A Norvell Note

Vol. 27 No. 50                       December 25, 2023

God Loves the World

“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.” (John 3:16, The Message)

If God loved the world so much, maybe we can too. 

Let’s love one another. That’s how people will know we are His. 

Love your neighbor as yourself. 

My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other. No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us—perfect love! (1 John 4:11-12, The Message)

If God loved the world so much, maybe we can too. What a gift that would be!

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2023 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note

Vol. 27 No. 49                       December 18, 2023

Joy Is in the Eyes and Ears of the Observer

The angels announced, “We bring good tidings of great joy” during events and circumstances that appeared to the casual observer as anything but joyful. I have found that to be true in my own life as well. So, I’ve concluded that joy is in the eyes and ears of the observer. Sometimes, we must search and become serious observers of what is happening in and around us. 

When I become a serious observer, I find joy in these things (listed in the order I thought of them, not in order of value or significance).

I find joy when I have a nice meal at a nice restaurant with my wife. 

A nice meal with friends.

A good hot cup of coffee. 

A quiet, comfortable space to work, reflect, and write. 

I find joy in hearing laughter from my grandchildren and my children.

Playing golf with good friends.

Finishing a good book. 

I enjoy going on a trip and then coming home to my bed.

I find joy in reunions.

I find joy in holding a newborn baby. 

When a soul comes to know Jesus and surrenders to His leadership. 

Good music moves my soul, touches my heart, and brings me joy.

I find joy in doing the things I am created to do.

I find joy in eating ice cream.

I find joy in things that are done well.

I find joy near the ocean and in the mountains. 

I find joy in a good joke and story that is told well. 

I find joy in the story of Jesus’ birth. 

These are a few of the things that bring me joy. I look for them, and I listen for them. When I look and listen, I am rarely disappointed. You won’t be either. There is joy all around. Search for it. Enjoy the joy.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2023 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note

Vol. 27 No. 48                       December 11, 2023

May We Have Peace

One of my wishes this Christmas is that we have peace. 

May we have peace.

May we have peace in our marriages.

May we have peace with your children.

May we have peace with all your family. 

May we have peace in our workplaces.

May we have peace in our churches. 

May we have peace in our neighborhoods.

May we have peace in our cities.

May we have peace in our nation.

May we have peace between nations. 

May we have peace in the world.

May we have peace in our hearts. 

We may have peace because the God of peace has come to the earth to give us peace.

May we have peace. 

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2023 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note

Vol. 27 No. 47                       December 4, 2023

Hope Is Everywhere

Sadness and despair often demand our attention, but hope is everywhere. 

I was born and grew up in Hope, Arkansas. I graduated from Hope High School in 1970. I had a shiny silver stone on my desk with the word hope for many years. It broke, and I replaced it recently with a polished black hope stone. I work for Hope Hospice, where we strive to have and share the heart of hope. I see and hear the message of hope everywhere.

Hope is everywhere.

I see hope in the faces of the couple exchanging the vows of marriage.

 I hear hope in the voices of expectant parents and parents of newborns. 

I see hope in the faces of newborn Christians. 

I hear hope in messages of forgiveness and grace.

I see hope when a person makes a leap of faith into the unknown to improve their situation.

I hear hope in the voices of choirs singing of the newborn King. 

There is hope when we see soldiers reunited with their families.

There is hope when first responders are honored for their service.

There is hope when Christ lives in His followers. 

“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)

Hope is everywhere. Look for it. Listen for it. 

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2023 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved