Back in January (2013), I was at the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association trustees retreat (oceangrove.org). Pastor Jonathan Miller of the Presbyterian Church in Moorestown, New Jersey spoke to us. He told us a story and gave us each these crosses. The story is a wonderful one, so i want to share it with you today for Easter.
Pastor Jonathan tells the story...
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[These crosses were] Given to me by John Snyder a few years ago, age 88, at the cemetery following the burial of his sister. He flew from New Mexico to Moorestown, NJ for the service.
He told me he believed everything I said about the resurrection, but for years he had never paid any attention to God or anything that looked like a church.
Ten years ago his best friend invited him to read the gospel of John. At first he said, “No,” but then said, “ because you are such a good friend, I’ll read it. Then after reading it … I don’t know what happened … I guess you could say I fell in love with Jesus. I am a retired carpenter and I wondered what could I do that could send along a `sign of hope’ for anyone who needed it. And so it became obvious …. I was a carpenter (like Jesus) …. Why not make a cross … lots of crosses. I’ve given them to hundreds of people and wanted you to have a supply for your ministry.”
John died last year and the stories of his faithfulness to bear witness to the resurrection are still being told.
The story is told to be passed along …
The cross is one way of extending a `sign of hope’ to those who need hope. Folk are welcome to pass the cross on and tell the story of John Snyder and of course they are welcome to keep it.
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Isn't that a great story? I was looking for a verse to go with the theme. I believe this is a good one. Do you have any suggested verses?
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NIV)
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