A Norvell Note   

May 27, 2024, Vol. 28 No. 21

Out Run the Rain 

As my wife, nephew, and I sat at the table one morning last week, I remembered this story from my childhood. We lived about a quarter of a mile from my Aunt Eunice and Uncle Ruby’s grocery store. We often rode our bikes down the highway to get a soft drink (we said coke refers to any soft drink: Coke, Pepsi, Pop Kola, etc.), a candy bar, or something else, or to visit. Occasionally, as we started back home on hot summer days, we’d notice a rainstorm coming our way. Naturally, we wanted to get home before the rain hit. So, we’d try to outrun the rain. 

With our legs pumping as fast as we could, we’d fly down the highway (it felt like we were flying). If lucky, we’d make it to our front porch just in time to sit, watch, and listen to the rain. We were not so fortunate sometimes, and the rain would catch us. We would sit on the porch until we dried off on those occasions. 

I can almost see and hear the rain chasing us, feel the drops on my back, and smell it as it cooled the hot pavement. 

Reliving those hot summer days has reminded me of many times since then I have tried to outrun the rain. 

When I learned my mother was dying (probably about the same time as those bike rides), I wanted to outrun the rain. 

When relationships turned in the wrong direction, I wanted to outrun the rain. 

When work and ministry became discouraging, and I knew the end was near, I wished I could outrun the rain. 

When we learned our granddaughter’s diagnosis, I tried with all my strength to outrun the rain. 

All these years later, when I’m lonely, when work gets hard, people I love are struggling, and sickness, sadness, and death overwhelm me, I wish I could outrun the rain. I wish I could make it to the front porch to sit and wait until the rain passes. 

That porch no longer exists, but rainstorms continue. And there is still a safe place to go when we want to outrun the rain.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:2) 

Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. (Psalm 62:8)

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2024 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note   

May 20, 2024, Vol. 28 No. 20

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

When life becomes a puzzle, take a moment to shift your gaze and turn your eyes upon Jesus. 

When you watch or listen to the news of the day and get depressed, turn your eyes upon Jesus. 

When medical news is not good, turn your eyes upon Jesus. 

When you hate or lose your job, turn your eyes upon Jesus. 

When your spouse walks out on you, turn your eyes upon Jesus.

When you are nearer the exit than the entrance, turn your eyes upon Jesus.

When your sins pile high and guilt holds you captive, turn your eyes upon Jesus. 

When your strength is gone, and your desire to continue is fading, turn your eyes upon Jesus.

When life is good, and you’re on top of the world, turn your eyes upon Jesus.

Turning your eyes upon Jesus won’t change the circumstances you are facing. It won’t fix whatever is wrong, but it can change your attitude and remind you that you are not alone. It might inspire you to keep trying and trusting Him to walk you through the struggle. So, turn your eyes upon Jesus. 

Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!^[1]

Eugene H. Peterson, The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2005), Heb 12:1–3.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2024 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

^[1] Eugene H. Peterson, The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2005), Heb 12:1–3.

A Norvell Note   

May 13, 2024, Vol. 28 No. 19

We Remember

We remember it because someone (maybe our mother) told us that our mother’s face was the face we ever saw. 

We remember days when we were sick, and our mothers were there.  

We remember times when we messed up, and she wrapped her arms around us, reminding us that she loved us.  

We remember facing a significant decision and needing to talk about it. Our mother listened. 

We remember that she always remembered to do something special on our birthday. 

We remember being far from home, and our children were sick; she came to help. 

We remember celebrating with our children, she was there. 

We remember when she told us she was sick, we were there. 

We remember when she could not remember who we were.

We remember when she took her last breath because we were there. 

We remember the first day after she passed, and when we remembered she was gone. 

Every year on Mother’s Day, her birthday, and our birthday, we remember.

We remember because she taught us to remember.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2024 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

[I’ve been under the weather this week, so I hope you can enjoy this A Norvell Note rerun from ten years ago.]

Posted on May 5, 2014 

Vol. 17 No. 18 | May 5, 2014

When I am afraid, I will trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust;
I will not be afraid.
What can mortal man do to me? (Psalm 56:3-4, NIV)

Psalm 56 expresses why David is regarded as an uncomplaining, meek dove, driven from his native home to wander in exile. He appears to be disturbed by both domestic and foreign foes. David appeals confidently to God, recites his complaints, and closes with joyful and assured anticipations of God’s continued help. [Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), Ps 56:1–13.]

This short portion of the psalm consists of only thirty-one words but offers important insights on dealing with fear and unpleasant circumstances.

First, admit your fears. David states, “When I am afraid.” He does not say, “I’m not afraid, but if I were, this is how I would deal with it.” He says, “When I am afraid.” Can you admit your fear? Are you afraid for other people to know you are afraid? That could be a problem. Will you admit your fears?

Second, when you are afraid, trust God. Stay in His word and trust His word. Trust His promises. Trust His promise that you can trust Him. Read the stories of God’s faithful people. Examine the lives of people who trusted God. David. Moses. Abraham. Joshua and Caleb. Peter. Paul.

Third, do not be afraid. We have already commented on how David admits his fear, and sometimes we are afraid. When we are, we muster all our strength and courage and act courageously. We call these people heroes. Even heroes, when they are honest, will admit they were afraid. No one can hurt me.

Could you write a verse of a Psalm like David? Maybe not as poetic, but here’s my attempt:

Father, there are times when I am scared. At those times, I try to trust. I do trust you in my heart, but my actions sometimes betray my lack of trust.

When I get scared, I try to read my Bible more to remind me of Your faithfulness to those who trust You. That helps. Your words and Your stories remind me that I am not alone. Others have traveled this road before me. You provided them with strength and confidence. I believe You will do the same for me.

I will try not to be afraid. I will remind myself that You will protect me and that there is nothing another human can do to me that will separate me from You. I will remember what You said in Romans 8:

If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

When I am afraid. I will trust You.

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.