A Norvell Note for February 28, 2022

Vol. 26 No. 09 – Vol. 26 No. 09

A Light in the Darkness

In 1992 several Christians from Virginia and across the United States made a trip to Ukraine. That first trip was to Kyiv. I made four more trips into Ukraine over the next six years. We flew into Kyiv and traveled west to Zhytomyr, and I made one memorable excursion to a small village north of Zhytomyr. The work in Zhytomyr grew and expanded to Rivne, with teams making regular visits until very recently. 

The heartbreaking scenes of the invasion bring back many memories. Although it was almost twenty-five years ago, and some of the details escaped me, one memory still shines brightly in my mind. 

A significant part of every trip involved us going into schools to teach the Bible. We were in Zhytomyr, and it was a frigid, snowy day, and we were late getting to the school. To our surprise, even though we were very late, the teachers and children waited for us and rejoiced when we arrived.

We gathered in the gymnasium, and the electricity had gone out, so one of the teachers stood on a chair holding a single candle to light the room as the children sang. The children sang, and the candle continued to burn. As the candle grew shorter and shorter, the teacher kept adjusting how she held it. Eventually, she had nothing to hold, so using the melting wax, she stuck the candle on the tip of her finger to bring light into the darkness. 

Our purpose for Ukraine was to bring light into their dark world. As it turned out, the innocent faces, sweet voices, and determined spirits of the Ukrainian people brought light into our hearts. 

As the citizens of Ukraine fight for freedom, they continue to bring light into this dark world. Please light a candle pray that the darkness of oppression will not overcome the light, and be a light in the darkness.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:15)

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2022 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.  

A Norvell Note for February 21, 2022

Vol. 26 No. 08

Are Things Better?

I seem to have more questions than answers. Questions that may or may not have answers. For instance, are things better?

It feels like things are better. It feels like life is getting back to what we once knew as routine. But are things better? 

More people are traveling, but air travel and gas prices are higher than most have ever known. More people are shopping and eating out, yet almost every business you enter is short-handed posts a sign saying, “We’re hiring.”

Churches are open and functioning, but attendance is lower than in years, and people seem to be fine without it. 

Our world is anxious due to the threat of war. There is a new story of hatred, anger, and violence every week. Fires, floods, snowstorms, and tornados are more prevalent than we have ever known. 

Are things better?

I reflect on these words from the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah:

They dress the wound of my people
    as though it were not serious.
‘Peace, peace,’ they say,
    when there is no peace. (Jeremiah 6:13)

Are things better, or are we just so tired of the way things are that we have adopted the philosophy of, “Fake it till you make it?’? 

Last week a very dear friend reminded me of the words on a bracelet I gave him and the one I’ve worn on my right hand for years: “No complaints! No fear! Finish strong!” His message took me back to the reason I had for creating the bracelets in the first place. 

I do not want to live in fear. I do not wish to live in fear of what is happening around me or what might happen in the future to control how I live. I desire to live with confidence and courage, not fear. 

I try not to complain, but sometimes I do. Things pile up, I get stressed, I’m in a hurry, and something blows my plan. The reminder on my wrist challenges me to do better. 

I am trying to finish strong. There are days and nights when I feel finished, but not very strong. There are days when I wonder if I have anything left to offer, and I rely on the truth in these words: “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27).

Are things better? I don’t know. Are they going to get better? I don’t know. But, I know this, if I can live without fear, restrain from complaining, and focus on finishing strong today, things will be better for me, and maybe that will make things better for a few of those who live within my circle of influence.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2022 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.  

A Norvell Note for February 14, 2022

Vol. 26 No. 07

A Good Friend

Good friends are hard to come by, take time and effort to develop, and are painful to lose. Unfortunately, I lost a good friend last week. 

I met Carlis and Charlotte Tucker while preaching for the Cameron Avenue Church of Christ in Colonial Heights, Virginia. In August 1993, a major tornado came through the area, causing significant damage to Colonial Heights and Petersburg. Shortly after the storm, Carlis and Charlotte started attending our church were (to use Charlotte’s words), “You baptized Carlis and recaptured me.” That began a beautiful friendship that would last for eternity.

Carlis and Charlotte became hospitality personified by opening their home to our family and the church family for the next seven years. They hosted men’s breakfasts, ladies’ events, birthday parties, Easter Egg Hunts, and more homecooked meals than I can remember. Their “veranda” became a refuge filled with love, laughter, tears, encouraging conversation, and always a good cup of coffee.

Sometime after we moved from Virginia, Carlis and Charlotte sold their country home, bought an RV, and traveled all over the United States, making friends and spreading love and kind-heartedness wherever they went. We were grateful when their explorations brought them near us to share a meal and renew our friendship. Our last visit with Carlis was in a Cracker Barrel (of course) in Lubbock over the Christmas holidays. 

Even as a retiree and an immaculate landscaper, Carlis was a hard worker. He was a quiet man but did not hesitate to offer his opinion. At times, I sensed a sadness in Carlis that seemed to come from a feeling of regret that I never completely understood. However, his desire to help others, genuine love, and laughter revealed his true nature. He had a great laugh!

Carlis was never one to seek the limelight, but he was there if there was a fellowship meal to be prepared at church. But, of course, he did it his way, and he did it well. He was willing to help when someone was in need. And he always had a word of encouragement when he sensed someone needed it. 

Carlis loved God our church family, and he loved and encouraged our family. He was a good man and a good friend. I miss him. 

I loved Carlis Tucker. And I love Charlotte. 

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. (Proverbs 17:17)

If you would like to read a few of the particulars of Carlis’ life and share a message with Charlotte, go to the link below. 

Carlis A. Tucker

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2022 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.  

A Norvell Note for February 07, 2022

Vol. 26 No. 06

Unplanned Slowdown

Like many people in our area, I spent part of last Thursday sitting in my chair looking out the window at the ice collecting on the grass and trees and listening to the falling sleet. Unfortunately, the icy roads and frigid made travel dangerous, so most altered their work schedules, schools and businesses were closed, and we experienced an unplanned slowdown. 

An unplanned slowdown may be an ice storm, a snowstorm, or a flood. The unplanned slowdown may occur when a family member becomes ill dies. An unplanned slowdown occurs when you get the flu, the power goes out, or the Internet is down. 

An unplanned slowdown can be annoying, frustrating, inconvenient, and distressing. Or, it can be relaxing, inspirational, and refreshing. Like most of life, it depends on our attitude. 

We do not know when another unplanned slowdown will come because they are, well, unplanned. But as sure as we live, there will be another. So the only healthy way I know to survive an unplanned slowdown is by coming to terms and reminding myself that I cannot control what happens, but I can control how I respond to what happens. 

If I get stuck in traffic or forced to wait for another reason, I can spit and spew and cuss and cry. Or, I take a deep breath, listen to my favorite music, call a good friend, or remind myself that: 

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Be still, and know that I am God;” (Psalm 46:1,2, 10)

I am not expecting the Lord to wake me in the morning by saying, “Tom, I’m tired. I need you to take over for the day.” So, when another unplanned slowdown comes, I think I will try to be still, enjoy the break, and know God is in control. 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2022 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.