A Norvell Note – Page 2 – Thoughts and reflections on God, life, people, and living as a follower of Jesus.

Watch the Way You Talk

A Norvell Note

October 29, 2024, Vol. 28 No. 42

Watch the Way You Talk

Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. (Ephesians 4:29, The Message)

I have used this text as the basis for many notes over the years, but I think it is probably needed more now than ever. Let’s take one phrase at a time.

Watch the way you talk. During the next week, you will have the opportunity to voice your thoughts on the election, the candidates, the results of the election, and the people who voted differently than you prefer. Watch the way you talk. Choose your words carefully and pay attention to who might be listening.

Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Even though others may use foul, filthy, divisive, and judgmental language, you don’t have to follow their example. Their language does not have to be your language.

Say only what helps, each word a gift. Say only what helps. How’s that for a challenge? Only what helps. That might reduce many conversations, but if you speak only words that lift others up, the conversation will be much more wholesome and encouraging. Each word is a gift. Treat your words like a precious gift.

In stressful times, we must be even more watchful of how we talk than usual. These are stressful times. Be an encourager. Be thoughtful. It may be that the best words are the ones not spoken. It takes self-discipline and courage.

Watch the way you talk.

Asking for Wisdom

A Norvell Note

October 20, 2024, Vol. 28 No. 41

Asking for Wisdom

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. (James 1:5)

Generous God, I do need wisdom, so I’m asking.

Please give me the wisdom to know what to say to the daughter who knows her mother has only a few hours left to live.

Please give me the wisdom to remain silent when I don’t have helpful, meaningful, or encouraging words.

Please give me the wisdom to know how to walk with the person going through what feels like never-ending grief.

Please give me the wisdom to know what to say to the young couple struggling to hold their marriage together.

Please give me the wisdom to encourage the gentleman who has lived a long, meaningful life but no longer feels he has a purpose.

Please give me the wisdom to offer advice only when asked.

Please give me wisdom when I enter the election booth.

Please give me the wisdom to change what I can and accept what I cannot.

Please give me the wisdom and the wisdom to use the wisdom You give me.

The Opportunity

A Norvell Note

October 13, 2024, Vol. 28 No. 40

The Opportunity

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. (Colossians 4:5)

As I watched reports of the storms that have devastated communities in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee, I thought about how important it is to make the most of our opportunities to be with people and express our love to them. Life changes quickly, and we never know what the day will bring, so we must stay in the present and live every moment to the fullest.

That thought consistently influences my thinking. But as I read the verse from Colossians, I realized that taking advantage of our opportunities has a more specific meaning. “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders.”

Consider the wording from The Message. “Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don’t miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.”^[1]

Consider how you treat people outside your faith community, the people in your neighborhood, your workplace, and the places where you do business. What’s your conversation like with them, how do you speak to them, how do you treat them? What sort of attitude do you have with and toward them?

Make the most of those opportunities so they can see Jesus in you. Doing that brings glory to Him and may help them know the Lord. Life can change quickly. You have this moment. Make the most of it.

^[1] Eugene H. Peterson, The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2005), Col 4:5–

Pray

A Norvell Note

October 7, 2024, Vol. 28 No. 39

Pray

Please pause and pray for all those who have been and will be affected by the powerfully destructive storms.

Jesus in the Neighborhood

A Norvell Note

September 29, 2024, Vol. 28 No. 38

Jesus in the Neighborhood

The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood. (John 1:14, The Message)

I have great comfort in those words.

Knowing that God loved us so much and wanted us to know Him so much that He sent His one and only son to live in the world where we live is very comforting. Jesus came to earth to show us who God is, but because He came to earth, He also knows what our life is like.

He knows what it’s like to lose a loved one. He knows and understands the pain, the confusion, and the anger that comes with death. I can’t explain why He doesn’t prevent it or why He answers some prayers for healing and others He does not. Or why He leaves us in the dark on those answers. But it comforts me to know He understands what I’m feeling.

He must understand what it’s like not to have money to pay bills or struggle to provide for our family because He spent much of his time with the poor and meeting their needs. Not only did HE meet the needs of people who struggle with finances, but He has instructed His people to do the same.

Because he moved into our neighborhood, he can identify with us when our families experience division and disharmony in our families. And when we cannot resolve the differences, He feels our pain and disappointment.

Jesus is in our neighborhood to remind us that He wants to be with us, is available when we need Him and wants to share life with us. I find great comfort in those words.

Look At the Birds

A Norvell Note

September 22, 2024, Vol. 28 No. 37

Look at the Birds

I had just finished my visit to the Assisted Living/Memory Care facility and was writing notes in my car. I glanced out my window and saw a group of sparrows in the grass feeding on the seeds that the lawncare crew had just spread around the building. They were surrounded on three sides by moving vehicles, yet they were tweeting, chirping, and hopping all around; they didn’t have a care in the world.

I thought of Jesus’ words.

“If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.” (Matthew 6:25-27)

The message is clear: Look at the birds.

When you, or someone you love, are struggling physically or emotionally, look at the birds and know that you count far more to Him than birds.

When searching for your purpose for living, look at the birds and know that you count far more to Him than birds.

When you grieve the loss of a relationship and long to fill the void, look at the birds and know that you count far more to Him than birds.

When you lose your job and wonder how you will care for your family, look at the birds and know that you count far more to Him than birds.

When life is good and filled with more blessings than you deserve, look at the birds and know that you count far more to Him than birds.

God loves us, and when we look at the birds, we remember His love is wider, longer, higher, and deeper than we can ever ask or imagine. So, take a moment to look at the birds and thank God for His love and care.

Peace

A Norvell Note

September 15, 2024, Vol. 28 No. 36

Peace

“Before you speak of peace, you must first have it in your heart.” 
—St. Francis of Assisi 

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Jesus speaking in Matthew 5:9, Emphasis mine)

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:18, Emphasis mine)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 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. (Galatians 5:22-25, Emphasis mine)

I’m talking mainly to those who claim to be followers of Jesus. I think we have missed something when it comes to peace. God wants us to be people of peace.

Perhaps we’ve missed it by accident. Maybe we have never noticed Jesus’ teachings on peace, though I don’t see how. Perhaps we have intentionally ignored Jesus’ and the New Testament writer’s instructions on peace.

Maybe we’ve simply misunderstood the teachings on peace. Perhaps we have concluded that peace is only about inner peace that involves sitting quietly with our hands folded in our laps and a serene little smile on our faces. Or maybe we excused ourselves and relegated being at peace to someone else. “It’s just not my gift.”

Yes, I think we have missed something.

When Jesus spoke about peace, He called on us, His followers, to be people of peace. We are to be the examples. We are to lead the way, being people of peace.

Yet, it seems we too often choose the opposite route. We fret, and we worry; we moan and cry in fear. We gripe and complain and accuse and threaten. We judge, criticize, and exclude. Where is the peace in that? How are we any different?

I think we can be better. Indeed, we can be better. I pray we can be better. Let’s be better.

My Mouth and My Heart

A Norvell Note September 8, 2024, Vol. 28 No. 35

My Words and My Mouth

I need to pray this prayer.

May the words of my mouth

and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing to you,

O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)

I need to pray these words so that my words will be kind and accepting because sometimes the meditations of my heart are unkind and judgmental.

I need to pray this prayer so that my words will be gentle and loving because sometimes the meditations of my heart are harsh and unloving.

I need to pray this prayer so that my words will be encouraging because sometimes the meditations of my heart are not about encouragement.

I need to pray this prayer so that my words and actions will build others up, not tear them down.

I need to pray this prayer so my words and actions will bring gentleness and healing to the hurting and broken.

I need to pray this prayer, so my words and actions will bring light and joy into a dark world of sadness.

I need to pray this prayer because sometimes the contents of my heart are far from pleasing to God, even though He is my rock and my redeemer.

I need to pray this prayer daily, and sometimes, I need to pray this prayer many times.

May the words of my mouth

and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing to you,

O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)

What It’s All About

A Norvell Note September 1, 2024, Vol. 28 No. 34

What It’s All About

We were watching one of the early-season college football games. Within four or five minutes, the announcer (a term I use loosely) declared with great enthusiasm three times, “That’s what it’s all about.” I might have commented out loud, “Well, which play are you talking about? What are you saying? What is it all about?” I sometimes talk back to sports announcers.

The announcer’s opinion does not compare to the certainty with which Solomon says, “No, this is what it’s all about, what life is all about.”

“Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.” (Ecclesiastes 12:9-10, NIV) “Then I tried to explain these things in the best and most accurate way.” (CEV) “The Quester did his best to find the right words and write the plain truth.” (The Message)

Everything you were taught can be put into a few words:

Respect and obey God!

This is what life

is all about.

God will judge

everything we do,

even what is done in secret,

whether good or bad. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, CEV)

We will experience many exciting and important events in our lives. Some will be significant accomplishments, and others will be, as Solomon said, “a chasing after the wind.” Whatever we do, accomplish, whoever we know, and regardless of how much power we have, let us always remember that what matters is our relationship with God.

How is your relationship with God?

A Few Words About Words

A Norvell Note

August 26, 2024, Vol. 28 No. 34

A Few Words About Words

I’m advocating that we practice the words from Ecclesiastes 5, whether in the house of God or the marketplace, by sharing a few words about words.

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.

²Do not be quick with your mouth,
    do not be hasty in your heart
    to utter anything before God.
God is in heaven
    and you are on earth,
    so let your words be few.
³A dream comes when there are many cares,
    and many words mark the speech of a fool.

⁴When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. ⁵It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. ⁶Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? ⁷Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.

Let your words be few it is sometimes better to be quiet.

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