Vol. 17 No. 35 | September 1, 2014

I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.
(John 17:20-23, NLT)

Was Jesus dreaming? Was the agony of the impending cross affecting His thinking? Was He, as some accused, a lunatic? Did He realize what He was saying when He prayed this prayer? Did John include this prayer in His telling of the story on purpose? Did Jesus not have an understanding of people well enough to know that this can never happen? Was John so caught up in the Spirit and in the moment that he did not realize what he was writing?

The way we, the ones He was praying for, act one could draw the conclusion that the answer to all those questions could be answered with a strong and confident, “Yes!” or “No!” Yes, He was dreaming. Yes, the cross was affecting His thinking. Yes, He was a lunatic. No, He didn’t realize what He was saying. No, John did not intend to include the story…it just slipped in somehow. No, Jesus did not understand people very well. Yes, John was so caught up in the emotion of the moment that He did not realize what he was saying.

The goal, according to Jesus, is that the world will know that He was sent from the Father and that they were united in the plan. The plan for accomplishing that goal is for His followers to be so united with the Father and the Son that the message of His love for them would be undeniably clear.

So, the question must be asked: How are we doing at accomplishing what Jesus prayed for?

Have we achieved such perfect unity racially that people look at us and immediately think, “They are one with God?”

Have we achieved such perfect unity theologically that people listen to our conversations and think, “They are one with God?”

Have we achieved such perfect unity doctrinally that people hear what we believe and think, “They are one with God?”

Have we achieved such perfect unity in any area that people would look at us and say, “They are one with God?”

Maybe our approach to achieving the goal is off. Instead of trying to find such perfect unity on these matters (race, theology, doctrine, etc.), we should first strive to be one with the Father and the Son. Maybe then, we will find unity in these areas that tend to divide us.

Call me naive, call me idealistic, or call me a dreamer. I do not care. I still believe His goal is achievable. I still hope for a day when people will look at us and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are His disciples because we experience such perfect unity. I long to see the prayer of Jesus become a reality. I am not willing to accept the we way that we are as the way we will always be.

I want to continue to pray as Jesus prayed…that we will all be one, just as the Father and the Son are one — as the Father is in the Son, the Son is in the Father. And may we be in the Father and the Son so that the world will believe the Father sent the Son. May we experience such perfect unity that the world will know that the Father sent the Son and that the Father loves them as much as He loves His son.

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 34 | August 25, 2014

I suspect if you were to search the archives of A Norvell Note you would find a number of other articles on “moving.” Welcome to the 2014 edition. We sold our house in an effort to downsize and reduce our debt, so we are moving into an apartment until we find the next house. Even though we are calling this a short-term temporary move, I confess that moving is always semi-traumatic for me.

I get attached. I get comfortable. I put down roots. I settle in. I make myself at home. When it is time to move I must detach, get uncomfortable, pull up roots and remind myself that this is not my home. I get nostalgic. I get sentimental. This afternoon I walked through the house and stopped in different rooms thinking, “This is our last Sunday afternoon in this house.” I felt a little like George Banks in “Father of the Bride Part II.” I also thought, “I really do not like boxes!”

In many ways moving is a good thing. Moving forces me to let go and clean out. Moving reinforces the idea that nothing lasts forever. Moving reminds me that every move, in this life, is temporary. One day we find a house and move from the apartment, even though it will promise to provide a feeling of security and permanence, It will not, because it cannot. That move, like this one, will be temporary.

Moving makes me restless. It is difficult to rest until the old place is empty and cleaned. It is even more difficult to rest in the new place until all the boxes are either empty or out of sight. Sometimes even being out of sight is not sufficient. I know they exist therefore they must be unpacked.

Moving also alerts me to the fact I was not created to feel at home in this world. Neither were you. C. S. Lewis said, “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” [C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, Collier Books: New York, 1943, p. 120]

Paul said this,

“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.” (Colossians 3:1-3, NIV)
As we make this move, and anticipate the next, we hope that will be the last move. We have hoped that before. We have thought that before. Obviously we were wrong and do not know for certain that it will be true this time. In recent months I have had many reminders of the saying, “If you want to make God laugh tell Him your plans.”
I am constantly in need of what the Lord said:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9, NIV)
So, it is moving week. This house we have inhabited for the last six years will soon be filled with the laughter of another family. Our memories will go with us and we will make new memories in a new place. Another house will become our new permanent home…until it is time to move again. This process will continue as long as we live and breathe until that last move when we finally make it home. That will be a move I will enjoy.
Tom
© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 33 | August 18, 2014

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. “Teacher,” they said, “Lord, we want you to do us a favor.” (Mark 10:35, NLT)

I pray the same prayer, regularly, “Lord, I want you to do me a favor.”

My prayer is not usually about being the greatest, like James and John, but it is equally self-centered. I say the words then start my list.

I want You to make our church grow.

I want You to make us more effective in reaching the community.

I want You to change the attitudes of some of our people.

I want You to make people do what I want them to do.

I want You to show people what a good guy I am.

I want You to make our marriage better.

I want You to change my spouse, my children, my co-workers, my church members, my friends, people in our community, and people in general so that they think and act more like I want them to think and act. That would be really nice!

I want You to make me a better preacher, a better writer, a better teacher, and a better counselor.

I want You to bring peace to the world.

I want You to do away with all the hunger and pain in the world, and make sure everyone has a home.

I want You to cause our church to be bigger without losing the warm, personal, and friendly atmosphere that we now enjoy.

I want You to make me rich and not think I am anything special just because I am rich.

I want You to make me appreciate what I have and while you are at it make me content with what I have.

There is my list, Lord. Lord, I have a lot of favors that I want You to do for me. At least that’s all I can think of right now. Tomorrow I will probably add a few more things to the list of favors I want you to do for me.

Then, to my amazement, I had a rare unselfish moment and turned to the Lord and said, “Lord, You do so much for me. Is there anything I can do for You? Can I do a favor for you?”

He smiled and said, “Thank You for asking. As a matter of fact I do have one request.”

“Name it, Lord. I am all about doing what You want me to do.”

He put his hand on my shoulder, looked me in the eyes said, “Just serve me.”

He continued. “I look around and see so many of my children struggling for power and position. I just want you to serve me. Don’t worry about where you will sit or what role you will play in my Kingdom. Just serve me.”

“I see so many of my children doing without, struggling to get by, and searching for answers to the many questions that puzzle and perplex them. I wish you would help them. Just serve me by helping them.”

“I know that you have a lot of pressure on you from the people of the world to act big and strong and set policy and make important decisions. Maybe someday you will be called to a place where you will make important decisions that impact the world, but for now, just serve me.”

“Don’t worry about being first. It’s okay to be last. When it is time for you to move to the front of the line, I’ll make sure it happens. You don’t need to worry about it. For now, just serve me.”

“What I really want you to do for me is do what I do. I came to serve, not to be served. So just serve me.”

“And when you serve me, do it with joy and do it cheerfully. Serve me because you love me. Serve me because my Spirit lives in you. Just serve me.”

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:35-45, NIV)
Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 32 | August 11, 2014

Another thought on being an encourager: We need you!

Encouragement is the action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope; to persuade someone to do or to continue something; the act of trying to stimulate the development of an activity, state, or belief. We need more encouragers.

You are an encourager when you, as parents, coaches, friends, and fans, surround your little league team before they go on the field and as they come off the field (win or lose) and shower them with high fives, pats on the back, fist pumps, and affirmations that say, “You played a great game!” “You did a great job!” “You can do it!” “We believe in you!” “We are proud of you!”

You are an encourager when, as a teenager, you take the time to sit down with an older friend, ask for advice, listen to the advice when it is given, and express appreciation for the influence the person is having on your life.

You are an encourager when your favorite golfer leaves a green, whether it was played well or not, and they hear your cheers of: “Keep it going!” “Keep your head up!” “You’re the man!”

You are an encourager when you move close to a young woman, put your arms around her, and hold her while she cries.

You are an encourager when you call a friend you have not heard from in a while and say, “I’ve missed you.”

You are an encourager when you stop the work you are doing to help a co-worker understand their job and talk with them about how they can do it better.

You are an encourager when you notice the little things that are done around the church that almost nobody notices and you find that person and say, “Thank you.”

You are an encourager when you take the time to write a handwritten note to the man who has not been in church for a while and say, “I want you to know that I miss you.”

You are an encourager when you text your best friend and say, “Thanks for being my best friend.”

You are an encourager when you walk alongside the little old lady in the grocery story and ask her if you can help her get her groceries to her car.

You are an encourager when go to your teacher and say, “Thank you. I’ve learned so much from you.”

You are an encourager when you promise to pray for someone, then you send them a note to let them that you have just prayed for them.

You are an encourager when you thank the server who hands you your coffee and you leave them an appropriate tip.

You are an encourager when you see someone do a kind deed and you make a point to tell them, “I saw what you did. Thank you.”

You are an encourager when you sense that someone is having a tough day and you ask them, “Are you okay?” And you wait for the answer.

You are an encourager when you look your son or your daughter in the eyes and say, “I’m proud of you.”

You are an encourager when everyone in the room has lost hope and you remind them that with God all things are possible.

You are an encourager when you come across a passage of Scripture that reminds you of someone you recently had a conversation with, and you send them an email including the Scripture and say, “This verse reminded me of you.”

You are an encourager when you are listening to someone you love as he shares his greatest fear and deepest regrets, and before you offer advice you say, “We should pray,” and you pray.

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. (Hebrews 3:13, NIV)

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 31 | August 4, 2014

When a dream you have had for years, maybe a lifetime, begins to fade and you realize it is probably not going to come true, you ask the questions, but there are no answers.

When disease suddenly attacks an otherwise perfectly healthy body you ask the questions, but there are no answers.

When a marriage that began with all the hope and joy that a couple can envision ends with heartache and sorrow you ask the questions, but there are no answers.

When a child walks away from everything you taught them, refuses to explain, and cuts off all communications you ask the questions but there are no answers.

When what you desire of your heart is always just beyond your reach you ask questions but there are no answers.

When the love you crave from another human being never develops you ask the questions, but the answers do not come.

When you think you are doing the right things, making the right decisions, and moving in the right direction but the results you had hoped for and assumed would come do not, you ask the questions but sometimes the answers do not come.

The questions? Why? Why me? Why us? Why not? Why not now? When? How? Ever?

When you wake up and realize that you are blessed beyond your wildest imagination you ask the questions but there are no answers.

When your marriage has grown and matured and becomes a blessing to others, you ask the questions but there are no answers.

When your children make good choices, walk faithfully with the Lord, and experience the fullness of life you ask the questions but there are no answers.

When you feel like a complete failure in everything you have ever done and cannot remember the last time you did something right, yet you have been blessed beyond measure, you ask the questions but the answers do not come.

The questions? Why? Why me? Why us? Why not? Why not now? When? How? Ever?

Sometimes there no answers. At least there are no answers that we can understand. If you will look behind it all — the pain, the confusion, the frustration, the disappointment, the questioning, the joy, the celebration, the amazement — there is an answer. It is the answer who holds the answers to all the questions.

The answer is God. He is there. He has been there through it all. He will be there through it all. He will not leave us. He will not forsake us. He is beyond our understanding. His thoughts and reasons and actions are beyond our comprehension. He is God. He is the answer to the questions that seem to have no answer. Ask your questions. He can handle them. When you see Him, your questions will disappear.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9, NIV)Then Job answered the Lord:
“I am unworthy — how can I reply to you?
I put my hand over my mouth.
I spoke once, but I have no answer —
twice, but I will say no more.” (Job 40:3-5)

Then Job replied to the Lord:
“I know that you can do all things;
no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know.
“You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.’
My ears had heard of you
but now my eyes have seen you.
Therefore I despise myself
and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:2-6)

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 30 | July 28, 2014

This is my plea: Let’s just be the church.

You may begin reading and think, “Man, this guy is angry!” I am not (and if you say that again I may unfriend you on Facebook). That was a joke. I am not angry. I am not bitter. I am not one of those “against everything” people. The goal of my preaching, teaching, writing and counseling is to help people know Jesus and follow His teachings. If you do not believe that look at my Twitter profile (@TomNorvell). That means it has to be true, right? I am for doing everything within our power and using everything available to us to help people know Jesus and follow his teaching.

I am not angry, but I am tired. I am tired of us pretending to be the church but not living like we are the church. I am tired of us playing silly and ridiculous games that make people think we are the church but failing to follow through with the loving message of God.

At times it appears that we are more committed to trying what is trending to get people into our buildings than we are to being what we need to be when we interact with people. We sometimes seem more concerned about convincing people that we are right, they are wrong and that they better join our team than we are of loving them like they are and where they are. Sometimes it appears that we have forgotten who we are.

We are not…

A civic club.
A social club.
A country club.
A coffee shop.
A fast food restaurant.
A resort.
A discount department store.
An entertainment center.
A complaint department.
A recreational facility.
A political party.
A judicial system.

There is nothing wrong with any of those businesses and organizations. They all serve a good purpose in our communities. I am not against any of them. I am not suggesting that we are better than any of those businesses or organizations, nor am I ignoring the fact that we can learn much about connecting with people from these businesses and organizations. But, they are not the church. We are. We should not expect them to be what God has called us to be.

Let’s just be the church!

Let’s just be what Jesus told us we are.

Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16, NIV)

Living as light and salt is different.

Living as light and salt is bringing good things to people. The good news. Good attitudes. We are good neighbors. We are good hosts and hostesses. We are good people. We make life better for people around us.

Living as light and salt is surprising people by loving them, being patient with them, and going the second and third mile with them.

Living as light and salt is not giving up on people even when they fail again and again and again.

Living as light and salt is forgiving them even when they don’t ask for it or deserve it.

Living as light and salt is using language that encourages, lifts up, and refreshes people around you.

Living as light and salt is being generous with people who do not expect you to be generous with them, and more generous than you are normally.

Living as light and salt is listening when you prefer to talk, and sometimes talking when you would prefer to remain silent.

Living as light and salt is protecting the weak, helping those who are helpless, and defending the defenseless.

Living as light and salt is walking with and in the Spirit and dumping the garbage in our lives and leaving it behind.

Living as light and salt is refusing to play foolish and stupid religious games and getting serious about imitating God.

Living as light and salt is loving God and His people.

This is my plea: Let’s just be the church.

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 29 | July 21, 2014

After I had completed my comments I moved back to my seat as others continued participation in the time of communion. Just as I was about to sit down a young woman whom I had never met moved up beside me and introduced herself. She had been present a time or two before but we had never talked.

She proceeded to tell me how she felt compelled by God to talk to me. I assumed she was struggling with something and needed prayer or guidance. I was stunned to learn that she was simply seizing the moment to encourage me. She was not needing me to tell her “everything will be alright,” to offer words of hope for her, nor did she need me to pray for her. Instead, she wanted to encourage me.

She spoke of how she felt the presence of God in me as I spoke. She sincerely explained that she genuinely felt that God was using me to make a difference in this church and that she was deeply grateful for me letting Him guide me as I serve in His Kingdom.

That’s it. She encouraged me and then moved back to her seat.

I learned later that she had shared similar words with another of our members. Both of us expressed how we were moved to tears.

Earlier in the service our youth minister shared this passage:

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:19–25, NIV84)

This kind and attentive woman obviously took God at His word and considered how she might “spur another on toward love and good deeds.”

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,…” (Hebrews 10:24, New English Version)

“Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out,…” (Hebrews 10:24, The Message)

She had considered, she pondered it, she thought about how she might encourage me. Then, she did it.

She sought me out of the crowd. She took the risk of interrupting me from my private thoughts about the Lord’s sacrifice and encouraged me.

She took advantage of the opportunity to share a kind and genuine message of encouragement with the one who sees it as his role to encourage others.

She was creative. She was brave. She could have waited until the end of the service. She could have written me a note, or a text, or an email. She could have messaged me on Facebook. She did none of these. Instead she took advantage of a moment to tell me face to face that she sensed God’s presence in me.

I felt guilty for assuming she was a needy person coming to ask me for help. I felt ashamed of my arrogance. I felt sad that I had labeled her as a taker. I felt all that, but mostly I felt blessed that she was a giver and a noticer and an encourager. I felt honored that she had taken the time to seek me out and share the message God had placed on her heart.

I was blessed that morning. I will continue to be blessed every time I think about her. I will be challenged by her example to seek out someone to encourage, someone to bless, or someone to express my appreciation for how they are allowing God to be visible in and through them.

Let’s see how inventive and creative we can be in encouraging others to love and do good deeds. Let’s consider it and let’s do it.

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 28 | July 14, 2014

While visiting our son and his family in Brooklyn, New York recently we spent quite a bit of time walking. Only rode the subway one time. The rest of the time we walked. We walked to restaurants. We walked to the stores. We walked to the farmers market. We walked to the coffee shop. Mainly, we walked to parks.

While in the city the weather was unbelievably comfortable, except for a couple of days when it was oppressively hot. Going to the park on those days was not a bad walk, it was mostly down hill. Going home from the park was another story. It was hot. We were tired. We were hungry. It seemed like every street was up hill. We would turn at an intersection hoping we had reached a plateau. It seemed as though we were always walking up hill.

Life feels that way some times.

Occasionally we will have a down hill day, or week, or month. Life is easy. Like…well…a “walk in the park.” Everything comes easy. Work is easy. Relationships are easy. Marriage is easy. Being single is easy. Being a teenager is easy. Parenting is easy. School is easy. Spirituality is easy. Communication is easy. Sports are easy. Life is good!

Then, we get tired. We come to a hill. A big hill. A steep hill. And the hill goes on and on and on. We reach a plateau and think, “Ah, we made it,” only to face another hill to climb. It seems like we are always walking up hill.

In those times nothing comes easy. Life is hard. Work is hard. Relationships are hard. Marriage is hard. Being single is hard. Being a teenager is hard. Parenting is hard. School is hard. Spirituality is hard. Communication is hard. Sports are hard. Life is not good.

We want to quit. We want to stop walking. But, we can’t. If we quit, we’ll never make it home. We will never make it to the air conditioning. We’ll miss the refreshment of the cold glass of water that awaits us. We will miss the fellowship of resting with the family. We will never be able to look back and share the memories of what we experienced. We can’t quit.

For much of Jesus’ life He walked the world as if He were walking down hill in the shade. He went about teaching, touching, healing, encouraging and giving hope to weary travelers. He assured them that though in this world life is difficult, He has overcome the world. He encouraged them to walk and not quit. As He walked the people could see that there really was joy in His journey.

One day Jesus started up a hill. As He walked He carried a cross. His cross. When He could not carry it alone someone helped Him carry it to top of the hill. When He reached the top He died.

Those watching assumed his journey was a waste. We know that it was not. At the end of the upward climb was victory. At the top of the hill death was defeated. At the end of His climb the Father was glorified.

As we walk, even when it seems our walk is all uphill, we remember that because He climbed the hill victory is ours. We remember that at the top of the hill there will be reunion, restoration, refreshment, and rest.

Keep walking and remember He has walked up the hill before you, and He is walking with you now.

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 27 | July 7, 2014

I sat in the packed church sanctuary for the memorial service of a minister friend who served one church for forty years. Co-workers, friends, and family members shared memories and offered praise for a life well lived. Videos and music illustrated the fullness and richness of this good man’s life. There were tears, there was laughter, there was joy and there was sorrow.

As I listened I wondered, what if that were me, what would they say? Would people talk about what a fun guy I was? Would they share stories of how I enjoyed the journey? Would they talk about how much I loved people and how much I loved the Lord? Would they talk about me making a difference in the lives of people? Would my co-workers talk of what a privilege and joy it was to work with me? Would it be a celebration of my life or would it be a sad memorial for a man whose life had simply come to an end?

I’m not fishing for affirmation or compliments. For me to spend the time during and after a memorial service reflecting on my own life is fairly normal. Maybe a bit more at this service because he was a minister, so close to my own age, and such a good guy.

These reflective thoughts may have been more intense after having had contact with two men earlier in the week who have helped shape my life in very powerful ways. The conversations with these two men reminded me of the commitment I made many years ago to live “life to the full” (John 10:10). All of this together remind me of who I want to be, who I have tried to be, and the legacy I want to leave. It caused me to recommit myself to throw off distractions that keep me from living the life I want to live and the life I believe the Lord wants me to live.

A few months back I designed a bracelet. You know the bracelets I’m talking about. The colorful rubberized kind that so many wear. After wearing a couple of different ones for several years I decided to combine them into one of my own. [Photo above]

The message is simple and formed out of Scripture:

No Complaints!

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. (Philippians 2:14-16)

No Fear!

For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” (Isaiah 41:13)

Finish Strong

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (1 Timothy 4:6-8)
As a companion to those three phrases I want people to be able to look at me and remember me as a man who lived, as Paul instructed, “Walk by the Spirit.” To live a life that is characterized by these qualities. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Emphasis mine) Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” (Galatians 5:22-26)

Somewhat like Joshua, “You can choose to live however you please to live, but as for me, and I hope my household, I’m going to live like this.”

No Fear.

No Complaints.

Finish Strong.

A life characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

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.