A Norvell Note   

July 29, 2024, Vol. 28 No. 30

I Don’t Know What I Am Doing

I had the rare privilege of listening to my brother preach on Sunday. His sermon was based on Luke 23; forgiveness was a significant emphasis in his message. Jesus prayed as they crucified him, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). 

Jesus said they don’t know what they are doing. I wonder what He would say about us today. 

Are we any different? 

We might not admit we are as vicious or cruel as those people, but are we any better? Have we stopped crucifying the Lord? Do our actions, or lack of action, make us just as guilty? Do our attitudes show that we are any different? Do we show that we are any better by how we treat each other? 

Jesus also said people will know you are my disciples when you love one another. Would He say, Father, forgive them they don’t know what they are doing. 

Would He say, Father, forgive them; they don’t know what they are doing when He hears us judge and condemn people simply because they look different from us or have other opinions?

Does our unwillingness to forgive those who hurt us prove that we need Jesus to pray the same prayer for us? 

Reflecting on Jesus’ words from my brother’s sermon, my observations of the world around me, and often the condition of my heart, I must pray, Lord, forgive us; we don’t know what we are doing. Forgive me, I don’t know what I’m doing. 

A Norvell Note ^© Copyright 2024 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note   

July 22, 2024, Vol. 28 No. 29

I Trust in You, Lord

At a time in history when wars were raging and the world was in chaos, David wrote: 

But I trust in you, Lord;

I say, “You are my God.”

My times are in your hands; (Psalm 31:14-15, NIV)

I don’t know what will happen as I go through the day, but I trust You, Lord, to get me through it. 

I don’t know what storms or crises are ahead for me and my family, but I trust You, Lord, to walk with me or carry me through any dark times that may be ahead. 

I don’t know how many more days I have on this earth, but I trust You, Lord, to help me live each of those to the fullest and bring as much joy as possible to the people I know and love. 

I don’t know what the future will bring for my children and their children, but I trust You, Lord, to help them find their way through their lives as they bring glory to You. 

There is so much I don’t know about life in the present and the future, but I trust You, Lord. You are my God. My times are in your hands.  

A Norvell Note ^© Copyright 2024 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note   

July 15, 2024, Vol. 28 No. 28

What Can I Do?

It was quite a weekend. 

I don’t know about you, but I much prefer watching a Yankees game, the Scottish Open, a good movie, an episode of Parks and Recreation, or the replay of the Celtics championship game, and just about anything instead of Breaking News reports about the attempted assassination of a presidential candidate. 

Unfortunately, that was not the case. Once again, we are afraid, fear, chaos, confusion, and uncertainty. Once again, we learn of another young man who decided that the best way to get over his troubled past was to fire an automatic rifle and kill as many people as possible. 

It was another heartbreaking, troubling weekend. I wish I could stop the violence and hatred in the world. I wish I could stop the hatred. I wish I could change hearts. I wish I could help people sleep peacefully. I want to, but I can’t. I can’t fix the world.

But I can “… not let any unwholesome talk come out of my mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29)

I can, “as far as it depends on me, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18)

And I can be a peacemaker. 

I often sing along with Willie Nelson, “At a time when the world seems to be spinnin’ hopelessly out of control” (Hands on the Wheel), wanting to be a better person. So, I will try to be kinder, listen before I react, forgive quickly, and pray more. 

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
   your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
   Give us today our daily bread.
   And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.

   And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.’

For Yours is the kingdom and the power

    And the glory forever. Amen.

A Norvell Note ^© Copyright 2024 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note   

July 8, 2024, Vol. 28 No. 27

You Are My Shepherd

Lord, You are my shepherd (and most of the time, I am a devoted sheep); I lack nothing (and yet, I often want more).

    You make me lie down in green pastures (sometimes You must make me lie down because I often want to keep moving),
You lead me beside quiet waters (even when I don’t always appreciate the quietness),

    You refresh my soul (and I sometimes miss that refreshment because I seek it in other places and things).
You guide me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake (but sometimes I stray from that path).

 Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley, the valley of the shadow of death (and all the other dark valleys I have gone through and will go through),
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me (at least I try not to be afraid);
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me (Your presence comforts me despite the times when I get distracted by the things around me).

You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies (You bless me despite me).
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows (yet unbelievably, You continue to shower me with Your love).

Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever (those words are almost more than I can grasp. But then I remember that You are my shepherd).

A Norvell Note ^© Copyright 2024 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved