Author: TomNorvell

Vol. 18 No. 03 | January 18, 2016

Suppose someone moved to your community and they are looking for a church. They ask around and someone directs them to your church. They Google your church name, find the link, pull it up, check it out, then call the office number. When you answer the phone they ask, “Hi, I’m new to the community and I am searching for a church. I have heard some good things about your church and I have spent some time on your website. I see your meeting time and have found your location. I’ve had some experience with church but I’m a little nervous about finding a new church. I’m thinking about coming to your meeting on Sunday, but I have a couple of questions Are you a church I can trust? Are you the church I read about in the Bible?”

How would you respond?

Would you say, “We meet every Sunday, sing without instruments, have preaching, say prayers in the name of Jesus, partake of the Lord’s Supper weekly, and take of a collection.”

Would you say, “We believe in the autonomy of every local congregation. Our leadership structure is predominately male leadership consisting of elders (also called shepherd, or bishops), deacons, and in some cases ministry leaders.”

Would you say, “We have ministries and classes for all ages. Groups for senior citizens, young adults, college students, high school and middle school student, and children’s ministries. We offer support groups for the grieving, the divorced, alcoholics, and for those suffering from other addictive behaviors.”

Would you say, “We read from the King James Bible, or the New King James Bible, or the American Standard Bible, or the New International Version, or the original Greek New Testament.”

Would you say, “We believe in God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God given to us by God as an expression of His love for us and instructions on how to live a healthy, holy, and productive life. We believe in Jesus as the Son of God and that is our goal to live according to the teachings of the Scripture, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the lifestyle of Jesus Christ. And it is our desire to share the love of God and the message of Jesus with as many people as possible. And we believe the best way to share that love of God is by loving one another and serving the world. We believe that if we adhere to these teachings, and follow the lifestyle of Jesus as closely as possible lives will be changed, souls will be saved, people who have lost a vision for life will regain it, people have been crippled by sin and addictions and the schemes of the Devil will learn to walk freely and vibrantly again, those who have had their lives ruined by sin and destructive behaviors will be restored to life abundantly, and the good news of Jesus will bring hope and joy and peace to all people.”

Once, while in prison, John the Baptist, heard stories about the man known as the Anointed One’s teachings and healing. Matthew 11 records his confusion, his question, and Jesus’ response.

Quite frankly, John is perplexed. He has been awaiting the Anointed, but he believes that person will be a great political ruler, a king, or a military hero. Jesus seems to be all about healing people and insisting that the poor and the meek are blessed.

So John sent his followers 3 to question Jesus.

John’s Followers: Are You the One we have been expecting as Savior for so long? Are You the One Scripture promised would come? Or should we expect someone else?

Jesus: 4 Go back and tell John the things you have heard and the things you have seen. 5 Tell him you have seen the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers cured, the deaf hear, the dead raised, and the good news preached to the poor. 6 Blessed are those who understand what is afoot and stay on My narrow path. (Matthew 11, The Voice)

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2016. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.

Vol. 18 No. 02 | January 11, 2016

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.’Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.’” (Matthew 6:1-4 ESV)

Jesus introduced a new concept to his followers when He instructed them to do their good deeds and kind acts in secret instead of making a who of it. He followed up this discussion with similar discussions on prayer, and fasting. His message is simple: when you do these things do them quietly and without drawing attention to yourself.

Apparently that was a problem for religious people in Jesus’ day. Jesus criticized them for the way they loved to show-off with their acts worship. When they gave they enjoyed people around knowing how generous they were. When the prayed they loved to perform as if on stage using flowery and pious language, being long and repetitious, and making sure they were recognized for their godliness. When they fasted they made sure everyone knew the sacrificial act of worship they were engaged in. Long faces. There was possibly moaning and groaning about the lack of food.

Jesus says to His disciples, “This is not the way we do things.” The same wisdom should still apply.

As disciples of Jesus, when we do good things, just do them. It is not necessary to call attention to it. It is not necessary to get credit. It is not necessary to hear a “Thank you.” It is not necessary to be repaid. If you intended to do a good thing, do not ruin it by letting everyone around you know what you did. It is enough for the Lord to be praised for the good you do.

When you pray, especially in public, be quiet about it. When you pray use your simple everyday language. It is not necessary to develop a holy sounding speech pattern. If you say a prayer before your meal in a public, don’t announce to all the others in the restaurant, just say your prayer. You are talking to God, if others hear you, so be it. If they do not, so be it.

And when you fast, do not tell anyone. Do not announce it in your Sunday School class or small group. Do not ask them to pray for you because you are fasting. Wash your face. Take a shower. Keep a pleasant look on your face. If someone notices you not eating and asks you about it, just give them a polite, “I’m just not eating today” and be done with it.

For Jesus, and for Jesus people, it is not about the show. It is about going about the life quietly, simply, and without drawing attention to what you do. It is not necessary to announce, “Hey everyone I’m about to do something that looks like Jesus. Watch me!” Just be like Jesus. Let the show end.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2016. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.

Vol. 18 No. 01 | January 4, 2016

Early in the chapter Paul wrote, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4, NIV)

At the end of the chapter he writes, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 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 3:15-17, NIV)

These thoughts surface from this text.

There is an appropriate posture we take once Jesus Christ raises us from death. Our hearts and minds are set (corrected, fine-tuned) to focus on things above. We stop giving so much of our attention to the things of this world and the things of the earth. We look up toward Jesus. We “fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (Hebrews 12:1-2, NIV)

Once the position of heart and mind is adjusted we, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…” Peace rules your heart. Peace controls your heart. Peace. Real lasting and often peace that passes understanding leads us wherever we go. Peace — a peace that changes lives and goes against the grain. What an opportunity we have to go into the world and be messengers of peace. Because we have been raised with Christ, we have that opportunity.
We “let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” When the message of Christ dwells in us can we help but share it, teach it, sing with gratitude? The answer is no we cannot.

Since we have been raised by Christ with Christ we do,“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.” Imagine living in a way where you are thrilled about your life. Because of our relationship with Christ we have the opportunity to live with energy. Because of our relationship with Christ we have the opportunity to live with gratitude. Because of our relationship with Christ we have the opportunity to live robustly.

Today you have an opportunity to make a difference in the world around you. That opportunity exists because you have been brought from death to lift by Jesus Christ. Let this be the beginning of not just a new year but a new way of living.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2016. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 52 | December 28, 2015

Within a few days we will say farewell and goodby to another year. As we end a year and welcome a new one many will spend at least some time developing plans and making resolutions for the coming year. There will be news stories about the first baby born in the hospitals. There will likely be stories about to the first couples to be married. And sadly some news programs will report the first death of the new year. Over the next week we will be experiencing and talking about all kinds of firsts that occur as the first days of the new year pass.

Instead of focusing on the first things, I would like to spend the space of this last A Norvell Note of 2015 to think about the last thing. What is the last thing you will talk about this year? It is a fairly common tendency among families and friends to share some of the most important and meaningful information during the last few minutes of our time together. We may chit chat throughout the visit. We may spend much of our time on trivialities until we are ready to walk out the door.

Parents will often end their visit with their children with words like, “Be careful.” “Call us when you get home.” “Do you have enough cash?” In our family we have always tried to say, “I love you” before we leave, even if it is for a trip to the grocery store.

So, these are the words I want to leave you with as the year comes to an end.

“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3, NIV)

This is my desire for you. That you know the only true God, and Jesus Christ. My goal for A Norvell Note is to help you know Jesus. It is not my desire to tell you about heaven or how wonderful it will be. It is not my desire to tell you about how important it is for you go to and be involved in a church or spiritual community. It is not my goal to help you get it right with how you worship. It is my desire to help you know Jesus.

I know of no more important question that I can ask you than these: Do you know Jesus? Do you understand that Jesus came to earth, lived on earth, died, and rose again so that you could be forgiven of all your sins? Do you know that if you know Jesus, you have eternal life, because He is eternal life.

The year’s end is near. Do you know Jesus? What are your last words?

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2015. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 51 December 21, 2015

As the clock continues to tick toward Christmas Eve and Christmas Day you may be feeling the pressure of finding that perfect gift that special person in your life. You have been thinking about it all year. You’ve checked websites. You’ve looked catalogs. You’ve walked

malls and shopping centers and department stores. You’ve dropped hint and you’ve asked friends and family members and people close to them to keep their ears open in case she casually mentions something she wants. Nothing!

You want it to be something special. You want it to be something that she will remember. You want it to be something meaningful. You want it be something she will really appreciate. You want it be something that will last. “What can I give?”

Finally someone suggests, “Maybe what you need to give her is not something you will find in a store. Maybe what she wants the most is not something you can buy. Maybe what she wants and long for from you is not a thing. Maybe the best thing you can give her is you.”

“That’s it!”

Your mind goes into high gear. “Why didn’t I think of this?” Now your options seem limitless. You can make something with your hands. You can write something. You can paint something. You take her on a trip. You can go out for an especially nice restaurant. You can write her a romantic letter. The common thread in all these is you. The best gift you can give her and the gift she desires most is you.

For centuries God expressed is love to His people. Time after time the people He loved rejected His attempts to love them. One by one His people rejected His messengers and His message. When He had exhausted every other means to demonstrate His love He sent His Son. He sent His one and only Son into the world. As in previous attempts His own people did not accept His love. His effort did not end there. He was determined to a gift to His  people would be remember, a gift that would last, a gift that was meaningful, and gift that would be remembered. So, He gave Himself to die on a cross.

God’s attempt to give the perfect gift was successful…at least for some. For two centuries some of those for whom He died have responded with love, appreciation, gratitude, and have lived and died to demonstrate their love for Him. Some have rejected His love. Some have ignored His gift. He gave the perfect gift.

Once you determine the perfect gift for your loved one all you can do is give it. Whether or not they accept it or appreciate it is up to them. You have done your part.

God knew long beforehand that some would received His perfect gift with gratitude and He knew that some would reject it. That did not deter Him. He gave the perfect gift. You do the same. Give the gift. Give it freely. Give it graciously. Give it lovingly. And enjoy watching them receive it. You gave the perfect gift.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2015. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.

 

Vol. 17 No. 50 | December 14, 2015

This is my sincere plea to my Christian brothers and sisters: Just be like Jesus.

This is not a request for infallibility, not a demand for flawless living, and certainly not a naive expectation of perfection. Of course we are human. Yes, we make mistakes…we have in the past and we will again.

My plea is for those who claim to be followers, not government official, not politicians, not sports figures, not superstars of the entertainment industry. My plea is for those who claim to follow Jesus. If you claim to follow Him, follow Him. Please do your best to be like Him.
The conversations taking place, the attitudes being displayed, actions being advocated by my brothers and sisters have brought to mind the words and the sentiment of this prayer of old hymn.

Oh! to Be Like Thee

Thomas O. Chisholm, pub.1897
Copyright: Creative Commons Public Domain

Oh! to be like Thee, blessed Redeemer,
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.

Oh! to be like Thee, full of compassion,
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
Seeking the wand’ring sinner to find.

Oh! to be like Thee, lowly in spirit,
Holy and harmless, patient and brave;
Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,
Willing to suffer, others to save.

Oh! to be like Thee, Lord, I am coming,
Now to receive th’ anointing divine;
All that I am and have I am bringing,
Lord, from this moment all shall be Thine.

Oh! to be like Thee, while I am pleading,
Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love,
Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,
Fit me for life and Heaven above.

Refrain: Oh! to be like Thee, oh! to be like Thee,
Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

Just be like Jesus. When you air your opinions publicly, just be like Jesus. When you engage in your heated debates about what is wrong with the world, just be like Jesus. Before you demand your rights and express your frustrations over being mistreated, just be like Jesus. When you are in the presence of children, and when you are teaching them how to get on in the world, just be like Jesus. To my preaching friends, when you position yourself as a spokesperson for God, just be like Jesus. When you proclaim what you will or will not do as a citizen of your country, just be like Jesus. When you are with your family, just be like Jesus. When you are with your friends, just be like Jesus. When you are tired and want to give up on the human race, just be like Jesus.

There was a time when, “There were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. ‘Sir,’ they said, ‘we would like to see Jesus.’” Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. (John 12:20-22, NIV)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, this is the plea I make, and possibly the plea being made many who are not within our circle: “We would like to see Jesus.”

Oh! to be like Thee, oh! to be like Thee,
Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

This week: I just want to be like Jesus.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2015. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 49 | December 7, 2015

Louie Giglio says, “Jesus has enough, is enough, and will be enough.” At first glance will probably say, “Amen. I agree with that.” But, back up and read it again. Do you really agree with that?

“Jesus has enough.” Sure He does. He’s the Son of God. He was with God in the beginning. He has all power. He has all wisdom. He has all knowledge. There are several places where
in His own world He claimed to be the Son of God. Some of the religious people of His day had trouble with that claim, but their disbelief did not distract Him from His mission. There is even one place in the Bible where He is described as “…being in very nature God…” (Philippians 2) So, sure I agree that Jesus has enough.

“Jesus is enough.” Hmmm. That may be a little more difficult. Can you really say that Jesus is enough? Do you trust Him enough to not need anything or anyone else?
Maybe you can relate to these words from Larry Crab.

“God, I don’t know how to come to you. I need to know you, to sense your presence, to feel your love, more than anything else. But, I don’t know what to do. Every path I follow leads back to me. I must find the way to you! I know you’re all I have. But I don’t know you well enough for you to be all I need. Please let me find you.” [Larry Crabb, The Importance of Finding God, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, 1993, p. 25.]

On one occasion Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14) Of course you know Jesus should be enough, and you wish He was, but sometimes you find it difficult to say that He is.

“Jesus will be enough.” It’s not a huge leap of understanding to realize that if it is sometimes difficult to consistently believe that Jesus is enough now, it may also be difficult to stay convinced that He will be enough in the future. It may be difficult to believe that He will be all I need. But you keep telling yourself that He is enough and that He will be all you need. Deep down you know it. There are no doubts, but then life turns against you, the breaks go to the other guy, or the other lady gets the job, or the other couple’s kid gets the scholarship. When then? Will Jesus be enough then?

“Jesus has enough, is enough, and will be enough.” That is true for Louie Giglio. It can be true for you. It won’t always be easy. There will be times when your confidence will waver, when your faith will grow weak, and when your trust will fail.

Confidence like that of Louie Giglio is the result of being challenged and overcoming the challenge. It comes by learning from you failures. It comes by taking note of the doors that God opens, the strength He provides, the wisdom you gain. It comes as a result of seeing God work in your friends, in your family, and even in the lives of those dislike and may disagree with. You can have a faith like that. You can believe that, “Jesus has enough, is enough, and will be enough.” Then, you will be able to help others believe that, “Jesus has enough, is enough, and will be enough.”

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2015. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 48 | November 30, 2015

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make church goers…people attend church on a semi-regular basis…do not expect too much of them. Just be nice to them when y see them on Sunday morning.

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make nice people…people who are sweet and kind and…people who leave nice tips when they get good service in restaurants…they vote in every election and keep their homes and lawns neat and clean.

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make church members…they participate in everything that is scheduled at the church building, give their ten percent consistently, and even take notes when on the preacher’s sermons.

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make good parents…the world needs more good parents.

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make politically correct and socially conscious citizens…people who care about abused cats, dogs, horses, world peace, the environment and taking care the homeless.

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make people who are not afraid to offend their neighbors, quotes the Bible verse that says, “God helps those who help themselves,” and would prefer most of the refugees stayed out of our country.

No, wait. I think we may have missed something. I think we may have read that passage wrong. This is what Jesus really said.

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples (a follower of Jesus) of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20, NIV)

We may have missed it, but we can still get it right. Let’s try.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2015. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 47 | November 23, 2015

Maybe it was because it was a beautiful and cool fall-early winter afternoon. Maybe it because it was Friday afternoon. Maybe it was because the sun was going down and casting long shadows from the evergreens, the oaks, and the maples. Maybe it was the music I was listening. Maybe it was just a fluke. Maybe it was my age and where I am in life. Whatever the reason, this afternoon walk was a time of reflection on the week that was ending, the people I had interacted with, the sermon I was formulating for Sunday, and the next article I would write.

The combination of the angel of the setting sun and the shadows being cast by the trees across the hills the open fields, the ponds, and the path where I was walking was too much for this amateur photographer to resist from my thoughts and snapping a few quick shots from my phone. The old club house, pro shop, tennis court, and pool house are gone. The difference in the landscape is amazing. The leaves that two weeks ago were spectacular in color have mostly turned brown, blown away, leaving the trees embarrassingly bare. From the shadows in the distance down the hill a deer stood motionless to make sure I did not move in her direction.

Having reached the end of my outward walk I was on the way back when I stopped to get this one shot across the water with the sun to my back. Focused on the pond and the hillside in the distance I did not notice until that snapshot included my shadow long and stretched thin in the foreground of the picture. It captured the afternoon perfectly. “What a long shadow I am casting this afternoon!” I thought.

As Jesus walked the earth His shadow, His presence, brought good news to the poor, freedom to the imprisoned, restored sight to the blind, and release for the oppressed. He brought life to lifeless, hope to the hopeless, and joy to the joyless. His shadow, His presence, fell upon the angry, the hurting, the lonely, the sinful, the broken, and the forgotten. His shadow, His presence, was significant and make a difference in the life of all who will allow it.

That image coupled with those thoughts, nudged my pondering from an image of a shadow on the ground to the shadow of my life. What kind of shadow have I cast with the life I have lived? What kind of shadow do I cast with the life I am living now? As the light of the Son shines over me does my shadow impact another life for the better? Is the life I am living providing a moment of beauty, a moment of peace, a moment of encouragement, a moment of joy for those whose lives I am touching? Or, it is just a shadow?

I wondered about my shadow, my presence. What impact is my shadow, my presence, having on those around me? Do those upon whom my shadow falls, sense a peace in me that passes understanding? Do those upon whom my shadow falls feel a presence that will bring refreshment to their souls? Are those upon whom my shadow falls aware of the presence of God?

Today my shadow will be cast across more lives than I can fathom. Yours will too. May the shadow we cast bring good news to the poor, freedom to the imprisoned, restored sight to the blind, and release for the oppressed. May the shadow we cast this week offer life to lifeless, hope to the hopeless, and joy to the joyless. May the shadow we cast, may our presence, fall upon the angry, the hurting, the lonely, the sinful, the broken, and the forgotten in a way that is significant make a difference in their lives.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2015. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.

 

Vol. 17 No. 46 | November 16, 2015

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:5-7)

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God. (Matthew 5:9)

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. (James 3:17–18)

Let There Be Peace On Earth

Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be.
With God as our Father
Brothers all are we.
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow.
To take each moment
And live each moment
With peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth,
And let it begin with me.
(Jill Jackson / Mark Miller – 1955)

The Prayer of Saint Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace; 
Where there is hatred, let me sow love; 
Where there is injury, pardon; 
Where there is doubt, faith; 
Where there is despair, hope; 
Where there is darkness, light; 
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console; 
To be understood, as to understand; 
To be loved, as to love; 
For it is in giving that we receive, 
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, 
And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life. 
Amen.
(St. Frances of Assisi)

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Lord, make us instruments of Your peace.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2015. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.