"What's Cooking?"

"What's Cooking?"

What sounds like an appropriate question surrounding Thanksgiving dinner became the title of a movie released in 2000, prior to the events of 9/11 and when, at least for appearance sake, there was less open hate speech and controversial division in society. Set in urban Los Angeles, viewers of the movie follow four families of different ethnic and religious backgrounds as they prepare for and celebrate Thanksgiving in America. Ironically, the four families live on four corners of the same intersection yet know very little of the others' existence. One soon realizes how the families are intertwined and a shocking event draws them out of their houses as the day of Thanksgiving draws to a close.

By now, I have watched this film numerous times as it became a Thanksgiving tradition in the Bill and David household. Indeed, I watched "What's Cooking?" again yesterday afternoon while attempting to resolve a pesky computer issue. With every viewing, something new catches my attention or perhaps details I had taken for granted take on new meaning. As I watched the beginning of the movie, it was as if I had never viewed those scenes before. All of them seemed new and different. Bill, who was much more a movie and film aficionado than I will ever be, loved this movie and I am thankful that this became a part of our Thanksgiving tradition even while I tended to favor the non-traditional.

Today, 22 November 2017, marks eight months to the day and day of the week since Bill's death. To say that I was not prepared for the emotions which the holiday season would bring this year is an understatement. Reality and one's own thought process are not always in sync. The past several days have been especially difficult yet with much to do, there are times that I feel frozen and stopped in my tracks. 

As I find myself in prayer and meditation, the call to return to ministry gets louder. Sometimes those who are called to proclaim good news need to listen and reflect on that message for themselves.

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,

because the LORD has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives

and release from darkness for the prisoners,

to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor

and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn,

and provide for those who grieve in Zion --

to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,

the oil of joy instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

[Isaiah 61:1-3c NIV]

This past Sunday, I was introduced to an unfamiliar hymn which led me to seek out resources to learn the hymn lyrics, the tune and the composer. Quoting from a blog post on The St. Augustine Record website: "Henry Smith Jr. was born in Crossnore, North Carolina, in 1952. Of the nearly 300 songs he had written, only one has been published -- that's right, only one, but what a song! What a meteor!" “Give Thanks” continues to be one of the most popular songs — during the Thanksgiving season — used in churches worldwide. It is easy to understand why so many people love this song. One only has to carefully examine the lyrics.

Give thanks with a grateful heart;

Give thanks to the Holy One.

Give thanks because He’s given

Jesus Christ, His Son.

And now let the weak say, “I am strong!”

Let the poor say, “I am rich

Because of what the Lord has done for us.”

Give thanks!

Heavenly Father, You created us to give thanks in all circumstances and for all things. Forgive us when we are thankless. During this season of thankful living, we give You thanks for those loved ones who have gone on before us, with whom we no longer celebrate the earthly gifts of Thanksgiving. Through Your Son, our Savior and Redeemer, we celebrate the gift of eternal life by grace through faith. During this season and always, send Your Holy Spirit to comfort us in our sorrows, renew us in our times of weakness and remind us of all the good gifts we share because of Your blessing. May we find our Thanksgiving joy in You! In the name of our Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier - Father, Son + and Holy Spirit. Amen

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

[1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV]

HOME AT LAST

HOME AT LAST

William J. Snyder III Memorial Service
20 May 2017

Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church

Minneapolis, Minnesota

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV

RAGS Story – Walter Wangerin, Jr.

I saw a strange sight. I stumbled upon a story most strange, like nothing in my life, my street sense, my sly tongue had ever prepared me for. Hush, child. hush now, and I will tell it to you.

Even before the dawn one Friday morning I noticed a young man, handsome and strong, walking the alleys of our City. He was pulling an old cart filled with clothes both bright and new, and he was calling in a clear tenor voice: 'Rags!' Ah, the air was foul and the first light filthy to be crossed by such sweet music.

'Rags! New rags for old! I take your tired rags! Rags!'

'Now this is a wonder,' I thought to myself, for the man stood six-feet-four, and his arms were like tree limbs, hard and muscular, and his eyes flashed intelligence. Could he find no better job than this, to be a ragman in the inner city?

I followed him. My curiosity drove me. And I wasn't disappointed.

Soon the ragman saw a woman sitting on her back porch. She was sobbing into a handkerchief, signing, and shedding a thousand tears. Her knees and elbows made a sad X. Her shoulders shook. Her heart was breaking.

The Ragman stopped his cart. Quietly, he walked to the woman, stepping round tin cans, dead toys, and Pampers.

'Give me your rag,' he said gently. 'and I'll give you another.'

He slipped the handkerchief from her eyes. She looked up, and he laid across her palm a linen cloth so clean and new that it shined. She blinked from the gift to the giver.

Then, as he began to pull his cart again, the Ragman did a strange thing: he put her stained handkerchief to his own face; and then he began to weep, to sob as grievously as she had done, his shoulders shaking. Yet she was left without a tear.

'This is a wonder,' I breathed to myself, and I followed the sobbing Ragman like a child who cannot turn away from mystery.

'Rags! Rags! New Rags for old!"

In a little while, when the sky showed grey behind the rooftops and I could see the shredded curtains hanging out black windows, the Ragman came upon a girl whose head was wrapped in a bandage, whose eyes were empty. Blood soaked her bandage. A single line of blood ran down her cheek.

Now the tall Ragman looked upon this child with pity, and he drew a lovely yellow bonnet from his cart.

'Give me your rag,' he said, tracing his own line on her cheek, 'and I'll give you mine.'

The child could only gaze at him while he loosened the bandage, removed it, and tied it to his own head. The bonnet he set on hers. And I gasped at what I saw: for with the bandage went the wound! Against his brow it ran a darker, more substantial blood -- his own!

'Rags! Rags! I take old rags!' cried the sobbing, bleeding, strong, intelligent Ragman.

The sun hurt both the sky, now, and my eyes; the Ragman seemed more and more to hurry.

'Are you going to work?' he asked a man who leaned against a telephone pole. The man shook his head. The Ragman pressed him: 'Do you have a job?"

'Are you crazy?' sneered the other. He pulled away from the pole, revealing the right sleeve of his jacket -- flat, the cuff stuffed into the pocket. He had no arm.

'So,' said the Ragman. 'Give me your jacket, and I'll give you mine.' So much quiet authority in his voice!

The one-armed man took off his jacket. So did the Ragman -- and I trembled at what I saw: for the Ragman's arm stayed in its sleeve, and when the other put it on, he had two good arms, thick as tree limbs; but the Ragman had only one.

'Go to work,' he said.

After that he found a drunk, lying unconscious beneath an army blanket, an old man, hunched, wizened, and sick. He took that blanket and wrapped it round himself, but for the drunk he left new clothes.

And now I had to run to keep up with the Ragman. Though he was weeping uncontrollably, and bleeding freely at the forehead, pulling his cart with one arm, stumbling for drunkenness, falling again and again, exhausted, old, old, and sick, yet he went with terrible speed. On spider's legs he skittered through the alleys of the City, this mile and the next, until he came to its limits, and then he rushed beyond.

I wept to see the change in this man. I hurt to see his sorrow. And yet I need to see where he was going in such haste, perhaps to know what drove him so.

The little old Ragman -- he came to a landfill. He came to the garbage pits. And I waited to help him in what he did but I hung back, hiding. He climbed a hill. With tormented labor he cleared a little space on that hill. Then he signed. He lay down. He pillowed his head on a handkerchief and a jacket. He covered his bones with an army blanket. And he died.

Oh how I cried to witness that death! I slumped in a junked car and wailed and mourned as one who has no hope -- because I had come to love the Ragman. Every other face had faded in the wonder of this man, and I cherished him; but he died. I sobbed myself to sleep.

I did not know -- how could I know? -- that I slept through Friday night and Saturday and its night too. But then, on Sunday morning, I was wakened by a violence.

Light -- pure, hard, demanding light -- slammed against my sour face, and I blinked, and I looked, and I saw the first wonder of all. There was the Ragman, folding the blanket most carefully, a scar on his forehead, but alive! And, besides that, healthy! There was no sign of sorrow or age, and all the rags that he had gathered shined for cleanliness.

Well, then I lowered my head and, trembling for all that I had seen, I myself walked up to the Ragman. I told him my name with shame, for I was a sorry figure next to him. Then I took off all my clothes in that place, and I said to him with dear yearning in my voice: 'Dress me."

He dressed me. My Lord, he put new rags on me, and I am a wonder beside him. The Ragman, the Ragman, the Christ!

+++++++++++++++++

Some of you have asked and others may be wondering why this date was chosen for a celebration of life and memorial service for our loved one and friend, William “Bill” Snyder. When considering the available dates in May (because I knew it could not happen before May), the first weekend was close to birthdays, the second weekend was Mother’s Day weekend and the last weekend was Memorial Day weekend. Providence determined that the available date was May 20th which provided me with an opportunity to unite two very important dates in my life.

You see, 44 years ago, on May 20, 1973, as a teenager, I stood before God, family and the congregation at Peace Lutheran Church in Claremont, Minnesota to confess and confirm my faith in the God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This date, those vows have remained to this day an important part of my life. Part of that rite of confirmation was the bestowing of what I choose to call “a lifetime Scripture verse” – Joshua 1:9. We hear it again:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous” and I will exchange your filthy rags for new! “Have I not commanded you? …Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” for I am willing to take away all your spots and blemishes and deformities to carry them to a cross on a trash heap and die! Through it all, “the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go”. Those are powerful and meaningful words as I find myself living in a seventh different state since that day 44 years ago! Some of you have heard me repeat the words of Joshua 1:9 many times. In fact, for a few of you that verse was given special meaning in your own lives.

The same God who promised Joshua that He would be with him wherever he went in life promises us the same. This is the same Shepherd God that Jesus taught would leave the 99 sheep in his flock to search for the one missing. Before he entered the hospital for the last time in June 2016, one early morning…

The Good Shepherd (in White)!

David Turnmire (6/28/2016)

…Bill was dreaming or having visions. [Now you may choose to believe or not to believe in dreams and visions. The truth is that they may be and often are a source of comfort to the individual who is dying. They should also be a source of comfort to the loved ones left behind.] In an attempt to clarify what Bill was seeing, I asked him what he was saying and Bill told me that there was a Shepherd dressed in white. The Shepherd said it was not his time. That Shepherd promised Bill that he would be back to take him home.

When Bill was hospitalized last summer, many misunderstood Bill when he said that "he wanted to go home". He was not talking about an apartment on Leroy Street in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. For Bill, "home" is a house on Blair Avenue in Tyrone, Pennsylvania which is no longer there. I prayed for the Good Shepherd (in White) to take Bill by the hand and lead him "home". No, that was not my preference but the reality of my faith. Bill had repeatedly told me that he was tired and he was not talking about a lack of sleep.

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

3 he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV

My Heaven

William Snyder (11/23/2010)

Bill wrote about his own vision of heaven:

“The dream started in the basement of my childhood home on Blair Avenue. I was standing in the basement looking at all this stuff! I first noticed that the things in the basement were objects from my life. Games, toys, furniture and nick knacks. I was overwhelmed by how much stuff was in the basement. Then I noticed David was in the basement with me. We started looking around at the different items when I noticed a box I really wanted to look in was being blocked by this big old metal pipe joint so I asked David to move it for me.

“When David moved the pipe, I noticed my son David was in the basement at that point looking at things on the other side of the basement. I started looking at items in the box and asked them to hide things I was handing them before anyone else got there! I looked up from the box and noticed this brownish display with pockets on it. In the pockets were all the brownish envelopes with oval windows on the front of each envelope. My eye caught this one envelope with something purple in it. I picked it up and I think it was a real Amethyst in the envelope. I turned around to put it back when I noticed all the other envelopes had disappeared. I walked over to the other side of the basement and as I was walking there, I noticed the furniture had changed into Donna’s stuff!

“When I got to the other side of the basement, David and David had everything organized and cleaned. I noticed the only thing left on that side were some outside items I recognized. The items where old lawn games. At that moment, I heard voices coming from the side basement door that went out to the side yard. I walked towards the stairs and looked up and saw little Brenda coming through the door. After her, Donna walked through the door. I could hear Mom’s and Brenda’s voices coming from outside. I walked up the stairs and went outside and stood beside mom, Brenda and Donna.

“I noticed they were looking across the street. There were two of the most beautiful apartment buildings I have ever seen. The apartment buildings had many balconies on the front of them. On these balconies were many people releasing these little lanterns that were being lit by small flames. The people released them and they floated into this incredibly beautiful sky. All the lanterns came together to make this most remarkable light. At that moment, I felt at peace and was truly happy!

“I woke up and noticed the time was 8:45 am. I was just going to stay up but I felt so drained and needed to sleep some more. I went back to bed.

“As the dream continued, I was standing with Donna on the corner of 15th street and Blair Avenue. We started walking towards our childhood home. I noticed the street was paved with this incredible reddish brick. The sidewalks were absolutely wonderful! I also noticed there were row houses along the street. They were indescribable. I asked Donna when everything changed. She said when you arrived. The row houses were located where the paper mill playground used to be. I cannot describe how beautiful everything was. Everything was so clean and glowing. As we walked towards the house, Donna’s face glowed and I realized I was the happiest I could ever be. I felt complete. We arrived at the house and Brenda came up to me and said we are truly your sisters now and she smiled the most loving smile at me. Mom looked at me and said, “Hi honey”. At that moment, I wanted to see the rest of the house. I knew the inside was going to be just like it was when I was growing up. I was heading towards the door when I woke up. The time was 9:00 am. I had tears in my eyes when I woke up. I cried for a couple minutes not wanting it to end because I felt drawn to go back.”

A Testament to Faith

In the process of sorting out and preparing for this service, I have discovered amazing things that Bill had written without my knowledge. One such message was written in a journal which Bill had started after we moved to Texas.

Just days before Christmas on December 21, 2010, Bill wrote this entry in his journal.

“[I] woke up emotional today! [I] think [it was the] Facebook page I saw yesterday [which was] really disturbing. The page was ‘F*** Jesus’!!! I find it disturbing people cannot believe in anything. How can you go through life and not feel there is some Higher Power at work?! Sad.

This has made me realize how much I love God! It broke my heart to see this.”

After Bill had returned home from the hospital to enter hospice care at home, he asked me about being baptized. He related to me his heartfelt belief that a previous baptismal experience was not sincere. Reaching security in his salvation was important to Bill. On Sunday, July 17, 2016, William Joseph Snyder renounced Satan and all his works and all his ways. He then confessed faith in Father, Son and Holy Spirit – Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier! Through the water and Word of Holy Baptism, he received the gift of salvation by grace through faith. That faith served him well as he looked forward to going “home”.

Bill Snyder is finally “home at last”!

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV

Sometime after we met in 2002, Bill watched a video of my last sermon at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Lidgerwood, North Dakota. During that service held on January 30, 1999, part of the message included the following story.

The Fork: “The Best Is Yet to Come”

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. As she was getting her things in order, she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.

She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like to be read and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.

"There's one more thing," she said excitedly.

"What's that?" came the Pastor's reply.

"This is very important," the young woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."

The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.

"That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked.

"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the Pastor.

The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and to those who need encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!"

So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?" Then I want you to tell them: "Keep your fork ..the best is yet to come."

The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman goodbye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She knew that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.

During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.

He was right. The next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.

+++++++++++++++++

Bill knew the “best was yet to come”! When he watched the video, I gave him one of the forks leftover from that 1999 service. Bill kept his fork. [Show fork.] It will be my prayer that each of you will keep your fork and remember that “the best is yet to come”!

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;

we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:31-39 NIV

Amen.

The GREATEST of These Is LOVE

"The Greatest of These Is Love"

Several years ago I compiled a set of personal CDs which included many of my favorite contemporary Christian songs at the time. Each of the CDs was themed as I picked songs which I felt conveyed the theme I was attempting to get across. A number of family members received one or more of the CDs as gifts for Christmas that year. The fourth contained music a bit more edgy; that CD was reserved for Bill and me. In order, the themes for these CDs were "Love Heals", "Live Like You're Dying!", "And the Greatest of These is Love!" and "Love Your Life".

Most everyone who is going to read this blog will be able to quote one or more Bible verses or even cliches about "love". "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." [John 3:16 NIV] And again, "If you love someone set them free. If they come back to you it was meant to be." Of course, there are all manner of variations to that cliche about loving someone.

In the summation of "The Love Chapter" written to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 13), the apostle Paul eloquent states: "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." [1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV] Easy to remember, perhaps easier to quote or spout something close. What is often overlooked is the "tough stuff" of love, sometimes hard to remember and eve more challenging to carry out. 

"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

"Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away." [1 Corinthians 13:1-8 NIV]

Beautiful words. This portion of Scripture is often spoken at weddings but I contend that it applies to all of life. Another cliche seeks to remind us that "you can't live on love"! I would suggest that "you can't live without love". Human beings if neglected as babies and not shown love will not develop to their full potential. Elderly humans wither and die quickly in the absence of love. This is one of the reasons that the surviving spouse of couples who have had lengthy marriage relationships of 50, 60, 70 or more years of marriage frequently die within a short period of time of each other. At every stage of life, we depend on love to live as functioning humans.

Love is so much more than mindlessly repeating three words, chocolate and flowers on Valentine's Day or warm and fuzzy feel good moments. Love is hard work. Love is sacrifice. Jesus spoke about the love of His Father and His passing of that love command to us. He said: "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." [John 15:9,12-13 NIV] 

It was stated earlier that love requires sacrifice. Jesus loved to the point of sacrificing His life to demonstrate that love. "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." [Romans 5:8b] We know that God calls on us throughout Scripture to "love our neighbors as [ourselves]". Christ pushes us further when He says: "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." [Matthew 5:43-44 NIV]

"Now these three remain: faith, hope and love." What can we say about faith? "Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." [Hebrews 11:1 NIV] By grace we are saved through faith as the result of Christ's death and resurrection. Hope is mentioned throughout the Old and New Testament. Paul writes about the hope that we gain as a result of our faith which comes through grace.

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. 

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." [Romans 5:1-8 NIV]

There you have it! Faith, hope and love come to us through Christ and Him alone. As sinners, we were enemies of Christ and He died for us. The love that we demonstrate for family, friends and enemies is a result of the Holy Spirit's work in us. "We love because [God] first loved us!"

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” [1 John 4:7-12 NIV]

"TEN GOOD YEARS!"

"TEN GOOD YEARS!"

PREFACE: While contemplating writing this blog post, I am fully aware of the various responses which will be elicited by family members and friends alike. Please note that it is not my intention to offend or cause anguish to any reader.

Death is a part of life. Death is a fact of life. Like that tired cliche, "the only things certain in life are death and taxes." In other terms recently heard by this writer, humans have a 100% mortality rate. About 25 years ago, a young Lutheran mom with whom I was acquainted spoke of the importance of Lutheran parochial education to her family. She stated that she sought "to teach her children how to die so they would know how to live." 

Many of you will be bothered by what you consider a "cynical view of life". I would contend that a view of life in light of God's Word is neither cynical nor pessimistic. A realistic life view based in Scripture should never be reason for sorrow but reason for rejoicing. The psalmist wrote in Psalm 90, verse 10: 

Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures;

yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

Psalm 90:10 NIV

And again in the same psalm, verse 12:

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12 NIV

Today, 22 September 2017, marks six months since the death of William Joseph Snyder III, husband, partner, best friend, father and grandfather to name just a few of the roles Bill filled during his life on earth. As I anticipated the arrival of this date, I reflected on numerous Wednesday afternoons when I watched the clock and felt that twinge of sadness overtake me each week at 12:35 pm - the exact moment when Bill drew his last breath on Wednesday, 22 March 2017. It became imperative to me that by the time this date arrived, I owed it to Bill and myself to formulate and state a goal and a vision for life's future. 

In keeping with Scripture and my own view of life, I have chosen as the theme for my future life: "TEN GOOD YEARS!" To the biblical psalmist, seventy years was a full life and one was additionally blessed if he or she lived to eighty or beyond. It may be more than 30 years ago that I faced the realization that though the youngest among my siblings, there would be a distinct possibility that I would be the first to depart this physical, earthly life. It is true that I have not made it a habit of discussing this topic with close family members. I imagine reactions to range in the gamut of disbelief to anger.

The apostle Paul, writing about the resurrection of Christ, wrote that our faith might be misplaced: "If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are above all people most to be pitied." [1 Corinthians 15:19 NIV] As Christian believers, our "faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." [Hebrews 11:1 NIV] Belief in something that we do not see with our own eyes is difficult in a world which thrives on empirical evidence. While I have not seen the resurrected Christ, I believe in the promises of eternal life and my own resurrection.

With the writer of the Hebrews, I am reminded of "my great cloud of witnesses"!

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 
let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. 

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. 

For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, 

and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, 

so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV

Each of us may have our own "cloud of witnesses" who have died in the faith. For me, some of those witnesses include the love of my life, Bill Snyder, mother Elfrieda Turnmire, father Roy Turnmire, grandmother Amanda Wessel, aunts and uncles, former parishioners and individuals I gladly called "friends".

At 58 and with far more "nagging health problems" than either of my parents faced at the same age, I have no illusions of a life expectancy equal to my dad's 76 years or my mother's 97 years. It is my goal and prayer that God would grant me "ten good years" for which I will be grateful. At the same time, I am fully aware that the plan may be less than those years. If God, in His grace and wisdom, grants me more than ten years, I will be thankful but at the same time, I will not be disappointed if He calls me home sooner.

During the final weeks of Bill's life, I sang a hymn which I also sang at both of his memorial services - "Lord, You I Love With All My Heart". The final verse of that hymn expresses my hope and my confidence when I reach the end of my life here on earth:

Then let at last your angels come; To Abram's bosom bear me home

That I may die unfearing. 

Within my earthen chamber keep My body safe in peaceful sleep

Until your reappearing.

And then from death awaken me That my own eyes with joy may see,

O Son of God, your glorious face, My Savior and my ground of grace!

Lord Jesus Christ, Oh, hear my prayer; oh, hear my prayer, 

Your love surround me ev'rywhere!

John Ylvisaker penned a hymn used in many Christian churches to express faith in God's promises. This "modern-day" hymn is often used at baptisms, confirmations and even funerals. It is no mere coincidence that the hymn begins and ends with the same refrain: "I was there to hear your borning cry, I'll be there when you are old. I rejoiced the day you were baptized, to see your life unfold." The third verse of the hymn, "I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry" concludes with these words: "When the evening gently closes in, and you shut your weary eyes, I'll be there as I have always been with just one more surprise."

I admit that I have never liked surprises much, but there is a surprise I look forward to along with much anticipated reunions with those "witnesses" who have gone on before me. So yes, "ten good years" is my goal! At the same time, I realize God's plan takes place according to His timing. While I wait, I have the assurance of the Word of God spoken to Joshua:

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged,

for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9 NIV

Heavenly Father, through faith in Jesus Christ and according to Your will, I ask for the blessing of "ten good years". Yet, not my will but Yours be done. Grant me grace to live a life of service to You, my family and fellow humankind. When, at last, my days here on earth are fulfilled, send Your holy angels to take me home and grant me a peaceful transition through death and in to the wonderful surprise of eternal life. In the name of Him who was, who is and who is to come, Amen!

Remembering William "Bill" Snyder

Remembering

William "Bill" Snyder

6 February 1961 - 22 March 2017

Have you ever noticed how quickly time passes while, at the same time, it seems to drag along. One month has passed since Bill's death. 

The psalmist reminds us:

[God,] You turn people back to dust,

saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.”

A thousand years in your sight

are like a day that has just gone by,

or like a watch in the night.

Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death—

they are like the new grass of the morning:

In the morning it springs up new,

but by evening it is dry and withered.

[Psalm 90:3-6 NIV]

And again, the second letter of Peter:

"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." [2 Peter 8-9 NIV]

One month of 31 days has seemed like a lifetime and just a moment in time. Today, I remember.

Remembering

One month has passed since you breathed your last

And not one day goes by that I don’t cry.

Tears flow easy for me as it should be

While others struggle to express themselves with a heavy sigh.

Close family has gathered to say good-bye,

To remember and celebrate the life that was yours.

Tears flowed amidst the stories that show

The lives touched which even you did not know.

Every Wednesday afternoon I watch the clock

As the seconds tick off and the hands move

Closer to twelve and thirty-five

When my heart stops and I am still in shock.

Moving forward is easier said than done.

There is no prescription or “one” path to follow

Even though many will share their own ideas

Of what to do and where to go now that you are gone.

Reminded of your life and your presence daily,

You are there in the thunderstorms as they roll;

In the pictures and the memories we shared.

You left your mark on many from the depth of your soul.

I can only imagine that the singing in your ear

Is so much sweeter than what you heard here!

As the days, months and years march on,

Guided by faith I look forward to a joyous reunion.

22 April 2017

David B. Turnmire

In loving memory of my husband and partner, William “Bill” Snyder

6 February 1961 – 22 March 2017

Messages From Nature: Thunderstorms Abound!

THUNDERSTORM

Lightning flashes and thunder claps; 

Skies turn shades of yellow and hues of green; 

Winds rage and all of nature cowers - 

The thunderstorm draws closer. 

Rain begins to fall and lakes and rivers form 

Where once there was dry land. 

Trees bow before nature’s fury; 

Sheets of water pummel the earth. 

Now the sky is black as midnight – 

It is mid-morning or late afternoon. 

Pinging sounds are heard on roofs and windows; 

Hail adds a new dimension to the storm. 

Captivated by nature’s eruptive forces, 

Staring through the panes of glass, 

He is amazed by the spectacular display – 

Such power unleashed for all to see. 

Sounds of thunder fade into the distance; 

Pouring rain slows to a drizzle; 

Shimmers of light appear on the horizon; 

Birds chirp and squirrels scamper. 

Storm clouds vanish and blue skies appear. 

Rays of sunshine dry the urban landscape. 

Steam rises from once cold pools of water. 

Brilliant rainbow colors mix with azure. 

The life of a thunderstorm! 

 ~ May 20, 2004 ~ 

 Dedicated to William "Bill" Snyder III ~ a true "thunderstorm lover"!

William J. Snyder III Obituary (6 February 1961 – 22 March 2017)

William J. Snyder III

6 February 1961 – 22 March 2017

William J. Snyder III was born February 6, 1961, the son of William J. Snyder Jr. and the former Sandra Wilson in Tyrone, Pennsylvania. Following the death of William J. Snyder, Jr. in May 1961, William was later adopted by his paternal grandparents, William J. “Bill” and Thelma (nee Port) Snyder, Sr. William died Wednesday afternoon, March 22, 2017, at his home in Johnstown, Pennsylvania following a lengthy series of illnesses. His spouse David was at his side.

William “Bill” Snyder III was raised and attended schools in Tyrone, Pennsylvania. During high school, Bill was involved with DECA, participated with the Tyrone-Bellwood high schools’ swim team and played a role in the musical production of Guys and Dolls at Tyrone High School. He graduated from Tyrone Area High School in 1979. On October 28, 1979, Bill was united in marriage to Gloria “Jean” Miller at Tyrone. The couple later divorced. Their marriage was blessed with two sons, David and Matthew.

Bill enlisted in the United States Navy in 1979. Following discharge from the Navy, he was employed by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry based in Clarion, Pennsylvania. After returning to Tyrone, Bill was employed by Gardners peanut processing plant in Tyrone prior to attending South Hills Business School in State College, Pennsylvania. While attending South Hills Business School, Bill was named to the Dean’s List and graduated with honors, earning an Associates’ Degree in Marketing - Management with Microcomputer Option. Prior to graduation, he served an internship at Blue Mountain Quality Resources, Inc. – a software company. Bill was also a member of the South Hills Executives Club. Following graduation, Bill worked as a manager of Martin Oil in Bellwood and later as a nurse’s aide at a nursing home in State College, Pennsylvania.

In 1999, Bill relocated to Boiceville, New York and was employed by the Head Trauma Center in Kingston, New York and later became the lead dispatcher for Valley Courier located in Kingston. Bill relocated to Minnesota in September 2001 and was employed by Methodist Hospital and Park Nicollet Health System, St. Louis Park, Minnesota in food service management. He became a ServSafe Minnesota certified food service manager during this time. Bill became employed by Regis Corporation in IT POS technical support, eventually serving as the principal software and technical support individual for franchise store locations. Health issues contributed to Bill’s permanent disability in 2009.

Bill met David Turnmire in December 2002 and the couple lived in St. Louis Park, Minnetonka and Brooklyn Center, all in Minnesota. In 2010, they moved to Dallas, Texas prior to relocating to Johnstown, Pennsylvania in May 2014. Bill and David were married in a private ceremony on October 4, 2014 in Blair County, Pennsylvania.

Bill enjoyed reading, history, science and most of all, movies. He possessed a vast knowledge of classic movies and movie stars throughout the ages. Bill was an historian of the Academy Awards and Oscar winning movies and actors. He was a fan of cooking, home improvement and paranormal television programming. Bill also enjoyed social networking and in previous years, he and David enjoyed various coffee shops in the Minneapolis and Dallas area.

William J. Snyder III is survived by his spouse and longtime partner, David Turnmire of Johnstown, Pennsylvania; two sons: David (Bailey) Snyder and Matthew Snyder, of Tyrone, Pennsylvania; one grandson, Alex Snyder, also of Tyrone; four step-children: Amy (Jeremy) Malheim of Grand Forks, North Dakota, Ryan Turnmire of Fridley, Minnesota, Alan (Karen) Turnmire, also of Grand Forks and Erin Turnmire of Eagan, Minnesota; four step-grandchildren: Emma and Sidney Malheim of Grand Forks, Mason Jones of Eagan and Owen Turnmire, also of Grand Forks; one sister, Brenda (Joseph) Yucas of Makanda, Illinois; niece Jennifer Yucas and her partner Kayla Stults both of Makanda; a half-brother, Mahlon (Bonnie) Osterhout, Jr. of Sinking Valley, Pennsylvania. He is also survived by numerous other relatives.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William J. “Bill” and Thelma (nee Port) Snyder, Sr.; William J. Snyder, Jr. and Sandra (nee Wilson) Osterhout; one sister, Donna (Donald) Price and numerous aunts, uncles and other relatives.

Received into Christ’s Kingdom and the Christian faith through Holy Baptism on Sunday, July 17, 2016, at home in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Bill had attended various Christian churches, most recently Ascension Lutheran Church in Garland, Texas. God, in His mercy, called William to his eternal rest at the age of 56 years, one month and sixteen days. Bill’s remains will be cremated and will await the glorious resurrection onto eternal life.

GIFTED THROUGH GRIEF

GIFTED THROUGH GRIEF

This article was written in the fall of 1990 and published in the Wyoming edition of  The Lutheran Witness a few months later.

When I received the call to be assistant pastor of Trin­ity Lutheran Church, I had no idea of the challenges and op­portunities that awaited me. From time to time, I remember seminary professors would tell us that they only hoped to pre­pare us adequately for the first sixth months of parish minis­try. Scripture also re­minds me that God does not for­sake His servants and will bless them with the neces­sary gifts to meet those chal­lenges and to serve in His Church.

Since my ordination into the office of the holy minis­try, I have been amazed at how the vast array of life experi­ences which God has given me has served to bless my minis­try among His people. This has certainly been true of the lat­est major occurrence in the life of my family.

Just six weeks after my ordination and installation, my wife, Karen, and I were grieved by the death of our fourth child through miscar­riage.  God has certainly used and will continue to use this event in our lives to bless His Church. We have been gifted through grief. We have been given new insights into the grief that those who experience the death of a child through miscarriage, stillbirth and infant death must face.

It is very difficult to find the right words in the midst of a painful situation like the one we and others have experienced.  Perhaps, there is a message for us in that diffi­culty. One of the most impor­tant ways of healing during grief is to talk about the death and the pain.

All of us, including me, need to be more sensi­tive to the hurts and needs of those who suffer during child­bearing death.  Prior to our experience, I had no idea as to the intensity of grief that follows childbearing loss. For the grieving parents it is a very real and traumatic expe­rience. One of the best ways to be more sensitive is to listen to the parents as they express their grief.  When the oppor­tunity aris­es to speak to the par­ents, we need to speak the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For that mes­sage alone offers reas­surance and comfort to people hurting with grief.  Death is never timely and it is rarely welcome.  In reality, death hurts.  That is why Jesus came, died on the cross and was raised to new life.  All of those things He did for us so that sin and death would lose their sting.  Through our faith in His work, He grants us peace. He gives us that gift, even in the midst of grief.  One member of Trini­ty sim­ply said to me after a Sun­day morn­ing wor­ship service, "The peace of the Lord be with you."  Nothing more was said.  Noth­ing more was needed.

Pastors especially need to be aware of the theological questions that may arise fol­lowing the death of a baby. If there has not been the opportu­nity for baptism, the parents may have concerns about the welfare of their child's soul. After the death of our child, I was asked that ques­tion. I groped for an answer that I was not prepared to give. That question was an­swered beautifully for me by a broth­er in Christ. He reas­sured me by reminding me that God is the God of the living and the dead. All things are in His control, including life and death. God has blessed Karen and me by using us to create life. He has also seen fit to take this child to Him­self without the need for or bene­fit of Holy Baptism. That is truly a mira­cle and a source of joy in the midst of grief.

That we have been gifted through grief is indeed re­mark­able.  For me, it is so re­mark­able because we anticipat­ed the birth of another child as a gift from God. Convinced that we would have another son, I picked a name that reflected that reality, N­athan Glen. From the He­brew root, meaning "to give," the chosen name re­flected the blessing God was seeing fit to give us.

Indeed, God is still blessing us with a gift.  It is not the gift that we ex­pected, but one that will be used to bless others.  As I minister to those who experi­ence grief through childbear­ing loss, I pray that God will use my own grief as a basis to grant me the wisdom to serve with compassion and under­standing. It is also my prayer that He will equip me with the listen­ing and communication skills necessary to make me an effec­tive messenger of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those suf­fering from the heartache which accom­panies the death of a child. Furthermore, I pray that it will enable me to be more sen­sitive to those who experience grief through other losses as well.  Only God knows the ex­tent to which the gift I received through grief will serve as a blessing to others. He will use this gift according to His good and gracious will.      Our Heavenly Father is restoring a sense of peace to the Turnmire home. There will be days when we are saddened by our loss. But we rejoice that God gave us the gift of life, if even for a short time. He has blessed us with four chil­dren, three in our care and one who rests safely in His loving arms. What a wonderful God we have who is able to give us great gifts, even in the midst of our grief.

Rev. David B. Turnmire, 1990