tribute

Last Saturday (Jan 24), my friend Norman Goehring entered into the waiting arms of Jesus, his Lord, Savior, and Comforter. Norman had spent a little over two years battling the ravages of ALS on his body. Today is the service that will celebrate his life. Norman was gregarious--full of joy and energy. He was kind and encouraging. He was a man who lived out the power and peace of his faith. His laugh was one that anyone who met Norman cannot forget. I think God gives that kind of laughter to few people--Norman was one of those people. The last time I saw Norman was at his home in Clovis during the Christmas holidays of 2007. He could speak through a device in his trach, which I found difficult to understand. But, his eyes communicated so much. He was at peace then and was always gracious. I found encouragement in Norman's walk with the Lord. He never wavered outwardly (and I believe never inwardly as well)in his faith and confidence in Christ as his redeemer. Christ paid the price of all our sins so that we can be remade in His perfect image. Norman was confident in this redemption of his soul and so even as disease ravaged his body and perhaps Satan tempted Norman's mind, he always confessed Jesus as his Lord, Savior and mighty redeemer. Norman bore testimony to this truth in the almost 20 years that I knew him. While I left Fresno nearly six years ago, Norman remained my friend and I am convinced that neither death or life has separated Norman from the wonderful and holy love of Jesus Christ. My friend would say even now as he walks in the presence of God, "To Him be all the praise and glory. Amen."