Vol. 17 No. 30 | July 28, 2014

This is my plea: Let’s just be the church.

You may begin reading and think, “Man, this guy is angry!” I am not (and if you say that again I may unfriend you on Facebook). That was a joke. I am not angry. I am not bitter. I am not one of those “against everything” people. The goal of my preaching, teaching, writing and counseling is to help people know Jesus and follow His teachings. If you do not believe that look at my Twitter profile (@TomNorvell). That means it has to be true, right? I am for doing everything within our power and using everything available to us to help people know Jesus and follow his teaching.

I am not angry, but I am tired. I am tired of us pretending to be the church but not living like we are the church. I am tired of us playing silly and ridiculous games that make people think we are the church but failing to follow through with the loving message of God.

At times it appears that we are more committed to trying what is trending to get people into our buildings than we are to being what we need to be when we interact with people. We sometimes seem more concerned about convincing people that we are right, they are wrong and that they better join our team than we are of loving them like they are and where they are. Sometimes it appears that we have forgotten who we are.

We are not…

A civic club.
A social club.
A country club.
A coffee shop.
A fast food restaurant.
A resort.
A discount department store.
An entertainment center.
A complaint department.
A recreational facility.
A political party.
A judicial system.

There is nothing wrong with any of those businesses and organizations. They all serve a good purpose in our communities. I am not against any of them. I am not suggesting that we are better than any of those businesses or organizations, nor am I ignoring the fact that we can learn much about connecting with people from these businesses and organizations. But, they are not the church. We are. We should not expect them to be what God has called us to be.

Let’s just be the church!

Let’s just be what Jesus told us we are.

Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16, NIV)

Living as light and salt is different.

Living as light and salt is bringing good things to people. The good news. Good attitudes. We are good neighbors. We are good hosts and hostesses. We are good people. We make life better for people around us.

Living as light and salt is surprising people by loving them, being patient with them, and going the second and third mile with them.

Living as light and salt is not giving up on people even when they fail again and again and again.

Living as light and salt is forgiving them even when they don’t ask for it or deserve it.

Living as light and salt is using language that encourages, lifts up, and refreshes people around you.

Living as light and salt is being generous with people who do not expect you to be generous with them, and more generous than you are normally.

Living as light and salt is listening when you prefer to talk, and sometimes talking when you would prefer to remain silent.

Living as light and salt is protecting the weak, helping those who are helpless, and defending the defenseless.

Living as light and salt is walking with and in the Spirit and dumping the garbage in our lives and leaving it behind.

Living as light and salt is refusing to play foolish and stupid religious games and getting serious about imitating God.

Living as light and salt is loving God and His people.

This is my plea: Let’s just be the church.

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 29 | July 21, 2014

After I had completed my comments I moved back to my seat as others continued participation in the time of communion. Just as I was about to sit down a young woman whom I had never met moved up beside me and introduced herself. She had been present a time or two before but we had never talked.

She proceeded to tell me how she felt compelled by God to talk to me. I assumed she was struggling with something and needed prayer or guidance. I was stunned to learn that she was simply seizing the moment to encourage me. She was not needing me to tell her “everything will be alright,” to offer words of hope for her, nor did she need me to pray for her. Instead, she wanted to encourage me.

She spoke of how she felt the presence of God in me as I spoke. She sincerely explained that she genuinely felt that God was using me to make a difference in this church and that she was deeply grateful for me letting Him guide me as I serve in His Kingdom.

That’s it. She encouraged me and then moved back to her seat.

I learned later that she had shared similar words with another of our members. Both of us expressed how we were moved to tears.

Earlier in the service our youth minister shared this passage:

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:19–25, NIV84)

This kind and attentive woman obviously took God at His word and considered how she might “spur another on toward love and good deeds.”

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,…” (Hebrews 10:24, New English Version)

“Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out,…” (Hebrews 10:24, The Message)

She had considered, she pondered it, she thought about how she might encourage me. Then, she did it.

She sought me out of the crowd. She took the risk of interrupting me from my private thoughts about the Lord’s sacrifice and encouraged me.

She took advantage of the opportunity to share a kind and genuine message of encouragement with the one who sees it as his role to encourage others.

She was creative. She was brave. She could have waited until the end of the service. She could have written me a note, or a text, or an email. She could have messaged me on Facebook. She did none of these. Instead she took advantage of a moment to tell me face to face that she sensed God’s presence in me.

I felt guilty for assuming she was a needy person coming to ask me for help. I felt ashamed of my arrogance. I felt sad that I had labeled her as a taker. I felt all that, but mostly I felt blessed that she was a giver and a noticer and an encourager. I felt honored that she had taken the time to seek me out and share the message God had placed on her heart.

I was blessed that morning. I will continue to be blessed every time I think about her. I will be challenged by her example to seek out someone to encourage, someone to bless, or someone to express my appreciation for how they are allowing God to be visible in and through them.

Let’s see how inventive and creative we can be in encouraging others to love and do good deeds. Let’s consider it and let’s do it.

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 28 | July 14, 2014

While visiting our son and his family in Brooklyn, New York recently we spent quite a bit of time walking. Only rode the subway one time. The rest of the time we walked. We walked to restaurants. We walked to the stores. We walked to the farmers market. We walked to the coffee shop. Mainly, we walked to parks.

While in the city the weather was unbelievably comfortable, except for a couple of days when it was oppressively hot. Going to the park on those days was not a bad walk, it was mostly down hill. Going home from the park was another story. It was hot. We were tired. We were hungry. It seemed like every street was up hill. We would turn at an intersection hoping we had reached a plateau. It seemed as though we were always walking up hill.

Life feels that way some times.

Occasionally we will have a down hill day, or week, or month. Life is easy. Like…well…a “walk in the park.” Everything comes easy. Work is easy. Relationships are easy. Marriage is easy. Being single is easy. Being a teenager is easy. Parenting is easy. School is easy. Spirituality is easy. Communication is easy. Sports are easy. Life is good!

Then, we get tired. We come to a hill. A big hill. A steep hill. And the hill goes on and on and on. We reach a plateau and think, “Ah, we made it,” only to face another hill to climb. It seems like we are always walking up hill.

In those times nothing comes easy. Life is hard. Work is hard. Relationships are hard. Marriage is hard. Being single is hard. Being a teenager is hard. Parenting is hard. School is hard. Spirituality is hard. Communication is hard. Sports are hard. Life is not good.

We want to quit. We want to stop walking. But, we can’t. If we quit, we’ll never make it home. We will never make it to the air conditioning. We’ll miss the refreshment of the cold glass of water that awaits us. We will miss the fellowship of resting with the family. We will never be able to look back and share the memories of what we experienced. We can’t quit.

For much of Jesus’ life He walked the world as if He were walking down hill in the shade. He went about teaching, touching, healing, encouraging and giving hope to weary travelers. He assured them that though in this world life is difficult, He has overcome the world. He encouraged them to walk and not quit. As He walked the people could see that there really was joy in His journey.

One day Jesus started up a hill. As He walked He carried a cross. His cross. When He could not carry it alone someone helped Him carry it to top of the hill. When He reached the top He died.

Those watching assumed his journey was a waste. We know that it was not. At the end of the upward climb was victory. At the top of the hill death was defeated. At the end of His climb the Father was glorified.

As we walk, even when it seems our walk is all uphill, we remember that because He climbed the hill victory is ours. We remember that at the top of the hill there will be reunion, restoration, refreshment, and rest.

Keep walking and remember He has walked up the hill before you, and He is walking with you now.

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 27 | July 7, 2014

I sat in the packed church sanctuary for the memorial service of a minister friend who served one church for forty years. Co-workers, friends, and family members shared memories and offered praise for a life well lived. Videos and music illustrated the fullness and richness of this good man’s life. There were tears, there was laughter, there was joy and there was sorrow.

As I listened I wondered, what if that were me, what would they say? Would people talk about what a fun guy I was? Would they share stories of how I enjoyed the journey? Would they talk about how much I loved people and how much I loved the Lord? Would they talk about me making a difference in the lives of people? Would my co-workers talk of what a privilege and joy it was to work with me? Would it be a celebration of my life or would it be a sad memorial for a man whose life had simply come to an end?

I’m not fishing for affirmation or compliments. For me to spend the time during and after a memorial service reflecting on my own life is fairly normal. Maybe a bit more at this service because he was a minister, so close to my own age, and such a good guy.

These reflective thoughts may have been more intense after having had contact with two men earlier in the week who have helped shape my life in very powerful ways. The conversations with these two men reminded me of the commitment I made many years ago to live “life to the full” (John 10:10). All of this together remind me of who I want to be, who I have tried to be, and the legacy I want to leave. It caused me to recommit myself to throw off distractions that keep me from living the life I want to live and the life I believe the Lord wants me to live.

A few months back I designed a bracelet. You know the bracelets I’m talking about. The colorful rubberized kind that so many wear. After wearing a couple of different ones for several years I decided to combine them into one of my own. [Photo above]

The message is simple and formed out of Scripture:

No Complaints!

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. (Philippians 2:14-16)

No Fear!

For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” (Isaiah 41:13)

Finish Strong

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (1 Timothy 4:6-8)
As a companion to those three phrases I want people to be able to look at me and remember me as a man who lived, as Paul instructed, “Walk by the Spirit.” To live a life that is characterized by these qualities. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Emphasis mine) Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” (Galatians 5:22-26)

Somewhat like Joshua, “You can choose to live however you please to live, but as for me, and I hope my household, I’m going to live like this.”

No Fear.

No Complaints.

Finish Strong.

A life characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.