Norm, continued:

Norman loves guns and shooting.  He was his police department’s armorer and took care of their equipment.  He shot in competitions with other officers from around the State of California and one year qualified for the Governor’s top 20 shooters in the State – quite an accomplishment.

When Norm retired he went to work as a gunsmith for a retail store and he also managed the Town House association, over 200 units, where he lived.  He was accomplished at both.  One time I was talking with a gunsmith up here in The Dalles.  I showed him a gun that Norm had loaned me and as he looked at it and worked the action; he said, whoever fine-tuned this weapon did an outstanding job.  That, of course, had been Norm.

Norman is pretty blunt, if you don’t want his opinion, don’t ask for it – and he will often give it without a request.  I remember introducing him to his younger sister’s suitor, Chris (who of course wanted to make a good impression on this older brother of his girl.)

All three of us were in law enforcement.  After the introduction I told Chris we were talking about our duty weapons.  Chris said he carried a Browning 59 (a 9mm semi-auto with a 15 round clip).

Without hesitation Norman told him it was garbage.  He was referring to the round, which in his – and others – opinion is not a good round for law enforcement.  But for a few moments, for me at least, I didn’t realize he was talking about the cartridge not the weapon.  Norman has never been known to withhold critical information.......  Chris took it well.

Norm is a multi-faceted person.  He is quite the photographer and at one time took wedding photos for friends, their friends, and others - doing it as a side while in law enforcement. 

I can remember one time when he brought up a new camera and equipment.  He had obtained it from a person going through bankruptcy.  He paid considerably less than what it was worth – it was one of the finest cameras money could buy.  He was anxious to try it out.

We went out to Smith Rocks, just north of Redmond, as he wanted to take some photos with it – in particular highlighting a juniper tree.  He took a long time setting up the camera on a tripod, making sure he had just the right lens, framing and reframing this large juniper tree.  He had it set just right, the light was good, it was perfect.  He took ONE photo, broke down the camera and we headed back to the folks’ house.

Now I am not sure how long we were out there, I know it was a good four hours or more, and most of that was setting up the shot.  I was getting a little nervous because Carla and I had a dinner engagement with some friends that evening, and the early afternoon was turning into evening.  We made it on time, barely.

Several months later Carla and I were down at his place and I asked to see the photo.  It did look good – except he had used the wrong film!  It had a pinkish tinge to it.  It was nice to know he wasn’t perfect.

Norm has a number of hobbies and does well with each of them, some of which he has used to earn him a small stipend and/or praise and awards.  He makes knives – and sells them, privately, to people all over the world, he is an artist and likes to work in both wood and leather.  He writes, well, and writes journals of his trips abroad as well as for a leather magazine and I am not sure for what else.

He, and Carla, have continued in the family tradition of gardening; he is a member of his local Master Gardeners’ Club.  He and a few friends have a very large green house in which they start and often continue their vegetables – especially tomatoes – as the climate he lives in is not conducive to growing tomatoes.  I enjoy pointing out that Carla has ‘real’ tomatoes grown outside in the fresh air and real sunshine.

It is safe to say that Norm is one of my best friends.  He stood up for me at my wedding to Carla and I stood up for him at his.  He has helped me grow as a person for over half a century.  I admire the man and his abilities.  He is a great brother-in-law, but even greater friend.  

Colossians 1:27-29  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

²⁸ Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

²⁹ Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

I was talking with someone that thinks Christians have to be the most miserable people in the world. 

After all, they are always concerned about how they look to others, how pious, or religious.  They can’t have fun because it is against the rules so they are never happy. 

They are always worried about what happens when they die and are always trying to covert everyone.  No one likes to be around them because they are so depressing...

Of course, it is easy to be happy go lucky if you are not concerned about the fall out.  Too many people are like this person, they focus on their personal happiness NOW, without regard to their eternal soul.

However, he also had a point, sometimes we are so concerned about offending God we get in the way of our witnessing to others.  God isn’t overly concerned about our happiness; He is much more concerned about our spiritual condition.

But if we portray such a somber attitude without reflecting the joy that is in our hearts from our salvation, we are not going to be effective in convincing others that salvation is a good thing – indeed a necessary activity.

I am often reminded of a friend of mine who worked in construction.  Construction people can be pretty crass and these men were, telling off color jokes making comments about women that were inappropriate, etc.  I have seen some Christians listen and laugh at these things, so they didn’t feel left out.

I have seen others get their back up and start preaching at the men – and while that was admirable and they made their point, they also failed to convince them of Christ’s love.  Rather than educate and make them aware of their sins, they helped build another wall instead of pointing the way to Christ, they made a stumbling block. 

It doesn’t mean that they were wrong in their speaking up, but a little more wisdom in their choice of words and/or attitude would have made a big difference in their conversation. 

My friend, though, when he would hear these off-color jokes wouldn’t laugh.  He would tell his own, clean jokes.  Now the guys knew he was a Christian, but the manner in which he witnessed to them changed things around the workplace.  Obscene language and jokes almost disappeared.  There was a more respectful attitude towards each other and this man in particular.

His demonstration of his stand for Christ, his willingness to share Christ to his coworkers was enhanced by his ability to not condemn out right, but subtlety change the conversations and the mindsets of his colleagues.  

Living for and teaching Christ can take many forms.  There are times we just need to walk away and if questions be blunt as to why.  There are times we need to confront the sinful behavior with boldness and straightforward talk.  There are times changing the conversation is the wisest decision.  There are times that saying nothing, but acting as a Christian who loves God and wants to share that love is more appropriate.

God doesn’t require us to do the same thing in all circumstances.  He doesn’t want us to be so concerned about heaven that we forget He created this beautiful planet for us to enjoy.  He has given us great gifts, starting of course with Christ, but also the many wonders of our world.  If our relationship is right with Him, then He will guide us in our witnessing.

We can use the joy of our salvation to appreciate what He has done for us.  There ARE times we may not be sure of just what we should do in a given situation, but as we study God’s Word, as we learn to accept the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit we find we worry less about how we are serving God, and just serve.

There will always be detractors about us and our walk with God.  It is to be expected, no one likes to be reminded either by word or deeds that they are living in sin.  But as we live for Christ in His Holy Spirit, our walk can convict, it can show Christ’s love and compassion even to the worse sinners and we can teach them by our actions – which often open up a dialogue about our faith and then their salvation.

We want people to see the Joy of salvation.  Yes, we do want to live a Holy and pure life and strive to do that the best way possible – but as we live our life in Him, let us look like we have Joy, not like we are burdened by God, but uplifted by Him.

We have something that everyone needs and chances are we will meet many of these needy people every time we go into public.  Let us show them that a life in Christ brings about a positive change in our attitudes towards others.  Let them see the work God has done within us; some will desire to know why and will give us the opportunity to tell them. 

Later, Art :-)

From the ColumbiaRiverGorgeous
May Our Good Lord Bless and Keep YOU....’til we meet again