it gets even better! There is a major difference between A Christmas Carol and the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Scrooge is really a story of someone earning a second chance at life. Christianity is all about a God of the continual second chance because of who Jesus Christ is and what he has accomplished on the cross and out of the grave.

A friend of mine shared at the end of the worship service this past Sunday, reflecting on the joy his daughter displayed returning to her seat after receiving a blessing and some candy during our time of communion. As shown in the face of his daughter, and echoing the word of Scrooge, he exclaimed, living fully in the grace of Jesus Christ: “I don’t deserve to be so happy . . . but I can’t help it!”

God bless us, everyone.

This year, I’m celebrating the tenth anniversary of the release of DC Talk’s Jesus Freak. While there are a couple of other favorites that really rock, this is the one that needs priority attention. This one’s for my church family, Ebenezer Lutheran Brethren Church, and especially for Brothers/Pastors Dale, Darrick, and Carlos. Grace, Peace & Love to you, bros…

Not too long ago, I gathered with some friends for prayer, and we were sharing about a couple of bible studies that some were involved with. There were striking reflections on the flow and context of the book of the Bible being studied, replete with geographic coverage that eventually narrowed and centered on the prophet’s audience, and once their location was sighted, the judgments made about the surrounding peoples suddenly took on unavoidable relevance, were shocking, and quite painful. We agreed that these scripture passages and our study of them were good for us.

Immediately, we read from this same book in preparation for our prayers focused on reaching out, I was struck by my hypocricy of affirming “wonderful” bible studies that were completely sheltered from anyone outside of my Christian bubble. My prayer of desiring to be living more and more like I confess seemed hollow, and I have now been reflecting on that incongruence.

Lord Jesus, forgive me my lip service to being part of your missionary people. Thank you for your grace that covers my sin. Grant me the strength of your Spirit and the compelling joy of your gospel to transform my life into a meaningful witness of you and your redemptive reign in our world. Amen.