A Norvell Note

March 29 – Vol. 30 No. 12

Just Two Commands 

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

He gave us two commands. Just two. Not a thousand. Not a hundred. Not even ten. Just two. Love me and love each other. Just two commands, and we can’t seem to get them right.

I hear people say, “I’m a follower of Jesus, love God with my heart.” But the next day, I hear them say, “I can’t stand to even see those people in the hallway.” Although I may not say it out loud, I’m ashamed to admit that sometimes I catch myself saying the same or similar things in my mind. 

Two commands. Just two. 

That’s all He asked us to. “Everything else hangs on these.” 

We sit in churches week after week, singing about our love for God and how He loves us. Throughout the week, we praise and admire people who talk down to people, make fun of those who struggle with physical or mental issues, and ignore the poor and homeless. We say we love God, and yet we refuse to associate with people who do not measure up to our expectations and standards.

Two commandments. Just two

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. (1 John 4:20)

Two commands. Just two 

I love you.

Tom

A Norvell Note

March 22 – Vol. 30 No. 11

Take Care of Yourself

In any given week, we experience significant events or challenges in our everyday lives that can affect our emotions and outlook. They range from national and global news to personal and family matters, highlighting both sources of stress and moments of importance. Even if we do not acknowledge these events, they affect us mentally and physically.

We may have trouble sleeping. Our appetite might be impacted. We may feel anxious or agitated. It is hard to concentrate. You feel restless but tired. 

So, what can we? Here are a few suggestions.

Acknowledge the stress and how it is impacting you. Trying to ignore it may increase the stress. It is okay to admit you are stressed. 

Admit you need a break. Our souls are not meant to constantly be under pressure.

Rest. There is no substitute for rest. 

Take a break from all the noise. Find a quiet time and place and enjoy the quiet.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)

  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

“Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)

These are stressful times. Take care of yourself.

I love you.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2026 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note

March 15 – Vol. 30 No. 10

How You Think About You

When we offer our bodies as living sacrifices, change happens.  One of the first changes is how we think about ourselves. 

“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” (Romans 12:3)

“The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.” (The Message)

Sometimes we forget this truth and take credit for what God has done, what He does. We begin to think it is all about us. We see it in business, in education, in sports, and, unfortunately, as Paul expresses concern, in church settings. 

Thinking of yourself more highly than you ought to be is never a good look, especially for one who claims to be a follower of Jesus. It is a bad look for leaders and for followers. It is a bad look for coaches and for players. It is a bad look for husbands and wives. It causes problems in all relationships. 

Paul emphasizes this as he moves into a section discussing life in the body. Thus, if you are part of the body of Christ, don’t think more highly than you ought.

Be careful how you think about yourself. 

I love you.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2026 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note

March 8 – Vol. 30 No. 09

Chaos

Chaos really does feel like the only thing we can count on lately, doesn’t it? Everywhere we look, the world seems a little more broken—there’s always something about conflict on the news, people in our neighborhoods can’t seem to agree, and nobody’s sure what’s coming next. Social media just keeps tossing more opinions and arguments at us until our heads are spinning. And at home, life’s busier than ever and worries stack up. Sometimes it feels like we’re caught in a current that’s just carrying us along, way past where we can steer.

Looking for Calm in the Chaos

With so much going on, it’s easy to get down or just plain overwhelmed. But if you follow Christ, there’s some comfort in knowing that chaos doesn’t surprise God at all. Right from the start in Genesis, God steps in and brings order where there was none and turns darkness into light. Jesus, too—He calmed storms with a word and helped people find peace when their hearts were heavy. We’re not promised that chaos will just disappear, but we are promised that God is right there with us in the middle of it, giving us hope and showing us the way, even when we can’t see where it leads.

How Do We Handle It?

So, what can we do when everything feels upside down? We can pause, take some deep breaths, and pray. We can choose to be kind and understanding with others, even when we don’t agree. We can keep our eyes on things that are true, good, and worth celebrating—no letting fear or frustration take over. And most of all, we can trust that God’s still working, putting the pieces back together and even using the chaos to pull us closer. When everything feels out of control, we can hold tight to the One who keeps it all together.

I love you.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2026 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.