<> Ask the Pastor The Rev. Walter Snyder Spring hurtles into summer; the Sundays of Easter likewise are fleeing. The Sixth Sunday being today, only one remains. Thursday is the celebration of the Ascension of Our Lord. "I go to prepare a place for you," he said. Still, he remains with us through his Word, Baptism, Supper, and Absolution, and with his Holy Spirit. Such glad news deserves good times in the paper, as well (and as hoped for at the end of last week's column). And surely there is much for which to thank and praise him, throughout our area and our world. Q: Pastor, I enjoy reading your advice for people with problems. You confront sin firmly, but graciously. Still, my favorites are when you find good things to write about. Could you do me the favor of cheering me up? A: Hmm. Is this a case of spring yardwork blues? Anyhow, I, enjoy saying nice things nicely. There's much for which we can give thanks. By the time you read this, more will have happened, but the lead-time for this article is longer than usual. I'm writing on the 3rd of May, preparing for a week of classes at my seminary in St. Louis. The Theological Symposium held there this year will focus attention on the Gospel. I hope to learn to appreciate and to communicate even better the Savior's love for me and all others. I also hope for an enjoyable time with my pop, with whom I will share a ride from Honey Grove, Texas to St. Louis and back. Relating to this, I'm thankful that the fever I've had since Monday the 29th of April seems to have finally left me. I can preach Sunday (the 5th), then drive safely north. Our Father has blessed me with congregations which appreciate my need to continue learning and growing. They not only allow me to participate in such experiences, they encourage me and financially support me in this effort. (They also have great potlucks!) Speaking of driving, last week's column thanked the Granite crews for their work. We should also be thankful that our prayers for safer highways are being answered by the work on Highway 190 and elsewhere. Living in a beautiful, green corner of the world is nice, but getting around in it safely isn't bad either. So if you have a chance, why not say something to the local highway workers, the local engineer, or even send a note to the state DOT? The Lord loves not only cheerful givers, but also cheerful recipients. We've also gotten some rain, and can thank the Lord for its refreshment to our moisture-thirsting ground and plants. The explosion of wildflowers over the past few weeks has adorned this part of creation is lovely fashion, has it not? And if you have some in your lawn, what a beautiful excuse for postponing the inevitable firing-up of the lawnmower. We can also thank God for another year's crop of graduating seniors at our area high schools. Sometimes we forget that these young people are more than "America's future." They, and the younger children still in school or too young to start, are also part of America's present. Most of all, they are part of the Lord's eternity. We can see the work of Christian parents, dedicated teachers, and churches faithful to the Gospel in so many of these children. And we can redouble our efforts to address the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of them and of those who are still outside the faith and in even greater need. Coupled with this, I give thanks for the Boys and Girls Club of Jasper. The Club works especially hard with those children who need adult supervision and extra guidance during the school year and through the summer. It provides an alternative to an empty home, mindless TV, and too much time on their hands. The children get help with homework, plus special projects which teach life skills and build confidence in their ability to succeed. The end of May brings the Club's annual "Steak and Burger Dinner." Local contributions have helped, and I pray that they will be increased this year. The need to help our children never decreases. Additionally, I hope and pray that those who support the Club with contributions will also contribute a few hours of time to actually attend the dinner. Being there tells these children that they really matter to us, and that we who have been blessed with some manner of success in this world wish the same success for them. Hopefully, this is enough good news for a week, as I am out of space. Until next week, I invite you to "Ask the Pastor" more at P.O. Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; E-mail xrysostom@aol.com, or just flag me down when you see me around Deep East Texas. Walter Snyder is the pastor of St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches, Jasper and Woodville, Texas, and coauthor of "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1996 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.