A Norvell Note

A Norvell Note

June 29, 2025 – Vol. 29 No. 24

Rest. Refresh. Restore.

No alarm set. Nothing on the schedule. A short walk for breakfast. Clean up a stack of mail. The car stays in the garage—no reason to go anywhere. Ahh. A day of rest. 

There have been times in my life when I acted like I didn’t need to rest. Once in college, I took an exam after pulling an all-nighter to study for it. I could not keep my eyes open while taking the exam. I flunked the exam. 

I worked for a home insulation company. Due to the heat in the attic, we often worked at night. I recall one night when I drove from the work site to the next, about twenty miles, and didn’t remember anything about the trip. 

I’ve changed. I sometimes find that when I sit still after a full day of work, I cannot keep my eyes open. There have been occasions when I’ve been pulled into a shady space in a parking lot and enjoyed a short nap. However, I have not yet reached the stage in life when I can no longer sleep late. And I rarely go to bed before 11:00 or 12:00 o’clock. 

I no longer pull all-nighters unless it is truly necessary. If I fall asleep while watching a game, I rewind to catch what I missed. I’ve realized that genuine rest doesn’t come from extra sleep or going to bed early; instead, it comes from knowing and following Jesus. 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)

I accept the fact that I need days that are low-key, calm, and unscheduled. I appreciate that Jesus took time away from the crowds so He could rest, reflect, and find refreshment for His soul. He needed time away from the arrogance and power-hungry leaders who plotted to kill Him. 

We live in a similar world of power and arrogance. We need the rest that comes from the gentle and humble heart of Jesus. I need that rest. Like it or not, you need it too. 

Our world needs us to be examples of Jesus’ gentleness.

Our communities need us to demonstrate Jesus’ humility.

We cannot do that if we are always weary and heavily burdened. Rest. Refresh. Restore your spirit. Then live like Jesus. 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2025 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note

June 22, 2025 – Vol. 29 No. 24

It Is Well

As I almost always do when I start to write a Note, I prayed these words: Lord, what would You have me say in this Note? As a sinful man, what words do they need from me? Amid all that is going on in the world, in our nation, in our communities, and in our churches, what do people need? Immediately, these words came to mind. 

It Is Well with My Soul

Horatio G. Spafford

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!—
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.^[1]

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2025 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

^[1] The story behind the song: https://youtu.be/i5ZqcIGaKuo?si=DjaXsrLaOozNphFt

A Norvell Note

June 15, 2025 – Vol. 29 No. 21

Father’s Day Memories 

Happy Father’s Day to all my fellow fathers!

I was nineteen when my dad died. I cannot conjure up a single childhood memory of him on Father’s Day. For that matter, I cannot recall a single childhood memory of Mother’s Day with my mother either. Before you judge me, can you? 

However, since I became a father, my two children have given me many fond Father’s Day memories. 

I have received coffee cups, shirts, phone calls, a surprise visit or two, meals together, and cards with hand-written notes ending with, “I love you, Dad.” There have been Father’s Day, when my children and my wife have graciously given me space to watch most, if not almost all, of the U.S. Open Golf Tournament. 

My favorite memory of being a father/dad has occurred on ordinary days other than Father’s Day. That’s the image of seeing my son and my daughter and their spouses together, loving each other, caring for each other, laughing with each other, and being there for each other. Is there a greater gift a child can give to a parent?

I love Father’s Day. I am blessed to have two wonderful children, their spouses, and grandchildren, and I thank God for the blessings they are to me. 

If you are fortunate enough to be a father, I hope you feel blessed by them, encouraged by them, and celebrated by them. If your father is still living, please take the opportunity to express your love and appreciation for him. Spend time with them. Call them. Send them a note.

And most importantly, tell them you love them. They may try to convince you that they don’t need that mushy stuff. Don’t believe them. They do need to hear those words. 

It’s Father’s Day. Make a memory. 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2025 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note

June 8, 2025 – Vol. 29 No. 21

This Too Shall Pass

I came across this saying, “This too shall pass. It may pass like a kidney stone, but it will pass.”

That’s how life can be at times. 

Pain or sadness can come upon us swiftly and unexpectedly, altering everything in an instant. Well-meaning individuals try to comfort us with words like, “You’re going to get through this.” Some will even add, “You’re strong. You can handle this.” You hope you can get through it, and you pray you are strong. However, it is more difficult than I could have imagined. 

You were diagnosed with a frightening disease, and your doctor assures you that “It is not fatal, but the treatment and recovery will be difficult.” She is right. You do get through it, but it was not easy or pleasant.

You are struggling mentally and emotionally, and some days, you feel like you are losing your mind. Your therapist reminds you that you didn’t arrive here overnight and you won’t get through it overnight. He is right. You see improvement, but it’s a slow and grueling journey. 

You and your spouse are going through a rocky patch—experiencing sleepless nights, intense emotional conversations, and long silences. Neither of you can believe the words you are saying or hearing. After one tough “discussion,” you look at each other and agree, “We are going to get through this no matter how hard it is.”

Your job is tough. You drag yourself there, spend the day in misery, and dread returning tomorrow. Your supervisor notices the change and points out the good work you’re doing, telling you, “Just don’t give up. I’d hate to lose you.” You agree to persist but realize it’s not going to be easy.

When we go through times like this, we do well to remember: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed.” (Romans 8:18)

Max Lucado’s words were helpful to me several years ago when I was going through a difficult time that eventually passed, like a kidney stone. 

You’ll get through this.

It won’t be painless.

It won’t be quick.

But God will use this mess for good.

Don’t be foolish or naive.

But don’t despair either.

With God’s help, you’ll get through this.

From You’ll Get Through This, by Max Lucado

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2025 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note

June 1, 2025 – Vol. 29 No. 20

Cherish Every Moment

I knew the news was not going to be good when I went in for the diagnosis. There were signs of decline, but I hoped it was just my imagination. It was not my imagination.

I sat with the Specialist as he looked at the screen. He looked up, and the conversation went like this.

Specialist: “I’m afraid it’s not good news. There is nothing we can do.”

Tom: “Oh, it is? I was afraid of that. Is there anything we can do?”

Specialist: “No. I’m sorry.”

Tom: “How much time do we have?”

Specialist: “Hmm. It’s impossible to know for sure.”

Tom: “What is your best guess?”

Specialist: “Hmm. Maybe four months. Maybe less.”

Tom: “How much less?

Specialist: “Well, the best we can hope for is four months. It could be four weeks, or two weeks, or a week. It could be a couple of hours.”

Tom: “So, we’re at the end, right?” 

Specialist: “Correct. There’s nothing more we can do. Your Apple Watch is dying.”

I appreciate that the Apple specialist was kind and compassionate as he explained the problem and the eventual outcome. But as he gently explained that I would need to replace my Apple watch, I was laughing on the inside because the conversation sounded like we were discussing a human being, not a piece of technology.  

As I processed the finality of the Specialist’s words, I reflected on the fleeting nature of technology and the impermanence of the devices that accompany us through life. The end of my Apple Watch was a reminder that while gadgets may fade, our memories and experiences endure. I resolve to try to cherish every moment, no matter how brief, and to live fully in the present.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2025 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note

May 25, 2025 – Vol. 29 No. 19

Never Will I Leave You

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.” 

So we say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?” (Hebrews 13:4-6, NIV)

I know a wife who is grieving the loss of her husbands needs to know that in her grief and sadness, her God will never leave her. Knowing that truth will not change or fix the reality or undo her pain, but as time goes on, she will be able to grasp how important that truth is.

I know a husband who buried the love of his life for more than six decades and knows the truth of those words. Although he will weep when he wakes up to his empty house, he depends on God to be true to His word and help him through the day. 

I know of a family that needs to understand that even though the matriarch of their family is gone, God is still with them and will comfort them if they will allow him.

I think of another family struggling to find peace, knowing God is with them and will never leave them when what they want is more time with their daughter.  

Life is full of death, loss, and what seems to be endless goodbyes. Some of us know that reality all too well, so we hold on to God’s promise that HE will never leave or forsake us. 

I pray that you also know and draw strength from His love, constant presence, and abiding love and that HE will never leave or forsake you. 

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 8:38-39, NIV)

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2025 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

May 18, 2025 – Vol. 29 No. 18

More Than We Can Imagine

At the end of a beautiful prayer for the church in Ephesus regarding knowing and understanding the love of God, he offers praise “to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine” (3:20).

Think about that for a moment. God can do more than we can ask or imagine. I don’t know about you, but I have a pretty good imagination, and when I start thinking about what I would like God to do, my imagination goes wild. 

In my imagination, God heals all sick children, and there would be no more childhood cancer. 

In my imagination, God ensures that no children anywhere in the world will go hungry, and no political leader will ever do anything to stop providing food for children on the other side of the world.

In my imagination, God will eliminate all arrogance, pride, and bigotry in all Christian communities and organizations, and the world will recognize us because we love one another.

In my imagination, life would be simple, easy, and joyful. I will never have to say goodbye to someone I love, and I would shoot par on every golf course I play. 

In my imagination, God can help me understand and accept what He does that I do not like and help me realize how deeply He loves me. 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2025 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note

May 11, 2025 – Vol. 29 No. 17

Don’t Let This Rattle You.

“Don’t let this rattle you. You trust God, don’t you? Trust me.”  (John 14:1)

These are simple words Jesus speaks to comfort His disciples, knowing their world is about to change dramatically. We need to hear these simple words often, as we live in uncertain times when our world can change dramatically in a heartbeat.

Your portfolio shrinks as the stock market takes another significant drop. “Don’t let this rattle you.”

You receive the dreaded letter of rejection from the college of your dreams. “Don’t let this rattle you.”

You don’t get the promotion that you feel you deserve. “Don’t let this rattle you.”

The test reveals that your dad has Alzheimer’s. “Don’t let this rattle you.”

These are simple words that may sound empty, but the power of the statement comes from what follows: trust. Trust God. Trust Jesus. 

When your world is falling apart, trust God. 

When you don’t know the next step to take, trust God. 

When you are confused and afraid and don’t know what to do, trust. 

Simple words for difficult times. “Don’t let this rattle you. Trust God. 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2025 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note

April 27, 2025 – Vol. 29 No. 17

We Did It Again

We did it again. Once more, we, some of the descendants of Floyd and Agnes Mangum, traveled several miles to attend a family reunion. Traveling those miles allowed us to spend a few hours sharing memories, looking at photos, remembering those no longer with us, and honoring the heritage these two left us. 

We have had larger groups, and eventually, we will have smaller groups, although we don’t want to think about it; one day, there will be no more earthly reunions. But for now, if we can, we will do whatever we can to be together. 

Why? Why does my family, and many of you, observe these rituals? 

We do it because we are family. We are bound together by blood or by heart. We were born into the family, or we were adopted into the family. Either way, we are connected in a way that sometimes defies logic and may not make sense to those outside the family. 

We do it because we are grateful. We are thankful for our common history. We appreciate those who have gone before us and taught us important life lessons, like loving God with all our hearts and loving our neighbors as ourselves. We do it to encourage each other to do good, love mercy, and walk humbly with the Lord. 

We do it simply because we enjoy each other and want to be together as much as possible. We cherish the shared memories and long to make new ones. We realize we are blessed to have been born into our family and can’t imagine any other life. 

Finally, we do it because we have experienced enough loss that we know we must take life for granted. We have today. We live now. So, we travel, sacrifice, share, gather, and pray that we leave a legacy for those who come after us that is worth remembering and following. 

We did it again, and if possible, we will do it again next year.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2025 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note

April 20, 2025 – Vol. 29 No. 16

He Did It!

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” (Matthew 28:8-10)

When these women reached the disciples, I cannot imagine them calmly saying, “Greetings, brothers and sisters, we have something important to share about our Lord, whom some witnessed dying on the cross three days ago. We went to the tomb, but He was not there. At first, we were confused, sad, and afraid, but then we spent a few minutes with Him and explained what had happened. He instructed us to return to you and give you a detailed account of what happened.” 

No, I imagine them rushing in, out of breath, saying, “HE DID IT!”

Everything changed in that instant. Everything. 

Because I believe He did that, countless times I have said, “He did it!” as I realize that He did something in my life that He assured me He would do. 

When I am lonely and realize He is with me, I should say, “He did it!” He 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)

 When I am afraid and confused, I remember what He said, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10) He did it!

When I feel weak and discouraged, I recall His promise, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6) He did it!

Of course, there are times when I pray, and nothing appears to happen—only silence. But even in those times, I remember His words. “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:10). “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4) He did it!

He did it! That is the message of the empty tomb. He did it then, and He still does it today. 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2025 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved