Vol. 20 No. 26 | June 25, 2018

Live As Jesus Did

If you have a favorite sports team, you probably have a shirt, hat, or jacket you wear on game day to show your support. You may go to great lengths and distances to see them play, support them, and demonstrate you’re a loyal fan.

You may work for a company that requires you to wear a uniform and/or badge to identify you as an employee. You wear it with pride because it shows that you are a member of something you are proud of.

If you are married, you may wear a ring on your left hand to signify you have devoted your life to one special person.

Religious groups tend to place all kinds of requirements on one another that are designed to prove we are really who we claim to be. Some groups require attendance to certain events to prove we are who we say we are. Some groups require us to use certain language that outsiders are not familiar with. Another group may require us to meet certain standards before we are considered worthy of membership.

Meeting these requirements can become so much of a burden that many will give up in frustration and despair. But that wasn’t the plan for Jesus and His followers. In fact, one of His only requirements for being a follower is revealed in this simple statement:

“Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” (1 John 2:6)

Let’s try to do that. It’s not necessarily an easy task and may require more out of us than we might think. But I think it’s worth an honest attempt.

When confronted with criticism and opposition, respond like Jesus did.

When faced with seemingly impossible situations, face them like Jesus did.

When comforting a sick or grieving friend, comfort them like Jesus did.

It won’t always be easy. It won’t always be fun. But it will bring you more pleasure than you might imagine. It won’t always be the thing you really want to do, but in the long run you will be glad you lived like Jesus did.

So this week, relax and enjoy living like Jesus did.

To order my book, Until Hope Returns click here Order the Book.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2018 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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Vol. 20 No. 25 | June 18, 2018

I heard about another church leader who is discouraged. Then, I heard of another who is frustrated, and another who wants to quit after serving his ministry for many years.

Don’t worry, this is not a discourse on how ministers, church leaders, and their families are mistreated. Yes, many are treated poorly. But I’d like to focus on the positive and make a few suggestions on how we can encourage our leaders.

NOTE: I consider a ‘church leader’ to be anyone who serves in a leadership role, such as a preacher, teacher, worship leader, youth leader, elder, shepherd, or deacon.

First, take every opportunity to say something encouraging.

To the person leading the sermon, for instance, I guarantee he or she needs to hear something encouraging. When speakers share the Word in front of a group of people, they become easy targets for criticism. The was too long or too short. You were too loud, or not loud enough. Your sermons are too deep, or too shallow. For every ten positive comments received, it is the negative one that will consume his or her thoughts afterward.

We need to remember that these leaders have worked for hours during the week preparing something to offer words of encouragement, help us know God better, and live more like Jesus. We need to do the same for them.

Maybe say something like, “I loved that story you shared, thank you.” Or, “I never thought of that perspective before.” Or, “Thank you for all that you do for us.”

Second, pray for your leaders.

Pray for them to have wisdom and discernment. Pray for them to lead with boldness and gentleness. Pray for them to withstand the attacks they receive on a daily basis- from church members disguised at what can feel like the enemy. Pray for them to clearly see and hear the Lord’s guidance for them and the church. Tell them you are praying for them.

Third, support them.

Let those who lead you spiritually feel your support and know you appreciate their leadership. Support them financially. Support them emotionally and with your physical presence. It’s difficult to lead courageously when you feel like you’re all alone, when you’re not sure you can pay your bills, or when you’re sad and discouraged.

Fourth, love them.

Just love them. No matter what. No matter when. No matter how. Just love them like Jesus would love them.

Yes, I recently heard of another discouraged church leader. It always saddens me. I always want to do something to help. I may not be able to change the circumstances or fix what is happening. But I can encourage them. I can pray for them, support them, and assure them that I love them…no matter what, no matter when, no matter how.

I can love them like Jesus. So can you.

To order my book, Until Hope Returns click here Order the Book.

To view the video click here: Until Hope Returns, and order it at Order the Book.

There will be two book signings in the Nashville area on June 23.

One in Lebanon from 10 AM-Noon at 3:Sixteen Boutique (108 East Main Street)

Another at The Well Coffeehouse (690 East Old Hickory Boulevard, Brentwood, TN 37027) from 7-9 PM

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2018 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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Vol. 20 No. 24 | June 11, 2018

To order my book, Until Hope Returns click here Order the Book.

To view the video click here: Until Hope Returns, and order it at Order the Book.

The weather is different. The air feels different. The traffic, neighborhoods and houses are different. The landscapes, sunrises and sunsets are different. My work and routine are different.

But although I’ve experienced a lot of changes since moving across country, much has stayed the same.

God has not changed. He still loves us and continues to demonstrate His love on a daily basis. He continues to guide us as we make decisions and remind us of His presence. He continues to open new avenues of friendship and reveal His purpose for our lives. God is still good.

The way people are has not changed. Some are nice, and some are not. Some are friendly, and some are not. Some are life-giving, and some drain the life out of you.

No matter where you go, people are searching for meaning, striving to improve, and possibly feel like something is missing. Even if they don’t always know what that is, the pace at which they try to find it continues.

There is still a need for kindness and understanding. There is still a need for gentleness, love and peace.

Surroundings change. Circumstances change. People and relationships change. But life goes on, bringing. Life brings good days and bad ones. It gives us days filled with joy and days filled with sadness. Life challenges us and life rewards us.

The circumstances and surroundings of my life have changed dramatically over the last several weeks. But I am still loved, I am still a child of God, and I am still living with the assurance that He takes pleasure in me.

You may not realize it, but the same is true for you. Whatever is or is not going on inside and around you, and whatever you have done or not done, God still loves you. Wherever you go, God is with you, and you are His child. Whatever happens or does not happen, you can live with the assurance that the One who created you takes great pleasure in you.

I hope you find peace in these certainties.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2018 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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Vol. 20 No. 23 | June 4, 2018

It’s official. We closed on our home, and with the help of dear friends, loaded the rental truck and said our goodbyes. After two days traveling, we arrived at our new home, greeted by church friends who helped us unload the truck in about thirty minutes. What a blessing!

We now live in Texas near our daughter, her husband and two of our granddaughters. And I begin my new job on Monday.

More exciting news: my book, Until Hope Returns, was officially released on June 1.

You can see a video about the book here: Until Hope Returns, and order it at Order the Book

I am blessed and loved and very thankful…a good start to our new adventure.

A Norvell Note© Copyright 2018 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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