Vol. 21 No. 47 | November 25, 2019 

Here is my list of things for which I’m thankful.

I’m thankful for my family, memories we have made together, and the memories that are yet to be made.

I’m thankful for my friends…especially the old friends…and especially for the new friends.

I’m thankful that a beautiful sunset still takes my breath away.

I’m thankful (when I get up early enough) to see the sunrise.

I’m thankful that I still get excited over the possibility of a snowfall.

I’m thankful that I see a tree of many bright colors I still pause to capture the image in my mind and sometimes with my camera.

I’m thankful that when I hear a child laugh or cry it still touches me deep in my soul.

I’m thankful that I can share thoughts and feelings with people all over the world within a matter of seconds.

I’m thankful that I deliberate over my thoughts and feelings for more than a few seconds before I share them with people all over the world.

I’m thankful that when I share my thoughts and feelings with people all over the world some people read them, some people appreciate them, and some people act on them.

I’m thankful that I’ve lived long enough to learn that not everyone wants or needs to know my thoughts, feelings and opinions.

I’m thankful when I see a character in a movie who reminds me of a person who has had a major impact on my life I am still moved to tears because I miss them so much.

I’m thankful for the material possessions I am blessed to own, and for the increasing desire to own less.

I’m thankful for music and the power it has to energize me, to calm me, and to soften my heart.

I’m thankful for bright blue skies and warm (not too warm) sunny days, and I’m thankful for cold rainy days.

I’m thankful for the creative people and their ability to tell a good story and tell it really well.

I’m thankful that I’ve taken the time to remind myself of these things for which I’m thankful, that I have the opportunity and ability to share them with you, and you have taken the time to read them.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:15, NIV)

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A Norvell Note © Copyright 2019 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved 

Vol. 21 No. 46 | November 18, 2019 

The holiday season- what’s supposed to be: “the most wonderful time of the year.” It’s the season of gift-giving, thanksgiving, and finding joy and peace. Then there are countless parties,  travel, shopping,  gift-wrapping, more shopping, and eating, eating, and more eating. 

That’s all fine and good. However, this year, there is one person I‘d like to suggest you pay special attention to. 

You. 

In the midst of all the festivities and making sure everyone else is taken care of, don’t forget to take care of yourself. 

What good is it if every member of the family is well-fed, gets the perfect gift, and feels special if you’re so worn-out and frazzled you can’t enjoy time with them. 

I understand that you might feel guilty about taking time for yourself, or you might get fussed at if you skip one event or don’t make someone’s favorite pie.   But, I promise you, they will survive. They most likely will not starve and their world is not going to end their big present doesn’t arrive on time. 

This year, give yourself a gift. Rest. Relax. Sleep. Find a quiet place and take a few minutes to recover from all the activity. Take a walk, not around the shopping center in search of the ultimate gift, a nice slow walk through a park or the neighborhood. 

You will not be good for everyone else if you are not good to yourself. You cannot take care of them if you don’t take care of them. 

So, here’s an early Christmas gift from me. (Yes, I know it’s not Thanksgiving yet). By the power vested in me, as a fellow human being, I hereby give you permission to be kind to yourself and actually enjoy the holiday season this year. 

______________________________ 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2019 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved 

A Norvell Note 

Vol. 21 No. 45 | November 11, 2019 

“Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and Prophets and this is what you get. (Matthew 7:12, The Message)

These are some of the most well-known and quoted words in all of Scripture. But I often wonder what our lives would be like if we actually put these words into practice. 

Parents might listen to their children more intently and with more respect for their children. 

A husband might try to be more accepting and kind when his wife has emotions or moods he can’t understand and doesn’t want to talk about.  

A wife might just sit and listen to her husband without trying to explain, defend, or fix what is going on. 

A politician might respect his constituents more, work harder to make their lives better, and give them the benefit of the doubt that they’re not just out for personal gain.  

A church leader might be more sensitive to a member who is frustrated and hurting because she feels inadequate to do what God has called her here to do. 

A customer might demonstrate more grace and kindness toward a cashier, even when he isn’t receiving the kind of service he expects.  

A writer might be more concerned about using his words to encourage and inspire his readers. 

I think I’ll give it a try, and I hope you will too.

 ______________________________ 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2019 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved 

A Norvell Note 

Vol. 21 No. 44 | November 4, 2019 

Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. (Isaiah 64:8 NIV)

I remember hearing these words when I was a child sitting in a church pew. I envisioned a man sitting at his pottery wheel, shaping something from a glob of clay, and it took me decades to understand what these words really meant. 

God is the potter. He created us, taking us from an idea to what He imagined we could be and then shaping us into something beautiful. 

We are the clay. We aren’t in control of how we are “shaped” or how long it will take for God to complete His creation. We are at His mercy, but His mercies are beautiful.

We are all the work of His hand, and we are all in his hands. Even when the work He does is painful and lasts longer than we want, the end result is always beautiful. 

Some days I recognize that He is still shaping me, even in my sixth decade, and I wonder why. What else needs to be changed? 

On these days, I have to remind myself that I won’t always understand what He is doing or why. But what I do know is this: He is the potter, shaping me into the image of His Son. 

And that is a beautiful thing. 

 ______________________________ 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2019 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved 

   Vol. 21 No. 43 | October 28, 2019 

On any given day, I might pray…

I feel lost. Show me the way. He does.

I feel empty and alone. Fill me with Your Spirit, Your love, and Your wisdom. He does.

I feel broken. Put me back together so I can serve you. He does.

I feel sinful. Cleanse me. Forgive me. Restore me. He does.

I feel weak and powerless. Remind me that You are my strength. He does.

I feel useless. Show me what I can do to live my purpose. He does.

When I pray, the response isn’t always what or when I want. But I know He does hear me, He cares, and He will always respond.

______________________________ 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2019 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved 

A Norvell Note 

   Vol. 21 No. 42 | October 21, 2019 

Getting rid of clutter has long been an objective of mine. At least once a week I feel the compulsion to clear my desk and car of clutter. Oddly enough, this topic has been trending on social media and in personal conversations recently and has set off alarms. (Minimalist)

Keeping our physical space simple and uncluttered is a constant challenge, but keeping our minds uncluttered is an even greater challenge. For example, I’ve switched over to my mailbox, text messages,  and calendar multiple times since I started this paragraph. 

But mental clutter doesn’t always translate into negative or unhealthy stuff. Some of it is just stuff. But it will still distract you from what you are trying to do. So, to keep my mind focus,  when I’m writing in my prayer journal, I often pause and take several deep breaths to regain my focus and process what I am thinking and feeling. And I often pray, “Lord, clear my head of all the noise that is getting in the way of me hearing Your voice.” 

Jesus was a master of simplifying things. When the law keepers quizzed Him on the most important commandment, He condensed them all into one. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. And love your neighbor as yourself.” 

As the disciples struggled to understand His teachings and the essentials of being a follower, He simply said: “Love one another. This is how people will recognize you and belonging to me.” (John 13)

When Peter compared his actions with another disciple, Jesus simply said, “You must follow me.” (John 21)

Paul (an apostle of Christ) did a similar thing when he said:

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,…” (1 Corinthians 15)

We live in busy, noisy, complicated world. If we do not take intentional action to declutter our lives and minds, we will become overwhelmed, overcommitted, and unprepared to live the life God wants us to live. 

Some of the wisest counsel on this matter comes again from the pen of Paul: 

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His  good, pleasing and perfect will.”(Roman 12)

No one can unclutter your mind for you. No one else can prioritize or set boundaries limits on what you do, what you think, and or how you think. Renewing your mind may be a daily thing, or it may be something you have to do several times a day. But it is well worth the time, and you will notice how much more of it you have. 

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A Norvell Note © Copyright 2019 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved 

   Vol. 21 No. 41 | October 14, 2019 

Sometimes things don’t go as planned.

The car won’t  start when we need to get to work, or your baby’s diaper needs changing just as we are about to leave the house.

Sometimes our flight gets delayed, we get stuck in traffic, or we get sick while on vacation.

And sometimes, no matter what we do, our dreams really won’t come true. 

So, how do you handle yourself when things don’t go according to plan? Do you get angry and blame someone else? Do you kick and scream, and question God’s existence because you didn’t get what you wanted?

We all do one or all of these things when we feel defeated, and it’s natural to have negative thoughts and feelings. We need to give ourselves permission to feel what we feel. But then, we need to take a step back and pray for an enlightened perspective. 

Here are two that help me when I’m struggling  

When Jesus was being dragged to the cross, this is how He responded: 

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as You will. (Matthew 26:39, NIV)

While imprisoned, Paul wrote: 

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (Philippians 4:12, NIV)

These responses sound reasonable enough, don’t they? But to reach that kind of peace and acceptance with God’s will takes discipline and only comes as a result of developing a deeply intimate relationship with God. And that means spending a lot of time with the Word and in prayer.

So the next time something doesn’t go as planned, we’re going to have to decide how to react. But this time, let’s try a different approach. Let’s first do “nothing.” Let’s just take a few minutes to pray and remind ourselves of Jesus’s words: 

Yet not as I will, but as you will.

______________________________ 

Tom Norvell’s Coaching & Counseling

Click here to order Until Hope Returns.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2019 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved 

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Vol. 21 No. 40 | October 7, 2019

Our family reunions always include great food and meals together, lots of time catching up on the past year and sharing family photos. It also usually includes a visit or two to the cemetery. 

As I have strolled along the headstones, reading the names of those buried underneath-and the dates when they were born and when they died- I wondered what their lives were like. Where did they live? Did they have a family? Was their life one of adventure and good fortune, or disappointment and hardship? Did they love and were they loved well?

It reminded me of these words from Jesus: 

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

I know my life is full, but am I fully living?

I am blessed with abundance, good health, loving family and friends, and a purpose for living. 

God has done His part, but am I doing mine to live with fullness and gratitude? I thought about what living fully means to me…

living fully means I find joy in who I am and what I do. It means I know my purpose and live intentionally to bring glory to God.  It means appreciating the blessings I receive and doing what I can to be a blessing to others.

Living life to the fullest means enduring life’s difficulties with patience and confidence, and sharing what I learn with others. It also means finding the joy in my daily life and sharing that as well. 

A full life includes beginning the day in anticipation of what God is going to do and ending it with gratitude for what He has done.

Jesus came to give us life in its fullest expression. My hope is that you continue to evolve, living fully and courageously, every day of your life. 

______________________________

Tom Norvell’s Coaching & Counseling

Click here to order Until Hope Returns.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2019 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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Vol. 21 No. 39 | September 30, 2019

I sat in the chair by the window, journaling and enjoying a steaming cup of coffee. I glanced up at my screensaver and the photos caught my attention. 

As I watched the photos transition from one to the other, I drifted back to Nana’s sunroom, beach trips, family meals, and images of the grandgirls, all reminding me how quickly time passes. 

I walked down the aisle of my children’s weddings, as well as my own.

I relived the seasons- the beautiful trees and fall colors, serene snowfalls, sunrises, and sunsets…so many sunsets.

I  thought about church gatherings, sporting events, golf trips and their expansive courses.

I strolled down trails, past solitary ponds and along the rivers where I once walked or jogged to reset my mind and soul.

I sat on the edge of a mountain, pondering the questions of life.

After an undetermined amount of time, I forced myself to snap out of it and focus on the things I had to do.

But, before I completely came back to reality, I paused and thanked the One who created all of those people and places allowing me to experience them, even if only for brief moments in time.  

Thank you, God, for all You’ve done for me and through me.

As a boy growing up in Hope, Arkansas, I never imagined the joy I would find in life, the places I would see, the people I would come to know, and the family I would be blessed with.

Thank You, God, for all you are doing for me and through me.. 

As I go through each day, I’m amazed with what God does for me- giving me words to speak and write;  shaping my attitudes and softening my heart and allowing me to love and show mercy for the people I meet.  

Thank You, God, for all you will do for me and through me…please, continue to use me to share Your love and do Your work.

“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, forever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-22, NIV)

Vol. 21 No. 38 | September 23, 2019

I recently saw a cartoon showing a man opening the door to leave his house, and all his devices start asking where he’s going and when he’ll be back.

I think this illustration was trying to communicate several messages, including the fact that his devices were asking the questions his family should have been.

I recently did some intensive research (okay, I Googled it) to see how many messages the average person receives on a daily basis.

Here’s what I found (keep in mind, some results are 2-3 years old):

●  70% of ​StopAd​ users block an average of 200 ads/day on Windows desktop devices alone. (I’m admittedly not really sure why anyone would be using a Window device).

●  If folks from the marketing firm Yankelovich, Inc. (are right, the average modern person is exposed to around ​5,000 ads per day​.

●  On average, Americans send and receive about 94 text messages/day.

●  By the end of 2019, we can expect to see 2.9 billion email users worldwide (which is more than one-third of the global population).

●  Approximately 269 billion emails were sent and received each day in 2017. According to ​Statista​, that figure is expected to increase to 320 billion emails/day in 2021. Point is, we receive a lot of messages every day.

I suppose that is why, every time I read through the book of Proverbs in the Old Testament, the word “listen” jumps off the page.

Here are a few lines from the first chapter, and there are twenty others throughout the rest of the book.

Let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance. (Proverbs 1:​5)

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. (Proverbs 1:8)

But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm. (Proverbs 1:33)

With so many messages coming at us every day, it’s important to have a discerning filtering system to make sure we are hearing what we need to. So here are a few simple suggestions that help me:

1. Turn off some of your devices for designated periods of time and focus on the things and people who are important to you. Ask you, friends and family, to do the same.

2. Be very selective about what you watch, listen to and read. One of the great things about the technology we have today is that we have the option to choose what we watch or listen to. And I know this seems unheard of, but every device has an “off” switch.
It’s also important to block or “unfriend” people who are toxic or not enhancing your life in a positive way. Most will never know you’ve blocked them, so you won’t hurt their feelings.

3. Set aside some time to just be quiet and listen every day, even if only for a few minutes. Take some deep cleansing breaths and just listen to the silence, to the breeze, to your loved ones, and to the Lord. You’ll be amazed by all the messages you’ll receive…the kind you won’t want to block.

______________________________
Tom Norvell’s Coaching & Counseling
Click here to order Until Hope Returns.
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