Author: TomNorvell

A Norvell Note for May 2, 2022

Vol. 26 No. 18

A Water Bottle

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” (Matthew 10:42)

The lady was standing on the median at a traffic light on a busy street on a sweltering day. She was holding a cardboard sign that read, “Lost my job. Need help! Please.” I sat at the light on my comfortable air-conditioned car, reached for a water bottle, rolled down the window, and offered it to her. “Oh, thank you. God bless you.” It was just a bottle of water.

He stopped by my office and shared his story. It was not a new story. I had heard many versions of the same story before. He needed money to get back home, and he wanted gas money, and he promised to send me the money when he got settled. I gave him $10. ($10 would buy more gas then than it will today.) The man thanked me “from the bottom of his heart” and promised to repay me. It was only $10.

I was a college student when my dad died. I went home for the weekend and the funeral. Several of my friends made the five-to-six-hour drive to be with me for the funeral. When I thanked them, they made it seem like no big deal. But, of course, it was a big deal! To me, it meant the world. 

Earlier that same weekend, the preacher from the church came to our house to visit. With soft and gentle encouraging words, he shook my hand as he was leaving and in his hand was a generous check with a notation “for Thomas Norvell.”

Those are just a few stories of how a small action or gift – a cup of cold water – made a significant difference in the life of a single individual. Of course, none of these actions or gifts were substantial, nor did they get much attention. But they made a difference. 

This week try to find something you can do for someone to make their day better. You may not change their whole world, but you can change it one day for one person. Pay for the customer’s order behind you at Starbucks. Donate to a fund to help someone. Take time to listen to someone. If nothing else, keep a bottle of water in your car. It will make a difference.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2022 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.  

A Norvell Note for April 25, 2022

Vol. 26 No. 17

Communication

Do you ever get frustrated as you share directions to your location with a friend over the phone? You know what you are saying and know all the landmarks that stand out along the path, but the friend on the other end of the call is still lost. So you try again, talking slower and then louder, but they still don’t get it. Or maybe the roles are reversed, and you are trying to understand your co-worker’s instructions on how to complete a project. To them, the instructions make perfect sense. To you, it’s gibberish—the frustration increases. 

There is a reason for the frustration. Clear and effective communication takes effort. Maybe that’s why Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” 

Across the coffee shop from me, there is what appears to be a tutoring session taking place. The young lady tutoring another lady will occasionally pause, lean back in her chair, rub her eyes, and take a deep breath to say, “Why can’t you get this?” Then, a little later, she’ll smile and raise her hands in celebratory fashion, expressing, “That’s it! Good job!”

Tony Weston (college friend, fellow communications major, brother in Christ, and occasional musical partner) told this story many times during speech competitions.

An elderly gentleman and his wife were sitting on the front porch. He turned to her and said, “I’m PROUD of you, Maw!” She leaned toward him and said, “eeeehh?” He repeated, “I’m PROUD of you, Maw!” She leaned towards him again and said, “eeehh?” He repeated loudly, “I said I’m PROUD of you, Maw!” She spits on the floor and says, “I’m TIRED of you too, Paw!”

We laugh at the story, but the truth remains that clear and effective communication takes effort. 

After decades of searching for words, illustrations, practices, and styles that help transfer my thoughts so that others can receive and understand, I have collected a few insights that seem to help. 

Good intentions are not enough. “This is what I meant to say.” “I didn’t mean to say that.” Your message may be clear and concise to you, but the person sitting across from you may be hearing something different. That’s not a bad thing; it’s just reality. 

Know and pay attention to your audience. If you know and understand the people you are communicating with, you should be able to adjust your message and style, which will help them know what you are saying. 

Know what you want to say and say it. Have you ever been listening to a sermon only to realize halfway through the speaker had no idea what he was saying? 

Listen and hear what is said. Listening is an essential element in the communication process that we overlook. Listen with the intent of understanding, not just waiting for the speaker to stop talking so you can say what you want to say. Listen. 

After centuries of trying to communicate His love to the world, God eventually demonstrated it by sending His one and only Son into the world to live, die and rise from the tomb. Yet, even with that, we sometimes don’t get it. Clear and effective communication is difficult, but not impossible. It is possible. It’s worth the effort. 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2022 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.  

A Norvell Note for April 18, 2022

Vol. 26 No. 16

After the Resurrection

As we move through the week after Resurrection Sunday, I pray that we will find great joy in knowing the grave was empty, and because the tomb was empty, our hope is accurate, and our victory is assured. Death has no sting. Death has no victory. 

Peace be with you. 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2022 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.  

A Norvell Note for April 11, 2022

Vol. 26 No. 15

Tired But Not Done

Maybe it is a sign that I watch too much television or am just irritated by what I consider ridiculous.

• I’m tired of the green lizard.
• I’m tired of the ads supposedly staged in front of the statue of liberty. 
• I’m tired of the ads with talking buttocks. 
• I’m tired of the dancing crabs. 
• I’m tired of the bears advertising toilet paper. 
• I’m tired of the ads where animals drive cars. 

I’m not just tired of annoying television commercials.

• I’m tired of rocks hitting my windshield when I drive down the interstate.
• I’m tired of wearing masks and wondering if I should be wearing one when I’m not. 
• I’m tired of (to quote a colleague from a recent talk) acting like a victim.
• I’m tired of being intimidated by and surrendering to fear.
• I’m tired of spending so much energy on stuff, people, and proceedings that I cannot control or change. 
• I’m tired of allowing my will and desires to override God’s spirit.

Life can get wearisome. As you can tell from my list, there are times when trivial things get the best of me, and it wearies me when I allow that to happen. So, it’s the time for a change. 

So, during this week of soul searching and reflection, I acknowledge that focusing on the things that irritate and annoy me accomplishes nothing. 

I acknowledge that it prevents me from doing the good that God placed me here to do. 

I acknowledge that the good happening around me is where my focus should be. 

I further acknowledge that my issues are nothing compared to the pain and suffering of the Ukrainian people, the abuses taking place in our nation, and the sorrow of the people I love. 

I’m tired of missing opportunities to do good. 

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:9-10)

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2022 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.  

A Norvell Note for April 4, 2022

Vol. 26 No. 14

I Can’t Do It All 

I can’t do it all. I try to do it all, and I try to convince myself that I can. Sometimes I even try to convince others that I can. It is frustrating when I admit that I can’t do it all. 

I can’t work and rest at the same time. 

I can’t be young and get older at the same time. 

I can’t be at home and with my children and grandchildren simultaneously.

I can’t write an article while I watch a movie. I can, but it’s a mess. 

I try to do all these things, but I can’t.

I can’t help everyone that needs or wants my help. 

I can’t attend every friend’s funeral.

I can’t attend the wedding of all my friend’s children. 

I can’t travel to all the places I would like to. 

I can’t watch every basketball game. Almost but not quite. 

The Scripture says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” But I realize that does not mean I can do all the things I want to do. I think it means that I can do all that He wants and needs me to.

So, what do I do about the needs I see? 

Simple. I learn to accept that I can’t do everything. Ouch! 

I can pray the Serenity Prayer. 

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

I can pray this prayer: God, give me wisdom. Then, give me the wisdom to use the wisdom You give me.

I can pray this prayer: God, you have given me the ability to do many things, not everything, but many things. Thank You. Now help me look for opportunities to use the talents You have given me to do what You need me to do. Then, allow me to trust that You have equipped other people to do the other things that need to be done and be at peace. 

I can’t do everything, but I can do some things. The things that I can do, I can do in a way that no one else can. So, I need to do the things I can and do them well. 

Lord, remind me to pray these prayers and know that You will give me the opportunities, abilities, and strength to do the things I need to do.

I can’t do everything, but I can do what I can do. 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2022 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note. 

A Norvell Note for March 28, 2022  

Vol. 26 No. 13

Learn To Let Go

“THIS IS A TIME IN YOUR LIFE WHEN YOU MUST LEARN TO LET GO: of loved ones, of possessions, of control.” (Jesus Calling, March 24)

I agreed. I sighed. I groaned. I laughed. I thought: this is a time to learn to let go? I do not remember when I wasn’t learning to let go. To live is to learn to let go.

The moment we were born, we started learning to let go of the safety and security of our mother. So likewise, the moment our children are born, we begin letting them go.

As soon as we possess, or think we own, an item or a gift, we learn that eventually, we will need to let go of it. But unfortunately, the reality of life is that nothing lasts forever. Homes and automobiles can be burned or ripped apart by the wind. Our favorite jeans eventually wear out. Sadly our most comfortable shoes reach a point of no repair. Precious jewels lose their shine or may be lost or stolen. Relationships change and sometimes end. 

Jesus told a story of a wise man who built his house on the rock (Matthew 7) to remind us that everything changes. Likewise, in the Old Testament, the book of Job is the story of a man who lost everything only to learn that he had the one thing that mattered most and did not change: his relationship with God. 

Everything changes, and we are constantly learning to let go. Except for one thing. The March 24 entry from Jesus Calling also included these words: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

Jesus Christ does not change. God the Father is always the same. The Spirit of God is always with us. Our understanding varies. Our knowledge matures and evolves, but He never changes. 

Birthdays, anniversaries, the change of seasons, and the aging process remind us that this is a time when we must learn to let go. As challenging and often painful as the process is, we have the assurance that we are not alone.  

“For I am the Lord, your God,

         who takes hold of your right hand

         and says to you, Do not fear;

         I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:13)

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2022 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.  

A Norvell Note for March 21, 2022  

Vol. 26 No. 12

There Is No Law

Growing up with two brothers and a sister, we occasionally got on each other’s nerves when one of us would do something that annoyed the others. When a request (demand) to “Stop it!” A typical response would be. “Can’t make me! Ain’t no law against it!” The argument rarely ended there. 

Similar, but not so childish, arguments continue today.

“Can’t make me wear a mask! Ain’t no law against it” “Can’t stop me from wearing a mask. Ain’t no law against it!” 

“Can’t make me go to church. I can worship at home. Ain’t no law against it!”

“Can’t make me act nice. I can be unkind if I want to. Ain’t no law against it!”

“Can’t stop me from attacking Ukraine. I’m a dictator. Ain’t no law against it!” 

Arguments about what’s is against the law will continue, but I was thrilled when I learned there is a list of actions against which there is no law. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

There is no law against love. You can love as much as you want and no stop you. 

There is no law against joy. You can be as joyful as you like. There is no law against it. 

You can be as peaceful and spread peace wherever you go. No one can stop you. 

There ain’t no law against patience. You can be as patient as you want. 

Go ahead, be kind. We need more kindness. Live it up. Go crazy with kindness. 

Be good. Demonstrate goodness. Spread goodness everywhere you go. 

Be faithful. There is no limit to your faithfulness to God and people

Gentleness has no restriction. Be gentle. Please be gentle. We need as much gentleness as we can get. 

Don’t let anyone tell you not to practice self-control. Self-control is up to you. Only you can control your self-control.

Feel free to practice any of these spiritual gifts as much as possible. However, if someone tells you to stop, tell them with gentleness and kindness, “You can’t make me. There ain’t no law against it.” 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2022 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.  

A Norvell Note for March 14, 2022

Vol. 26 No. 11

Six Months

A year ago, we had no idea what was ahead. Now we struggle to accept what happened. It’s been six months. Has it been six months? Has it only been six months? 

We were at the beach a year ago, and everyone was healthy. Our concerns were the weather, our next meal, and watching the children play in the surf.

Two months later, our world changed forever, and as we changed our clocks this weekend, I wished the clocks would have stopped a year ago, and we could have stayed at the beach. But of course, I know we can’t. 

There are difficult days, and there are less difficult days. Some days almost seem normal. But then again, we are not sure what normal is. Yet, with God’s help and loving, caring people surrounding us, we go on. We wake up, collect our thoughts, and move through our days and nights as best we can. Then, we start over the next day. 

We are moving through the necessary grief work in our way and at our own pace. When we think we are at a good place, a song will play, a photograph will appear on a screen, or memory will flash across our minds. It’s been six months, but sometimes it feels like it is September 10 again. 

If you, or someone you know, has experienced a loss, you can be sure they have tough days, even if they tell you otherwise. If they want to talk, listen. If they don’t want to speak, accept that, give them space. Let them know you are available but respect their boundaries. Pray for them. 

It’s been six months since our family lost Norah. It’s hard to believe it’s been six months. It’s hard to believe it’s been only six months. We miss Norah every day, and with God’s help and the help of friends and family, we will keep going. Thank you for your prayers and gentle, loving support. 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2022 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.  

A Norvell Note for March 7, 2022  

Vol. 26 No. 10

There Is No One Like Bill Alliston

“There is no one like Bill Alliston.” That’s how his daughter described him in the post she shared after his sudden passing. (@amac70) All who knew Bill would agree. 

I was a college student at Arkansas State University and involved in the Church of Christ Student Center (now #wolflifecampusministry). Bill and his family were also involved in the ministry. I don’t remember the exact time or circumstances that brought us together, but I soon became a part of the Alliston family. It was and is an abundant gift from God. 

Bill (and his family) made an indelible impression as a college student, as I became a part of a group from church that sang for weddings and funerals. I ate meals and spent countless nights in their home (including the night before our wedding). I drank coffee and ate Dixie’s Apple Pie with them. I was in their home when they brought Nathan home. We laughed a lot. 

Much of the laughter came because Bill was a great storyteller and could tell jokes as well anyone I’ve ever known. Some were not repeatable. He enjoyed life and wanted others to enjoy it too. I can still hear him laugh after he smacked my head with a brush as he cut my hair. He was a master of sarcasm.

Bill was kind and generous. He loved people and wanted people to love him. I was a recipient of his kindness, generosity, and love. He was intelligent, and it seemed that he liked for people to know it. He was complicated, and I think he enjoyed his complexity.

As often happens, we eventually moved in different directions and followed different paths. As a result, our times together became fewer, and our communications became less. But the love has remained. 

The last time I saw Bill, his daughter and son-in-law brought him to hear me preach one Sunday morning. I was honored. As I said goodbye to him that day, I thought I probably would never see him again due to his health issues, distance, and time. I did not. Like others who have passed from this life, he continues to live with gratitude and love in my heart. I am blessed. 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, 13)

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2022 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.  

A Norvell Note for February 28, 2022

Vol. 26 No. 09 – Vol. 26 No. 09

A Light in the Darkness

In 1992 several Christians from Virginia and across the United States made a trip to Ukraine. That first trip was to Kyiv. I made four more trips into Ukraine over the next six years. We flew into Kyiv and traveled west to Zhytomyr, and I made one memorable excursion to a small village north of Zhytomyr. The work in Zhytomyr grew and expanded to Rivne, with teams making regular visits until very recently. 

The heartbreaking scenes of the invasion bring back many memories. Although it was almost twenty-five years ago, and some of the details escaped me, one memory still shines brightly in my mind. 

A significant part of every trip involved us going into schools to teach the Bible. We were in Zhytomyr, and it was a frigid, snowy day, and we were late getting to the school. To our surprise, even though we were very late, the teachers and children waited for us and rejoiced when we arrived.

We gathered in the gymnasium, and the electricity had gone out, so one of the teachers stood on a chair holding a single candle to light the room as the children sang. The children sang, and the candle continued to burn. As the candle grew shorter and shorter, the teacher kept adjusting how she held it. Eventually, she had nothing to hold, so using the melting wax, she stuck the candle on the tip of her finger to bring light into the darkness. 

Our purpose for Ukraine was to bring light into their dark world. As it turned out, the innocent faces, sweet voices, and determined spirits of the Ukrainian people brought light into our hearts. 

As the citizens of Ukraine fight for freedom, they continue to bring light into this dark world. Please light a candle pray that the darkness of oppression will not overcome the light, and be a light in the darkness.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:15)

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2022 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.