A Norvell Note

Vol. 17 No. 40 | October 5, 2015

Just suppose we took Jesus seriously and did what He said.
5 “Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.”

He said in verse 3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Just suppose we accepted that we are poor in spirit and admitted we are nothing without Him, that we are powerless without Him, and lived as though everything depended on Him, and not on us.

He said in verse, 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
Just suppose we acknowledged that our losses, our suffering, our disappointments, and our sorrow over the lost…all the things that cause us to mourn…would be restored and we will be comforted by the Comforter, and lived fully with that knowledge.

He said in verse 5, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”
Just suppose we believed that and did not worry about gaining control and keeping control of the people in our circle of influence or the world around us and lived in full assurance that His power is what we need, that His strength is all we need, then lived knowing that knowing that He is now and will always provide for our needs.

He said in verse 6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
Just suppose hungered more Jesus and His Word, and thirsted more to be righteous like He is righteous, then allowed Him to fill us, and stopped trying to fill those empty spaces inside us with things that will not satisfy.

He said in verse 7, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
Just suppose we stopped thinking about revenge and getting what we think we deserve and started showing mercy to people, then enjoyed and lived in appreciated of the mercy He has shown us and is showing us.

He said in verse 8, “Blessed are the pure in heart,for they will see God.”
Just suppose we focused on keeping our hearts pure and rejoiced as we begin to see and understand God more clearly.

He said in verse 9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Just suppose we became peacemakers, not just peace lovers, and began tearing down walls and building bridges to such an extent that we are recognized as children of God.

He said in verse 10, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Just suppose Just suppose when someone treats us poorly because of our relationship to Jesus loved and blessed our persecutors and enjoyed the fact that we are doing kingdom work.
Just suppose we allow the mind and nature of Jesus Christ to invade our mind and our nature. We do not have to wonder what would happen, He tells us, we become salt and light.

He said in verse 13, “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.”

He said in verse 14, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Just suppose this really happened.

I think that is Jesus had in mind when He said,
“This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one,
for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2015. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 39 | September 28, 2015

One of my favorite walking trails takes me through a parcel that was once woods and farm land, then a golf course, and now green space. (I’ve written other articles about this place.) One of my favorite parts of the trail passes between two ponds. Like other parts of this tract of land that have provided points for reflection and observation since the closure of the golf course the two ponds remind me of life choices we make on a regular basis: we can choose to survive or we can choose to thrive. (I invite you to listen to Casting Crowns “Thrive” as you read.)

As I walk I see the pond on the left first. Although there may be good reasons, even healthy reasons for a pond to be covered with algae like this one. I am neither a pond-oologist nor an algae-ologist, but most of the time I have every heard algae being discussed it has been in reference to a pond, pool, or stream and in the context of “how do I kill it or get rid of it?” Never in the context of “Ooooh. Isn’t that lovely!” Other than an occasional confused turtle or wandering heron, I rarely see much life in or near this pond. It is as if the pond is in survival mode. Waiting for something to happen to change the course of it’s existence.

On the other side of the path I see another pond. This one seems to be thriving. Turtles love this pond. They are often seen swimming and sunning on rocks or logs in the pond. Birds of all kinds flit around looking for food. Apparently fish enjoy this pond as well because the bank is often populated by the hopeful fisherman. the water is clear and clean. It seems that breeze is almost always blowing across this pond.
Again, I do not know the reason for the different of these two ponds separated by only a short distance (maybe 40-50 feet), and actually connected to some degree by a culvert underneath the road. I do not know the reason, but I see the reality.

So, here is the application. If your life were represented by one of these two ponds, which would it be? Are you just surviving, or are you thriving?

Are you feeling covered up by “stuff”? Do you feel that the very life of you is being choked out of you by unhealthy influences around you, or in you? Do you feel like you are being overrun by people and events that drain the life out of you? When other people are with you do they go away drained and discouraged?
Are you feeling alive? Are you living each day in the knowledge that You are God’s child and that His Spirit is living in and though you? When people are with you do they go away feeling refreshed and hopeful?

Consider these two passages from John’s Gospel.

The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
“Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? (John 4:9-11, NIV)

On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. (John 7:37-39, NIV)

We have a choice in how we live. We have a choice in the what we offer to others. I pray that this week I will choose to in such a way that rivers of living water will flow from within me.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2015. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 38 | September 21, 2015

Even though at one point he had a huge following it was not because he asked for it, it was not because he demanded it, and it was not because he made any effort to get noticed. He just went about doing good. He healed some people. He comforted some people. He even bought a few people who had died back to life. He did not boast about it. He did not do any of the things there were normal for a rising start.

He perplexed some of his followers by staying in the shadows. They encouraged him to develop a better public relations plan. They chastised him for not making more public appearances. They assured him that if he was to have the impact they wanted him to have he would need to improve his street credibility. He ignored their suggestions and went about doing good.

He refused to make himself a bit deal. Once when he healed a man with leprosy (Matthew 8:1-4), then told him not to tell anyone.

When he healed the centurion’s servant (Matthew 8:5-13) he did not need to go to make a scene of it. He simply said the word and the servant was healed.

When he healed Peter’s mother-in-law he did not make a big deal of it. “He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.” (Matthew 8:14-15)

When he did something big he did it in such a way that, except for the people involved, it did not seem like it was a big thing. When he did go out into the light he did it quietly.

In John 9 when he healed the blind man he did not call attention to what he did. A little spit. A little mud. The man goes on his way. When later asked who it was that healed him, the man said he did not know. He could have announced what he was doing, but he did not. He could have followed the once blind man around giving interviews and signing autographs, but he did not.

When he died he did not, although some who were close to him, and some who had followed him, were sad. But for the most part his death attracted very little attention and required no fanfare. Between two thieves he bowed his head and said, “It is finished.”

He did not need the attention. He avoided it. He did not to be recognized. He seemed to enjoy being unrecognized. His life modeled and his teachings encourage a life lived in quietness, simplicity, and obscurity. Live the life. Take care of people. Love one another. Be quiet about it. Let the Father receive the glory.  When it is all over make it a quiet departure.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2015. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 37 | September 14, 2015

You have probably been in one of those situations with a group of friends, family, or co-workers when the conversation shifts from the usual surface talk to something more serious. There may be a pause, or one of those awkward silences when people begin to look at the clock to see if it is twenty minutes past or twenty minutes before the hour.

It is awkward because you know it is the perfect time to raise the conversation from the ordinary to the extraordinary. You can go back to “Did you see that game?” or you can say something like “Hey, can I share something I read in the Gospel of John the other day?” If you choose the first you will get more of the same. If you choose the latter you may get that  uncomfortable silent reaction which might be translated, “Did he really just say that?”

These awkward uncomfortable moments probably come and go more often than we realize because we are so accustomed to allowing the opportunities to pass. It is so easy to keep the conversation light and fluffy so that no one feels judged, is put on the spot, or made to feel the slightest bit uneasy. So, we talk about the weather. We talk about sports. We talk about work. We talk about the children. We may even talk about our church, what is good, what is bad, what we like, and especially we do not like.

We justify and rationalize our action or lack of action by saying we do not want to be seen as too serious or too religious or too rigid or too holy or to this or too that. We justify and rationalize by quoting the one passage we remember from Ecclesiastes: “Do not be over righteous, neither be over-wise — why destroy yourself?” (7:16). We justify and rationalize then we beat ourselves up for missing the opportunity.

Maybe there is a better way. Peter said this, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” (1 Peter 3:15,19, NIV)

“Always be prepared.” Maybe we shy away from this passage because we assume to always be prepared to give an answer means we have all the answers. That is not the point of the passage. We are to always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that we have. There is an assumption: we have hope. Since we have hope, be ready to tell people. Since we have hope, and since we have a reason for our hope, why not break the silence sometimes by sharing the hope that we have. Since we have hope, and since we have a reason for our hope, why not transform the conversation from the mundane to the spiritual.

Will it be awkward? Yes, at times. Will be strange? Yes, at times. Will some people wish you would have let conversation stay on the surface? Yes, some will. Will it be worth the awkwardness? Yes. Will it change the dynamic of your group? Yes. Will it make the conversation be more memorable and meaningful. Absolutely!

When you find yourself squirming in your seat because you sense that awkward moment is approaching, be ready. Think about something you have been reading (something worth sharing). Be ready to share it. Then, share it. The awkwardness will pass.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2015. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 36 | September 7, 2015

Google Images

In a section of teaching to the Thessalonian Christians (1 Thessalonians) Paul is describes his ministry. Typical in his writing he begins by expressing his love for them and offering his encouraging praise of their faithfulness to the Lord’s teaching and for the lives that have been formed from that relationship. In chapter two he share some of his personality as he describes the way he ministered to this “chosen” group.

In chapter 2, verse 8 he says, “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you were so dear to us.” This passage and a sequence of recent reminders bring to mind those God has placed in my life who loved me so much, that they shared not only the gospel of God with me but were delighted to share their lives with me as well.

There are those people in my family who prayed for me in my early years, before I even knew them, that God would “deliver me from evil” and lead me in the ways of righteousness. When I was way to young and uninformed to grasp or appreciate it they were committed to pour into me words of life and hope and love and peace. As I grew they began to share their lives with me as well.

I see the faces of men and women who took the time to listen to my struggles, understand my fears and doubts, and tolerate my shortcomings. They apparently saw something in me they thought was worth nurturing. They shared with me the Truth, but they also were delighted to share their lives.

I hear the voices of men and women who cared enough about me that they talked with me honestly and at time brutally words that kept me on the right path and seeking things deeper than the things on the service. They were not afraid to confront me, nor were they hesitant to accept me.

I remember conversations where men and women shared wisdom gained through facing challenges, overcoming obstacles and holding true to their promises. They generously shared their life experiences and offered assurance hope for moving forward.

I feel the hands that were placed on my shoulder by men and women expressing their concern for me, comforting me, and reminding me that I am never alone. They shared their lives with me because I was so dear to them.
Now, it is my turn. What I have received needs to be passed on to those who are following in my footsteps. The words that encouraged me and helped shape my life need to be shared with those who need encouragement and are trying to find their place in the Kingdom.

Because I was so dear to them they were delighted to share their lives with me. Because there were people who considered me so dear to them they were delighted to share ideas, experiences, wisdom and understanding from their lives that have proven to be invaluable to me. Now, because there are people who are so dear to me, I am delighted to share my life, ideas, experiences, wisdom and understanding that hopefully will prove invaluable to other.

I am thankful for those who considered me dear to them, and I am thankful that the Lord has placed people in my life who are very dear to me and that causes me to be delighted to share my life.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2015. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 35 | August 31, 2015

Near the end of the story of the Sower (Matthew 7; Mark 4; Luke 8) Jesus makes this statement in verse 14, “The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.” (Luke 8:1-15, NIV)

Those words surfaced in my memory recently when I was on a late afternoon walk along the Greenway in what was once a golf course. It’s the same golf course I’ve written about before. (See: It Doesn’t Take Long and Caring For Your Soul) It was a beautiful afternoon as I enjoyed the walk with a nice breeze, the setting sun and listening to a favorite music playlist when I realized I was consumed by weeds. When I say weeds I actually mean thistles (see: Thistles).

When I say overcome by weeds I actually mean engulfed by thistles. They have grown tall, almost as tall as me, and have almost completely covered the golf course. As I began to take in the view along the paved path I realized that at eye level and in certain directions all I could see was tall prickly weeds.

That’s when I thought of the words of Jesus, “…they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.” Those who heard the word were choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.

“I know those people,” I thought. Then, I thought at times I am one of those people. I am one of hear the Word. It makes sense. It is planted into my heart. It begins to grow. Then, the weeds appear. They grow. They grow strong and tall and block my vision of the things that are real and true and clear gets choked out by life’s worries, riches, pleasures and they do not mature. I have been there. Maybe you have too. Maybe you are there now. You are consumed by weeds.

I looked up. Above the weeds. Above the thistles. Further up the path. At the top of the hill. There was a grove of trees. Strong healthy trees. Green lush trees. The weeds had no affect on these trees. They stood firm as if to say, “You can do this. You and survive this. The Word can and will thrive in you.”

It was at that moment when I was consumed by the weeds that I realized it was not the trees speaking to me, but the Lord, and I remembered the next verse in Luke 8: “But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” Consumed by weeds but refreshed by the Word.

Are you consumed by the weeds of life. Look up. Find a tree. Study it.  Hear the Lord as He speaks to you and raises you above the weeds.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2015. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 34 | August 24, 2015

If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,
and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:19-24, NIV)

Do I really want to do this? Am I ready to do this? Am I brave enough to ask You to search me and test me? Do I really want You to know my anxious thoughts? Am I comfortable enough with You to invite You to look inside and see if there is any offensive way in me? Is there another option?

You already know all this. You have known me since before I was formed. You have known all my anxious thoughts, You have known my heart, You have known all the offensive ways in me, and You have been ready to lead me in the way everlasting my whole life.

You know there that are people that I consider enemies. Unfortunately too many times my reasons for calling them wicked or enemies are for selfish reasons, not because they have evil intent or misuse Your name or live in rebellion to You. I, too often, count them as wicked or as enemies because they do not look, think, act, or live the way I would prefer them to look, think, act, or live. You do not have too look very far to know that there are offensive ways in me. If You did not know me so well, and love me so much, that would create even more anxious thoughts in me.

In spite of the anxiety it produces  or how fearful of it I am, I ask You, Father, to search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Search me, God. Look all over me. Look inside me. Examine each detail of me. I am Yours. You know me. Search me, God and know my heart.

Test me. Try me. Challenge me. Push me. Check to see who I really am.

Know my anxious thoughts. When life seems unstable know my anxious thoughts. When it seems everything spinning out of control know my anxious thoughts. When my inward self is restless and frightened know my anxious thoughts. When I have difficulty seeing You and hearing You know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me. There are offensive ways in me. I know it. You know it. Help me clean them out. Keep them away.

Lead me in the way everlasting. Lead me, Lord. Please lead me. Lead me in Your ways. I want my ways to be Your ways…Your everlasting ways.

Father, You handle my enemies. Make the only enemies I have be those who are enemies of Yours. And Father, since You know me better than I know myself, thank You for loving me, empowering me, and challenging me to be more like You.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2015. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 33 | August 17, 2015

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts
(Or How amazing are your thoughts concerning me), God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you. (Psalm 139:13-18, NIV)

This phrase stands out, “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

God knew me before I was born. He knew you before you were born. He was aware of and involved in the process of our formation. He knew the exact date of our birth before we did, before our parents did, before our doctors did. For Him there was no wondering and there were no anxious days of waiting.

He watched our little bodies were taking shape. He needed no ultrasound or special equipment see us as our fingers and toes were forming. He was there when our hearts beat for the very first time, and before the first beat. He was there as our lungs were being inhaling and exhaling for the first time. He was there and He knew exactly how long we would reside in the warmth and safety of our mother’s womb.

He was there when our eyes reacted to the first ray of sunlight. He was there when our mother and father held us in their arms for the first time. He knew the exact moment when our mother and father saw us for the first time, and He knew how they would respond at that moment. He knew the number of tears that would leave their eyes at that miraculous moment. He was there when our grandparents nearly burst with joy as they watched their children experience the joy of being a parent.

He knew the exact moment when we would take our first step. He knew the exact moment when we would skin our knee for the first time. He knew the exact moment when feel the ocean breeze on our face and sand between our toes for the first time. He knew when we would jump off the side of the pools for the first time. He knew when we would take the first swing at a baseball for the first time. He knew the first time when we would feel our heart flutter at the sight of cute little girl when she walked into our classroom. He knew the exact moment when you would propose and that she would say yes.

He knew the exact moment when you would walk across the stage to receive your diploma and degree. He knew the exact moment when you would go to your job on the first day. He knew ahead of times you would change jobs and why. He knew the exact moment when you would move into your first house, and your second, and your third and all the other times.

He knew the exact moment when you would say, “Yes, I believe He is the Son of the living God and I want Him to be the Lord of my life.” He knew the exact moment when you would face your first big challenge to that commitment, and that you would stay the course.

He knew the exact moment when I would decide to camp on the 139th Psalm for a few weeks, and He knew which sentences would catch my eye and prompt my thoughts. He knew the exact moment when I will finish this article and push the send button. He knew the exact moment when you will open your meal and choose to read or not read.

“All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” I am thankful that He knew, and that He knows. “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful.”

Tom

Oh, by the way He knew that our third granddaughter— Hadassah Tate Norvell — would be born at 8:05 PM on August 16, 2015 and that she would weight 7 pound and 13 ounces. Mom, Dad, and big sister are all doing very well. His works are truly wonderful.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2015. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 32 | August 10, 2015

Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you. (Psalm 139:7-12, NIV)

There are times, Lord, when You seem to be far away. There are times with our communication seems muffled and erratic. There are times when it feels like I cannot find You. There are times when the darkness seems to overpower me and my ability to see you. There are those times.

Although those times are difficult and lonely and disturbing, those times never last for long. Those times never last because You are there…You are always there. No matter where I go You are there. Even when I try to flee from You so that I can pursue my ways, You are there. I cannot flee from You, because You are there…You are always there.

If I look up into the heavens, You are there. I see You in the clouds. I see you in the blueness of the sky. I see you in the light of the sun. I see you in the stars. I see you in the moon beams.

If I go to the sea, You are always there. I see You in sand on the shore. I see You and hear You in the crashing waves. I hear you in the laughter of the children playing in the surf. I feel you in the ocean breezes. You are there…You are always there.

You are there, but You are not just there. You are there to guide me and to hold me. You are there to comfort me, protect me, calm me, and nudge me. You are always there.

When the darkness overtakes me, You provide a light for my path. When the darkness seems to provide a cover for my sinfulness, Your light shines on me to reveal my sinfulness and remind me that You rescue me from my sinfulness. Your light overpowers the darkness and brings me hope of a new day. You are always there. Thank You.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2015. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 31 | August 3, 2015

Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. (Psalm 139:4-6 NIV)

You lay your hand upon me and I feel Your presence. Your hand resting on me reminds me that I am not alone. Not only does your hand remind me that I not alone, but I am comforted by the fact that it is Your hand that is upon me…not the hand of a stranger. Because it is Your hand I know that no harm will come to me.

You lay your hand upon me and I cannot move far from me. I am hemmed in from behind and before. I do not feel trapped. I do not feel confined. I feel protected. I feel secure within the boundaries of your love.

You lay your hand upon me before some words are on my tongue to remind me not to speak them and sometimes to remind me to say the words that You have placed on my lips. Your hand prompts me that it is time to speak and that it is time to be silent.

You lay your hand upon me and my soul that had become restless, becomes calm. There is a soothing that comes over me with the touch of Your hand upon me.

You lay your hand upon me when my spirit is troubled and agitated and I am assured that You have everything under control. You ask me to remember that it is not my responsibility to fix all the problems of the world, and that You do not need me to defend your actions or lack of action.

You lay your hand upon me to tell me it is okay for me to sleep. In the morning Your hand is upon me to awaken me to the blessings and mercies of a new day.

You lay your hand upon me when my patience grows thin as a cautionary reminder of times when You and others have been patient with me.

You lay your hand upon me when I have been injured by words or acts of unkindness and begin to plot my revenge to remind me of those times when I have injured others and they have overlooked my unkind words or actions of unkindness.

You lay your hand upon me when the Enemy entices me to dwell on all my failures and shortcomings and offer a reminder of how you have long ago forgiven and forgotten all of them.

You lay your hand upon me sometimes it seems just so I will not forget that You are always with me and that You have promised that You will never leave me.

You lay your hand upon me. Thank You.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2015. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.