"How is it going Norm?"
" Good."
" Are you doing O.K.? "
"I'm fine"
"No, How are you really doing?"

Well if you really want to know keep on reading.

First of all forgive me if you have had this familiar conversation with me before. I know there are a lot of brothers and sisters out there who love Nichole and I very much and are concerned about not only the temporal things that we are going through but also the eternal. We both have practiced James 1:2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trails. This verse is all to familiar with most christians and needs to be put into practice whether your going through a great trail or a really small trail. The question that comes to mind is how can we have joy in such a unjoyful time. First of all christians are commanded to look upon them with all joy. Our Lord provides His children with the fullness of joy when they are willing and uncomplainingly enduring troubles while trusting in Him. He will always use them for our benefit and His glory and we can trust the Lords promises and His goodness to us. Our joy is knowing the Lord more, who is the source of joy, by becoming more sensitive to His presence,His goodness, His love, and His grace.
Nichole and I are full of joy and the only thing that stops that joy is our own sin. Whether it be a big trail like cancer or a small little trail like when you come home from work and you noticed four little tornadoes just came through your house and knocked every object to the floor. Remember your joy in in our Lord.
norm