Vol. 19 No. 51 | December 24, 2017

Peace on earth. Good will toward men.

This year, let’s do it! Let’s make these words more than a line out of the Christmas story. This year, let’s bring those words to life.

When you have decked all the halls you can deck and jingled all the bells you can jingle, why not make a commitment to bring peace on earth and good will toward men.

It’s not as difficult as it sounds. A good place to start would be to read these words from Romans. In fact, you might try reading them two are three times.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. (Romans 12:17-19, NIV)

Now, try:

When someone does something bad to you, let it go. If it is truly evil, do not repay it with another evil. Instead of revenge, choose forgiveness.

Just do what is right. Plain and simple. Of course there will be times when you can’t please everyone. But as much as possible, do what is right by everyone. It makes sense that if you are doing what is right, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll please most of the people most of the time.

Live at peace with everyone. You can see how the three overlap with one another. If you let go of evil when it is done to you and do what is right, you are more likely going to be at peace with those around you.

Don’t wait until the new year begins, and don’t limit it to three weeks in December. Bring these words to life, start today, and let there be peace on earth by showing good will toward men.

It begins with you.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2017 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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At the End of Your Rope?

The sermon begins with these words:

You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.   (Matthew 5:3, The Message)

Do you feel like you’re at the end of your rope?

Maybe you’ve been in a classroom with twenty-five kindergarten children and it’s two days before Christmas break.

Or you’ve been working two jobs for the last six months, so you can afford the Christmas gifts your children want.

Or you’re headed to yet another doctor appointment to hear one more time, “Let’s try this and see if it helps.”

Maybe the end of your rope comes when you’re visiting your wife who hasn’t recognized you in two years, hoping today she will.

Or you’re clocking in for another boring day at your dead-end job.

Or you’re trying to prepare another sermon when you are spiritually and emotionally drained.

Maybe the end of your rope is another night eating alone.

Or reading another Christmas letter reminding you how wonderful they and their kids are doing.

Or looking at the calendar and remembering all the things you intended to do this year that you didn’t.

Maybe the end of your rope is opening your Bible again with no idea of what words you need to hear from the Lord.

Or maybe the end of your rope is when you feel like, no matter how hard you try, you still keep falling short and can’t seem to get your life right as a follower of Jesus.

If you are the end of there is good news. Jesus said,

With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

Although there is probably much more to the second part of that verse than I understand, I understand enough to know that Jesus is saying, “Congratulations! You’ve done your part, now I can take over and do what needs to be done. You’ve worked hard trying to navigate this life I’ve called you to. Finally, you’re realizing that you can’t do it alone. Now, let me help.”

Are you at the end of your rope? Good. You are right where you need to be.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2017 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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Vol. 19 No. 46 | December 10, 2017

It helps to know where you are going?

I had received word that a friend was to have a medical procedure at one of the local hospitals. I actually received text messages with time and location from multiple people. My plan was to go visit and pray before the procedure. Allowing myself plenty of time for traffic snarls and other possible delays I left home in plenty of time to arrive, park, and walk from the parking lot to the location.

So, I drove at the speed limit, found the hospital, parked in the garage, walked to the hospital and began my search for my friend, her husband, and other friends. Second floor. Okay here I am. Nope. Not here. Well, maybe there is another second floor or maybe it is in another part of the hospital. Down this hall. Asked for directions. Nope. Not here. I’ll try this hall. Nope. I’ll ask this lady at the information desk. “I’ll show you. You’ll never find it on your own.” She said in a semi-polite manner. I thanked her. She left. Nope. Not here.

My friends had already told me there were at the hospital on the second floor. So, I texted them again, got the same information, and continued my search. The next exchange of information when something like this.

Me: I’m still searching.

Friend: Where are you?

Me: I’m on the Second floor. I’ve been all over the second floor. (And the Third, and the Fourth…but I did not tell them that.) I’m standing right by the Food Court.

Friend: Silence.

Me: Silence.

Me: Are you at the West hospital?

Friend: No, we are at the Mid-Town hospital.

Me: That explains a lot.

I had another appointment and knew I would not have time to get to Mid-Town and then to my next appointment, so I apologized for missing them and asked them to update me on things and they transpired. They did. The friend did well. All is well. I made my next appointment (only one location for this one.)

I also was reminded of a well-known and important rule of travel: It helps to know the right location.

I had no one to blame but me. Rechecked my text messages about a dozen times during my wilderness wanderings. Yep, says right there: West. Actually, it said Mid-town, but because I had it locked in my head that it was West, I read it every time as West.

Yes, I felt pretty foolish. No harm done but it is important to know the right location.

My GPS correctly guided me to the place I thought I was supposed to go. In my mind, I thought I was in the right place. Once I arrived, I thought I was at the right place.

Sometimes our hearts and minds lead us to the wrong place. The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah said this about the heart:

The heart is deceitful above all things
and beyond cure.
Who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9, NIV)

In my heart and mind, I was in the right place. I wanted to be in the right place. But I was not in the right place. Being in the wrong place is not always as simple and innocent as going to the wrong hospital.

Our heart, and a mind full of good intentions, may lead us to a place that we thought would be beneficial. Once we arrive we realize it is not where we need to be. A party. Co-workers going out for a drink after work. A workplace that turns negative and discouraging. A relationship that had great potential becomes toxic and destructive. A major family decision that required some significant changes seemed like a good idea at the time but just before the move day you realized you were headed in the wrong direction.

There’s a way of life that looks harmless enough;
look again—it leads straight to hell.
Sure, those people appear to be having a good time,
but all that laughter will end in heartbreak. (Proverbs 14:12-13, MSG)

The Psalmist offers another tool to help guide us as we travel through life.

I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.

Your word is like a lamp that shows me the way.
It is like a light that guides me.
I have made a promise
to follow your laws, because they are right. (Psalm 119:104-106, NIV)

It is important to know where you are going, and it is important to know where you are when you arrive. During the course of the next few days you will be presented with many options on how to live your life, places you will go, people you will spend time with. Knowing where you are going, and where you are, is very important. Choose wisely. When you find you are in the wrong place, admit it and adjust your course as needed.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2017 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

Vol. 19 No. 48 | December 3, 2017

We read it on our money. (You remember money, the green paper bills we once used to pay for things.) We see it on government buildings; hear it preached in church services; and boast it in secular, patriotic, and religious songs.

In God we trust.

We hear and say these words repeatedly, yet it seems to me what we are saying and what we are actually doing are two very different things.

So my question is, do we really trust in God?

Because if we really trust in God, why do we panic when the stock market drops?

If we really trust in God, why are we so anxious when those in power threaten war?

If we really trust in God, why do we pray and pray for Godly wisdom, spiritual guidance, and strength to live for God, but at the first sign of difficulty, we revert back to our human resources?

I know these questions have been asked for centuries, and they will continue to be asked long after I’m gone. I also realize that economic disasters, nuclear war, and personal crises are valid concerns that deserve our attention. But if we really trust in God, shouldn’t the way we deal with these potential disasters be different?

When David’s entire world seemed to be in turmoil (Psalm 31:1-13) he responded with:

But I trust in you, Lord;
I say, “You are my God.”
My times are in your hands; (14-15)

After Solomon had explored and experienced almost everything life could offer, he concluded:

Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the duty of all mankind.
For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

In another place Solomon shared:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

John wrote:

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18)

Let me reiterate, I completely understand that we live in uncertain times. Fear is being used to manipulate our decisions and convince us that the days ahead are going to be worse than days past. Some of them will be worse, but if we trust in God, we can face those challenging days with faith and courage.

Remember God said:

Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. (Joshua 1:4-6, NIV)

He also said:

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5, NIV)

If it is true that in God we trust, let’s live like that is our truth. Let’s show the world those words are not just what we say, they are what we do.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2017. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.

Oops. Pushed the publish button too soon. First time in twenty years anything like that has happened. HA! You know better, I hope. 

Hello friends,

I’ve been writing and publishing A Norvell Note for almost twenty years. Beginning next week I will be offering an opportunity for you to participate in a practical and VERY inexpensive manner as I make plans to continue and expand the writing of A Norvell Notes. Please think and pray concerning this opportunity and I’ll share more information in the next few days.

Thanks for reading

Oops. Pushed the publish button too soon. First time in twenty years anything like that has happened. HA! You know better, I hope. 

Hello friends,

I’ve been writing and publishing A Norvell Note for almost twenty years. Beginning next week I will be offering an opportunity for you to participate in a practical and VERY inexpensive manner as I make plans to continue and expand the writing of A Norvell Notes. Please think and pray concerning this opportunity and I’ll share more information in the next few days.

Thanks for reading

Tom

Vol. 19 No. 47 | November 26, 2017

You survived the week of Thanksgiving- the family gatherings and countless television commercials reminding you of the happiness you are supposed to feel when you set down at the table. Now it’s time to endure all the ads promising you the things you buy will make the holidays great. Almost every waking moment you are bombarded with advertisements, posters, commercials, Christmas movies, and musical specials, all promising this will be the best holiday season ever.

But, what if it’s not?

What if your Thanksgiving was awful…again? What if the thought of another Christmas season and listening to one more version of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” makes you want to physically choke the cashier at the department store. What if you feel lonely, sad and too tired to keep going?

I suspect some of you reading this know exactly what I am talking about, or you know someone who does. I wish I had an easy solution to make the dread and sadness go away that could be wrapped up in ‘pretty paper and ribbons of blue.’ I don’t, but I do have one simple prayer to offer that has helped me and many others struggling to keep going.

Father, please give me the desire to have the desire to try.

For the father or mother who is tired of feeling like a failure:

Father, please give him or her the desire to have the desire to try.

For the sons or daughters who feel they have disappointed their parents too many times:

Father, please give them the desire to have the desire to try.

For the couple who feels they have done everything they can do to save their marriage:

Father, please give them the desire to have the desire to try.

For the man who feels like he has messed up his life so badly, he is unworthy of God’s forgiveness:

Father, please give him the desire to have the desire to try.

For the woman who has suffered pain of abuse for so long, she wonders if she will ever know how it feels to be loved:

Father, please give her the desire to have the desire to try.

For the church leader who is weary and broken and disappointed:

Father, please give him or her the desire to have the desire to try.

For the artist who wonders if his work will ever be accepted or appreciated:

Father, please give him or her the desire to have the desire to try.

For all of you reading these words who wonder if there really is a reason to keep hoping and trying:

May these words reach you and help you have the desire to have the desire to keep hoping and trying...

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2017 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You can now subscribe to A Norvell Note directly from the website by visiting www.anorvellnote.net.

This article was originally shared during Thanksgiving week in 2008. There was a lot going on at time…not so different from today.

Vol. 19 No. 46 | November 19, 2017

FOLLOWER: Lord, I was reading your words the other day and came across this. It’s in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.

GOD: Yes, I remember. I asked my servant Paul to write that. Is there a problem?

FOLLOWER: Well yeah, I mean I try to do that, but it’s hard. I try to be as cheerful as I can. And I pray as much as I can. Almost all the time. Even over little stuff, like the ability to help me speak well on Your behalf, and even the words to write these articles.

GOD: That’s good. I’m proud of you. That’s what I hope for you.

FOLLOWER: Thanks, but that’s not really what the problem is. The problem I’m having is with that last part.

GOD: You mean the part about how I want you to live?

FOLLOWER: Yeah, and the part right before that, “thank God no matter what happens.” That’s not so easy, either.

GOD: Can you explain what you mean?

FOLLOWER: Well, for instance, I visited someone in the hospital the other day who just found out she has cancer. She and her husband have a great attitude about the treatment and seem very courageous. I prayed for them, for the ability to help them, and I tried to be as cheerful as I could. But how can I be thankful about cancer?

GOD: I understand, go on.

FOLLOWER: Okay, I’m working with several couples, trying to help them salvage their marriages. Some of them are in really rough situations. Some had terrible things happen to them in their past, which makes it hard for them handle their differences with kindness and treat each other in a loving way. They are unhappy and hurting. So what is there to be thankful for about unhappy and hurting?

GOD: I understand. Is there anything else?

FOLLOWER: Well yes. I mean, look at this world we are living in. It’s a mess. We are living in constant fear of an economic collapse. People are losing their homes, their jobs, their retirements, and their savings.  And it’s only a matter of time before the next terrorist attack or school shooting. It all feels like sheer chaos. What is there to be thankful for about sheer chaos?

GOD: You do have a point. Are you finished?

FOLLOWER: I guess. So, can you help me understand all this?

GOD: I’ll be glad to help. That’s what I do. First, that lady with the cancer…

I understand that cancer is a horrible and terrifying disease. I was with them before you got there, whe the doctor told them the news. They were scared, but I comforted them and assured them I would see them through this. They made a promise that, no matter what happens, they will live to honor me. I believe they both meant what they said. So although you can’t see this happening behind the scenes, when they demonstrate their faith in me, there is another couple watching them who will be encouraged by their example. Whether this woman lives another week or another thirty years, how she lives her remaining days and the way in which her husband loves and supports her will be beautiful examples of courage and devotion. I’m thankful for that. What about you?

FOLLOWER: Okay, I can see that.

GOD: Now, about those couples with marriage problems…

Some of them will not make it, no matter how hard they try or how hard you try to help. For some, maybe too much damage has been done. Or maybe they just aren’t willing to listen to our counsel. Or maybe they will decide it really is in everyone’s best interest to part ways. But there are some couples who will listen and do the work. And there are others who will part ways and find healthier, happier relationships. I’m thankful for all couples who find happiness in their relationships, aren’t you?

FOLLOWER: Absolutely! But, the ones that can’t make it work truly do break my heart.

GOD: That’s because you care so much about them, and I’m thankful for the way you love and care for them.

GOD: Now, let’s talk about the world. You are right, there is terrible suffering going on. People can be selfish, cruel and greedy. Many are destructive and determined to do things their way, not mine.

But don’t you also see so many people shining during these dark times? Isn’t it in times like these that churches finally get beyond their petty arguments and focus on helping to heal the sick, the lonely, and the broken? You are going to see people open their hearts and demonstrate kindness, generosity, and hospitality. You are going to see some surprising examples of people who will begin to truly love like they never realized they could. So as dark as these times appear to be, you are going to see amazing things happen. Just keep watching and have faith.

Does that help at all?

FOLLOWER: It absolutely does. I’ve never thought about things in that light and from that perspective. Thank you.

GOD: Oh, I think you would have come to some of these realizations eventually, but because you asked me to help you understand today…well, I heard you. You see, even though you don’t always feel cheerful or like you are truly grateful, you don’t stop trying to find joy, and you don’t stop praying. As long as you do those things, you will always find plenty of things to be thankful for.

FOLLOWER: Thank you for letting me ask these questions, for listening to me, and for helping me understand.

GOD: See? There you go again, being thankful.

And by the way, thank you for loving me.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2008 and 2017 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

Vol. 19 No. 45 | November 12, 2017

The first words I wrote when starting my journal entry this week were… First, I need words for my article. My fingers immediately started typing Matthew 6:25-34. Wow, I thought, that was quite possibly the quickest response ever. Thank You.

Now you know the origin of many of my articles- a specific prayer for the perfect words to convey my message for the week. The answer is not always so quickly revealed, nor does it always apply so directly to me as this passage did from Jesus.

Please take a couple of minutes to read it for yourself, and then I will share a couple of thoughts on why it is so meaningful to me this week.

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 25-26)

Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. (Matthew 27-29)

If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. (Matthew 6:30-33)

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. (Matthew 6:25-34, MSG)

I have never been one to worry too much about what I am going to eat; food has always been plentiful. I have never worried too much about what I will drink (unless I don’t have access to a good cup of coffee on some mornings); I have always been able to find something to quench my thirst. And clothes? Just this week I made another attempt at culling out some of my clothing. (Yes, you can, in fact, have too many t-shirts.) Since I have been blessed to always have enough, I have never been overly preoccupied or felt any sense of guilt when I read the words above. I can honestly say, without hesitation, that God has always provided, and I do my best to express my gratitude regularly for all his provisions.

But this time, the part of Jesus’ message that stood out was the last two sentences. I read it from several versions and translations and specifically selected the Message for the way these two lines are written:

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

As I read these words, I realized that although I rarely get worked up about anything, I do lean towards the side of perfectionism and have a slight tendency to make sure everything in my life is in order. So, when I read, “and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow”, I realized, oh… He is talking to me.

Of course, my inner critic often reminds me that I should have figured this message out by now. Obviously, I have not. My brain is constantly processing how I will handle or control this or that when it happens, so I will be 100% prepared for whatever comes my way.

As a result, I am in danger of not giving my entire attention to what God is doing right now. (My inner critic loves it when I do this). So, I have to keep reminding myself…

God will help me deal with whatever comes up when the time comes.

Thank You, Father, for directing me to this passage today as a reminder that You always do and say what needs to be done and said at the perfect time. Thank You for reminding me that You are always doing something glorious and mind-blowing, and if I will allow myself to look and listen and observe, I will be astonished. Then hopefully I can relax and truly live today knowing that You are way ahead of me at making the world a better place, and all I have to do is to enter into that process with You. Thank You, Father, for Your words that speak so clearly to me and maybe to someone else who needs to hear them.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2017 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved