A Norvell Note for March 29, 2021

Vol. 23 No. 13

Getting Back to Normal

We hear a lot about how “Things are getting back to normal.”

Really?

For the families of almost 550,000 who have died in the United States from COVID 19, what is normal?

For the business owners who no longer have a business, what is normal?

For the millions who have struggled physically, financially, mentally, and emotionally with the events of the last twelve months, what is normal?

Life is very different, and any normal is difficult to grasp.

I can remember years ago returning home after mission trips to Ukraine and being asked, “What is it like?” The only response I could give was, “Everything is different.” The food, the transportation, the language, the homes, the weather. Everything seemed different.

I feel the same way now. Almost everything feels different. Yes, more fans are allowed to attend sporting events, some restaurants are fully open for business, and the vaccines give us hope and more freedom to move about in our communities, but life does not feel normal.

I wonder if those plotting to kill Jesus, and eventually succeeded, were hoping that if we can only get rid of this troublemaker Jesus, life can get back to normal. They proceeded with their plan and hung him on a cross, then put him in a tomb. Ah! He’s gone!

But wait! Things changed. Jesus did not stay dead. He did not remain in that tomb. And life for those who knew Him and loved him would never be the same. Those who know Him today and experience His love will never be the same.

Life after a pandemic will probably eventually get back to some semblance of normal. Life for the follower of Jesus, the ones who allow Him to impact them truly, will never be the same.

If you have decided to follow Jesus, get used to the new normal.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2021 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.   

A Norvell Note for March 22, 2021

Vol. 23 No. 12

When You Struggle to Pray

A prayer for those days when you don’t know what or how to pray: 

All-knowing Lord, you see what is in my heart. All-powerful Lord, I don’t have the power to accomplish what needs to be done, so I spread out my requests before you. All-wise Lord, I know you hear and will act—but I know also I must wait on your wise timing, and so I will. Amen.[i]

Do you ever have days when you need to pray this prayer?

Maybe it is a day when you have so much to do that you know you will never get it all done, but you don’t have a choice. Maybe it one of those days when your mind is so full you can’t think, you can’t relax, and you can’t rest. You try to explain what you are feeling, but you can’t. You hear people talking, but you can’t make sense of their words.  

You go about your daily activities without passion, energy, or joy. You open the Scriptures for wisdom and inspiration. You close them without finding either. You decide to pray but have no words. So, “you spread out your requests before” the Lord. You trust that He hears you and will act, and you know you must wait for His timing.

I’ve had several days like that in my life, and especially in the last year. What can I say, how do I pray, what can I do? How am I supposed to feel? What am I feeling?

During times like this, I am grateful for the Spirit of God who steps in to speak what is in my heart.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27, NIV)

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2021 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.   

[i] Excerpt from The Songs of Jesus: A Year of Daily Devotions in the Psalms by Timothy Keller and Kathy Keller

A Norvell Note for March 15, 2021

Vol. 23 No. 11

C. Bruce White

1939-2021

The first time I saw that name was on a 3 X 5 index card tacked on a bulletin board in the Administration Building at Harding Grad School in 1975. The typed note read something like: The 7^th Street Church of Christ in Columbus, Mississippi, is searching for an Associate Minister. Contact C. Bruce White. I called, I was hired, and a few weeks later, I loaded all my earthly possessions in my red VW and moved to Columbus, Mississippi.

Bruce was the pulpit minister, and I learned that the Associate Minister’s role was to work with the youth and do anything Bruce did not want to do. In January of 1976, Kim and I were married, moved into the house that the church had for us that had lovely yellow, green and brown shag carpet, and had no idea what we were doing. C. Bruce and Judy loved us, encouraged, and patiently introduced us to life in the ministry. Bruce suggested I begin writing a weekly article for our church bulletin which we entitled, A Norvell Note.

Bruce and I shared a weekly drive to Memphis and back for classes at Harding Grad School. During those adventurous trips, we discussed the work, how to deal with church leaders and difficult members, and listened to every song the Statler Brothers ever sang, shared frustrations, planned strategy, and laughed. Oh man, did we laugh!

Since our meeting in 1975, C. Bruce has been a fountain of wisdom, a wealth of knowledge, and consistent source of encouragement. Through the years, in times of frustration and confusion, a phone call or face-to-face visit with C. Bruce helped me gain a new perspective, evaluate my priorities, and restore my desire to fulfill my calling.

The most stress I experienced as the Associate Minister was when Bruce informed me that he would be away on a particular Sunday and would need to preach. I had no idea how to prepare and preach a sermon. Listening to C. Bruce preach through the book of Acts inspired me to learn more and further my education.

When I accepted my first preaching assignment, I asked Bruce for advice. His simple answer has guided me throughout all my years of ministry: “Just love the people.”

My life is richer and fuller because of my relationship with C. Bruce. I am a better minister, teacher, preacher, mentor, and friend, in part because of Bruce. C. Bruce loved God, his family, the churches where he preached, and he loved me. I will miss him, but I rejoice that he is finally home where he always longed to be. Well done, and rest well, my friend.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2021 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.   

A Norvell Note for March 8, 2021

Vol. 23 No. 10

Thoughts on Freedom

Freedom is a popular topic in social media, news media, and daily conversations. We are frustrated and angered when our space is restricted or abused. We struggle to know the privileges and limits of our freedom.

New Testament letters contain messages on how to use our freedom in Christ, which may also help us live within our communities.

 It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom. If you bite and ravage each other, watch out—in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be then? (Galatians 5:13-15, The Message)

Here are a few thoughts that I find helpful in Paul’s writing.

Be joyful with your freedom. Read that again: enjoy. It’s okay to enjoy your life. One of the great blessings of being a follower of Christ is that we can be set free to live free of our sins, free of our pasts, free from our guilt, and freedom to worship God as we choose. That should bring us joy. God created us with unique gifts, talents, and abilities, and He wants us to live and use those gifts and talents for His glory however we feel led to do so. He put very few limitations on how we are to use our skills, abilities, and gifts. He called us to a free life, so live and enjoy your freedom. There is no need to boast about it. Just enjoy it.

Be gracious with your freedom. Just because we are free to say whatever we want does not mean we should say it. Just because we are free to do whatever we please does not mean we ought to do it. In another letter, Paul writes: “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.” (1 Corinthians 9:13, 23) There is no need to put others down because they do not have the same freedom. Just be gracious.

Be generous with your freedom. When we use our privilege to serve others, it becomes contagious. When someone expresses their love for me by helping me, I desire to return the kindness or pass it on to someone else. Serving others creates a desire to keep doing good, which reminds me that I am free to be as kind I can be. There is no limit to how kind I can be or how much I can serve. There is no need to quash your freedom. Just be generous.

God’s Kingdom is about freedom, and as citizens of His Kingdom, we are to be lights in the world by being joyful, gracious, and generous with our freedom. If you pay close attention this week, you may have multiple opportunities to let that light shine.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2021 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.