Monthly Archives: October 2020

God Is for Us

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A Norvell Note forthe week of October 26, 2020

Vol. 23 No. 30

God Is for Us

Surveys and opinion polls abound!

On any given day, we may receive multiple texts, emails, and telephone calls asking us to express our feelings about a product we use, a business we frequent, or a service we have received. As the election nears an end, political parties want us to show our support of a particular candidate or issue by asking for our vote and, in some cases, by making a financial commitment. Voting locations and intersections are overrun with signs and banners pleading for our support.

Our conversations are full of questions like who are you for in the presidential elections, what college team to do you support, what do you think about the virus, social injustice, and global warming?

The media is obsessed with polls showing which candidate is leading by what percentage? Signs planted on the lawns of the neighborhood reveal the resident’s preference. Television ads and social media posts express approval of one candidate or political party over another.

We respond to these solicitations by indicating that we are either for or against them. We base our opinions on whether the person is for and against the same things we are. We trust they mean what they say. We hope they will keep the promises they make during to campaign.

With so many making promises of what they will do for us and how they will stand with us and work for us, it is comforting to know that there is One we know is for us and will be with us no matter what.

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31, NIV)

This verse and the verses that surround it assures us that regardless of promises that we hear, kept, or not kept by politicians, government leaders, businesses, or service organizations, the One that matters is for us. That’s what matters.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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The Life We Are Given

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A Norvell Note for the week of October 19, 2020
Vol. 23 No. 29
The Life We Are Given

I have read and re-read these closing lines from Pàdraig Ò Tuama’s Morning Prayer[1] several times in the last couple of months.

May we love the life that we are given,God be with us.

My initial response was: “Are you serious? During a pandemic with no end in sight? During this election season? During this season of my life?”

When I pause and reflect on my life and my response changes.The Creator of the Universe loves me, forgives me of all my sins, and promises to walk with me through this life.

I am sixty-seven years old and in relatively good health. I just had my annual physical, so some of the numbers needed to be improved, but overall, there were no significant concerns.

I am married to the same woman I married over forty-four years ago, and despite her being married to me for forty-four years, putting up with all my flaws and failures, she says and shows me daily that she still loves me. We are still growing and having fun.

I have two beautiful adult children who have found wonderful spouses, have given us six grandchildren, and they love the Lord and serve Him with passion and graciousness.

I have a good job that enables me to use my God-given skills to help people.
I have an extended family with a rich tradition of faith and faithfulness that makes me feel grateful and proud of my heritage.I have an abundance of friends, many of whom would do anything within their power to help me if I need it.

I live in a lovely house, cool in the summer and warm in the winter and dry when it rains, in a nice neighborhood, two cars in a garage that I can use for my cars. I have more clothes than I can wear and more food than I need to eat. We have two cats that are a delight to watch as they grow and play. I am still able to mow my grass, walk for an hour 3-4 times a week. I have more television stations and programs than I can watch and technology that allows me to communicate with people anywhere in the world in a matter of seconds.

Although I probably failed to name a few things that make this a good life, my time of reflection is ample to help me admit that something is wrong with me if I don’t love this life.

Thank you, God, for giving me life and for giving me this life. I love this life, and I hope to show it by allowing You to live in me and through me.

“I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” (John 10:10, The Message)

May we love the life that we are given, God be with us.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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[1] Ò Tuama, Pàdraig. Daily Prayer with the Corrymeela Community: London. 2017.

Agents of Life

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A Norvell Note forthe week of October 12, 2020

Vol. 23 No. 28

While reading in the Gospel of John, I came across a sticky note at the beginning of chapter 11. That’s the chapter where Lazarus, a close friend of Jesus, has died. Jesus shows up, weeps for, and with the people, then brings Lazarus back to life. The sticky note reads: “Agents of life in a world of death.”  

The quote is from a sermon I heard a few years ago (Thanks Josh Graves) before I began working in hospice care as an encouragement to be life-giving people in our communities. Now it speaks more directly to my role in the lives of my patients and their families. I am an agent of life in a world of death.

During this season of political and social, and the number of deaths from the Coronavirus has surpassed 210,000, we all can be agents of life in a world of death.

We can be agents of life in a world of death with our words. We can speak the truth, speak clearly, speak with kindness.

We can be agents of life in a world of death with our actions. “Act justly and love mercy and walk humbly with your God.”

We can be agents of life in a world of death with our presence. This message continually rings in my ears: Be present. Live in the now. Be where you are.

Being agents of life in a world of death is both a challenge and an honor. To think that our words, actions, and physical presence can make a positive difference is what being a follower of Jesus is all about. It is what being human is all about.

As you go about your day, remember you are an agent of life in a world of death. Give life. Give hope.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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Listen and Be Present

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The week of October 5, 2020                                                             Vol. 23 No. 27

Hello. How have you been?

After twenty plus years of writing and sharing A Norvell Note, it was strange not to do that for three months. I hope you have been well during these last three months that you and your loved ones are healthy and that you are thriving more than just surviving these strange, stressful, and sometimes troubling times.

What have I been doing for the last three months? I have intentionally tried to be quiet and listen.

I have listened to podcasts, Scripture reading, sermons, counselors, doctors, newscasts, family, friends, music, nature, body, and mind. More than anything or anyone, I’ve tried to listen to the Lord.

I have listened for wisdom in how I can improve A Norvell Note. As we re-start or re-open, you won’t notice any significant difference, but hopefully, better things are ahead.

I have listened for wisdom on understanding what we are experiencing during this time of isolation due to the pandemic, social unrest, personal and political polarization, and the overall sense of confusion that permeates our world. I have not attained great or profound revelations, but I know that God is aware of everything, He is not afraid or confused, and He is very present with us in our journey. That has not changed.

I have listened for wisdom to know what I need to do and be during these strange days. The understanding that has come to me has come clearly and often from multiple sources: Be present. That may seem simplistic, but it has been invaluable. Be present and live in the moment. Stop trying to live in what was or what might be. My family needs me to be present. I need to be present with my friends. I must be present in my work. It is okay and right to be present with me.

So, three months have passed since I last shared my thoughts with you. I hope I a little bit wiser and better equipped with the tools to share my understanding of God and what it means to live as a follower of Jesus in these challenging times. It’s good to be back, and I hope you will continue to read and share your comments with me. My email is tomorvell@mac.com.

 A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved