A Norvell Note

Vol. 17 No. 20 | May 18, 2015

As many celebrate high school and college graduations I’ve become reflective on my own graduation with the class of 1970. Yes, I can remember that far back. So, today I want to share a couple of those reflections and make a couple of request of those of the class of 2015.

The reflections
1970 in Hope, Arkansas was a tense time. Racial tensions were high. Riots were taking place all over the country. We did not experience riots, but the threat seemed to be bubbling just under the surface. I could not imagine the level of tension being any higher than it was in 1970. In the last couple of years I have seen tension that equals or surpasses that of 1970. The difference? In 1970 most recognized and admitted there was a racial problem in our country, and in 2015 many cannot or will not admit there is a racial problem in our country.

1970 in Hope, Arkansas most of us were ready to get on with the rest of our lives. Most of us were ready to go to college, get a job, or is some other way get away from home. Some hoped to change the world. Some hoped to become fame and accumulate wealth. Some hoped to find themselves. Some hoped to move to a place where they could be themselves. From what I can tell there are some who made significant changes in the world, if not the entire world at least their immediate world. Some have achieved some level of fame and other have accumulated significant wealth. Some are still searching for themselves. Some moved to places where they could truly be who they really are. The difference? In 1970 most of us were full of idealism, hope, completely convinced the world will be a better place because we will be in it, and in 2015 many of us have departed, a few have lost some of our hope, others have settled for a life somewhat less than we had planned, and probably all of us live with the disappointment of a few dreams that have never come true.
With admitted bias I have always considered the Hope High School class of 1970 to be an exceptional class that handled a difficult time and less than ideal circumstances with as much dignity and grace as possible. My reflections on our graduating class prompts me to offer these thoughts

Always remember that no matter where you go, what you do, or what you become you have people who will always love you. Sometimes remembering those people will help you find your way home when you have lost your way. The Prodigal Son is the story of a boy who left home to live life the way he wanted to live it. He failed. He lost everything. He was alone. He began to think about his home and Father. He could not imagine that his Father would still love him or let him back in the house, he decided to go home, apologize, and beg to be considered a hired hand. To his surprise as he approached the home of his childhood his father, ran to him, embraced him, welcomed him home with a party, new clothes, and a ring on his finger. (Luke 15) Always remember that you are loved.
Never stop reaching for your dreams. Your dreams may not be realized as soon as quickly as you hope. You may find it more difficult that you imagined to accomplish your dreams. You may have to alter some of your dreams. But never stop reaching for your dreams. After a complete transformation of life and direction Paul described who he had been and that he was striving forward and forgetting the past. (Philippians 2) Never stop reaching for your dreams.

This is a time of reflection, a time of dreaming, this is a time of letting go, and this is ceasing the opportunity to pursue your dreams. Stay connected and know you are loved.

Tom

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

Vol. 17 No. 19 | May 11, 2015

It seems that a major part of what is required to get through life involves learning how to live as much life as possible between the interruptions and distractions.

For example, you have a day set aside to work in your office complete a project, research and set deadlines for new projects, and get through the paperwork that has piled up over the last few weeks. You are making head way and feeling good about the day, when a customer calls with a problem that must be handled immediately.

On another day you start out on a routine trip to visit a family member. You leave ahead of schedule. Traffic is moving along smoothly. You are making great time, then suddenly your car stops. You use all your mechanical by raising the hood and looking intently at the engine. Two-and-a-half-hours later you are back on the road.

You are cruising through life. Your career is going well. Your family is healthy. You have money in the bank. You live in a great neighborhood. You have good neighbors and are well respected in the community. One day it all changes. Your wife goes in for a routine checkup. The results are far from routine. It’s cancer. Your whole world is turned upside down.

You have your future planned out exactly how you want to go. Your retirement portfolio is looking great. You are moving up the corporate ladder by leaps and bounds. You are rocking and rolling! Then, your company is purchased and your department is downsized. You were blindsided and devastated.

Your own story would sound very similar. You know the disappointment. You understand the feeling of devastation. You have had your confidence replaced with fear. So, what do you do? How do you recover? Every situation is different so I will not attempt tell how to live your life, but I will offer a few suggestions on how to make the most of life between the interruptions.

Accept that interruptions and distractions will come. Interruptions and distractions will come. Expect them. Accept them. If possible, as best as you can, plan for them. They happen. Accept that they happen.

Realize that some of life’s greatest blessings show up disguised as interruptions and distractions. God loves to surprise us by taking what initially looks like the worst thing that could possibly happen and turning it into an amazing blessing. I do not know how He does it. I do not have an explanation for why He does things like He does them. But, I know He does them. When the interruptions and distractions come look for the good that may be hiding behind the bad. If you find it, enjoy being surprised.

Understand that being interrupted and distracted does not necessarily have to ruin your day. If you allow it to the interruption can send you into a foul mood and wreck your entire day. If you allow it the distractions can mess up any chance of finding any joy in your day. That can happen but it does not necessarily have to happen. You can control your attitude. You can determine if your day is ruined or if it is salvageable.

There is no doubt that there will be days when you are interrupted from what you have determined the important stuff of your day. It is just as certain that there will be times when you set your sites on a plan and direction for your day, your week, or your life and something will get you off track. It is in those moments between the interruptions and distractions that determine the end result of a day or a life. Consider well what you do and how you respond and do your best to make the most of your life between the interruptions.

Tom

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

Vol. 17 No. 18 May 4, 2015
When I am sitting at my desk in my office, if I turn my chair to face the window, because the window is above my eye level, I can the tops of several trees, the top of a utility pole, part of the sky, and part of a roof line of one of the homes in our neighborhood. If I stand I can see not only the roof of the house, but the backyard as well. If I stand not only can I see the top of the trees, but I can see the entire shape of the trees, the pavilion and the playground as well. If I stand not only can I see part of the sky, if I stand I can see the whole expanse of the sky.

When I am sitting in my living room in our home and I look out the two glass doors and the glass above the door I can see a piece of the sky, part of a patio chair, one small tree in the courtyard, and the back of some of the other condos in our complex. When I move from my chair, walk to the door, open it and step out on the patio, plants on our patio, and two chairs, a patio umbrella, and I can see the entire courtyard, and the entire eastern sky.

When I look at the world from my normal perspective my vision is limited. When I see natural disasters my limited perspective causes me shake my head in disbelief and ask, “Why Lord?” When I see the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer, my limited perspective leads me to question the fairness of the Lord. When I see injustice and abuse of power my limited understanding tempts me to assume that the Lord loves some more than others. When I see pain and suffering my limited imagination does not allow me to comprehend how anything good can come from what I see.

For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:9-12, NIV)
“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this army with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked. (2 Kings 6:16-18, NIV)

Father, I long for the day when I will see things more clearly than I see now. I long for a level of maturity that will allow me to understand things that are too grand for me to understand today. I long for a degree of compassion that will allow me to feel more love and concern that I now possess. I long for eyes to see what You see. Until I can see more clearly, understand things that are too grand for me, and find greater compassion, Father, I trust You to see what I cannot see, know what I cannot know, and do what I cannot do.

Tom

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

Vol. 17 No. 17 | April 27, 2015

You were sick and could not make it to the gathering of your Christian community this morning. You had a legitimate reason; you were sick. You were not just skipping church. You were not there. You were missed.

The ladies had a meeting to study the Word, encourage one another, and pray together. You could not attend this month’s meeting. You had out of town guests. You wanted and needed to spend the time with them. You were not there. You were missed.

You have a group of guys you meet with on a weekly basis for fellowship and a time to check in with each other. Your week was full of travel, meetings and a couple of surprise schedule shifts. You decided to sleep in. No hard feelings, but you were not there and you were missed.

There was a meeting at your church. You thought about going, but were not sure your presence would be needed. So, you decided not to attend. You were not there. You were missed.

Your family had planned a special celebration event. You a decided not to go. Your work schedule had been heavy, money for travel was limited, and you really just did not want to be away from home, so you did not go. After the event you received a flood of calls, emails, texts, and social media messages all saying the same thing: You were not there. You were missed.

There was an important meeting at work that you relay needed to attend but you were also scheduled to be working an important deal in another city so you could not attend. You later talked with several of your colleagues. The message was the same from all of them: We are sorry you were not there. You were missed.

You had a rough weekend. Instead of resting and relaxing you tried to do all the household chores that had piled up from a long cold winter. You were up early, worked all day, and stayed up late with the family. Now it is Monday morning and you are more fatigued than when you came home on Friday. So when the alarm sounds on Monday morning you shut it off, roll over and decide to sleep-in. You assumed no one would care and your absence would go mostly unnoticed. The next day when you return to work your co-workers are concern. “We missed you. It is not the same around her when you are not here. You were missed.”

Meetings sometimes get boring. Church attendance sometimes seems to hold little value. It is easy to take family gatherings for granted. The monotony of work and the routine of workday activities can make you feel unimportant, dispensable, and at times completely useless. It is easy in those times of discouragement and frustration we must find a way to remind yourself that you are invisible, insignificant, nor invaluable. No, the world does not revolve you and your opinion is not likely sway the decisions of the world’s greatest minds.

This may not change way the world treats you or the way you feel at the end of the long difficult week of disappointment, frustrations and discouragement, but maybe when you consider the opinion of you held by the creator of the universe you will feel a little better about the role you play in the lives of your church, your work place, your family and your friends.

“But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.” (1 Corinthians 12:18)

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27)

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:25-27)

If you were not in your home, you would be missed. If you were not a friend to your friends, you would be missed. If you stopped doing your job, you would be missed. If you were not you, you would be missed. So, this week, wherever you are, whoever you are with, whatever you are doing be who you are and know that if you were not there you would be missed.

Tom

© Copyright 2015 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 16 | April 20, 2015

You knew the day would come. You did not know when, but you knew it would come.

You knew the day would come when you would hold your newborn in your arms as you wept with gratitude for the blessing and prayed for wisdom to handle the responsibility.

You knew the day would come he looked at you and you knew he recognized you and that the smile was real and not just gas.

You knew the day would come when your little one would let go of your hand and start walking on her own.

You knew the day would come you would drive away from the school after releasing your first child to strangers and wondered what you would do the rest of the day, and then the day you left your last child you really wondered what you would do for the rest of the day…and the day after that.

You knew the day would come when your little girl would dress up like a princess and you would watch her and her friends pile into a limousine with a group of her friends as you prayed for her safe return.

You knew the day would come when you would see your son walk across the stage in his graduation regalia and you would realize his life and yours will never be the same.

You knew the day would come when after all the preparations had been completed the wedding music would begin and you would take your place in the processional and prepare to hear her say, “I do.”

You knew the day would come when you received a call from your son saying, “We’re headed to the hospital!” and you would rush to make new travel plans so you could be there to hold your grandchild and weep for the blessing of sharing the moment with your children and pray for the wisdom for them to be the parents, and you to be the grandparent this baby will need you all to be.

You knew the day would come when they all came for a visit and filled the house with conversation and laughter, then you would drop them off at the airport and go home to the quiet.

You knew the day would come you and your wife would look at each other and know without a word that she knows the joy and pain you have in your heart because it is the same joy and pain she has in hers.

You knew the day would come when you walk into one room for a specific purpose, but by the time you got there you had forgotten why you came.

You knew the day would come when you wake up in the morning and try to get out of bed only to discover that you have more aches and pains in places than you knew you places.

You knew the day would come when you get more updates on the health of friends than you do about their vacation adventures.

You knew the day would come when that chair at the end of the table and that chair in the living room would be forever empty.

You knew the day would come when the doctor would say that he has done all that he can do.
You did not know when, but you knew it would come. You knew the day would come when you would say the final goodbye.

For three years the followers of Jesus watched and listened and learned from their Master and He occasionally reminded them that the day would could when He would leave them. They did not know when. In their hearts the wanted to deny the reality of His words, but deeper in their hearts they knew that day would come. That day came.

Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:28-30, NIV)

Then they remembered that He promised another day would come when He would leave the tomb. That day came: Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her. (John 20:18, NIV)

Because of that day we know that a day will come when we will be welcomed into the presence of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We will hear Him say, “Welcome home.”

You knew the day would come. What a day that will be!

Tom

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

Vol. 17 No. 15 | April 13, 2015

I have decided to follow Jesus.
I have decided to follow Jesus.
I have decided to follow Jesus.
No turning back.
No turning back.*

Simple words to a simple song. I first sang those words as a freshman in college. As the years passed I would sing those words hundreds of times in devotionals, on retreats, during camp sessions, occasionally during a church assembly, and many times all alone in a car, in my study, or walking along a wooded path. These days when the song is mentioned it is usually in the context of “We used to sing this song.”

Repeating the words serves as a reminder of the inestimable importance of this decision. In times of temptation and struggle we remind ourselves: “I have decided to follow Jesus.” “I have decided to follow Jesus.” “I have decided to follow Jesus.” I can hear myself reminding myself: “I have decided to follow Jesus.” “I have decided to follow Jesus.” “I have decided to follow Jesus.”

Then, after being reminded of the decision made comes the reminder of the decision to be made: “No turning back. No turning back. I won’t turn back. I won’t turn back. I have decided to follow Jesus and I will not turn back.“

Jesus once told a story that emphasized how important the decision to follow Him is:

As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

He said to another man, “Follow me.”

But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”

Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:57-62, NIV)

I suspect most of you reading these words have made the decision, to one degree or another, to follow Jesus. Congratulations on that decision! My prayer is that you are living the life to the fullest.

If you find yourself in difficult circumstances of temptation and struggles, take a moment and sing this simple little song as a reminder of your decision. “You have decided to follow Jesus. You have decided to follow Jesus. You have decided to follow Jesus.” Remind yourself of that decision. Remember the moment when you made that decision. Then, tell yourself: “No turning back. No turning back. I will not turn back!”

Say it one more time with meaning: “I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back.”

Tom
© Copyright 2015 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

——–
* From hymnary.org: About 150 years ago, there was a great revival in Wales, England. As a result of this, many missionaries came from England and Germany to North-East India to spread the Gospel. At the time, north-east India was not divided into many states as it is today. The region was known as Assam and comprised hundreds of tribes. The tribal communities were quite primitive and aggressive by nature. The tribals were also called head-hunters because of a social custom which required the male members of the community to collect as many heads as possible. A man’s strength and ability to protect his wife was assessed by the number of heads he had collected. Therefore, a youth of marriageable age would try and collect as many heads as possible and hang them on the walls of his house. The more heads a man had, the more eligible he was considered. Into this hostile and aggressive community, came a group of Welsh missionaries spreading the message of love, peace and hope of Jesus Christ. Naturally, they were not welcomed. One Welsh missionary succeeded in converting a man, his wife, and two children. This man’s faith proved contagious and many villagers began to accept Christianity. Angry, the village chief summoned all the villagers. He then called the family who had first converted to renounce their faith in public or face execution. Moved by the Holy Spirit, the man instantly composed a song which became famous down the years. He sang:
“I have decided to follow Jesus. (3 times)No turning back, no turning back.”
Enraged at the refusal of the man, the chief ordered his archers to arrow down the two children. As both boys lay twitching on the floor, the chief asked, “Will you deny your faith? You have lost both your children. You will lose your wife too.”
But the man sang these words in reply: “Though no one joins me, still I will follow. (3 times) No turning back, no turning back.”
The chief was beside himself with fury and ordered his wife to be arrowed down. In a moment she joined her two children in death. Now he asked for the last time, “I will give you one more opportunity to deny your faith and live.”
In the face of death the man sang the final memorable lines: “The cross before me, the world behind me. (3 times)No turning back, no turning back.”
He was shot dead like the rest of his family. But with their deaths, a miracle took place. The chief who had ordered the killings was moved by the faith of the man. He wondered, “Why should this man, his wife and two children die for a Man who lived in a far-away land on another continent some 2,000 years ago? There must be some supernatural power behind the family, and I too want that supernatural power.”
In a spontaneous confession of faith, he declared, “I too belong to Jesus Christ!” When the crowd heard this from the mouth of their chief, the whole village accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior.

-Dr. P.P. Job and Indian preacher in His book “Why God Why”

 

Vol. 17 No. 14 | April 6, 2015

As I waited for the light to change I saw the man selling papers. I see him in the same location on a regular basis. He always smiles a friendly smile. He always waves a friendly wave. He walks along the line of cars then turns around and comes back to his original station. What was his life like before he came to sell papers on the street? Where is his family? Do they know he is on the street? Do they care? I wonder about his story.

She comes into the sanctuary just as we are beginning each week. She sits in the very back, near an exit. She seems to know most of the songs we sing and appears to enjoy the time in the assembly. But as we are singing the invitation song she quietly slips out unnoticed. I wonder about her story.

If I were to describe him I would use words like rugged, strong, hard, and calloused. None of those would refer to his physical appearance, but his demeanor. My impression is that if I were to ask him about his life he would say something like, “Oh, I’ve been around.” That would be it. His answer would be saying, “I doubt you really want to know my story.” But, I do. I wonder about his story.

He comes to church with his parents. He sits with them and stays pretty close to them before and after. Occasionally one of the other children will approach him and invite him to play with them. He always declines and stays close to his mother. He does not really appear to be afraid, but he is not confident enough to venture away. I later learn that he is adopted. I was already wondering about his story, now I wonder about it even more.

Her parents’ marriage crumbled when she was very young. Most of her life has been spent going from one parent to the other. Two sets of grandparents. Two different homes. Juggling the holidays and summer vacations. Always trying to be the good girl that never caused trouble. Now, in her late teens, she tries to find her way through the world and tries to discover who she is. When we have talked she has a look in her eyes that says she wonders where this life she has lived is going to lead and she wonders who she will be when her story comes to an end. I, too, wonder about her story and where her life will take her.

She is just a child. She is sweet. She is innocent. She is loved and nurtured and protected and nourished by the best parents anyone one could ever ask for. She has a vivid imagination and an abundance of energy. I watch her and I marvel at the story God is weaving with her, for her, and through her.

He was in his early twenties when I met him. He was troubled. He was angry. He acted tough and wanted everyone to think he was tough. Getting beyond the walls of his heart required something I did not have. We spent some time together and I did what I could, then he disappeared. I often wonder about where he is, how he is, and if he is. I wonder if he has ever been able to make sense of his story.

As I wonder about these people, I am in awe that God has allowed me to have a glimpse into their lives. For some I have played a minor role in their story. For others I have had a greater influence, just as they have influence me. They have all touched me, and challenged me, and blessed me, and opened the eyes of my heart to remind me there is more — much more — to this life than I can see. They have all reminded me that there is more — much more — to this life than me.

We all have a story. Although we may sometimes wonder about where our story is leading, or how it is being written, and why it has not taken on a different theme, we do not need to wonder about one thing: He has always been involved, graciously shaping us into the image of His Son.

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. (Romans 8:29, NIV)

Tom

© Copyright 2015 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 13 | March 30, 2015

Sometimes I do not know what to say. I marvel at these words from the man of wisdom: “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)

He is considered the wisest man who ever lived, so I would not attempt to compete or compare because sometimes I just do not know what to say.

Sometimes when I sit down to write these Notes I don’t down what to say. Words seem far away. Ideas seem unreachable. If you are a regular reader you can probably detect those articles. This is one of those times. The Teacher “also imparted knowledge to the people.” Sometimes I don’t feel like I have much knowledge to impart.

Sometimes I do not know what to say when a mother and father come to me with stories of a son or a daughter who has chosen a life apart from God. I listen to the words of the broken hearts. They ask for guidance. They ask for prayer. I show them as much compassion and kindness as possible, but I do not always know what to say.

Sometimes a couple shares their concerns for their relationship. They once were close; now they are distant. Once they could not be apart; now they have difficulty being in the same room. They once were deeply in love; now they have trouble saying the word. I may share a book. I may offer to schedule a few sessions with them to work through their issues. Sometimes I do not know what to say.

Sometimes a man will tell me how miserable he is with his job. He works long hours to provide for his family, but he hates where he works and he hates some of the things he has to do to keep his job. He never dreamed he would end up in this kind of a situation. He asks me for direction. He pleads with me for help. I pray with him. When he is gone I pray for him again. But I do not have many words for him.

I hear of churches that seem to have lost their way. I hear the distress and sadness in the voices of some of the members. I see the concern and pain in their faces. They ask for prayers. So I pray. They ask for advice. I have none. They ask for direction. I pray for them. They ask for answers. I do not have answers. Sometimes I do not know what to say.

I hear fellow preachers who have grown weary, even more weary than me, and are considering leaving the ministry for something else. I hear men who have left the ministry describe how they wish they could find a way to continue. They ask for ideas. I have none. They ask for suggestions of where they might preach. I have none. Sometimes I do not know what to say.

Sometimes I do not know what to say. Sometimes I do not have words, but tonight I do. Better yet, the Holy Spirit knows what needs to be said.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:26-39, NIV)

Tom

© Copyright 2015 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 12 | March 23, 2015

Create in me a pure heart, O God,and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10, NIV)

Create in me a pure heart, O God. You must do it. I cannot do it on my own. I have tried, O God. Perfect church attendance has not accomplished it. Reading and memorizing Scripture has not accomplished it. Recounting all my years of preaching and teaching has not accomplished it. Keeping a record of all the good things I have done to help other people has not accomplished it. Living with guilt and shame over all the bad things I have done has not accomplished it. I have done all I know to do to create a pure heart and my heart is not yet pure. Father, will You please create in me a pure heart.

Create in me a pure heart, O God. I have tried to clean my heart and make it pure. I do okay for a while, then I find I am right back where I started. It seems as if I never really did much cleaning or purifying. A pure heart? That sounds almost too good to be true. Or, as someone has said about Your grace and mercy, “Maybe it’s too good not to be true.” Lord, I want a pure heart. I want a clean heart. I want a heart that is filled with things that are pure, not the impurities of the day.

And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Lord, my spirit is weary. It needs renewing. I need a new start. A clean start. Again, I have tried to renew my spirit by doing all the right things. That helps some. I see the value in praying, reading Your Word, fasting, and spending time in with Christian people, but my spirit still seems dry.

And renew a steadfast spirit within me. My spirit is not very strong. My spirit is not very solid. My spirit is not very steady. Flimsy would be a better description. I tend to drift along with the wind. If I am not very, very careful I can be swayed and persuaded and distracted from where and who I should be pretty easily. Father, steady my spirit.

And renew a steadfast spirit within me. I know that it is within me to live as You would have me to live. It is within me because You are in me. You live in me. Because You are within me, know I can be strong, I can be steady, and I will experience renewal. So, Father, please renew my spirit from deep within me.

I am with You, Father. I belong to You. I am weak and weary and I am a wanderer. But, if You create in me a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me, I will praise You and tell of Your wonderful ways.

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Tom

© Copyright 2015 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 11 | March 16, 2015

I have altered this illustration from The Grace of God by William MacDonald, just a bit to fit a little easier in our current economic situation. MacDonald wrote:

Imagine you have been invited to the White House by the President of the United States. You are seated at a table filled with the choicest foods. Every effort has been made to give you the most enjoyable evening. At the end of a lovely visit, the president stands at the front door to bid you good-bye.What do you do? As you leave, do you press a $20 dollar bill in his hand and say, “Thank you very much for your kindness. I have enjoyed the evening very much. I realize it has cost you a lot of money, and I want to help you pay for the meal”?

Is that the proper response to his kindness? On the contrary, it is a rude and insulting gesture. So it would be with God’s grace and how He has demonstrated His love for us.

Here is the application.

You have come to the end of your life and as you reach the gate into Heaven you are greeted there by God. As He is greeting you with “Well done good and faithful…” you interrupt him and hand him a list showing all the good things you have done in your life. As you show Him your list you say, “I know this has cost You a lot. I want to show You that I have done my part to help pay for it.”

It is as if, after considering all that God has done for you in demonstrating His love for you, you hand Him $20 worth of your own efforts and say, “I know this cost You a lot. I want to do my part to help pay for it.”

“I want to do my part to help pay for it.”

Question: How much is your part?

I chose a $20 dollar bill for the illustration because for most of us twenty dollars is a lot of money. If it is not now, it once was a lot of money. We hand God our $20 list of good deeds and expect Him to be impressed. We expect Him to say, “Why thank you. I could not have done it without you.”

That may not be what He says. He may instead say something like this. “Thank you very much for the good life you have lived. That shows me that you appreciated what I did for you by sending my one and only Son into the world. You know, when I allowed Him to die for you on that horrible day on that horrible cross, I did that for you. I let Him die for you. When His blood was spilled on that cross, your sins were covered. You were set free. Your entire debt was paid. I really do not need your list. I know what you have done. And, although I wish you could have relaxed a little while you were living in the world and not worried so much about doing all the right things and not doing all the wrong things, I am still glad you are here. Although I wish you could have trusted my love for you enough to enjoy the abundant life I provided for you more fully, I do love you and I really am glad you are finally here with me. Welcome home.”

Tom

© Copyright 2015 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.