A Norvell Note

August 31, 2025 – Vol. 29 No. 32

Not Enough

“Thoughts and prayers are not enough.” We’ve heard those words once again in Minneapolis, a shooter killed two children and injured eighteen others while they were singing and praying in what should be the safety of their school and church. We must do something.

I agree, thoughts and prayers are not enough, but at least it is a start. So, let’s start there. 

Remind parents who drop their children off at school or put them on a bus in the morning, you are thinking about them and praying for them and their children. Then, really pray for them to be kept safe and to return home safely at the end of the day. Remind them often that you are thinking about them and praying for them.

Take the time to think about and research ways to improve things. When you see a school that provides a safe and secure environment where children and teachers can work, learn, and play without fear, compliment them on their system. When you see one that lacks a security system, encourage them to make improvements.  

I’m not suggesting protests in the street or banning weapons and firearms, but I am suggesting that we use good common sense on how we sell weapons to whom we sell them. Parents, grandparents, friends, pay attention to what’s going on around you. If you notice something that looks out of place, please speak up. 

If you hold a position of leadership in the community, use your influence and authority to promote positive change and reduce the angry rhetoric that is so prevalent in our culture.

Obviously, we have not yet found a foolproof security system, and perhaps there is no perfect system, but we can strive to do better. Let’s think, let’s pray, let’s do something. Let’s do whatever it takes to protect our children and help them feel safe.

I love you.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2025 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note

August 24, 2025 – Vol. 29 No. 31

The Voice of My Heart

Sometimes when I am writing, I get stuck. My mind is full of thoughts and images of people and situations, but I cannot transfer those thoughts and images to paper, a computer screen, or verbal expressions. I sip my coffee, pray for words, pause, and look around the room. I listen to music, maybe pet the cat, stare out the window, and wait. Usually, the words come.

The same thing often happens when I am praying. Faces and places hover above, around, and inside me. So, I sit quietly with my thoughts and pray, “Father, hear what’s in my heart.” He does.  

Fernando Ortega sings, “I prayed with the voice of my heart. And He heard my cry.” (I Stretched Out My Hands)

While gathered with people I love and long to be with, we have sung, Listen to Our Hearts. I’m confident He has. 

While sitting with a troubled soul or standing in a room with a family trying to make sense of the passing of a loved one, I remind them and myself of these words. “Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our expectant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.” (Romans 8:26-28, The Message)

Father, thank You for understanding when we don’t have words and for listening to the voice of our hearts. 

I love you.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2025 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note

August 17, 2025 – Vol. 29 No. 30

Where Can We Go

Father, 

I watched the reports of the search and rescue efforts as the floodwaters rose quickly and more powerfully than anyone in the Texas Hill Country had ever seen.

I waited anxiously for word that our children had reached high ground and were safe at a friend’s home during the tsunami warning. 

I watch story after story of gunmen who enter buildings and open fire on unsuspecting coworkers and innocent bystanders. 

I see the destruction caused by tornadoes, hurricanes, fires, explosions, train derailments, and all manner of other accidents that create havoc and change lives forever. 

I shake my head in disbelief at the actions, inaction, and consequences of the decisions made by political and world leaders.

I watch, I listen, I sit in silence and grieve, and I ask, where can we go to be safe?

Then, I remember Your words. 

John 16:33, “I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”

Nahum 1:7, “The Lord is good,
    a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him,”

Psalm 46:10-11a, “Attention, all! See the marvels of God!
    He plants flowers and trees all over the earth,
Bans war from pole to pole,
    breaks all the weapons across his knee.
“Step out of the traffic! Take a long,
    loving look at me, your High God,
    above politics, above everything.” (The Message)

¹¹     The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (NIV)

Psalm 139: 7-12, 23-24, “Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit?
    to be out of your sight?
If I climb to the sky, you’re there!
    If I go underground, you’re there!
If I flew on morning’s wings
    to the far western horizon,
You’d find me in a minute—
    you’re already there waiting!
Then I said to myself, “Oh, he even sees me in the dark!
    At night I’m immersed in the light!”
It’s a fact: darkness isn’t dark to you;
    night and day, darkness and light, they’re all the same to you.”

“Investigate my life, O God,
    find out everything about me;
Cross-examine and test me,
    get a clear picture of what I’m about;
See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong—
    then guide me on the road to eternal life.”

Philippians 4:5-9, “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Father, I watch, I listen, I sit in silence and grieve, and I find comfort in knowing that You are our safe place. Our only truly safe place. 

I love you.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2025 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note

August 11, 2025 – Vol. 29 No. 29

At Just the Right Time

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person, someone might possibly dare to die. (Romans 6:6-7)

At just the right time. 

There are no words to adequately express how much those five words mean to all who acknowledge the gift of eternal life at just the right time. He gave His life for us at just the right time, and He continues to help, lead, teach, and show us that He loves us. He does these things at just the right time. 

He puts us in the places at just the right time. He puts us in with people at just the right time. He tells us what to do at just the right time. He reminds us that goodness is within us when we can’t see it at just the right time. He gives us strength when we don’t think we have any, at just the right time. He leads us beside the quiet waters at just the right time. He uses us for His good purposes at just the right time. 

We may not realize it at the time, but if we are not paying attention, we will see that He is with us and for us at just the right time. He always does what He does at just the right time.  

I love you.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2025 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note

August 3, 2025 – Vol. 29 No. 28

He Is Our Hope

Solomon’s words ring true on any given week. 

 There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

    a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,

     a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,

     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,

     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

     a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
     a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
     a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

If we pause and reflect on the last seven days of our lives, we have experienced a little bit of everything. 

Some saw a baby take their first breath, and some saw a loved one take their last.

Some settled into their new homes, while others uprooted their families and headed to a new one. 

We heard about killings, and we heard about healings.

We have wept and mourned, and we have laughed and danced for joy.

Some have gathered our belongings, and others have scattered them.

We have embraced our loved ones, and others could not embrace the ones they love. 

Some have searched for what was lost and eventually given up the search, while others have found what they were looking for.

Some of us sorted through our belongings, kept certain items, and either gave them away or threw them away. 

We have torn some things and mended others. 

We have been silent, and we have spoken.

We have loved some of what we’ve seen and hated what we have seen.

We have seen the tragedies of war and have enjoyed times of peace.

That was not just last week or the coming week; that is each week. That is life. How do we do it? How do we survive? How do we flourish in life with so many ups and downs? 

I know of only one way: We put our hope in Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. 

I love you.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2025 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved