A Norvell Note for February 1, 2021

Vol. 23 No. 05

Hope Even in the Haze

Let me introduce you to Haze and Hope. Haze and Hope were three weeks old when we brought them home in late April of 2020. As you can see, they have grown considerably since then. Haze is the larger and fluffier brother, and Hope is the smaller sister.

Haze’s name came from his thick fluffy and hazy smoke-colored fur (and one of my favorite songs from high school was “Purple Haze” by Jimi Hendrix). Hope got her name because last year was the 50th anniversary of my graduation from Hope High School. Little did we imagine when we named them how hazy life would become and how desperately we would need to cling to the hope we have in Christ to get through the year.

They have become a calming presence in our home and have reminded me of these essential truths.

When I am with Him, I can rest.

A regular part of our morning routine is for Haze and Hope to take turns jumping up in my lap while I’m at my desk, curl up in my arms, and fall asleep. Haze often races me to my chair. Once situated, He flops in my arms and dozes. Hope prefers to be rubbed and scratched around her ears and under her chin. If my hands are too busy on my keyboard or sipping coffee, both will look up at me, meow, reach up a paw, and pat me on the chest as if to say, “Hey, I’m here!”

I find rest in the presence of my Master. I at peace when I hear His voice. I breathe with his comforting touch. I need to be as close to Him as I can be. The Master is never too busy for me. I am comforted and refreshed by being in His presence.

When I am afraid, I have a safe place.

A few occasions have been when a loud noise or uninvited visitor to our back yard has frightened our felines. When that happens, they bolt through the pet door and head straight to our bedroom. My wife and I will comfort them as best we can. I will step out the back door, searching for what brought on their sudden terror, and then reassure them that they are safe. After a period of recovery, Hope and Haze will feel brave enough to venture back outside.

Sometimes I get scared by a strange event or sudden shifts in my surroundings. I am grateful that I can run to the One who comforts me, protects me, defends me, and reminds me that I am safe in the His presence. He reminds me that He is my shelter and refuge.

When I cannot see clearly, I have hope.

Throughout the last twelve months, we have been encouraged to stay hopeful, hang on to our faith, and remain optimistic. We have tried to look forward to better days. We have struggled not to lose heart. It has not been easy to stay hopeful, there have been days when doubt and fear have almost consumed us, and yet we, by the grace of God we remain confident.

I offer these words to encourage us to remember that during a pandemic and beyond, our vision can become hazy, life can seem futile, and fear will try to weaken our faith and take away our hope. We can find rest in His presence. We can find comfort in knowing we have One who welcomes us into the safety of His loving arms. We can find peace in knowing He is your shelter in the storm.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2021 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note for January 25, 2021

Vol. 23 No. 04

Trust Him and Live

Trust God from the bottom of your heart;

 don’t try to figure out everything on your own.

 Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;

 he’s the one who will keep you on track. (Proverbs 3:5-6, The Message)

Solomon offers us a simple plan for keeping our lives moving along a safe and positive path. Let’s look closer at the wise man’s teaching.

Completely trust God. The New International Version says, “With all your heart.” As you can see above, The Message says, “From the bottom of your heart.” Jesus would emphasize the first commandment, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.” Give it all to Him.

Accept your limitation. The reason we trust God is that we cannot figure everything out on our own. That is not easy for us to admit. We tend to think we are smarter than we are. We do not want to accept that we need something beyond us. It may be difficult to admit, but wisdom teaches there is One who knows what is best.

Listen to God’s voice. Always listen to God’s voice. All the time. About everything. Don’t just listen but do what He says. Submit your will, your wisdom, and your knowledge, and your abilities to God. Let Him be in control.

Walk the path. You have what you need to do, start walking. Live the life. Trust His plan.

We spend too much time and energy trying to determine what God wants us to do, who we are to be, and how we live. Even in these confusing and stressful times, it is possible to live with confidence and peace. God never intended for us to live chaotic and aimless lives.

Trust Him and live.  

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2021 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.

A Norvell Note for January 18, 2021

Vol. 23 No. 03

A Place of Peace

May I suggest that you find a quiet place, take a few deep cleansing breaths, calm your mind, and read these words.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:4-9, NIV)

As reassuring as these words are to read, they are not always easy to practice during these anxious times. So, you may need to read them a second and third time. Be open to the certainty that God is speaking to you. Pause and meditate on words and phrases that resonate with you.

A return to these themes helps me reorder my inner world and return to a place of peace.   

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. When I remember that the Lord is near that I am in His presence; it is easier for me to be gentle. God may appear in the tears of a frightened patient. The laughter of a child may signal His presence. The voice on the phone may remind you that He is near. You may see Him in the eyes above the mask of a co-worker. You may be His face in the mirror. Be gentle with them. Be gentle with yourself. The Lord is near.

Present your requests to God. Give it all to God, write them down, or say them out loud. Whatever it is, He wants to know what you fear and shy you are anxious. When you share it with Him, know that He is not judging you or condemning you. He is with you and is a gentle, loving God. He can handle all your anxieties and request.

Think about such things. Some people have stopped watching the news and disconnected from social media to avoid wrong thinking. If that works for you, do it. Replace the lies with the truth. Focus on people and things noble character. Instead of obsessing over all that is wrong with the world, look for what is right. Look for and practice purity. Search for what is lovely, beautiful, and exquisite. Concentrate on what admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Being in a place of peace may involve a change in your thinking.

The God of peace will be with you. Remind yourself that His near and present. He has promised that when we seek Him, we will find Him. You may hear His voice in a quiet moment or a song from your playlist. Take comfort in His presence, rest in His presence, and find joy in His company.

May you quiet the voices in your head and find a place of peace in the presence of God.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2021 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.

A Norvell Note for January 11, 2021

Vol. 23 No. 02

So Much I Don’t Want to Say

Because of last week (the last several weeks, the previous year, the last several years), I find myself struggling for the right words because there are so many things I don’t want to say.

I don’t want to say what we have seen and experienced is unprecedented because the word’s use is unprecedented, and it is unprecedented how tired I am of hearing it.   

I don’t want to say how disturbed I was when I heard the President of the United States of America encourage the rally participants to “show strength” and “fight” shortly before they stormed the U.S. Capital building resulting in five deaths, destruction, fear, and chaos.

I don’t want to say that it is frustrating when elected officials to flip-flop their positions based solely on which way the political breeze may be blowing to satisfy their political ambitions.

I don’t want to say that I am disappointed in our nation’s evangelical Christian leaders for what appears to be a lack of action against some of these matters, and in some cases, the perpetuation of the problems. But I am.

I don’t want to say that I am deeply troubled by the on-going racial inequalities in our nation and world. And in some ways, disheartened by my lack of action.

I don’t want to say that knowing over 40,000 people will probably die today makes me feel helpless. But it does. And it grieves me terribly.

I don’t want to say that I am ashamed that I have not been more pro-active in addressing some of these problems. But I am.

I don’t want to say that I realize that some of you will say that this is too little too late or accuse me of jumping on the bandwagon and that some of you will send me a note canceling your subscription, but you may. But you may.

I don’t want to say that we can do better because that has become an overused and often empty expression of inaction, but surely, we can do better. Indeed, I can do better.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2021 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.