Author: TomNorvell

Vol. 17 No. 26 | June 30, 2014

For several weeks there was speculation about what was being built at the intersection just below our church building. Some said a gas station, but that quickly proved wrong as the style of the building and parking lot became evident. Others hoped for a nice restaurant. Personally I hoped for a coffee shop that would allow me to run a hose directly from their place to my office. Also wrong. The guessing and speculation ended when the sign was erected: a dental office and a mattress store.

What? Another mattress store? Why? There’s one literally right next door. There’’s another about a quarter of a mile down the road. There are two more just over a mile in the other direction…and they are right across the street from one another. Do we really need another mattress store?

From another perspective…

For several months we wondered what they were building on the vacant lot in our neighborhood. Maybe a park? Maybe a school? Maybe a shopping center? Maybe a putt-putt course? Finally a sign went up. Whaaaaaat? A church? Another church?

Why another church? There are churches all over the city! There’s a church just down the street. There’s another church of the same tribe less than a mile away. And, there’s probably a dozen more churches within a five mile radius of the new church. Do we really need another church?

One reason for so many mattress stores is because people have different opinions about what type of mattress they prefer to sleep on. Some like a firm mattress. Some like a soft mattress. Some want a mattress that is adjustable. Some prefer a mattress that is divided in two so that each person can adjust their side without bothering the other person. Each store offers a variety of mattresses and warranties and discounts. Each store has this in common: “We sell mattresses.”

Personal preference also has a lot to do with all the different churches. Some prefer one type of worship over another. Some prefer one type of preacher over another. Some like large churches, some like small churches and some like medium size churches. Some base their preferences on the type of ministries that are offered for children, students, and senior citizens. Most people, at some level, have Biblical reasons for choosing a church. Based on their understanding of Scripture a church should look a certain way, act in a certain way, and sound a certain way. Anything different is wrong.

Unfortunately, and sometimes too often, churches are formed because one group reacted angrily to the actions of another group and packed their things and left. Others leave because they felt forced out. Other feel they have lost control so they got angry and left. With the current changes in worship some choose a different church because they preferred another style, or could no longer tolerate the new style (or the old style).

Whatever the reasons — right, wrong, or indifferent — the casual observer and the honest seeker may watch and wonder why so many churches?

I wonder if the One who came up with the idea and is the reason for church might move among us and also ask: Why so many churches?

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:21-22)

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 25 | June 23, 2014

UPDATE: A few weeks ago I wrote about a golf course in our area that has closed and how quickly it has fallen into disrepair (It Doesn’t Take Long). Good news! Someone has worked over the last few weeks to do some mowing and cleaning of debris. On a recent walk I could see significant evidence that the beautiful piece of earth is not being totally forgotten. Today I learned that next weekend the old course will be the site of a Disc Golf Tournament. Supposed to be a big deal. Glad the beautiful piece of earth is being used for something good and being cared for. I am certain many of you have been losing sleep over the status of this former golf course, so I wanted you to rest easier.

 
The reason I walk by or through that golf course is because I am concerned about my health…physical health, mental health and spiritual health. Noticing how we sometimes abuse or neglect the earth reminds me of how I sometimes abuse or neglect my body and my soul. When I neglect or abuse my body and my soul I suffer the consequences.

I offer these three “Rs” that I find helpful in caring for my soul.

Relax.

This may involve sitting on my deck with a morning cup of coffee. It may involve sitting on a beach with a cup of coffee. It may involve sitting in my office at my desk with a cup of coffee. (Coffee is important to my relaxation.) This may take place on a Sunday afternoon in our living room with a ballgame, or a golf tournament, or a mindless sitcom on the television. Feet propped up on the ottoman. Head back, mouth open, eyes closed. Relaxed.

Relaxation may take place on a golf course. It may involve taking a long walk along a serene path. Before my knees and ankles started talking back to me it often involved a good long run.

Whatever is relaxing for you, do it often and regularly. Some people fish. Some people hunt. Some people cook. Some people eat (take it easy on that one). Some people like to read novels. Some people like to write. Some play a musical instrument. Some work on cars.

Find what relaxes you and do it. Do not make it a chore. The object is to relax.

Reflect.

This also often involves having a cup of hot coffee in a quiet place. Often it involves a pen and a journal, or my Day One journal on my laptop. The key for me is to write. Write about my week. Write about my day. Write about what troubles me. Write about what brings me joy. Write about frustrations. Write about disappointments, failures, hopes or dreams. These articles are often the result of a time of reflection when I simply started writing about what was on my mind.

If I wake in the middle of the night and cannot go back to sleep I get up and journal about whatever is on my mind. Once I have emptied my mind I can lay back down and fall right off to sleep.

Failure to make time to reflect is one of the tragic losses of our fast paced, get-me-on-to-the-next-thing world we live in. By reflection I simply suggest that you take some time after finishing a project, transitioning from a major event in your life, or the ending of a relationship and spend time in quiet reflection. What was good about it? What was bad about it? What did I enjoy? What did I hate about it? Sometimes it is nothing more than honestly expressing my feelings about a life event.

Refuel.

If you spend all your time relaxing and reflecting people may call you a lazy day-dreaming bum. You will not accomplish much. To refuel means to regroup, to retool, to refresh your spirit and restore your soul so that you can get back into action. Without the refueling you may never get back in the game.

You are not designed to be constantly overbooked, overextended, and fatigued. The refueling process is where we regain our energy. Refueling involves allowing yourself time to recover and plan your next move.

We need times of relaxation, reflection, and refueling. If we fail to refuel we will forget our purpose of being: To know and help others know Jesus.

When I neglect my body and soul by failing to relax, reflect, and refuel I am more likely to become overwhelmed, overcommitted, overstressed, overextended, frustrated, fearful, frazzled, and fragile. That is not a good way for me to be.

How is your soul?

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 24 | June 16, 2014

All week long I have been trying to think of something inspiring, encouraging, challenging, or funny for fathers, on this Father’s Day. Has not happened. So, here I sit late in the day on Father’s Day doing what I typically do on Father’s Day which has been a fairly t
raditional Father’s Day: preach in the morning, teach a class, enjoy a nice lunch at a nice restaurant, watch the final holes of the U.S. Open, later tonight I will watch game 5 of the NBA finals, and occasionally I flip the channel to check the scores in the College World series or the World Cup. It is a tradition.

It is a tradition that my wife and children have always tried to make sure does not get broken. They
have been, and continue to be, very supportive (maybe tolerant is a better word) of my tradition of watching championships in sports. It is a very relaxing way to spend the day. I love the tradition.

There are other traditions that I enjoy as well. I like certain foods on holidays. On Thanksgiving I like turkey and dressing. On Christmas I love sausage balls (made by my wife) and divinity (made by my sister and/or my daughter). On my birthday I like the coconut cake (Dorothy Johnson’s coconut cake) that my wife makes. I think it is important to be with family or at least have some form of significant communication on birthdays and other special days. I hope I can continue these traditions, but if they change I will survive.

I have other traditions as I go through the work week. On Mondays I like to do fairly light stuff in the office. Late on Monday I like to start working through my sermon for the next Sunday. By the time I leave the office on Thursday afternoon I like to have my sermon pretty much completed. I like to have at least an idea for these articles early in the week so that I can let it simmer, and prefer to have the article completed by noon on Saturday (that rarely happens). Traditionally I am finishing the articles late on Sunday…like today.

I have other traditions that involve spiritual things. I love that we have a fairly similar style of worship from week to week. And I love it that we are beginning to traditionally do things differently. I love our tradition of a cappella singing…when it is done well. I also love other types of worship settings and music.

There are other traditions that I am glad are changing. I love the way weddings that were once steeped in traditional language and activities are becoming more traditionally different. I feel the same way about funerals. I hope we can continue to adjust our worship settings to enhance communication and promote relationship building experiences. I am glad I am not required to wear a suit and tie when I preach or when I go to the office during the week. I love that if I prefer to wear a suit and tie I can.

I hope some of the tired and worn-out traditions continue to fade away. I hope that some of the new traditions that we are developing do not become tired and worn-out traditions. I hope we continue to be very prayerful about the traditions we change and the traditions we keep. I hope that we continue to understand that traditions are not necessarily bad because they are tradition, that they are not law and that traditions can and at times should be changed, and that changing them does not mean that we have abandoned the faith, the fellowship, or the Father.

I hope Jesus never has to say this to me: “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” (Mark 7:8) Or this: “How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” (John 5:44)

Father’s Day is almost over. Another tradition is about to come to an end. If next year we spend the day differently I will be fine. Traditions, even really good traditions, can change.

Tom
© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 23 | June 9, 2014
As I sat in the exam room waiting for the doctor I could hear lively conversation and laughter on the other side of the door. A nurses station was only a few feet from the door of the exam room. I could hear them talking, but I could not understand anything they were saying. I could hear them laughing but I had no idea what they were laughing about. For a moment I imagined they were looking at my chart. Whatever the topic of their conversation, and whatever or whoever was the subject of their laughter, I was excluded. I was not privy to what they were talking and laughing about.

For a brief moment I was curious. At another time in my life it might have hurt my feelings. When the doctor came in I forgot about the group outside. After giving me a good health report and directing me to the check-out desk the doctor commented on what a good time the group at the nurses station was having. I left without knowing what they were talking about and not giving it much thought (except for the purpose of this article).

For me to be excluded from the conversation at the nurses station (and many other conversations) is not a big deal, however there is one time when I not want to be excluded or to exclude others: When God’s people are gathered.

There are those times when I wonder if our language — churchy language — may exclude our guests? When we talk about things we have known and experienced all our lives we may be excluding someone who has recently joined us. Our guests may feel like they are in one room listening to a muffled conversation in another room. We talk about sermons, songs, communion, and spirituality assuming everyone knows what we mean. They may not. We may assume they understand our insider comments, when to do what and how and why. They may not.

We talk about projects and special programs and upcoming events as if everyone knows the when, the where, and the why. They do not. They may wonder what it takes to become part of the “in” group.

We talk about salvation, redemption, restoration and revival in ways that may sound condescending to those who are searching for salvation, redemption, restoration and revival.

There is the possibility that our guests will leave our assemblies unconcerned about missing the message, feeling perfectly fine without knowing the inside jokes, and unaffected by missing the meaning. There is also the possibility that they won’t. Do we want to take that chance? Should we be making it so difficult?

What disturbs me even more than the fact that sometimes we exclude people by using our “part of the club” language, is that too often we do it with a sense of pride in our exclusivity.

Maybe we would do well to take the approach of some of the earliest Christians as described in Acts 15:19, “So here is my decision: We’re not going to unnecessarily burden non-Jewish people who turn to the Master” (The Message).

Let’s remove the walls, open the doors, tear down the barriers, and clean-up our language and stop our activity that would cause anyone to feel excluded, left out, or out of the loop. Let’s make it easier for people to turn to the Master.

Tom
© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 22 | June 2, 2014

The date had been saved and had finally arrived. Family and friends from near and far gathered to offer their congratulations and ask for God to shower them with blessings and mercy. The music had been carefully selected. The decorations had been perfectly designed for the setting. The ladies’ dresses and men’s suits were selected, sewn and fitted with class and style. There was music of reflection, joy and celebration. In addition to the songs were promises, vows, stories, prayers and proclamations. Photographs were taken, food was consumed and the celebration began. One by one and couple by couple the guests made their exits. And then there were two.

Then there were two. Only the two. The man and the woman. The couple who had pledged to be faithful and true to one another until they are parted by death, drove away in a decorated car to their hotel and on to their honeymoon destination.

In a few days or a week or a couple of weeks the two will go home. Their home. Their first home. There, in the new home, they will begin to make their life together. There, in the new home, the two will discover that the promises they have made to one another on that one night were more than mere poetic and romantic words. Those words, those promises, now become the life they have committed to live. Those words, those vows, now begin to have a deeper meaning. Now there are two that are truly becoming one.

The two, may eventually become three, or four, or five, or six, or more. Or, perhaps the two will remain two but will expand their family to include close friends and deep relationships that extend beyond the walls of their home, and those walls will welcome those extended relationships. The two will become more.

The years will pass. The memories will grow. The relationships will grow deeper. The marriage will grow stronger. The two will become more mature. The two that were once distinctly two will gradually and become more distinctly one.

Then, one day, one by one those who have grown out of the two will find the one for whom God has been preparing them. They too will save a date, plan the event, create the setting, share their vows, express their love, enjoy the celebration, receive the congratulations and good wishes, and eventually go off on their own where they will grow to become one.

That is the nature of marriage and the family. That has been the plan since the beginning.

So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.”

That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. (Genesis 2:21-24, NIV)

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 21 | May 26, 2014

John chapter 4 contains the story of a desperate father seeking help from Jesus for son who is near death (43-54). After explaining the circumstances, begging for help, receiving what appears to be a bit of a scolding, and being told that his son would be okay, the text says this: “The man took Jesus at his word and departed.” (4:50)

“The man took Jesus at his word and departed.”

What if I take Jesus at his word?

Jesus made other promises.

Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

What if I take Jesus at his word?

John 10:10, The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

What if I take Jesus at his word?

John 16:32, “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

33 “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.”

What if I take Jesus at his word?

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

What if I take Jesus at his word?

John 16:33, “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.”

What if I take Jesus at his word?

Matthew 6:28, “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

What if I take Jesus at his word?

Matthew 19:25, When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”

26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

What if I take Jesus at his word?

If I take Jesus at his word I could be disappoint. If I take Jesus at his word I might be challenged more than I prefer. If I take Jesus at his word I may experience all kinds of difficulty in this life. If I take Jesus at his word I could experience something amazing.

“If” is the key word in this statement. Let’s remove the “if.” Take Jesus at his word.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2014. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 20 | May 18, 2014
There is a golf course, or should I say, there was a golf course in our community. The course was once a fairly popular private golf course and country club which included a club house, swimming pool, and tennis courts. The course closed at the end of last year.

Although the decision to close the course had been made more than a year before the actual closing, the maintenance workers had done a good job of taking care of the course right up to the closing. Fairways were mowed. Greens were cared for. Sand traps never were great, but they tried to take care of them. That was then. That was less than six months ago.

To see the course now one has to remind oneself that six months ago it was a functioning golf course. The hard lingering winter, heavy spring rains, and lack of care has transformed the course into an abandoned forgotten tract of land that may someday be turned into a park or green space. The downward transformation did not take long.

In a matter of months fairways have been covered with weeds, great clusters of clover, and wind blown trees. Fallen limbs and trees that once would have been cleaned up have been left along cart paths and the edge of fairways. Greens are now filled with weeds and gopher trails. Carl Spackler where are you?

For a golfer who enjoyed an occasional round on the old course and taking photographs of the beautiful colors of fall this is a sad sight. But there are other things that can take a downward turn quickly when the proper care and attention are discontinued.

When a couple fails to give their marriage appropriate time and attention the relationship can begin to suffer quickly.

When one stops giving attention to his physical condition — stops eating healthy foods, stops exercising, stops getting proper rest — his body will suffer and serious health problems can develop.

When parents fail to give their children the love and protection and security they need the development of the child can be disrupted and delayed.

When an employee fails to give his or her job the attention it needs not only can his or her position with the company be jeopardized, but the company itself can be affected.

When leaders of a church fail to give the love and care that the people under their care need and deserve the whole body will suffer.

When one fails to feed his soul with spiritual food and receive the nourishment of a healthy spiritual family he will grow weak and vulnerable and easy prey for attacks from the Enemy.

This passage from the New Testament book of Hebrews emphasizes the importance of providing care and encouragement for one another:

See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. (Hebrews 3:12-14, NIV)
Now the questions. Are you taking care of yourself? Are you feeding your soul? Are you nurturing your relationships? Are you fulfilling your role as a fellow believer? If you are, good! Please continue and look for more opportunities to increase your efforts. If you are not, please consider this a warning from someone who cares for your soul — even though I may not know you — I care. You need to take care of yourself and your relationships…especially your relationship with the Lord. It doesn’t take long to see the negative consequences.
Please start today. Please do not stop. Please look around at those you love and if they need your help, your support, your love, or your encouragement, give it. If you need these same things from them, ask for them.

It doesn’t take long.

Tom

 

Vol. 17 No. 18 | May 11, 2014

When she first got married having kids was not high on her priorities. In fact, she wanted little to do with the idea. There was fear. There was concern. She had very little confidence that she was capable of being a mother. There was no rush. She was a wife and she prayed.

She was good with kids. Other people trusted her with their children and she always seemed do well when she interacted with children and seemed to enjoy the interaction. However, when anyone asked, “So when are you going to have children?” She would say, “I’m not sure.” She prayed.

Five years into the marriage she was ready…or as ready as any new parent can ever be. She was a wife who became a mother.

When she held her son for the first time you would have never known there was a time when she was not so sure about having children. Some of the fears were still there. “What if I do something wrong?” “Do I have what it takes to be a good mother?” She continued to pray.

She was protective. Some would say too protective…over-protective, but can a mother really be too protective? She senses things others do not. She sees things others do not. She hears things others do not. She knows things others do not. I suppose she has a right and responsibility to be at least a little too protective. She had become a mother, the world changed, and she loved it. She prayed more.

Nine years later she gave birth to a little girl. The world changed again. I suppose having a daughter brings a whole new set of challenges for a mother. You remember what you were like as a daughter and probably the negative things stand out more than the positive. You do not want to make the same mistakes your mother made and you want to make sure you do the right things that your mother did. So, she prayed.

With both children there were some rough times. There were some challenging times. There were some extremely frightening times. There were times of questioning her decisions and second guessing the decisions she had made. There were times of sadness. She prayed through them all.

There were more good times. There were more times of ease. There were more times of great confidence and trust that the Lord was leading and that He would see that these children were protected. There were more times when the times of confusion and fear turned into times of assurance and affirmation. There were more times of great joy. She prayed prayers of joy and hope.

That son grew to become a confidently gifted young man with a strong relationship with the Lord. That daughter grew to become a beautiful and talented young woman who loves the Lord with all her heart. According to God’s plan they journeyed a path that led them to a wife and a husband who loves the Lord and loves them. She’s a mother and a MIL (Mother-in-Law). Her prayers were answered.

News came that those two couples were to become parents. “Can this really be happening?” “Can we really be so blessed?” Again she prayed.

In due time two little girls came into her world. Tears, screams, screeches, songs and jumping for joy would become the norm. “Sharing this together as a couple, as parents, and with our children is just such beautiful thing!” She prayed prayers of joy over how God had exceeded her expectations. She’s a mother, a MIL, and now a Yei-Yei.

She is a woman who became my wife who became a mother to our children who became a MIL to our DIL and our SIL, who became a Yei-Yei. She has prayed through it all and is still praying.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV)

Thank You God for answering her prayers and for answering my prayers, and for going far beyond our wildest imaginations and expectations.

Kim, I love you. Happy Mother’s Day!

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2014. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.

By: Tom Norvell

Vol. 17 No. 18 | May 5, 2014

When I am afraid, I will trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust;
I will not be afraid.
What can mortal man do to me? (Psalm 56:3-4, NIV)

Psalm 56 expresses why David is regarded as an uncomplaining, meek dove, driven from his native home to wander in exile. He appears to be disturbed by both domestic and foreign foes. David appeals confidently to God, recites his complaints, and closes with joyful and assured anticipations of God’s continued help. [Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), Ps 56:1–13.]

This short portion of the psalm consists of only thirty-one words but offers some important insights on how to deal with fear and unpleasant circumstances.

First, admit your fears. David states, “When I am afraid.” He does not say, “I’m not afraid, but if I were this is how I would deal with it.” He simply says, “When I am afraid.” Can you admit your fear? Are you afraid for other people to know you are afraid? That could be a problem. Will you admit your fears?

Second, when you are afraid, trust God. Stay in His word and trust His word. Trust His promises. Trust His promise that you can trust Him. Read the stories of God’s faithful people. Examine the lives of people who trusted God. David. Moses. Abraham. Joshua and Caleb. Peter. Paul.

Third, do not be afraid. We have already commented on how David admits his fear, and there are times when we are afraid. When we are, we muster all our strength and courage and act courageous. We call these people heroes. Even heroes, when they are being honest will admit they were afraid. No one can hurt me.

Could you write a verse of a Psalm like David? Maybe not as poetic, but here’s my attempt:

Father, there are times when I am scared. At those times, I try to trust. In my heart I do trust you, but my actions sometimes betray my lack of trust.

When I get scared, I try to read my Bible more to remind me of Your faithfulness to those who trust You. That helps. Your word and Your stories remind me that that I am not alone. Others have traveled this road before me. You provided them with strength and confidence. I believe You will do the same for me.

I will try not to be afraid. I will remind myself that You will protect me and that there is nothing that another human being can do to me that will separate me from You. I will remember what You said in Romans 8:

If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

When I am afraid. I will trust You.

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 17 | April 28, 2014 

         As I write there are storms in the forecast. Not an uncommon occurrence in our part of the world during the season. The weather forecasters have been mentioning the possibility of a severe storm system coming through for several days. West of us storms are already occurring.

There is a story in Mark chapter 5 involving Jesus, His disciples, and a storm. It is in verse 35-41.

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Jesus’ disciples were afraid when the storm came. They woke Him and accused Him of not caring about their welfare. With three words, Jesus calmed the storm: “Quiet! Be still!” Then, He asked them why they were so afraid.

How do you react to storms? Not weather-related storms, but life-related storms? Do you live in fear of the storm that may happen? Are you prepared for the storms that are certain to come? What about the storms seem to come from out-of-nowhere?

This brief episode from the life of Jesus and His disciples offers are few insights into how we can prepare and survive the storms of life if or when they come.

First, remember you are not alone. The disciples had each other, of course, but more importantly they were in the same boat with Jesus. He is the one who said, “Let go over to the other side.” He knew the storm was coming. He was prepared for it. He was not afraid of it. When your storm hits, remember He is with you. He knew long before you were born that this particular storm would hit at this particular time. (Don’t ask me how He knew. He just knew.) He also knew He would get you through the storm. He did not look at the fearful disciples, tell them they were losers and step out of the boat, saying, “Good luck guys! You are on your own!” He could have. He did not. He will not.

Second, remember other storms that you have survived. Has He ever abandoned you? Has He ever left you on the angry mist? Has He ever turned away from you in disgust and left you to deal with life as best as you could? You may have felt that He had, but He has not. He will not.

Third, remember He can be trusted. He created the world. He set the wind in motion. He knows how much water is in the ocean. He knows where you are in the storm. He understands your fears. He wants you to have faith, but He knows there are times when your faith gets weak. He knows there are times when you feel like your boat is about to sink and you are all your friends are about to drown. He can be trusted even in the worst of storms.

There is a storm brewing. Or, maybe it is already raging. Or, maybe you have recently survived a storm and beaten and bruised and battered. Thank Him for taking care of you, for not leaving you, and for assuring you that He will be with you through all the storms of life.

Storms come and go. He remains forever.

Tom

A Norvell Note© Copyright 2014. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.