Vol. 17 No. 39 | September 28, 2015

One of my favorite walking trails takes me through a parcel that was once woods and farm land, then a golf course, and now green space. (I’ve written other articles about this place.) One of my favorite parts of the trail passes between two ponds. Like other parts of this tract of land that have provided points for reflection and observation since the closure of the golf course the two ponds remind me of life choices we make on a regular basis: we can choose to survive or we can choose to thrive. (I invite you to listen to Casting Crowns “Thrive” as you read.)

As I walk I see the pond on the left first. Although there may be good reasons, even healthy reasons for a pond to be covered with algae like this one. I am neither a pond-oologist nor an algae-ologist, but most of the time I have every heard algae being discussed it has been in reference to a pond, pool, or stream and in the context of “how do I kill it or get rid of it?” Never in the context of “Ooooh. Isn’t that lovely!” Other than an occasional confused turtle or wandering heron, I rarely see much life in or near this pond. It is as if the pond is in survival mode. Waiting for something to happen to change the course of it’s existence.

On the other side of the path I see another pond. This one seems to be thriving. Turtles love this pond. They are often seen swimming and sunning on rocks or logs in the pond. Birds of all kinds flit around looking for food. Apparently fish enjoy this pond as well because the bank is often populated by the hopeful fisherman. the water is clear and clean. It seems that breeze is almost always blowing across this pond.
Again, I do not know the reason for the different of these two ponds separated by only a short distance (maybe 40-50 feet), and actually connected to some degree by a culvert underneath the road. I do not know the reason, but I see the reality.

So, here is the application. If your life were represented by one of these two ponds, which would it be? Are you just surviving, or are you thriving?

Are you feeling covered up by “stuff”? Do you feel that the very life of you is being choked out of you by unhealthy influences around you, or in you? Do you feel like you are being overrun by people and events that drain the life out of you? When other people are with you do they go away drained and discouraged?
Are you feeling alive? Are you living each day in the knowledge that You are God’s child and that His Spirit is living in and though you? When people are with you do they go away feeling refreshed and hopeful?

Consider these two passages from John’s Gospel.

The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
“Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? (John 4:9-11, NIV)

On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. (John 7:37-39, NIV)

We have a choice in how we live. We have a choice in the what we offer to others. I pray that this week I will choose to in such a way that rivers of living water will flow from within me.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2015. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 38 | September 21, 2015

Even though at one point he had a huge following it was not because he asked for it, it was not because he demanded it, and it was not because he made any effort to get noticed. He just went about doing good. He healed some people. He comforted some people. He even bought a few people who had died back to life. He did not boast about it. He did not do any of the things there were normal for a rising start.

He perplexed some of his followers by staying in the shadows. They encouraged him to develop a better public relations plan. They chastised him for not making more public appearances. They assured him that if he was to have the impact they wanted him to have he would need to improve his street credibility. He ignored their suggestions and went about doing good.

He refused to make himself a bit deal. Once when he healed a man with leprosy (Matthew 8:1-4), then told him not to tell anyone.

When he healed the centurion’s servant (Matthew 8:5-13) he did not need to go to make a scene of it. He simply said the word and the servant was healed.

When he healed Peter’s mother-in-law he did not make a big deal of it. “He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.” (Matthew 8:14-15)

When he did something big he did it in such a way that, except for the people involved, it did not seem like it was a big thing. When he did go out into the light he did it quietly.

In John 9 when he healed the blind man he did not call attention to what he did. A little spit. A little mud. The man goes on his way. When later asked who it was that healed him, the man said he did not know. He could have announced what he was doing, but he did not. He could have followed the once blind man around giving interviews and signing autographs, but he did not.

When he died he did not, although some who were close to him, and some who had followed him, were sad. But for the most part his death attracted very little attention and required no fanfare. Between two thieves he bowed his head and said, “It is finished.”

He did not need the attention. He avoided it. He did not to be recognized. He seemed to enjoy being unrecognized. His life modeled and his teachings encourage a life lived in quietness, simplicity, and obscurity. Live the life. Take care of people. Love one another. Be quiet about it. Let the Father receive the glory.  When it is all over make it a quiet departure.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2015. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 37 | September 14, 2015

You have probably been in one of those situations with a group of friends, family, or co-workers when the conversation shifts from the usual surface talk to something more serious. There may be a pause, or one of those awkward silences when people begin to look at the clock to see if it is twenty minutes past or twenty minutes before the hour.

It is awkward because you know it is the perfect time to raise the conversation from the ordinary to the extraordinary. You can go back to “Did you see that game?” or you can say something like “Hey, can I share something I read in the Gospel of John the other day?” If you choose the first you will get more of the same. If you choose the latter you may get that  uncomfortable silent reaction which might be translated, “Did he really just say that?”

These awkward uncomfortable moments probably come and go more often than we realize because we are so accustomed to allowing the opportunities to pass. It is so easy to keep the conversation light and fluffy so that no one feels judged, is put on the spot, or made to feel the slightest bit uneasy. So, we talk about the weather. We talk about sports. We talk about work. We talk about the children. We may even talk about our church, what is good, what is bad, what we like, and especially we do not like.

We justify and rationalize our action or lack of action by saying we do not want to be seen as too serious or too religious or too rigid or too holy or to this or too that. We justify and rationalize by quoting the one passage we remember from Ecclesiastes: “Do not be over righteous, neither be over-wise — why destroy yourself?” (7:16). We justify and rationalize then we beat ourselves up for missing the opportunity.

Maybe there is a better way. Peter said this, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” (1 Peter 3:15,19, NIV)

“Always be prepared.” Maybe we shy away from this passage because we assume to always be prepared to give an answer means we have all the answers. That is not the point of the passage. We are to always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that we have. There is an assumption: we have hope. Since we have hope, be ready to tell people. Since we have hope, and since we have a reason for our hope, why not break the silence sometimes by sharing the hope that we have. Since we have hope, and since we have a reason for our hope, why not transform the conversation from the mundane to the spiritual.

Will it be awkward? Yes, at times. Will be strange? Yes, at times. Will some people wish you would have let conversation stay on the surface? Yes, some will. Will it be worth the awkwardness? Yes. Will it change the dynamic of your group? Yes. Will it make the conversation be more memorable and meaningful. Absolutely!

When you find yourself squirming in your seat because you sense that awkward moment is approaching, be ready. Think about something you have been reading (something worth sharing). Be ready to share it. Then, share it. The awkwardness will pass.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2015. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 36 | September 7, 2015

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In a section of teaching to the Thessalonian Christians (1 Thessalonians) Paul is describes his ministry. Typical in his writing he begins by expressing his love for them and offering his encouraging praise of their faithfulness to the Lord’s teaching and for the lives that have been formed from that relationship. In chapter two he share some of his personality as he describes the way he ministered to this “chosen” group.

In chapter 2, verse 8 he says, “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you were so dear to us.” This passage and a sequence of recent reminders bring to mind those God has placed in my life who loved me so much, that they shared not only the gospel of God with me but were delighted to share their lives with me as well.

There are those people in my family who prayed for me in my early years, before I even knew them, that God would “deliver me from evil” and lead me in the ways of righteousness. When I was way to young and uninformed to grasp or appreciate it they were committed to pour into me words of life and hope and love and peace. As I grew they began to share their lives with me as well.

I see the faces of men and women who took the time to listen to my struggles, understand my fears and doubts, and tolerate my shortcomings. They apparently saw something in me they thought was worth nurturing. They shared with me the Truth, but they also were delighted to share their lives.

I hear the voices of men and women who cared enough about me that they talked with me honestly and at time brutally words that kept me on the right path and seeking things deeper than the things on the service. They were not afraid to confront me, nor were they hesitant to accept me.

I remember conversations where men and women shared wisdom gained through facing challenges, overcoming obstacles and holding true to their promises. They generously shared their life experiences and offered assurance hope for moving forward.

I feel the hands that were placed on my shoulder by men and women expressing their concern for me, comforting me, and reminding me that I am never alone. They shared their lives with me because I was so dear to them.
Now, it is my turn. What I have received needs to be passed on to those who are following in my footsteps. The words that encouraged me and helped shape my life need to be shared with those who need encouragement and are trying to find their place in the Kingdom.

Because I was so dear to them they were delighted to share their lives with me. Because there were people who considered me so dear to them they were delighted to share ideas, experiences, wisdom and understanding from their lives that have proven to be invaluable to me. Now, because there are people who are so dear to me, I am delighted to share my life, ideas, experiences, wisdom and understanding that hopefully will prove invaluable to other.

I am thankful for those who considered me dear to them, and I am thankful that the Lord has placed people in my life who are very dear to me and that causes me to be delighted to share my life.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2015. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.