A Prayer for the Class of 1970

Father, 

When we began our senior year in the fall of 1969, we had no idea what lay ahead for us. With your guidance, you led us through difficult challenges and fostered strong leadership within our class, culminating in that day of relief and celebration in May of 1970. For that, we gave you thanks then, and we give you thanks today. 

Since our graduation from Hope High School in 1970, You have walked us through many good times and many very difficult times. Now, fifty-six years later (which is sometimes difficult to comprehend), we come together again…at least some of us to reunite, to share the good times, try to match names with faces, and remember with some sadness those who are no longer with us. 

So, we thank You for those who have planned, organized, and worked hard to bring us together. And as we once again say our goodbyes, we ask Your blessings on us, those who could not be here, until we come together again…whenever that may be. We love You and thank You for bringing us together as a class unlike any other, for the way we have blessed each other and been blessed by each other, and for how our experiences at Hope High School have shaped us into the people we are today. Thank you for the class of 1970.

May we have love, may we have joy, may we have peace, may we have rest, and may we have healing (Ian Cron). Amen.

A Norvell Note

April 12 – Vol. 30 No. 14

Only What Is Helpful

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29, NIV)

I have no idea how many times I have read, taught, discussed, and preached on that verse, but I do know I have felt convicted when I failed to follow its wisdom. Never has it been more difficult to practice what I preach than it is right now. But I continue to try. 

In my everyday conversations, I want to say only what benefits those who listen. When I am speaking to co-workers, I try to be aware of their needs and address them. When I speak publicly and in my writing, I often pray, “Lord, give me words that encourage, words that are helpful, and words that benefit those who read or hear them.”

I will continue to pray that my words will build others up. I hope you will pray the same prayer. 

I love you.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2026 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note

April 5 – Vol. 30 No. 13

One Shining Moment

Monday night, either Connecticut or Michigan will be crowned the 87^th national champion of college basketball in the finale of the tournament that is known as March Madness. Rejoicing and regret will fill Lucas Oil Stadium and around the nation. The bracket will be complete, the winning team will cut, highlights of the tournament will roll, and the traditional “One Shining Moment” will be played. 

On this Sunday, celebrations will ring out around the world over the one shining moment that outshines all other shining moments: “He is risen!”  That moment, more than any other moment, brought hope of victory and hope to a hopeless world. It still does. It always will. Praise be to God, He is alive! I hope you believe that and live your life as you believe it. 

As we reflect on this season, may the joy and promise of the resurrection fill our hearts and guide our steps each day. Let us continue to share the light of that one shining moment with everyone we meet, living out the hope that Easter brings.

I love you.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2026 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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.

A Norvell Note 

March 1 – Vol. 30 No. 08

March 1, 1953

What were you doing seventy-three years ago today?

Many of you were not alive, and you who were had no idea, or interest in the fact that in the wee hours of the morning in Hope, Arkansas, I took my first breath. At least that is what I assume from my knowledge of childbirth. 

I’m not writing about my 73^rd birthday, so you will send me a gift. But if you insist, I will gladly supply you with my Venmo account information.

I am thinking of March 1, 1953, and how grateful I am that, shortly after that day, my mother (probably before) began telling me the story of Jesus and what it means to be part of His family. From that day forward, I learned from the words my mother spoke to and into me, from the life she and the examples of following Jesus most of the rest of my family lived in front of me. 

I am grateful that my mother loved the Lord and loved me enough same desire in her children to do the same.

March 1, 1973, is a day of celebration, not so much for me as for the heritage of faith that began when my mother gave birth to me 73 years ago. 

I love you.

Tom

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

A Norvell Note 

February 22 – Vol. 30 No. 07

A Living Sacrifice

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1, NIV)

What if we, as Eugene Peterson said in The Message, “Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.”

At times in my life, I have spent many hours trying to determine what the Lord wants me to do. As a young adult, but not just as a young adult, I often prayed, “Lord, do You want me to do with my life?” “Lord, what is Your will for my life?” I have agonized over that question. 

I have counseled countless people as they have tried to determine the Lord’s will for their lives. “Lord, where do you want me to go to college, what do You want me do for a career, do You want me to be married or remain single?” 

When I have faced ministry changes, health decisions, and what to do in the second and now third seasons of my life, I have sought God and asked Him to show me His will for my life. He has provided wisdom, and I’ve tried to follow His leading. He has guided me through all those decisions and given me the strength to do whatever I’ve chosen. 

His response has always been the same. “Tom, love me with your whole heart and give me your life as a living sacrifice, and do whatever you choose. I will bless you and be with you wherever you go. If you choose to serve me as a minister, counselor, writer, teacher, full-time parent, or in the medical field, I will be with you. You are likely to face struggles and trials no matter what you do, but I’ll be with you, and together we’ll get through them. Don’t be afraid of making a mistake, or two, or many, just live a good life that brings glory to our Father. If you forget, get confused, or get off track, remember my words, start over if you need to, and keep following me. You will be fine. I love you whatever you do. 

Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Mic 6:8, NIV)

“Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.” Live confidently and know you are doing the will of God.

I love you.

Tom

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

February 15 – Vol. 30 No. 06

Fix Your Attention on God

A lot is going on in the world these days. Surprise! I bet you did not know that. We wonder what is going on in the world. With a simple push of a button, you can receive multiple suggestions about who you should be and how you should live your life. There are days when I am overwhelmed by the life-choice proposals. 

Paul spent the first eleven chapters of Romans explaining that the most important decision in life is our response to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Then, in the first 2 verses of Chapter 12, he explains how and why we should make that decision. 

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you and respond quickly. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” (Eugene H. Peterson, The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2005), Ro 12:1–2.)

First, fix your eyes on God. Considering all that God has done for us, keep your eyes on Him and give Him your full attention and energy. Let His work and the gift of His Son for our salvation consume us. (This sounds a little like Hebrews 12.) Then, He explains why.

Fixing our attention on God’s grace and mercy can help clear our thinking and drown out other voices and options.

Fixing our attention on God can help us recognize when we become too comfortable with the culture we live in. It is easy for us to fall into old habits and drift into new ones. 

Fixing our attention on God can help us readily understand what He wants from us and respond quickly. Maybe it is not as difficult as we think. 

As we go through the days ahead, let’s remember to intentionally fix our attention on God, trusting that His guidance brings clarity and peace amidst the noise and distractions of life. By keeping our focus on Him, we allow His love and wisdom to shape our decisions and nurture our hearts. May you find encouragement and strength as you embrace this perspective throughout the week.

I love you.

Tom

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